Chapter 722 - 721: Thoughts
If it’s truly Prince Zhuang, wouldn’t it be because he was implicated by Huangfu Yuxuan?
Thinking of this, Xia Wanqing’s gaze at Huangfu Yuxuan became a bit complicated.
See, the engagement was already annulled, and just because Huangfu Yuxuan hasn’t given up on Wenjin, his Imperial Uncle made a move against Wenjin.
Isn’t it better to confront someone directly if you have a problem with them? Targeting those around the person is not the way of a gentleman, far from chivalrous, especially towards those unrelated.
The people in the Imperial Family truly are despicable, perhaps what Wenjin said is true.
When they first arrived in the Capital City, they didn’t offend anyone. Attacking the second and third brothers and dragging him down too, there are only a few people to suspect.
Wenjin has always said it was Huangfu Yuxuan.
Inside, he felt it wasn’t, because Huangfu Yuxuan shouldn’t want to harm the second and third brothers.
But what if it’s to win people’s hearts?
If Wenjin Sichen’s ringing of the Injustice Bell had no effect, then when he, as the Imperial Grandson, enters the palace to request a Holy Decree, not only the second and third brothers but even he would be immensely grateful.
He is a man of the Jianghu, adhering to the principle of repaying kindness many times over. If he owes a life, he would never turn his back in the future and would certainly respond to any request.
If Huangfu Yuxuan just wanted to be a Prince Taiping or a wealthy Imperial Grandson, he would probably just let him help a little as before.
He wouldn’t need the help of Haotian Village.
But after all, he is the Imperial Grandson; if everything is about the Crown Prince’s position, does Young Master Xuan also have such thoughts?
If so, then wanting him and the entire Haotian Village to be used by him would make sense.
Xia Wanqing had never thought so much as he did now, and this was because, on the way to pay respects to ancestors, he had a lengthy conversation with his brothers Xia Xiaozhe and Xia Wanqing. Although the brothers were young, they were the sons of the Right Minister and had gained considerable knowledge through observation and listening. Xia Wanqing, who only focused on matters within the Jianghu and knew nothing about Court affairs, caught wind of some discussions.
Otherwise, he would never have thought about these things.
Huangfu Yuxuan put on a facade of being broad-minded, courteous, and humble, with an attitude of ’even though it’s not my doing, I am willing to bear the responsibility.’ He’s brave and assumes responsibility, but claims innocence, simply because of his deep affection for Xia Wenjin.
Originally, he thought that since he had shown his stance, Xia Wanqing would certainly comfort him with a few words and clearly state that this was not his fault, but the moral depravity of others.
But he didn’t expect Xia Wanqing to remain silent, even appearing lost in thought.
This reaction was not right; he was still bent over there, and his waist was sore.
Xia Sichen naturally remained silent if Xia Wanqing didn’t speak, and Xia Wenjin acted as if she didn’t see or hear anything.
Hong Jie cast a dark and chilly glance at the three members of the Xia family. Were they deliberately making his young master bow and apologize?
His young master was magnanimous, and bowing to apologize was a sign of goodwill. Anyone with discerning eyes wouldn’t dare to make him salute.
The people of Haotian Village were not good things, indeed.
If it weren’t for Cui Huai’s repeated advice, the young master wasn’t taking him along today because he trusted him with the task. The young master had already entrusted him to handle an investigation yesterday, warning him that if he dared to mess things up, he would be punished. He would have drawn his sword long ago to show the Xia family a lesson.
In fact, Xia Wanqing had no such intention; he was simply lost in his own thoughts and momentarily dazed.
When he regained his senses and saw Huangfu Yuxuan still bent over and apologizing, he laughed heartily and said: "What’s this about, Young Master Xuan? Haven’t you already found out who did it? In the eyes of us Jianghu people, we don’t tolerate nonsense; we hold accountable those involved and don’t make others suffer for them!"
The sore-backed Huangfu Yuxuan straightened up accordingly.
Xia Wanqing said: "I was just thinking about how to make those who kidnapped Wenjin pay the price, and momentarily didn’t realize that Young Master Xuan was performing a salute, my apologies!"
Considering how to deal with Prince Zhuang?
The anger stirring within Huangfu Yuxuan suddenly eased. He did all this not just to let Prince Zhuang eliminate Huangfu Jingchen, so he wouldn’t compete with him for Xia Wenjin, but to find an opportunity for Haotian Village to confront Prince Zhuang.
Haotian Village, as such a powerful Jianghu force, with everyone adept in martial arts, even if Prince Zhuang had many Jianghu people in his mansion, could they withstand the full force of Haotian Village?
His previous apology, saying it was his fault that Xia Wenjin suffered such grievances, was meant to pull Haotian Village into the same camp.
Even if Xia Wanqing doesn’t enter officialdom and can’t be used by him, as long as Haotian Village deals with Prince Zhuang, that would be sufficient.
He almost forgot about his sore waist and quickly said, "Uncle Xia, if you have such intentions, I will definitely cooperate well. My Uncle Wang is truly regressing. Back then, when I exposed his schemes against my father, he originally plotted against my father first, and I was just reciprocating. If he’s dissatisfied, he should come at me, not Wenjin. I won’t let this matter slide, or else, I would betray Uncle Xia’s trust and esteem!"
Xia Wanqing nodded slowly and sighed, "After all, he’s a Prince of the current dynasty; this matter requires careful consideration. Furthermore, this is a matter between us father and children; it has nothing to do with Haotian Village."
Nothing to do with Haotian Village?
Huangfu Yuxuan wasn’t quite satisfied inside.
Even though Xia Wanqing is highly skilled and unfathomable, two fists can’t take on four hands. For the father and son to face Prince Zhuang, it’s still not enough.
He was about to say a few more words when Xia Wenjin softly said from the side, "Father, don’t always focus on conflict. This is the Capital City, and I can handle my own affairs! It’s enough to know who did it, we’ll just avoid them in the future!"
Huangfu Yuxuan: "..."
Avoid them?
What kind of saying is this? Where is the Jianghu spirit?
Knowing who targeted her, and she just wants to avoid them?
Did he hear wrong?
Xia Sichen tapped her head with a finger and said, "Wenjin, don’t become so fearful after one encounter. Whoever dares cross you, the old man and I will deal with them."
Huangfu Yuxuan breathed a sigh of relief. He could see now that Xia Wanqing and Xia Sichen might not care about their own affairs but were extremely concerned about Xia Wenjin’s matters. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to abduct Xia Wenjin.
Unfortunately, he relaxed too soon, as Xia Sichen continued, "And how would you handle it? You’re a woman, facing a Prince. We people of the Jianghu have a saying..."
A gentleman takes revenge, even after ten years? Huangfu Yuxuan thought to himself, ten years seems too long.
Xia Sichen continued, "If you can’t win, run, and escape is the best tactic!"
Huangfu Yuxuan: "..."
Xia Sichen pretended not to see Huangfu Yuxuan’s changing complexion and pointed at the paper in Xia Wanqing’s hand, laughing loudly: "I was just saying that. Now that we have the evidence, why don’t we go and strike the Injustice Bell again!"