Huangfu Jingchen was flustered and hurriedly said, "I can!"

Xia Wenjin stuffed the porridge bowl into his hand, which had a spoon inside. It had been left for a while and was now perfectly warm to eat.

The young man’s way of eating porridge was quite attractive!

However, Xia Wenjin merely appreciated it with admiration, no longer making the mistake of falling head over heels.

This young man had an unclear identity, and she had her own matters to attend to. Seeing him being pursued and choosing to help him was just fulfilling the bond of traveling Jianghu together before.

The more they interacted, the more she noticed the secrets he carried. Xia Wenjin was not inclined to explore these secrets now; she only wanted to quickly persuade her father and Uncle from Haotian Village to stay away from Huangfu Yuxuan, to avoid the fate of her past life.

When Huangfu Jingchen finished eating, she took back the porridge bowl, placing it on the tray, and handed him the Jade Pendant and a stack of papers.

Huangfu Jingchen looked at her in astonishment.

Xia Wenjin said, "This Jade Pendant is a family heirloom of yours, I can’t take it."

"Then what is this?"

"This is a silver note for ten thousand taels."

Huangfu Jingchen was surprised. "You, why are you giving me silver?"

Xia Wenjin laughed, "You forgot, back in Jinzhou, I was short on money and wanted to help people. We had a conflict because I thought you were a wealthy but unkind noble, so I robbed the rich to help the poor. But when I found out you weren’t, I had no silver to return to you, and it’s been on my mind. Now that I have silver, I want to return it quickly, so I can be at peace!"

"But it was only a few thousand taels, not this much?"

Xia Wenjin said seriously, "Interest!"

Huangfu Jingchen had a bad feeling arise in his heart. Wenjin calculated it so clearly with him? Not only the principal but also the interest? Does this mean she doesn’t want to owe him anything?

But he didn’t want to be so calculative. He shook his head, "I don’t want the silver note or the Jade Pendant. Once given, there’s no reason to take it back unless you don’t consider me a friend!"

Xia Wenjin smiled, "Clear accounts make for good brothers; this has nothing to do with whether we’re friends! If it’s yours, take it. I never said that after you take it, I won’t consider you a friend. We are still friends, and if we meet again in Jianghu, it will be just like before!"

"If we are friends, why not accept a friend’s gift?"

Xia Wenjin shook her head and said, "We both know. At first, I took the silver without asking, just like the Jade Pendant! Originally it was my fault, and you showed kindness by not caring, but if I relied on our friendship to not return it and kept it, that would be a flaw in my character! If you don’t accept it, you’re not treating me as a friend!"

When they first met in Jinzhou, Huangfu Jingchen was arrogant and aggressive, speaking harshly, causing her to miss out on silver she was about to get. That’s why she targeted him specifically, deftly removing his money pouch and pretending to be honest to gain his trust.

It wasn’t a bright method back then! The Jade Pendant was the same!

At that time, they didn’t trust each other. In the Governor Mansion of Yuqing County, she used her skills as The Phantom Thief and unintentionally took this Jade Pendant, which Huangfu Jingchen kept close to him.

It happened to be a Jade Pendant she’d gotten in a previous life, which made her curious about its origin, so when Huangfu Jingchen asked for it back, she didn’t return it!

Now that she had said this much, Huangfu Jingchen was in a dilemma whether to accept or not.

Xia Wenjin directly stuffed the Jade Pendant and silver note into his arms; since she intended to return them, it was not just talk. Moreover, what she said was true: she wasn’t lacking for silver nowadays, so repaying debts was a priority!

After tidying away the bowls and chopsticks, putting them back in their place, she returned to the room, finding Huangfu Jingchen all set to leave.

Xia Wenjin leaned against the doorframe, looking at him with a half-smile, "Are you sure you can go out now? Is your body alright?"

Huangfu Jingchen nodded, "I’m fine!"

This Xia Wenjin believed. During his unconsciousness, the Clear Heart Pill had been repairing his meridian damage and internal and external injuries. The medicine she had prepared was to aid the Clear Heart Pill’s effect to work as fast as possible.

So, although Huangfu Jingchen spent five days in a coma, or rather in a sleep, his body actually recovered several times faster than if he were conscious.

Now that he was awake, it indicated his bodily functions had mostly recovered.

Xia Wenjin asked, "Do you need me to see you out?"

Huangfu Jingchen shook his head. Although seeing Xia Wenjin again made him very happy, he clearly understood that his current status wasn’t suitable to be too close to Xia Wenjin.

Before he could ensure the danger to himself was lifted, letting others know about his relationship with Wenjin could endanger her.

That was not what he wanted to see!

Subtly circulating energy, Huangfu Jingchen felt his inner strength had recovered to about forty or fifty percent, returning to Cheng Prince Mansion shouldn’t be a problem.

After Huangfu Jingchen left, Xia Wenjin returned everything in the courtyard to its original state, placing a hundred taels silver note under the pillow as rent for the past few days.

She finally had time to find Xia Wanqing, but Xia Wanqing’s place was arranged by Huangfu Yuxuan, so to avoid running into Huangfu Yuxuan, she chose to visit at night!

The tension in the court was intense and constantly shifting, how many could really know this even in the Capital City?

After a "heartfelt talk" with Huangfu Yuxuan earlier, Xia Wanqing was indeed undecided in his heart, both moved and hesitant.

So, today he prepared good wine and dishes, planning to have a hearty meal with the Second and Third Village Chiefs.

At the table, he asked the two brothers if they were getting used to life in the Capital City.

Second Village Chief Hua Yuanming raised his bowl of wine, his wildness carrying a trace of elegance as he said, "Life in the Capital City is far more leisurely than in the village, Young Master Xuan always treats us with good wine and meat and even sent servants to attend us. Going out, it’s lively and fun, much better than in Jinzhou City; I’m even thinking of bringing my wife and children to enjoy it!"

Third Village Chief Gu Hongxin said, "After all, it’s the Capital City, one can’t compare it to Jinzhou City. But boss, this Young Master Xuan invited us to Jin City, surely it’s not just for food, drink, and fun? Is there anything else? I’m feeling moss growing from all this idleness, if there’s anything to do, let me know, it would save me from boredom!"

Xia Wanqing asked, "You all know Young Master Xuan’s identity, right?"

Both of them laughed, "We know, we know. We originally thought he was just some wealthy young master, didn’t expect him to be an Imperial Grandson. Wow, that’s quite the distinguished status!"

Hua Yuanming said, "Thinking back when we came down the mountain to kidnap someone, seeing this Young Master Xuan’s gentle and quiet looks, we didn’t think much of him!"

Gu Hongxin laughed, "Isn’t that right! When Young Master Xuan heard we were looking for a husband to break the curse for Wenjin, he didn’t hesitate to offer himself!"