Huangfu Yuxuan looked at the wine jar, his expression inexplicable.
The jar hadn’t even been opened, yet it was already so fragrant. Could this wine really be that good?
Slling the clear and cool aroma of the wine, Huangfu Yuxuan dismissed the idea of calling Cui Huai back to fetch the wine. With a sincere face, he said, "Miss Xia’s filial piety touches deeply!"
But what he really thought was that it was just a change of heart, finally realizing his goodness, so she was using the pretext of offering wine to get closer to him.
Moreover, if not a change of heart, why else would she offer him such wine? In Yunzhou, it’s already at this price; in the Capital City, it would only be higher!
However, he suddenly thought, since he was the one paying today, could Xia Wenjin have known that the wine was expensive and was deliberately overcharging him?
Of course, he would not refuse! He thoroughly enjoyed this kind of process.
If Xia Wenjin really had such thoughts, it would show that this woman could see things clearly. Besides, Prince Liang was not poor; to him, even three thousand taels weren’t an issue.
If a matter could be solved with silver, then it wasn’t really a big deal at all.
If this woman thought using silver could rile him up, she had miscalculated!
To use rely a few hundred taels of silver to ta a little wildcat was absolutely worth it!
Xia Wenjin did not know what Huangfu Yuxuan was thinking. Her tone rose at the end, carrying a hint of provocation: "So, to show my sincerity in offering this wine, I use this wine to toast you! Do you dare to drink it?"
The last four words left Huangfu Yuxuan, who was already confident and composed, slightly stunned. Had he been wrong? Perhaps Xia Wenjin wasn’t trying to overcharge him, but there was sothing wrong with the wine?
Nevertheless, he recalled that the wine was brought by the waiter, that the jars were indistinguishable, and so he smiled slightly, saying, "As I said, if a lady toasts, I will naturally accompany with my all!"
Xia Wenjin was uninterested in his comnts. She unsealed the jar, and soon the room was filled with an even richer fragrance, pure and llow. Huangfu Yuxuan couldn’t help but deepen his gaze. He had sampled imperial wine, tasted the finest of common wines, and in terms of quality, this was unquestionably top-tier.
It was surprising that a restaurant newly opened could produce such good wine, almost matching the signature Lychee Wine of Moon Full Building.
He picked up a jar, gently opened it, and took a deep breath; the aroma invigorated him.
Such a rich fragrance piqued Xia Wanqing’s appetite, and he hastily opened the remaining jar, poured a cup, and drank with praise: "Good wine! Indeed, it’s only in the Capital you can find such good wine!"
Xia Wenjin: "Father, wherever you want to drink good wine, you can find it; it doesn’t have to be only in the Capital."
Father’s thoughts were risky. With Huangfu Yuxuan’s current sches, if Father stayed in the Capital, he’d ultimately end up being used by him!
Xia Wenjin raised the jar, "My father has stayed in your courtyard these days while in the Capital. I must express my gratitude. Here are five hundred taels of silver notes; whether as rent or gratitude, please accept them!"
Huangfu Yuxuan replied righteously, "Miss Xia, even aside from the marriage contract between us, I respect Uncle Xia’s character and sincerely invited him to the Capital City! Furthermore, in the Jianghu, we value friendship and righteousness over monetary exchanges. After hosting Uncle Xia for just a few days, you offer money; what kind of person do you take for?"
Xia Wenjin: "..."
In terms of debating skills, she truly seed at a disadvantage against this hypocrite!
She smiled faintly and said, "Even among real brothers, accounts are ticulously settled. We are neither kin nor friend, how can I accept such a favor for nothing?"
Huangfu Yuxuan turned to Xia Wanqing, placing down the jar with hands clasped, earnestly saying, "Uncle Xia, we people of the Jianghu don’t fuss over such trivial matters, surely this is nothing Uncle Xia would concern himself with? Moreover, when I stayed in Haotian Village for so long, Uncle Xia didn’t collect my silver either, it’s just reciprocity! Please help persuade Wenjin!"
Xia Wanqing also felt Xia Wenjin’s actions were excessive. He advised, "Jin’er, Young Master Xuan has a point. We Jianghu people value righteousness above all and cherish friendships; how can we asure them with silver and coin?"
Xia Wenjin rolled her eyes and said, "I forgot, you stayed in Haotian Village without paying for so long, indeed I don’t need to repay you in silver!"
Huangfu Yuxuan laughed, "The lady speaks truth!" He lifted the wine jar and said, "I toast Miss Xia and Uncle Xia!"
Xia Wenjin coldly said, "I just offered a toast, yet you refused with excuses, and now you’re dodging with other topics. Are you looking down on ?"
Seeing Xia Wenjin’s sudden change in deanor, Xia Wanqing smoothed things over and said, "You youngsters drink your wine, I’ll just drink mine!"
Huangfu Yuxuan, repeatedly faced with Xia Wenjin’s cold deanor, felt irritated but smiled, "It was my fault, Miss Xia, please!" he said, raising the wine jar.
Xia Wenjin didn’t bother with cups or bowls, lifted the wine jar to her lips, and drank.
It was a rather coarse action, yet when she did it, it seed bold and dashing. Two jin of wine is neither too much nor too little.
Seeing her drink so audaciously, Huangfu Yuxuan could not lag behind.
He always felt there was a cold contempt in Xia Wenjin’s eyes when she looked at him, that Xia Wenjin looked down on him!
He once wondered about Xia Wenjin’s disdain - there was no exaggeration in praising his appearance as handso and elegant, yet she must not disdain his looks!
His noble birth and inherent grace, perating every fiber, even his hair exuded grandeur and elegance; surely, she didn’t disdain his background!
He was deeply strategic, far-sighted, with influence in the Capital, even Prince Li respected his counsel, and he successfully unseated Prince Zhuang from the position of Crown Prince after a year and a half; surely, she didn’t disdain his ingenuity!
Eventually, he realized it must be his graceful deanor and handso looks that she found lacking in the rugged and virile departnt.
So even with Xia Wenjin being so bold, he had to be bolder.
He lifted the wine jar and started drinking.
Xia Wanqing watched him with growing admiration in his eyes.
People of Jianghu drank with large bowls and ate with big bites; this boldness was innate. Initially, the brothers in Haotian Village thought Huangfu Yuxuan appeared weak and assud he was a scheming pretty boy.
Xia Wanqing also thought, should Huangfu Yuxuan have such a sour and self-righteous nature, the marriage would have to be reconsidered.
Later, through his actions, Huangfu Yuxuan dispelled these notions.
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