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

Langya Prince's Mansion, West Study, early morning (9-11 AM)

Wang Jue put down the secret report in his hand and looked up at the guards kneeling below the hall.

"You're saying this was Miss Xi's doing?"

"Yes." The guard bowed and reported, "Miss Xi's temperament has changed quite a bit recently. Although she used to be straightforward, she was usually domineering and brainless. But now she seems to have started to use her wits. Apart from the matter of the maid Cai Ling, she has quite a few tricks up her sleeve."

Wang Jue tapped lightly on the rosewood table with his fingertips. On the table were the files on Xi Lingxian's recent whereabouts, which had just been delivered this morning, as well as her life story up to the present.

The eldest daughter of the Xi family of Gaoping was arrogant, fond of luxury, and sociable.

She was a typical noblewoman from a prominent family, or rather, a typical pretty face.

"Why did she suddenly want to get rid of the maidservant beside her?" Wang Jue asked.

The guard hesitated for a moment, then said, "This maid has been as close as possible to the third young master of the Xi family, born to Madam Yu. Although she has not betrayed her master, her loyalty is not absolute, which is to say, she is absolutely disloyal."

Wang Jue raised an eyebrow slightly.

Xi Lingxian, that seemingly innocent and otherworldly woman, could she have such a cunning mind?

"Young Master," said Mr. Zhou, an advisor sitting below, "A person whose temperament changes drastically must have a reason, whether it is experiencing a major upheaval or losing a loved one. This Miss Xi clearly does not belong to either category, which is quite strange."

Wang Jue picked up his teacup and gently blew away the foam. "Father intends to arrange a marriage with the Xi family."

The aides were not surprised, "I'm afraid there are quite a few people who are trying to win over Xi Gong through marriage."

"Although Xi Gong had two daughters, as everyone knows, only the eldest daughter born to his first wife was the most precious treasure in his heart."

Ah Hu, the servant, laughed and said, "It's alright. When it comes to winning a beauty's heart, our young master has a clear advantage."

"I have the upper hand?" Wang Jue's smile didn't reach his eyes. "What makes you say that?"

Without hesitation, Ah Hu asked, "Young Master, have you forgotten how deeply Miss Xi pursued you?"

"Although things have calmed down considerably these past few days, there's no doubt that Miss Xi likes the young master. Lord Xi dotes on his daughter and would never bear to let her marry a man she doesn't like. Even if the Xie family and the Huan family are interested, who can compete with the young master?"

"Young master," Mr. Zhou pondered, "I've heard that this young lady from the Xi family is arrogant and shallow-minded. While such a woman may not be suitable as a wife of the head of the family, she is certainly beneficial for marriage alliances."

Another advisor, Chen Ting, cautiously said, "But the young master wants to marry a mistress who will oversee the household and assist in important matters. How can she be a delicate flower with a simple and weak heart?"

Wang Jue shook his head.

"Simplicity has its advantages," he said.

Chen Ting was taken aback.

"A simple mind means easy to control."

Wang Jue said in a calm voice, "In recent years, the Tao and Yu families have frequently ostracized and suppressed Wang family disciples. While this is certainly due to infighting among aristocratic families, who knows if His Majesty the Emperor is behind it all?"

Chen Ting was taken aback, then sighed, "The emperor is unwilling to be a puppet, and powerful families also have their own plans. One wrong step will lead to utter ruin. The path you are about to take, young master, is not easy."

Wang Jue: "The infighting among powerful families and the scheming of emperors have left the common people in dire straits; among the aristocratic families, only Lord Xi still possesses some loyalty and concern for the people, making him indeed a good candidate for marriage alliance."

"As for that simple-minded Miss Xi, she just needs to behave herself and not cause trouble."

Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Wang Jue did not care whether Xi Lingxian could fulfill the responsibilities of a mistress of the house. Compared to that, marrying her, binding the Xi family to the Wang family, and using the Xi family's military power and prestige to intimidate the court and the powerful families of Jiangdong were the most important things.

"Go and investigate," he instructed Chen Ting, "about Xi Lingxian's usual preferences."

"Yes."

"Is the young master truly determined to marry the Xi family's daughter?" Mr. Zhou asked.

"Father is willing, and the Xi family is indeed the most suitable."

Mr. Zhou stroked his beard and smiled, "The Xi family's daughter is exceptionally beautiful, so it's not an injustice to you, young master."

Wang Jue did not respond.

He looked out the window and saw a crabapple tree in full bloom in the courtyard.

Tender leaves and delicate flowers sway gently in the wind, tender, vibrant, and fragile.

He's a bit like that woman who kept nagging him for over two months.

……

Lingxian didn't want to go out.

However, with the birthday banquet of the old lady of the Wang family of Langya approaching, as a daughter of the Xi family and with her father holding a high position, she was bound to attend such an occasion.

If she doesn't go, who knows how Yu and Xi Yao will badmouth her in front of others.

Since we were going, the gift couldn't be shabby; there were plenty of things in the storeroom, but after looking around, we couldn't find anything that suited our taste.

In her past life, she was married to Wang Jue, and in the backyard, only this old lady treated her relatively well. She was also willing to put some effort into the old lady's birthday gift.

