Chapter 711 - 710: Posture
Watching the interaction between Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin, a shadow flashed in Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes. However, he did not show it in front of Xia Sichen.
He even smiled gracefully.
Xia Sichen glanced at Huangfu Yuxuan and said with a smile, "So that’s how it is. Thank you, Second Young Master."
Huangfu Yuxuan replied humbly, "Wenjin and I have a deep connection. How could I stand by and do nothing when she’s in trouble? Brother Sichen, there’s no need for such formalities!"
Xia Sichen gave a once-over to the guards, who were sheathing their swords in front of Huangfu Yuxuan, and then looked over at the "corpses" on the ground. With a faint smile, he said, "Now that the danger is over, Wenjin, come home with your brother!"
Xia Wenjin walked to Xia Sichen’s side, with blood on the ground staining her shoes, but she didn’t give it a glance.
Xia Sichen watched her intently, worried she might feel unwell or be injured. She had been missing since last night, nearly a whole day and night.
Xia Wenjin said, "Brother!"
Her voice was calm, her face showing no sign of fright, as if she hadn’t been kidnapped, but had merely delayed her return from an outing.
Standing beside her, Huangfu Jingchen watched her with concerned eyes, not even greeting Huangfu Yuxuan.
Huangfu Yuxuan smiled slightly and said, "Jingchen, a rare encounter here. Why, do you have an issue with your cousin?"
Huangfu Jingchen smiled back, cupping his fist in salute, "Cousin acts with precision and handles matters skillfully, worthy of praise from all perspectives. I have no complaints, only admiration! But given the chaos just now—the scene of bloodshed—I was so shocked that I forgot to greet you!"
Huangfu Yuxuan beamed, "There’s no need for such empty rituals between us brothers."
Xia Sichen pulled Xia Wenjin closer, and smiling at Huangfu Yuxuan, said, "Since Young Master Xuan is returning from a hunt, these sturdy horses—could we borrow a few?" The way back to the city is neither too near nor too far. Walking would take over half an hour.
Huangfu Yuxuan chuckled, "No need to talk about borrowing! Brother Sichen, take your pick of any horse here! No need to be polite!"
Cui Huai dutifully led over six horses.
Huangfu Yuxuan said, "If Brother Sichen doesn’t mind, I would lead my men to escort you three back to the city!"
Xia Sichen glanced at the littered corpses meaningfully, "No need for an escort. Instead, Young Master Xuan has plenty of men here; it would be better to investigate whose subordinates these people are and whose property this manor belongs to!"
Cui Huai, astute as ever, said, "Master, no need for you to worry about such trivial matters. I will investigate thoroughly. Once I have the results, I will present them to you and Mr. Xia!"
Huangfu Yuxuan smiled, looking at Xia Sichen.
Xia Sichen nonchalantly said, "Then I thank Young Master Xuan for the trouble!"
Huangfu Yuxuan had a group of over ten people, but they originally only had ten horses. After giving some to Xia Sichen and the others, they were left with just four horses. So he only took four people, leaving the rest to Cui Huai.
Although it appeared that he had fewer people with him than Xia Sichen, escorting Xia Wenjin back to the city was not a battle.
Before leaving, Huangfu Yuxuan gave strict orders, "Make sure to find out all the information—who owns this manor, why they targeted Miss Xia, and who the mastermind is. Deliver the findings to Young Master Xia before dark!"
Cui Huai replied, "Yes!"
Xia Wenjin said nothing and did not refuse the horse. However, when she mounted, her movements were a bit slow.
Huangfu Yuxuan glanced at the guards, "Why aren’t you assisting Miss Xia onto her horse?"
He wanted to help her himself, but seeing Xia Wenjin silent with a calm gaze, he sensed something off about her demeanor. Moreover, with Xia Sichen and Huangfu Jingchen present, the performance just enacted was meant to earn Xia Wenjin’s gratitude, not her resentment.
Xia Wenjin said, "There’s no need!"
The effects of the drug hadn’t worn off, so her inner strength hadn’t recovered, but mounting a horse was still manageable.
As for why not expose Huangfu Yuxuan’s act?
She could see that both Xia Sichen and Huangfu Jingchen bore signs of recent battle. She knew their skills, so it must have been either a large number of opponents or very skilled ones!
When Huangfu Yuxuan appeared at this manor and acted out this play, Xia Wenjin realized his intentions were far greater than simply creating a debt of life-saving gratitude.
He was surely dragging others into the whirlpool.
Who else would be involved?
The ones who fought fiercely against Xia Sichen and Huangfu Jingchen weren’t likely part of Huangfu Yuxuan’s forces. With such a small setup, Huangfu Yuxuan wouldn’t reveal all his cards.
She even guessed that, though she was kidnapped, she might not be the main target. The one Huangfu Yuxuan intended to deal with wasn’t her.
Who could it be? Xia Wenjin cast her eyes around, finally resting on Huangfu Jingchen.
She saw Huangfu Jingchen looking at her with deep understanding in his eyes. That was a look of comprehension.
Was she correct after all?
Was Huangfu Yuxuan targeting Huangfu Jingchen because he saw him as a threat?
Or did Huangfu Yuxuan know someone intended to deal with Huangfu Jingchen, so he set up this scenario to eliminate Huangfu Jingchen and also gain a life-saving debt?
Xia Wenjin didn’t bother to guess who that person might be; it wasn’t necessary, because the results Cui Huai would deliver would undoubtedly point out that person with solid evidence.
Exposing Huangfu Yuxuan now would be pointless. If mishandled, he might out of shame and anger act against them right here.
Without her inner strength, her brother, his friend, and Huangfu Jingchen had all expended significant strength, and on the way back, other forces might still be lurking.
Having the protection of Huangfu Yuxuan’s guards was better than turning against Huangfu Yuxuan and getting into a tough fight here!
A grand procession of over ten people made its way back to the city. In order to reinforce the idea of an ’escort’ or to earn the gratitude of Xia Wenjin and her brother, Huangfu Yuxuan had two men lead the way and another two cover the rear.
In truth, he wasn’t entirely confident, unsure if Prince Zhuang still held a trump card.
However, the appearance had to be maintained. If real danger arose, he would improvise.
He was quite satisfied with the entire execution of his plan. As for Xia Wenjin’s attitude, he did not concern himself. He may have got ahead of Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Sichen, but his advantage wasn’t as strong as Huangfu Jingchen’s. Earning gratitude takes repeated efforts to build goodwill. Gradually accumulating goodwill is necessary for Xia Wenjin to weigh his significance more in her heart than Huangfu Jingchen’s!
In an alley outside the wall of the South Courtyard of Prince Zhuang Mansion, Xia Wanqing looked at the tall courtyard wall. This rugged, straightforward man had a hint of killing intent in his eyes, with his deep concern undisguised. Just as he was about to leap onto the wall, a figure appeared on the opposite residential roof and flew toward him.