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

At a bend in the mountain road, the two groups of people met unexpectedly.

Xi Lingxian saw the figure riding a black horse.

Dressed in dark riding attire, with a slender figure and an dignified and composed demeanor, he was like the most serene breeze in the mountains.

How could it be him?

Shen Qingdai was the first to react, and exclaimed in a low voice, "Young Master Wang?"

Ji Ruchuan recognized the person who had arrived, then spurred his horse forward half a step, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Young Master Wang."

Wang Jue's gaze swept across the three faces.

He nodded slightly, his voice neither warm nor cold: "Young Master Ji, Miss Shen."

"Young Master Wang is also here for horse racing?" Shen Qingdai asked, forcing herself to speak.

"Hmm," Wang Jue responded faintly.

Xi Lingxian didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly as a greeting.

Ji Ruchuan sensed the subtle tension in the atmosphere and was about to say something to smooth things over when Wang Jue spoke first.

"I haven't ridden the racetrack on Kowloon Mountain in a long time. Since we happen to be here today, how about we go for a run together?"

Ji Ruchuan and Shen Qingdai exchanged a glance.

What is Wang Jue's identity?

The eldest grandson of the Langya Wang clan, the son of Wang Dun, is one of the most untouchable people in the court.

He's spoken, how can they refuse?

Ji Ruchuan carefully chose his words, "Since Young Master Wang is in such a refined mood, we will naturally—"

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of horses' hooves interrupted him.

Xi Lingxian spurred the horse, and the chestnut horse neighed loudly, its hooves churning as it leaped away from the two of them.

The crimson riding attire fluttered in the mountain wind, like an arrow released from a bow, and in the blink of an eye, it had rushed several meters away.

Wang Jue watched the receding flame, his gaze slightly narrowing.

Immediately, the reins were flicked, and the black horse neighed loudly, galloping off in pursuit.

Shen Qingdai and Ji Ruchuan were left behind, looking at each other in bewilderment.

On the mountain path, crimson and black horses rode one after the other, their hooves clattering like a torrential downpour.

As Xi Lingxian heard the sound of horses' hooves getting closer behind her, she frowned slightly, flicked her whip, and urged the horses on even faster.

She didn't turn around, but she could feel the figure getting closer and closer.

It's absurd and ridiculous. When she was chasing after him, he didn't even glance at her; now, however, he's lowering himself to get the help of her father and brothers.

Power is a wonderful thing.

Unfortunately, she no longer wanted to see him, talk to him, or have anything to do with him.

The sound of horses' hooves grew closer and closer, almost keeping pace with her.

Xi Lingxian bit her lip as a voice reached her ears.

"Miss Xi's riding skills are better than I expected."

She ignored her.

"However," the voice rang out again, "I've traveled this road many times. There's a sharp bend ahead. If this is your first time here, young lady, you should proceed slowly."

Xi Lingxian gripped the reins tightly. Although she didn't know if he was telling the truth, she slowed down just in case.

The black horse finally caught up and rode alongside her.

Wang Jue turned his head and glanced at her.

The crimson riding outfit clung to her body in the wind, outlining the girl's soft and delicate features. Her face was beautiful, and her jet-black hair was styled into two long braids that hung down in front of her.

She didn't look at him; her gaze was fixed on the mountain path ahead, her jaw slightly tense, and she remained silent.

Wang Jue withdrew his gaze, calmly controlling his horse and maintaining a distance of about half a horse's length from her.

The mountain wind passed between the two, blowing her crimson hem and his dark sleeves, occasionally intertwining before quickly separating again.

At the end of the mountain path, Wang Jue's horse charged past the old maple tree first, leading by half a horse's length.

Xi Lingxian followed closely behind.

She pulled on the reins, her face looking rather grim.

Just a moment ago, a branch above her head caught on her hair and yanked it sharply. If it weren't for that, the outcome might have been very different.

Wang Jue turned his horse around and saw her covering her hair with one hand. He smiled.

"This round, my victory was dishonorable." He paused, his gaze falling on her face. "Shall we have another match?"

Xi Lingxian ignored him.

She dismounted and walked towards the stream by the roadside.

Wang Jue casually tossed the reins to Chang'an, who was panting as he caught up, and followed at a leisurely pace.

Behind them, Shen Qingdai and Ji Ruchuan finally arrived.

Shen Qingdai, her face flushed from running, clutched the horse's neck, panting, "W-are these two riding horses or flying...?"

Zhao Tieshan and Zhou Wu arrived with their guards and were about to follow when Chang'an stopped them with a smile: "Brothers, please rest your feet and have some water."

Zhao Tieshan's face was ashen, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife.

There is a shallow beach by the stream, where the water is clear and shallow, and the pebbles at the bottom have been smoothed by the water flow.

Xi Lingxian squatted down by the stream and looked down at her reflection in the water.

Her hair was half disheveled from being caught on the branches, with a few strands hanging down beside her ears, and the beads on the flower hanging crookedly, making her look quite disheveled.

She reached out and untied her braids, letting her long, black hair cascade down. She scooped up a handful of stream water and combed her hair again.

Ripples spread across the water's surface, the reflection shattering into a blurry play of light and shadow.

Wang Jue stood a few steps away, not approaching.

The wind rustled through the treetops, and a few red leaves fell softly into the stream, drifting slowly away with the current.

A picture suddenly flashed through his mind.

