Chapter 690 - 689: Not Brave Enough
The servants stepped forward nimbly to take the packed trunks brought by Second Aunt Hua and Third Aunt Gu’s maids and servants, and moved them back inside the house.
Xia Wenjin arranged for Zhuo Pengju and his party to stay in the entire east wing, which had six rooms.
Moving things out was easy, and moving them back in was just as easy.
Moreover, three of the servants were specifically instructed by Xia Wenjin to take care of their daily needs. Although Jianghu people might not need it, they were very diligent in cleaning tasks and knew exactly where everything was originally placed, so they quickly put everything back in its place.
Second Aunt Hua and Third Aunt Gu said, "What... what is this?"
Saying this, they wanted to stop the servants from moving the things back.
Xia Wenjin sidestepped, blocking their path, and said with a smile, "Second Aunt, Third Aunt, even if Uncle Zhuo wants to move out, he should personally tell me. Since they haven’t said anything, it’s not appropriate for you two aunts to make the decision for them, is it?"
Second Aunt Hua said, "Wenjin, what do you mean by this? Are you saying that not only are people living here, but they aren’t even allowed to move out?"
Xia Wenjin replied calmly, "Allowed, of course, why not? It’s just that they must say it themselves. What you two aunts say doesn’t count!"
Second Aunt Hua was about to argue further, but Third Aunt Gu gently tugged at her sleeve, saying, "Maybe we should just let it be?"
Second Aunt Hua glared at Third Aunt Gu unhappily and said, "You’re just too soft-hearted. Didn’t our husband say when we left that our place is bigger than here, and Old Four would be more comfortable there? What did you agree to?"
Xia Wenjin said with a slight smile, "So, are you trying to force a sale?"
Second Aunt Hua forced a smile and said, "Wenjin, what are you saying? We’re all one family, does it matter where they live? Your Second Uncle and Third Uncle are in the Capital City, wouldn’t it be more convenient for them to stay with us?"
Xia Wenjin looked at Second Aunt Hua, who was still trying to achieve her goal, and said, "Second Aunt, regardless of what you promised Second Uncle, there’s no way I’m letting you move them out today. Otherwise, when my father returns, he might think I let Uncle Zhuo suffer grievances. You can talk about moving Uncle Zhuo after my father gets back!"
Second Aunt Hua wanted to say something else, but Xia Wenjin said, "You two aunts must be tired, I won’t keep you any longer!"
With such an obvious eviction notice given, Second Aunt Hua and Third Aunt Gu were too embarrassed to stay. They knew now that Xia Wenjin was back; moving things was impossible. If they kept pushing, it would really destroy the familial bonds.
Whether it was Second Uncle Hua or Third Uncle Gu, or their wives, though they had some little schemes in their hearts, they didn’t dare to truly confront Xia Wenjin.
Of course, it was not because of Xia Wenjin, but because of Xia Wanqing.
Their sworn brother, their Village Chief.
In every aspect, they still had respect for Xia Wanqing in their hearts.
Second Aunt Hua was feeling disgruntled, forcing a smile as she said, "Since Wenjin doesn’t agree, then we won’t move. You’re right, Wenjin, we’ll wait until our elder brother returns and then invite Old Four to stay with us!"
Third Aunt Zhuo said, "Yes, yes, yes!"
The two of them left with their maids and servants.
Xia Wenjin glanced over the servants at Xia Mansion. They thought about how they hadn’t stopped others from moving things earlier and assumed the First Young Miss was angry, wondering how she would scold them. They immediately lowered their heads.
Xia Wenjin simply said, "This is an exception!" and then dismissed them to resume their tasks.
Xia Wenjin actually understood what Second Uncle Hua and Third Uncle Gu were thinking. However, in the previous life, they were the first to be killed by Huangfu Yuxuan, so he really hadn’t seen how strong their lust for power was.
The Emperor hasn’t appointed a Crown Prince yet, and with his birthday nearing, he’s clearly issued an edict inviting all the Princes back to the Capital for a birthday celebration. It’s likely that he wants to establish a Crown Prince after the celebration.
But in the Capital City, apart from Prince Cheng, it’s true that all the Princes harbor such ambitions. Look at Prince Xin’s son and Prince Lu’s son—they’ve been currying favor with the courtiers since arriving in the Capital. Prince Zhuang is still stirring things up, and Prince Li isn’t backing down either. As for Huangfu Yuxuan, he’s long been plotting.
If the Emperor appoints a Crown Prince, at least on the surface, things can remain calm for a while. If he delays further, the struggle for succession among the Princes and Imperial Grandsons will become even fiercer.
Yesterday, in Uncle’s study, Xia Wenjin discussed this topic with Xia Shi’en, who said with great interest, "So, Wenjin, you actually have some understanding of court affairs?"
Xia Wenjin replied modestly, "I’ve had to pay some attention to matters in the Capital since I’ve been starting a business, but what I know is just superficial."
Xia Shi’en, having heard her analysis, now viewed her in a new light. In the end, he even jokingly asked her, "Wenjin, based on your speculation, which Prince should your Uncle support if he joins a faction?"
Xia Wenjin shook her head; she didn’t know if Uncle was considering joining a faction or had already chosen someone. But she genuinely didn’t know.
Will Huangfu Yuxuan have the same luck as in the previous life?
Many things have already changed in this lifetime. For example, during the Emperor’s birthday, there originally wasn’t an edict requiring all the Princes to return to celebrate!
From what she understands, Prince Li is ambitious but gentle-natured, capable yet ruthless, but never quite catches the right timing.
Prince Zhuang is ruthless but was once a deposed Crown Prince, so he won’t have much support in court. In the previous life, he opposed Huangfu Yuxuan fiercely, setting many obstacles on Huangfu Yuxuan’s path to the throne, but ultimately failed at the last moment.
Prince Lu and Prince Xin, under the banner of loyalty to the Crown, had their forces infiltrated by spies planted by Huangfu Yuxuan without them even knowing. This caused them to lose several crucial battles, leaving them powerless to reverse the situation.
Meanwhile, Prince Cheng was busy dealing with foreign invasions, fighting until his arrows ran out and food was depleted, yet he never received reinforcements from the Capital, ultimately dying heroically on the battlefield.
Whenever Xia Wenjin thinks of it, she feels deep sorrow for Prince Cheng. The defenders of the nation fought valiantly on the battlefield, while the people in the Capital exhausted themselves in the power struggles for the Emperor’s throne, leaving the border defenders without a grave and allowing the deceitful and treacherous to enjoy the highest honors in the court!
Now courtiers need to consider their allegiances, but Haotian Village is a Jianghu force, and aside from being targeted by Huangfu Yuxuan, it’s temporarily safe. However, Xia Wenjin hopes they can leave the Capital before the Emperor’s birthday to avoid the turmoil.
Second Uncle Hua and Third Uncle Gu can’t break away; instead, they hope to advance further.
But if they remain under the identity of the Village Chief of Haotian Village, getting involved would inevitably bring trouble.
These matters can only be addressed once father returns.
Returning to the backyard, Hong Xing and Hong Tao came out to greet her. Xia Wenjin instructed them to prepare hot water for a bath. Having run around so many places during the day, she was truly exhausted. After a comfortable hot bath, her spirits were much better.
After bathing, as she walked into the room, her eyes suddenly shifted. With a flick of her wrist, she grasped the short dagger hidden in her sleeve and thrust it toward the shadow by the bedside!