Chapter 898 - 797: When Caring Causes Chaos

Chapter 898: Chapter 797: When Caring Causes Chaos

Xia Wenjin did not consider herself a magnanimous person.

In private matters, Huangfu Yuxuan had once thoroughly used her, even employed the entire Haotian Village as a stepping stone, causing the downfall of her father and brother, as well as the uncles in Haotian Village. In the end, citing her humble origins as unfit for empress-hood, he granted her a cup of poisoned wine. This grudge would not simply pass.

In public affairs, for the sake of the throne, Huangfu Yuxuan instigated chaos within the Nanxia Court, leading to wars breaking out, internal and external turmoil, and the ceding of territories for peace treaties, rendering Nanxia weak. Those people from the ceded territories didn’t know overnight whether they were Nanxia people or East Tang people.

The pain of losing one’s country and home was something caused by those in power vying for supremacy and disregarding the lives and deaths of the common people, with Huangfu Yuxuan being the worst offender. How could such a person be allowed to ascend the throne?

Even if she was not doing it for herself, just for the displaced people, she had to take action!

Hong Xing and Hong Tao packed the luggage Xia Wenjin needed and wanted to go with her to serve her, but Xia Wenjin smiled and declined. As Hong Xing said, going there was not a trip for pleasure; it was grueling and tiring, with potential dangers to face.

Aunt had sent them to her side, so she wanted to take care of them as much as possible.

Seeing the young lady leave so abruptly, Hong Tao and Hong Xing looked at each other, feeling that this matter should be reported to the madam.

The two hurried back to the Chancellor Xia Mansion, where the entire Xia family happened to be present, and upon hearing it was about Xia Wenjin, they all showed great concern.

Hong Tao and Hong Xing anxiously told them the news of Xia Wenjin going to Qingzhou.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xia was indeed very worried and said to the Xia brothers, "Why aren’t you quickly going to bring your sister back."

Xia Shi’en shook his head and laughed, "Look at you, muddled by concern, aren’t you? Since Wenjin wants to go, she must have thought it through and acted after careful consideration. We don’t even know which route she took, so where would we go to chase her?"

"But that’s such a dangerous place, Wenjin didn’t bring anyone with her, I’m not at ease!"

Xia Shi’en said, "Wenjin is aware of the severe disaster in Qingzhou. She has an engagement with Prince Cheng’s Heir, and now that Prince Cheng and his son have gone there, she surely wants to help out. Even if you catch up to her, she may not necessarily return."

"Then what should we do? Just let her go there alone?" Mrs. Xia just couldn’t feel at ease at the mere thought of it!

Xia Shi’en glanced at the Xia brothers and said, "The disaster in Qingzhou, with Prince Cheng going, will certainly lead to a satisfactory resolution of subsequent matters, but Prince Cheng has always been in Yunzhou, and hardly involved in other provincial affairs for over twenty years. It’s not impossible for local officials to feign compliance. You will all be assigned outside eventually; go understand the local situation of the disaster, it will benefit your future endeavors. Discuss among yourselves, who will go!"

Xia Xiaozhe said, "I’ll go, I’ll find Wenjin and take good care of her!"

"I’m going, it’s not like I’m going to do anything major, just taking care of my sister, I can handle this!"

Mrs. Xia immediately said, "Why not both go together and take good care of your sister!"

Xia Shi’en laughed, "Madam, the Emperor has already appointed someone to handle the disaster relief in Qingzhou. If I send both my sons, people in the court may start speculating. The current situation is unclear, though our hearts worry for Wenjin, but you must trust Wenjin too. She’s not an impulsive and careless child. She’s going to help, we shouldn’t make a big fuss and make her uneasy!"

Mrs. Xia thought about it and agreed, casting several glances at her two sons before deciding, "Xiao Ze is steady in handling matters, while Xinlin is impetuous, Xiao Ze will go, I won’t be at ease with Xinlin going!"

Feeling disfavored, Xia Xinxin said, "Mother, you got it wrong, brother is steady in his actions, but all his friends are in the Capital, whereas I’m impetuous, liking to roam around. I have quite a few friends outside, and there are some in Qingzhou too. Still, I’d better be more useful to my sister!"

Xia Shi’en smiled and said, "Xinlin makes a valid point. Xinlin is indeed a bit impetuous, but knows the importance of things. Madam, let Xinlin go!"

Seeing Xia Shi’en speak, Mrs. Xia thought it made sense, humorously saying, "Always running around outside every three days, and not as studious as your brother, but now it seems, it’s also useful!"

"Of course, I’m very useful!" Xia Xinxin pouted at Xia Xiaozhe, looking smug and lively.

Xia Xiaozhe just had to say, "Brother, I’ve heard the disaster there is too severe. The commoners don’t even have food to eat, so you must bring more food for sister!"

Mrs. Xia also instructed, telling them to bring more things that Wenjin could use and immediately ordered the servants to pack.

When everything was packed, there were three large carts in total. There were more than twenty servants, one part to escort the carriage, and the other part as attendants and guards.

Xia Shi’en smiled wryly, while Xia Xinxin rolled his eyes, smiling and saying, "Mother, if I truly follow your wishes and bring so much stuff, I really wouldn’t catch up to sister along the way. Sister still traveled light and simple, but carrying so much, there’d be much delay on the road. Once we reach the place, you needn’t worry about Wenjin. There will be Prince Cheng and the Crown Prince there!"

Mrs. Xia also realized that, once they reached the place, there’d be people taking care of them and no danger should befall them, nor would they lack food and necessities for a young girl, but the journey was more worrisome.

She then instructed, "No carriages, just horses, you take people and ride there!"

After a hectic bustling around, finally, Xia Xinxin, with a study attendant and a guard, a total of three people and six horses, set off truly light and fast.

Mrs. Lu prepared ample silver notes for him to use during the journey.

Xia Xinxin wanted to say it wasn’t needed that much, since upon reaching the place, even with silver, it’s not certain he could buy food. However, to avoid worrying Mrs. Xia, he swallowed his words and instead cheerfully said, "Mother’s preparation is most practical. The food might spoil on the road, but with silver notes, I can directly buy whatever I want to eat! Dad, Mom, Brother, don’t worry, with me there, sister won’t lose a single hair!"

Watching Xia Xinxin leave, Mrs. Xia sighed, "I don’t know where Wenjin has gone by now, but hopefully she can be caught up with soon!"

Xia Shi’en hugged her shoulder, gently comforting, "Wenjin isn’t like the noble ladies in the Capital; though she’s young, she’s steady in her actions and has her own ideas. It’s said she even manages a shop in the Capital, she’s seen the world and can read people’s minds. Furthermore, Xiao Ze is also going, you needn’t worry!"

"I know, it’s just the place she’s going to has too many disaster victims, and people, when starving, will resort to anything. No matter how capable she is, isn’t she still a young girl?" Mrs. Xia turned to look at Xia Shi’en, "What’s the actual extent of the disaster in Qingzhou? Why aren’t the courtiers from the Capital going, but instead sending the Vassal King returning from elsewhere to the Capital? It truly is strange!"

Xia Shi’en smiled without speaking, and Mrs. Xia shook her head, "These court matters of yours, I don’t understand them. In truth, I don’t care who goes; I just want our Wenjin to suffer a bit less!"