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

East Palace

Crown Prince Xiao Han leaned back on the couch, toying with a jade cup in his hand, listening to the eunuch's report.

"Tomorrow is the birthday of the Wang family's matriarch, and Her Majesty the Empress will personally visit the Wang residence to celebrate with me. Her Majesty has decreed that Xi Jian's great victory has further enhanced his prestige in the army, and the Xi family father and son hold significant military power in Jingkou. Such influence cannot be allowed to be ignored while the Wang family is brought under their control."

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes slightly. "Leaving aside the Wang family, is the Xi family any less formidable? Do you think they, father and son, would willingly relinquish their military power? Even if they painstakingly regain control, who can keep those arrogant and domineering peasant leaders in check?"

Aide: "I've heard that Lord Xi has a daughter he cherishes dearly. If Your Majesty could marry Lady Xi as the Crown Princess, how could the Xi family's military power not be yours for the taking?"

The eunuch also wore a fawning expression, "This servant has heard that Lady Xi is exceptionally beautiful and has a romantic nature. Your Highness will surely be delighted if you see her."

The prince put down the jade cup, and a slow smile curved his lips.

"Will she attend the Wang family's birthday banquet tomorrow?"

"Naturally, the Xi and Wang families have a long-standing ancestral history. How could the eldest daughter of the Xi family be absent from such an occasion?"

The crown prince nodded, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

……

Qingxi Riverbank

郗府

Nuanshan Pavilion

Yu Shi, dressed in a close-fitting undergarment, sat in front of the dressing table combing her hair, while Xi Yao sat on the opposite daybed eating fruit.

"Mother, it's all that Xi Lingxian's fault. She forced Third Brother to take in that lowly maid Cailing. I can't swallow this insult even if you can."

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Madam Yu's eyes were filled with malice. "I didn't intend to make a move so soon, but this girl actually laid her hands on your brother."

Yu's bottom line was her son, but now Xi Hui had no choice but to take that lowly maid into his room. Yu gritted her teeth with hatred whenever she thought about it.

Xi Yao's eyes lit up. "Mother, she humiliated my brother, so we should retaliate. Tomorrow is the Wang family's birthday banquet, and all the important people in Jiankang will be there. If Xi Lingxian makes a fool of herself at this event..."

Madam Yu closed her eyes briefly and ordered someone to summon Granny Lan. "Go and tell that Zhou guy to give that girl in Qiluan Pavilion some of what I gave her tonight. The dosage should be more than less."

Granny Lan went immediately upon receiving the order.

In Qiluan Pavilion, Granny Zhou, who had come out to pour water, was about to return to her room when she was suddenly pulled to a corner by a large hand.

Upon seeing who it was, Granny Zhou breathed a sigh of relief.

"Finally, news has come from Madam. Ever since Cailing was dealt with, I have been living in fear day and night. Sister, you must put in a good word for me with Madam. The young lady is really too difficult to deal with these days."

Granny Lan whispered, "The young lady's sudden change in temperament is quite suspicious. Did you give yourself away in some way?"

"Absolutely impossible," Granny Zhou stated firmly. "The medicine Madam gave me has always been kept close to my body, and as Madam said, I haven't used it yet. What could she possibly discover?"

"That's strange. Could it be that he's possessed?" Granny Lan couldn't figure it out, but she changed the subject, "Madam instructed that you start administering the medicine tonight, and the dosage should be more than necessary."

"Today? So suddenly?"

"The matter between the Third Young Master and Cai Ling caused Madam such a huge loss that she couldn't swallow it. She asked you to drug her tonight so that she would embarrass herself at the Wang family's birthday banquet tomorrow."

Granny Zhou's face alternated between blue and green as she rubbed her hands together.

Granny Lan narrowed her eyes. "You're not having the heart to do it, are you?"

Granny Zhou hurriedly said, "How could that be? Elder sister, just go back and tell Madam, and I'll make sure things are taken care of."

She had no way back, and Granny Lan wasn't worried that she would dare to betray her. After giving her instructions, she turned and left.

Granny Zhou calmed herself down, went to the small kitchen, and personally made a bowl of Xi Lingxian's favorite sweet soup, which she then brought to her bedside.

"My lady, you complained that your mouth was tasteless after dinner. I just made you a bowl of sweet soup. Please drink it before you go to sleep."

