Chapter 322: Extra: The Fierce Neighbor Tune Seven

Extra: The Fierce Neighbor Tune Seven

Actually you can't blame Yin Fengxuan for being suspicious; it's because Jin Jingwen has a history of filing complaints. And, unfortunately, today is the same, which let Yin Fengxuan be right—Jin Jingwen is the one who went into the palace to lodge a complaint!

However, this time Jin Jingwen didn't speak while everyone was present; instead she slipped alone into Zhang Guifei's inner chambers and recounted, one by one, the recent nonsense Yin Fengxuan had been up to.

Of course, Jin Jingwen's accusations weren't just to smear Yin Fengxuan; she was saving the main point for later. So after tarnishing Yin Fengxuan for a while, while listening to Zhang Guifei, already shaking all over, about to flip the table, Jin Jingwen saw the timing was right and delivered the crux of her palace visit:

Ah, Your Majesty, your troublesome son is such a scoundrel—he's made a mess of his own residence and then ran away! So there's nothing I can do; I can't just let him get away, can I?! So first this, then that, and then this again! But rest assured, your troublesome son is fine, he hasn't lost any arms or legs, he can still take care of himself. If you must say what's wrong with him, I'd guess his heart is just a little blocked!

Jin Jingwen's words were quite pleasant, and daring to act against Yin Fengxuan, she had no intention of keeping the matter hidden.

After all, no wall is airtight; even if Liang Xu's methods are top‑tier, Yin Fengxuan is still a Prince, and once suspicion arises and someone investigates, he'll eventually be caught. So rather than sit and wait for doom, it's better to privately tell Zhang Guifei the matter himself.

As Jin Jingwen expected, the already irate Zhang Guifei, upon hearing that Jin Jingwen had taken action, didn't blame her; instead she even praised her repeatedly! Looking at her, she seemed to wish she had gotten involved herself from the start, to give Yin Fengxuan a good beating!

Thus Jin Jingwen successfully completed the planned task; Zhang Guifei gave her the go‑ahead, and Jin Jingwen felt smug, already scheming how to torment that idiot Yin Fengxuan. But she didn't expect that as soon as she left Zhang Guifei's chambers, she ran into the idiot himself.

Jin Jingwen wasn't afraid of Yin Fengxuan to begin with, and now with Zhang Guifei's assurance she was even more confident. So when Yin Fengxuan opened his mouth, Jin Jingwen merely lifted her gaze and gave him a glance.

"So what if it is? So what if it isn't?"

Jin Jingwen's remark was downright provoking. Hearing it, Yin Fengxuan snapped, immediately pointing at her nose and shouting

"You, you woman..."

If it weren't for his principle of not hitting a woman, he at this moment would have wanted to slap her! But Yin Fengxuan wasn't that foolish; he knew that if he actually struck, he'd surely end up in trouble. Seeing him trembling all over, Jin Jingwen was delighted, raised an eyebrow, and turned away.

Yin Fengxuan was already in a bad mood, and running into Jin Jingwen in front of Zhang Guifei's chambers made him fume even more. When Jin Jingwen left, Yin Fengxuan turned and went inside, only to be berated by Zhang Guifei right off the bat!

Although he doesn't usually obey, his firepower in front of his own mother is always limited. Moreover, after Zhang Guifei had been brain‑washed by Jin Jingwen earlier, she looked at her own son with increasing disgust, and her anger was unstoppable.

When Zhang Guifei finished her tirade, her anger finally subsided a bit. Then she changed tack and got back to the point.

"Enough. As for those petty matters of your Houyuaner, I'm too lazy to deal with them. But don't think it ends here; something good will come your way later!"

Zhang Guifei's words were clearly hinting that Jin Jingwen would act next. Hearing that, Yin Fengxuan, already inflamed by the scolding, sprang up.

"Ah?! Mother, aren't you still thinking of sending that Jin Jingwen to my residence to meddle? She..."

"What about her? I think she's far better than you! She's a thousand times better than those shameless fox‑concubines of your Houyuaner!"

Without a second thought she cut Yin Fengxuan off, and before he could speak further, Zhang Guifei straightened up and gave him a sharp look.

"In short, those fox concubines of your Houyuaner must be sent away promptly! I have already selected a marriage candidate for you. No matter what, if later your Houyuaner's fire scares the girl away, see how I'll deal with you!"

Zhang Guifei has never been one for empty words. In the past she spoke little and acted much. Now she even invoked the word 'rectify', clearly determined to bring her own son back! But Yin Fengxuan, though lacking in many things, has a stubborn temperament. So when his mother truly came for him, he shouted

"I won't! I don't want to marry right now!"

"Then what do you want to do? Keep flirting with cats and dogs, neglecting your duties?"

"Even if I took a wife, it might not help! Those are two different matters, okay?"

