Chapter 680 - 679: Anyone Who Catches Your Eye?
Nanny Zhou thought that Miss Niece was not an ordinary girl. Madam dearly loved her and wanted to keep her in Capital City to find a suitable match. Yet, she was also worried she might be wronged, so she took this opportunity to encourage her to make more friends and slowly integrate into the circle of noble ladies.
Actually, Madam worried too much.
Miss Niece did excellently!
The carriage first went to the Right Minister’s Mansion. Madam Xia Shi’en personally came out, looking at Xia Wenjin with some concern. Seeing her smiling face, only then did she relax and glanced at Nanny Zhou, who nodded slightly, her eyes showing a touch of appreciation.
Mrs. Xia asked reassuringly, "Wenjin, did you enjoy the flower-viewing gathering today?"
Xia Wenjin supported Mrs. Xia’s arm, saying gently, "It was quite good, very lively and fun. Those noble ladies were very gentle!"
Mrs. Xia glanced at her and asked with a smile, "Did you only notice the ladies? What about the young gentlemen?"
Xia Wenjin nodded and said, "They were also quite nice, refined and courteous, all outstanding!"
Mrs. Xia held Wenjin’s hand as they walked inside, smiling as she said, "Was there any young gentleman who caught your eye?"
Xia Wenjin instantly understood Mrs. Xia’s meaning and said with a smile, "Aunt, even if someone caught my eye, it wouldn’t matter unless they also found me agreeable!"
Mrs. Xia, proudly boasted, "Who wouldn’t find our Wenjin agreeable? Wenjin, if you fancy anyone, just tell Aunt, and Aunt will certainly help you fulfill your wish!"
Xia Wenjin was amused by Mrs. Xia’s words, yet she still saw genuine affection in the eyes of this aunt.
Despite not having known each other for long, Mrs. Xia, having no daughters, cherished her as one, while Xia Wenjin, having grown up without a mother, felt warm from her kindness and warmth.
She playfully shook Mrs. Xia’s arm and half-jokingly said, "Aunt, Wenjin is not currently thinking about marriage, so you don’t need to worry for me. When I want to get married, I will definitely ask Aunt to make the decision for me!"
She spoke frankly, even when talking about her own marriage, without much shyness.
Mrs. Xia appreciated her straightforward nature, saying whatever came to mind, and liked her even more.
Xia Wenjin chatted with Mrs. Xia for a while and gave her freshly formulated skincare cream, which Yunhua Trading Company was about to launch as a top product. It was excellent, and everyone has a love for beauty. Mrs. Xia tried it and liked it very much.
She had dinner at Xia Mansion and was also invited to stay overnight by Mrs. Xia.
Ever since they acknowledged each other as family on that day, Mrs. Xia had specially prepared a small courtyard for Xia Wenjin.
Xia Wenjin thought about Uncle Zhuo and the others staying at Xia Mansion, with her father and brother not around. If she didn’t return, Uncle Zhuo and the others would feel more relaxed staying there, so she decided to stay at Xia Mansion.
What she didn’t know was that because she stayed at Xia Mansion, a certain young man who wanted to see her paid a nighttime visit to Xia Mansion.
Huangfu Jingchen, having said barely a few words to Xia Wenjin during the day, parted ways. After handling some matters, it was already past midnight.
He came out from his study; outside was deserted, the moonlight bright and stars twinkling. Under the starlight, he suddenly thought that watching the moon and stars with Wenjin would indeed be a wonderful thing.
His heart was filled with sweetness, and his desire to see Xia Wenjin grew stronger.
He decided to act on his thoughts.
He immediately left, heading towards Xia Mansion.
The Cheng Prince Mansion was two streets away from Xia Mansion, and at this hour, the city was under curfew.
Huangfu Jingchen, skilled and courageous, was willing to use Qinggong to meet his beloved girl, avoiding the curfew’s patrol to fly lightly like a swallow towards Xia Mansion.
There were still lights on in Xia Mansion at that moment.
Zhuo Pengju, Li Ling, and Hu Zeqi were settled in the east wing. A cook had been hired earlier in preparation for Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin’s stay, and now he was put to good use.
At this moment, the three of them were drinking.
Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin had visited them twice and earlier today, Huangfu Yuxuan also came.
Huangfu Yuxuan had been keeping an eye on the dynamics of Haotian Village, so he naturally knew when Zhuo Pengju and the others entered the Capital. At that time, he hinted to Hua and Gu to entertain these brothers well, as they would later serve as military officers in the Capital, earning titles and benefits for their families, and could rely on each other!
After being rejected by Xia Wenjin in public, he thought he should visit Xia Mansion.
Since Gu Hongxin was off duty, he accompanied him there.
Already acquainted with those from Haotian Village, and since Huangfu Yuxuan was intent on winning them over, the conversations were very enjoyable.
Huangfu Yuxuan enthusiastically offered to help them find a position, similar to what Hua and Gu had.
However, Zhuo Pengju wanted to wait until the Village Chief returned to discuss it since they were from Haotian Village and should follow the chief’s instructions.
They weren’t sure if they wanted to take official positions, which would distance them from Haotian Village and its pure Jianghu connections.
At present, they hadn’t made up their minds.
Zhuo Pengju politely declined Huangfu Yuxuan, saying they were new to the Capital and wanted to enjoy it for a while before considering such matters.
Huangfu Yuxuan was not disappointed. With the example of Hua and Gu, he believed Zhuo Pengju and his group would eventually be tempted. When leaving, he mentioned, "Uncle Hua and Uncle Gu have houses on the same street. I’ll keep an eye out; since you plan to stay long-term in the Capital, you might as well settle more comfortably when bringing your families here after getting a job!"
Zhuo Pengju laughed and said, "We’ll see about that later. Whether to stay or leave depends on our eldest brother’s decision!"
Huangfu Yuxuan smiled, "Of course, Uncle Zhuo, Uncle Li, Uncle Hu, do enjoy your time in the Capital and don’t hold back. I’ll have someone send some Silver for you all to spend!"
Zhuo Pengju hurriedly responded, "No need, no need, Wenjin has already arranged everything for us, and we have Silver on us!"
Huangfu Yuxuan earnestly said, "Since you’re in the Capital, I am the host and should fulfill my duties. Besides, Wenjin’s matters are my matters!"
This statement left Zhuo Pengju in an awkward silence. Though Xia Wanqing had declined Huangfu Yuxuan earlier in private, Zhuo Pengju had happened to overhear it.
Moreover, since nothing had progressed between the two, the marriage seemed truly off.
Chuckling, he replied, "Young Master Xuan is too polite. If we have any needs, we will surely reach out to you!"
Huangfu Yuxuan saw his insistence and didn’t press further, leaving after a short chat, claiming he had other matters to attend to.
Gu Hongxin stayed behind. Zhuo Pengju and his group had been in the Capital for three or four days without a proper gathering due to Hua and Gu’s work commitments.
Now that they were here, they naturally stayed to drink together.
Though only a few months had passed since they last met, it felt like three or four years, and as they got along well, dinner extended into a long drinking session.
Moreover, Gu Hongxin was there on a mission.