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

Yu's stiff expression caused Xi Lingxian's lips to curve into a very faint smile.

Something was slowly flowing in those shimmering eyes.

She was like a cat, watching a mouse that had already fallen into a trap, not in a hurry to pull in the net, but enjoying the mouse's panic.

-

In the male section, Lu Yun led the group in playing the pitch-pot game.

Wang Jue sat behind the long table, his gaze fixed on the distance, his brow slightly furrowed.

But his hand remained suspended in mid-air, motionless for a long time.

Cunning, ruthless, and provocative.

Why would such complex emotions come from a woman who was once incredibly innocent?

Wang Jue recalled the past two months when, at banquets and gatherings, her eyes would light up whenever she saw him from afar, and she would run towards him, chattering away.

At that time, he only felt that her behavior was too rebellious. He had never seen any girl as unconventional as her, actively chasing after a man.

He grew up under the strict rules and regulations of the Wang family and despised people who did not follow the rules. If it weren't for political considerations, he would never have lingered on such a woman who was all show and no substance.

But she has changed so much; she is completely different from how she was a few months ago.

It's still the same skin, but those eyes...

Especially the look in her eyes when she looked at her stepmother just now—that fleeting hint of malice was so incongruous with the innocent and carefree girl.

What happened that could cause a person's personality to suddenly change drastically?

……

As the banquet drew to a close, the old lady grew tired and was helped back to rest.

The Empress and several noble ladies also entered the inner hall to talk, and the atmosphere in the garden immediately became much more relaxed.

This is a tradition of banquets in aristocratic families, where elders gather to chat and laugh, and at the same time, openly or secretly plan the marriages of their children.

Young women strolled around the garden in small groups, enjoying the flowers and playing.

The Prince's mansion's back garden was vast, and in the height of summer, crabapple, magnolia, and peony blossoms were layered upon each other, a riot of colors.

A narrow bluestone path winds through the area, with oddly shaped rocks every few steps, a babbling brook, and chirping birds.

The noble ladies dispersed in twos and threes, some chatting and laughing under the flowering trees, some feeding fish by the pond, some playing pitch-pot with the men, and others gathering together to compose poems and inscribe words.

Lingxian, Shen Qingdai, and Ji Ruchuan walked together, their three heads occasionally huddled together, chatting and laughing.

Ji Ruchuan, exasperated, tapped Xi Lingxian on the head with the handle of his fan. "You're really something! Has your brain gone mad as soon as you got back to Jiankang? You're actually chasing after men? Does Uncle Xi know?"

Since her rebirth, Ling Xian has always been on edge; now, with her close friends by her side, she feels especially at ease and at peace.

He chuckled and said, "I didn't tell Father, but I don't think I can hide it from him when he comes back."

Shen Qingdai crossed her arms and walked to Ji Ruchuan's side. The two of them stood proudly in front of Ling Xian, looking like they were about to conduct a joint trial.

"You even know that back in Guangling, a bunch of young masters fawned over you, showering you with flowers, but you didn't seem to care. How come you fell for her the moment you got back to Jiankang?"

Ji Ruchuan, ever the opportunist, retorted, "But then again, the second son of the Wang family truly possesses the bearing of a dragon and the beauty of a phoenix, a face that seems to defy the heavens. That appearance is truly a product of the Empress's favoritism. If I had his face, I'd be smug and arrogant too!"

"Shut up," Shen Qingdai said irritably. "Fanfan, do you still like him now? Although the Langya Wang family is powerful, with Uncle's current status, it would be a blessing for any man to marry you."

Xi Lingxian smiled brightly, "I want to find someone who listens to me, puts me first in everything, and dares not make me angry."

Ji Ruchuan and Shen Qingdai were stunned for a moment.

"...That person from the Wang family doesn't seem to have a single word to it, does he?"

Lingxian smiled knowingly. A gentle breeze blew by, and the crabapple petals fell softly, brushing against her shoulder.

"Miss Xi, we meet again."

Gu Xin stood three steps away, holding a cup of tea in her hand, with a smile on her face.

Shen Qingdai whispered, "The Gu family? When did you meet them?"

Lingxian replied in a low voice, "We weren't familiar with each other before, but after I slapped you, we became familiar."

"..."

Gu Xin took two steps forward, smiling as she looked her over: "Miss Xi's sword dance just now was truly beautiful; my eyes were glued to it. But—"

"Your sister is right. It's not appropriate for a young lady to be wielding swords and spears. Miss Xi, it would be best if you avoided performing these kinds of roles in the future."

Lingxian and the other two remained silent, simply observing her calmly.

Gu Xin felt uneasy under her gaze, and almost couldn't keep up her smile.

But remembering what her cousin had said, and the grudge from that slap, she gritted her teeth and took another step forward.

"Why isn't Miss Xi saying anything?" Her smile grew even sweeter. "Are you still thinking about Baohua Tower? I don't even hold a grudge against that slap."

As she spoke, she suddenly cried out, her body swayed, and the teacup in her hand splashed straight at Lingxian—

The tea was freshly brewed and still steaming.

If it gets splashed on you, it won't burn you, but it will still be quite a mess.

Gu Xin's lips curled into a smile.