"What two different matters?! I see them as the same!"

Zhang Guifei glared at her son in anger, then suppressed the fury in her chest, pursed her lips and said

"Xuan'er, you're twenty‑four today! In the past you were a prodigal, with no one watching over you; those women in your Houyuaner were indecent, unaware of propriety. But marriage is different—once you marry, your mind will change, so this marriage must happen! No room for negotiation!"

Zhang Guifei gave a decisive order, then took a pamphlet from the nearby table and handed it to Yin Fengxuan.

"These are the marriage candidates I've had prepared these past days; you can take a look and see if any catch your eye!"

After all, he's her own son; though he's a constant worry, Zhang Guifei, as his mother, wouldn't mistreat him. Moreover, she understood that the marriage matter was already being forced by her, so she let Yin Fengxuan choose as much as possible.

Otherwise, if the couple later get along poorly, that would be a real hassle!

Zhang Guifei was indeed thoughtful; she listed on the pamphlet all the reputable, eligible unmarried ladies of the capital who meet all criteria. Yet Yin Fengxuan had no intention of marrying, and now, under his mother's pressure, his patience wore thin! In a fit of spite he snatched the pamphlet, flipped it half‑heartedly a couple of times, didn't even glance carefully, and tossed it aside.

"Bad! All of them are bad!"

Yin Fengxuan was clearly being deliberate. Hearing that, Zhang Guifei's anger flared again, and she narrowed her eyes.

"You barely looked; how can you say they're bad?"

"Who says I didn't look? I did, and if they're bad, they're bad! If I really had to marry those women, I'd rather stay single!"

"You..."

Zhang Guifei trembled with anger; fortunately the jade bead beside her steadied her, and after a moment she recovered and scolded Yin Fengxuan

"You worthless thing, aren't you my son? You're being disobedient, aren't you?! Fine! All these are bad, right?! Then tell me, who actually is good?! Today you must name a suitable lady, or I'll send you to your fourth brother Yin Fengzhan and see what he says!"

Yin Fengxuan wasn't afraid of Zhang Guifei, but he had always inexplicably been wary of his older brother Yin Fengzhan, who grew up together. Knowing his temperament, Zhang Guifei simply called Yin Fengzhan over!

Sure enough, when Zhang Guifei mentioned looking for Yin Fengzhan, Yin Fengxuan immediately wilted. Yet thinking of his marriage dilemma, he puffed out his cheeks, plotting how to escape this disaster.

Yin Fengxuan fell silent. For a moment the vast palace fell quiet again. Then, with a sudden flash of thought, the frowning Yin Fengxuan looked up at his mother.

"Mother, I have a candidate!"

"Who!"

Zhang Guifei thought that, given Yin Fengxuan's muddled brain, the person he could think of now couldn't be a good one, and she didn't even give him a glance. Yet Yin Fengxuan didn't care; he let out a chuckle, leaned toward Zhang Guifei and whispered

"It's the girl named Jin from the neighboring household!"

…

At this moment, if Jin Jingwen were present, she would have slapped Yin Fengxuan to death without hesitation, then turned him into a specimen to hang on the city wall!

Unfortunately, Jin Jingwen wasn't there, so Yin Fengxuan reveled in his petty triumph!

Thus, after uttering those words, Yin Fengxuan laughed so hard his eyes nearly vanished, looking as smug as a weasel that had stolen five hundred chickens, his face beaming!

Hearing that, Zhang Guifei, who had previously paid him no mind, suddenly had her eyes flash, then she silently concealed it, and deliberately took an elegant sip of tea.

"You think that's clever! Want to get that Jingwen girl? It's a shame you can even say it! Besides, didn't you scold her before? How come you've changed your tune now?"

"Ah, Mother, my nature is unknown to others, but you don't know either? It's just that that little girl… uh… got me all flustered, so I said a few nonsense words, nothing serious!"

"Hmph! With that little mind of yours, I could never not notice! Not serious? You're lying!"

She let out a cold snort, then placed the teacup on the nearby table, and slowly lifted her gaze to her son.

"Anyway, whether it counts or not, I'm too lazy to argue, but you must tell me, does what you just said count?"

"It counts! Of course it counts!"

So you're actually intending to marry that Jingwen girl?!

Yes!

Yin Fengxuan answered quite straightforwardly; hearing this, Zhang Guifei's eyes flashed with a hint of excitement, though her face remained calm and unchanged.

Alright, don't be so sure of yourself! Besides, even if you're willing, I reckon that Jingwen girl probably isn't willing!

Zhang Guifei knows exactly what kind of person her son is, and she knows even better what he's thinking now. So rather than say anything else, just speaking of her son's bearish demeanor—something even she, his mother, looks down on—how could she expect Jin Jingwen to take a liking to him?!

