The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 715: Chapter 714: The Art of Commanding Others

Arriving at the entrance of the Xia Mansion, Xia Wanqing did not invite them inside.

He stood at the doorway, displaying a steady demeanor, speaking sincerely, with a trace of undisguised worry on his face. It was the helplessness and hidden concern of an old father worried about his daughter.

He clasped his hands and said, ”Thank you all for your hard work today. I should have hosted a banquet to express my gratitude, but Wenjin was frightened, and I’m afraid we might not host you well. However, since you have all rendered great assistance, Wenjin is deeply grateful for your help. The day after tomorrow, I will prepare a modest feast at the Xia Mansion, and I hope you all will come to let me express my gratitude!”

Huangfu Yuxuan felt quite displeased upon hearing this. They weren’t even being let inside?

After all, Xia Wenjin was merely frightened; hosting guests doesn’t necessarily require her presence. This excuse is rather unremarkable.

He glanced at Xia Wenjin, just in time to see her gaze fall on Huangfu Jingchen, and that envy made him even more irritable.

Was it merely that the people sent by Prince Zhuang only managed to tear his clothes? They couldn’t even harm him; truly useless.

Was it because the people of Prince Zhuang were useless or because Huangfu Jingchen’s skills were too high?

However, this is not the time to think about such things. He restrained his inner annoyance and outwardly maintained his manners, quickly clasping his hands in return and saying, ”Uncle Xia is too kind. It’s our duty to draw our swords and assist when seeing injustice. Moreover, being acquainted with Wenjin, we certainly couldn’t stand by and watch! Isn’t that right, Jingchen!”

Huangfu Jingchen clasped his hands in return, not responding to Huangfu Yuxuan, but said, ”Chief Xia, you’re too generous! It was just a small effort, nothing to be concerned about!”

To Huangfu Yuxuan, indeed, it was merely a small effort, perhaps not even worth mentioning.

But to Huangfu Jingchen, it was not like that.

He risked his life without regard for the consequences, almost to the point of risking it all to save someone, knowing it was a trap, yet he charged right in.

Had this been something Huangfu Yuxuan did, he would have already ensured that Xia Wanqing and Xia Wenjin knew. How could he deem it mundane?

Huangfu Jingchen, however, truly did not dwell on it; he was still considering what had happened before. Even though he charged forward resolutely, not caring for anything else beforehand, along the way back, he started to reconsider it somewhat.

Besides his own people, it seemed there was another force protecting him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have only had his clothes torn, his body unharmed. On several occasions, when he felt an imminent crisis, and it was hard for him to fend off many adversaries alone, the crisis seemingly faded away into nothingness.

Initially, he thought it was Xia Sichen, but when fighting alongside Xia Sichen, he too exerted all his efforts, yet that feeling persisted. So, it was not Xia Sichen.

After returning, he would need to ask if Uncle Chen had made other arrangements! Or, perhaps his mother had sent experts to protect him in secret!

After Xia Wanqing finished speaking, he led Xia Wenjin into the courtyard.

Xia Sichen, following behind, also clasped his hands, with a smile that seemed neither a smile nor a sneer, ”Both of you, you’re welcome to visit the Xia Mansion the day after tomorrow!”

The friends he had brought to rescue earlier took their leave upon entering the city.

Huangfu Jingchen clasped his hands and said, ”Certainly!” He felt a bit excited inside; finally, does this mean he could openly walk into the Xia Mansion?

The door of the Xia Mansion closed.

Huangfu Yuxuan looked at Huangfu Jingchen, his lips slightly upturned, revealing a teasing smile, ”Jingchen, it’s just rescuing a person, look at how battered you’ve made yourself?”

Huangfu Jingchen replied calmly, ”I am not as good as my cousin, with your fine clothes and fleet steeds, and a retinue of servants. All matters done by others, and nothing left for you to do!”

Huangfu Yuxuan, indifferent, with an air of ’I’m doing this for your own good,’ said, ”Jingchen, don’t say your cousin didn’t remind you! Remember, you are the Imperial Grandson, from a noble family, not an ordinary child. What’s the point in rushing ahead to save someone yourself? The key is to get the person out safely!”

More importantly, setting the trap yourself, acting mischievous, selling someone yet having them thank you for it—that is truly the art of manipulation!

Saying this, he laughed again. Why was he speaking to Huangfu Jingchen about the art of manipulation?

Being the son of the Fifth Imperial Uncle, he must have learned the so-called righteous spirit of the Jianghu!

If the Fifth Imperial Uncle understood these things, how could he have been demoted to Yunzhou?

Compared to the supreme throne, what is little Huangfu Jingchen then? If not for the good favor won from Xia Wenjin, he would be too lazy to give him attention.

Huangfu Jingchen remained indifferent; wasn’t this a matter of disinterest?

Upon witnessing Wenjin being abducted, he was burning with anxiety, how could he care about his identity as the Imperial Grandson, or understand the significance and weight of things? His sole thought was that Wenjin must not be harmed!

However, he didn’t need to share these thoughts with Huangfu Yuxuan.

Outwardly, Huangfu Yuxuan appeared graceful and considerate, but he had seen through the manipulation behind his apparent grace, and the weighing of interests behind his seeming understanding and consideration.

If interacting with others always needed to involve such mentality, living would be overly burdensome!

As they spoke, the two had reached the street corner, and Huangfu Jingchen said, ”Cousin Xuan is right in every regard, I’ve learned a lot. But our paths differ now, thank you for the horse, farewell!”

Huangfu Yuxuan smiled, watching Huangfu Jingchen depart solo on horseback, turned to his trusted aides Cui Huai and Tang Lin, and said, ”Our Prince Cheng’s Heir indeed carries the gallant spirit of the Jianghu.”

Tang Lin, observing the departing figure of Huangfu Jingchen, lowered his voice and said, ”Young Master, with no guards around Huangfu Jingchen now, if we make a move, success is almost certain. Shall I act?”

Huangfu Yuxuan gave him a glance, ”Foolish!”

Cui Huai quickly advised, ”Never act without the Young Master’s command!”

Huangfu Yuxuan waved his hand, ”Think a bit. We left the Xia Mansion simultaneously, and if something happens to him, what would others think of me? Do you think I can claim innocence?”

Tang Lin, still slightly defiant, muttered under his breath, ”If I act, it would be seamless, and no one would trace it back to Young Master!”

Huangfu Yuxuan snorted, ”Prince Zhuang cherishes his life. Why spend more effort when it could be handled more easily?”

Cui Huai added, ”The Young Master is thorough in his considerations; our manpower is reserved for the most critical moments. Unlike you, only seeing the present and striving for momentary success!”

Tang Lin scratched his head and admitted, ”I wasn’t just after immediate success; it just seemed like a pity! But you’re right, Young Master; let’s not squander our resources.”

After returning to the Xia Mansion, Xia Wenjin, unlike before, no longer appeared pale. She walked in a relaxed pace, abandoning the pretense of maintaining her dignity and composure. Greeted with a smile, she addressed Zhuo Pengju and the three others warmly, ”Uncle Zhuo, Uncle Li, Uncle Hu!”

Xia Wanqing was stunned, asking in surprise, ”Wenjin, you... are alright?”