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

Qiluan Pavilion, around midnight

Thunder rumbled across the sky, waking Xi Lingxian from her dream. When she sat up, her forehead was covered in cold sweat.

I dreamt again of her stabbing Xi Yao to death, splattering my blood all over me.

This is the third time I've had this dream this month.

Lingxian turned over.

Behind Ji'an Hall lies the Yu family, known for their drug production, mind-altering powder, and dream-inducing incense...

Such a large-scale operation couldn't possibly be just for dealing with her.

The Yu family must have even bigger schemes up their sleeves.

The Yu family rose to power by relying on their maternal relatives and by taking advantage of the emperor's desire to suppress the noble families of Langya Wang and Chenjun Xie, who were from other ethnic minority families.

But no one can willingly remain a tool in someone else's hand forever.

The struggle for power has always been decisive and brutal, with the victor taking all and the loser being condemned. Xi Lingxian was not surprised by this.

She was only curious about whether the bigger scheme behind the Yu family was the emperor or the Wang family.

The rain poured down like a waterfall and didn't stop all night.

The following day, it was gloomy and rainy.

Lingxian had just gotten up and was still getting ready.

"Young Master has arrived."

Looking in the mirror, Lingxian saw Xi Rui striding towards her and smiled, "Big brother, what brings you here so early?"

Xi Rui's expression was heavy. "The Yu family insists that the Jingzhao Prefecture will not release them. The prefect is caught in a dilemma and came to the prefecture early this morning to plead his case."

Lingxian's heart tightened. "Who's in charge of the Yu family? Yu Liang?"

"right."

"Is the owner of a mere pharmacy worth the personal intervention of a high-ranking official like him?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the Yuan Gate.

Butler Xi Ming hurried along, "Young Master, someone from the Yu family has arrived."

Xi Lingxian took a deep breath.

Xi Rui comforted him, "Don't worry, I'll go take a look."

……

Xi Fu Zheng Tang

Xi Jian sat in the main seat, his face gloomy and inscrutable; to his left sat a middle-aged man in a black robe, with a long beard and handsome features.

It was Yu Liang, the current empress's elder brother and the head of the Yu family, who was then serving as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat.

He was followed by a dozen or so guards in black, each with a long sword at his waist.

Xi Rui walked in. "Father."

Then he turned to Yu Liang, "Public Security Officer Yu."

Yu Liang looked up at the young man before him, who was even more outstanding than his father. "In terms of etiquette, You'an, you should call me uncle."

Xi Rui said calmly, "My mother's surname is Han."

In today's world, being recommended for the civil service is an opportunity for many sons of officials to rise in society, and disrespecting elders and being unfilial to one's elders are considered serious crimes.

Yu Liang glanced at Xi Jian and saw that his expression remained unchanged, as if he did not think there was anything wrong with what his son said.

"Brother Xuanping, my sister has been married into your household for over a decade. Even if she hasn't done anything particularly meritorious, she has certainly worked hard. Don't we, as her juniors, even deserve the most basic respect?"

Xi Jian put down his teacup, his gaze fixed, "Those who respect others will always be respected. Respect comes from the heart and cannot be forced."

Xi Rui cupped his hands in greeting: "Lord Yu, what brings you here?"

Yu Liang looked at him, "Does You'an have any prior acquaintances with the people from Liuchuntang?"

"no."

"Then why did the Jingzhao Prefecture say that you were making every effort to preserve Wen Sheng, the second-in-command of Chuntang?"

"Madam Lu of Liuchuntang once helped my younger sister."

Yu Liang pondered for a moment, "Wen Sheng is suspected of a major poisoning case. The young lady is naive and easily swayed. What if she's being used?"

Xi Rui: "What kind of momentous case is it that requires the personal attention of the Grand Secretary?"

Yu Liang stood up, his gaze deep and serious. "Xi Youan, are you questioning my actions?"

Xi Jian's brows furrowed. "Yu Liang, in terms of seniority, my son certainly cannot question you. But may I?"

Yu Liang's expression hardened slightly. "Brother Xuanping..."

