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

The Yu family's influence and connections in Jiangzhou were completely eradicated, so Wang Jue, as the newly appointed governor, naturally had to place his own people in their positions.

With the political situation in the capital turbulent, he could not stay away for long. However, the complex affairs in Jiangzhou, involving connections, accounts, secret agents, and dealings with various powerful families, could not be left unattended. If he were absent, all the previous arrangements would collapse.

He can lead from afar, but only if he personally cultivates a group of trusted men who are completely loyal to him and capable of working independently.

Looking at all the young men in Jiangzhou, the only one he truly favored and thought highly of was Xi Song.

Xi Song is clear-headed, intelligent, and composed. He has the broad vision of a scion of a prominent family, and he is resilient and knows how to conduct himself properly. He is a natural-born talent for managing practical affairs and navigating turbulent times.

After a moment's thought, Wang Jue made a decision to stay in Jiangzhou for another six months.

In the next six months, he does not intend to protect or take care of everything.

Officialdom, human relationships, calculations, weighing pros and cons, navigating dangerous situations—Xi Song personally experienced all of these: setbacks, losses, hardships, and stumbles.

I will not spoil him, protect him, or shield him from the wind and rain. I will only guide him, instruct him, and support him, gradually smoothing out his rough edges and tempering his character, so that he can truly gain a foothold in Jiangzhou and stand on his own. In the future, even if I am far away in Jiankang, I can entrust this territory to him with peace of mind.

Xi Song was somewhat flattered when he learned of this.

Overjoyed and filled with excitement, she solemnly agreed, willingly following Wang Jue on his adventures.

Having settled the entrustment and plans with his younger brother, Wang Jue thought of that heartless man, and the anger that had been building up in his heart surged up again.

That day, the two were deeply in love, embracing intimately, their skin touching, and they almost gave themselves to each other.

A myriad of beautiful sights unfold before your eyes.

Who would have thought that after just one night, the woman would turn her back on him and wash her hands of everything, as if that passionate intimacy was nothing but wishful thinking on his part.

Such cold indifference and feigned ignorance made him feel suffocated with anger.

Meanwhile, another major issue that had been weighing on their minds for a long time finally took a turn for the better.

Doctor Wen and Madam Lu worked day and night, repeatedly checking the pharmacology and combining the pills. After many days of hard work, they had prepared all the medicine needed to cure the poison.

The two came to report that the antidote for the Gu poison was complete, and the medicinal materials were pure and harmless. Within two days, they could completely remove the love Gu from his and Xi Lingxian's bodies.

I don't know if it's good or bad.

In the evening, he returned home from the government office.

As I passed through an alley, I happened to see a flower vendor.

Flowers at this time of year are all grown in greenhouses and are quite expensive.

Wang Jue selected several magnolia trees.

The petals, glistening with cool frost, were exquisitely beautiful and suited her perfectly.

When he presented the flowers to her...

Xi Lingxian's eyes indeed lit up with joy. She reached out and took the flower branch, gently inhaling its cool, subtle fragrance. She softly instructed the maid beside her, "Find a celadon vase and arrange the flowers properly."

The moment the maid turned and left, Wang Jue stepped forward and embraced her from behind, his chest pressed against her back.

"We've already kissed and hugged,"

He buried his face in her neck, his warm breath brushing against her skin. "Let's give each other a proper status, hmm?"

Xi Lingxian stiffened slightly, and after a moment, she spoke softly, her tone light and airy.

"What happened that day was just a momentary impulse and doesn't count."

Wang Jue tightened her grip on his arm, her heart aching and heavy. "Do you really not understand? Or are you just pretending?"

"Otherwise what?"

Xi Lingxian slowly turned around, looked up and stared directly at him, "It was just a fling, it'll be over soon, why take it so seriously?"

She seemed afraid of not angering him enough, and each of her words was more and more hurtful than the last.

Wang Jue's face was ashen; he had drunk the tea but his chest was still heaving.

Xi Lingxian chuckled inwardly, thinking, "You've finally met your match."

A servant rushed in from outside the courtyard, his expression flustered, and announced: "Young Master Pei Xiu of the Pei family from Hedong has arrived."

Upon hearing the news, the last trace of tenderness in Wang Jue's eyes instantly vanished.

Wow, you really know how to pick your timing!

Before long, a clear and urgent voice came from outside the door. Pei Xiu was covered in dust from his journey, and the hem of his clothes was still covered with dirt.

Upon seeing Xi Lingxian, his eyes lit up instantly. He strode up to her, completely ignoring the stares of others, and looked her up and down, his tone full of concern: "Jiangzhou was in turmoil recently, and we heard about it in Guangling. But my father wouldn't let me come, so now that things are peaceful, I've set off. How are you, Miss Xi? Are you injured? Have you been wronged?"

He kept asking questions until Xi Lingxian smiled and shook her head, saying she was unharmed, at which point he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

His eyebrows and eyes relaxed instantly, revealing a bright smile unique to young people.

