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

As night fell, the warm pavilion was filled with steam.

Xi Lingxian leaned against the edge of the bathtub, the rising steam making her cheeks slightly flushed.

A few rose petals floated on the water, swirling gently in the ripples, releasing a delicate fragrance.

Caiping took a handkerchief and carefully wiped her back.

"Young lady," Cai Ping said, wiping her phone, "Sister Cai Ling has been absent-minded all day. She wouldn't hear you when you spoke to her, and it took several calls to bring her back to her senses. Isn't that strange?"

Xi Lingxian did not open her eyes.

Caiping continued, "The young lady is to be matched with a man, given a dowry of money, and provided with a clean courtyard. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing for anyone? But Sister Cailing doesn't seem happy about it."

As she spoke, she pursed her lips and said, "That's so ungrateful. The young lady treats her so well, and she's still not satisfied?"

Xi Lingxian chuckled softly.

"Everyone has their own ambitions," she said slowly. "Maybe some people just don't want to get married."

Xi Lingxian opened her eyes, reached out her hand, picked up a petal with two fingers, and gazed into the distance.

In her past life, she pitied Cai Ling and cried out her reluctance to part with her, so she really didn't force her anymore.

The petals were crumpled into a ball in her palm, and the juice stained her fingers red.

Granny Zhou still has a great use to her, so it's best not to touch her for now. Getting rid of Cailing first would be like cutting off one of Yu Shi's arms.

A moment later, she got up from the bathtub, and Caiping took a large towel and wrapped it around her.

In the rising steam, her skin turned slightly red, and her long, wet hair hung down her back.

She put on her nightgown and sat down in front of the dressing table.

Cai Ping stood behind her, holding a dry cloth to wring out her hair.

The curtain rustled softly.

Looking in the mirror, Xi Lingxian saw Cai Ling walk in carrying a cup of tea.

Cai Ling's face was excessively pale, with dark circles under her eyes.

She stood with her eyes downcast, her fingers gripping the edge of the tray so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Xi Lingxian picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then put it down.

Cai Ling, carrying the tray, turned and walked out.

He staggered a little and tripped on the threshold when he reached the door, almost falling.

Xi Lingxian watched the figure disappear behind the curtain, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

She gazed at herself in the mirror, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

One last spark is needed.

-

The next morning, after having breakfast, Xi Lingxian called Taozhi over.

"Go and call Granny Zhao from the backyard."

Taozhi responded and quickly led in a rough-looking old woman in her forties.

"What are your orders, young lady?"

Xi Lingxian picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Granny Zhao, I remember you were always on your feet, running around outside?"

Granny Zhao smiled ingratiatingly: "Yes, this old servant often buys odds and ends for the household, and I know the roads outside very well."

"That's good." Xi Lingxian put down her teacup and looked at her. "Go to the city today and find the best tailor shop. Invite the tailor from the shop to come to your residence."

Granny Zhao was taken aback: "A tailor? The young lady wants to make new clothes?"

Xi Lingxian smiled faintly: "It's not me. It's Cailing from my courtyard, she's getting married. I've asked a tailor to take her measurements and make her a few decent wedding dresses."

Granny Zhao's eyes lit up immediately, and her face beamed with joy: "Oh my, this is wonderful news! Cailing is so lucky to have met such a good mistress! This old servant will go right away, right away!"

She agreed repeatedly and quickly left.

The moment the curtain fell, Xi Lingxian's gaze passed over the window and landed in the courtyard.

Cailing was standing under the porch when she heard the noise inside the house. She looked up and met Granny Zhao's beaming face.

Granny Zhao walked up to her and deliberately raised her voice: "Miss Cailing, congratulations! The young lady has asked me to fetch a tailor to make you a new dress! You just wait to be a bride!"

Cai Ling's face turned as white as paper in an instant.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything. The wooden basin in her hand wobbled, almost falling to the ground.

Old Lady Zhao didn't notice and walked away with a smile.

Cai Ling stood there, her lips trembling slightly.

After a while, she lowered her head, picked up the wooden basin, and walked towards the laundry room.

Xi Lingxian sat by the window and watched all of this unfold.

It's almost done.

Cailing was just a maid; she had no extraordinary abilities.

Driven to this point, the only thing she could think of was to find the person behind her.

Xi Lingxian leaned against the window, watching the sun rise higher and higher.

