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

As Lunar New Year's Eve approached, many of the generals and officers of the army came to the Xi residence to offer New Year's greetings and drink wine.

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, just as dawn was breaking, Xi Lingxian had finished combing her hair when she heard the sound of weapons clashing in the courtyard, growing louder as it approached.

"Young lady, General Zhou and his entourage have arrived. There are so many people, the carriages are lined up at the alley entrance."

Xi Lingxian quickly washed up and changed into a scarlet cross-collar wide-sleeved top, a peach-pink skirt, and a layer of smoky-colored soft gauze over it, like a fairy in colorful clothes, as if it were a misty dream.

As soon as I left the hospital, I heard Zhou Feng's loud voice.

"This cured meat is too salty. You guys can eat it, but can the girl eat it?"

"Zhou Heizi, stop being so picky. The meat they marinate in the kitchen isn't for you to eat."

"It doesn't matter whether I eat it or not, but this girl Fan definitely won't like it."

Xi Lingxian walked through the corridor and called out from afar, "Uncle Zhou."

There were seven or eight people standing in the courtyard, all of them looking like burly warriors.

Some were wearing worn-out cotton robes, while others were still carrying armor; they were probably from military camps outside the city.

They were standing in twos and threes in the courtyard, carrying New Year's gifts, drinking hot soup and eating flatbread. Two others were already chatting with the gatekeeper.

"Fan girl." Zhou Feng turned around, his dark face immediately breaking into a smile, and strode over.

He looked her up and down, frowned, and said, "The water and soil in Jiankang really don't nourish people. Look at you, you've lost a lot of weight since you left. Your face is as thin as a melon seed."

Liu Kuang strolled over slowly, put her hands behind her back, tilted her head and looked at her. "She's lost weight, but she's also grown a bit taller. She's starting to look like a young lady, unlike when she was a little dumpling."

"Uncle Liu!" Xi Lingxian feigned anger, "What do you mean by 'dough-like'?"

"Nothing your Uncle Liu says will ever sound nice." Zhao Da squeezed in from behind, grinning as he pulled out a small bundle. "Girl, see what Uncle Zhao brought you."

Lingxian took it and opened it; it was a hand guard trimmed with rabbit fur.

"Your aunt made this for you. She said that young ladies' hands get cold easily, so she wants you to keep them warm."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhao. My aunt wanted to buy a gold hairpin last time but couldn't bring herself to do it, so I bought it for her. I'll bring it to her later."

Xi Jian came from the back hall.

"Big brother!"

Zhou Feng was the first to see him. He jumped up, his dark face full of smile lines. He took three steps in two, clasped his hands and was about to bow down when Xi Jian stopped him.

"Alright, alright, why bother with formalities in my house?" Xi Jian patted his shoulder with a smile.

"Brother!" Liu Kuang didn't shout like Zhou Feng, but the smile in his eyes was genuine. "It's been so long, I've been thinking of you."

Several veteran generals surrounded Xi Jian, each offering their own opinion.

Xi Lingxian stood to the side, looking at the relaxed smile on her father's face, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

In her memory, her father was always cautious and discreet in court and in officialdom.

Only in front of this group of people would he reveal his true, vibrant self—the one who could laugh and curse.

Zhou Feng had already opened the wine jar. "Brother, we're not leaving until we're drunk tonight!"

"You scoundrel," Xi Jian laughed and cursed, "I just sat down and you're already trying to force-feed me?"

Because of the arrival of distinguished guests, a banquet was specially prepared at the mansion. Before long, Pei Xiu and Han Min arrived one after another.

They were all outstanding young talents. Xi Jian was pleased and invited the children to take their seats.

Wang Jue was seated next to Xi Jian, dressed in a spotless, moon-white brocade robe with dark patterns, looking out of place among the generals who exuded a fierce and ruthless aura.

When Zhou Feng and his fellow roughnecks first met the legendary Wang clan of Langya, their eyes were practically glued to Wang Jue, as if they were about to bore holes into him.

"..."

This was the first time in Wang Jue's life that he had been looked at like this by a group of men; even with his usual composure, he felt like he was being pricked by thorns.

Zhou Feng nudged Liu Kuang, "He is quite handsome, with such fair and delicate skin, no wonder the girl likes him."

Liu Kuang scoffed under his breath, "He's good in every way, except he's blind! Fan'er is so wonderful, and he's still picky? Does he want to marry a fairy?"

"Exactly!"

The two brothers exchanged a glance, pulled Zhao Da along, and the three of them, being meddlesome, raised their glasses and began to socialize.

Anyway, they're roughnecks and don't care about being impolite.

"Young Master Wang, I have long admired the illustrious reputation of the Langya Wang clan. Meeting you today fulfills a lifelong wish. Shall we have a drink?"

The man slowly raised his hand and lifted the white jade wine cup on the table. His posture was composed. "Generals, you have made invaluable contributions in guarding the military towns and protecting the country and its people. It is only right that I, your junior, offer you a toast on behalf of my father."

You can't hit someone who's smiling, and his easygoing nature made it difficult for Zhou Feng and his group to make a move.

Liu Kuang was not giving up. He had to avenge the girl. He sent Zhou Feng away and had him take his place.

"Young Master Wang, we're just a bunch of roughnecks who only know how to fight, not how to say nice things. I'll toast you three cups, I'll drink them all, you can drink as you please."

At the banquet, each person had their own table and the food was shared.

Xi Lingxian was sitting right next to Wang Jue. She glanced at him, a look of schadenfreude on her face.

Wang Jue returned her gaze with a quiet look.

She watched as he tilted his head back and downed three glasses of wine.

