Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Stark Contrast

Huangfu Yuxuan hadn’t forgotten, but when he inadvertently heard the people of Haotian Village reporting to Xia Wanqing about Xia Wenjin’s escape from the arranged marriage, a strong contrast surged in his heart!

He, Huangfu Yuxuan, inherently blessed, of noble status, had never been so lightly regarded by a woman.

If it were anyone else, he would have ordered his Hidden Guard to hunt them down. Someone so unaware of their insignificance does not deserve to live in this world.

However, this was the wife destined for him by Red Simurgh, calculated by Gongyang Puyu at the cost of his lifespan, to help him ascend to the highest position, a woman of great destiny.

Marrying her would become a tremendous aid to him.

So he tolerated, he waited, waiting for Xia Wanqing to capture her and successfully complete the marriage.

But even now, Xia Wanqing has proposed a cancellation of the engagement!

Cancellation of the engagement? That’s impossible in this lifetime; only he could reject someone, no one could abandon him!

Yet the arrangements and plans within Capital City had reached a crucial stage, and he couldn’t afford to wait. Additionally, he couldn’t make rash moves and waste resources on pursuing Xia Wenjin; of course, it was best for Xia Wanqing to handle this!

Besides, he had made arrangements; he needed both the strength of Haotian Village and Xia Wenjin.

Sure enough, after persuading Xia Wanqing to go to Capital City, didn’t Xia Wenjin appear there?

However, the matter he had to attend to was important and couldn’t be delayed, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to see Xia Wenjin’s reaction.

Xia Wenjin was disinclined to argue about her identity with Huangfu Yuxuan, but it wasn’t just him here; there were also citizens at the city gate. Qian Baoshan, being a villain, falsely accused her first, intending to render her speechless and then make a move against her, wasn’t he?

Xia Wenjin calmly said, “I am not a spy. I have a pass, but he deliberately made things difficult, claiming my pass was fake!”

Qian Baoshan broke into a cold sweat; this was the esteemed Second Young Master. What was this vile woman babbling about here? If the Second Young Master investigated thoroughly, he wouldn’t be able to get away with it!

He hurriedly said, “Second Young Master, there is indeed an issue with her pass; it’s not that I was being difficult. Please, Second Young Master, investigate carefully!”

Huangfu Yuxuan’s deep gaze fell on Xia Wenjin. The young woman, cleansed of embellishments, had changed from her red attire into elegant blue robes, as graceful as a morning lotus covered in dew. She stood there quietly, neither haughty nor humble, calm and serene, looking at him as if he were a stranger.

Huangfu Yuxuan didn’t believe she hadn’t recognized him. With his dignified and extraordinary bearing, how many people like him could there be in this world?

That day in Haotian Village, they had met head-on, although Xia Wenjin turned and left as if without pause. But her gaze on him—cool, distant, surprised, and then evasive—he had seen it all clearly.

Now, was she pretending not to know him?

Indignation surged in Huangfu Yuxuan’s heart; he had never been so lightly regarded by anyone. Yet the girl before him only rested her gaze on him for a moment before quickly looking away; this was clearly contempt.

He wanted to see how Xia Wenjin would enter the city without his help.

Xia Wenjin took out the pass again, handed it to Qian Baoshan, and said with a faint smile, “I forgive your recent blindness; now, take a good look and see if this pass is genuine. With the Second Young Master here, I’m sure your eyes will be much brighter!”

There was no disguising the mockery, self-esteem, pride, defiance…

The corners of Huangfu Yuxuan’s lips involuntarily curved. This was the woman he had his eye on. Although he was annoyed that she didn’t take him seriously, they were not well acquainted. Xia Wenjin’s reaction was not incomprehensible. More importantly, how could his person be bullied by others?

Qian Baoshan, seeing her confident demeanor, felt a bit uneasy inside. He knew better than anyone that the pass was genuine. At that moment, in front of so many people, including the onlooking civilians, and most importantly, the Second Young Master, he was in a bind. He reached out to take the pass, murmuring, “The pass is real, but so what? Spies can get real passes too; that’s not unusual!”

This was still planting seeds of doubt in the hearts of the onlookers, also trying to curry favor with Huangfu Yuxuan, showing how earnest and responsible he was.

Huangfu Yuxuan said indifferently, “Is it real?”

By this time, Qian Baoshan didn’t dare to lie blatantly. He nodded and said, “I took a close look, and although this pass looks fake, it is indeed real; it was just my oversight earlier!”

Xia Wenjin said, “Since the pass is genuine, can I enter the city now?”

Qian Baoshan wanted to say no, but with the Second Young Master there, he didn’t dare to. Reluctantly, he said, “You may!”

Xia Wenjin no longer paid attention to them and entered the city with grace.

Qian Baoshan’s four soldiers exchanged glances, realizing that with the Second Young Master’s unexpected arrival, they had no opportunity left. They gained neither the Silver nor the person, truly ending up with nothing!

They quickly sheathed their swords, trying to stand as tall as possible to make a favorable impression on the Second Young Master.

Huangfu Yuxuan did not even notice them, as he watched the proud figure turn into a receding silhouette. He raised an eyebrow, spurred his horse, and shouted, “Hyah!”

He had urgent matters to attend to; since Xia Wenjin had entered the city, she would eventually fall into his hands—there was no need to rush at this moment!

The three of them on three horses quickly left the city.

Qian Baoshan watched the blue-clad figure from afar, feeling more and more regretful. Suddenly, his eyes rolled, and he clutched his stomach, saying, “Ouch, my stomach hurts!”

The four soldiers quickly surrounded him, worriedly saying, “Captain, what’s wrong with you? How is it that your stomach suddenly hurts? Are you okay?”

Qian Baoshan rubbed his stomach with one hand, waving his other hand dismissively, speaking intermittently, “You all need to guard the gate; don’t surround me. I’ll go to the clinic to have it checked; tell Captain to excuse my absence for a bit!”

The four soldiers nodded in agreement. They were on duty and couldn’t leave, so they could only watch as Qian Baoshan, appearing to be in discomfort, walked towards the clinic’s direction.

In fact, he wasn’t heading to the clinic at all. Once he was out of their sight, he began to follow in the direction Xia Wenjin had taken.

Though he wore the uniform of a City Guard, being in Capital City, no one paid any mind.

Once Xia Wenjin entered the city, she didn’t venture far. Although she had seen Huangfu Yuxuan, she didn’t know where Xia Wanqing and the others were, so she randomly found an inn in the South District to stay.

Qian Baoshan, believing he was discreet, carefully masked his presence. The young woman ahead focused on her journey, seemingly unaware of it all.

Xia Wenjin first looked for an inn; she intended to use it as her temporary base.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep