Free Web NovelChapter 647: Chapter 646: A Key
Setting aside her identity as a Jianghu woman, Xia Wenjin is a businessperson.
The most important thing for a businessperson is connections.
Xia Wenjin has many connections, but she indeed lacks connections with high-born women, and she can’t open this door yet, as she hasn’t had any contact with them.
However, the invitation from the Prime Minister’s Wife is like a key that can allow her to step inside.
If she can tap into this network, her business will expand by more than thirty percent!
Xia Wenjin took the invitation and said, "Thank you, Nanny Zhou. Please convey my gratitude to Aunt."
Nanny Zhou smiled and said, "No need to be so polite, miss. The madam dotes on you a lot since she doesn’t have a daughter. Since you’re in the Capital City now, you’ll need to integrate into this circle, and the madam will surely consider your needs!"
Xia Wenjin said, "Will Second Aunt be there that day?"
Nanny Zhou shook her head and said, "The Seventeenth Princess has invited young people, so the madam is not suitable to attend!"
"I understand now! Thank you, Nanny. Sorry to have kept you waiting today!"
Nanny Zhou said, "The madam was worried you might not be accustomed, so she kept me here to assist you. I’ll return after the gathering ends!"
Xia Wenjin was surprised. Second Aunt had certainly been thorough in her considerations, worried that Wenjin might be unfamiliar with certain etiquettes, social customs, or might inadvertently cause trouble by not recognizing someone, so she arranged for Nanny Zhou to accompany her.
Actually, Second Aunt’s concerns were a bit excessive. Even with palace etiquette, she wouldn’t be the least bit lacking, let alone just an outdoor garden party.
Furthermore, she was already familiar with most of the high-born women in the Capital City, and even had dealings with several of them in her past life.
But this matter she couldn’t mention. Besides, Second Aunt had good intentions, and she must acknowledge that favor.
She summoned the housekeeper’s wife to settle Nanny Zhou’s accommodations, and then Xia Wenjin returned to her own room.
At this time, her father and brother still had not returned.
Upon entering her room, she opened the window. At that moment, her eyes deepened.
Gently pushing open the window, she reached out and felt outside. Upon sensing a slightly loose wall, she deftly pressed her fingers a few times. When she withdrew her hand, she held a small object.
It was a small bamboo tube.
Opening the bamboo tube, she found a wadded piece of paper inside.
Xia Wenjin opened the paper, glanced at it, walked to the table, lit the flint, and burned it.
Before long, a maid brought dinner. Xia Wenjin ate a little casually and had it cleared away.
She sat back at the table, opened a spread of paper in front of her, filled with densely packed writing. Xia Wenjin continued recording, adding to it, occasionally pausing in thought, then resuming.
As she busied herself, the sky outside had turned completely dark, and the silence around was palpable.
The sounds from the front yard were particularly clear. Xia Wenjin glanced at the water clock; it was already the beginning of the midnight hour, and only then her father and elder brother returned!
Wait, shouldn’t there be Second Uncle and Third Uncle too? Why did it seem like there were only two people?
Xia Wenjin put away the papers and stepped outside.
Xia Sichen was supporting the half-dazed Xia Wanqing, staggering slightly himself. Old Liang came over to help get Xia Wanqing inside to rest.
Xia Wenjin emerged from the shadows, frowned, and said, "Why are they all drunk?"
Xia Sichen rubbed his eyes, saw it was Xia Wenjin, and chuckled, "I’m not drunk. I knew for sure today we’d drink till we’re blurry, so I saved some capacity. Let me tell you, that Huangfu Yuxuan guy is even craftier. He drank even less!"
It seems he’s been sticking with him all along, that Huangfu Yuxuan was indeed patient. Xia Wenjin was speechless, drew closer and said, "So, what did you all discuss today? An entire afternoon and evening, even Yan Zui Xuan should have closed by now, right?"
Xia Sichen giggled, "Nothing much to say, just that Second and Third Uncle were expressing gratitude to Huangfu Yuxuan, who was righteous and virtuous, respectful of talent..."
Smelling the alcohol on him, Xia Wenjin quietly took a step back. Really, even if she didn’t ask, she knew the general situation today. Since Second and Third Uncle entered the service due to Huangfu Yuxuan, and had no intention of withdrawing, their attitude naturally differed from before at Haotian Village.
Everyone had their own choices and pursuits; she couldn’t and wouldn’t control them.
She was more concerned about what her father thought.
But Xia Sichen was likely speaking drunkenly now, and asking was pointless, so she asked someone to help Xia Sichen to rest.
Nanny Zhou was very capable and experienced. Though she was temporarily instructed by the Prime Minister’s Wife to stay here for a few days, seeing Xia Wanqing both drunk, she promptly instructed the kitchen to make some sobering soup, and then said to Xia Wenjin, "Miss, you should rest. I am here, and will ensure Third Young Master and Young Master Sichen are settled properly!"
Xia Wenjin nodded. She could see that Xia Wanqing and Xia Sichen, though they drank a lot, weren’t that heavily drunk.
After some sobering soup and a night’s sleep, they would be fine by the next day.
She was quite relieved. Although Huangfu Jingchen suggested accompanying her to meet Second and Third Uncle yesterday, she had declined.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want Huangfu Jingchen to appear before her father and others, but the current situation was disadvantageous for Huangfu Jingchen. With Huangfu Yuxuan’s temperament, having orchestrated for so long, it was time to reap gratitude; there was no reason not to appear. Meeting face to face would only cause trouble.
Moreover, having confirmed that the Imperial Grandsons, who died tragically after the Emperor’s birthday and his return to the Vassal Land, were no accidents but rather the handiwork of the Prince Liang Mansion, Huangfu Jingchen realized he was just one of the fortunate ones, and possibly the thorn in Huangfu Yuxuan’s eye.
Understanding this, being on guard suffices, no need to make it public for now.
Huangfu Jingchen is also very busy.
He’s done nothing, yet discovered that both factions in the Capital City want his life.
Passive defense isn’t a good strategy; he must also take preventive actions and respond accordingly.
Thus, Xia Wenjin naturally didn’t want Huangfu Jingchen to handle trivial matters like picking up Hua Yuanming and others from prison.
After all, the more Huangfu Jingchen appeared before Hua Yuanming and others, the closer they felt to Huangfu Yuxuan.
It’s somewhat unfair that Huangfu Jingchen faced such unwarranted disaster, constantly wary of being backstabbed. Meanwhile, the instigators, be it Prince Zhuang or Huangfu Yuxuan, seemed to have such an easy time.
Xia Wenjin took out the invitation sent by Nanny Zhou and looked at it again. She wondered if Huangfu Jingchen also received an invitation to that flower-viewing party!
The next day, Nanny Zhou subtly hinted to Xia Wenjin that she could teach her the manners and rules that high-born young women learn.
It seemed the Prime Minister’s Wife wanted her to prepare at the last minute, not because she feared Xia Wenjin would embarrass herself, but in case she got mocked or belittled, wounding her pride.
