Chapter 684 - 683: Hidden Thoughts
Huangfu Jingchen finished speaking and climbed down from the courtyard wall.
Gu Hongxin was so furious that he was practically fuming. What did that brat say? For the sake of his own future, he lost the righteousness in his heart?
How did he lose his righteousness?
He felt a bit flustered, as if a secret thought in his heart had suddenly been exposed and laid out in the sunlight. With the corner of his eye, he glanced at Zhuo Pengju and the other two.
Seeing that the three did not believe Huangfu Jingchen’s words, and their looks towards him were not unusual, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
His anger towards Huangfu Jingchen intensified. He shouted angrily: "Trying to run? Get back here!" and was about to chase out of the courtyard.
Zhuo Pengju hurriedly pulled him back, saying, "Third Brother, calm down, don’t stoop to the level of young people. If Wenjin really agreed, he wouldn’t have tried to escape the marriage! He’s Sichen’s friend, speaking on Wenjin’s behalf, that’s normal. Since he’s left, let him go."
Although he and his brothers shared a bond forged in life and death, normally inseparable, now that they lived in his elder brother’s house, offending Sichen’s friend wouldn’t be very right.
Gu Hongxin reluctantly watched Huangfu Jingchen’s departing direction, thinking it was a pity. If the four of them had joined forces earlier to capture that boy and sent him to Young Master Xuan, Young Master Xuan might even think well of them.
In the end, afraid that Zhuo Pengju and the others might overthink it, he added, "Old Four, you might not know this, but Young Master Xuan is one of the three distinguished young men in the Capital City, with countless women wanting to marry him. Wenjin is fortunate to have such a good marriage. We can’t let others ruin it. So what if he’s Sichen’s friend? Better to demolish ten temples than ruin one marriage. Words like these show he’s not a good person. That’s why we should capture him and let our elder brother decide!"
Zhuo Pengju awkwardly said, "But we have to be able to keep him!"
Although they only exchanged a few dozen moves just now, the four of them against one, they didn’t gain any advantage.
This shows that the young man is not an ordinary person. Moreover, he was mainly defending and rarely counterattacked, displaying excellent swordsmanship, yet didn’t deliver any fatal blows. Such a person, there’s no reason for him to lie and ruin someone’s marriage.
Li Ling also advised, "Let it go, since he’s Sichen’s friend, we shouldn’t go too far, or it won’t look good on Sichen."
"Right, I think this young man looks dignified and doesn’t seem like a bad person. Young people have their own thoughts, let them be!"
Everybody was persuading him, so Gu Hongxin couldn’t insist anymore. He wanted to chase alone but knew he couldn’t win, he sulkily said, "This marriage was found by our elder brother from the foot of the mountain, and in Jianghu, a promise is worth a thousand gold pieces. What does that young brat know?"
Zhuo Pengju laughed: "Yes, yes, Third Brother, don’t let such a small matter ruin your mood. Let’s continue drinking!"
After leaving Xia Mansion, Huangfu Jingchen sighed inwardly. Prince Zhuang’s relentless pressure had forced him to constantly build defenses, taking every step cautiously, which had led to neglecting Wenjin.
Even with people from Haotian Village coming to the Capital City, he had no idea about Wenjin’s father and brother going to pay respects to ancestors until Gu Hongxin mentioned it earlier.
He needs to quickly resolve the issues on Prince Zhuang’s side.
Also, no matter how busy he is, he must see Wenjin more often!
Xia Wenjin was oblivious to this incident and was kept to chat by Mrs. Xia.
Upon learning that she was starting a business, Mrs. Xia anxiously said, "Child, since your uncle and aunt are in the Capital City, you won’t be left hungry. Doing business is tough, just stay home. Whatever Xiao Ze and Xinxin have, you won’t lack from my side."
Xia Wenjin knew Mrs. Xia was concerned for her, so she smiled and said, "Aunt, actually doing business isn’t too hard, I’m not that greedy, I’ll start small and steady, I won’t incur losses."
Mrs. Xia sighed and said, "I know you’re clever, but you have to go out in public and run around a lot. It’s tiring even for men, let alone a woman. Is it a significant investment? If not, I can support you with some funds so you don’t have to do it."
She lovingly said, "While other daughters are pampered, Xia girls can be the same!"
Xia Wenjin laughed, "I’ve put all my assets into it, I can’t withdraw now. Besides, with many things in the Capital City requiring help from uncle and aunt, constantly relying on them would make me useless. Besides, staying home every day would be tedious, so I’m just finding something to do, no need to worry, I’m doing well, and if I can’t manage, I’ll tell you!"
Seeing her look, Mrs. Xia knew her mind was made up. Thinking about her short time in the Capital City and the challenges a young girl faces doing business, she felt her heart ache; the child is thoughtful, and since she has decided, let her do it. But she would still support her.
With this in mind, Mrs. Xia immediately instructed Nanny Zhou to bring out the silver she had set aside, an entire stack of silver notes, roughly about ten thousand taels.
Mrs. Xia handed the silver note to Xia Wenjin, saying, "Doing business requires capital. This is all I have right now; see if it’s enough. If not, I’ll gather some more for you in a few days."
Xia Wenjin declined, "Aunt, I already have enough capital. Business is steady now, no need, you keep it for yourself."
Saying she wasn’t moved would be untrue. All the furnishings in Xia Shi’en’s house were simple yet scholarly elegant, showing that the couple was very frugal.
As far as Xia Wenjin knew, though Xia Shi’en’s salary wasn’t low, expenses were high. Fortunately, Mrs. Xia’s dowry included some properties that could help.
This much silver was probably most of their savings. Not to mention her business was already on track; her humble talk of starting small was just modesty. Is Yunhua Trading Company small?
Not even counting Yunhua Trading Company; any single shop under it isn’t small.
Moreover, there is Xue Niang’s brothel, Yan Huanlin’s restaurant.
Their business touches upon all aspects of life.
Even Feiyun Pavilion is now fully structured, becoming a notable force in Jianghu.
She doesn’t earn a fortune daily, but her income is substantial.
Even if it were as Mrs. Xia thought, just starting and struggling, she couldn’t possibly take her aunt’s money.
Mrs. Xia didn’t allow her refusal, shoving it into her hand, "No need to be polite with your aunt! Even if you don’t need it, count auntie as a shareholder!"
Xia Wenjin was touched, as her brother Xiaozhe was engaged to the daughter of a great scholar in Ningzhou and would soon marry, which would be costly, and Xia Xinxin was getting older, time to start discussing marriage.
There are many expenses, yet she’s still so generous with her. Taking it, she said, "Alright! Then I won’t stand on ceremony!"