Chapter 733 - 728: Knowing
Since it was a farewell banquet, Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin each raised their glasses, and after toasting three times with Xia Wanqing and the others, the matter was considered settled.
Perhaps they brought their families over, initially thinking of reliving the days in the village amidst such festivities, and incidentally persuade him once more. If Xia Wanqing were to change his mind and agree to enter officialdom, the entire Haotian Village would gather in the Capital City again.
Now everything has fallen through, and there’s no point in them staying any longer.
Xia Wanqing’s unyielding attitude left them feeling quite resentful. In any case, they’ve already brought their families to the Capital City; they might as well sever ties with Haotian Village completely from now on!
However, none of them left, as if nothing had happened.
Gu Hongxin spoke more tactfully and pleasingly, "I understand the elder brother’s intention. When Elder Brother, Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother return to Haotian Village, we will no longer speak of brotherhood. But since we were sworn brothers, as long as you are in the Capital City, you will still be our elder brother, our Fourth Brother, and Fifth Brother for a day. The day after tomorrow, we will personally send you off as a mark of this brotherhood!"
Huangfu Yuxuan also said, "Whether it is gathering or parting, it’s only because we now walk different paths. If we can’t be brothers, we can still be friends in the future!"
Huangfu Jingchen was pulled away by Xia Sichen, and didn’t know what had happened, but he didn’t inquire further.
During the banquet, Xia Wanqing raised his glass to him and Huangfu Yuxuan, thanking them for rescuing Xia Wenjin.
Huangfu Jingchen only smiled and drained his cup, but Huangfu Yuxuan was extremely humble, as if ready to go through any trial for Xia Wenjin.
Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin naturally said many good things about Huangfu Yuxuan. However, turning their heads, they saw the Xia family members’ expressions remained indifferent and disengaged, which meant there was no hope. So they said no more, only kept toasting.
Clearly a farewell banquet, it seemed more like a welcome party.
Xia Wanqing departed immediately upon saying he would, and three days later, indeed prepared to return to Jinzhou with Zhuo Pengju and others. Huangfu Yuxuan sent people to offer horses, travel funds, and equipment, but Xia Wanqing courteously declined them all.
The horses and travel necessities were already prepared by Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen together. Xia Wanqing knew, but seeing Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen standing side by side before him, at another time, would have surely erupted in rage, but now he merely glanced at them and said nothing.
On the contrary, Xia Sichen cheerfully invited Huangfu Jingchen to visit Haotian Village.
Xia Wanqing gave his son a resentful look. The officialdom and Jianghu are different paths, he’s already severed ties with the brothers who entered officialdom, and yet this boy wants to invite an Imperial Grandson to Haotian Village. Isn’t this undermining him?
Xia Sichen, like the worm in his stomach, whispered, "Dad, one is who you preferred, and Wenjin didn’t like. One is who Wenjin liked, and you’re not pleased. The one you preferred could stay in the village for months, so of course the one Wenjin likes can too! In the future, I will be the Young Village Chief, consider this me practicing my authority as Village Chief!"
Xia Wanqing raised his hand, and Xia Sichen had already slipped away like a monkey.
He thought about it too, maybe his judgment indeed had issues, seeming not as good as who Wenjin liked.
He felt some resentment, but it wasn’t his fault; there weren’t any choices back then, right? Wenjin was always in a coma, he was too worried and got deceived by that blind man, thinking it was a fated marriage. Besides, about that time Huangfu Yuxuan, he didn’t know he was an Imperial Grandson, and he seemed so exceptionally perfect.
That’s all in the past. He gently addressed Huangfu Jingchen, "Wenjin being kidnapped and then rescued must have not been easy, thank you for your efforts!"
This was his formal, personal thank you to Huangfu Jingchen.
Huangfu Jingchen shook his head, "It wasn’t difficult. Brother Sichen arrived in time without any real danger!"
He brushed off the event lightly, and Xia Wanqing, recalling Huangfu Yuxuan’s attitude towards this matter, felt even more satisfied with Huangfu Jingchen and gave him a deep look, "Sichen was right, you should visit Haotian Village when you have time!"
Huangfu Jingchen was delighted, cupping his hands, "Thank you, Uncle Xia. When my parents arrive in Capital City, we will certainly pay a visit to you and the other Village Chiefs!"
When his parents come, together they’ll visit?
Xia Wanqing pondered the meaning of the words, but since Huangfu Jingchen didn’t elaborate, he didn’t ask further, only nodded.