The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 587 - 586: Attending the Banquet

Huangfu Jingchen thought it best not to create more trouble.

He looked at the vegetables he had prepared, lying alone on the chopping board, while the pile he had discarded was still on the ground.

He wondered if he hadn’t done a good enough job?

But Wenjin hadn’t said anything, not even showing a hint of difference; she must not have wanted him to feel useless.

In fact, Wenjin was very gentle.

Over their time together, the Wenjin he first met was quirky and sharp, shrewd and cheeky, occasionally fond of banters. But he knew her heart was kind.

If she weren’t kind, how could she have done so much, helped so many people? Especially in Wangshan Town, she nearly lost her life.

At first, he was extremely disgusted by ’him’, finding her insidious and shameless, but gradually found himself attracted to her. At that time, he didn’t know she was a woman, yet he felt that as long as it was her, it was fine; he liked the person, regardless of whether she was male or female. What he valued was merely the person.

Unknowingly, more than a year had passed.

Huangfu Jingchen watched Xia Wenjin, whose wrists were deftly turning as she stir-fried behind the stove, with eyes full of warmth. Even just looking at her like this satisfied him.

Just then, Aunt He walked into the kitchen, calling out from the door: "Miss!"

Xia Wenjin had just finished plating a dish and looked up to ask, "What is it?"

Aunt He said, "A young man outside is looking for Young Master Huang! He says he’s a servant of Young Master Huang and has something to report to him."

Huangfu Jingchen promptly replied, "I’ll go out and take a look!"

Xia Wenjin put down the spatula, took two steps forward, and said, "If you have something to do, go ahead and attend to it! Don’t worry about me here."

Huangfu Jingchen said, "I’ll go see what it is, wait for me!"

Xia Wenjin smiled and continued to stir-fry.

Although her father, second uncle, and third uncle only had one night of imprisonment left, she had been busy finding evidence to clear their names these days, leaving her no room for other concerns.

Today was just the right time to let these brothers have a special, unforgettable dinner, hoping they would seriously consider her suggestion to return to Haotian Village sooner!

The Capital City was really not suitable for them!

Huangfu Jingchen followed Aunt He to the outer courtyard, discovering the person looking for him was Jiang Ning.

He had previously tasked Jiang Ning with finding out where Wenjin lived. So it was no surprise Jiang Ning came here to find him.

Huangfu Jingchen asked, "What is the matter?"

Jiang Ning handed over an invitation and said, "This is for you, Sir. Madam said you should decide for yourself!"

Huangfu Jingchen took the invitation, opened it, and saw bold and extravagant characters written on it: "To my wise brother Jingchen, I have been in the Capital City for several months, and you, engrossed in mundane affairs, have yet to meet with me alone. When you were attacked, I was so distressed and agitated. Fortunately, you were kept safe by good fortune, and I am greatly relieved. Today, I have prepared a modest feast at Minghe Pavilion, inviting you to come. First, to offer a belated welcome, and second, to celebrate your good fortune and hope for endless future blessings. Please do not decline!"

The signature was Huangfu Yuxuan, second son of Prince Liang Mansion.

Huangfu Jingchen frowned slightly; he wasn’t familiar with Huangfu Yuxuan.

Aside from Royal Family banquets, they had hardly seen each other in private. Why suddenly the invitation now?

Normally, it might have been fine, but today was different.

Today, Wenjin personally invited him to have dinner here.

Even if it was a royal banquet, he would decline if he could.

He told Jiang Ning, "Go and inform them for me; I have important matters today, and it’s inconvenient to accept the invitation. Another day I will host, and then we can enjoy a drink together!"

Jiang Ning said, "Yes!"

He glanced around, taking a look at his master, grinning as he said, "Master, Madam says, when will you bring Miss Xia back for her to see?"

Huangfu Jingchen waved at him, "It’s not the time yet. Tell Madam that it will happen naturally when it’s time!"

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll go tell Madam right away!"

Jiang Ning hurriedly left, and Huangfu Jingchen shook his head with a smile, still heading back to the kitchen.

During dinner, Xia Sichen returned just as the dishes were being served, and the food for Xia Wanqing and the others was already prepared; after eating, they planned to deliver the meals together.

Seeing the dishes on the table, Xia Sichen’s gaze scanned Xia Wenjin’s face, then Huangfu Jingchen’s, and he asked, "Is there an outcome?"

Xia Wenjin had Aunt He add another set of utensils and said, "All your preparations came in handy. The case is being reopened, everything’s going smoothly! Father should be back tomorrow, so don’t worry!"

Xia Sichen huffed, "I’m not worried. That old man is so stubborn; I’ve long advised him to return to Haotian Village, as what’s the good in the Capital City? Stirring up trouble for nothing! Isn’t the wine in the village fragrant? Isn’t the meat fatty? Is there not enough Silver to spend? But the old man just doesn’t want to, now he knows how treacherous people’s hearts can be!"

Xia Wenjin said helplessly, "The village’s wine is fragrant, the meat is fatty, there’s enough Silver to spend, yet why are you running around everywhere?"

Xia Sichen puffed his chest and said, "A real man aims to wander far and wide. Though the village is good, I also have to go out and see the world, right?" He squinted at Xia Wenjin, "No, I say Wenjin, which side are you on? Do you really support that old man continuing in the Capital City?"

Xia Wenjin said, "Of course not, otherwise we wouldn’t try convincing him again this time, hoping he can come around!"

Xia Sichen looked at Huangfu Jingchen again, grinning, "Brother, so you’ve entered into the family? Although you’re better than that Imperial Grandson, as an elder brother, let me advise you not to take my sister lightly. If you change your mind halfway, you’ll regret it terribly! If you’re not ready for this, there’s still time to back out!"

Xia Wenjin glared at him, "Xia Sichen, don’t meddle in other people’s business!"

Huangfu Jingchen earnestly said, "I won’t regret it!"

Xia Sichen: "..."

All the words stuck in his throat by those few words, Xia Sichen squinted and reluctantly said, "Don’t speak too soon; a lifetime is very long!"

"Even as long as it is, I won’t regret it!" Huangfu Jingchen solemnly said. He looked at Xia Wenjin, his voice tender and soft, "Wenjin, believe in me!"

A warmth rose in Xia Wenjin’s heart once more, and she nodded, "Mm!"

Huangfu Jingchen smiled with satisfaction, and Xia Sichen rolled his eyes theatrically at the sky, saying, "A grown woman can’t be kept!"

Xia Wenjin looked at Xia Sichen, "Brother, there’s something you said wrong; a lifetime is very long, true, but my lifetime may not be very long! So, I want to try, a different life, a different journey, a different lifetime!"

Huangfu Jingchen paused for a moment, then smiled too, saying, "My lifetime may not be very long either. Master Kong Chan has said I also have calamities in my fate, which have occurred several times, but I will certainly live well, accompany you, and have a different life, a different journey, a different lifetime!"

Xia Sichen’s eyes widened suddenly, then angrily said, "Stop! I won’t allow you to talk nonsense like that!"