A woman, also dressed in red, ran towards him through a blur of light and shadow where he couldn't see her background.

Her skirt fluttered in the wind, her long, black hair was loose, and her face wore a bright, almost scorching smile that he had never seen before.

She reached out her hand to him.

Wang Jue's brows furrowed suddenly, his gaze falling on the back of the girl in red by the stream, a strange feeling welling up in his heart that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his face had regained its usual composure.

He had never seen such a scene before, nor had he ever had such a memory.

What is that?

Was it a dream? A hallucination? Or...?

His gaze returned to Xi Lingxian.

She was combing her hair, her long, black hair falling from her shoulders, her delicate features contrasting beautifully with her crimson riding attire, making her look like a painting.

The noble ladies looked down on her arrogant and domineering manner, but no one ever questioned or belittled her appearance.

The woman in red in that scene just now, and her...

He shook his head, suppressing the absurd thought.

Xi Lingxian finally finished combing her hair and put the hairpin back in place.

As she turned around, she met Wang Jue's gaze.

The breeze by the stream, carrying moisture, gently caressed my face.

"Young Master Wang," she began, "I believe my brother has already explained things clearly to you."

“My father doesn’t have such great ambitions, nor does he want me to sacrifice myself for a marriage alliance. So—” She paused, meeting his gaze calmly, “you don’t need to waste your energy anymore.”

For someone of her status to say such things to the Wang family was hardly appropriate.

But she doesn't care.

What needs to be said will eventually be said; the longer it's delayed, the more trouble it will cause.

After she finished speaking, she got ready.

Wait for him to get angry, wait for him to leave with a dark expression.

But Wang Jue didn't.

He simply looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

That smile was cool and aloof, offering little warmth when it shone on you, making you feel a thin layer of chill creep up your spine.

"Miss Xi."

He spoke, "I understand your father's meaning."

"Your father doesn't want his daughter's marriage to be used as a bargaining chip. This shows his good intentions as a father, and I greatly admire him."

"But I have not come here today for Lord Xi."

He looked at her, his eyes like a deep well, the surface calm and still, but you didn't know how deep it was, or what lay beneath.

"There's been some misunderstanding between me and the young lady, and I've come here abruptly to explain it to her."

"The Wang family of Langya may seem glamorous, but over the years they have made countless enemies, both openly and secretly. Due to my upbringing, I am always cautious and wary of everyone who appears around me, including you, Miss Xi, who has suddenly appeared."

"You've only met me once since your first visit to Jiankang, yet you've been so attentive to me. I can't help but suspect you have ulterior motives. You might call me petty, but I'm forced by circumstances and don't want to be like that."

Xi Lingxian's fingers tightened slightly inside her sleeve.

If she hadn't been given a second chance at life, she might have been truly moved by his heartfelt words.

"Young Master Wang, I think I've made myself very clear. Not only do my father and brothers not want me to marry into the Wang family, but I also do not want to marry you."

Wang Jue nodded, her brow slightly furrowed. "What's the reason?"

"I don't like you anymore. You're not the man I want. That's my reason."

A smile played on his lips, a smile that Xi Lingxian knew all too well.

He was simply laughing at her for being a naive young girl. He thought that no noble family would hesitate to sacrifice everything for the family's interests, yet she, supported by the family, only cared about her own desires. He found her both laughable and foolish.

"Miss Xi, if the Wang and Xi families were to unite, it would be entirely beneficial to both families. Political infighting is always like trying to negotiate with a tiger for its skin; it's not child's play."

"Besides, didn't Miss Xi claim to like me? Why is she going back on her word so quickly?"

Xi Lingxian raised her chin slightly, "There are countless handsome young men in Guangling who have won my favor. If you want to talk about this, then it's not interesting."

Wang Jue's eyes darkened slightly.

What a bold woman, comparing him to a male prostitute.

"Beautiful women always receive more preferential treatment. Although your words are extremely rude, I will not be angry."

He turned his head to the side, his gaze slowly sweeping across her face.

Xi Lingxian was speechless.

She pursed her lips and changed her tone: "Young Master Wang, the Wang family holds a central position, governing the country and ensuring the people's well-being, and is revered by all. My father never holds grudges and balances the conflicts between the court and the aristocratic families. The two families are already working together with one heart. Why must your Wang family insist on a marriage alliance?"

"In chaotic times, people's hearts are fickle, and alliances can become nothing more than a piece of waste paper in the blink of an eye." His gaze fell on her eyes, unwavering, like a snake eyeing its prey. "You can interpret this as me not trusting anyone; I only trust the shared benefits that come from being bound together."

Xi Lingxian took a deep breath and changed her approach to be more direct: "Young Master Wang, let me be clear. I don't want to get married, and I especially don't want to marry you. Your mother and your two sisters don't like me, and I don't like them either. If you marry me, be careful, your family will never have a peaceful day again."

Wang Jue looked at her and took half a step forward.

Xi Lingxian stepped back, looking wary.

He bowed slightly, his posture still displaying the composure and nobility of a young master from a prominent family.

"Our two families are all engaged in marriage. You're marrying me, so why should you care whether others like you or not?"

"Why pretend to be confused, Young Master Wang? You don't like me either, do you? The disgust and annoyance in your eyes can't be faked."

The man's cold, dark eyelashes blinked. "What's the connection between liking you and wanting to marry you?"

Xi Lingxian opened her mouth in astonishment.

How could he say such cold and heartless words?