Chapter 596: Chapter 595: Quit Pretending
After much contemplation, Huangfu Yuxuan, who had thoroughly calculated his feelings, looked at Xia Wenjin once again, his gaze becoming even more fervent.
He stepped forward, clasping his fists towards the Xia Brothers, saying: "Thank you, Prime Minister Xia, for taking care of Wenjin, and thank you both, Mr. Xia, for making this trip!"
Xia Xiaozhe Brothers: "..."
They came for their third uncle and for their cousin Wenjin, what did this Second Young Master of Prince Liang Mansion have to thank them for?
All of them are young scions in the Capital City. Even though this Second Young Master of Prince Liang Mansion, being of the Imperial Family, holds a higher status, they had interactions usually; why is he acting all high and mighty here?
Xia Wenjin impolitely retorted: "For any care given to me, I will express my own gratitude, don’t trouble yourself, Young Master Huangfu! My matters seem to have nothing to do with you, so stop involving me in your affairs!"
Huangfu Yuxuan said sincerely: "Wenjin, how can your matters have nothing to do with me? Your business is my business; we have a marriage agreement, you are my fiancée!"
By saying this, he was both declaring his claim and giving a warning.
The gaze of the Xia Brothers fell upon Xia Wenjin. Is this cousin of theirs engaged to the Second Young Master of Prince Liang Mansion?
If that’s the case, it’s going to be troublesome, as the Emperor has yet to appoint the Crown Prince, and the princes are competing openly and in secret.
Factional strife is rampant, with many ministers secretly aligning themselves, while others remain undecided.
Their father stayed neutral and refrains from getting involved in factional disputes.
But with an alliance by marriage, it was akin to being labeled.
Take for instance the Duke of England and Prince Zhuang. Then there’s Prince Liang, whose wife’s father is Dingyuan Marquis, and her brother is the Assistant Minister of War, so the Dingyuan Marquis family is inextricably linked with Prince Liang.
Xia Wenjin’s expression darkened as she gazed at Huangfu Yuxuan sharply: "Young Master Huangfu, mind your words. To say such things without basis besmirches my reputation, for what reason? I have no engagement with you. If you dare to say it again, don’t blame me for being impolite!"
With that statement, the Xia Brothers were also angry.
Xia Xinxin spoke without courtesy: "Second Young Master, Wenjin is just a young woman. The importance of reputation to a woman needs no further emphasis. Such talk is really uncalled for."
Xia Xiaozhe also said: "Second Young Master, as a man, you can speak casually, but words are like knives; a single word can claim someone’s life. Please, be cautious with your words."
The two did not hide their support for Xia Wenjin.
Huangfu Yuxuan, seeing the Xia Brothers and Xia Wenjin united in their response, looked displeased.
He turned to Xia Wanqing, his expression earnest yet slightly aggrieved, letting out a low sigh: "Uncle Xia, please speak a word of fairness."
As his words left his mouth, the Xia Brothers and Xia Wenjin’s expressions turned unpleasant.
The Xia Brothers thought, he even dared to seek out Xia Wanqing, could this matter be true?
Xia Wenjin’s gaze remained cold as she looked at Xia Wanqing.
Her intentions were crystal clear, and she’d explained them thoroughly to Xia Wanqing. In front of so many people now, a single word from Xia Wanqing could settle this matter definitively.
Xia Wanqing felt a bit troubled.
The marriage arrangement did exist.
But because Wenjin was unwilling, he had told Huangfu Yuxuan about annulling the engagement. Huangfu Yuxuan asked him not to worry about it, promising to win Wenjin’s heart with sincerity.
Moreover, this so-called engagement, according to the customs of the prominent families in Capital City, had neither the Go-between’s mediation nor the exchange of formal wedding presents.
Huangfu Yuxuan had his father, Prince Liang, meet with Xia Wanqing, expressing sincerity. He had mentioned the formalities of arranging a marriage and delivering gifts. However, considering Xia Wenjin’s stance, Xia Wanqing advised not to rush into things. Thus, the matter was left unresolved.
He believed in Huangfu Yuxuan, feeling that Wenjin would eventually be moved by his excellence, so there was no need to hurry.
Yet now, Wenjin remained unmoved, but Huangfu Yuxuan had already brought this matter to light in front of everyone.
Even though the Jianghu community isn’t constrained by details, a woman’s reputation is of utmost importance.
Especially when he met his daughter’s icy, resolute gaze, Xia Wanqing saw determination and firmness.
If he dared to claim there was an engagement, he might lose this daughter of his.
Though he wanted his daughter to live well, thus going against her will and arranging this marriage. Later, when he met Huangfu Yuxuan and saw his excellence, he wished this marriage would come to fruition.
But at this critical moment, he couldn’t afford to disappoint his daughter.
He turned to Huangfu Yuxuan and clasped his hands: "Young Master Xuan, you once told me that you would win Wenjin’s heart with true feelings. You are outstanding, and I am happy to see it happen!"
Xia Xiaozhe, being perceptive, immediately smiled and said: "A fair maiden is sought after by a gentleman, that is natural, but since there is no parental arrangement, no matchmaker’s words, and no formal proposal, it cannot be considered an engagement!"
Huangfu Yuxuan could see that Xia Wanqing did not wish to put his daughter in an uncomfortable position.
He felt resentment inside, as if marrying his daughter would be his own grievance.
Nonetheless, Xia Wenjin’s words did not deny his intention of pursuing marriage; there was still room for maneuver.
Besides, although everyone denied it now, it didn’t matter. If necessary, he could make this known throughout Capital City.
He softened his tone: "I was too hasty. Uncle Xia, I specifically came to pick you up. I’ve already reserved a table at Yan Zui Xuan to welcome you!"
Xia Wenjin said: "Father, at such a time, there’s no reason to leave with an outsider. When we get home, I’ll cook a meal for you myself!"
Xia Wanqing then said: "Young Master Xuan, thank you for your kindness. If you don’t mind, why not come to our humble abode for a drink?"
Xia Wenjin: "..."
Xia Xiaozhe smiled gently and said: "Chief Xia, though we came on family orders to await a result, we also came to invite you and your daughter to visit our house. Please do us the honor!"
Xia Wenjin said: "Father, you’ve had your unjust situation clarified, thanks to the fathers of these two brothers. You often said that if someone helps you even a little, repay them immensely. Since Brother Xia’s father extended an invitation, you truly cannot refuse!"
Xia Wanqing was a bit bewildered. He remembered Xia Xiaozhe mentioning that when Wenjin was seeking help, she had reached out to his father, which confirmed the situation.
He immediately clasped his fists in salute to the Xia Brothers: "Thank you, young men! Please forgive my earlier rudeness!"
Xia Xinxin said: "There’s no blame, Chief Xia, but attending the banquet is a must. Once you attend, my father’s favor in helping you will be squared off!"
Xia Wanqing was a bit puzzled as to why the Xia Brothers would invite someone like him, who was from the Jianghu, as a guest? They were the ones who aided him, but now it seemed as if he was the one who helped them. Could there be something he was unaware of?