She estimated the time, got up, straightened her clothes, and walked outside.

Peach Blossom quickly followed, asking, "Where are you going, young lady?"

Xi Lingxian kept walking. "Please come out for a walk, Grandmother. The weather is nice today, and the flowers in the back garden are in full bloom. Grandmother has been cooped up in the house all day, so she should go out for some fresh air."

Taozhi was stunned for a moment, wondering when the young lady had become so filial. But she didn't dare to ask any more questions and just obediently followed.

In Shou'an Hall, Madam Qu had just finished her lunch and was reclining on the couch to digest.

When Xi Lingxian told her that she wanted to invite her to the back garden to admire the flowers, she looked up and glanced at her.

Xi Lingxian smiled gently: "Granddaughter was thinking, spring is fleeting, and the flowers will wither in the blink of an eye. It's such a waste for Grandmother to stay cooped up in the house all day. Besides—"

She paused, then stepped forward to straighten Qu's clothes, her movements intimate and natural: "My granddaughter was ignorant before and didn't spend enough time with her grandmother. Now that she wants to make up for it, grandmother mustn't refuse."

Qu was in a state of unease after hearing her words, but seeing her obedient appearance, she couldn't find any fault with her.

"Alright, alright, let's go for a walk then."

Madam Yu, who was keeping her company, smiled and said, "Grandma, are you going out to admire the flowers? Your daughter-in-law should come along too, and tell you about the new scenery in the garden."

Xi Yao quickly followed, "Me too! Grandmother, let me help you."

Xi Lingxian's smile deepened. "Alright, it's more lively with more people."

……

In the back garden

Crabapple, magnolia, and peach blossoms bloom in layers, their pink, white, red, and purple hues complementing each other beautifully.

The winding path leads to a secluded spot, with bluestone trails meandering among flowers and trees, dotted with unique stones every few steps, and the sound of flowing water and chirping birds.

Qu Shi leaned on her cane, with Xi Yao following beside her, occasionally joining in with jokes and banter.

Xi Lingxian walked half a step behind Qu Shi.

Ahead is a group of artificial hills.

It is made of Taihu stones, stacked at different heights, winding and secluded.

There are mountain paths that wind through the area, and also some secluded corners.

Xi Lingxian slowed her pace slightly.

Behind the artificial hill, a faint sobbing sound could be heard, as if someone was crying.

Qu heard it too, paused, and frowned: "What was that sound?"

Madam Yu listened intently for a moment, then smiled and said, "Perhaps some maid has been wronged and is secretly crying here. Don't worry about that, Grandmother, let's keep going—"

Before she could finish speaking, the sobbing started again, this time clearer, mixed with voices, low and muffled, but you could still vaguely make out that it was a woman pleading for something.

"Third Young Master... I beg you... this servant truly has no other choice..."

Yu's expression changed slightly.

Xi Lingxian lowered her head slightly, as if she hadn't heard.

Qu's brows furrowed even more.

She glanced at Madam Yu, then looked at the artificial hill, and, leaning on her cane, walked towards it.

Madam Yu tried to stop her, but it was too late.

After walking around a corner of the artificial hill, the scene before her made Qu stop in her tracks.

Behind the artificial hill, on a flat rock, Cai Ling was kneeling, her face covered in tears.

Standing before her was a young man, dressed in brocade robes and a jade belt; it was none other than Xi Hui.

Cailing clutched his sleeves, sobbing uncontrollably, "Third Young Master... the young lady is going to marry me off, you can't just abandon me..."

Xi Hui had his back to the crowd, so his expression was not visible.

Qu's face darkened.

Madam Yu strode forward and shouted sternly, "Hui'er! What are you doing here?!"

Xi Hui turned around, saw the person who came, his expression changed slightly for a moment, and then returned to normal.

He pulled his hand away from Cai Ling's and took a step back. "Grandmother, Mother."

Cai Ling turned her head and saw Qu Shi, Yu Shi, Xi Yao, and Xi Lingxian standing in front of her. She froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

Her mouth was open, tears still streaming down her face, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Xi Yao's eyes widened as she looked at Cai Ling, then at Xi Hui, and finally at her mother's pale face.

Madam Yu took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, and turned to Madam Qu: "Grandma, this...this child is ignorant, I'll discipline him properly later—"

Madam Qu raised her hand to stop her, and ordered everyone to be taken back to Shou'an Hall for questioning.