Wang Jue stood to the side, exuding a chilling aura, and drank his tea expressionlessly.

Pei Xiu was also a man of propriety. "Young Master Wang, how have you been? I heard of your bold and decisive actions in Jiangzhou when I was in Guangling, and I admire them greatly."

Wang Jue couldn't muster any anger towards this greenhorn, and nodded, saying, "Young Master Pei, you're too kind."

"Young Master Wang, I'm afraid you can't stay in Jiankang for too long. When do you plan to return?"

Let's talk about it in six months.

Half a year?

Even Xi Lingxian was somewhat surprised. Everything had been resolved, so why did she have to stay for another six months?

Pei Xiu was frank and spoke her mind, saying whatever came to mind, "Is there anything else you're worried about?"

"I need to train a deputy in Jiangzhou who can keep the local officials in check. These six months are my training period for him."

Pei Xiu suddenly realized, "I wonder who has the honor of being so highly regarded by Young Master Wang?"

He was even a little envious and jealous. Jiangzhou was such a crucial hinterland. Being able to realize one's ambitions in Jiangzhou was something that many young masters from noble families could only dream of.

"It's not just anyone; you know him too, Xi Song."

Pei Xiu and Xi Lingxian opened their eyes wide almost simultaneously.

Xi Lingxian's voice was light and airy, "W-when did this happen? How come you've never mentioned it before?"

The man stared intently at her, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "You didn't seem to give me a chance to speak."

"..."

Pei Xiu felt that something was strange between the two of them.

"Young Master Wang is so good to Asong, even a younger brother wouldn't treat him this well."

"I'm not that good to my own brother."

Pei Xiu was speechless after hearing that sentence, but upon further reflection, it seemed that there was nothing wrong with it.

Of all the sons in the Wang family, very few are worthy of the eldest son's attention.

The servants settled Pei Xiu in the Jiangzhou post station according to etiquette. Before parting, Pei Xiu looked at Xi Lingxian with expectant eyes, and Xi Lingxian was touched by the pure feelings of the young man.

"You must be tired from your journey. Take a good rest first, and I'll show you around Jiangzhou City another day."

Pei Xiu was overjoyed at the decision.

Back in the courtyard, Xi Lingxian dismissed the maids and sat behind the zither table.

She gently raised her hand, her fingertips touching the cool strings of the zither. The scattered notes flowed slowly, a melody that should have been calming, but her mind kept replaying Wang Jue's words about staying in Jiangzhou for half a year.

Although he was supposed to rush back to Jiankang to manage the affairs of the court, he was willing to stay in Jiangzhou for another six months in order to cultivate his confidants.

His preferred confidant happened to be her younger brother.

They taught the young man step by step, letting him learn through trial and error, while secretly supporting him from the shadows, imparting to him all the practical skills, connections, and strategies of Jiangzhou, pushing him towards becoming capable of standing on his own.

This training is an incredible opportunity for Asong.

She owed him a debt of gratitude, a heavy, inexplicable debt of love.

Amidst a jumble of thoughts, my fingertips suddenly stopped, and the music abruptly ceased.

In the instant she was stunned, a familiar, warm breath enveloped her from behind.

Before she could turn around, a pair of large, warm, and strong hands with calluses gently covered her hands that were pressing on the strings. The well-defined fingertips guided her to gently pluck the strings.

Xi Lingxian stiffened and softened her breathing.

He didn't speak, but simply cupped her hand in his palm, his fingertips lightly lifting, and a melodious and graceful melody instantly poured out.

It is "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate".

The zither music was melodious and gentle, sometimes soft and tender, sometimes fiery and lingering, slowly echoing around the beams and pillars, each note reaching the ears.

Wang Jue embraced her from behind, his body pressed against her back, and together they played the zither, their movements perfectly synchronized.

As the music ended, the melody lingered, refusing to dissipate for a long time.

He looked down and asked, "Do you like it?"

A warm breath brushed against her earlobe, bringing a slight tickling sensation, and Xi Lingxian suddenly came back to her senses.

She turned her face away, her tone awkward and stiff: "I don't like it."

The man behind her chuckled softly, "I'll play for you often from now on, okay?"

Xi Lingxian felt extremely uncomfortable, and the panic in her heart grew stronger and stronger. She struggled to get up and leave the zither table, trying to escape this intimacy that was making her lose control.

But as soon as she lifted herself up, her wrist was suddenly grabbed, and she fell into a warm embrace.

He gripped her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to look up.

Their eyes met, and the heat in his eyes seemed to burn her. He lowered his head and kissed her without saying a word.

Unlike his previous stubbornness and arrogance, this time the force was neither too light nor too heavy, gently caressing first, as if testing the waters;

Then it gradually intensified, his unique, cool aura completely enveloping her, leaving her nowhere to escape.