Besides, that Jingwen girl is sharp and has always had high standards, so this matter…

Thinking this, Zhang Guifei narrowed her eyes slightly. At that moment, hearing even her own mother-in-law pour cold water on her, Yin Fengxuan immediately glared.

Mother! Are you really my mother or not?! Why do you keep belittling me?! Anyway, this matter is settled—I will marry no one but her!

Holding his head high, Yin Fengxuan threw out a harsh remark. Upon hearing this, Zhang Guifei raised her eyes again and retorted angrily.

Enough, enough, I hear you! But don't treat my words as wind in your ears—with you as you are now, wanting Jingwen to agree to marry you is nothing but a daydream!

Hmph! Whether it's a dream or not, I don't know, but Mother, rest assured—I will make that girl agree no matter what!

Having said that, Yin Fengxuan didn't waste another word and strode off arrogantly. As soon as he left, Yuzhu, standing nearby, couldn't help but step forward and whisper to Zhang Guifei's side.

"My lady, do you think this can succeed? I, your servant, feel it's rather doubtful."

……

Yuzhu knows full well what kind of temperament the Jin family miss has and what sort of person Yin Fengxuan is; precisely because she knows, she grows increasingly pessimistic about this affair.

Furthermore, the relationship between Yin Fengxuan and Jin Jingwen before wasn't friendly at all—it had already reached a point of mutual incompatibility. So for him now to propose marrying Jin Jingwen is obvious to anyone: he's surely up to some trickery.

But that Jin family miss is no pushover, so…

Just thinking of this made Yuzhu feel a pang in her liver, but upon hearing those words, Zhang Guifei could no longer hold back her laughter.

"What's wrong with being doubtful? It's still better than having nothing at all!"

Saying this, Zhang Guifei pursed her lips and then lifted her gaze to the window.

"Jingwen is a formidable girl—full of scheming and talent, a descendant of loyal officials; looking across the capital, there's no one more suitable for Xuan'er than her."

"That's the situation, but my lady, the Jin family miss also has high aspirations, so even if we bring up the marriage to her, it seems…"

"Hehe, I certainly know that! Jingwen girl has high standards—there's no way she'd take a liking to someone like Xuan'er with his character! But Yuzhu, you understand the principle that proximity brings advantage, don't you?"

Saying this, Zhang Guifei paused slightly, then glanced at Yuzhu. Hearing this, Yuzhu startled, then suddenly realized.

"Um… could it be that you've had your eye on that Jin family miss for a long time, and thus also the Jin household…"

Although she had served Zhang Guifei for many years, Yuzhu still felt inferior to her mistress's scheming mind. After all, who would have thought that Zhang Guifei had already set her sights on this from the very beginning?

At this moment, seeing Yuzhu's reaction, Zhang Guifei neither affirmed nor denied, simply continuing to smile as she spoke.

"Xuan'er is no longer young; as his mother, I must keep an eye on him! But I can only help this much—after that, it's up to Xuan'er himself… After all, this fate is heaven‑ordained; you can't force what isn't meant to be. ~"

Although Jingwen is intelligent, she is still young, so in terms of scheming she falls short of Zhang Guifei.

"Old ginger is still spicy—this saying is absolutely true, truly true!"

As for Yin Fengxuan, his idea was really just a passing whim. After all, if it weren't for Jingwen deliberately running to Zhang Guifei's sleeping palace to lodge a complaint, and just happening to run into Yin Fengxuan at the right moment—enraging him half to death—he would never have thought up such a despicable plan!

At the same time, merely imagining marrying Jingwen home and having his way with her made Yin Fengxuan's spirits soar uncontrollably.

Even on the road back from the palace to his residence, Yin Fengxuan became more and more convinced that this plan was superb, his mood buoyant. Thus, upon returning home, his first act was to summon his personal lackey and strategist, Lin Quan.

Lin Quan was Yin Fengxuan's confidant, and Fengxuan hid nothing from him. He then laid out his thoughts, but upon hearing his master's brilliant scheme, Lin Quan's eyes widened in shock, his legs went weak, and he nearly fell flat on his backside.

Holy shit!

"Boss, are you alright?! You're really set on taking that Miss Jin home—not to worship her as a queen, but to knead and shape her as you please?"

"Moreover, more importantly, Boss, do you really think that Miss Jin could actually take a liking to you?"

Lin Quan was utterly speechless. He felt even more embarrassed to remind Fengxuan—just think of your IQ, then think of the neighbor's; this is practically asking for trouble!

Lin Quan felt terrible all over, his mind and stomach churning; he had just begun to offer a word of advice when Fengxuan cut him off. Instantly, Lin Quan realized his master was dead set on courting death, so he stopped speaking, gave Fengxuan a regretful glance, and then started plotting strategies for him.