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

Han Yan: "I know you love Fanfan, but your daughter is growing up, and marriage is a very important matter. If you want what's best for your daughter, you should choose a reliable husband for her while you are still able to manage things."

Wang Jue, who had been sitting silently for a long time, suddenly spoke slowly, "The Pei family of Hedong was once very powerful, but now it is not as prosperous as before and is gradually declining."

Han Min chuckled, "In Young Master Wang's eyes, naturally no one can compare to the Langya Wang Clan."

"No."

Wang Jue's gaze was fixed. "The Xi family's official career is going smoothly and is flourishing. They are at the height of their power. The Pei family of Hedong wants to marry a girl from the Xi family, but it seems they are not quite there yet."

"In the tradition of marriage alliances between prominent families, it is always the man who marries into a lower-class family, never the woman who marries into a lower-class family."

Madam Zou sighed, "Young Master Wang, what you're saying is not so simple. If Fanfan and the Pei family's son are destined to be together, and the children of both families like each other, then the elders won't be so petty."

Xi Wenli stood in the corner, his head bowed low, concealing the turbulent emotions in his eyes.

Therefore, what the adoptive father said about taking in a son-in-law was obviously all a lie.

They didn't even think much of the Pei family of Hedong, let alone an adopted son with no connections.

After discussing Xi Lingxian, we moved on to Xi Rui; as the eldest son of the Xi family, Xi Rui and Xi Lingxian were both highly sought-after in Guangling.

The Zhu family, the Lu family, the Lu family...

Everyone has their own little schemes.

Who wants to hear this during the Lunar New Year?

Impatient, Xi Rui used the excuse of needing to check the canal transport accounts at Guangling Wharf to take Wang Jue out the door.

Xi Lingxian glanced over and saw that Xi Rui was very loyal and had taken his sister with him.

Even during the holidays, Guangling Wharf remains as bustling and busy as ever.

Thousands of sails raced across the river, and the banks were bustling with activity. Inside the pavilion, staff rushed back and forth, checking the goods – a truly lively scene.

Xi Rui took out his purse and stuffed it into Xi Lingxian's hand, "Fanfan, go over there and buy some food and toys. Your older brother and Qingyu will come to find you when they're done with their work."

Xi Lingxian remained silent for a while before taking her purse to buy candied hawthorns.

The docks were bustling with people, and Wang Jue made Chang'an stay close to her at all times.

Xi Rui curled her lips, "Now you're so capable, why didn't you say anything earlier?"

Wang Jue pinched the bridge of her nose. "Are you here to lecture me?"

"What are you planning to do? I feel like Fanfan doesn't really want to talk to you. You hurt her so much before, you can't just say a few nice words and it'll be over, right...? No, you didn't seem to say anything nice either."

"I find you strange. You seem to be arguing with something, otherwise what are you being so stubborn about? Is liking my sister something shameful?"

Regardless of whether the Xi siblings are smart or not, they are both incredibly eloquent.

Wang Jue's head was throbbing from his nagging, and her patience ran out, causing her to lose her temper completely.

"With your silver tongue, can't you see that I'm the one who can't handle her?"

Xi Rui found him awkward and couldn't understand it at all: "You're so capable, how come you don't know any effective tricks for my sister?"

"for example?"

"Fanfan is gentle but not forceful, so you must never confront her directly; if you let your spoiled brat temper flare up in front of her, she'll beat you senseless."

Wang Jue believed this.

As they were talking, Xi Lingxian returned, holding a string of candied hawthorns in one hand. Today, she wore her hair in a double bun, with silk flowers adorned with dangling beads on both sides. Her swaying steps made her look adorably childlike, and now, holding a bright red candied hawthorn coated with glistening sugar in each hand, she truly looked like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

She handed one of the strings to Xi Rui, while keeping the other string for herself.

Xi Rui glanced at Wang Jue standing to the side and casually asked with a smile, "Why did you only buy two? There are three of us here."

