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

The next day's meeting,

The Xi family father and son quelled the rebellion and protected the Jianghuai defense line, achieving outstanding military exploits. The emperor ordered that Xi Jian be granted the title of Earl of Shouyang, appointed Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and given the title of Grand Master of the Three Departments; his son Xi Rui was granted the title of General of the Cavalry, appointed Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, and given the additional title of Attendant-in-Ordinary.

Each was bestowed with a thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of brocade, and a number of rare and precious items such as pearls and agates. A banquet was also held at Taiji Hall at noon that day to welcome them and wash away the dust of their journey.

Xi Jian and his son took turns expressing their gratitude and accepting the rewards.

The emperor gazed at the Xi family father and son, who had distinguished themselves in battle, and felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

No emperor is willing to be a powerless puppet, but that's just how the world is; imperial power can never be strengthened in the face of powerful families.

After the court assembly concluded, all the civil and military officials stepped forward one by one to congratulate Xi Jian and his son.

Xi Jian was always refined and modest, and treated everyone with courtesy.

Wang Dun invited him to drink and chat in Wuyi Lane, and Xi Jian, who was originally amiable, immediately frowned.

"Since you say so, I have a question for you. My daughter, though straightforward, is never one to cause trouble. Why did she cry incessantly after returning from the Prince's residence yesterday?"

Wang Dun was greatly shocked. "Is this really true?"

"Brother Xuanping, please forgive me. Yesterday was a women's banquet, and I was not present, so I really didn't know."

"Take me back and summon the women of my household to inquire. If the young lady has been wronged in any way, I will order them to personally come and apologize."

Xi Jian: "Your Excellency's words make me feel ashamed."

Xi Rui said respectfully, "My father is overly concerned for his daughter and lost his composure for a moment. I hope you will forgive him, Uncle."

"Not at all, I also have a daughter, how could I not know the love a father has for his daughter?"

Wang Dun was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Yu Liang was appointed as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and now Xi Jian has been promoted to the position of Chancellor.

The tripartite balance of power is clearly evident, revealing the emperor's desire for checks and balances.

"Brother You'an, stay."

Xi Rui had not yet stepped out of the Taiji Hall when he was called back.

He paused, then turned to look at the person in front of him.

"What advice does Your Excellency have for me?"

Wang Jue had already been appointed as the governor of Jiangzhou in a remote manner half a month ago, and stayed in Jiankang to participate in the government affairs, so the title of "Governor" was not wrong.

"Brother You'an, would it be convenient for us to speak privately?"

It's impossible for Xi Rui not to harbor any resentment towards his younger sister for suffering at the hands of this man.

But he was also very clear in his heart that matters between men and women could not be forced.

Wang Qingyu herself did nothing wrong.

"Of course, Your Excellency, please."

Two handsome young men moved to a quiet teahouse outside the palace.

Once the aroma of tea had faded, Xi Rui got straight to the point.

"Please speak frankly, Your Excellency."

"Young Master Xi, please don't be offended. It's just that I heard what Uncle said earlier. Your younger sister cried incessantly after returning home. I wonder why. Could it be that our hospitality was inadequate and caused her to suffer any injustice?"

"It's nothing, just a little bickering between girls, it's not worth making a big deal out of it."

Wang Jue nodded: "There was a misunderstanding between me and the young lady before..."

Xi Rui raised his hand to interrupt, "Your Excellency need not say more. I am not an unreasonable person. Forced things will not be sweet. Your Excellency has not done anything wrong. As for the matter of falling into the water..."

His voice suddenly turned cold. "My Fanfan is not a parasitic plant waiting for others to rescue her. She has been learning swimming and martial arts skills since she was a child. The Prefect did not rescue her, but she was able to save several lives in the water. Furthermore, people's hearts are biased. In times of emergency, they will rush to the people they care about most. The Prefect and Miss Xie's childhood sweetheart relationship is touching. The Xi family would not be so unreasonable."

When Wang Jue brought up the past incident of "refusing to help someone in distress" in front of the man's brother, a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face.

"Your words, young lord, truly make me ashamed."

"Even if the Wang and Xi families were complete strangers, I would never stand by and watch them die."

Xi Rui lost his temper and said coldly, "You've already stood by and watched someone die; don't you find these words hypocritical and laughable now?"

Wang Jue spoke slowly and deliberately, “A year ago, I passed through Guangling on official business and saw your younger sister playing in the lake. She was clearly a good swimmer. The depth of the water she fell into that day was far less than that of the shores of Guangling. With your abilities, it would have been no problem for you to save yourself. However, the other young ladies who fell into the water were truly in grave danger.”

If things aren't made clear, given how much Xi Jian and Xi Rui care about Xi Lingxian, even if the two families don't become enemies, there's no possibility of them ever developing a close relationship again.

Upon hearing this, Xi Rui's solemn expression softened slightly. "For the usually taciturn Prefect to suddenly launch into such a long speech, his true intentions must lie elsewhere."

Wang Jue remained calm. "With such a distinguished lineage, why must you ask a question you already know the answer to, young master?"

Xi Rui paused, his sharp, hawk-like gaze slowly sweeping over the handsome man before him.

He was indeed born with a handsome appearance, no wonder his well-informed sister fell in love with him at first sight.

"Your Excellency is not joking, is he? Everyone in Jiankang knows that my sister has been chasing after you for months without ever receiving a glance from you. And now you're telling me that your Wang family wants to form a marriage alliance with the Xi family? Are you all insane, or am I?"

Xi Rui, a military man, spoke with such rage that by the end his eyes were bloodshot and his teeth were clenched.

Wang Jue said calmly, "Young lord, please calm down and listen to what I have to say."

"A few months ago, a young lady suddenly appeared out of nowhere, pursuing me with unwavering devotion, catching me completely off guard; she was clearly just acting on a whim out of childish impulse, and I, burdened with the responsibilities of my family, had no intention of playing these childish games with her."

"Brother You'an, if you were in his shoes, what would you do?"

Xi Rui choked on his words.

If it were him, he wouldn't be very nice to the woman who bothered him either.

He has serious business to do every day and countless official documents to read; he is not a lazy playboy who idles around indulging in frivolous pursuits.

Wang Jue knew that Xi Rui was not an unreasonable person, and said, "If I have offended you in any way in the previous matter, I am willing to apologize to you, young lady."

"No need, she doesn't really want to see you right now."

Xi Rui said solemnly, "Your Excellency, what you said earlier is not without reason, but I am, after all, a son of the Xi family, not the Wang family. Therefore, my sister is the most important person to me."

"The matter of a marriage alliance is not impossible. The Xi family has a second daughter who is quite beautiful and attractive. It wouldn't be a bad thing for you, Lord Xi."

Wang Jue immediately felt that this was absurd.

"Both are younger sisters, yet Shaojun's bias is blatant; how can the two be compared?"

The implication was that if a marriage were to be arranged, he would definitely choose Xi Lingxian.

Xi Yao doesn't carry that much weight.

Without hesitation, Xi Rui said, "Then we will not arrange a marriage. My father and I have never intended to rise to prominence through nepotism. Oh no, our family is already rising to prominence without nepotism. Such a marriage, which is a crucial matter for others to save their family, is dispensable for the Xi family."

Wang Jue paused for a moment, then asked, "What if Miss Xi herself is willing?"

"That's impossible. She swore to me yesterday that her interest in you had long since faded. She was just being immature and bothering you a lot before."

Losing interest?

Wang Jue's lips twitched slightly.

The young lady of the Xi family really does speak in a way that is... unconventional and unorthodox.

Xi Rui added, "Your Excellency is the eldest son of the Wang clan. To be your wife would be an immense responsibility, with every word and action under the spotlight. It would be glamorous, but it is not suitable for my sister."

He paused for a moment, then composed himself. “Our two families will not form an alliance, but neither will we become enemies. Father has never had any intention of fighting amongst ourselves. He only wishes for stability in the court so that we can strengthen our military and recover our lost territories as soon as possible. As long as the Wang family treats scholars with respect, the Xi family is willing to serve as his advisors.”

Wang Jue remained calm.

He didn't believe in those vague and unrealistic things; the most tangible guarantee was still marriage.

In this way, they can share both prosperity and adversity, and the two families will be forever bound together on the same boat.