She waited to see Xi Lingxian scramble to avoid the tea, to see the tea spill on her new dress, and to see her make a fool of herself.

However, Xi Lingxian nimbly dodged to the side, and the cup of tea passed her by.

Gu Xin's smile froze on her face.

The teacup didn't miss its target; it flew straight behind Xi Lingxian and splashed precisely on Xie Wanyi, who was walking towards her from the other end of the flower path.

A large, dark water stain spread across the light blue dress.

Tea leaves hung on the hem of her skirt, and water droplets dripped down.

Xie Wanyi stood there stunned, her smile replaced by shock and disbelief before it could fade.

"Cousin, cousin..."

Gu Xin's face turned as white as paper in an instant.

There was a moment of silence.

Several low gasps followed.

Several noble ladies covered their mouths, looking at each other with excited anticipation of a good show.

Xie Wanyi stood there, her light blue clothes soaked with tea, clinging to her body, looking extremely disheveled.

Her fingers tightened slightly, and her expression changed repeatedly.

In the end, she suppressed it little by little.

When she looked up again, her face was now adorned with her usual gentle smile.

"What happened?" Her voice was soft, even carrying a hint of helpless laughter. "Gu Xin, you're so careless."

Gu Xin's lips trembled as she tried to explain, but found herself unable to articulate her feelings clearly. She could only glare fiercely at Xi Lingxian, "It's all her fault! She's the one who ruined it!"

Xi Lingxian looked completely innocent. "Miss Gu, you should speak with a clear conscience. There were so many people watching just now, you can't just say anything out of line."

"Miss Xie, you've been frightened," she said apologetically. "When Miss Gu saw me just now, she must have remembered the jade screen and got a little agitated. It's my fault for dodging; if I had caught her, you wouldn't have been implicated."

Xie Wanyi's smile froze slightly.

Shen Qingdai stared at her in disbelief.

"oops!"

Ji Ruchuan clapped his hands and blurted out:

"This is truly a case of the Dragon King Temple being flooded!"

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Qingdai slapped his arm.

He lowered his voice and gritted his teeth: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Ji Ruchuan then realized what was happening, looked at Xie Wanyi, then at Gu Xin, and awkwardly shut his mouth.

Xie Wanyi's expression changed.

Gu Xin opened her mouth, as if to say something, but was stopped by a look from Xie Wanyi.

Xie Wanyi's dress was soaked, and her maid was running around anxiously, wiping the tea stains with a handkerchief, but the more she wiped, the worse they became, and it was no use at all.

"Miss Xi," she began, her voice soft, carrying just the right amount of helplessness and pleading, "I want to go change my clothes, but there are so many people today, I'm afraid I'll be impolite to do it alone..."

She paused, her gentle eyes gazing at Xi Lingxian with anticipation: "Miss Xi, would you mind accompanying me?"

Xi Lingxian raised an eyebrow.

Looking at Xie Wanyi's gentle and charming face, she suddenly felt a little amused.

"Miss Xie," she began, "it seems we're not that close, are we?"

Xie Wanyi's smile froze slightly.

She quickly lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her appearance pitiful to behold.

"Miss Xi, what you say..." Her voice softened further, carrying a hint of grievance, "I really like Miss Xi's personality and have always wanted to be friends with you. Today, I'd like to take this opportunity to get closer to you, but perhaps...?"

She looked up at Xi Lingxian, her gaze filled with caution and a hint of anxiety at being rejected.

"Does Miss Xi dislike me?"

Dislike? To say you dislike someone in front of so many people would be to embarrass Xie Wanyi in public and confirm her unreasonable and shrewish temper.

If you don't dislike her, then accompanying her to change clothes is the obvious thing to do.

The noble ladies around them had already turned to look, their gazes shifting between the two.

Xi Lingxian looked at Xie Wanyi and thought this woman was really interesting.

Even though he felt incredibly disgusted by her, he managed to put on such a pitiful act.

He was clearly trying to test her, yet he spoke with such sincerity.

"Since Miss Xie has put it that way," she said, "then I will accompany Miss Xie on this trip."

Xie Wanyi's eyes lit up slightly.

"but--"

Xi Lingxian paused, then looked at Shen Qingdai: "I can't be without Sister Qingdai for a moment, let her come with us."

Shen Qingdai was taken aback for a moment, then reacted with a smile and took Xi Lingxian's arm: "Okay, okay, I'll go too. Miss Xie doesn't mind, does she?"

Ji Ruchuan whispered from the side, "What about me?"

Shen Qingdai glared at him: "Are you sick? She's changing clothes, what are you doing following her around? Wait here and don't say anything nonsense again."

Ji Ruchuan shut his mouth, feeling wronged.

Xie Wanyi's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal.

She nodded, her voice still gentle: "Of course I don't mind. I'd be delighted if Miss Shen could come along."

With that, she turned and walked deeper into the garden.

The maidservant quickly followed.

Xi Lingxian and Shen Qingdai walked side by side, a few steps behind her.

Shen Qingdai leaned close to Xi Lingxian's ear and whispered, "Be careful, she's definitely up to no good."

Xi Lingxian smiled but didn't say anything.