Chapter 717 - 716: Interrupted
Upon hearing these words, Xia Wanqing’s expression turned somewhat grim. Although he was rough, he wasn’t a fool. He had noticed some subtle changes during this period.
However, even if he had discovered these changes, he would never use conspiracy theories to think about his brothers.
But now, Wenjin had an incident.
If Wenjin’s incident was indeed connected to them, he would not tolerate it.
He held principles and loyalty in his heart, willing to sacrifice everything for his brothers! But his bottom line was Wenjin; even if he was betrayed, it wasn’t unforgivable. But if someone attempted to harm Wenjin secretly, it would be a fight to the death!
He stared at Xia Wenjin, waiting for her to speak.
With a carefree smile on his face, Xia Sichen seemed indifferent, but he had also perked up his ears.
They all had some guesses in their hearts. The difference was Zhuo Pengju voiced this guess. But whether spoken or merely guessed, it still needed Xia Wenjin herself to verify!
Just as Xia Wenjin was about to speak, there came a burst of noise from the entrance.
Then, several voices emerged: "I heard Wenjin has been rescued?"
"How is Wenjin? Is she okay?"
"Did Wenjin get hurt? Who was behind it?"
"Brother, is Wenjin alright?"
"How sinful, our lovely Wenjin, how could she suffer such a thing?"
"Wenjin, Wenjin, Aunt came to see you!"
...
The bustling scene, each expressing their concern, interrupted what Xia Wenjin was about to say beyond recovery.
Then followed Hua Yuanming, Gu Hongxin, along with their wives and children.
Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin had already brought their families over; there’s a big house to live in, and they already had jobs, so naturally, the whole family lived together.
Xia Sichen said, "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Baoning, Liwei!"
Hua Baoning and Gu Liwei called him ’Brother Sichen,’ before saluting Xia Wenjin. Yet Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin, upon seeing Xia Wanqing, greeted him joyfully.
When Xia Wanqing returned, Hua and Gu went on duty.
Xia Wenjin smilingly said, "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, you just got off work?"
Gu Hongxin replied, "Yes!"
Second Aunt Hua smiled and said, "That’s right. Your Second Uncle and Third Uncle were worried sick when they heard about your incident. They were just about to bring the brothers from the Capital Guard for rescue, then they heard you’ve been rescued and came quickly to see if there’s anything they can help with? Also worried if you were frightened, are you alright?"
Due to Xia Wenjin’s mother dying early, a small part of the village’s internal affairs was managed by Second Aunt Hua, who was clever and adept at maneuvering. Her words expressed the concern that Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin found inconvenient to speak.
Xia Sichen’s eyes moved, and he asked with a smile, "I didn’t expect Second Uncle and Third Uncle to be so well-informed. This thing is true indeed, but the news was tight; none of us divulged it. Where did you hear about it?"
Upon hearing this, Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin glanced at one another and then laughed. Gu Hongxin said, "Didn’t we hear it from the Second Young Master of Prince Liang Mansion? He was worried about Wenjin and sent people out to search. However, the Second Young Master does things comprehensively, afraid of ruining Wenjin’s reputation, so he did not make a big noise. Seeing we were Wenjin’s Second Uncle and Third Uncle, he told us!"
Gu Hongxin thought he spoke thoroughly, yet after finishing, the atmosphere turned quiet. He wondered if something was wrong?
He certainly didn’t know that Xia Sichen had asked Huangfu Yuxuan the same question before, and Huangfu Yuxuan said it was Gu Hongxin who told him. Yet now Gu Hongxin said it was Huangfu Yuxuan who told him.
Either someone was lying, or both were lying.
Why would a person say something untrue out of the blue? Unless they had something to hide.
Gu Hongxin glanced at Xia Sichen, then at Xia Wanqing, and said, "Big brother, Sichen, why aren’t you saying anything? Did I say something wrong?"
Speaking of which, he also looked at Zhuo Pengju.
But Zhuo Pengju didn’t go out; he didn’t know of the previous matters, equally confused.
Yet Xia Sichen laughed and said, "There’s no right or wrong, just a bit unexpected! Who would have thought Third Uncle and Young Master Xuan were already so close!"
If Hua Yuanming heard these words, he would certainly be pleased. He wished to get along well with Young Master Xuan, so Young Master Xuan would support him more in the future, and matters like being wronged into a great prison, nearly executed, would never happen again.
However, Gu Hongxin was stirred inwardly, though he glanced at Xia Sichen, but Xia Sichen still seemed jokingly.
He smiled and said, "It’s not about closeness, regarding Wenjin, Young Master Xuan knows we are one family in Haotian Village. It’s only right to inform us! We didn’t manage to help, but Wenjin being alright is most important!"
Xia Sichen laughed again, "Second Uncle, Third Uncle, you came in perfect time. Wenjin knows who was behind her abduction!"
Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin exchanged glances again, Gu Hongxin asked, "...Who?"
Xia Wenjin caught her brother’s gaze and said straightforwardly, "In this Capital City, the only person I offended was the Second Young Master of Prince Liang Mansion."
Zhuo Pengju exclaimed, "Wenjin, you mean to say that the Young Master Xuan kidnapped you?"
Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin shouted in unison, "Impossible!"
Xia Wenjin slightly tilted her head, her eyes clear as she looked at them, "Oh, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, how do you know it’s impossible?"
Hua Yuanming was taken aback, then replied, "He’s an Imperial Grandson, why would he engage in such lawless acts?"
Xia Sichen laughed, "Why impossible? Those who embezzle and pervert justice are all Court officials; those who knowingly break the law are all important figures. The deposed Crown Prince was supposed to relieve some disasters but forcibly requisitioned women, and he lost his position as Crown Prince. What is there that’s impossible in this world?"
Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin were shocked, saying, "Sichen, mind your words. These royal matters aren’t to be spoken, could bring trouble!"
Xia Sichen sneered, "They do as they please, and we’re not allowed to speak?"
Zhuo Pengju also laughed, "The world speaks of worldly matters, what’s to be said or unsaid? Do you know, Second Brother, Third Brother, why I don’t want to become an official? We Jianghu folks live freely! This can’t be said, that can’t be said, what joy is there in life?"
Hua and Gu’s expressions turned red and white, somewhat embarrassed.
Gu Hongxin asked, "Wenjin, did you see Young Master Xuan’s men abducting you?"
Xia Wenjin smiled and shook her head. Though they were Huangfu Yuxuan’s men, she couldn’t say it! After all, it was Huangfu Yuxuan’s guarded secret, known only to him and his trusted aides, others shouldn’t know.
To avoid trouble, she better not say.
Hua Yuanming sighed in relief, said, "Wenjin, why did you say it was Young Master Xuan? Scared me; I thought it really was him!"
Xia Wenjin pouted, speaking willfully, "Didn’t I say just now, in this entire Capital City, he’s the only one I offended. It’s only logical for him to target me!"