Xi Lingxian was flipping through a copy of "Tales of Strange Things from the Southern Frontier" that she had found at the bookstore on her way back from the clinic. She looked up at Granny Zhou with a slight smile, her voice gentle: "Granny, you've gone to so much trouble."

Granny Zhou felt inexplicably guilty, and smiled silently with her eyes lowered.

Lingxian picked up the soup bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and saw a few osmanthus flowers floating in the amber-colored soup.

She pretended to take a sip, then quietly spat it onto the handkerchief while wiping her mouth.

Granny Zhou's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. "It's late. Young lady, you should drink your soup and go to bed early. The banquet tomorrow cannot be delayed."

Caiping called from outside the window, "Granny, come quickly! Brother Tiandong sent someone in to say he needs to see you."

Tian Dong is Zhou Mama's eldest son.

Upon hearing that her son was looking for her, Granny Zhou hurriedly retreated.

Tao Zhi quickly brought a spittoon and water for Xi Lingxian to rinse her mouth. Just in case, Lingxian also took a herbal pill that she had bought from Lu Niangzi.

Having done all that, Lingxian leaned against the headboard, her heart still pounding.

Taozhi was both angry and heartbroken. "Young lady, how could Granny Zhou also..."

"People die for wealth, birds die for food. She is a servant born into the household, and I, a girl who will be married off sooner or later, can certainly bring her more benefits than the mistress of the house."

Her voice carried a hint of languid weariness.

Things I never doubted in my past life now seem perfectly normal and not surprising at all.

"Take this bowl of sweet soup to the kitchen to heat it up, and then deliver it to Haitang Garden under the guise of a late-night snack."

Haitangyuan was Xi Yao's residence.

Tao Zhi smiled, pursing her lips, "This servant understands."

……

The following day, Madam Wang's birthday banquet arrived as scheduled.

Wuyi Lane was bustling with carriages and horses.

Xi Lingxian rode alone in a carriage. After what happened with Xi Hui, she and the Yu mother and daughter had completely broken off their relationship, and there was no need to continue pretending.

The carriage stopped in front of the Imperial Palace in Wuyi Lane, and the servants who led the way led us inside.

Inside Chenghui Hall, flowers bloomed in profusion, and the air was filled with fragrance. Everywhere one looked, there were noble ladies and noblewomen dressed in fine clothes.

Madam Yu was chatting and laughing with several ladies from prominent families.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Second Prince, and Princess Nankang have arrived—"

A eunuch's shrill voice pierced the air, and a murmur rippled through the crowd.

The ladies and noblewomen remained calm and unhurriedly took a few steps back.

Xi Lingxian looked up and saw a beautiful woman sitting on a palanquin, dressed in a bright yellow wide-sleeved robe, exuding an aura of majesty. She was none other than the current Empress Yu.

Following the palanquin were several young figures.

The man in the lead was in his twenties, with handsome features, and wearing a python robe; he must be Crown Prince Xiao Han.

The nine-year-old boy in the former, with delicate features, is the second prince, the younger brother of the crown prince.

On the other side of the second prince was a girl of sixteen or seventeen, dressed in fine clothes, with heavy makeup and red lips. The girl raised her chin and glanced at the crowd.

Princess Nankang.

As Xi Lingxian looked at her, memories of her past life surfaced in her mind.

If we're talking about Wang Jue's romantic entanglements, there are too many to count. Xie Wanyi is one, and Princess Nankang is definitely on the list as well.

Even though she had married Wang Jue in her previous life, Princess Nankang was still unwilling to give up and used all sorts of tricks to force Wang Jue to divorce her, and even eventually said that she was his concubine.

If it were a dynasty with a strong imperial power, she probably wouldn't even know how many times she would have died.

Unfortunately not.

Behind this group of people followed a young man in his early twenties, dressed in fine clothes and with a handsome face.

Xiao Jing, the heir apparent of the Prince of Huainan.

Lingxian lowered her eyes, took a few steps back, and hid behind several noble ladies.

The Empress and her entourage were ushered into the main hall, where everyone continued to talk amongst themselves, as if they were not important people.

Following the maid who led the way, Lingxian took her seat at the women's table; with her father and brothers enjoying supreme glory, the Xi family members were also seated particularly close to the front today, especially Xi Lingxian.

She was actually assigned to sit next to Madam Xie, the eldest wife of the Wang family.

Yu Guangli's figure shifted slightly, but Ling Xian remained expressionless, cursing the person who arranged the seating a thousand times in her heart.

My mother-in-law from a past life...

Commit sin!