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

Wang Jue, whose hand had already loosened slightly, suddenly erupted with a violent and aggressive aura upon hearing the words "I hate you."

His originally dark eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and with a sudden burst of force from his fingertips, before Xi Lingxian could react, he swiftly twisted her wrist behind her back, and with his other hand, he gripped her waist tightly, pressing her hard into his arms with such force that it felt as if he wanted to embed her into his very bones.

His hot breath sprayed onto her head, his voice hoarse and obsessive, with a desperate madness: "You hate me, you despise me, Xi Lingxian, no matter how much you hate me, don't even think about marrying anyone else. In this life and the next, you can only be mine!"

The force in her waist and abdomen almost crushed her bones, and her wrists, twisted behind her back, sent waves of dull pain through her. Xi Lingxian trembled with anger, and the disgust in her eyes surged to its extreme.

With her hands bound and unable to move, she suddenly tilted her head back and, with all her might, bit down hard on the skin on the side of his neck. Her teeth dug in, filled with hatred and struggle, and she refused to let go.

But the moment their skin touched and their teeth brushed against each other, the dormant love potions within them suddenly surged wildly. A scalding heat burst forth from their limbs and bones, surging wildly through their blood vessels. An inexplicable tingling pleasure swept over their entire bodies uncontrollably, and even their struggles instantly weakened.

Xi Lingxian trembled, letting out a soft gasp uncontrollably. Her previously tense body suddenly went limp, and in her panic, she desperately tried to push him away. Her voice, soft and trembling with the influence of a love potion, was also filled with intense anger: "Wang Jue, what's the point of this?! What kind of nonsense is this, clinging to me like this?!"

Wang Jue gasped for breath, her eyes growing increasingly red. "It's my own fault. I used you as a pawn back then, but in that game, I threw myself into it, wasn't I a pawn myself?!"

Xi Lingxian felt a sudden pang of sadness, and the long-suppressed bitterness welled up in her throat.

Wang Jue loosened his grip on her wrists slightly, pinched her flushed cheeks with his fingertips, and forced her to look up at him. His voice was extremely soft: "Am I really that bad? In our past life, we were married for three years, and we weren't always arguing and fighting. Can't you look back and think about those peaceful, good times?"

Two hot tears finally slipped from Xi Lingxian's eyes and fell onto his clothes, leaving a small wet patch.

She shook her head desperately, her voice choked with sobs yet stubborn: "I don't want to think about it! All I can think about is how you bullied me, ignored me, argued with me, and treated me like a monster!"

Wang Jue's forehead veins bulged instantly, both anxious and angry. "I've been fierce to you? Xi Lingxian, be reasonable! When have I ever been fierce to you?!"

Xi Lingxian sniffled, her hands held behind her back and unable to move, so she simply tilted her head back and wiped her tears haphazardly on the front of his clothes.

Her brows furrowed, her lips pursed stubbornly, and even with her eyes red-rimmed, she refused to utter a single sob.

Seeing her stubborn demeanor, Wang Jue's anger completely dissipated. "If you want to cry, then cry. I won't laugh at you."

"I swore I would never shed a tear in front of you again."

Xi Lingxian suddenly looked up, sneered, her eyes chillingly cold, "Tears are only useful in front of the one you love. They're worthless to you, and only bring you disgust."

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Wang Jue frowned, his fingertips unconsciously touching the tear stains on her cheeks, his heart felt like it was being gripped and torn apart.

Xi Lingxian turned her face away, her cheeks tense, and struggled desperately to break free from him.

Wang Jue refused to let go, tightening his arms to hold her firmly in his embrace. He lowered his head slightly, burying his face deep in her warm neck, his nose filled with her delicate scent.

At that moment, the airs he had maintained for so many years in a high position, the pride ingrained in his bones, and his usual cold and self-possessed demeanor all collapsed.

He admitted that he couldn't let her go.

He couldn't live without her anymore.

He spoke in a muffled voice, his voice buried in her neck, terribly hoarse.

"In your past life, you were gone for many years. Once, I was discussing court affairs with Lu Yun and Xie Chen in the palace. Their wives went to a temple outside the city to pray for blessings. Suddenly, a torrential rain started. The two of them put down their official duties and said they were going to fetch their wives back."

"I stood there, suddenly stunned. They all went to pick up their wives; I wanted to too, but I didn't. My wife was long gone."

"In the end, I still went there and lit an everlasting lamp for you."

Warm breaths fell on her neck, each word striking Xi Lingxian's heart. Her chest felt as if it were blocked by a soft, damp cotton ball, aching and throbbing intensely.

A myriad of emotions surged within him, leaving only a bitter sigh, "...It's all over now."

"make life difficult for."

Wang Jue tightened his arms, his strength almost obstinate, and gently rested his chin on the top of her head. "We can never get over each other."

Xi Lingxian instantly flew into a rage. She stomped hard on his foot, then twisted and kicked him frantically, her eyes red as she hissed, "You said you wouldn't let me go, and now you say you won't? Wang Jue, what right do you have! I don't want to, I just don't want to marry you!"

A sharp pain shot through her foot, but Wang Jue didn't flinch. She subconsciously wiped her eyes, concealing the dampness. Her usually cold expression held a hint of defiant arrogance: "Fine, who do you want to marry, Pei Xiu, Xi Wen, or Han Min?"

He paused, then said, word by word, "Anyway, it won't make a difference who you choose; after all the twists and turns, you'll eventually come back to me."

"You're being unreasonable!"