Therefore, she took Taozhi and went out in a carriage to Baohua Tower in the city.

When the carriage stopped in front of Baohua Tower, it was midday and the sun was quite strong.

Lingxian, wearing a veiled hat, followed behind Taozhi as the mistress and servant entered the building.

Baohualou was the largest jewelry and jade shop in the capital, with three floors and carved beams and painted rafters.

The first floor contains ordinary items, while the second floor contains fine things prepared for high-ranking officials and nobles.

Seeing that Lingxian was dressed in an extraordinary manner, the shopkeeper immediately led her upstairs to the second floor.

"What would you like to see, young lady?"

"Jade items, as birthday gifts for elders."

The shopkeeper then began to introduce the items, and Ling Xian's gaze swept over the jade pieces: jade pendants, jade hairpins, and jade ruyi.

When I reached the innermost part, I stopped in my tracks.

It was a small jade screen, about the size of a palm, entirely emerald green, carved with the image of Magu offering longevity peaches. The carving was exquisite, with Magu's robes fluttering and the longevity peaches she held plump and fresh, lifelike.

"Let me see this."

The shopkeeper quickly took it down and carefully presented it to her; Lingxian examined it closely by the light from the window, becoming more and more satisfied with the look.

"I want this..."

"This jade screen is nice, I'll take it."

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

Lingxian looked up and saw three people walking gracefully towards her through the veil of her hat.

The leader was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a pale yellow spring dress, her eyes full of pride; behind her were two girls of similar age, surrounding her.

The girl also saw her, and her gaze swept over her.

"Oh, who do we have here? It's Miss Xi."

The shopkeeper looked around, smiling obsequiously, "Miss, this jade screen was first chosen by Miss Xi..."

"You picked one out first?" The girl raised an eyebrow, dismissively asking, "Did she pay for it?"

The shopkeeper choked.

As Lingxian looked at the girl opposite her, a face slowly appeared in her mind.

Gu Xin.

Gu Xin was the daughter of the Gu family of Wu County. The first wife of the Xie family also came from the Gu family of Wu County. In fact, Gu Xin was Xie Wanyi's cousin.

"Miss Gu," she said, "I was the one who first took a liking to this jade screen. There's a rule about first come, first served."

Gu Xin scoffed and stepped forward. "Rules? You didn't pay for it, so who said this thing is yours?"

"Since you think something is yours just because you glanced at it a couple of times?"

The two girls behind her exchanged glances and tugged at her sleeve, advising, "Sister Gu, let it go. The Xi family is at the height of its power; we shouldn't provoke them."

Ling Xian recognized them as Zhang Yuci and Zhu Yuening, both daughters of prominent families in Wu County.

Gu Xin was fully aware of this, but she was unwilling to give in so easily.

She laughed and teased Lingxian, "My cousin and Young Master Wang are childhood sweethearts, deeply in love. The day she fell into the water, the first person Young Master Wang saved was my cousin. And you? You were soaking in the water for half a day, and he didn't even give you a second glance. How can you, a young lady, be so shameless?"

"Miss Gu, if your eyes are useless, you can gouge them out and go blind. Which eye of yours saw me waiting for him to come and save me in the water? Not only did I not need him, but I also saved five people by myself. I am no weaker than your young master Wang."

Gu Xin was furious and enraged: "How could a proper young lady from a respectable family learn to swim? You're just the daughter of a displaced man, born into poverty, and all you learn are these vulgar things..."

"Snapped!"

A crisp slap interrupted Gu Xin's words.

The entire second floor fell silent.

Gu Xin covered her face, stunned, and five finger marks slowly appeared on her face.

Her eyes widened as she stared at Ling Xian, utterly incredulous. "You...you dare hit me?"

Lingxian removed her veil, revealing her bright and beautiful face. Her expression was blank, her gaze cold as ice. "Apologize to my father."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was firm and resolute: "It is because of my father and other refugee generals and soldiers who guarded Jingkou and resisted the Jianghuai region that you were able to live a life of luxury in Jiankang. Since you look down on them, if you have any backbone, then don't stay in Jiankang, go back to your Wu County."

Gu Xin's two maids rushed forward and stood in front of her to protect her.

"You dare hit my woman? Do you even know who she is?"

"You dare to lay a hand on a girl from the Gu family? Go home and report to the head of the family immediately."

Lingxian crossed her arms and smiled leisurely, "Go ahead and shout. You'd better make a scene in the palace and let everyone judge. Is this the family tradition of the Gu family—a girl from the Gu family publicly insulting a court official?"

Gu Xin's face turned red with anger. She waved her hand and said, "Beat it back."

Zhang Yuci and Zhu Yuening looked at each other, feeling a little timid.

Gu Xin pushed them forward, saying, "What are you afraid of? I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"

The two exchanged a glance, gritted their teeth, and lunged at Lingxian, making a move to grab her hair.

Lingxian rolled up her sleeves, ready to stretch her muscles.

"stop!"

A clear, crisp voice rang out, seemingly carrying an invisible force that caused Zhang Yuci and Zhu Yuening to abruptly stop in their tracks.