Chapter 662: Chapter 661: Set Up
Prince Lu’s son almost bit through his molar.
The words sounded nice, so dignified, but it was just to watch him make a fool of himself. No one was a fool; who could be fooled by such little tricks?
But he couldn’t expose it, couldn’t point it out, and had to cooperate.
He felt stifled inside, but his face maintained a light smile: "Since several cousins have this intention, let’s not delay. Let’s take him to the clinic together."
The one who had his leg broken was an honest middle-aged man. Seeing this situation, he was instead frightened and wished he could get up and run away. But now, not to mention running, it was difficult to even stand up.
As soon as Prince Lu’s son spoke, several attendants immediately came over, lifted the man from the ground, and took him toward the clinic.
The poor middle-aged man hadn’t even responded before his feet were off the ground, and he was so scared that he turned pale and almost fainted.
Why not help him onto a carriage?
Prince Lu’s son’s carriage was so luxurious, how could it be used by an ordinary person?
The other three carriages followed behind, and since Prince Lu’s son had no such intention, they couldn’t do it either, otherwise that would directly embarrass Prince Lu’s son.
Prince Lu’s son was known to be mature and composed but also sinister and deep. If someone really did that, not only would they earn Prince Lu’s son’s resentment, but that middle-aged man wouldn’t survive; he would be eliminated by Prince Lu’s son.
So, regardless of what the three were thinking, no one spoke, and the three carriages followed the attendants unhurriedly, all the way to the clinic.
Once at the clinic, there was inevitably some busywork, and although the four people just watched with their arms crossed, they all stayed there; no one left.
At this time, no one remembered the Seventeenth Aunt’s flower viewing party anymore. By the time the doctor at the clinic had set the middle-aged man’s bones and bandaged him, and everything was handled, time had quietly passed.
Only then did the four of them get back on their carriages and head to Jinting Pavilion.
Didn’t this delay them?
By the time they reached the place, they found out that everyone who was supposed to be there was already there, and the main event was already halfway through.
The four of them first went to see the Seventeenth Princess, who naturally complained a few times with dissatisfaction.
Huangfu Yuxuan laughed and said, "Aunt, it’s not our fault. The four of us brothers set out early to attend the grand event hosted by Aunt. The four brothers happened to meet on the street; how coincidental is that? Even more coincidentally, Han’s carriage was hit by someone careless, which delayed us. But as soon as the matter was dealt with over there, we dared not delay for a moment, rushing here as quickly as we could, but alas, we’re still late. Please, Aunt, forgive us!"
Prince Lu’s son also hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Aunt, please forgive me. It was my fault; my cousins were delayed by my careless driver. I will sell that incompetent person when I return, so please don’t be angry, Aunt!"
Huangfu Jingchen laughed and said, "Han, everyone knows that although Aunt is young, she is very generous and won’t hold this against you. However, even though Aunt is understanding, you must show your sincerity. A high-class banquet at Moon Full Building is indispensable!"
Prince Xin’s son also said, "Cousin Chen is right!"
The Seventeenth Princess, having been spoken to like this, could hardly be angry anymore. Although these were her nephews, they were all older than her, and particularly standing together, they were each splendidly dressed and outstanding, all extraordinary individuals, as pleasing as the rarest of flowers, and she felt embarrassed to pursue the matter further. She even called over her nanny and had them seated at the Zhiwan Pavilion by Linfeng Water Pavilion.
The four sat around the stone table in the pavilion, surrounded by blooming flowers that formed a natural screen without obstructing the view of the talent show on the stage, making for an interesting sight.
Whenever someone took the stage, one of them would inevitably offer a critique, making the atmosphere quite lively.
After a young lady performed an impromptu painting, she stepped down, and Yi Zixuan cheerfully commented, "Miss Wang’s landscape painting is quick and skillful! Next up is..."
She glanced at the slip of paper in her hand and unexpectedly smiled, "Which one is Xia Wenjin, Miss Xia? Although registered, nothing was reported about which talent would be showcased. It seems we’ll need Miss Xia to personally come up and reveal it to everyone!"
Her voice was clear, and with the open space of the pavilion, it carried far.
Xia Wenjin, who was chatting with some ladies about how to keep skin moisturized and whitened under a flowering tree, suddenly froze and uncertainly asked, "Was she talking about me?"
The ladies, already getting along warmly with Xia Wenjin, especially impressed by her flawless skin, were convinced.
One of them said, "She means you, Xia Wenjin!"
Another asked, "Did you register? What are you going to present?"
Xia Wenjin’s eyes moved to Nanny Zhou and the two maids standing a few steps behind her, all three shook their heads, indicating they hadn’t registered anything for her.
Nanny Zhou was quite anxious. She’d been with Xia Wenjin the whole time, knowing that Xia Wenjin hadn’t left, nor had she or the two maids; it was impossible they registered anything. The young lady was only accompanied by the three of them, no one else; who registered it?
She was initially pleased that the young lady had made connections with many noble girls, aligning with the lady’s original purpose of letting the young lady attend the flower-viewing event. As long as this main event passed, the young lady could safely return with great achievements.
Who would have thought that this unexpected situation awaited her?
Others might not understand, but Nanny Zhou was very clear that the young lady had definitely been set up.
What to do now?
The young lady was from the Jianghu; how could she have learned the noble women’s arts like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Demonstrating talent publicly, wouldn’t that invite disgrace for the young lady?
No matter how much was guarded against, who would have thought that someone could be so sinister?
Xia Wenjin also immediately understood.
She could even pinpoint the target behind the scenes.
In Zhiwan Pavilion, the originally relaxed expressions of the four imperial grandsons suddenly changed.
Huangfu Jingchen had not expected Xia Wenjin to attend the event hosted by the Seventeenth Aunt, because Xia Wenjin’s attitude toward the Royal Family allowed Huangfu Jingchen to realize her rejection of royalty. He did not want to come here either today, but being in the capital, these engagements could not be avoided.
The other whose expression changed was Huangfu Yuxuan. He wondered, was it a name coincidence? Xia Wenjin was just a Jianghu woman, how could she have the chance to enter such a place?
But over these years in the capital, he had never heard of anyone else with the same name.
He quickly glanced at Huangfu Jingchen, his eyes dark, and then looked toward the stage. He wanted to see who would actually go up when the time came.
Yi Zixuan looked around, noticing no one went up, and said again, "Is Miss Xia here? Miss Xia, please come up!"
Being called out and delaying too long would only make it more embarrassing.
Someone sneered, "Isn’t this just chickening out after registering, not daring to go on stage?"
Comments