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

Xi Lingxian stood firm. "Wang Jue, stop your nonsense!"

"I said I won't marry you, and that's final. Are you trying to force me to marry you?"

The nonchalant look in Wang Jue's eyes faded, replaced by a fleeting moment of astonishment.

He forced a smile, his tone wistful: "Miss Xi changes her mind as easily as turning the pages of a book; it's truly heartbreaking."

He doesn't even deserve to use the word "sad."

Does he have a heart?

Xi Lingxian glared at him, then turned and summoned Zhao Tieshan and Zhou Wu.

The two men, along with their guards, surrounded Xi Lingxian so tightly that not even a fly could get in.

It's unclear what Shen Qingdai and Ji Ruchuan said to each other, but judging from Xi Lingxian's expression, it was clear that the argument didn't go well.

Xi Lingxian didn't want Wang Jue to ruin her good mood. She felt that she had been blessed by God and she wanted to live well so as not to let him down.

"Sister Qingdai, Ji Ruchuan, let's go over there."

Although the Shen and Ji families were not as powerful as the Xi family, they were not so desperate as to have to fawn over the Wang family.

Shen Qingdai and Ji Ruchuan both abandoned Wang Jue and left without hesitation.

Wang Jue's dark eyes were as deep as a still pool.

There's simply no reasoning with such a capricious and unreasonable heiress.

Xi Lingxian and the other two continued riding forward.

As we ventured deeper into the interior, a wide-open valley came into view.

The stream makes a bend here, forming a shallow pool with crystal-clear water.

The valley is flat and covered with lush green grass.

Along the banks of the pool, several green felt tents stand scattered about, with mats laid out in front of them and tables and chairs set up on the mats.

On the table were a wine pot, teacups, an incense burner, and several open books.

A dozen or so well-dressed scholars sat scattered on the mat, some leaning against the armrests, others reclining on the cushions, their postures relaxed.

The servants stood respectfully at a distance, holding tea sets and whisks in their hands.

Zhao Tieshan reported: "Miss, several young men from prominent families are having a private conversation ahead. I heard that Xie Xuandu of the Xie family of Chen Commandery is the host, and there are also several young men from the Wang family of Langya and the Yu family of Yingchuan, as well as a few scholars from the north who have crossed the river."

Shen Qingdai's eyes lit up. "I've heard that the intellectual discussions of these scholars are incredibly interesting, full of eloquence and profound insights. Since we've come across this opportunity, why don't we go and listen in?"

Ji Ruchuan was also somewhat tempted. "I've heard that Xie Xuandu has recently been focusing on the Zhuangzi and is incredibly eloquent. If I could listen to a performance today, it would be a worthwhile trip."

Xi Lingxian reined in the reins. She had never been interested in such philosophical discussions. In her previous life, she had heard Wang Jue debate with others a few times, but she found it all to be vague and rambling.

But her two friends wanted to go, and she couldn't bear to disappoint them.

That's it.

It's good to broaden one's horizons.

"Let's go take a look."

Shen Qingdai cheered and pulled her hand, leading her in that direction.

At the edge of the valley, a middle-aged man who looked like a manager came up to greet them, his face showing a somewhat reserved scrutiny.

Shen Qingdai introduced herself with neither servility nor arrogance: "Shen Qingdai from Yixing, I was just passing by when I heard you gentlemen having such a pleasant conversation. May I listen in?"

"These two are Xi Lingxian from Gaoping and Ji Ruchuan from Danyang, both of whom are my colleagues and friends."

Upon hearing the name "Gaoping," the steward immediately put on a smiling face. "Miss Xi, Miss Shen, it is an honor for our establishment that Young Master Ji has graced us with his presence. The gentlemen are currently engaged in a debate; please follow me."

Those at the table had already noticed the commotion.

Among them, a young man of about twenty-five or twenty-six years old stood up. He had wide sleeves and a long belt, and his demeanor was elegant. He was Xie Xuandu, the host of the place.

He cupped his hands slightly, his smile gentle and refined. "Miss Xi, it's truly fate that we meet here in these mountains today. If you don't mind, please take a seat."

He pointed to the few empty mats beside him and instructed his servants to add teacups and fruit.

Xi Lingxian nodded slightly in return.

The conversation in the room seemed to have been interrupted halfway through, but it continued at this moment.

A middle-aged scholar with a fair complexion and a light beard, dressed in a moon-white robe, sat cross-legged in the main seat, toying with a whisk in his hand. He spoke slowly and deliberately: "Just now we discussed the debate between 'words fully express meaning' and 'words not fully express meaning.' Do you all think that the words of the sages can fully express the principles of heaven and earth?"

A young gentleman stepped forward, saying, "The Book of Changes says, 'Words cannot fully express meaning, and meaning cannot fully express thought.' This shows that even the words of sages have their limits. How can the profound mysteries of meaning be fully contained in words?"

A scholar in blue robes opposite him shook his head and smiled, "That's not true. If words cannot fully express meaning, how could the sages establish their teachings? The twenty chapters of the Analects are full of precious words. If they cannot fully express meaning, wouldn't they become useless? I believe that the ability to express meaning depends solely on whether the speaker and the listener are in sync."

