Xia Sichen looked at his reaction, what was there not to understand?

Over the years, his father only had two things in mind: first, Wenjin’s sixteenth-year fate calamity; second, the hope that Haotian Village could become famous throughout the world.

He said softly, "Father, actually Haotian Village already holds a considerable position in the Jianghu. I understand your wish to elevate it even further. But now with the court affairs being so complicated, we Jianghu people live freely and at ease; why get involved in such muddy waters?"

"I have my own discretion!" Xia Wanqing said displeasedly, "The court affairs are complicated, but how much better can the Jianghu situation be? There’s no difference either way. Besides, Wenjin is stubborn for the moment, how do you know she won’t change her mind? That Young Master Yu is one of us, should our people not lend a hand?"

Xia Sichen: "..."

Turns out, in his father’s heart, he still believed Huangfu Yuxuan was the destined one for Wenjin’s Red Simurgh fate. Huangfu Yuxuan’s father was originally the Crown Prince, now became Prince Liang – he obviously had other plans.

Xia Sichen didn’t believe his own father didn’t know Huangfu Yuxuan’s intentions, but his father still wanted to help, and perhaps, it wasn’t just his father’s intention but also the intention of all the village chiefs of Haotian Village. As a nephew, he couldn’t do anything.

Capital City.

At the West City Gate, a young girl in a green dress paused, looking at the heavy, ancient characters on the city wall, her expression complex.

The girl’s complexion was as delicate as the finest white porcelain, like the finest warm jade, seemingly breakable at a touch. Her appearance was like a painting, but her eyes held a touch of world-weariness, as if she’d experienced endless affairs, yet after the weariness, there was clarity.

It seemed to be only a year and a half, but actually, it had been two lifetimes. She still returned to the Capital City.

She originally thought she would never come to the Capital in this lifetime, would never see that person, but now, she had no choice but to appear here.

Huangfu Yuxuan, still as despicable as in the past life, unscrupulous to achieve his goals.

However, her goal was just to persuade her father and the uncles of Haotian Village. The past, let it die like yesterday. The enmity between her and Huangfu Yuxuan, she would take revenge herself!

At the city gate, four city guards arranged in two rows, along with a squad leader.

With Xia Wenjin’s appearance already attracting attention, and now she paused.

Instantly, five pairs of eyes turned to her.

In those five pairs of eyes, there were all kinds of emotions.

Xia Wenjin knew she lost her focus for a moment, arousing suspicion, so she gathered her thoughts, preparing to enter the city.

However, the squad leader stopped her.

His gaze scrutinized Xia Wenjin unscrupulously and said, "Travel permit!"

The travel permit wasn’t something always checked, unless there was suspicion about someone. After all, even if there were spies, they would have had to pass numerous checkpoints to reach the Capital.

But looking at the squad leader’s eyes, it wasn’t that he found Xia Wenjin suspicious, rather her face was too strikingly beautiful, and he was deliberately making things difficult, harboring lust.

If it were a regular civilian, seeing several soldiers glaring fiercely, they would surely become timid. A few coercive words, and they would be scared, or directly taken away.

As for where they would be taken, only he knew.

Xia Wenjin understood these tricks, at this moment, her gaze towards the squad leader was exceptionally sharp.

Such a gaze made the squad leader uncomfortable.

A passing woman, not extravagantly dressed, yet beautiful as she was, who knew what she was up to! And she dared look at him like this?

The squad leader barked, "What are you looking at, travel permit!"

Xia Wenjin produced the travel permit.

The squad leader took it, and it was indeed a legitimate travel permit. However, as his eyes turned sly, he twirled the permit and said, "There’s a problem with this permit!"

His expressions, actions, and routine were all too familiar to the four soldiers under him. This indicated that their leader wanted to make trouble.

If the girl was sensible and offered some Silver, she could resolve the disaster with money. Their leader, although fond of beauty, loved Silver more.

They laughed, watching with interest.

This wasn’t new to their leader; if the Silver was substantial, he would even share some with them.

But in front of them, the girl showed no sign of awareness, she just coldly stared at the squad leader. "What’s the problem?"

The squad leader looked her up and down again. The girl carried a certain noble and calm bearing, but if she was truly a lady from a big Capital family, or visiting relatives and friends, how could she possibly lack a carriage or a maid?

Alone, not dressed luxuriously, quite young, clearly lacking foundations in the Capital; he’d seen too many such people. He immediately had an idea: "This permit is fake!"

As soon as the four soldiers heard him say this, they knew he intended to target the girl. The squad leader judged people accurately, ensuring good gains without causing trouble for himself. Though small-town soldiers, his earnings surpassed military pay from benefits.

Now, whoever this girl was—ignorant or being frugal—not giving Silver would mean getting herself into it.

They were ready to seize her.

Feeling excessively pleased, the squad leader watched his four soldiers seamlessly surround the girl. If she had any sense and offered some Silver, he would spare her.

Seeing that she lacked understanding, being such a fresh and pretty girl, he’d just accept this prize quietly.

However, before his eyes, the travel permit vanished from his hand.

Over there, Xia Wenjin leisurely retrieved the permit, saying, "Since you say it’s fake, then don’t bother looking at it!" She was about to enter the city.

The squad leader was both angry and amused. Who was this bold yet oblivious little girl? Didn’t she realize her situation and still wanted to enter the city?

Did she think this place was just anywhere?

Was the Capital a place anyone could enter?

With a loud voice, he declared, "I suspect you’re a spy! Men, seize her!"

Nearby people entering or leaving the city, surprised by the unexpected conflict, instantly stepped aside as city guards drew their swords. The city gate area quickly cleared out.

Onlookers whispered among themselves:

"What did such a young girl do?"

"Heard she had a fake travel document and was caught."

"So young, why not do something good? A spy? How disgraceful!"

"A young girl, unashamedly flaunting herself, surely not a good person!"

"What harm can a young girl do? Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding?"

"What misunderstanding? Didn’t you hear? She’s a spy!"

...

Listening to their comments, a cold smile appeared in the squad leader’s eyes.

In the eyes of the civilians, city guards represented authority, their words carried weight. This little girl, not knowing her place, thinking she could stir trouble in the Capital just because she wasn’t from the area?