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

The night was hazy, and autumn frost and wind and rain fell.

Wang Jue stood by the window, wearing only a thin snow-white coat. The autumn night was getting colder, and raindrops, carried by the autumn wind, pattered softly against the man's jade-like cheeks.

Ah Hu brought in hot tea and was startled when he saw the scene. "Young master, why are you standing there in the rain? Be careful not to catch a cold."

Autumn rain is strange; it looks misty and the rain isn't heavy, but even with an umbrella, it can still soak your face.

Wang Jue's expression was solemn, and he absentmindedly flicked a string of jade beads in his right palm.

The Xi family was more difficult to deal with than he had anticipated.

"Young master, Mr. Zhou and Lord Chen Ting request an audience."

Wang Jue chose a snow-white robe and dressed neatly before slowly saying, "Summon him."

Mr. Zhou and Chen Ting had already heard about what happened at the palace banquet. They were both surprised that the young lady of the Xi family was truly someone who could take things in stride.

A month ago, she was so infatuated with the young master that she was determined to marry him and was filled with a sense of loss. How come she is now so cold and aloof, a completely different person?

Isn't this change in taste a bit too hasty for this noble lady?

"Young master."

Wang Jue lowered his eyes, personally poured two cups of tea, and pushed them in front of Mr. Zhou and Chen Ting.

"Thank you for the tea, young master."

Mr. Zhou: "Young Master..."

Wang Jue sat there blankly. "Among the heads of aristocratic families, there are quite a few who are known for doting on their daughters. But when it comes to doting, they are really just keeping them as caged birds, teasing them when they have nothing better to do. They can do whatever they want with them normally, but when it comes to the interests of the family, even the most precious daughter has to give way."

"I originally thought Xi Jian was the same."

Mr. Zhou's eyes were gloomy as he said in a low voice, "Young Master, both the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent are eyeing us covetously. Some things are better left unresolved, otherwise complications may arise."

"The Xi family is unwilling, and Xi Lingxian, that willful noblewoman, has long since changed her mind. Her father and brothers wield immense power, and even my Langya Wang clan cannot force her. How could I not want to make a decisive move?"

Mr. Zhou lowered his eyes and said, "Master Xi cherishes his daughter, and the breakthrough in this matter undoubtedly lies with the eldest daughter of the Xi family; I have an old friend from my school days who once traveled to the southern border and only then did he realize how vast the world is and how many wonders it holds."

"There is a secret technique in the southern border region that can control a person's thoughts and mind. The person under the spell will follow the other party to the death and never abandon them."

This statement is a wake-up call, and extremely bold.

Wang Jue slightly lifted her eyelids and looked at Mr. Zhou.

Chen Tingjue disagreed, saying, "Lord Xi is profound, astute, and knowledgeable. If he discovers this, the Wang and Xi families will be irreconcilable enemies."

Mr. Zhou: "Young master, forgive my bluntness, but I am not the only one who could come up with these strange techniques. If another family gets there first, it will be a major setback for both you and the Wang family."

Wang Jue raised her hand and gently furrowed her brow.

The fact that the Langya Wang clan has managed to survive in the chaotic world of infighting among powerful families means that the heads of the clan throughout the generations could not have been virtuous and upright gentlemen. As the eldest son, Wang Jue was influenced by this from a young age.

What do witchcraft and sorcery matter if it can succeed?

"What do you have? Tell me about it."

Mr. Zhou was slightly taken aback, then took out a wooden box from his sleeve and presented it to him.

"What you seek, young master, is Miss Xi's unwavering affection for you, as if she would marry no one else. Among the many secret arts of the Southern Frontier, puppetry and love-cursing worms can both fulfill your wish."

"Love Poison Worm?"

"Yes, this is the most effective secret technique in matters of love between men and women..."

Mr. Zhou hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Wang Jue closed his eyes briefly: "Speak."

"This technique is good, but if the love potion is to have a wonderful effect, the mother worm of the witchcraft worm must be transferred to the young master, and the offspring worm must be given to the person the young master desires. In this way, that person's mind, body and emotions will be tied to the young master alone, and he will be controlled by the young master for life."

Does it all belong to him?

That sounds interesting.

Chen Ting thought they were all going crazy. "Young master, please think it over!"

Mr. Zhou said with dissatisfaction, "Chen Ting, when did you become so soft-hearted? If all matters of the court were handled like this, how would the young master ever gain the upper hand in everything?"

