Huangfu Jingchen was startled and quickly said, "I... I’ll sleep over there by the trees!"
Xia Wenjin waved the branch in his hand and smiled leisurely, "There are snakes in the wilderness, you know. Snakes can climb trees!"
Huangfu Jingchen wasn’t afraid of snakes, but the thought of getting bitten by a snake during his sleep and never waking up sent a chill down his spine.
But should he sleep next to Long Yang?
He imdiately shook his head vigorously in his mind, as if it were a rattle drum; he’d rather sleep with a venomous snake. He quickly said, "I’ll find a place to sleep myself, don’t worry about , I... I’ll go wash my hands first."
This makeshift bed was prepared by Xia Wenjin; he had no valid reason to ask anyone to give up their place for him.
Moreover, his father and mother were always ready to help those in need and certainly wouldn’t have a mindset of taking by force. At worst, he could sit by the fire the whole night.
Feeling emotionally conflicted, he went to the far side of the pool to wash his hands, feeling sowhat forlorn.
He was literate, had a good grasp of military tactics, was well-read in the Four Books and Five Classics. His teachers praised him as being eager to learn and adept at both literature and martial arts, excelling in all spheres.
Yet today, in the wilderness, faced with this minor incident, he felt he was worth nothing.
He didn’t know how to start a fire.
He didn’t realize one should gather dry wood.
Even seeing salt was a first for him.
...
Watching Xia Wenjin work effortlessly, casually and confidently, it seed so natural. He was indeed a young master from a prestigious family who had seen nothing of the world. Apart from his noble birth, what other reason did he have to feel superior in front of Xia Wenjin?
Xia Wenjin may have minor faults, and so behaviors were hard for him to accept, but he had to admit there were many things where she excelled and surpassed him.
After so ti, Huangfu Jingchen suddenly realized that he hadn’t returned for so long, letting Xia Wenjin out of his sight. Could she have run off again?
The jade pendant was still with her; he couldn’t let her escape.
Huangfu Jingchen hurried back.
In the distance, he saw that the fire had been moved, with another temporary bed built at the original spot, separated by the new fire. The makeshift bed was thoughtfully covered with waterproof fabric.
This fabric was bought by Xia Wenjin previously when he urged her to hurry.
Xia Wenjin had already planned what should be done for outdoor lodging, unlike him who, inspired by tales of Jianghu from his teachers, impulsively made decisions without any preparation.
Xia Wenjin was already asleep sideways on her makeshift bed, opened her eyes when he arrived, glanced at him and teased, "Don’t worry, sleep well, I won’t trouble you tonight!"
Clearly, she wasn’t aware of the emotional struggles turning in Huangfu Jingchen’s heart during this short span of ti. After speaking, she closed her eyes and continued sleeping.
Huangfu Jingchen stood before his own bed for a long ti, feeling very conflicted.
After so ti, he sat down.
The bed was padded with thick, soft branches, with warmth from the fire ash below, and a waterproof fabric on top, making it quite cozy, akin to sleeping on a bed in a lodge.
Staring up at the stars, listening to the sound of burning branches nearby, along with Xia Wenjin’s steady breathing, he suddenly felt at ease.
Haotian Village.
Upon hearing Bai Feichen returned cold, Xia Wanqing laughed heartily to those around him, "With Brother Bai on the task, there’s no way that Wenjin girl can escape The Buddha’s palm! That girl must have obediently returned with Brother Bai!"
Everyone laughed; Bai Feichen, as the village’s strategist, was widely trusted.
Xia Wanqing went out to et him, as Xia Wenjin had been gone from the mountain for over forty days, and he also missed her dearly.
Bai Feichen appeared in front of everyone, followed by Ding Qi and Yuan Gang, along with several villagers.
Xia Wanqing wondered, "Eh, where’s Wenjin?"
Bai Feichen greeted Xia Wanqing with so embarrassnt, "Village Chief, I have failed your trust, I couldn’t bring Wenjin back!"
Xia Wanqing was surprised, "You didn’t find her?"
Bai Feichen touched his chin, helplessly said, "Found her I did, but ultimately I fell for her trick and she escaped again!"
Xia Wanqing felt a bit disappointed but still smiled, "That tricky girl, accustod to being lawless, can be more stubborn than Sichen. Brother Bai has worked hard!"
Bai Feichen glanced around and asked, "Is Young Master Yu still on the mountain?"
"His father went ho and sent a servant to inform us that he would first report to his parents and then return to welco the bride!"
Bai Feichen paused and smiled, "I see, luckily Young Master Yu isn’t on the mountain. Otherwise, not bringing back Wenjin would make one more person disappointed!"
"Disappointnt aside, that girl will ultimately return!" Xia Wanqing clapped his hands heartily, "Brother Bai, you and the brothers have worked hard. Today, we’ll host a welcoming banquet for everyone!"
Ding Qi, Yuan Gang and the rest chuckled, saying it wasn’t hard, and dispersed.
Xia Wanqing and Bai Feichen walked shoulder-to-shoulder since there were no others around, Xia Wanqing laughed, "Brother Bai, with your skills, that Wenjin girl can’t possibly escape. You must’ve deliberately let her go!"
Bai Feichen denied, "I didn’t. Wenjin truly tried every ans to escape, all uncovered by . As we were nearing Jinzhou, I was careless and fell for her trick!"
Xia Wanqing smiled without speaking.
Bai Feichen couldn’t hold back and said, "Village Chief, I have watched Wenjin grow up, and she genuinely resists this marriage. Can’t you reconsider?"
Xia Wanqing sighed inwardly, Wenjin had little ti left, this matter he had only shared with Sichen, what else could he do?
Faced with the choice between seeing his daughter married or deceased, naturally, he didn’t even need to think to choose the forr.
He said heavily, "Brother Bai, I have my concerns. Wenjin and Huangfu Yuxuan have a compatible fate, making this marriage essential to ! Though Wenjin disagrees now, you’ve t Yuxuan, he’s excellent in all aspects, truly a good match! They must be wed within half a year by any ans. This matter cannot be swayed by Wenjin’s willfulness!"
Bai Feichen’s expression turned peculiar, "Village Chief, I fear this cannot happen!"
"Why not?"
Bai Feichen hesitated before saying in a stranger tone, "Wenjin really took it too far this ti!"
"What do you an?"
Bai Feichen pondered for a mont before speaking, "I didn’t an to let Wenjin escape. But after she left the mountain, she racked up a debt of over eight thousand Silver and failed to repay it on ti, hence must serve as a servant for a year. She is no longer free!"
"Serving as a servant?" Xia Wanqing’s voice raised several octaves, furious, "Who dares to be so bold? To treat my Jin’er this way, I’ll twist their head off!"
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