Free Web NovelChapter 600: Chapter 599: Nothing to Fear
But the Huangfu Jingchen before him had a candid expression, and his eyes were sincere. As he looked into them, he saw straight to the bottom.
There was a sense of pride, a bit of arrogance, and yet, there was also a sense of calmness and directness.
Huangfu Yuxuan felt a sense of mockery rise in his heart, thinking that someone from a small place was indeed from a small place. Even though they were both Imperial Grandsons, his vision and scope were much narrower.
Such a person, no matter how genteel and handsome, with an aura of a dragon or phoenix; no matter how talented, able to eloquently express himself; no matter how outstanding, standing out like a crane among chickens, what use was it?
The Capital City never lacked outstanding talent.
And a person too outstanding, like a tree that stands out in the forest, would surely be toppled by the wind.
This Huangfu Jingchen, indeed was excellent, talented, and had the noble aloofness of being an Imperial Grandson. Of course, there was also the bit of pampered debauchery that comes from wealth and nobility. Although it was rare, one could see it from his words, "I have drunk in every tavern, tasted every fine wine."
Such a person would indeed stand out in a crowd.
If he were an ordinary man, he would be a hero among men.
But he was an Imperial Grandson, different from the ordinary, so he was destined not to qualify to compete with me.
Thinking of this made him feel much better, and he laughed heartily: "It’s not that I’m stingy. This wine is hard to come by, and I only have this small jar. Besides, without comparison, how can we distinguish quality?"
Huangfu Jingchen nodded, agreeing: "Elder brother speaks rightly. While good wine is always good, having a counterpart makes the experience special."
The two continued to exchange drinks, chatting more congenially as time went on, finding a kinship in each other’s presence.
It was a meal where both guest and host appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly!
With the wine finished and the guests departing, the two bid farewell in front of the tavern. Huangfu Yuxuan said, "Regarding the delicious cuisines and fine drinks, currently, Moon Full Building and Yan Zui Xuan are the most distinctive in the Capital City. Next time, elder brother will invite you there to meet again!"
Huangfu Jingchen cupped his hands and smiled: "Thank you very much!"
Each boarded their own carriage and departed.
For now, Jiang Ning acted as the coachman, driving the carriage back to Cheng Prince Mansion while saying: "Young master, what do you think the second young master of Prince Liang Mansion is up to? You aren’t usually close, yet he suddenly invites you for drinks and speaks so kindly!"
Huangfu Jingchen calmly said: "He was merely testing me!"
"Testing? Then what kind of person does the young master think this second young master is?"
Huangfu Jingchen paused for a moment before saying: "Outwardly sincere, but inwardly cold, with calculating eyes and a shrewd mind, he’s a person who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. Such a person can use anyone, calculate anyone, betray anyone, and hold no one dear to his heart. In other words, he has immense ambition but no heart! If we had to face each other directly, I would not be his match. I can’t play those games!"
Jiang Ning clicked his tongue, exclaiming only that all that was left was ambition, like someone whose conscience had been eaten by dogs, right?
Meanwhile, in another location, Cui Huai was conversing with Huangfu Yuxuan. Cui Huai said: "Young master, your guess was indeed correct. The results have been found. After the Injustice Bell was struck, the heir of Prince Cheng also appeared. He intended to take the cane punishment for Miss Xia, but in the end, it was Miss Xia’s brother who received it!"
"So, he was already acquainted with Xia Wenjin?"
Cui Huai replied: "Most likely. Also, this Prince Cheng’s Heir didn’t know Miss Xia as the heir. Many people heard at the time; Miss Xia called him Huang Zheng! It was clearly an alias!"
Huangfu Yuxuan squinted his eyes and said: "Send someone to investigate! Since we have a name, find out everything he has done, when he met Xia Wenjin, and the nature of their connection, without missing a detail!"
"Yes!"
These recent days, Xia Wanqing perhaps felt a sense of reflection due to the sudden imprisonment, and had not gone out much. However, Xia Shi’en frequently sent invitations, inviting them to stay over.
The Prime Minister’s Wife especially wished to keep Xia Wenjin in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.
That warmth of familial affection made Xia Wenjin feel very comfortable. Her mother had passed away when she was young, and although Mrs. Xia was her aunt, she treated her like a daughter, making her feel a different warmth of familial affection.
Huangfu Jingchen’s "injury" had fully healed, which made Prince Zhuang feel even more that he had gained nothing from his attempts. Despite such losses, Huangfu Jingchen was still alive and well.
He wanted to consult Mr. Gongyang about the good fortune or misfortune but considered Mr. Gongyang’s reasons for being in seclusion to pray for blessings, so he refrained for fear of making a mistake due to momentary impatience.
Additionally, Old Fifth and his spouse were still in the Capital City, and considering their methods, he dared not take risks.
Nonetheless, the couple of Prince Cheng had only stayed a short while in the Capital City. The frontier of Yunzhou had always been the most restless place. To the west there lay barren lands, where impoverished people live amidst harsh terrain. The area was filled with tribes and small countries that, though usually posing minor concerns, frequently caused trouble.
If they genuinely managed to invade, it would be the people of Yunzhou who would suffer.
The couple of Prince Cheng had long endeavored in Yunzhou, making it as secure as a fortress. Yet, recently there have been signs of those small countries uniting, which could be a major threat if true.
The couple of Prince Cheng stayed in the Capital City uneasily and, with their son’s safety, now prepared to return.
Before confirming their return date, the couple asked for Huangfu Jingchen’s opinion, finding nothing appealing to stay for in the Capital, and inquiring if he would like to return with them?
If Huangfu Jingchen wished to return, they disregarded any rule forcing the heir to remain in the Capital.
Huangfu Jingchen, too, found nothing appealing about staying in the Capital, but things were different now since Wenjin was there, so Huangfu Jingchen had no plans to leave for the time being.
Seeing the expression on their son’s face, the couple of Prince Cheng understood, with Concubine Cheng smiling knowingly yet also looking forward: "Son, we have three more days in the Capital City. Why don’t we take the opportunity to bring that young lady over for a meeting?"
Huangfu Jingchen indeed wanted to. He and Wenjin had expressed their feelings for each other, but he could sense Wenjin’s lingering concerns, though she never mentioned what they were.
As long as Wenjin was willing to meet his parents, it would prove she could truly accept him with all reservations set aside.
Yet he felt a bit troubled, saying: "Well, I’ll arrange it. However, in Jianghu, I use the alias Huang Zheng, and she doesn’t yet know my true identity. So even if you are to meet her, you cannot use your identities as Prince Cheng and Concubine Cheng!"
Hearing this, Concubine Cheng widened her beautiful eyes, exclaiming disappointedly, "You fool, why don’t you tell her the truth? In a relationship, nothing is more feared than deception and concealment. If you don’t tell her, are you waiting for her to discover it herself? You foolish boy!"