That felt great.

"Miss Xi," Pei Xiu said, "I've heard that your plum grove is famous far and wide. I love plum blossoms more than anything in my life. I wonder if I would be fortunate enough to have Miss Xi guide me to admire them."

The boy's eyes were filled with sincerity and passion, without calculation or weighing of options; his fervor and purity touched the heart.

"That's easy, Young Master Pei, please come with me."

The wind in December was biting cold, but it couldn't dispel the rich fragrance of the plum grove deep in the courtyard.

The tree was laden with blossoms, bending the branches low. The crimson and snow-white plum petals were layered upon each other, clustered together.

Pei Xiu gazed tenderly at the beautiful woman beside him, "Miss Xi, you also love plum blossoms?"

"Yes, I've always loved it, which is why my family's houses in Jiankang and Guangling both have plum groves."

"What a coincidence! My family has the same thing. I also have a green plum tree in my house, which I transplanted at a high price many years ago. How about I invite you to my house to admire it another day?"

Xi Lingxian smiled gently, "Green plum blossoms? That's indeed rare. I'll definitely go another day."

The two strolled side by side among the fallen plum blossoms, their figures enveloped in the swirling petals, creating a harmonious and picturesque scene from afar.

Wang Jue had been forced to drink quite a bit and couldn't stand the smell of alcohol on his body, so he came out for some fresh air.

Just as I turned the corner of the corridor, I saw this scene in the plum grove.

The maids passing by were also watching, their whispers not loud, but loud enough for passersby to hear clearly.

"Look at Young Master Pei and our young lady, standing together in the plum grove, they look so well-matched."

"Yes, they are such good-looking people, a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman, they are a match made in heaven, they are so well-matched."

Wang Jue heard every word the maids were saying.

He glanced at Merlin with cold eyes, and suddenly his eyes welled up with dark ink.

Are you blind? What kind of perfect match is this?

He leaned against the shadow of the pillar, his brows and eyes still cold as always, his pupils slightly constricted, his gaze fixed on her.

Only after seeing Pei Xiu off did Xi Lingxian begin to walk towards the courtyard, her steps slow and leisurely, quite at ease.

Wang Jue moved to the corner of the corridor first and stood there.

His taut white robes clung to his taut figure, his aura was terrifyingly oppressive, his jawline was taut, and his gaze was fixed on her with a stern, intimidating intensity.

Xi Lingxian looked up and bumped into him. She immediately stopped in her tracks, and her originally calm expression turned cold in an instant.

There was no need for pleasantries, and she tried to walk past him, but her wrist was suddenly gripped tightly.

In the instant she was stunned, he pulled her to the corridor and pressed her against the screen wall.

There was no one around, and it was completely silent.

Wang Jue's Adam's apple bobbed as he looked at her, his gaze fixed on her face. "Why are you so close to Pei Xiu?"

Xi Lingxian frowned slightly. "Who are you to me? Who I associate with is none of your business."

"You've only met him a few times? Do you even know who he is? How can you be so close to him like this?"

"Let go! It's none of your business how I do things."

Wang Jue's gaze suddenly darkened, filled with a possessive, obsessive intensity as he stared intently at her lips.

The phrase "a match made in heaven" echoed in my mind, and the anger in my chest surged like a fire.

Unable to break free, Xi Lingxian was forced into a corner with nowhere to retreat. She glared at him, her eyes clearly showing her disgust.

Eyes facing each other.

Her eyes were clean and cold, devoid of love, hate, or resentment, filled only with pure unfamiliarity and rejection, as if she were looking at an insignificant stranger, or even a troublesome person she wanted to avoid at all costs.

His crimson obsession surged, a mixture of regret, jealousy, and resentment.

There was a hint of humility in his eyes that even he was unwilling to admit. He stared intently at her, as if trying to superimpose her current appearance onto the girl who used to have eyes full of him.

He wrapped one arm around her completely, his palm caressing her waist through her clothes.

The Gu worms inside her sensed something and responded enthusiastically. Xi Lingxian's whole body stiffened suddenly, her eyelashes trembled violently, and she struggled to slap him.

"open."

Wang Jue tightened his grip on her wrist, his fingertips clenching slightly, his eyes fixed on hers, not missing a single expression: "You're so gentle and patient with him? But with me, all you feel is disgust?"

Xi Lingxian didn't answer; the resistance in her eyes grew stronger. She turned her face away, refusing to look him in the eye again.

Seeing her avoid him like the plague, Wang Jue felt as if his heart was being squeezed tightly, a dull ache gripping his chest. His eyes suddenly darkened, and he could no longer restrain himself.

He leaned down and kissed her fiercely.

Xi Lingxian froze, her eyelashes widening suddenly.

He gripped her waist with one hand and held the back of her neck with the other, prying open the city walls, conquering and seizing every inch of fragrance that had once belonged only to him.

Wang Jue wouldn't let her get away.

He could feel her struggle, but he wouldn't let go.

Just before they were both on the verge of suffocating, he loosened his grip slightly, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing rapid, his eyes bloodshot, and his voice hoarse: "Look at me, Xi Lingxian."

She turned her head away, tears finally streaming down her face. Her lips trembled as she spoke, each word distinct and deliberate: "Wang Jue, I hate you."

Wang Jue's movements suddenly froze, and he loosened his grip on her hand slightly.

"You were the one who bullied me first, you were the one who ignored me and caused this mess, so what are you now?"

"Do you think I'm someone you can summon and dismiss at will? Someone you can do whatever you want with? Let me tell you, I'm not! Others would covet even the position of a concubine like you, but I don't care."

"I just don't want you anymore!"