Chapter 682 - 681: What Happened
Though Zhuo Pengju and the others were merely guests at the Xia Mansion, in the absence of the elder brother, they assumed the role of hosts.
An intruder at night, regardless of their intentions, was enough to incite anger among them.
Being Jianghu people, they had sharp senses. To only notice someone entering the mansion when they made a sound was, in itself, a provocation—a rude awakening.
All of them rushed outside, with Zhuo Pengju leading, shouting, "Who goes there?"
His hand was on the hilt of his sword, though he didn’t draw it, because he heard the intruder mention Wenjin, suggesting they were an acquaintance.
Once Huangfu Jingchen spoke, he knew his presence could no longer be concealed, so he nonchalantly appeared from the rooftop, flipping down into the courtyard.
Clasping his hands, he said, "You must be the righteous members of Haotian Village. I am... a friend of Brother Sichen!" It wasn’t exactly a lie, as he indeed had a good rapport with Xia Sichen.
Gu Hongxin didn’t recognize Huangfu Jingchen, though he had caught a glimpse of him once in the Capital Governor’s court, standing with Xia Sichen and Xia Wenjin.
Instinctively disliking Huangfu Jingchen, he said, "Sneaking around like a thief, what exactly is your intent?"
Huangfu Jingchen calmly replied, "It is normal for Jianghu people to tread rooftops. I was merely passing by and overheard Third Village Chief Gu’s words. Since they involved Sichen’s sister, I couldn’t help but respond!"
Zhuo Pengju naturally sided with his own people, saying, "Young man, you are unaware of the circumstances. In the Jianghu, one’s word is gold, and engagements and marriages cannot be reneged. Young Master Xuan is a remarkable man, both in appearance and ability, as my third brother did not err in saying!"
Huangfu Jingchen smiled lightly, "May I ask your esteemed name, senior?"
Seeing his extraordinary demeanor—unhurried, composed, and with an air of authority—Zhuo Pengju was surprised, particularly since they hadn’t detected his presence on the rooftop for quite some time. Even though they were drinking, they should have noticed any disturbance with their keen senses.
Moreover, as he claimed to be a friend of Xia Sichen, Zhuo Pengju spoke politely, "I am Zhuo Pengju, Fourth Village Chief of Haotian Village!"
"Greetings, Fourth Village Chief Zhuo!" Huangfu Jingchen clasped his hands again, saying, "You are all seniors of Wenjin. Brother Sichen often mentioned how good you’ve been to them, loving and caring. I am thus perplexed—what kind of elder forces a beloved junior to marry someone she does not care for?"
Before Zhuo Pengju could speak, Gu Hongxin frowned and said, "In the Jianghu, our words are irrevocable—an oath cannot be retracted!"
"So the happiness and wishes of the younger generation can be disregarded?"
Gu Hongxin angrily retorted, "What do you know? Someone like Young Master Xuan is a rare gem, this is a match made by heaven, Wenjin simply doesn’t know him well enough. Once she marries him, she will naturally be happy!"
Huangfu Jingchen sarcastically remarked, "A rare gem? A match made by heaven? Are you valuing his status and position? Have you forgotten the prison disaster you and Second Village Chief Hua faced?"
Gu Hongxin turned red, as he didn’t want to bring up that matter, especially not in front of Zhuo Pengju and others. He was deeply resentful of Huangfu Jingchen for mentioning it.
Zhuo Pengju was startled and hurriedly asked, "What prison disaster? Third Brother, what happened with you and Second Brother?"
"Nothing!" Gu Hongxin gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger, "We were framed by villains, but thankfully Young Master Xuan mediated or we would have been doomed!"
Huangfu Yuxuan’s efforts to win favor were indeed effective as both Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin firmly believed it was due to Huangfu Yuxuan’s mediation that their unjust charges were cleared.
Huangfu Jingchen let out a cold laugh.
This laugh was clear and full of sarcasm, evident to all who heard it.
Gu Hongxin angrily said, "You brat, why are you so sarcastic? Am I wrong?"
"How laughable!" Huangfu Jingchen coldly replied, "Your prison disaster with Second Village Chief Hua was initially sentenced to death, without knowing where that Young Master Xuan was. It was Sichen and Wenjin who struck the Injustice Bell. Sichen first endured thirty lashes before the Capital Governor accepted Wenjin’s appeal. The case was then presented to the Ministry of Justice for review. It was also Wenjin who tirelessly searched for and found compelling evidence, leading to your acquittal. Is all this credited as Huangfu Yuxuan’s doing in your view?"
Gu Hongxin, wide-eyed, voiced his disbelief, "What... what did you say?"
Huangfu Jingchen’s voice grew colder, feeling it unfair for Xia Wenjin, "Sichen and Wenjin feared the case couldn’t be overturned, feared your unjust execution, and even had people ready to storm the execution ground."
Such details were unknown to Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin, as Xia Wenjin and Xia Sichen never spoke of it after the fact. Upon hearing it now, Gu Hongxin was overwhelmed with shock.
Huangfu Jingchen continued, "At that time, Sichen’s injuries hadn’t healed, yet he limped around tirelessly for your sake without complaining of the pain or hardship. Wenjin, though a woman, exhausted all means and intelligence trying to gather evidence, diligently verifying every document to highlight the injustices in your convictions."
Zhuo Pengju, though unaware of all these details, was deeply moved.
These two children were indeed deeply caring. They knew the elder brother was the same, leading them to respect and follow him wholeheartedly, fostering admiration and loyalty in their hearts.
Huangfu Jingchen continued softly, "In just a few days, they both became noticeably thinner, all because they didn’t want their uncles to suffer such a disaster. Yet, for your own sake, you wish to make her marry someone against her wish—neglecting her own desires. Is this how you play the role of elders?"
Gu Hongxin steadied himself, "It’s precisely because we love Wenjin that we hope for her to have a good match. While we were unaware of what you speak, we know it to be true that Wenjin and Sichen are good children, who undoubtedly did much for us. But Young Master Xuan is also a good child. Despite being an outsider, he cared greatly for our plight, frequently visiting us in prison, bribing the guards to ease our suffering. Such kindness cannot be forgotten!"
His gaze became sharp towards Huangfu Jingchen, "Claiming to be Sichen’s friend, yet you aim to ruin his sister’s marriage—what are your intentions? Since you’ve come today, don’t think of leaving without explaining yourself!"