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

Assassins are all suicide soldiers; even if torture is used to the fullest extent, they will not utter a single useful word.

Xi Jian was filled with lingering fear and dread over his daughter's assassination, and ordered his men to throw her remains into the mountains to feed the wild dogs.

The advisor said, "Master, the situation in the court is very complicated. To ensure everything goes smoothly, it would be best if you could quickly finalize the marriage between the eldest son and the young lady."

Ultimately, the Xi family's foundation was not as strong as that of the Wang and Xie families, yet they stood out in this chaotic world by virtue of their military power, which was too conspicuous.

The marriage of the eldest son and eldest daughter is always the best opportunity to make a move, and unfortunately, the Xi family had two such opportunities.

"What do you think of Wen'er?" Xi Jian asked his subordinate.

The advisors exchanged glances.

"Does the head of the family truly intend to find a husband for the young lady to marry into the family?"

"Master, you mustn't! You can know a person's face but not their heart. Even family members can fall apart over money and power, let alone..."

Xi Jian's gaze darkened slightly.

The aide realized his mistake and apologized: "Master, please forgive me. Vice General Xi is brave and skilled in battle under your command, and he is also your adopted son. Given time, his future is undoubtedly limitless; however, an adopted son and a son-in-law should not be confused."

"Throughout history, many families who supported their sons-in-law did not have a good end. The head of the family should not gamble with people's hearts, much less entrust his daughter's future to someone of unknown character."

Xi Jian's affection for Xi Wen was somewhat different from that for his other generals, but it was only a little.

They can't compare to biological children.

He had never considered this idea before his daughter herself suggested that she should marry into the family;

An adopted son is an adopted son; when it comes to matters of affection, the simpler the better.

Human hearts cannot withstand testing; once they become complicated, trouble will frequently arise.

During this time, with Wang Jue, Pei Xiu, and Han Min by his daughter's side, Xi Wen didn't show anything on his face, but the look in his eyes every time he saw it made him feel that something was wrong.

It's not even close to being done yet.

He didn't see any reason why Xi Wen would feel possessive at this moment. Even if he were to marry into the family, he would have no right to question his wife's actions.

Jealousy and resentment are both unacceptable.

Otherwise, they are simply clueless and have no idea what a son-in-law is.

After discussing matters with his advisors, Xi Jian made time to visit his daughter.

Xi Lingxian was nestled by the window reading a book, a dried plum dangling from her mouth. Upon seeing her father, she quickly swallowed the plum and mumbled, "Daddy..."

"Were you scared today?"

"It's alright."

"Still talking? I heard you fainted because you personally killed an assassin to protect Qingyu?"

Xi Lingxian suddenly realized, "...Who said that?"

"Isn't that right? Your older brother told me that you did it to protect..."

"In that situation, I would have done the same thing no matter who was with me; it wasn't for anyone else's sake."

Xi Jian chuckled, "Is that so? I thought... you still had a chance."

Xi Lingxian also laughed, "I don't like the Wang family."

"Leaving aside Grand Tutor Wang, Madam Wang's temperament is completely incompatible with mine. You know me, I can't stand being mistreated. If I were to marry into that family, there would be chaos every day."

"I don't like the Wang family's daughters either. They all think their brother should marry their beloved cousin, as if I'm stealing someone else's love. I don't get any benefit from it, so why should I get involved in this mess?"

Xi Jian laughed: "So when you first returned to Jiankang and fell in love with her at first sight, you didn't think of any of this?"

"I was naive back then. I just went for it when I liked someone. I didn't think about anything else."

Xi Jian was momentarily dazed.

He felt that his daughter seemed to have grown up a lot in the past six months. The carefree little girl who used to live a carefree life now thinks about these things.

He felt a pang of sadness in his heart, unsure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Father, I don't necessarily have to get married in this life. There are countless people in the world, but where is there anyone as comfortable as staying by your side?"

Xi Jian stroked his daughter's hair, his gaze loving and tender.

"As long as you've thought it through, your father will listen to you."

At this moment, Xi Rui came over and said, "Father, Fanfan, I have brought Doctor Wen and Madam Lu here. I have also sent someone to call Mr. Zhou. The Congress will ask them to devise a plan to remove the curse."

Xi Lingxian felt relieved. "Okay."

Wang Jue's arrow wound on his arm wasn't serious, but it was still a hardship for the pampered young master of the Wang family.

When Xi Rui went to Tingyuxuan to look for someone, she found out that he actually had a fever.

"How long has it been? Why didn't you send someone to tell me?"

Chang'an hesitated, saying, "Young Master Xi ordered us not to speak of this. We have a doctor with us, so there's nothing to worry about. Young Master Xi need not be concerned."

The person on the bed had a slightly flushed face, and their lips moved as they uttered a few indistinct murmurs.

"Have you taken your medicine?"

"We've eaten, and Mr. Zhou has also examined us. He said it's a symptom related to the shoulder wound. He told us to use cold towels soaked in wine to wipe the area thoroughly until the fever subsides."

Xi Rui nodded: "If you need anything else, just tell me. I consider Qingyu a brother, so don't be a stranger."

"As for your Mr. Zhou, I've invited two doctors who are skilled in dispelling curses, and I'd like him to go and discuss the matter with us."

"Mr. Zhou has gone to prepare medicine for the young master. Young Master Xi, please wait a moment while I go find him."

Chang'an left, leaving only Xi Rui and Wang Jue lying unconscious on the bed inside.

A person who is usually very composed has become this ill.

Xi Rui felt inexplicably sorry for him.

Mr. Zhou brought in the medicine, and Xi Rui woke Wang Jue up and made him drink it.

Wang Jue was half asleep when he was suddenly slapped.

If he hadn't seen who it was, he almost wouldn't have been able to stop the throwing knife hidden in his sleeve.

"I'd like to borrow Mr. Zhou for a while."

Wang Jue held the steaming bowl of medicine, his lips pale as he nodded. The man, who was already incomparably handsome, was now adorned with a hint of brokenness and weakness. Xi Rui was inexplicably glad that Fanfan wasn't there at the moment.

Is this guy a reincarnated fox spirit? How can he still look good at this time?

Xi Rui pulled Mr. Zhou away, but just as she was about to step out the door, she suddenly remembered something, took off the purse from her waist and threw it over, "This contains dried fruit that Fanfan prepared for me. You're lucky. Consider it me borrowing Mr. Zhou's medicine money from you."

Mr. Zhou, who was being dragged away by the back of his collar, looked speechless.

Shouldn't we give him the medicine and other supplies?

Wang Jue took a sip of the dark, murky medicinal soup, and his face instantly scrunched up.

Untie the purse's drawstring, and a refreshing fruity scent wafts out.

Inside are various dried fruits and candied fruits, including dried plums, dried apricots, and raisins.

It was so full that my purse was bulging.

Without even looking, you know who did it. In her previous life, she would have prepared the same thing for him, saying it was just in case.

It can be used to fill your stomach when you're hungry, or as a treat when you have nothing else to do.

He picked up a piece of dried apricot and put it in his mouth. The dried fruit was sweet and sour and chewy, which was perfect for eating while taking medicine.

He never considered himself a nostalgic person, never.

But this piece seems a bit too sour.

It was so sour that tears welled up in his eyes.

Chang'an was startled upon seeing this. "If you don't like it, young master, shall I get you something else?"

Wang Jue's eyelashes drooped slightly, and a warm, moist look suddenly appeared in her eyes.

He lifted his fingertip very lightly and quickly wiped it away.