The two exchanged words, quoting classical texts such as the *I Ching*, *Zhuangzi*, and the *Analects* with ease, their speech becoming increasingly rapid and their voices increasingly loud.

Those listening nearby applauded enthusiastically, frowned in thought, or shook their heads and chuckled, each with their own unique expressions, all thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

Xi Lingxian sat to the side, listening attentively.

What these people are arguing about is not "words" versus "meaning".

It was clearly a matter of talent, reputation, and the face of their respective schools of thought.

Behind their eloquent tongues lies the arrogance of scions of powerful families, each unwilling to yield to the other.

As she was thinking, Shen Qingdai exclaimed in a low voice, "Fanfan, look—"

Xi Lingxian followed her gaze and saw a figure in black walking unhurriedly towards the entrance of the valley.

Wang Jue? Why is he everywhere?!

Someone at the table recognized him, and a commotion immediately broke out.

Xie Xuandu stood up first, his smile much warmer than when he greeted Xi Lingxian: "Brother Qingyu! We were just talking about you, I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. Come, come, please take a seat—"

Wang Jue nodded slightly and responded with a few perfunctory pleasantries.

The debate in the room shifted to the more abstract topic of "existence or non-existence".

One young gentleman quoted Guo Xiang's commentary, while another immediately brought up Xiang Xiu's insights. They argued back and forth, reaching a stalemate.

Just then, a young man in blue robes who had remained silent in the corner put down his teacup.

His long blue robe was faded from washing, and he looked like a slender, upright bamboo.

"The debate among you all boils down to the word 'debate'."

The *Qiwulun* states, "Great eloquence is silent." It also says, "Eloquence is about not seeing." Perhaps Zhuangzi's meaning is not that we should argue for right and wrong, but rather that we should transcend the framework of "right and wrong"—

"To argue about right and wrong is to fall into the trap of arguing about right and wrong."

The group of people who had been arguing heatedly looked at each other, momentarily speechless, unable to find any rebuttal.

Xi Lingxian paused slightly, still savoring the unique insights of everyone she had just heard, and unconsciously raised her hand to bring the teacup to her lips.

"Careful, young lady, it's hot."

Xi Lingxian stopped and looked down at the teacup in her hand.

The tea was freshly added, and the steam rose gently; it was indeed very hot.

She looked up at the person who was speaking.

He lowered his head slightly, his posture humble, and his face showed a hint of apology, as if he felt that his reminder was somewhat presumptuous.

The person in front of me had extremely handsome features, not the sharp and profound beauty of Wang Jue, but a gentler, more refreshing and pleasant appearance.

She nodded slightly, her voice polite and indifferent, "Thank you for the reminder, young master."

The young man in blue was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands in a salute, "I dare not presume. My name is Zhou Shuhuai."

Zhou Shuhuai.

Xi Lingxian silently recited it in her mind, feeling that it sounded somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

"Young Master Zhou, you flatter me. I should be thanking you for the reminder."

Zhou Shuhuai smiled slightly and returned to his desk.

Shen Qingdai leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Fanfan, do you know Young Master Zhou?"

Xi Lingxian shook her head: "I don't know her."

"The Zhou family of Yixing, you don't know them?"

Xi Lingxian's pupils contracted. "He comes from the Zhou family of Yixing?"

Shen Qingdai nodded, glancing at Wang Jue, who was seated at the head of the table. "Speaking of which, the Wang and Zhou families..." she hesitated, "are enemies."

When Wang Jue's paternal uncle, Wang Zhang, raised an army and aimed his sword at Jiankang, the Zhou clan, who were stationed at a strategic location, surrendered without a fight. Although they were spared for the time being, Wang Zhang was wary of their powerful clan. Soon after, he fabricated charges against them and sent troops to attack Kuaiji. The head of the Zhou clan was killed in battle, and his descendants were almost completely slaughtered.

This old grudge was not a secret in Jiankang City; Lingxian had also heard her brother mention it.

"There is hatred, but with the Zhou family's current power, it's nothing short of a pipe dream to seek revenge against the Wang family."

Shen Qingdai sighed, "In fact, even hatred shouldn't exist. Back then, the Zhou family surrendered without a fight and was already condemned by everyone. Wang Zhang died of illness during the war, and it was Grand Commandant Wang Dun who overruled the objections and advocated posthumously granting the Zhou family head who died in battle an official title. Just for that magnanimity, how could the Zhou family harbor any resentment?"

Xi Lingxian glanced in Zhou Shuhuai's direction.

He was speaking softly to a scholar beside him, his expression gentle, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The debate shifted to a new topic: the debate between "nature" and "Confucianism".

Shen Qingdai listened with great interest, occasionally leaning over to offer her comments; Ji Ruchuan also gradually became engrossed, exchanging a few words with the scholars beside him.

Xi Lingxian was sitting there, about to close her eyes and rest for a while, when she suddenly felt a gaze fall on her.

She didn't need to look up to know who it was.

If you weren't human in your past life, you're like a ghost in this one.

He really has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.