Chen Ting angrily retorted, "You surnamed Zhou, are you trying to kill the young master? Are the Xi family father and son easy to deal with? If the Xi family's daughter suddenly changes her personality overnight, wouldn't they become suspicious?"

The two advisors each gave their own version of events.

Ah Hu looked at Wang Jue.

There was not a trace of warmth in the man's long eyes. "It would be a waste to use such a good thing on a weak and naive woman."

Chen Ting breathed a sigh of relief.

Mr. Zhou didn't ask any more questions.

……

The day after Xi Jian was appointed Chancellor, a eunuch delivered his seal and official documents requiring his review and stamping the day after the victory banquet.

Xi Rui, however, was single-minded and focused on practicing Xi Song.

For years, Xi Song had been cared for by Madam Yu, where he was waited on hand and foot. Madam Yu and Xi Hui both intended to spoil him, so how could they possibly let him enjoy studying and practicing martial arts?

The foundation Xi Rui had built up at home last time had long been forgotten.

Xi Song was suffering terribly, having to start all over again.

"Sister, save me!"

Lingxian brought a food box to the martial arts arena to comfort her older and younger brothers. Xisong hugged her and cried for a long time without letting go.

Holding a riding crop, Xi Rui said coldly, "Even if you call your father here, it won't make a difference. What did you do while I was away? You're so weak at such a young age?"

What man can tolerate being called a hypocrite, even if he's a fifteen-year-old boy?

"Big brother, you've gone too far!"

Xi Lingxian pushed her brother's hand away. "He often went out drinking with Xi Hui."

Xi Rui had long heard of the behavior of the young masters from the powerful families of the capital. His hawk-like gaze swept over them, sharp as a knife. "Did you take the Five-Stone Powder with them?"

Xi Song waved his hands repeatedly, "I really don't have any! Father repeatedly told me not to, I really dare not. But Xi Hui, he's eaten it several times."

Xi Lingxian scoffed, "Fool."

After having tea and snacks, Xi Songzhong was dragged back to practice horse stance, run with sandbags strapped to his legs, and practice boxing.

At dusk that day, Xi Song was carried back to Changyuan Hall by two servants and then put into a bathtub.

After washing away the stench of sweat, Xi Song lay on the bed and had two servants massage his waist and legs.

The head maid, Biwen, served hot tea and said, "They're clumsy and incompetent; they can't possibly do these things. I'll serve the Second Master myself."

Xi Song finished his tea in one gulp and shook his head: "Please apply the medicine for me; I have bruises all over my body."

Biwen hurriedly asked the maid to bring the medicine box, and rolled up Xi Song's sleeves, and sure enough, she saw several bruises.

"The young lady has arrived."

No sooner had the maidservant finished announcing the arrival than Xi Lingxian, dressed in a light blue lantern dress, gracefully approached.

Upon seeing her family, Xi Song burst into tears, crying, "Sister, eldest brother is a devil!"

"He told me I had to get up at dawn from now on, and besides practicing martial arts, I also had to memorize the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Analects within three months. I might as well have killed him!"

"Our eldest brother is a young hero. Countless young masters from noble families would beg him for guidance. You, on the other hand, are unaware of your good fortune."

Xi Song sniffed, looked directly at her sister who was speaking so casually, and said, "Would you like this good fortune?"

"Don't talk big. With your current physique, you might not be a match for me."

"I can swim, practice swordsmanship, and wield a short sword. What else can you do?"

"..."

Xi Rui's lectures throughout the day were not as impactful as Xi Lingxian's two sentences.

After teasing her for a while, Xi Lingxian didn't forget to soothe her, "Alright, I've asked the kitchen to make your favorite cabbage and mutton soup. You've had a hard day, so make sure you eat well."

Xi Songzhong collapsed onto the bed again, utterly despondent, "unable to lift his arms."

"Big sister is feeding me~"

As the younger brother, it was rare for him to act spoiled, and Lingxian didn't refuse.

He took the bowl and spoon from Taozhi and said, "Come, come, my second young master."

Xi Song drank two bowls with gusto, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Lingxian took the handkerchief and was about to hand it to him to wipe his face when a figure beat her to it.

Biwen was seen half-squatting in front of Xi Song's bed, expertly raising her hand to wipe the corner of his mouth. Xi Song was completely unaware, still smiling and talking to Ling Xian.

Xi Lingxian paused.

It's a good thing that the maid is loyal and useful.

Ke Biwen...

It seems that the Yu family allocated it to Changyuantang.