Chapter 713 - 712: Claiming Credit
Huangfu Yuxuan’s gaze flickered, and he immediately spurred his horse forward, breaking away from the crowd. He dismounted in front of Xia Wanqing, clasped his fists in salute, and said, "Uncle Xia, it was my fault for not looking after Wenjin properly, which led to his scare. Fortunately, I managed to rescue him unharmed!"
These words were slyly spoken, making it seem as though he alone had the credit for saving Xia Wenjin.
Xia Wenjin was not surprised to hear this; Huangfu Yuxuan was just that kind of person. He always claimed the credit for good deeds, even if they weren’t his, using them to win people over.
And now, he was employing this tactic with his father.
Xia Wanqing glanced at his son and daughter, then at the earnest and sincere Huangfu Yuxuan. Xia Sichen and Huangfu Jingchen bore the marks of sword cuts on their sleeves, but Huangfu Yuxuan was immaculate and energetic. He said warmly, "Young Master Xuan, you’ve worked hard! Thank you!"
Huangfu Yuxuan hurriedly replied, "Uncle Xia, you’re too kind. It’s my duty. When Wenjin got into trouble, I was extremely anxious, wishing I could take his place until he was safe again. I’m sure you felt the same way, Uncle Xia!"
He added considerately, "Uncle Xia, you need not worry; Wenjin wasn’t hurt! When we went to rescue her, Brother Sichen encountered some obstacles, but everything else was fine! I will certainly find out who’s behind this and give Wenjin an explanation!"
By now, Xia Sichen and the others had approached, and upon hearing this, Xia Sichen chuckled, "Young Master Xuan, people like you who share the blessings of the Imperial Grandson and shoulder his responsibilities, treating the Capital City’s safety as your own failure, are truly rare. The Capital City needs young men like you!"
Huangfu Yuxuan modestly replied, "That’s how it should be, how it should be!" After speaking, he felt something was off with those words. Was Xia Sichen mocking him?
But looking over, he saw Xia Sichen’s expression was even more earnest than his own.
Xia Wanqing watched his neatly dismounted daughter Wenjin and finally felt a little relieved, still asking, "Wenjin, do you know who it was?"
As long as Wenjin could name someone, he would make sure the other party wouldn’t have a good end with the full might of Haotian Village!
A shadow flitted through Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes, but he quickly dismissed it as paranoia. Neither Pu Yangji nor the Four Beauties had appeared before others; no one would know they were his people. Even everyone at Fengming Manor were new faces.
Sure enough, Xia Wenjin replied, "I don’t know!"
Xia Wanqing slowly nodded, his eyes filled with a fierce determination.
He would find out. Now Old Fifth was also in the Capital City, and they had enough people.
He kindly said to Xia Wenjin, "Go back and rest early!" Then, his gaze fell on Huangfu Jingchen, but only for a moment, without saying a word.
Huangfu Jingchen met that somewhat indifferent gaze, also saying nothing. It seemed that now that Xia Wanqing had returned, the Xia Mansion was no longer a place he could set foot in.
Of course, if he were to send a card as the Imperial Grandson, he could still go. But given Xia Wanqing’s Jianghu ways, doing so might let him in, but he wouldn’t even get to see Wenjin, and it would only anger Xia Wanqing.
The road ahead was long. He still had a lot of work to do!
Huangfu Yuxuan immediately had someone offer a horse to Xia Wanqing.
Xia Wanqing didn’t refuse. The group headed towards the Xia Mansion.
Along the way, Huangfu Yuxuan was particularly chatty, recounting how he went hunting, heard about this incident, became extremely anxious, hurriedly arranged for people to search, and how he noticed something amiss when passing Fengming Manor, used a plan to get the doors open, entered the manor, and his people fought bravely, killed the guards, and rescued Xia Wenjin.
However, he was very tactful in his speech, clearly attributing all the credit to himself, yet his tone was exceedingly humble, claiming it was all just luck.
He added, fortunately, he was out hunting and had brought the Prince Liang Mansion’s best guards, and many of them, which allowed them to subdue those at Fengming Manor.
Xia Sichen suddenly said in surprise, "Young Master Xuan, I have a question, but I don’t know if I should ask it or not!"
Huangfu Yuxuan graciously replied, "Brother Sichen, ask away!"
Xia Sichen looked around and said, "Young Master Xuan, could you dismiss your attendants?"
Huangfu Yuxuan: "..."
What was he going to say? Needing him to dismiss his attendants? Originally, there were four attendants, but after giving a horse to Xia Wanqing, only three were left. Didn’t Xia Sichen have even more attendants with him?
Also, wasn’t Huangfu Jingchen an insider?
Nonetheless, considering this was his future "older brother-in-law," he had to give him this courtesy.
Besides, they were already in the city, and there wasn’t much danger. He gestured to Cui Huai.
Cui Huai, of course, had heard Xia Sichen’s words, and though reluctant, didn’t show it. He reined in his horse with the three others, waiting for the group to advance before following a couple of dozen feet behind.
Huangfu Yuxuan said, "Brother Xia, can you speak now?"
Xia Sichen replied solemnly, "Young Master Xuan, you truly are a considerate person. Last night, Wenjin was taken by thieves, and because it concerned a lady’s reputation, no one spread the word. Very few knew about it. But Young Master Xuan, you said you got the news early. May I ask how you found out?"
Huangfu Yuxuan felt a jolt in his heart, realizing he might have neglected this detail.
Xia Sichen, still curious, asked, "Could it be that you’ve always had people watching the Xia Mansion, aware of any changes there?"
Huangfu Yuxuan dared not acknowledge this. He quickly sneaked a glance at Xia Wanqing’s profile and clearly saw his frown at those words.
Huangfu Yuxuan quickly laughed, "Brother Sichen, you’re joking. How could I have people watching the Xia Mansion? It’s Uncle Gu who noticed that Wenjin was missing, and in his anxiety, he came to my mansion for help. I happened to be out. My servants, knowing I cared about Uncle Gu, rushed to bring me the news!"
This explanation was plausible.
But it also used Gu Hongxin as a shield.
Huangfu Yuxuan didn’t mind. His people were there to be used when needed. With Gu Hongxin’s shrewdness, he’d naturally acknowledge this.
Xia Sichen said with realization, "So that’s how it is!"
Seeing Xia Wenjin silent, Xia Wanqing said, "Wenjin, were you frightened? Don’t be afraid. I’ve returned to the Capital City, and this won’t happen again!"
Xia Wenjin: "..."
Such a small ordeal couldn’t scare her.
However, now Huangfu Yuxuan was spouting words, claiming all the credit. She couldn’t disappoint the mood, could she?
Instead, though she and Huangfu Jingchen weren’t riding side by side, their hearts were in sync, making her feel peaceful and calm inside.