Xi Lingxian trembled with anger at his arrogant and self-righteous attitude, her tears falling even more fiercely. She retorted sharply, "Who says I have to come back to you? If I marry into the Pei family, or bring my sworn brother into the household, I can still live a carefree life. Why should I be trapped by you!"

Wang Jue stroked her chin, forcing her to turn her head to look at him.

He looked at her reddened eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said with certainty, "Only I can give you what you want."

"What do I want?" Xi Lingxian glared at him with a mocking laugh.

"First Lady." Wang Jue's gaze was deep, and his words were clear and distinct.

Xi Lingxian sneered, tears mingling with anger streaming down her face. "In my past life, when I married you, was I ever considered the First Lady? Everyone in the capital laughed at me for being unworthy of the title. Your cousin was relentlessly pressuring me, and your two sisters made things difficult for me at every turn. Did you think marrying you was glamorous? I didn't care for it at all!"

Wang Jue's eyes darkened instantly, and his voice was full of apology: "It's my fault. My father and I are both hands-off in this matter, and we really haven't paid much attention to things in the inner quarters."

"I have already instructed my mother to arrange marriages for my two younger sisters as soon as possible. I have already reprimanded them. If they want to live peacefully from now on, and if they want to rely on their maternal family for protection, they must respect and obey my wife. As for my cousin Xie, I have also asked the Xie family to discuss her marriage arrangements as soon as possible. From now on, no one will dare to make things difficult for you."

Xi Lingxian didn't believe him at all and didn't want to listen anymore. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, she used all her strength to break free from his grasp, took several steps back, and widened the distance between them.

Her eyes were red as she wiped away her tears, her tone resolute and full of warning: "Wang Jue, you're not allowed to lay a hand on me again, or I'll only dislike you more and hate you even more!"

After saying that, she turned and ran, her skirt sweeping across the ground, fleeing without looking back.

Wang Jue was toasted repeatedly during the banquet, and now that so much had been said, his mind became increasingly agitated. He walked slowly and unsteadily back to his own courtyard.

The servants helped him lie down on the couch in the inner room. He closed his eyes, but his brows remained furrowed.

What lingers in my mind is the gentle image of Xi Lingxian and Pei Xiu standing side by side in the plum grove, and the maid's jarring words, "a match made in heaven."

The effects of the alcohol made me restless and unable to sleep.

Before the banquet outside had ended, Xi Rui had already noticed Wang Jue's unusual behavior.

Worried that he would feel unwell after getting drunk, she waited until the banquet had slowed down and then personally asked the kitchen to prepare a hangover soup. She then carried the porcelain bowl straight to Wang Jue's courtyard.

Upon entering the inner room, Xi Rui saw Wang Jue lying drowsily on the couch, his breath reeking of alcohol. He sighed softly, placed the hangover soup on the desk beside him, intending to wake him up once it had cooled down a bit.

His gaze casually swept across the table, but suddenly stopped.

In one corner of the desk, there was a thick stack of Xuan paper, the top few sheets of which were densely and repeatedly covered with his sister's name.

Layer upon layer, it was a sight to behold.

Beside the Xuan paper, there was also an unframed portrait, with delicate painting skills and gentle brushstrokes.

The two people in the painting look like a young couple.

On a soft felt mat, a man sat quietly, leaning against a cushion, holding a book in his hands, his eyes lowered, and a strand of hair gently twirled between the tips of his other fingers.

The woman was resting peacefully on his lap, holding a small book in her hands, her cheek pressed against his robe, looking languid and relaxed.

The two figures in the painting have clearly defined features; they are Wang Jue and his younger sister.

Peaceful and serene, filled with tender warmth.

Xi Rui stood before the desk, his pupils constricting, his heart filled with shock.

When did this happen? Did Wang Jue draw this in his dream? Is this kid already thinking about what will happen after he marries his sister?

The ink marks in the painting are clearly from recent works.

Isn't it a bit too far? Their family hasn't even agreed yet.

and……

There are many rumors circulating, with many saying that Wang Jue's affections are for Xie's childhood sweetheart, and that his willingness to marry into the Xi family is merely a compromise between the families.

But if this whole page of names and this portrait is just an act, then isn't it a bit too real?

I'm afraid I'm even fooling myself.

After a while, Xi Rui suppressed the turmoil in his heart, patted Wang Jue on the shoulder, and helped him up.

Wang Jue was a light sleeper and would wake up easily when called; after drinking a bowl of hangover soup, he became a little more lucid.

Before he could speak, Xi Rui pointed to the Xuan paper and portrait on the desk, her tone both knowing and reproachful, directly piercing through his carefully concealed thoughts: "Now, are you still going to stubbornly insist that you don't like my sister?"

He paused, recalling the rumors circulating outside, and his tone became even more blunt: "When the two families were discussing the marriage, everyone said you only had eyes for the Xie family girl, that you two were childhood sweethearts and a perfect match. But in my opinion, you two are not a good match at all. You are naturally quiet and reserved, and the Xie family girl is also gentle, introverted, and not good with words. If you two really got together, with two taciturn people together, would there be any warmth or liveliness in the house?"

Looking at his still tense face, Xi Rui's words pierced his heart: "If you say these words and this painting are an act, then you can't distinguish between truth and falsehood in this play either. Stop deceiving yourself."

"Qingyu, it is an extremely good and lucky thing to have a lover who is willing to reciprocate your feelings. There is nothing shameful about it and nothing to be ashamed of."

Wang Jue's eyes, still tinged with drunkenness, churned with complex emotions. After a long while, he finally closed his eyes and didn't utter a single word of rebuttal.