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

Because of what happened that night, Xi Lingxian didn't see Wang Jue for two consecutive days.

Firstly, she was still feeling ashamed, and secondly, she needed time to sort out her feelings.

But Wang Jue was uneasy. He had done things he should and shouldn't have done. Now everything was settled, right?

Ultimately, he was somewhat rigid and traditional at heart, firmly believing that if a woman was willing to give her body to a man, then she must have feelings for him.

But what does it mean that she's not seeing him?

On the third day, he couldn't stand it any longer and went straight to her room. He wanted to see what she was up to.

Xi Lingxian, having nothing to do, was trying out the eyebrow pencil and face powder she had bought in Jiangzhou when she heard footsteps and took a deep breath.

It's time to come.

He carried a box of sweet cakes he had bought along the way, as well as some candied fruits and dried fruits.

He always knew that these were her favorite foods.

From the moment he entered, his gaze remained fixed on her, gentle and serene; though his eyes held a vastness that could encompass all things, they reflected only her.

Xi Lingxian felt inexplicably guilty and dared not look him in the eye.

"...What happened last night was an accident, let's just pretend it never happened."

"What did you say?" Wang Jue thought she had misheard.

Xi Lingxian ignored his now sharp gaze, coughed to avoid his eyes, and said, "I said, what happened last night was purely accidental, we don't need to take it to heart."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Wang Jue's face visibly darkened. "We've already done things between husband and wife, and you expect me to pretend it never happened? Who taught you such thuggish behavior?"

"That's how it is."

Xi Lingxian was in a state of confusion, and upon hearing this, she became even more annoyed. "You're the one who, without even knowing the facts,... I haven't even called you a lecherous man yet, and you're trying to use this to blackmail me into giving you a title?"

Wang Jue was so speechless that he couldn't utter a single word.

Xi Lingxian tried to walk past him to leave this dangerous place, but he grabbed her by the back of her collar and pulled her back.

"Where are you going?"

"Don't try to cheat me, and don't try to scare me. I'm not easily frightened. Others may be afraid of you, but I'm not."

This was the first time Wang Jue had encountered such a shameless woman who took advantage of him and then denied everything, and he couldn't do anything about it.

Just like she said, he delivered himself to her door.

"So you've had your fun and now you're abandoning me?"

Xi Lingxian blinked, calm and composed, without the slightest panic. "That's right, you offered to serve me, and I didn't refuse because I was giving you face."

"If you're not happy about it, just pretend it never happened; I can find someone else if I need to in the future."

"..."

"Find someone else?"

Wang Jue was so enraged by her outrageous words that his vision blurred. "You dare to find someone else?"

"Who told you to be so oblivious? I already said it was service. Have you ever seen anyone who, after the first time, takes advantage and demands recognition?"

"...According to what you said, what should I do?" he asked.

"Of course, we'll be extra diligent and attentive, serving them more often, at least making our master happy before making any requests."

She spoke with such conviction that it seemed she was truly trying to infuriate him.

"Someone like you, who dares to ask for a title after only serving once, would probably be beaten to death if kept in the backyard. People like you, who are insatiable and greedy, are the most dangerous."

Wang Jue had never been so angry with anyone, and you couldn't do anything about it; you couldn't scold her, hit her, or yell at her.

"OK."

"Xi Lingxian, you've got guts, just you wait."

"Then I'll wait every day. Are you coming again tonight? I don't mind, after all, you've served me well." She was fearless, her beautiful peach blossom eyes sparkling with a mischievous smile.

Wang Jue's handsome face flushed red, and he subconsciously glanced around. "In broad daylight, what nonsense are you spouting?"

She's actually getting shy?

Xi Lingxian found it strange that he wasn't ashamed when he went crazy last night.

So it turns out his shamelessness can be adjusted according to whether it's day or night.

"What are you pretending for? It's as if I forced you last night."

Wang Jue, unable to bear it any longer, covered her mouth. "Grandma, just shut up!"

Xi Lingxian couldn't help but laugh.

