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

Wang Shuyuan smiled innocently and slowly said, "Sister Xi, there's something I don't understand and would like to ask you."

Lingxian made a "please" gesture.

"I heard that two years ago, Miss Xi had a big fight with Madam Xi at home, and then, without saying a word, took her people back to Jingkou, only returning to the capital this spring; may I ask what grievance Miss Xi suffered back then?"

She threw a tantrum at her stepmother, talked back to her elders, and even dared to run away from the house. She was determined to pin the label of "unfilial" on Lingxian.

Xi Yaorou stood up and said softly, "Shuyuan, why are you asking about these things? It's been so long since then. Besides, I was young back then. What child doesn't bicker with their parents when they're young? Mother never took it to heart and has always treated me the same as always, without ever having any grudges against me."

There was a moment of silence at the table.

Wang Shuhui: "Xi Yao, you're just too understanding. You keep calling her 'sister' and speaking up for her, but when has she ever been affectionate towards you?"

Xi Yao pursed her lips, shook her head innocently, and said, "No, Sister Shuhui, you all misunderstand my sister. You'll definitely like her if we play together more often in the future."

Xi Lingxian watched this amusing spectacle with a smile: "Everyone has finished speaking, is it my turn?"

She paused for a moment, then said, "Madam Yu is my father's second wife. Although I should respectfully address her as my mother according to etiquette, no one is a fool when it comes to the principle of closeness and distance. There's no need to pretend to be confused."

"As for me, I have never been as gentle and kind as Miss Wanyi. If anyone makes me unhappy, even my father has been scolded by me, let alone others."

Asking her to say nice things and praise Yu Shi is disgusting, and asking her to promise to be obedient and filial in the future is too fake; but if she complains frankly, she will be accused of being unfilial and disrespectful to her elders.

If that's the case, let's just state the facts.

In aristocratic families, there are countless second wives and stepmothers, and which family's children and stepmothers don't have some disagreements?

It's just a matter of who knows how to pretend and who doesn't.

Xie Wanru couldn't help but interject, "Sister Xi, you're really quick-witted. It sounds like Madam Yu wronged you. But before this, it's true that you chased after Brother Wang all over the capital. How come you suddenly wished him and you two would become a couple so quickly? There must be a reason, right?"

Cui looked at Xie Wanru with displeasure.

"Third Miss, are you here today to attend the banquet or to sabotage it?"

Xie Wanru looked slightly embarrassed. "Second Aunt, we were just joking. Miss Xi didn't say anything. Don't be too nervous, Second Aunt."

Cui's face darkened.

"Miss Wanru," Lingxian said softly, "why are you so bothered by who I've liked? The two young ladies from the Wang family haven't said anything yet, but you're already so anxious?"

Xie Wanru's eyes widened. "I..."

"Wanru, shut up!" Cui Shi could no longer tolerate it.

Looking over with considerable remorse, she said, "Miss Xi, I'm sorry, it's the Xie family's fault for failing to properly raise their daughter."

"Miss Xi speaks frankly and is straightforward. I like girls like you. You are much better than those who are scheming in their hearts but pretend to be virtuous on the surface."

Xi Lingxian accepted the elder's praise with a smile, and as she lowered her eyes, she subtly curved the corners of her lips.

With her past life experiences, Madam Xie's words were almost as easy for her as reciting Xie Wanyi's name, but it's unknown whether others could understand them.

Xi Song was so stunned by the girls' display that his jaw remained agape for a long time.

"Ah..." Before she could finish speaking, Xi Song frowned, seemingly disapproving of the person's behavior. "Tune yourself up. We're outside, and Father isn't here. If you offend someone and cause trouble, no one will back you up."

Xi Lingxian rested her chin on her hand, her full, pretty lips slightly upturned, and her upturned peach blossom eyes shimmered with light. "Am I afraid of offending people?"

His arrogant and flamboyant temper was practically written all over his face.

Xi Song couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth slightly.

Xi Hui's gaze dimmed slightly, and his palms unconsciously tightened beneath his sleeves.

Xie Wanyi looked at the bright and charming girl opposite her. She was neither dignified nor did she claim to be virtuous. Logically speaking, such a woman should not be a good match for the eldest son of the Wang family, and she should not become her rival.

But for some reason, she always felt uneasy whenever she looked at that face.

Is there any man in the world who is not lustful?

Have it?

Out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but glance at the noble man on her right, whose appearance was as pure and elegant as a snow-capped mountain.

Xie Wanyi took a deep breath to calm herself down.

Other men might not know, but Wang Jue was definitely not a womanizer.

Or rather, he knew what kind of wife was most suitable for him.

The wife of the Wang family should be virtuous, gentle, and respectful to her elders.

However, Xi Lingxian has irrefutable evidence of her disrespect towards her stepmother, and based on this alone, Wang Jue would never possibly be interested in her.

He is the future head of the Wang family, destined to rule the central government. He knows the importance of things without needing anyone to remind him.

……

The wine cup slid again, this time stopping precisely in front of Wang Jue.

The scene suddenly became interesting.

The man didn't say much, picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Wang Shuhui laughed and said, "I know my brother too well. I know everything about him. There's nothing to ask."

Lu Yun immediately said, "Then shall I ask?"

Wang Shuyuan: "Third Brother Lu is definitely going to do something bad!"

Lu Yun didn't deny it, putting an arm around Wang Jue's shoulder, "Young Master Wang, I'd like to know, what were you thinking when you suddenly jumped into the water to save someone on the Dragon Boat Festival, when you were usually elusive?"

Xie Wanyi slowly clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

The others unconsciously lowered their breathing, and even Cui Shi pricked up her ears to look over.

The man slightly raised his eyelids, his voice indifferent, "Human life is at stake."

?

Lu Yun frowned: "It's that simple?"

"not enough?"

Of course not, that's not what everyone wants to hear.

Lu Yun cleared his throat. "Human life is of paramount importance, that's true, but people's hearts are always biased. There has to be a reason for saving who first, right?"

"Save whoever you see."

Lu Yun, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed that the light in the eyes of the eldest daughter of the Xie family opposite him had dimmed.

"This person is the most boring," Lu Yun sighed, then turned to Xi Lingxian, "Miss Xi, you rescued four or five people that day. I didn't expect you to be such a good swimmer?"

"I grew up in Guangling and learned to swim at a very young age."

"Being a good swimmer is one thing, but remaining calm in the face of danger and having a heart to save lives is something not everyone can do." Lu Yun raised his glass, "Miss Xi, I toast you."

Xi Lingxian appreciated his gesture and raised her glass with a smile.

Her eyes met Wang Jue's by chance, she paused for a moment, smiled and looked away.

Xie Chenxu smiled meaningfully and said, "Miss Xi is truly a heroine, able to take things in stride."

Having made such a big fuss before, no one would believe me if I suddenly said I didn't like it anymore.

Not only will they not believe it, they might even think she's using a feigned retreat to gain the upper hand.

Fortunately, Xi Lingxian was prepared.

I didn't believe it once, I didn't believe it twice.

After five, six, seven, or eight times, you should believe me by now.

"Young Master Xie is too kind. I was just childish before, and I thought things were too simple. In fact, upon closer inspection, Young Master Wang and I are not a good match, let alone a perfect couple. Fortunately, there is still room for maneuver. It is always good to pull back from the brink."

Xie Chenxu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lu Yun.

Lu Yun smiled and shook his head. "Well said."

Xie Chenxu: "..."