So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

Xie Yan's sudden return was unexpected by everyone. No one thought he would come back alive. They didn't know the ins and outs of the situation, but it was a blessing for the entire Xie family that he hadn't died in battle.

The old lady's illness also inexplicably disappeared. With a beaming smile, she invited everyone to sit down. Several tables were set up in the hall, and the masters and mistresses of the mansion also returned, smiling as they congratulated the Grand Princess.

Fifth Miss Xie Ling had been locked up for so long that she had lost her temper. She was only released after hearing that her eldest brother had returned. Looking at Ning Yu's face now, she pouted angrily, "My eldest brother is back, and she wants to ride on our heads."

The young ladies and gentlemen beside her did not interrupt when they heard her say this.

Ning Yu didn't have time to pay attention to her. Thinking of Xie Yan's appearance, she felt uneasy.

"They're back. The young master and the governor are both back."

Just then, the cheerful voice of the old lady came from outside. The old lady, sitting at the head of the table, looked elegant and dignified and quickly peeked out to see what was going on.

Two men followed the Duke of Dingguo in. Under the lamplight, Xie Xun stood tall and had an otherworldly appearance, immediately attracting everyone's attention. He stood out from the others.

The old lady looked at her two grandsons, feeling both gratified and unable to help but sigh.

"Grandmother, Mother."

"Please take your seats quickly, you've all had a long day and are exhausted."

The Grand Princess felt sorry for her son and held his hand, asking him a lot of questions. Xie Yan couldn't bring up the matter of Nanguan, so he glossed over it.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

"The young master is much thinner than before he went to the border. He should make sure to eat well when he gets back," the third wife said with a smile.

Xie Yan glanced at the people at the table, then turned his gaze to the other tables, where he saw Ning Yu eating with her head down. He called out, "A-Yu, come sit here."

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed instantly, and they all looked over. Ning Yu immediately felt like she was being pricked by needles. She looked up and, by sheer coincidence, met Xie Xun's eyes.

The man was slightly lifting his eyelids to look at her, and for some reason, she sensed a sinister glint in his dark eyes, causing her back to tremble involuntarily.

She licked her lips, a gentle smile appearing on her fair face, and walked gracefully toward Xie Yan.

Xie Yan pulled out a chair for her, gesturing for her to sit down.

The moment her hand was grabbed, Ning Yu felt an intense gaze from the other side. She glanced at it out of the corner of her eye and saw a gaze almost like that of a wild beast, staring straight at her with a wildness that was ready to erupt at any moment.

She was startled instinctively and wanted to brush Xie Yan's hand away, but then she thought, why should she be afraid of him? Xie Yan was her rightful husband.

Thinking about it, she couldn't help but glance at Xie Yan again. She had originally thought that the life of a noblewoman who didn't have to serve men would be incredibly comfortable, but then he came back.

It's good that she's back. A general who fought for the country shouldn't die at the hands of his own people. Besides, Xie Yan seems to treat her quite well.

Normally, she would eat in a corner of the manor without attracting attention. This was the first time she had ever sat at the same table as a proper master of the Xie family, all because Xie Yan had returned.

"While you were away, A-Yu chanted sutras and prayed for you. She's a good child. The Emperor has granted you this marriage, and now that you're back, the two of you should live a good life together from now on," the old lady said with satisfaction, looking at the two of them.

"Grandmother, don't worry, I understand."

The Grand Princess glanced at Ning Yu, then looked away without saying a word.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was harmonious, but Ning Yu felt extremely uncomfortable. She could clearly feel the gaze from across the table and didn't even dare to lift her head to look at them.

The Duke of Dingguo wanted to mention Xie Xun several times, hoping he would say a few words, but Xie Xun never joined in.

Xie Hemian smiled as he looked at his two elder brothers, his eyes lingering on Ning Yu's face for a moment before he raised his glass. "Eldest brother, congratulations on your triumphant return."

Xie Yan smiled and raised his glass, downing it in one gulp. Xie Hemian, as if he were in a military camp, cheerfully refilled his glass and ran up to him, toasting him repeatedly.

The old lady scolded him helplessly, telling him to drink less, but Xie Hemian went on and on about his philosophy, and in the end, he got so drunk that he spilled wine on Ning Yu.

Ning Yu's clothes were immediately soaked, and she quickly wiped her skirt with a handkerchief.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sister-in-law. I lost my grip for a moment. Why don't you go and change your clothes first?"

Summer clothes are cool and comfortable, and Ning Yu felt the fabric clinging to her legs. Just as she was about to get up, she heard the voice of the man opposite her.

"My sister-in-law seemed very excited when my brother came back."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yan, who was frowning, immediately met Xie Yan's gaze. The others were also puzzled by what he said. This Second Master was usually very quiet, so why did he suddenly blurt out such a sentence?

Ning Yu was so frightened that cold sweat broke out on her back. She wrung out her clothes and said, "Husband—the young master has returned, and everyone in the manor is overjoyed."

Having said that, she ignored what Xie Xun was going to say, hurriedly told the old lady that she needed to change her clothes, and then walked outside.

The dining hall was some distance from her residence, the Mo Courtyard. As soon as Ning Yu left the main hall, she immediately headed towards the Mo Courtyard.

As she passed the artificial hill, she suddenly stopped and glanced at the man in the distance.

Was she seeing things correctly? Wasn't she in the hall? How did she get here so quickly and quietly?

The dark clouds were blown away by the wind tonight, and the bright moon overhead shone on the artificial hill and stream, faintly reflecting the man's eyes, which were filled with indistinct emotions.

"Are you coming over here or should I go over there?"

There was a faint smell of gunpowder in the air. Ning Yu knew she couldn't afford to delay; if anyone saw this scene, it would be the end of her.

After a brief standoff, she lifted her foot and walked towards him step by step.

As the distance between them slowly closed, the night breeze carried the scent of elm on his body, and she finally stopped in front of him.

As soon as he got close, he pushed her behind the artificial hill and leaned down to kiss her.

Ning Yu groaned, her arched eyebrows furrowing slightly as she placed her hand on his chest.

An instinctive movement made Xie Xun lower his eyelids, his dark, unfathomable eyes staring directly at her. "What's wrong? He's back and won't let me touch him anymore?"

Ning Yu looked at him, "Has the Commander forgotten what he did, you beastly thing?"

They've grown bold; they dare to curse him now.

Xie Xun curled his lips into a sneer. "You think you can turn against me now that he's back?"

Ning Yu moved her lips, about to say something, when he suddenly lifted her chin. "You can try and see if he can protect you."