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

Dr. Lang was called from the back room to bandage Wang Jue. Perhaps out of habit, he didn't ask any unnecessary questions.

Trying to take revenge through curses was obviously useless, because Xi Lingxian slipped as soon as she went out and almost fell on the snow.

Fortunately, Shen Qingdai caught her in her arms.

"Is God blind? Why throw me instead of the wicked?"

Once Shen Qingdai confirmed that her father was alright, a huge weight was lifted from her heart, and she finally showed her first smile in a long time.

The wind and snow grew heavier, and the coachman brought the carriage over. Shen Qingdai got in first, and Xi Lingxian had just stepped onto the steps when she suddenly heard a cold voice behind her.

"Your eyes are becoming increasingly unpleasant to look at."

She paused, glanced at the man slowly emerging from the inn, then looked around. "Are you talking to me?"

Wang Jue, draped in a silver fox cloak, stood tall and straight, his face as white as jade, seemingly blending into the snowy night, exuding aloofness and nobility.

"Not with you, but with a ghost?" The man stared, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Xi Lingxian scoffed, "Young Master Wang has walked so many nights, who knows if he's ever seen a ghost?"

Hearing the tense tone between the two men in the carriage, Shen Qingdai, fearing they would start arguing, hesitated before stepping out to mediate.

Going out now would expose her as a daughter of the Shen family, so she can't go.

Wang Jue curled his lips slightly and slowly walked towards her carriage.

Xi Lingxian narrowed her eyes. "I remember you promised a while ago that you would cut ties with me completely. You're not going to go back on your word, are you?"

"I'm not so dishonest as to lack even this much integrity."

He gestured towards the carriage with his chin, "Your new favorite?"

"..."

It took Xi Lingxian a long time to realize the meaning behind his words.

He was truly blind; he didn't recognize Shen Qingdai, who was dressed as a man.

"Yes, you have a problem with that?" She crossed her arms and looked down at him with her chin raised.

"Dr. Lang hasn't left yet. Let him take a look at your eyes. I won't charge you." He forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"No, I'll keep it so you can see your heart and liver. Don't let it get completely black; otherwise, even the King of Hell won't take you after you're gone!"

Chang'an gasped upon hearing this.

Miss Xi, what grudge do you hold against me?

"Speak with conscience. You're calling me heartless?"

"How dare you talk about conscience? Do you dare say that the success of the person who tried to poison Uncle Shen has absolutely nothing to do with your Wang family?"

Xi Lingxian refused to back down; she was utterly fed up with these hypocritical people.

It's disgusting.

Wang Jue was speechless. This matter was indeed due to oversight in the Wang family's backyard, and it seemed that the Xie family's lady was also involved.

Regardless of who it was, both the Wang and Xie families bear responsibility for negligence.

"So guilty and in the wrong that you can't speak?"

The contempt and disdain in her eyes were undisguised, as if he had truly committed some heinous and outrageous act.

Wang Jue didn't consider himself a good person, but at this moment he inexplicably felt wronged.

He had no chance to talk to her and just suffered in silence.

With a dark expression, he mounted his horse and caught a glimpse of the peacock-like figure shaking its head as it slipped into the carriage, muttering to itself.

Without a doubt, they were cursing him.

Wang Jue frowned, her chest pounding with anger.

What was he thinking, coming to her late at night to make herself look bad?

Chang'an tentatively asked in a low voice, "Young Master, should we increase the guard on Lord Shen?"

"Need I say more?"

"And what about Madam?"

"Father has decreed that Mother shall be stripped of all external powers as the mistress of the house; she shall only be responsible for the small plot of land in the backyard."

"Furthermore, all officials in office are hereby ordered to strictly prohibit their female relatives from abusing their power to amass wealth. Anyone who knowingly violates this order will be severely punished by this official."

"Yes."

……

After that day, Madam Wang sent someone to the Shen family. It is unknown what she said to Shen Qingdai and her daughter, but the mother and daughter have refused to see anyone since that day.

If there's no news, we can take it as good news.

