Chapter 721 - 720: The Results Are In
Xia Wanqing grew worried again. His daughter’s critical age of sixteen had barely passed. If she were to encounter such matters again because she stayed in the Capital City, it would be him, as a father, who has wronged her!
Entering the courtyard, Xia Sichen said fretfully, "Wenjin, your old brother’s ambition spans the stars and the sea, covering the world of Jianghu. Alas, you’re too frail. How can your brother feel at ease wandering Jianghu with you in such a weak state?"
Xia Wenjin: "..."
She pulled a face as if her tooth hurt and said, "Well, thank you, brother, for your considerate feelings!"
Xia Sichen said, "Do you think your words would be believed by Father and Uncle Zhuo?"
Xia Wenjin spread her hands, "I have said all that needs to be said; how much they believe is beyond my guarantee! If it doesn’t work once, then say it multiple times!"
"You don’t want Father or anyone from Haotian Village to take office; am I right?"
"I thought I had made it quite obvious already. Is there a need to guess?"
"Could you tell me why?"
Xia Wenjin flashed him a smile, "You guess!"
Xia Sichen: "..."
He had thought this girl would be mature after two years in Jianghu, but she remained as whimsical and mischievous as ever. Alas, she was family, and as her brother, he would bear with it either way!
After exchanging a few laughs, Xia Wenjin returned to her room.
As for Xia Wanqing and Zhuo Pengju, what they talked about later or how far they discussed, Xia Wenjin didn’t care, and Xia Sichen was too impatient to listen.
The next day, Huangfu Yuxuan came to visit.
Xia Wanqing did not treat him poorly; he hesitated a bit when Huangfu Yuxuan said he wanted to see Xia Wenjin but still agreed to send for her.
Xia Sichen shuffled over, yawning, appearing as if he hadn’t fully awakened. He greeted Huangfu Yuxuan with surprise, "Young Master Xuan, what kind of wind blew you here so early today? You wouldn’t be coming early to reserve a seat for tomorrow’s feast?"
Standing behind Huangfu Yuxuan, Hong Jie immediately changed his expression; how could someone of such lofty status care for a small gathering in an insignificant mansion?
Reserve a seat? Wherever his master went, he was always a distinguished guest!
Huangfu Yuxuan, dressed in luxurious brocade clothes with a jade pin holding his hair, was elegant in demeanor. Listening to Xia Sichen’s words, he didn’t get angry but smiled, "Brother Sichen jests; the banquet tomorrow is indeed of high anticipation. But today’s visit is about yesterday’s events."
Xia Sichen narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Does that mean the matters of yesterday have been resolved?"
"Wenjin’s affairs cannot be neglected," said Huangfu Yuxuan as he glanced at Hong Jie, prompting Hong Jie to speak, "Master has instructed that the outcome be determined today. We’ve investigated the bodies and delved into weapons, attire, techniques, and various aspects to finally uncover the truth. Master hasn’t heard yet; he came here to listen with Miss Xia!"
Xia Wanqing had already heard the news and walked over quickly, asking, "You found out who did it?"
Huangfu Yuxuan bowed and said, "Uncle Xia, we’ve found out!"
This was when Xia Wenjin arrived; she could guess what result Huangfu Yuxuan brought without coming. In any case, he would surely clear himself entirely, and as for the so-called outcome, if not Prince Zhuang, then it must be Prince Li.
His style was such that if he didn’t push someone to take the fall, it would not be him.
Huangfu Yuxuan smiled broadly, "Wenjin!"
Xia Wenjin clasped her fists and gave a Jianghu salute without speaking a word.
Huangfu Yuxuan took no offense, turning his head to look at Hong Jie.
Hong Jie promptly produced several sheets of paper from his vest and handed them to Xia Wenjin.
Xia Wenjin did not take them, saying, "Brother!"
Xia Sichen reached out and whisked the sheets from Hong Jie’s hands. He unfolded them and exclaimed, "Oh, quite detailed!"
Hong Jie answered solemnly, "My master, to clarify this matter, especially invited the Ministry of Justice’s forensic doctor for an autopsy, dispatched more than half of the Prince Liang Mansion’s people last night without sleep, and has yet to read the results, saying they should first be shown to Miss Xia!"
Hong Jie had learned his lesson, speaking completely despite his unwillingness.
Unfortunately, Xia Wenjin seemed to have not heard, showing no reaction, merely asking, "Read the results!"
Xia Sichen glanced at them and slapped the sheets into Xia Wanqing’s hands, turning to look at Xia Wenjin, "It’s Prince Zhuang!"
Xia Wanqing’s face darkened; he cared not for Prince Zhuang, Prince Li, or Prince Liang. Whoever dared harm Xia Wenjin, he would risk all to confront them.
Xia Sichen laughed, "Where did this Prince Zhuang come from? We have no enmity or grievances with him!"
Xia Wanqing looked over as Xia Sichen mentioned the crux; they had no interactions, no vested interests with Prince Zhuang. No matter how far Prince Zhuang’s reach extended, he couldn’t touch Wenjin.
Huangfu Yuxuan respectfully bowed deeply, his face sincere and apologetic as he said, "Uncle Xia, this matter is partly my fault. When my father was the Crown Prince, my Uncle Zhuang plotted against him, leading him to do foolish things and lose the Crown Prince title. He thus smoothly became the new Crown Prince. I exposed his dirty schemes to my Grandfather, removing him from the Crown Prince seat. He’s always harbored hatred for me, and upon hearing of my closeness to Wenjin, seized Wenjin to target me. Hence, Wenjin was implicated because of me!"
Although Xia Wanqing was from the world of Jianghu, he understood the ruthless nature of royal power struggles.
Seeing the uncle and nephew, where was the slightest familial affection? There was only benefit, only advantage.
Xia Sichen found it amusing; what was it to be mistakenly led into committing foolish acts? A bull won’t drink, yet its head is forced down. That former Crown Prince, forced the people’s daughters and killed families.
Initially, Xia Wanqing wasn’t aware of this; he didn’t concern himself with court affairs.
Even when Prince Liang arrived with marriage proposals, Xia Wanqing held a modicum of sentimentality, attributing a sign of sincerity, although he refused the gifts. It wasn’t because of dissatisfaction but to give Wenjin time to transition.
Only later did Wenjin vehemently oppose, and Xia Wanqing learned why the Crown Prince became deposed.
Forcing daughters, killing families, even Jianghu morals wouldn’t abide by such, let alone the national law.
With such a ruthless father that saw lives as grass, his initial complete satisfaction with Huangfu Yuxuan dropped to seventy percent upon Wenjin’s opposition, then to fifty upon realizing Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin’s changes, falling further to forty percent.
Even at forty, it far exceeded Huangfu Jingchen’s; currently, his favor for Huangfu Jingchen was below ten percent, merely from Jingchen’s exceptional skills and risking danger for Wenjin.