If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

Wang Jue's expression instantly turned cold. He glanced at his two friends and said, "You two are quite capable, daring to accept bribes without a word?"

Lu Yun was so angry that he cursed, "I didn't get a single penny, this bastard pocketed five thousand taels all by himself."

Xie Chenxu raised his hand to express his integrity, "I earned it through my own abilities. Moreover, I neither disregarded human life nor bent the law for personal gain. I merely lent a hand, and people were embarrassed to give me any benefit in return. How is that accepting a bribe?"

Wang Jue's gaze turned icy. "You're quite the smooth talker."

Xie Chenxu asked in confusion, "I was wondering why she didn't contact you. Didn't your two families discuss getting engaged?"

"I'm not ordering anymore."

He said abruptly.

Lu Yun and Xie Chenxu exchanged a glance and unconsciously sat up straight.

"Why didn't you order it? Who went back on their word?"

Lu Yun chuckled, "Needless to say, just look at his face, he's obviously been dumped."

!!!

Xie Chenxu's eyelids twitched several times in surprise. "Really?"

Wang Jue said expressionlessly, "They look down on me and want to part ways with me, becoming strangers from now on."

Xie Chenxu slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, "No wonder Miss Xi preferred to contact the two of us rather than you. I was wondering..."

His gaze was sharp and cold, and Xie Chenxu wisely kept quiet.

"It's alright. With the Wang family's current power and control over the world, the Xi family's military power cannot rebel or change the situation."

"Besides, the Xi family girl is good in every way, but her personality is really not a good match for you; I think Wanyi is more suitable for you."

Lu Yun kept babbling, comforting her brother who had been successful for over a decade but was now stumbling over a woman for the first time.

Just as Wang Jue was resting his chin on his hand, his patience nearly exhausted, there was a knock on the study door.

"Young master, your aunt has arrived. The madam and the young ladies are in the backyard. She asked me to call you over so we can talk together."

Wang Jue's paternal aunt, Wang Yun, married into the Xu family, a prominent family in the north, in her early years. However, after many years of marriage, she only had one daughter. Last year, after her husband passed away, Wang Yun had the idea of ​​taking her daughter back to her parents' home.

Madam Wang naturally longed for her daughter to return, but to avoid gossip, she insisted that her daughter observe a year of mourning before coming back.

The day has finally come.

Wang Jue got up and went to the backyard. Lu Yun and the others took their leave and went home.

The dragon gave birth to nine sons, each of which is different.

Wang Yun and Grand Commandant Wang Dun were siblings born of the same mother, but their personalities and strategies were worlds apart.

When Wang Jue met his aunt, her face was well-maintained and radiant, showing no signs of having lost her husband a year ago.

"Qingyu, my dear nephew, your aunt has been thinking of you all these years."

"Your fame has grown over the years, and your aunt has also gained prestige in her husband's family. Everyone says that the Langya Wang clan has a worthy successor."

Wang Jue smiled faintly, not being able to do anything too intimate or warm, and bowed, saying, "Auntie, you flatter me."

Madam Wang lay on her couch, having been ill for some time. Doctors could not find the cause of her illness. It was only recently, when a Taoist priest performed a ritual for her and gave her a divination, that she finally found a solution.

It is said that if she can find someone whose birth chart is extremely compatible with hers to stay by her side, it will help her live a long and healthy life and turn bad luck into good.

The old lady had been a believer in the Celestial Masters sect for many years and deeply trusted the Taoist priest's words.

He ordered his son, Grand Commandant Wang, to find the person according to the birth date and time given by the Taoist priest. In this dynasty, filial piety is highly valued, and a mother's command must be obeyed, even for a Grand Commandant.

Wang Taiwen glanced at the birth date and time and said there was no need to look for someone, since the old lady herself had a granddaughter born at this time.

The old lady was overjoyed upon hearing this, and thus she couldn't wait to have her son bring his widowed daughter home.

Wang Yun's daughter, Xu Yurong, is sixteen years old.

Out of respect, Wang Jue glanced at her briefly to recognize her, lest she not recognize her cousin if she lived in his household in the future.

