The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 641: Chapter 640: Is That What Mandarin Ducks Are Like?

Old Xia Wanqing’s face couldn’t hold it any longer, he said sternly, "Wenjin doesn’t want it, you return it for me!"

Xia Sichen rolled his eyes, "Why should I? Whoever accepted it should return it!"

Xia Wanqing was annoyed, glaring at him, "I ask you to do something, and you can’t even do it right, being so picky, are you looking for a beating?"

Xia Sichen took the small box, muttering, "When it was accepted, why didn’t you think Wenjin wouldn’t want it? If we’re going to return it, Dad, this is the Capital City, not our Haotian Village, don’t get sold and even help count the money, be careful!"

Seeing his son grumble more earnestly, Xia Wanqing, whose face was already not looking good, slapped the back of his head in anger and shouted, "Shut up!"

Xia Sichen pouted, "Shut up then shut up!"

The carriage rolled leisurely along, from outside came the sounds of footsteps, chatter, people coming and going in shops, the bustling sounds of trade.

After a while of silence, Xia Sichen couldn’t help but say, "Second uncle and third uncle don’t want to come to our house but instead go to the Yan Zui Xuan Tavern, is their wine better than ours?"

Xia Wanqing naturally understood what Xia Sichen meant, he glanced at his son and said, "Your second and third uncles are already involved in the officialdom, they don’t want to embarrass Huangfu Yuxuan!"

Xia Sichen was stunned that his father would respond, he looked at Xia Wanqing in surprise, "Dad sees things clearly, so what do you think, dad?"

"I didn’t think much!" Xia Wanqing closed his eyes, "Let me nap for a bit!"

Xia Sichen didn’t say more, knowing his father wasn’t actually going to nap, just didn’t want to discuss the subject.

As the carriage moved forward, the surroundings grew ever livelier. After a while, the carriage seemed to stop, Xia Sichen lifted the curtain, Old Liang explained, "There’s a carriage stopped in front!"

Xia Sichen glanced, it was an inn where Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin were getting off, heading inside.

Xia Sichen chuckled, "We folks from Jianghu are rustic, not caring for this, but I suppose Young Master Xuan couldn’t stand the smell from second and third uncle, hence at the first inn he hurriedly made them go inside to bathe!"

Thinking of Huangfu Yuxuan being squeezed by Xia Wenjin to share a carriage with his uncles, Xia Sichen couldn’t help but laugh again!

Xia Wanqing glared at him, "Feeling itchy? Teasing your uncles, not knowing big from small!"

Xia Sichen said, "I wasn’t teasing second and third uncle, I was laughing at a certain young master!"

Huangfu Yuxuan had Cui Huai open all the carriage windows and curtains to let the smell out, he also wanted a bath. However, if he really did, it would clearly show his distaste, so he had to hold it in!

He sent Cui Huai to the nearby garment shop to buy new clothes for the two but couldn’t sit in the carriage any longer, so he also got off, walking towards Xia Wanqing’s side.

Looking back, Xia Sichen saw that Xia Wanqing had again dozed off at some point.

When he reached the carriage, as Huangfu Yuxuan was about to speak, Xia Sichen put a finger to his lips and shushed him softly, then jumped off, closing the curtain, and smilingly whispered, "Thinking second and third uncle were coming out today, old man was so excited last night he didn’t sleep. Let him rest! Anyway, there’s no common ground with him, waiting is waiting, let’s go have a cup of tea at the nearby tea house!"

With Xia Sichen suggesting so, naturally, Huangfu Yuxuan didn’t want to disturb Xia Wanqing, and Xia Sichen’s proposal was right up his alley.

The two went to the tea house next door.

Huangfu Yuxuan hadn’t even exchanged two words with Xia Wanqing today, and though Xia Wanqing’s reactions were all normal, he couldn’t help but harbor suspicions, subtly probing Xia Sichen.

Xia Sichen answered every question enthusiastically, leading Huangfu Yuxuan to conclude all was normal!

Soon after, Cui Huai came in to report that Hua and Gu had finished bathing and changed into clean clothes.

After Cui Huai left, the two stood up, and just then, Xia Sichen handed a small box to Huangfu Yuxuan.

Seeing what was inside, Huangfu Yuxuan’s eyes deepened, recognizing what he had given.

He looked at Xia Sichen with questioning eyes.

Xia Sichen shook his head, saying, "Young Master Xuan, you are really generous, look at this pearl, must be priceless? The craftsmanship of the hairpin is also exquisite, clearly top-grade. But Young Master Xuan, when giving a gift to a young girl, it’s not just about being valuable, there’s a lot to be learned in between. Otherwise, it will be returned!"

Seeing Xia Sichen sincerely speaking, Huangfu Yuxuan asked, "Brother Xia, please speak plainly!"

Xia Sichen placed the wooden box in his arms and patted it, "Do you know what Wenjin hates the most?"

"What?" How could Huangfu Yuxuan know? It’s always been girls giving him gifts, this was the first time he bought a gift for one.

Xia Sichen said, "Mandarin ducks!"

This pearl hairpin’s connecting part is carved with mandarin ducks in a hollow design, not noticeable at first glance.

This was why Huangfu Yuxuan liked it, and bought it to give to Xia Wenjin.

His intent was clear, mandarin ducks represent courting.

It also expressed his sincere wish to marry Xia Wenjin, and handing it to Xia Wanqing was also to show goodwill, a genuine intention not just for Xia Wenjin but also for Xia Wanqing.

Additionally, he was worried if he gave it himself, Xia Wenjin might not even look at it.

Unexpectedly, even through Xia Wanqing’s hand, it was being returned.

Huangfu Yuxuan was stunned, what girl doesn’t long for love? Preferring to be mandarin ducks over deities. Who could dislike mandarin ducks?

Seeing his expression, Xia Sichen further persuaded passionately, he said kindly, "Do you know why Wenjin dislikes mandarin ducks?"

Huangfu Yuxuan shook his head, as if he could possibly know.

Xia Sichen laughed heartily, then earnestly spouted nonsense, "The world all believes mandarin ducks are good, loving and enduring, forever together. However, mandarin ducks are the most unable to bear loneliness, the most promiscuous creatures. You may see two together daily, thinking them forever in love, unwavering. But if you look closely, you may find that one is already replaced, perhaps not just once. Yes, two mandarin ducks, seemingly in love. Yet, they’re a pair marrying anew every day, changing partners nightly. If you were a girl, would you like that?"

Huangfu Yuxuan: "..."

Are mandarin ducks like that? How could he not know?

So that’s the reason indeed.

It seems what he sent indeed wasn’t right. But then he thought of one more thing, he asked, "Has Wenjin seen this hairpin?"