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"Master, I really was just passing by, it wasn’t intentional..."

"Second Master?!"

As Xia Hen, still rambling and trying to shirk responsibility, was suddenly startled by these words. Second Master? Only people from the Xia family would address him that way, having traveled outside for so many years, he almost forgot this title.

Opening his eyes, Xia Hen saw a dark-skinned, large man swiftly kneeling before him, his left hand forming a palm resting on his knee and his right fist supporting him by his side, his head bowed deeply with respect and awe.

"Subordinate greets the Second Master!"

"Are you, from the Xia Family Army’s Hidden Guard?"

Lin Yi nodded, "Yes, subordinate Xia Er."

Xia Er, indicating that he is the second in rank in the Xia Family Army’s Hidden Guard, likely holding the position of Deputy Commander.

Xia Hen furrowed his tall brow, clearly not expecting to meet someone from the Xia Family Army in this small, obscure village outside the city.

"Cough cough." Thinking of the undignified manner he’d just exhibited being witnessed by the Hidden Guard, a suspicious flush spread across Xia Hen’s handsome face. He coughed lightly twice and asked, "Are you on a mission? Then I shall leave now, not to disturb you."

He glanced around, presumably suspecting Hidden Guards lurking elsewhere.

"Second Master!" Seeing him about to leave, Lin Yi quickly spoke up, "The General and the Great Commander have been searching everywhere for you. You finally returned to the Capital City today, please don’t..."

Xia Hen raised an eyebrow, his eyes gleaming mischievously at Lin Yi, "Do you think, at this time, I returned just to take a look?"

The eighth day of March was Xia Zhen’s wedding day, and with the date approaching, Xia Hen naturally returned to attend his nephew’s wedding.

Lin Yi finally relaxed, remained silent, yet he still insistently wanted to escort Xia Hen back safely himself.

Xia Hen’s nose twitched as his eyes scanned the entrance of the wine cellar. He whispered, "That place, why are you here? Is this also owned by our Xia family?"

Gazing upward at the residence, Xia Hen involuntarily shook his head; it didn’t seem like the style Xia Yuan and Princess Anle would favor.

"Second Master, subordinate was sent by the Second Young Master to guard the cellar. It stores some items useful for the Xia Family Army during battle, so..."

It turned out he was guarding items for the camp, like Xia Zheng, Xia Hen also wasn’t interested in combat matters, and so he waved his hand impatiently before Lin Yi could finish speaking.

"It seems this is Xia Family Army’s territory, so this wine..."

"Second Master, this wine doesn’t belong to the Xia Family Army."

Aware of Xia Hen’s fondness for liquor, Lin Yi knew that he had planned to turn a blind eye, but remembering Lin Yuan’s fierce aunt, with a temper matching Lin Yuan’s, he couldn’t help shivering—no wonder they say women are like tigers, the ancients didn’t lie.

Xia Hen pouted and huffed. Though unwilling, with Lin Yi standing guard here, he knew he wouldn’t succeed.

Sniffing the enticing aroma of the wine, the craving in Xia Hen’s belly grew stronger.

"Ah well, let’s go!" Since he couldn’t drink, Xia Hen flicked his sleeves in irritation—a flash of white at his wrist—and disappeared using Qinggong.

Lin Yi looked up at the sky, seemingly still hearing Xia Hen’s discontented mutter as he left, "Boring, going back to sleep!"

It might have been that their conversation was a bit loud. Just as Xia Hen left, Liu Limin came running over wrapped in a cloak, looking as if she had just finished getting ready to lie down for a rest.

"What’s the matter? Was there a wine thief?"

Lin Yi hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head without changing his expression: "No, there was just another petty thief trying to peek into the cellar to see what’s inside, but I scared him off."

If it had been Lin Yuan instead of Liu Limin in front of Lin Yi, she would have surely noticed Lin Yi was lying. Because he was usually very reserved with his words, he wouldn’t have explained what had just happened unless someone asked.

But alas, Liu Limin hadn’t interacted much with Lin Yi and naturally didn’t realize he was lying.

"No?" Liu Limin hung her head in slight disappointment, staring at the firmly shut door of the wine cellar for a while. When she looked up again, tears shimmered in the corner of her eyes, "If there is a wine thief, make sure to catch him, don’t be lenient, understand?"

"Yes." Lin Yi couldn’t help but click his tongue, relieved that he hadn’t told Liu Limin about the Second Master’s visit. Otherwise, with Second Miss Liu’s fiery temper, she definitely would have had the Second Master strung up and fermented into "person wine."

Finally glancing once more at the wine cellar door, Liu Limin left, looking back thrice in every step. She’d made the entrance so obvious, why hadn’t that person come?

Was the news she had spread not explosive enough? Or was the wine she freshly brewed not delicious enough?

It seemed she had to brew some unique wines not available in the market to attract the man who had stolen her heart!

On the eighth of March, the wedding day of Xia Zhen and Tian Hui.

Xia Yuan was a warrior, unfamiliar with hosting guests; especially with his weathered, stern face, many officials shook their heads with wry smiles.

A man of the battlefield is extraordinary, even in a bright red robe, he carried an aura as if clad in armor, battling enemies with dignity and bravery.

Although there were many guests in the front hall, barely anyone dared to speak or even move.

Watching everyone quietly sitting and facing each other in the front hall, Xia Zheng and Su Tianrui could hardly contain themselves and mischievously snickered at the doorway.