Xu Yurong has grown into a beautiful woman with captivating eyes that sparkle with affection.

Wang Jue nodded and called her cousin.

For no apparent reason, it occurred to me that Xi Lingxian actually looked even more beautiful when she wasn't glaring or angry and was smiling.

Realizing he was thinking of her again, he suddenly wanted to slap himself.

Don't humiliate yourself like that, they've already said it.

"cousin……"

A clear, melodious voice, like that of a nightingale, reached my ears.

Wang Jue subconsciously looked up.

Xu Yurong's face flushed. "I've heard that you are most skilled in calligraphy, cousin. My handwriting is terrible, and I'm ashamed to say I'm a grandson of the Wang family. I wonder when you have some free time so I could ask you for some pointers?"

On his very first day, he was ordered around?

trouble.

"I am too busy with official duties to attend to anything else. There are plenty of calligraphy masterpieces at home; you can practice them yourself." Wang Jue cupped his hands to the old lady and said, "Grandmother, I have official duties to attend to, so I must take my leave now."

The old lady added, "Wait a moment. Your aunt wants to buy a house to settle down. Could you keep an eye out for good locations?"

"Does your aunt not live at home?"

Wang Yun said jokingly to the old lady, "I understand the principle of 'familiarity breeds contempt,' so I have to live outside and come back every few days for my mother to appreciate me."

The old woman's eyes were full of warmth.

Wang Jue agreed.

……

The evidence that the Shen family and the refugees had framed them was overturned. The next key figure was Zhao Ping.

Zhao Ping was a refugee taken in by Shen Pu. The Shen family gave him food, which was a great favor, but he turned around and bit back. There has to be an explanation.

Xi Jian didn't want his daughter to get involved in such a dangerous matter, but the girl wanted to be a hero, and no one could stop her.

Xi Lingxian, accompanied by her guards, went to the imperial prison to see Zhao Ping.

The jailer looked troubled: "Miss Xi, please don't make things difficult for us. Not to mention that this lowly place is not suitable for you to set foot in, Zhao Ping is too crucial. To prevent anyone from colluding to silence him, Lord Wang specifically ordered that no one is allowed to visit him."

Wang Jue?

To prevent collusion and cover-ups? That reason seems quite reasonable.

She was speechless, after all, she had indeed come with the determination to make him change his mind.

This was Xi Lingxian's first time in the imperial prison. The smell was unpleasant, and everything she saw and felt was unpleasant.

She didn't want to stay long, so she stepped onto the carriage that was parked in front of the prison gate.

The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly started moving.

Suddenly, a voice filled with reverence and awe called out from outside the window, "Young Master Wang."

Could it be such a coincidence?

She told the driver to stop, and pressed her ear against the window to continue listening.

"So many people want to see Zhao Ping? Looks like his life is worth a lot." Wang Jue's voice.

"Then we must be careful that the jailers aren't bribed. Some people will do anything for money. Even our young master Xie can't control them, let alone..." Is this sarcastic remark made by Lu Yun?

"Are you ever going to stop? I didn't ask for that money; it was given to me by Sister Xi herself. She gave it to me but didn't give it to you. Shouldn't you reflect on your own reasons?"

Xi Lingxian: "..."

Is this an argument about money?

It's a shame these people are from wealthy and influential families.

Tsk tsk, nothing special.

She sat up straight, ready to let the driver set off, when suddenly she glanced down and noticed a dark, unsightly stain on her gold-embroidered brocade robe. She wondered what it was.

This is her new outfit; today is the first time she's wearing it.

"Oh no! My clothes are dirty!"

She instinctively cried out, and Taozhi tried to wipe it with a handkerchief, but she couldn't get the stain off.

The three people in front of the prison gate were stopped by the sudden call and looked in the direction of the sound.

"Whose carriage is that?"

"Judging from the pattern, it looks a bit like..."

The driver replied respectfully, "I am from the Xi family of Gaoping."

Xi Lingxian: "..."

Lu Yun gritted his teeth, "Should I go ask for the money?"

Xie Chenxu scoffed, "Have some shame."

Wang Jue stared at the copper bells hanging on the four corners of the carriage, his eyes narrowing.