He does seem different from before;

Whether it's laughter, anger, or scolding, it seems like there's some human warmth in it now, unlike in my previous life when I confined myself to a cold, aloof shell, not allowing myself to make a single wrong step.

After breakfast, Pei Xiu arrived.

Wang Jue was already in a bad mood due to his own troubles, and when he heard about this unexpected troublemaker, he felt even more frustrated.

Xi Lingxian had a good impression of Pei Xiu, perhaps because she had lived a lifetime and had more psychological experience. She looked at Pei Xiu, such a clear and simple young man, as if he were a junior.

Pei Xiubin politely said, "There's a Chuiwan (a type of Chinese polo) tournament in the west of the city in three days. Would Miss Xi like to join us for some fun?"

"Chuiwan? But I don't know how to play it."

"It's very simple, I'll teach you."

Pei Xiulian gestured and spoke animatedly, which made Xi Lingxian laugh.

"This seems quite interesting, I want to go."

Wang Jue glanced over with a deep, enigmatic gaze.

She pretended not to see it.

Pei Xiu then asked, "Does Young Master Wang have some free time? This is a rare opportunity, wouldn't you like to join in the fun?"

"Alright."

Pei Xiu wasn't stupid; she could sense the subtle hostility emanating from Wang Jue.

"Miss Xi, I wonder if I'm just imagining things, but I feel like Young Master Wang doesn't seem to like me very much?"

"..."

Xi Lingxian couldn't tell for a moment whether these words were sincere or just meant to annoy her.

Wang Jue rested his chin on his hand and sneered, "I'm not gay, I have no obligation to like you."

"..."

Xi Lingxian chuckled dryly. "It would be strange if a grown man liked you."

"But he really likes Asong."

Wang Jue closed his eyes.

"Miss Xi, I know this may be a bit abrupt, but I won't be able to let it go without an answer. I want to ask, if I treat you sincerely, I wonder if I could have a place in your heart?"

Wang Jue: "..."

Sure, they've tried to poach him right off the bat.

Looking at the innocent young man before her, whose thoughts she could see right through, Xi Lingxian said, "Pei Xiu, you are a very good person. You come from a prestigious family and are sincere to others. In the future, there will be good girls who like you."

"Perhaps it's because I've been through too much, but in my heart I always see you and Ah Song together."

Pei Xiu whispered, "Are you saying I'm too young?"

"...Age is only one factor; more importantly, we're not a good match, and I have absolutely no romantic feelings for you."

Pei Xiu lowered her head, her face showing undisguised disappointment.

"So Ah Song was right after all."

"Pei Xiu, just because I don't like you doesn't mean you're a bad person. So don't be sad or doubt yourself because of this. You're great, and there will be great people waiting for you not far away."

Xi Lingxian didn't want to hurt this young brother, and even less did she want him to lose his confidence in and pursuit of love because of her.

Pei Xiu scratched the back of his head. "Thank you, Miss Xi."

A soft cough interrupted their whispered conversation.

Wang Jue's tone was not friendly. "Young Master Pei, if you have a lot of free time, you should stay in Jiangzhou and help Xi Song with his work. Otherwise, you'll be thinking nonsense at such a young age."

There was too much to say, and Pei Xiu didn't react for a moment.

After he finished digesting it, he almost jumped up.

He looked at Wang Jue with overjoyed delight, "Can I...can I stay in Jiangzhou and work with them too?"

"You don't want to?"

"No, no, no, I'm willing, I just can't quite believe it."

The Pei clan of Hedong provided considerable assistance to the Wang clan of Langya, from their concerted efforts during the Wang Zhang Rebellion to their joint efforts to restrain Yu Liang.

Wang Jue remembered this favor.

Pei Xiu was the most outstanding member of the Pei family in this generation, and the elders of the Pei family went to great lengths to help him advance his career.

Wang Jue was willing to go along with the favor and repay it.

A person who was feeling lost and sad just a moment ago can suddenly become a completely different person.

They change their minds faster than turning the pages of a book.

Xi Lingxian was relieved; it was good that he didn't like her that much.