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

The luncheon was held in the back garden of the Xie residence.

It was early summer, and the garden was ablaze with blooming flowers; the Taihu stones were rugged and craggy, and a clear spring cascaded down the artificial hill, making a tinkling sound.

Passing the artificial hill, you come to a wide lawn, lush and green, dotted with exotic flowers and plants; next to the table with seasonal fresh fruit is a clear, man-made canal, winding and turning, with the sound of flowing water.

Along both banks of the clear canal, bamboo mats are placed every few feet, which is the site of today's winding stream banquet.

After several rounds of drinks, Xie Wanting stood up with her wine cup in hand and solemnly walked to Xi Lingxian.

"Sister Xi, thank you for saving me when I fell into the water; this cup of wine is for you."

Lingxian stood up, and the two drank together. Xie Wanting then curtsied to Lingxian before returning to her mother's side and sitting down.

Suddenly, someone chuckled softly during the meal.

"Speaking of thanking you, sister, we should also thank Brother Qingyu properly another day, after all, he saved you."

Xie Wanru made a suggestion to Xie Wanyi.

Xie Wanyi lowered her head and said softly, "Of course I must thank you for saving my life."

There was a moment of silence at the table, then Wang Shuhui smiled and said, "Sister Wanyi and my brother are childhood sweethearts, deeply in love, yet some shameless person insists on getting in their way. Are they just born with a penchant for stealing other people's things?"

The people at the table exchanged glances; Madam Cui's face darkened slightly, and she was about to speak.

Xi Lingxian put down her shoes and stood up, her gaze sweeping over Wang Shuhui and the others. "Are you talking about me?"

Her voice was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Wang Shuhui was taken aback by her blunt admission and felt a little uncomfortable, but she still stubbornly insisted, "Miss Xi knows the truth in her heart."

Lingxian suddenly laughed, "I don't quite understand."

Xie Wanyi raised her head and hurriedly said, "Miss Xi, please don't misunderstand. Shuhui is just straightforward. She was just happy for me and didn't mean anything else. Miss Xi, you are very generous, so please don't take it to heart."

"Miss Xie has misunderstood." Lingxian interrupted her. "The whole capital knows about Young Master Wang saving Miss Xie, but what I want to say is..."

"I had just returned to the capital at that time, and perhaps because I was too out of touch, I had never heard that Young Master Wang and Miss Xie had exchanged betrothal gifts and arranged their marriage."

There was a moment of silence at the table. Wang Shuhui opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

"Those flowers are in full bloom, and they're ownerless and nameless. Can't I even stop and admire them for a moment?"

The expressions on everyone's faces were subtle.

This young lady Xi compared young master Wang to a wildflower by the roadside?

Before anyone could react, Lingxian picked up the wine pot, poured herself a cup, held it in both hands, and slowly scanned everyone's faces before finally meeting Xie Wanyi's gaze.

"However, through this incident, I have indeed witnessed the deep affection between Miss Xie and Young Master Wang."

Xie Wanyi's expression changed slightly.

Lingxian continued, "In the past, I was just young and didn't know what was important. From now on, I will definitely keep my distance from Young Master Wang. There are thousands of men in the world, and I would never do anything to ruin a good relationship."

She spoke frankly and openly, but the expressions on the faces of the people at the table were quite interesting.

Xie Wanru: "What do you mean? Are you saying you don't like Qingyu anymore?"

Lingxian tilted her head slightly, looking innocent. "Thank you, Miss Xie. I've confessed my feelings to Young Master Wang for so long, but I've been turned away every day and haven't even received a kind look. You can't force a relationship to work, and besides, I'm not a clay figure with no temper."

Xie Wanru choked, it made a lot of sense.

Wang Shuhui opened her mouth, stammering, "You, you're such a fickle girl, liking someone one minute and disliking them the next. Your mood changes way too fast!"

"You've made this known to everyone in the capital, and now you're turning around and criticizing me..."

Lingxian wasn't annoyed. She smiled confidently, looking rather charming and innocent.