"Sister, now that you've finished with Qingdai's business, are you free now? How about we go out for a stroll together?"

Xi Lingxian had just woken up and was still groggy when Xi Song pulled her up.

"What are you going to shop for?"

"I want to buy something, and I'd like you to give me some advice."

"What should I buy?"

"Buy a house."

???

She was still a little confused even after being pulled into the carriage.

"Why would you buy a house out of the blue?"

"A cunning rabbit has three burrows; a family like ours should certainly acquire more property to ensure the well-being of our descendants."

"..." She reached out and touched Xi Song's forehead. "You don't have a fever. What's wrong with you?"

Xi Song chuckled and pointed to Xi Wen beside him, "To tell you the truth, it was my father who asked me to help my sworn brother find a wife so he could have money for his family when he gets married."

Xi Wen looked apologetic. "My godfather has already done me a great favor. How could I let him spend this money? But that day, when I tried to refuse, he whipped me, which scared me so much that I didn't dare to say anything."

Xi Lingxian suddenly realized, "Brother, why are you being so polite? We all consider you family. You are indeed at the age to get married and start a family, so you should definitely buy a proper house to prepare."

Xi Wen scratched his head, his ears turning slightly red.

"Okay, then, I'll do whatever you say."

……

王宅

"Mother, how have you been feeling these past few days?"

Madam Wang patted her granddaughter's hand beside her, "These past few days, with Yu Rong taking care of me day and night, I feel much more at ease. Just as the Taoist priest said, Yu Rong's birth chart matches mine. With her by my side, I will live a long and healthy life."

Wang Yun covered her mouth and laughed: "Alright, alright, your granddaughter helps you live a long and healthy life, while I make you angry and annoyed. It's true that grandparents love their grandchildren more."

Madam Wang scolded, "You're saying that again, you have no conscience."

Wang Yun nestled beside her mother, her smile fading, before speaking her true feelings: "Mother, my life has already come to this, but Yu Rong is still young. I beg you to arrange a marriage for her no matter what. In this world, I am not afraid of being laughed at. I have made up my mind about Yu Rong's marriage. I would rather be a concubine in a high-class family than a wife in a poor family."

The old lady sighed, "Of course. Putting aside everything else, even our maids are better than the young ladies from poor families."

"If you ask me, Qingyu is eighteen this year, and since his wife is still undecided, we could properly arrange for him to have two concubines."

Wang Yun's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Qingyu is the eldest son whom my elder brother values ​​most, and they are also cousins. It would be wonderful if Yurong could serve by his side."

Xu Yurong lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed.

The old lady looked at her intently and said, "This child is so beautiful, yet so frail and delicate. Not to mention men, even I feel sorry for her. I don't think Qingyu would refuse her."

Wang Yun hesitated, "I just don't know if my brother and sister-in-law will agree? And Qingyu, my good nephew, he seems to have his own opinions. I'm afraid our Yu Rong won't meet his standards."

Madam Wang waved her hand dismissively, "Our dynasty governs the country with filial piety in mind. If the elders make the decisions, even if he wields immense power, how can he disobey them?"

Wang Yun sighed, "Mother, please don't say that. You can't force things. I do hope that Yu Rong can gain some of my nephew's pity."

The old lady looked at her charming granddaughter and smiled, saying, "No rush, let them, cousins, get to know each other better."

What man wouldn't refuse a beautiful woman who's offered herself up?

It happened naturally.

The Wang family was large and prosperous, with numerous members, including direct descendants, collateral branches, and both legitimate and illegitimate children.

Wang Yun's statement that she wanted to buy her own house was not just an excuse.

She was a widowed woman who had married out of the family and didn't want to be the subject of gossip. She could stay at her parents' home temporarily, but not permanently.

"You can't just buy any house. If you ask me, find a Taoist priest to do a feng shui consultation and see which location is the best."

Mrs. Wang wanted to give her daughter the best.

Although Wang Yun didn't believe in these things, she couldn't say anything since her mother had spoken up.

"I'll listen to my mother."