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

Xi Song suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.

He seems to have discovered something.

There must be some unspoken understanding and connection between the twins that others don't have. He suddenly felt as if an ice pick was piercing his chest, and the pain made it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He clutched his chest, breathing heavily, his eyes bloodshot.

Xi Wen was startled and hurriedly helped him up. "Ah Song, what's wrong?"

Xi Song didn't know what was wrong with her, but she suddenly felt very sad.

More than half a year later, he suddenly felt empathy for his older sister who had watched her beloved man run towards another woman from the lake that day.

How heartbroken she must have been.

That's why she completely lost hope in Wang Jue after that incident.

Wang Jue was not actually interested in the elder sister; he wanted to seize control of the Xi family's military power for his own use.

Is his sister just a pawn he can use?

Xi Song found it hard to accept, but it seemed to be the truth.

Xi Rui returned from outside carrying two lanterns, laughing and calling out, "Fanfan, Asong, look what your big brother brought you!"

Xi Song's eyes were red-rimmed, and he staggered forward, crying, "Big brother..."

Xi Rui was startled. "You... got bullied by your sister again?"

Xi Song choked up and couldn't speak, only shaking his head.

Xi Rui looked at Xi Wen, "What happened?"

Xi Wen, with a cryptic expression, succinctly relayed what they had just said to Xi Rui.

Xi Song grabbed Xi Rui's arm, "Big brother, sister isn't throwing a tantrum; she's truly heartbroken by Wang Jue."

He used to call him Brother Wang the Second, but now he's using his full name, which clearly shows he's holding a grudge.

Twins, a boy and a girl, were together in the womb; who could be closer to them?

"Brother, from now on, we will keep to ourselves and the Wang family, and we will have no further dealings with each other."

"Don't talk nonsense. Do you think you can just cut off all contact like that? Do you still want to live the life of luxury as your second young master?"

Xi Song scoffed, "My good life wasn't given to me by the Wang family!"

Xi Rui pinched the bridge of her nose helplessly, "I know you feel sorry for your older sister, but don't I feel sorry for my own younger sister? Don't be fooled by Fanfan's smiling face; she's probably feeling terrible inside."

"My father and I discussed it and decided to take Fanfan back to Guangling during the opportunity of returning to our hometown to pay respects to our ancestors, so that she could get away from this sad place and relax."

"Good idea. When do we leave? My sister and I will go together. I'll go with her."

"It'll be soon. From what Father said, he doesn't plan to spend New Year's Eve in Jiankang this year."

Xi Song and Xi Wen both gasped simultaneously.

"Alright, let's go back to Guangling. My sworn sister should be free and unrestrained, not confined to a cage."

Xi Rui stroked the lantern in his hand, his gaze shifting between light and shadow.

As long as the military power is in his hands, no one will dare to touch the Xi family; but everyone knows that military power is a good thing, and how can a good thing not be fought over?

The Shen Pu incident made him realize that "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

The Shen family's immense wealth and the Xi family's military power were both original sins.

They've got it, but those petty scoundrels won't let them off the hook just because they acted openly; they'll find any excuse to frame them.

They must return to Guangling and establish more things that belong solely to the Xi family.

In chaotic times, human life is as worthless as grass, and they all have to do their best to survive.

……

"Sister, I'm so sorry, you're in such a terrible situation."

Xi Lingxian looked at her younger brother, who was clinging to her leg and crying uncontrollably, and the veins on her forehead bulged violently.

What's going on here?

"You'd better explain yourself clearly, or I'll make sure you come in upright and leave horizontal."

Amazingly, Xi Song's tears stopped instantly.

"My elder brother said he would take us back to Guangling to celebrate the Lunar New Year's Eve and return to our hometown to pay respects to our ancestors. He told you to take the maids and start packing our belongings now."

Xi Lingxian paused for a moment, then said, "Is that all? Is it worth crying like this?"

"I'm heartbroken for you!" Xi Song jumped up. "Sister, I'll never call him Brother Wang again. He hurt you so much; from now on, I'll be his sworn enemy!"

Xi Lingxian pinched her brow and shook her head. "No, you should try to get closer to him. When the time is right, you'll definitely get a position as a high-ranking official in the capital if you just ask."

Xi Song couldn't tell whether she was being sarcastic or serious. "What are you talking about? I'd rather starve than accept charity. Do you think I want that?"

Xi Lingxian slapped him on the forehead. "Are you stupid?"

"Why not take the official position? Don't try to be a hero and say something nonsensical in front of him. I can tell he treats you very well. He's never impatient with you. Strengthening this relationship will benefit both your father and you."

Xi Song clutched his head, his gaze filled with astonishment. "Sister? Are you still my sister? Do you even know what you're saying?" He was utterly bewildered. "How could you say something so spineless and spineless?"

Xi Lingxian was furious and slapped him twice more. "Was I born half an incense stick earlier than you, so my brain is all in my body?"

Xi Song paused, then covered her head with her hands, horrified: "Is there really such a saying?"

"..."

Fortunately, she still has her elder brother; otherwise, the Xi family would really have to rely on her to find a husband.

"I'm not joking with you. Remember what I just said, do you hear me?"

Xi Song pouted, "I don't want to. I don't like being unable to feign enthusiasm when I'm alone."

Xi Lingxian was at her wit's end.

"Then don't make it too obvious that you hate them."

"...I will try my best."

She believed she understood Wang Jue fairly well; whether he loved her or not was another matter, but he at least felt some guilt towards her.

When she refuses to accept his feelings, he will inevitably retaliate against her family.

She wasn't some aloof or self-righteous person; she liked money and power.

Xi Song was bound to enter officialdom sooner or later. As a scion of a prominent family under the Nine-Rank System, entering officialdom was as easy as breathing.

However, how far one can go and how high one can climb in one's career depends on two things: first, one's own ability; and second, whether one has a benefactor to help one.

The Wang and Xi families share the same stance in the court. Even if she doesn't marry Wang Jue, the two families will not become enemies, but will always stand together.

Given this, there's no reason not to take advantage of it.

Xi Song was simple-minded, but not stupid; he understood the implication.

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

Xi Lingxian nodded and beckoned the maids to begin packing the trunks.

Clothes, skirts, hairpins, jewelry, rouge, face powder...

"Sister, no, you don't need to bring so much, do you?"

"I'll be staying in Guangling for a while longer, so naturally I'll bring more things with me."

If she could, she wouldn't even want to come back to Jiankang.

Wang Jue, Xiao Yun, Xie Wanyi...

Let all these people be in the past. She will return to being the proud and flamboyant Xi Lingxian by the shores of Guangling Lake.

The news of the Xi family returning to their hometown to pay respects to their ancestors spread like wildfire in Jiankang.

At the Prince of Chenliu's residence, Xiao Yun was momentarily flustered upon hearing the news.

He had originally planned to make a move on Xi Lingxian at the New Year's Eve palace banquet, but unexpectedly, the whole family returned to their hometown and did not attend, which caused his plans to fall through instantly.

Xiao Yun knew he had no way out; once the Wang family realized what was happening and tried to deal with him, he would be completely powerless to resist.

Xi Lingxian was his only hope, but unfortunately, his planned hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress scheme was leaked by someone, causing her to lose all trust in him.

His subordinates advised him, "Your Highness, you can't be soft-hearted anymore."

Yes, I'm soft-hearted.

He, a man on the verge of despair, still remained soft-hearted towards Xi Lingxian.

I couldn't bear to use those underhanded methods on her.

It's ridiculous.

Who would feel sorry for him?