Xi Jian remained unmoved. "Do you think I don't know that Ji'an Hall is owned by your Yu family? Now, you, the Grand Secretary, are personally targeting a small pharmacy. Are you trying to make sure everyone knows what you're up to?"

"I think if You'an hadn't promptly relayed a message to the Jingzhao Prefecture, letting you know about my connection to Liuchuntang, that man surnamed Wen would probably have died unjustly in prison long ago, wouldn't he?"

"Nonsense."

Yu Liang denied it: "I am the Grand Secretary, busy with countless affairs of state. How could a mere pharmacy owner be worth my time?"

Xi Rui slowly sipped his tea, the fragrant aroma wafting around him, highlighting his handsome and upright features. "Mengluo Fragrance..."

Upon hearing those three words, Yu Liang's face turned deathly pale.

This reaction also surprised Xi Rui.

Just now, Fanfan said that Mengluoxiang is a shady business of Ji'an Hall, and mentioning it might throw Yu Liang into a panic.

He hadn't taken it seriously, but his sister had actually guessed right.

The room fell into a deathly silence for a moment.

Xi Jian looked at his son, "What is Mengluoxiang?"

Yu Liang closed his eyes, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged.

Xi Rui said calmly, "It's a treasure that only Ji'an Hall in the entire capital has, and it can sell for the astronomical price of thirty taels of silver per piece."

"Lord Yu keeps claiming that Wen Sheng was involved in the poisoning, but where is the physical evidence and witness testimony? Is it just based on his words?"

"Furthermore, shouldn't the jurisdiction over judging and adjudicating cases lie with the Court of Justice? How come Lord Yu holds multiple positions?"

Yu Liang sneered sharply: "Yes, I admit that I do have another scheme behind Ji'an Hall, but which aristocratic family doesn't exhaust itself for the glory of its clan? You, Xi Jian, pride yourself on being loyal to the country and innocent, so why can't I compete?"

Xi Rui chuckled: "Lord Yu, you may argue however you wish, but the Mengluo Incense that circulated from your Ji'an Hall once endangered my little sister's life. This is not just a matter for your family."

"How could this be?" Yu Liang exclaimed. "I have no grudge against your girl. Why would I harm her? She's just a little girl. What good would it do me to hurt her?"

Some things can be dealt with casually, but matters that involve the other party's bottom line must be clearly distinguished.

Yu Liang knew perfectly well how much Xi Jian cared about the three children he had with his first wife.

Xi Jian was not to be used by him, but he never thought of making an enemy of him.

Xi Rui looked directly at Yu Liang. "Lord Yu, do you truly wish to hear what I have to say?"

"Some things are easier said than said, Lord Yu, do you really mean to..."

Yu Liang understood the implication in those words, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Xi Jian said calmly, "I have ordered a thorough investigation into this matter. If the evidence is conclusive, I will immediately issue a letter of divorce."

Yu Liang's expression changed drastically.

"No."

"Why? Brother Yu wields immense power, yet it seems you can't interfere in my family affairs?"

"Brother Xuanping, my sister is deeply devoted to you. When you married your first wife, she cried for three days and three nights. Later, she, a noblewoman from a high-ranking family, was willing to become your second wife..."

"Did I ask her for this?" Xi Jian interrupted the other party's attempt to reason with him and appeal to his emotions.

"I never thought of remarrying, but she acted first and informed me later, catching me completely off guard; unfortunately, I was not yet powerful enough back then. If it were today, I would rather storm the imperial palace than accept the imperial decree."

Yu Liang slumped down.

He knows just how ruthless and heartless a man can be towards a woman he doesn't care about.

"But, but you already have two children. If, if Hui-ge'er was an accident, then what about Xi Yao?"

The candlelight cast a flickering shadow on Xi Jian's handsome face, and his eyes were as cold as ice.

"Do I need to list all the filthy things your Yu family used to make your fortune?"

Yu Liang suddenly understood everything.

So that's how nephews and nieces came to be.

He mistakenly believed that his sister was quite capable and had a knack for winning over men.