Xi Lingxian casually chewed on a hawthorn, "These common snacks are not something Young Master Wang would be interested in."

Xi Rui couldn't understand the undercurrents between the two; all he wanted to do was run.

As they were talking, an official on duty came forward to greet Xi Rui. Xi Rui immediately introduced Wang Jue, and the official's attitude instantly became more than ten times more respectful.

The officials busied themselves notifying Xu Zhaoting, the eldest son of the Xu family. The Xu family had been in charge of the local water transport in Guangling for many years, and Xu Zhaoting was the successor of the Xu family in this generation, so he was in charge of all matters, big and small.

To Wang Jue and Xi Rui's surprise, Xu Zhaoting, with his refined and unassuming demeanor, was someone who, with just a few words, made them both feel as if they had known each other for a long time.

Xu Zhaoting shared the same feeling, and the three men sat at the tea stall at the dock for more than half an hour.

They discussed in detail the local water transport and taxes in Guangling. Wang Jue didn't say much, mostly just listening, but occasionally he would say something insightful.

When Xi Lingxian returned and reunited with them after spending almost all of Xi Rui's money, their conversation was finally coming to an end.

Xu Zhaoting had important matters to attend to, so he bowed to the two of them and disappeared into the bustling crowd at the dock.

Xi Rui looked at the several guards behind her, their hands full of brocade boxes, and said, "Grandma, how much have you bought this time?"

Xi Lingxian tossed him the empty purse. "It's all spent."

If Xi Rui remembered correctly, he had put in at least five hundred taels of silver notes.

It's only been half an hour, and it's already taken?

He was truly impressed. "Those people say the Qinhuai River is a den of iniquity, but I think you're no less so. What kind of husband will be able to support you in the future?"

"What? You think I'm spending too much money?"

"It's not about spending too much money, it's about spending money in a reasonable and unconsidered way."

"What's the point of keeping money if you don't spend it?"

Xi Rui suddenly felt like he needed some peace and quiet.

It seems like fate is deliberately working against him.

Suddenly, a graceful and elegant figure strode through the busy crowd and walked straight to Xi Rui, stopping right in front of him.

"Young lady, who are you?"

The newcomer smiled confidently and said, "I am Xu Zhaoting's younger sister, and my name is Xu Zhaolan."

"Miss Xu, my apologies for my rudeness. May I ask what you wish to do?" Xi Rui asked with a gentlemanly smile.

Xu Zhaolan has gentle and pretty features, but her words are bold and passionate.

"I'd like to ask, Young Master Xi, do you have someone you love?"

Xi Rui was stunned by such a direct question and stood there, shaking his head blankly.

Xu Zhaolan's eyes lit up, and a faint smile spread across her face. "Since you don't have one, why don't you try to have one?"

A straightforward and unambiguous remark left the people present in disarray.

Xi Rui's eyes widened, and his mouth opened wide enough to swallow an egg.

Xi Lingxian was also stunned, staring in astonishment at the girl in front of her who had taken the initiative to boldly express her love, and was speechless for a moment.

Wang Jue leaned to one side, leisurely taking in the expressions of the brother and sister. His gaze fell on Xi Lingxian, who was also shocked, and a faint, teasing smile appeared on his lips.

What are you surprised about?

"Isn't this bold, passionate, and straightforward approach quite reminiscent of your early days?"

One sentence abruptly pulled Xi Lingxian back from her wandering thoughts. Embarrassed and annoyed, she glared at him twice, telling him to shut up.

In his utter embarrassment, Xi Rui stammered, "I...I...I...Miss Xu, you...you...you...this is too sudden!"

Xu Zhaolan said calmly, "I was listening to your conversation with my brother from a short distance away. I think you are upright and honest, and you act with integrity. You are someone I can entrust with my life."

Xi Rui was stunned. "This is too hasty. Marriage is a major life event and cannot be decided so easily."

Looking at her brother's flustered and somewhat helpless appearance, and recalling his attitude when she had confessed her feelings...