Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Never Entering the Capital

To speak from the heart, Xia Wenjin also felt that Huang Zheng’s words carried a certain sincerity.

There was both compassion for the people and a heartfelt loyalty to the country as a subject.

Xia Wenjin said, “And then?”

Huangfu Jingchen earnestly said, “By that time, if officials perform their duties, oversee governance, and fulfill their responsibilities, the people can have good days, and our Nanxia can prosper!”

He sighed and said, “Over the years, Nanxia has emphasized literature over military, which has already planted detriments. The Prefectural Governor and the Military Commander are both of the Fourth Rank, but the Military Commander is controlled by the Prefectural Governor. Although Nanxia, East Tang, and Beiqi are in a tripartite, if this issue is not resolved, internal problems will arise sooner or later. The Desert Barbarian Clan is rising, and the Sun-cutting Country is also on the rise. If the Court does not pay attention to governance, it will suffer great losses in the future!”

Xia Wenjin gave him an unexpected glance.

His words were almost analyzing the world’s situation from the Court’s perspective. This kind of vision and perspective, even in just a few words, was evident.

But Xia Wenjin felt that these words were somewhat wishful thinking. Reporting them does not guarantee they will reach the emperor’s ears, and even if they do, it’s uncertain if there will be feedback, and then, would governance truly become clear, allowing the people to live in peace?

Things in the world are not that simple.

Especially since, in just a few years, Nanxia will fall into a struggle for succession.

The former Crown Prince was deposed to Prince Liang, and the current Crown Prince will also be pulled down by Huangfu Yuxuan; their eyes are on the throne, not the people of the world.

If Huangfu Yuxuan becomes Emperor, following the trajectory of the previous life, what will become of this Nanxia is hard to say.

Huangfu Jingchen firmly grasped Xia Wenjin’s shoulder, earnestly and expectantly saying, “Wenjin, come to the Capital with me! We will meet that uncle together and report what we’ve seen and heard truthfully so he can present it to the Emperor and let the Emperor make a decision. What do you think?”

Xia Wenjin was taken aback, instinctively pulled away from his hands, and shook her head firmly, saying decisively, “I, I will never go to the Capital!”

“Why?”

Xia Wenjin rubbed her forehead. She spoke too resolutely just now, so she tried to explain, “You know, I am just a Jianghu person; I just want to live freely, staying away from the Capital, away from the Court, away from all officials is my desire! If not absolutely necessary, I will never enter the Capital in this life!”

Although it was an explanation, the determination in her words was unmistakably clear.

Huangfu Jingchen was somewhat disappointed.

But then he thought, it seemed he didn’t necessarily have to go to the Capital. He could write about what he had seen and heard along the way and let Jiang Ning send it over.

He admitted the idea of going to the Capital was born from a desire to meet Grandpa face to face.

However, at this moment, he realized that his idea was somewhat naive.

Who is Grandpa?

Grandpa is Grandpa, but he is not just a regular person’s Grandpa; with the Emperor’s title before his name, his thoughts and intentions must differ from his own.

His mother once said, problems are understood and felt differently depending on one’s position, and thus different methods are used to handle things.

Even if he did go to meet Grandpa, would Grandpa necessarily care about what he had seen and heard?

His mother once analyzed the situation in the Capital for him, saying that although there were family members in the Capital, they could only truly live happily by staying away from it.

His father insisted on marrying his mother and immediately accepting a vassal land, partly due to mutual affection and love, but more so to escape the Capital—where family affection is oppressive and kinship distant.

His mother had warned him that outside of Yunzhou, acting must not involve his identity as an Imperial Grandson to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

Regarding the Yuqing County Governor’s matter, he intervened using his identity as Imperial Grandson.

He later explained this carefully through a letter and specially wrote to Gu Yuanzheng, asking Yan Nan to deliver it to the Capital and entrust Gu Yuanzheng to present it to Grandpa.

Yan Nan returned and relayed Gu Hanmo’s words to him:

“Imperial will is unpredictable; the Princely heir is sincere, and the people of Yunzhou’s Feudal Land are fortunate!”

These brief sixteen words seemed to contain endless meanings; Huangfu Jingchen understood that when all the Imperial Grandsons celebrated Grandpa’s birthday, he did not want to attract too much attention and declined Gu Hanmo’s offer to be his disciple. Later, they interacted as friends, but Gu Hanmo still regarded him as a close disciple, often looking after him.

Gu Hanmo, the foremost scholar of the world, was a pure stream, more inclined to study than politics, though not entirely outside nor within its understanding.

It was perhaps due to this nature that the Emperor held him in high regard.

He was telling him that although the Emperor’s intentions are unpredictable, having a sincere heart is valuable, but the Capital and the Court are not suited for it. If genuinely caring, it would be better to benefit Yunzhou, allowing the people of Yunzhou to live good lives!

Regarding the Northern County’s affair, would Grandpa think he is intentionally meddling in the affairs of various counties when he learns of it?

The enthusiasm in Huangfu Jingchen’s heart was instantly doused like being poured with a bucket of cold water.

Wenjin is unwilling to go to the Capital, perhaps, deep down, he is also unwilling to go?

He comfortingly said to Xia Wenjin, “Don’t worry, I would never force you to do something you don’t want to do. Once everything here is settled, going to the Capital is of little significance. The people of Wangshan Town did not fall victim to the epidemic or were harmed by Yu Shikui; our efforts have been meaningful. When the Imperial Physician arrives, we’ll have no more roles to play!”

Xia Wenjin agreed with this statement.

When the Imperial Physician arrives, she can leave.

In her past life, the entire village of Wangshan Town was initially affected; rogue doctor Zhang Jiantang mistook the epidemic for malady, neither isolating nor protecting, and by the time it was noticed, nearly ninety percent of the entire town and its subordinated seven villages had been infected, with ten percent already dead from the epidemic.

The situation was serious indeed, but it didn’t mean there was no hope.

Yu Shikui, however, didn’t even attempt to save them, issuing orders that resulted in thousands of lives becoming ashes overnight, serving as his stepping stone upward.

This time, she noticed something wrong at the onset of the epidemic and immediately joined forces with Huangfu Jingchen and Shang Jingwang in combating the plague. The illness was contained, yet Yu Shikui still tried to make the same decisions as in the previous life, only proving his heart was as venomous as a viper!

Fortunately, everything had been resolved; Huangfu Jinxuan, a playboy who grew impatient with the Imperial Envoy’s Guard, arrived early, along with the Imperial Physician, lending significant help.

Wen Hao had also left, and Yu Shikui, even if he had schemes, lacked an effective tool. Moreover, having been beaten severely, he would need days to recover, giving sufficient time for the Imperial Physician and the Imperial Envoy’s Guard to arrive.

Having stayed here long enough, Xia Wenjin said, “Fortunately Liangzhou isn’t far; obtaining the Jade Pendant will give you closure!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep