Aierlan's Thoughts

"Is this a family banquet for the Viscount's household? Why did you bring me here..."

Lin Lei complained inwardly, looking at the out-of-place environment. Hearing Aierlan, he sat down beside her, feeling completely at a loss.

Allen, who was eating nearby, saw this and said in a carefree manner.

"Boss, don't be nervous. Just treat it like your own home. You're not an outsider, so there's no need to be so restrained."

"Right, right..."

Hearing Allen's words, Lin Lei had a change of heart. That's right, I haven't done anything shameful, so what is there to be afraid of? They aren't man-eating beasts. Once Miss Aierlan proves my innocence, I can leave.

At this moment, Lin Lei was still fantasizing about being able to leave the Viscount Mansion of Aixing, not yet realizing the severity of the situation.

"You must be Centurion Lin. Our servants say you molested our daughter. Tell me, what should be done about this?"

Just as Lin Lei thought he could safely get through this ordeal, the old man sitting at the head of the table, Viscount Aixing, spoke up. His voice was not loud, making his emotional fluctuations impossible to read.

"No, I didn't! I was just attending the celebration by myself... If you don't believe me, you can ask Miss Aierlan."

Upon hearing such a heavy accusation being pinned on him, Lin Lei immediately lost his composure and hurriedly tried to explain himself.

Following Viscount Aixing's gaze toward Aierlan, he found that Miss Aierlan was merely keeping her head down, saying nothing, and failing to step forward to offer a word of defense for him.

The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly became very awkward. Lin Lei looked at Aierlan in disbelief, his black eyes wide open, as if he couldn't believe that the girl before him would choose to do nothing.

His gaze darted back and forth among the people at the table, lingering longest on Aierlan. He wanted to open his mouth to argue again, but found his words to be so pale and powerless.

Lin Lei's mood was complex. Aixing looked at Lin Lei and continued.

"I presume you understand the situation now. If this were to get out, our entire family would lose face."

"..."

Lin Lei remained silent, and the air seemed to congeal at that moment.

The others eating at the table also set down their chopsticks, focusing their attention on the old man, Aixing.

Aierlan had only told her grandfather, Aixing, about her feelings for Lin Lei; the others, including her parents, did not understand the current situation and were glaring daggers at Lin Lei.

Viscount Aixing had doted on his granddaughter since she was a child, and her spoiled temper was a result of his indulgence. Even Aierlan's parents couldn't handle her, and whenever there was trouble, Aierlan was always shielded completely.

Allen, sitting to the side, was a loyal fan of Lin Lei and said to his grandfather, Aixing.

"Grandfather, Lord Lin could never do such a thing. All the brothers in our City Defense Department hold him in high esteem..."

"Shut up."

Allen's father saw Viscount Aixing's expression growing increasingly unpleasant and hurriedly scolded Allen.

"This is no place for you to speak. This concerns your sister's purity; how can you just open your mouth as you please? Eat your food and keep your mouth shut."

"Then what does Viscount Aixing think should be done?"

Lin Lei's tone had also become stiff by now.

"It's simple. You aren't married yet, are you? As long as you marry my granddaughter and she becomes your wife, outsiders will naturally stop gossiping."

Aixing did not get angry at Lin Lei's tone; instead, he revealed the smile of an old fox. To him, although scheming against a young man in this way was beneath his status as a Viscount, he could not care less if it meant Aierlan's happiness.

"Grandfather..."

Only then did Aierlan speak her first words. Her grandfather had forbidden her from speaking earlier, but now that they had reached the crux of the matter, she no longer had such restrictions.

"What is your intention?"

Viscount Aixing ignored Aierlan and asked Lin Lei again, who was looking blankly ahead. Based on his years of experience, Lin Lei suddenly realized this was a trap—a very high-level trap—and he was already so deeply ensnared that he couldn't get out.

Lin Lei looked at Aierlan and appraised her appearance once more. While she couldn't be called a beauty who could topple kingdoms, she was certainly a top-tier beauty, ranking among the best in the Flower Territory. He didn't have high requirements for a wife; as long as she liked him and was pretty, that was enough.

Lin Lei no longer hesitated. He agreed. If he married Aierlan, he could at least avoid many detours and grow stronger faster to face the impending disaster.

"Fine, I agree. I wonder if Miss Aierlan is willing?"

"I agree, I agree, I definitely agree..."

As soon as Lin Lei finished speaking, the previously reticent Aierlan reverted to her true nature, hurriedly expressing her consent.

"Good, good. Since you both agree, there happens to be an auspicious day next month. You shall be married on the fifth of next month."

Viscount Aixing clapped his hands, and the marriage between Lin Lei and Aierlan was settled. Lin Lei did not object, and the previously awkward family banquet became harmonious once again.

Hearing that Aierlan was to marry Lin Lei, the second most excited person, besides Aierlan herself, was Allen, who sat beside her. As a squad leader under Lin Lei, even though it had only been four or five days, Lin Lei's charisma (and "poisonous chicken soup") had already made him deeply admire his commander.

Although Aierlan's parents looked down on Lin Lei for being a mere centurion, the gap in their status was not too extreme. Plus, since the most influential man in the house had made the final decision, they had no choice but to acquiesce.

Throughout the meal, Aierlan kept putting food into Lin Lei's bowl, making the others, who had never received such treatment, feel quite jealous. Such bold behavior would have been scolded into submission in any other noble household, but here, Aierlan's family was already accustomed to her antics.

Although Lin Lei felt he had been schemed against and was somewhat uncomfortable, he could accept gaining a beautiful woman for free. Furthermore, he hadn't eaten much at Lady Moran's celebration, and since arriving at the Viscount Mansion, he had only been drinking tea. He was truly hungry, so he didn't stand on ceremony with the others and ate a great deal.

"Do you know Lady Moran?"

Even now, Lin Lei had not forgotten that soul-charming dark creature. Since he couldn't find Alice, he decided to ask Viscount Aixing; surely someone of his level would have noticed something.

"I know her. Her family's clothing is very nice."

Aierlan, thinking Lin Lei was simply asking for information, answered somewhat naively.

The others at the table cast questioning glances, unable to understand why Lin Lei would ask such a question.

When Old Master Aixing heard Lin Lei's words, his expression turned grave in an instant, and the wrinkles on his face, previously barely noticeable, bunched tightly together.

Seeing his demeanor, Lin Lei immediately understood that his unintentional remark had hit the mark.

"How much do you know about her? Forget it, come with me..."

Viscount Aixing turned and led Lin Lei away, heading to his secret chamber. This place was known only to him; not even his son or granddaughter knew of it, making it extremely secure.

The people at the table watched the old master lead Lin Lei away, glancing at one another in confusion. By now, they understood from the tone and expressions in the conversation that whatever Lin Lei had asked about must be of great importance. Otherwise, Aixing, who would not change his expression even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, would not be so cautious as to exclude even his own kin.

Is there something wrong with Lady Moran?

This question surfaced in everyone's mind.

A quarter of an hour later, Viscount Aixing and Lin Lei returned from the secret chamber. Compared to the solemn atmosphere when they had first entered, the two of them now appeared much more relaxed.

When they returned to the dining table, the main courses had already been cleared away and replaced with various pastries and snacks. Everyone remained in the hall, curious about what Viscount Aixing and Lin Lei had discussed.

"Father, what is wrong with Lady Moran?"

Aitepu, Aierlan's father, asked from his seat at the side. As a professional soldier, he had caught a whiff of something unusual.

Aitepu was the commander of the Flower Territory Black Armor Legion, managing three thousand troops. He usually spent his time training within the legion and rarely engaged in leisure activities like tailoring, which made him one of the few individuals in the Flower Territory with Silver-tier strength who had slipped through the cracks of public notice.

"Don't ask about things you shouldn't. This is not something you are permitted to know."

Viscount Aixing said sharply.

"Yes."

Aitepu knew his father was a man of great principle whose security measures were incredibly strict. If he said this, it was certain that the Lord's Mansion had issued him an order.

But what kind of order could it be that even someone of my status cannot be told?

Aitepu pondered in secret, glancing up at Lin Lei.

While Lin Lei and Viscount Aixing were talking, Aitepu had questioned Aierlan about everything regarding Lin Lei—his background, his position, and how they had met. Upon hearing about the plan she and her grandfather had orchestrated, he felt a surge of emotion; truly, the grandparent and grandchild were the most alike.

"Second son, didn't you say you found a Red Cloud Blood Horse while sweeping the wilds for magical beasts? Look, your niece's fiancé doesn't have a mount befitting his status yet. Shouldn't you show some generosity..."

Viscount Aixing said to Aitepu's younger brother.

"No problem. I've been keeping that prized horse in my courtyard. Since Centurion Lin will be a son-in-law of the Ai family, I certainly should show him some hospitality."

Aimaxu did not decline and immediately called to the guard beside him.

"Xuanyi, go to the stables in my courtyard and bring out that Fire Cloud Horse I've been raising for our Centurion Lin."

"Yes."

A man standing ramrod straight behind Aimaxu acknowledged the order.

"Father, are you satisfied with this?"

Viscount Aixing nodded and added, "This is just a small gift for now. When they get married, as a commander, you cannot be stingy."

"Yes, yes, naturally I won't be."

Aimaxu said with a genial smile.