Chapter 720 - 719: Alarmist Talk
Zhuo Pengju and the two others laughed and said, "Sichen, we’ve heard a bit about this matter, but not entirely. When you have time, tell it to Uncle Four in detail!"
"There’s no rush, we’ll talk about it slowly later!" Xia Wanqing looked at Xia Wenjin, his expression solemn and serious, "Wenjin, this time, do you still suspect that your Second Uncle and Third Uncle are in cahoots with Huangfu Yuxuan?"
Xia Wanqing remembered Wenjin had previously mentioned that Second Uncle’s wife and Third Uncle’s wife had tried to forcefully move Old Four’s belongings away.
He was a man who didn’t fuss over little things, but that didn’t mean he was easily deceived.
One or two incidents might not seem unusual, but when gathered together, there’s a peculiar air that makes people feel something is amiss.
Xia Wenjin was a bit surprised, unexpectedly linking those past events, but for a man like Father who never doubted his brothers, it wasn’t easy to make such connections.
Of course, it was Xia Sichen’s words that helped.
He deliberately used a dismissive tone to remind of the incident, allowing Father to rethink the changes involved.
Zhuo Pengju and the two others were stunned but said nothing.
This issue has a key point.
If it really was Huangfu Yuxuan, and Second and Third Brother owed him for saving their lives, if they discreetly helped, it’s hard to say.
Because Huangfu Yuxuan was seeking a favor, not harm; at worst, it would tarnish Wenjin’s reputation, forcing her to marry!
If Wenjin and Huangfu Yuxuan’s marriage proceeds, with this kinship, Second and Third Brother’s paths in politics will be smoother.
Of course, this would be against Jianghu’s morals.
Not everyone would do such a thing.
The reason they suddenly thought this way was due to Second and Third Village Chiefs, and their wives protecting Huangfu Yuxuan.
Obviously, if it wasn’t Huangfu Yuxuan, it has nothing to do with Second and Third Village Chiefs.
Hence, they looked at Xia Wenjin.
Xia Wenjin clearly knew something. She wasn’t saying it, probably because there was no evidence!
Xia Wenjin didn’t keep them in suspense, confidently saying, "Though Second Uncle and Third Uncle are suspicious, and might have actually helped, if they did, they were certainly kept in the dark!"
Xia Wanqing’s face darkened, gritting his teeth in anger, "If this brat Huangfu Yuxuan really did it, I’ll twist his head off!"
Initially, because of the marriage problem, he indeed felt some guilt towards Huangfu Yuxuan, so when Huangfu Yuxuan invited him to the Capital City for help, he came.
Once in the Capital City, he helped Huangfu Yuxuan with two tasks.
One was to retrieve a letter from a certain official’s house; the other was to rescue a prisoner exiled three thousand miles!
Both tasks were difficult, but not unmanageable for Xia Wanqing.
Due to this guilt, he was willing to help just as long as it didn’t compromise ethics.
But if Huangfu Yuxuan dared plot against Wenjin, he wouldn’t care anymore.
Xia Wenjin said, "Father, you misunderstood! If he dared to do it, he wouldn’t leave any evidence that could trip him up. If he left some, it’s because he’s not afraid of what you might do. Father, you have Haotian Village behind you. What could you fight against him with? Just don’t let yourself get deceived. Let’s live our own lives!"
Xia Sichen shook his head nearby and said, "Old man, wake up a bit! Do you understand Wenjin’s meaning? Last time, you did nothing, and they took you to jail with one word, sentenced to execution, just by the law’s say-so. In our village, we have families to protect. It’s better to avoid trouble when we can!"
Once said, Xia Wanqing, being called an old man, could only blow his beard and glare, while Zhuo Pengju and the others nodded.
Isn’t that true?
They Jianghu folks are forthright, but what they faced were those dirty and sinister tricks.
In terms of skill and martial arts, they’re not scared! But against those tactics, they had no counter.
They knew well about those people in the Court—plots and schemes calculating the human heart.
They even worried a bit for Second and Third Village Chiefs.
Xia Wenjin said, "Father, actually what I mean is, if Second and Third Uncle insist on seeking a career in politics, then they’re no longer Jianghu folks. They can’t be Haotian Village’s Second and Third Village Chiefs anymore!"
"What nonsense are you speaking?" Xia Wanqing scolded.
Xia Wenjin sighed, "Father, Jianghu and the political circles are different paths. You care about the loyalty to Second and Third Uncle, but think about it—if we rang the Injustice Bell and got no result, wouldn’t the whole Haotian Village be implicated?"
Hu Zeqi was shocked, "Wenjin, is it that serious?"
Xia Wanqing remained silent.
Xia Wenjin nodded, "Uncle Hu, this isn’t me exaggerating! At the time, I suspected it was a setup targeting Haotian Village. All three Village Chiefs caught up, yet it wasn’t Jianghu folks at work. There are only two possibilities: because Father was in the Capital City for Huangfu Yuxuan; or being framed by Huangfu Yuxuan’s rival. Or it’s because Father canceled the engagement, all orchestrated by Huangfu Yuxuan. But regardless of who did it, the goal aimed at Haotian Village."
Xia Wanqing was silent for a moment, then finally sighed and nodded, "Though not knowing who did it, it indeed aligns with this goal!"
Xia Wenjin earnestly said, "Father, everyone has their own ambition that can’t be forced, but Jianghu and officialdom shouldn’t be mixed. This isn’t being heartless but, in contrast, everyone’s choices determine which paths diverge and which converge. Hesitate and chaos will ensue!"
Xia Wenjin, leveraging her current "victim" status and her father’s love, laid out the matter thoroughly.
So that her father could withdraw as soon as possible and let Uncle Zhuo and those who weren’t assimilated by Second and Third Uncle see a glimpse of the iceberg before them.
Everyone has their own ambition it can’t be forced!
But choosing the path of promotion and wealth means forsaking Jianghu. Paths diverge, so let Haotian Village have no ties anymore.
Li Ling nodded, "That’s quite right! Wenjin truly has grown up. These past two years in Jianghu, she’s gained quite a bit!"
Xia Wenjin rubbed her forehead, "I’m worried this kidnapping is an extension of past troubles. Oh, Father, Uncle Four, Uncle Li, Uncle Hu, you’ve seen a lot and have vast Jianghu experience. These matters shouldn’t need me to speak up, but I’m afraid of another incident, so I can’t help but speak up more! Oh, my head is terribly dizzy. I was lucky this time; who knows if I’ll be so fortunate next time. I better go rest first!"
Xia Sichen immediately said, "To be kidnapped in your own home is frightening! I’ll take her over!"