The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 679: Chapter 678: Tension in the Air

As they picked up their chopsticks to eat, under the watchful eyes of so many, they discovered that Xia Wenjin’s etiquette was impeccable.

Everyone unconsciously compared her to Duan Yan, the most proper daughter of the Minister of Rites, and found that she was equally flawless.

Even the Seventeenth Princess couldn’t help but ask, ”I heard that people from the Jianghu drink wine from large bowls and eat large chunks of meat. Is that true?”

Xia Wenjin replied, ”What you heard is probably correct!”

The Seventeenth Princess blinked and confirmed, ”Actually, you’re not really from the Jianghu, are you?”

Xia Wenjin responded with a smile, ”Princess, before I came to the Capital City, I also heard that the Capital City is paved with gold and jade, filled with gold everywhere! That all men are like immortals from heaven, and all women are like celestial fairies fallen to earth!”

This statement made everyone who heard it laugh.

However, although they laughed, everyone’s thoughts were not necessarily the same.

Some understood her meaning and found her answer amusing, unable to help but laugh along.

Yet some did not catch her meaning and thought she was just a country bumpkin. Such uninformed statements are truly laughable!

On the left side of the hall, a few Imperial Grandsons with extraordinary standing sat at the same table, along with Shen Yuncong and several others.

Shen Yuncong drank several glasses and then raised his cup to Huangfu Yuxuan, saying, ”Young Master Xuan, there’s something I’d like to ask you. If it’s impolite, please forgive me!”

Huangfu Yuxuan responded warmly, ”Yuncong, we are classmates after all, why so formal?”

The princes and Imperial Grandsons in the capital studied at the Wenbo Academy in their early years, where there was an Assistant Lecture Hall solely dedicated to educating such special students.

Of course, not only the Imperial Grandsons and close relatives of the Imperial Family but also the families of senior ministers received spots there.

Shen Yuncong’s father was a Grand Scholar, so he was naturally included.

Shen Yuncong, Huangfu Yuxuan, Huangfu Hongyi, Huangfu Jinxuan, and others had all attended lessons in the Assistant Lecture Hall together, which is what Huangfu Yuxuan referred to when he said they were classmates.

Shen Yuncong asked, ”Young Master Xuan previously said, ’a fair lady, a gentleman’s pursuit.’ I want to ask, would Young Master Xuan use your status to force anyone?”

Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes cooled slightly. What did this question, asked in front of so many people, mean? He smiled faintly, saying, ”Of course, I would not!”

Shen Yuncong said, ”Then I’m relieved!”

”What does Yuncong mean by this?”

Shen Yuncong smiled broadly, saying, ”Then I can compete fairly!”

Huangfu Jingchen: ”...”

Wenjin is too outstanding, attracting attention. It seems he has to try harder!

Huangfu Yuxuan’s gaze sharpened, his gaze at Shen Yuncong cooled further. Prince Xin’s son immediately laughed, ”Well said, a family with a daughter attracts a hundred suitors. It’s rare to see such an interesting girl; if I weren’t already engaged, I would want to pursue her too!”

Huangfu Yuxuan glanced at Shen Yuncong with a half-smile, his gaze sweeping over Huangfu Jingchen, and said blandly, ”Since everyone likes her, then let’s rely on our own abilities!” He pointedly added, ”Isn’t that right, Cousin Jingchen?”

Huangfu Jingchen replied coolly, ”Cousin Xuan, relying on abilities is fine, but if your affection consists of ruining a person’s reputation in public, subjecting a young lady to immense pressure and malicious ridicule, that’s something she cannot bear!”

Huangfu Yuxuan, with a touch of a smile on his face but coldness in his eyes, said, ”No need for you to worry about that.”

Feeling the tension between the two, Prince Lu’s son laughed, ”Miss Xia seems quite interesting, capturing so many hearts in her first time attending such a banquet? But have you thought about how your marriages seem beyond your own control? If it’s for a wife, she’s not qualified; if it’s for a concubine, would she be willing?”

Huangfu Jingchen frowned, ”What do you mean by qualified? Is it about marrying a wife or marrying status and position? There are too many considerations in the world, but if even marriage becomes a calculation, life would be too dull.”

Prince Lu’s son, usually an indifferent onlooker, does not like Prince Xin’s son’s impulsive nature. He would occasionally interject but always stayed out of trouble himself.

Unexpectedly, this time he was directly retorted by Huangfu Jingchen. He was somewhat embarrassed, saying, ”Looks like Jingchen is also a man of emotions, just like our Fifth Imperial Uncle. One wonders if retracing the Fifth Imperial Uncle’s path will be smooth for you.”

”My path is my own to walk, cousin need not worry!”

Prince Lu’s son: ”...”

The implication of these words was not to meddle, right? He felt a bit annoyed but smiled gracefully, ”Jingchen is right! As your elder, I naturally wish you both success in your endeavors!”

Prince Xin’s son chuckled lightly, looking at Prince Lu’s son mockingly, was he silly? Let them fight for an unknown woman to the death, wonderful! Such matters weren’t his concern; he’d only enjoy the show.

The banquet proceeded with everyone holding their thoughts.

Afterward, they wandered around the garden for a while, and then people began to take their leave one by one.

Outside Jinting Pavilion, Xia Wenjin’s blue cloth carriage once again became the center of attention, but this time, no one dared to provoke.

Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen exchanged a glance and went their separate ways.

Huangfu Jingchen knew that Prince Zhuang was continuously plotting in secret. If he knew about Xia Wenjin’s connection to him, it might endanger Xia Wenjin’s life.

Meanwhile, Xia Wenjin felt that due to Huangfu Yuxuan’s antics that day, her reputation was sure to suffer, and she didn’t want to drag Huangfu Jingchen into it.

Besides, the two of them understood each other; sometimes a single look conveyed more than words could.

Meeting Xia Wenjin there was an unexpected delight for Huangfu Jingchen.

And Xia Wenjin felt she had gained a lot; people like Xu Man and Kang Xiaomin were rare. Her conversation, demeanor, and her sincere intent to make a mark led her to meet many people and deftly recommend a few high-end shops under Yunhua Trading Company.

As long as someone could enter her shops, she was confident she could get them to accept what they sold, and those shops were originally targeted toward the wealthy families of the Capital City.

In the carriage, Nanny Zhou glanced at Xia Wenjin several times.

Xia Wenjin smiled softly, ”Nanny, do you have something to say to me?”

Nanny Zhou, clutching her chest as if in shock, exclaimed, ”Miss, today this old woman really opened her eyes! In scenes like this, whether you bring this old woman or not, you handle yourself so well. Miss is truly clever, and the madam won’t have to worry in the future!”

Xia Wenjin smiled, ”What are you saying, nanny? You’ve offered me advice on many matters as well, haven’t you?”

On the road, encountering someone of some status, if Nanny Zhou feared Xia Wenjin might not know, she would softly and inconspicuously tell her.

Nanny Zhou thought so too; except in the Bamboo Lan Mei Ju Song Five Hall where they waited downstairs for rest, she had indeed reminded the young lady diligently, but the young lady’s natural reactions and graceful responses had left a deep impression on her.