Chapter 727 - 726: One of Us?
Xia Wanqing looked at the young boy in front of him, not yet twenty years old, a boy who hadn’t even reached the age of maturity. The first time he saw him, he was beside Wenjin, calling each other brothers. Seeing him, he thought he was a villain intending to harm Wenjin, so he stepped forward courageously.
A young boy, facing his intimidating and overwhelming presence, remained fearless!
How many moves did they exchange back then?
He couldn’t remember the number of moves, but he remembered the boy’s bravery and loyalty!
However, at that time, he thought Huangfu Yuxuan would make a good son-in-law, and he didn’t particularly like the young man appearing beside Wenjin.
When they arrived in the Capital City, he also sent a card.
He, of course, refused to meet!
With Wenjin’s marriage arrangement not yet annulled, if he entered the house, it wasn’t that he feared Huangfu Yuxuan overthinking, but it would ruin Wenjin’s reputation.
Later, after recognizing kinship with his second brother through blood, his brother would occasionally chat with him about court affairs. Those Princes and Imperial Grandsons weren’t just the people you saw; they all had intricate connections and even different hidden agendas!
And after Huangfu Yuxuan arrived in the Capital City, he seemed no longer like that open and bright young man from Haotian Village, and his experiences in the Capital were not good, nowhere near as pleasant as back in Haotian Village.
Xia Wanqing withdrew his thoughts, reached out to take it, and with a swift motion, a sliver of chilling light appeared from the scabbard, carrying a hint of coldness. What a fine knife!
Xia Wanqing decisively drew out the entire knife; the blade was as white as snow, like an autumn stream, or a bright moon.
He praised, "Great knife!"
When Huangfu Jingchen handed him the knife, he sighed in relief.
Although this gift was prepared with great care, he was unsure if Xia Wanqing would accept it. Seeing that not only did he accept it, but also praised it, Huangfu Jingchen was delighted.
From afar, Xia Sichen was watching, worried that the old man still hadn’t come around and might remain indifferent to Huangfu Jingchen, so he hurried over to smooth things over.
This person had nothing bad to say about Wenjin—they accepted this brother-in-law wholeheartedly.
He better not let the old man ruin it!
The old man’s taste was poor, he had to worry about his own sister’s marriage!
But as he got closer, he heard Xia Wanqing say pleasantly, "This knife is very good, I like it a lot. You were thoughtful!"
Xia Sichen paused his steps, ha, the old man did well with that statement, he felt assured. He stood not far away, waving at Huangfu Jingchen.
Huangfu Jingchen said, "As long as Uncle Xia likes it, I’m honored!"
Xia Wanqing had already noticed Xia Sichen winking at him from a distance, and turned to say, "Sichen, what are you doing standing there? Come help me entertain Young Master Huangfu!"
Xia Sichen grinned and said, "Dad, rest assured, you got the treasured knife and I got the person. You have the most worry-free son; the position of the Village Chief can only be passed to me, it can’t be given to Wenjin!"
Xia Wanqing: "..."
What nonsense is he spewing?
Would Wenjin want Haotian Village? Also, this brat boasting about Haotian Village now, better not run away when the time comes!
Xia Sichen came over, put an arm around Huangfu Jingchen’s shoulder, and said, "Let’s go, let’s go, I prepared fine wine just for you!"
Jiang Ning, watching Huangfu Jingchen being led away with an arm around his shoulder, couldn’t help but twitch, thinking that this Young Village Chief was rather improper!
On the surface, the arrivals of Huangfu Yuxuan and Huangfu Jingchen made no difference. Both spoke to Xia Wanqing and presented gifts in person, and both were entertained by Xia Sichen.
However, Xia Sichen just let Huangfu Yuxuan into the hall and left, and Huangfu Yuxuan’s seat was rather off to the side, while Huangfu Jingchen was taken elsewhere, supposedly for wine-tasting.
The Xia father and son were not in the hall, but the other four Village Chiefs of Haotian Village were present.
When Huangfu Yuxuan was in Haotian Village, he knew them all, and he greeted them respectfully.
In the village, everyone called him Young Master Xuan, treating him as a junior, appreciating him and speaking kindly. Now, knowing he was an Imperial Grandson with a noble status, the atmosphere inevitably became a little awkward.
Gu Hongxin, however, was unaffected, and became even more familiar and friendly with him in conversation. Hua Yuanming hesitated slightly before changing places to sit closer to him.
Their attitudes toward him were no longer like elders to a junior; even though they restrained themselves, anyone present wasn’t a fool.
Xia Sichen led Huangfu Jingchen into a spacious, neatly arranged room, but the room was empty, without tables or chairs, beds or benches. Xia Sichen walked to the corner, lifted something, revealing an underground passage, with a whiff of wine fragrance wafting up.