Chapter 714 - 713: Frightened
In fact, last night, after Xia Wenjin accidentally inhaled the drug, she did not completely lose consciousness. She kept herself awake by fiercely pressing her nails into her palms.
When leaving through the city gate, she noticed people following the trail after receiving the message, and she completely relaxed and finally allowed herself to pass out.
There was nothing to worry about.
Since she knew that the one taking action was Pu Yangji, she already knew that the person behind it was Huangfu Yuxuan.
Huangfu Yuxuan captured her not to kill her, she still had confidence in that.
Since it wasn’t to kill her, there were only two ways to handle this.
One was to use her as bait to plot against others.
In that case, she was merely bait, and the opponent had clearly dispatched three of the "Four Beauties" including Hong Yi, showing concern for her safety, so she wouldn’t be in life-threatening danger.
The other possibility was that at the flower festival, Huangfu Yuxuan humiliated himself. She didn’t offer any pleasant words, and Huangfu Yuxuan felt he’d lost face, and since the engagement fell through, he might try to force things.
But in such matters, Huangfu Yuxuan must appear personally, right?
As long as Huangfu Yuxuan showed up, she would have a way to stall for time. Even though her inner strength had recovered to less than half, it was still enough to deal with Huangfu Yuxuan!
Furthermore, even if she couldn’t handle it, just holding out for three to five moves would be sufficient.
But since she was already rescued, she no longer needed her backup plan.
Hearing this, Huangfu Jingchen couldn’t help but glance at Xia Wenjin. However, he knew Xia Wenjin well; in the Yuqing County Governor Mansion, she wasn’t frightened by the scene; at Shian Temple, facing those extremely vicious individuals, on the verge of life and death, she didn’t panic; at Wangshan Town, first dealing with the plague and nearly losing her life, she didn’t flinch. Then, facing the siege by Yu Shikui’s army, with the firewood piled up and a single spark threatening to set ablaze, in such a perilous situation, she still wasn’t scared...
This time, of course, she wouldn’t be scared either.
His Wenjin, so intelligent and strong, skilled in both medicine and martial arts, such abilities—perhaps even Chief Xia wasn’t fully aware?
How fortunate he was to have walked alongside Wenjin in the Jianghu for over a year!
Xia Wenjin gave a glance to Huangfu Jingchen, but when facing Xia Wanqing, her expression suddenly softened, a hint of fear and trepidation flashed in her eyes for just a moment, enough for Xia Wanqing to see, making her pretend bravery all the more worrying for a father!
She remained silent.
When Xia Wanqing asked again, she finally looked up, as if the strength she was holding onto had completely vanished, her eyes slightly reddened, her complexion paled a bit, and in a low voice, with some lingering fear, said, "Father, who wants to harm us? Last night, I used all the skills you taught me and still couldn’t escape being captured. Those people were well-trained and numerous. I don’t know where I offended them, for them to treat me like this!"
Xia Wenjin also didn’t want to deceive her father and brother, but she felt this matter also presented an opportunity; she truly didn’t believe it had nothing to do with those two uncles.
Huangfu Jingchen knew Xia Wenjin’s intentions. Though he understood that her words had another meaning, he still felt a deep sense of pity.
If only he had arrived a bit earlier to battle alongside Wenjin, perhaps those people wouldn’t have succeeded!
Additionally, although he had three trusted aides, the princes and noble sons from the Cheng Prince Mansion had been roughly raised since childhood, dealing with most things personally, and weren’t accustomed to having guards. Hence, in such an unexpected situation, manpower was lacking.
Watching his fearless daughter, who showed little fear of heaven or earth, become less innocent and more experienced after more than a year in the Jianghu, Xia Wanqing felt a deep sense of guilt and helplessness.
This abduction incident must have frightened Wenjin even more.
Even though she had gained much experience in the Jianghu, had become more composed, and managed to start businesses with her intelligence, she was still just a girl under seventeen. How could she not be scared faced with such dangers?
Xia Wanqing felt extremely distressed and quietly decided not to push her anymore in the future.
What could be more important than seeing Wenjin happy?
Since the prophecy of her sixteenth year had been broken, it indicated that Wenjin’s calamities were over.
Moreover, Sichen’s re-interpretation of that poem seemed to make some sense.
What if he indeed made a mistake and got the wrong person?
So, let everything happen naturally!
Huangfu Yuxuan, upon hearing Xia Wenjin’s words, felt relieved instead.
Before, Xia Wenjin’s expression was always too calm, that kind of composure in the face of danger, showing no panic, staying unruffled, made him wonder if something went wrong, or if there was some oversight?
Or had Xia Wenjin really surpassed his understanding, and her inner strength was that great?
No matter which it was, it made him somewhat uneasy.
He increasingly believed that the Xia Wenjin he saw was not the same person he heard about in Haotian Village, described by the villagers.
A willful, capricious, mischievous young lady, a girl who loved to play, to joke around, one who would run away from home when things didn’t go her way—how could they be the same person?
Previously meeting him, hitting him, though audacious, Huangfu Yuxuan didn’t find it unusual— a young lady unaware of hierarchy or the dignity of the Royal Family, of course, would be arrogant and resort to fists when displeased.
Publicly embarrassing him at the flower festival seemed normal, not being a refined and well-mannered lady guided from a young age, obviously, she wouldn’t shy away from being frank and forthcoming.
But only this composure and calmness was truly peculiar.
So, she was just maintaining her dignity, forcing herself to stand strong!
It turned out she stayed silent because speaking would reveal her facade!
He was an outsider; Huangfu Jingchen was an outsider; a girl concerned about her image might want to save face, but deeply frightened she surely was.
Someone who learned a bit of martial arts and thought she was invincible, being caught by a master like Pu Yangji, facing unknown dangers, how could she not be scared?
Huangfu Yuxuan laughed inwardly, finding it easier to deal with straightforward people who couldn’t hide their feelings. Would he fail to capture the heart of a mere young woman?
Xia Wanqing felt very distressed, but was more gentle and tender toward Xia Wenjin, comforting her, "Wenjin, don’t be afraid. Father assures you, such things will never happen again. Don’t be scared, alright? Don’t worry!"
Huangfu Yuxuan immediately added, "Wenjin, I will definitely find those behind this and make them pay. I won’t let anyone who dares to lay hands on you get away with it!"
On the surface, those words were about the people who abducted Xia Wenjin, but in truth, it was a warning to Huangfu Jingchen. Though Huangfu Jingchen understood, after finding Wenjin safe, his heart settled, and at this moment, no matter the circumstance, he didn’t concern himself with it.
Not let go?
Then let’s see about that!