The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 677: Chapter 676: Choose Him or Me

Xia Wenjin felt a slight chill in her heart; Huangfu Yuxuan was still unscrupulous in achieving his goals.

Now she could fully determine that there must be some secret about her that Huangfu Yuxuan was determined to uncover. That’s why he would abandon ladies of high standing but persistently entangle with her.

With Huangfu Yuxuan’s character of never acting without profit, it was clear the secret she held was greater than the backing of those ladies, and worth the risk of angering the Emperor!

What could it be?

People are bewildered by the unknown, fearful because of the unknown.

Xia Wenjin felt confusion too, but she decided to uncover the answer herself.

As for Huangfu Yuxuan deliberately tarnishing her reputation, she found it disgusting, but didn’t take it to heart. Huangfu Yuxuan was maliciously manipulative, thinking such a method would force her to go along with it?

Impossible.

Even if she didn’t have mutual feelings with Huangfu Jingchen, she wouldn’t succumb to such sinister tactics.

If it had been half a year ago, she wouldn’t have bothered explaining. Huangfu Yuxuan could forget using reputation to force her into anything, but now she has to consider Huangfu Jingchen.

Since she decided to put aside all concerns and accept Huangfu Jingchen’s feelings, and since he is also an Imperial Grandson, she couldn’t afford to be careless.

Earlier, Huangfu Jingchen wanted to step forward to resolve this matter for her, but she stopped him—not out of bravado or to deny him a chance, but to keep him from being involved.

Huangfu Jingchen has an awkward position. He is Huangfu Yuxuan’s cousin, inevitably leading people to talk about brothers fighting over a woman. Such vile rumors should be nipped in the bud.

When Xia Wenjin asked him to show some restraint, Huangfu Yuxuan’s face turned menacingly grim, as if the warm spring suddenly froze into a bitter winter.

His entourage also discreetly stepped back a few paces, distancing themselves as if afraid of being frozen by the chill.

But soon, Huangfu Yuxuan realized his loss of composure and flashed a smile, saying gracefully, ”Wenjin, even if you don’t acknowledge this engagement, I am fond of you, and I will not give up!”

Upon hearing this, more gazes turned toward Xia Wenjin, and the looks upon Huangfu Yuxuan, from curious admiration in males to glowing eyes in females.

Such deep affection and devotion, disregarding the other’s background, willing to break convention, only for the beloved, paints a truly noble image! Which young woman does not yearn for spring? Which has never dreamed of meeting a man of such deep sentiment and gentle affection before marriage?

Priceless treasures are easily acquired, but a devoted lover is rare!

This Miss Xia doesn’t know how to appreciate her fortune. How could someone like her deserve such sincerity?

Xia Wenjin really wanted to roll her eyes. Huangfu Yuxuan was well-versed in human nature; he knows when and what to say to win the most hearts. Now he’s using this strategy on her, and indeed, it’s utterly effective!

Prince Lu’s son laughed, ”A fair lady is a gentleman’s pursuit. Yuxuan is indeed a person of character!”

Prince Xin’s son also laughed, though his shrewdness didn’t quite match Prince Lu’s son, and a hint of disdain flickered in his eyes, which Huangfu Yuxuan caught.

Huangfu Yuxuan knew Prince Lu’s son and Prince Xin’s son must be mocking him inwardly for being blind, only focusing on beauty and not weighing risks.

He chuckled coldly inwardly—they know nothing!

But it’s good they think this way, believing he poses no threat, hence not guarding against him, allowing him to be the observer when the mantis stalks the cicada.

Yi Zixuan smiled, ”Standing and talking must be tiring for everyone, let’s go to the banquet hall!”

Zhao Keyan beamed, ”These flowers are blooming splendidly, their fragrance intoxicating, making us linger in the beautiful scenery. Let’s talk about happier things and not harm our harmony!”

The Seventeenth Princess added, ”Indeed, Keyan truly knows the hearts of others! I see your words are as precious as pearls. When you compose new poems, I must have a look!”

Upon the Seventeenth Princess’s words, everyone’s gaze shifted to Zhao Keyan—one of the talented Shuang Yan sisters, brilliant and beautiful. Some couldn’t help but wonder, being such an outstanding young master as Young Master Yuxuan in Capital City, unparalleled in charm, wouldn’t only such talented Shuang Yan be his match?

Yet, Young Master Yuxuan fell for that Miss Xia, and that Miss Xia was even haughty enough to disregard him in public—it’s truly bewildering!

With Zhao Keyan speaking up, the topic immediately veered off!

Xia Wenjin sought a chance to quietly leave the crowd, but the Seventeenth Princess grabbed her hand, smiling warmly, ”You promised to sit with me, you can’t leave!”

Xia Wenjin calmly responded, ”Princess, I’m not suited to sit at the same table as you, it might dampen your spirits!”

”Of course not!” The Seventeenth Princess replied enthusiastically, ”I find you quite agreeable and wish to chat more with you!”

Yi Zixuan laughed nearby, ”Miss Xia, your stunning sword dance has captured the Seventeenth Princess’s heart. It’s rare for her to be so affectionate to someone she’s meeting for the first time. If you keep declining, the Princess will be displeased!”

The Seventeenth Princess said, ”Exactly, if you don’t join this Princess, it’s like not giving me face!”

Unable to refuse such kindness, Xia Wenjin no longer hesitated and said, ”Since the Princess insists, it is better to accept graciously!”

”That’s the spirit!” The Seventeenth Princess lowered her voice, curiously probing, ”Didn’t you say you are from Jianghu? Why buy male companions to come to the mountain? Aren’t you supposed to just take them directly as village husbands?”

Xia Wenjin: ”...”

Where did she get such a misconception from a storybook?

She twitched her mouth, truly struggling to answer, fortunate the Seventeenth Princess asked in a low voice, unheard by others.

She rubbed her forehead saying, ”Princess, I’m just from Jianghu, not a bandit. Taking village husbands is just a saying. How could we actually rob them? Of course, you need to spend Silver—to offer enticing rewards for willing hearts, right?”

The Seventeenth Princess nodded, ”So that’s the case!” She whispered again, ”You did right to run away. My imperial nephew, although he appears handsome and gentle, I always feel his smiles are rather creepy!”

Xia Wenjin looked over in surprise, seeing the Seventeenth Princess’s cheeks puff up making a playful face, both mischievous and lovable.

She couldn’t help but laugh, ”I see the Capital City ladies don’t think so!”

”Certainly!” The Seventeenth Princess rolled her eyes to the sky, brimming with self-confidence, ”That’s because they are far away; this Princess is different, knowing a bit about what my elder brothers are like!”

Xia Wenjin: ”...”

Could it be that the Seventeenth Princess’s uninhibited words and acts led her to become a pawn sent for a political marriage?

It’s indeed unimaginable that within the Imperial Family there is such an innocent and romantic princess!