Xia Wenjin raised an eyebrow. Who was waiting for her? Could it be that Huang Zheng had returned?
The shopkeeper finished speaking, gave Xia Wenjin a aningful glance, mouthing words silently! Then, with a smile, he pointed to another area, saying, "Miss Xia, you can find your way there yourself!"
Xia Wenjin’s eyes deepened slightly. Without asking for further details, she headed in the direction the shopkeeper indicated.
In the hall, tables and chairs were arranged sowhat strategically. The person sat in a spot partially hidden from the shopkeeper’s view, requiring a closer approach to be seen.
Turning a corner, Xia Wenjin looked up and t soone’s gaze.
The person greeted her warmly, "Doctor Xia, co, co, have a seat over here!"
Xia Wenjin stayed where she was and asked, "What does Lord Kong wish to instruct on?"
"Doctor Xia, why such formalities? No instructions here at all. You’re the great benefactor of Wangshan Town. Even Yanglu County owes its survival from disaster to you. We haven’t thanked you enough!"
Xia Wenjin had no dealings with Kong Tixin.
Previously, when Shang Jingwang arrived, Kong Tixin tried to curry favor but was driven away by Shang Jingwang. Out of fear, he dared not co near, only dispatching people with minor gifts. However, upon hearing of Yu Shikui’s arrival, he hurried over again.
Xia Wenjin hesitated montarily before walking over to sit down.
Kong Tixin eagerly poured her a cup of tea from the teapot.
Xia Wenjin’s eyes deepened once again. Ordinarily, Kong Tixin’s eyes seed to be positioned on top of his head. Despite not holding high office, he carried more authority than Shang Jingwang. Commoners and those without rank were usually t with side glances from him.
Since when had he ever poured tea for soone else? Even when others offered him tea, it depended on his mood whether he would deign to accept it.
She remained composed, saying, "Lord Kong, you overstate things. I simply did what I believed was right!"
Kong Tixin sighed, "Look at that; Doctor Xia’s character is truly noble. What you saw as right, Wangshan Town will be grateful for generations. You’ve saved an entire town—a deed of imasurable rit!"
Praising her while pouring tea?
Xia Wenjin did not think soone like her, a person from the Jianghu, could capture Kong Tixin’s attention.
She rely smiled, saying nothing.
You perform; keep performing. I’m just watching!
Noticing her silence, Kong Tixin remained unfazed and said, "Doctor Xia, I hear you’re leaving Wangshan Town tomorrow?"
This wasn’t a secret. Xia Wenjin nodded.
Kong Tixin feigned regret, saying, "Doctor Xia has done so much for Wangshan Town and now leaves without seeking acknowledgnt. You could still wait a bit. I intend to describe your achievents thoroughly to the imperial envoy, who will report it to the Capital City. The Emperor, upon learning of your good deeds, may bestow honors!"
Of course, Xia Wenjin knew this, but she wasn’t seeking honors. She picked up the cup and held it to her lips without drinking, shaking her head, "No need!"
Kong Tixin exclaid repeatedly, "Doctor Xia is truly virtuous! Despite your youth, your noble nature puts to sha. My ti in Wangshan Town hasn’t been long, but honestly, the only person I admire is Doctor Xia."
Xia Wenjin, half-smiling, said, "Lord Kong, if you have sothing to say, please speak directly!"
This endless beating around the bush was beginning to tire her.
Seeing her intent to leave, Kong Tixin hastily said, "It’s nothing much. Wangshan Town is under Yanglu County. As its governor, I am grateful for Doctor Xia saving the people. Because of your good deeds, I avoided a grave mistake. Leaving tomorrow, how about a small farewell gathering tonight to see you off?"
Xia Wenjin replied, "No need!"
"It is needed, indeed!" Kong Tixin earnestly insisted, "Doctor Xia has done so much for Wangshan Town, clearly helping too. This is just a token of my appreciation. You can bring friends along. I will also invite Lord Shang to accompany us."
Xia Wenjin initially wanted to refuse, but Kong Tixin’s increasingly sincere deanor and humble posture finally made her say, "Since Lord Kong is so earnest, I shall honor your invitation."
Kong Tixin was thrilled, saying, "Excellent, excellent! How about at Hongfu Restaurant on the right street of the inn?"
Xia Wenjin agreed, "Alright!"
Kong Tixin joyfully said, "Doctor Xia is indeed understanding, with a Bodhisattva’s heart. I’ll make arrangents right away. Please co to the banquet shortly."
With that, Kong Tixin quickly left to make the necessary arrangents.
By now, it was getting late. In about an hour, it would be the hour of You. It was understandable he needed to rush to prepare the banquet.
As she rose from her seat, Xia Wenjin passed by the counter, where the shopkeeper eagerly said, "Doctor Xia, I just got so good tea. Let brew a pot and send it to your room!"
Xia Wenjin replied, "Good, put the tea on my tab along with the room charges!"
The shopkeeper chuckled, "Doctor Xia, what tab? It’s just a sample for you to try."
The tea usually had a cost, but the shopkeeper signified that it was complintary.
Xia Wenjin smiled, "Thank you very much then!"
The shopkeeper was delighted.
His son had contracted an epidemic not long ago. It was Doctor Xia who cured him, and now the boy had returned ho. Being able to do sothing for Doctor Xia, he felt greatly honored.
Returning to her room, the adjacent room remained quiet, indicating Huang Zheng had yet to return.
Now that matters in the quarantine zone were in order, with the arrival of the imperial envoy and the imperial physicians, along with the supply of dicinal herbs and relief funds, the situation was no longer as dire as it initially had been.
Huangfu Jingchen also found himself less burdened.
Huangfu Jinxuan, intent on ingratiating himself, was either hunting or inviting Huangfu Jingchen for a drink.
Knowing of Xia Wenjin’s intent to leave, Huangfu Jingchen finally accepted Huangfu Jinxuan’s invitation today.
The pair had just arrived at Hongfu Restaurant.
In town, it was the only venue resembling a proper restaurant, with local specialty dishes. But Huangfu Jinxuan was undaunted; they had the ga they had hunted themselves: mountain roe deer, muntjac, wild hares, pheasants, and even a large wild boar.
Combined with the rustic sides from the restaurant, they could make a full wild ga banquet.
Today, Huangfu Jinxuan, on a whim, had brought Huangfu Jingchen along for hunting. Only upon reaching the mountain did he realize that Prince Cheng’s warrior-like son truly followed in his father’s footsteps.
Skilled with a bow, adept in martial arts, quick to react, and sharp in judgnt.
Previously, when he’d gone hunting with Wei Jun, they would catch only a few in a whole day; unlike today, returning with such a bounty! And that was even after Huangfu Jingchen, towards the end, was reluctant to shoot.
The large wild boar, surprisingly aggressive and charging out of nowhere, had chased him around. Even with Wei Jun’s attempted rescue, he ultimately killed it with one arrow.
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