Chapter 664: Chapter 663: Unable to Step Down Gracefully
Yi Zixuan felt a tinge of envy in her heart.
Someone with such poise must either be well-read or exceptionally knowledgeable. Even if she looks young, Yi Zixuan tentatively asked, "Are you Xia Wenjin, Miss Xia?"
Xia Wenjin nodded slightly and said, "That’s me!"
Yi Zixuan breathed a sigh of relief. It’s good that she came on stage; at least it spared her from feeling awkward.
As for Xia Wenjin, if she has no talent to display, she’ll be embarrassed, but that’s beyond Yi Zixuan’s help.
She even gave a reassuring smile and said, "Miss Xia, you seem unfamiliar. You must have only recently arrived in the Capital City? But Miss Xia is very clever; once you came up, many people recognized you. Everyone can socialize more in the future!"
Xia Wenjin smiled slightly. This Yi Zixuan was quite interesting, different from Luo Fu and the others.
Her words were without malice. On the contrary, she was making up for Xia Wenjin’s initial hesitation to come on stage. Xia Wenjin appreciated this gesture.
Xia Wenjin’s gaze swept the audience, her eyes glancing over. Even with just a casual look, she exuded a calm and dignified aura, giving her an air of authority.
She sincerely said, "Miss Yi, you guessed wrong. I really wasn’t the one who registered. I’m naturally shy and strictly brought up, usually keeping a low profile. Since I’ve just arrived in the Capital City, how could I attract such attention? It must be someone who dislikes me, trying to embarrass me!"
Yi Zixuan was taken aback again.
She’s come on stage, yet she claims it wasn’t her who registered. Yi Zixuan believed her words to be mostly true, but even if she didn’t register herself, it wasn’t important anymore.
But is it really okay to bring this up so openly?
Is she reluctant to show her talent?
Honestly, since she’s already on stage, just showing something would suffice. No one can guarantee that their talent is outstanding. A remarkable display would certainly be impressive, but most are average. As long as one isn’t the worst, it won’t be embarrassing. Besides, the event’s original intent is merely for social acquaintance.
As Xia Wenjin finished speaking, mocking laughter came from several places.
Those unfamiliar with her mostly thought she was making excuses because she was stage-frightened.
With such an exceptional appearance, she seemed unlearned and cowardly.
Xu Man and others were even more unrestrained, disparaging Xia Wenjin to those around them.
Meanwhile, Zhai Hao laughed loudly, pointing at Xia Wenjin, saying, "I tell you, that brat can do nothing but..."
As he finished those two words, a flash of a shiny dagger seemed to appear before him.
Recalling the girl’s gaze back then, sharp as a knife, and her cold aura as if to freeze someone, with a deadly presence like a reaper, he instantly shut his mouth, his face turning pale.
Several similar playboys seated with him, hearing the first part, expected some vulgar words next, ready to joke. Glancing to the side and seeing Zhai Hao’s ghost-like expression, they curiously asked, "What’s wrong, Brother Zhai?"
Zhai Hao swallowed hard, lowering his voice, "That brat... is fierce..."
No matter how much his companions asked, he kept his lips tightly sealed, refusing to say another word.
How could he say he was so scared by that brat that he wet his pants? If so, he’d lose all face.
Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes sharpened. Someone was setting Wenjin up?
His gaze shifted slightly towards Yan Nan. Yan Nan understood, quietly withdrew two steps, and, unnoticed by others, disappeared behind the flowers and trees.
Huangfu Yuxuan squinted, a smile forming; he thought, this person he fancied didn’t pretend. If she couldn’t do something, she’d directly admit it, appearing sincere and candid.
It seems the time has come for him to step in.
Saving the day for a damsel in distress is an easy way to win her heart. Great, he would seize this opportunity!
On the stage, Yi Zixuan glanced at Xia Wenjin again, recalling her mentioning her recent arrival in the Capital City, feeling she understood.
Outside the Capital City, how can it compare with the distinguished ladies raised locally, exposed since young to music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, often specializing in one? Was it possible that Miss Xia really had no special skills, so she had to come on stage and straightforwardly admit it?
If she just arrived in the Capital City, how did she end up in this situation?
Yi Zixuan looked at Xia Wenjin again, feeling she understood. Some people don’t like trouble, but naturally invite envy, such as this girl with her stunning beauty.
With such an exceptional appearance, it’s no wonder she’d invoke jealousy, causing someone to play tricks. Thinking this, she intervened, saying, "Since Miss Xia didn’t register herself, perhaps the recorder made a mistake. It’s okay. Miss Xia, you can step down and rest!"
Someone shouted loudly, "Does this Miss Xia know nothing at all? Now you claim someone else registered you, and you were entirely unaware? Isn’t that too laughable? If you can’t do it, admit it, don’t use such excuses! Or, you could at least give us a smile, given you’re not difficult to look at, and we won’t make things hard for you!"
The wealthy young master was Zhan Jinlei, a legitimate son of the second branch of the Duke of England Mansion. The second branch wasn’t entitled to inherit the title, but he was of noble birth, and his maternal family was the Princess Consort Zhuang’s family. Arrogant and brash in his actions, he wouldn’t spare Xia Wenjin just because she was a woman.
On the contrary, the mocking tone in his voice was clear to everyone.
Huangfu Yuxuan chuckled again. What fools! The more they fussed, the more embarrassing it would be for Xia Wenjin, and the more effective his moment of heroics would be!
Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes grew cold, and Zhan Jinlei was about ten paces away.
He stood up.
Prince Xin’s son asked, "Jingchen, what’s wrong?"
Huangfu Jingchen said, "Just a bit tired of sitting, I’ll walk around and be right back!"
Zhan Jinlei’s words stirred up quite a response from his cronies and some women giggled quietly.
The ladies who initially enjoyed conversing with Xia Wenjin felt repulsed by Zhan Jinlei’s words but were skeptical of Xia Wenjin’s excuses.
Some were sympathetic, some indifferent, knowing that after this incident, regardless of her status, Miss Xia could kiss goodbye to any hopes of joining the elite social circles of the Capital City’s young ladies.
Yi Zixuan glanced at Xia Wenjin, her eyes helpless.
Zhan Jinlei was one who thrived on chaos and trouble; he stirred up the pampered scions, changing many people’s gazes towards Xia Wenjin.
Xia Wenjin chuckled lightly, her bright eyes shifting, and said, "Thank you, Miss Yi, for your kindness. However, since someone wanted to see me showcase some talent and registered me on their behalf, I shouldn’t let them down!"
Yi Zixuan: "..."
Is she really going to showcase her talent? Does she have any talent to showcase?
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