"I've always been like this since I was a child. I've never been one to change. Besides, people's hearts are bound to change. What seems good today may not seem good tomorrow. Rather than clinging to something, it's better to let go early, to benefit others and yourself."

As soon as she finished speaking, the room fell silent, and a murmur arose among the people.

Xi Lingxian followed the gaze of the crowd and saw that several figures had appeared in front of the Yue Dong Gate at the garden gate.

The afternoon sunlight streamed down from behind them, casting a hazy outline of the figures.

The people who arrived were Xie Chenxu and Lu Yun, with their gazes falling on the last person.

Her breath hitched for a moment.

He was dressed in a moon-white robe, with a mutton-fat jade belt around his waist, and his hair was tied up with a plain jade hairpin; he had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, sideburns that looked as if they were cut by a knife, a straight nose, and slightly pursed lips, giving him a cool and aloof feeling when he wasn't smiling.

Orchids and jade trees, clear moon and gentle breeze.

Xi Lingxian tightened her grip on the teacup slightly.

Did they hear what she just said?

Madam Cui, the second wife of Xie, had already stood up. "Why didn't you inform me in advance that Second Master was bringing distinguished guests? Young Master Lu, Young Master Wang, please come in quickly."

Xie Chenxu smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "We were originally discussing calligraphy in the study when we heard that Second Aunt was hosting a banquet, so we came uninvited to ask for a drink. Please don't be offended, Second Aunt."

Lu Yun and Wang Jue bowed slightly to Cui Shi.

"What are you saying? Today was originally just me having fun with the girls. Since you don't mind the noise, I'm happy to oblige."

Madam Cui immediately ordered more seats to be set up upstream, and maids served wine cups and fruit.

Lu Yun sat beside Wang Jue, his gaze thoughtful, glancing towards the women.

She then looked away, leaning slightly towards Wang Jue. "You heard that, didn't you? The girl said she doesn't like you anymore."

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, staring intently at the other person's face, wanting to see his reaction.

Wang Jue picked up his wine cup and took a small sip.

Those eyes remained unchanged, like a still pond in spring.

"That's perfect, I can finally have some peace and quiet."

Lu Yun paused for a moment, "Miss Xi, whether in terms of family background, appearance, or temperament, is top-notch among all the noble ladies in the capital. I really don't know what you're being so pretentious about."

On the women's side, as the banquet was in full swing, someone suggested playing something to liven things up.

Xie Wanru suggested placing a wine cup on the clear canal, letting it float with the water. Whoever the cup stops in front of will not only have to drink a cup of wine, but also answer a question posed by others.

It sounded quite novel, and everyone was eager to join in the fun.

Xie Wanru gave Wang Shuhui a wink.

Wang Shuhui understood and looked at Wang Jue: "Brother, you guys should play too. This isn't fun if there aren't enough people."

As the eldest son of a top-tier aristocratic family, Wang Jue was also a refined person who appreciated music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and flowers, so he did not refuse the invitation.

A maid brought over a celadon lotus-shaped wine cup, which was gently placed into the clear stream. The cup then floated slowly with the current.

Lingxian ate the fruit, her gaze following the crowd with little interest. After a moment, everyone's eyes turned to her.

"..."

What incredible luck!

Xie Wanru looked mischievous. "Miss Xi is having some bad luck." Lingxian covered her mouth with her sleeve and drank a cup of wine.

"Now that you've had some drinks, it's time to answer the questions." Wang Shuhui's eyes darted around. "Let me make it clear beforehand: everything is just for the sake of the banquet. If anyone is offended, no one is allowed to get angry."

Without hesitation, Xi Lingxian replied, "I'll try my best."

"..." Wang Shuhui nudged her younger sister beside her, "Shuyuan, you ask."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shuyuan immediately perked up.

She was the youngest among them, and no matter what trouble she caused, she could always claim that she was too young to understand.

Xi Lingxian smiled knowingly.

She said that these people wouldn't easily believe what she had just said.