Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin expressed that it was already quite good.

Young Master Xuan considered their situation so thoroughly, so naturally, they couldn’t let him be troubled. Besides, a Colonel, that’s a rank-bearing Military Officer.

Huangfu Yuxuan achieved his goal and gracefully took his leave.

After seeing off Huangfu Yuxuan, Hua Yuanming laughed heartily, "I never thought that at nearly forty, I could still become an official once!"

Xia Wanqing hesitated to speak but finally said, "Brothers, I think you should think it over carefully. You’re excited, so I won’t say much. However, we’re people of the Jianghu, and our ways are bound to be quite different from those of the bureaucracy. If you are prepared to embark on this path, you must be mentally prepared. Don’t just see the prestige; but also consider what we must give up for this prestige!"

His expression was somewhat solemn and serious.

Perhaps because Xia Wanqing rarely spoke in such a manner, it dampened a bit of Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin’s joy.

Gu Hongxin stammered, "Big Brother, do you think something’s amiss?"

Hua Yuanming also questioned, "Big Brother, that’s your son-in-law; there shouldn’t be any problems, right? It’s only natural for family to help each other out! We aren’t taking advantage of anyone, are we? If you don’t believe it, just have a spar; we’re definitely not any worse than any Colonel. If we really were taking advantage, we wouldn’t do it. We definitely won’t take advantage of him!"

Xia Wanqing wasn’t sure what to say; his unease was merely slight to begin with.

Or more accurately, it was guilt he felt, fearing that if after a year, Wenjin was still resolute about not wanting to marry Huangfu Yuxuan, would it end awkwardly?

Could something uncontrollable happen? 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Once we’ve accepted a favor, it’s hard to repay it later!

But he also worried that he might be overthinking it, costing his brothers their future. So he picked up the wine bowl and, feigning relaxation, laughed, "I just drank too much and spoke without thinking, don’t take it too seriously."

Hua Yuanming asked, "Big Brother, where exactly has Jin’er gone? The Jianghu is vast, but even the brothers from Haotian Village can’t find her. Could something have happened?"

The crucial issue was that if Jin’er ran away from the marriage, their relationship with Young Master Xuan from Haotian Village would be a bit awkward.

Xia Wanqing shook his head, "Children grow up and have their own ideas, wanting to make their way in the Jianghu. We as parents, what can we do? Once they’ve suffered losses and setbacks, they’ll naturally return."

Gu Hongxin smiled, "Wenjin is clever; in my view, only others will suffer losses, she won’t."

"Uncle Gu, are you speaking ill of me?"

The crisp voice emerged abruptly, causing the three who were raising their glasses to pause, then they all laughed. Hua Yuanming said, "Oh, we were just talking about Jin’er, and now she’s here? How strange, how did you know we were here?"

Gu Hongxin said, "That’s why I say Wenjin is clever!"

A charming figure flickered atop the courtyard wall, then lightly landed on the ground and approached the three.

The newly lit lamp cast a glow upon the young girl, as if enveloping her in a layer of ethereal light.

Xia Wenjin walked over with a spring in her step, greeted the three with a bow, and then smiled, "Uncle Hua, Uncle Gu, it’s been almost two years, and you both look even more robust!"

Hua Yuanming laughed, "Naturally, as our Martial Arts improve, so too does our health!"

Xia Wenjin slyly smiled, "Oh, so it’s due to improved Martial Arts, Uncle Hua? Want me to spar with you?"

Hua Yuanming quickly waved his hand, "Uncle drank too much and is dizzy, next time, haha, next time!"

Xia Wenjin was merely joking; she sat at the table, sniffed the half-empty wine jar, and said, "This wine is quite good, at least ten years aged. Not cheap, is it?"

Hua Yuanming replied, "This wine, you see, Young Master Xuan brought it; fragrant and mellow. There’s still a bit left, want to try?"

Xia Wenjin disdainfully said, "I don’t like drinking. Isn’t it more delightful to have good food?" With that, she picked up a pair of clean chopsticks and started nibbling on a chicken claw.

Seeing his daughter again, Xia Wanqing was delighted yet quite conflicted, especially after Hua Yuanming mentioned Young Master Xuan. Observing Xia Wenjin, he noted her calm expression, as if hearing the name of a stranger.

Xia Wanqing thought, what a pity; if Wenjin had arrived a little earlier, she might have met Huangfu Yuxuan, and whether they have any affinity could only be known after they meet.

Moreover, the boy who traveled with Wenjin earlier didn’t appear either. It seemed Wenjin was truthful when she said they just met by chance.

Then Young Master Xuan still has a chance.

Xia Wenjin had no idea her father was pondering on how to match her with Huangfu Yuxuan. Surveying the residence, she feigned innocence and said, "This house is pretty nice; has our village acquired another property in the Capital City?"

Hua Yuanming, still fond of Huangfu Yuxuan, who had amused him earlier, said, "This isn’t our village’s property, but a place Young Master Xuan invited us to in the Capital City for hospitality!" He glanced at Xia Wenjin, "Wenjin, do you remember Young Master Xuan? He’s your betrothed!"

Xia Wenjin’s gaze was clear and cool as she said, "Second Uncle, I actually mentioned to my father while in the Jianghu that I wanted to cancel the engagement, so I don’t have a betrothed. You can’t indiscriminately matchmake!"

Hua Yuanming and Gu Hongxin exchanged glances in surprise, what? Jin’er wanted to annul the marriage?

They looked toward Xia Wanqing, as this was news to them.

Xia Wanqing coughed and said, "Jin’er, I’ve actually told Young Master Xuan about this. He said that your reaction was very normal because you two haven’t properly conversed and are unfamiliar with each other. He hopes you won’t rush to make a decision. He suggests revisiting this in a year or two; if by then, you still have no feelings for him, he’ll voluntarily annul the engagement!"

Xia Wenjin held her forehead and incredulously looked at Xia Wanqing, "Father, you’ve all accepted his invitation to the Capital City, so you must know his identity?"

"Yes, he is the Imperial Grandson!"

Xia Wenjin replied helplessly, "Father, the high officials and nobles in the Capital City conduct themselves quite unlike those in the Jianghu. Moreover, even among those in the Jianghu, when it comes to marriage, it’s usually conducted through parental orders and matchmaker’s words, isn’t it?"

Xia Wanqing asked, "What are you trying to say?"

Xia Wenjin patiently explained, "Father, think about it. If someday in the Jianghu, Xia Sichen met a girl, went to see her parents, and arranged the marriage, wouldn’t it upset you as his father if you knew nothing about it?"