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

The next day, as dawn broke, Taozhi led several maids to get up early and mixed jasmine flowers into a copper basin.

Xi Lingxian sat in front of the dressing table, still sleepy, as Tao Zhi helped her wash her face.

"Miss, would you like some jasmine water today?" Taozhi held up a small white porcelain bottle, uncorked it, and a delicate jasmine fragrance wafted out.

Xi Lingxian nodded, letting the cool floral water splash on her face and slide down her chin.

The floral water seeped into my skin, cool and refreshing, with a faint jasmine scent.

The clothes were prepared a few days ago.

The peach branch was carefully taken out of the wardrobe, and when it was shaken open, the room seemed to be filled with a cloud of rosy clouds.

A set of long-sleeved blouses and skirts with a hemp-shaped waistband, embroidered with lotus scrolls in gold thread. The pattern is delicate and exquisite, and it shimmers with a subtle golden light.

The long-sleeved robe was the same pale yellow, light and thin as smoke; the shawl was the white of gardenias, two long strips that hung down from the shoulders and trailed below the hem of the skirt, fluttering gently with each step, like the feathered robe of an immortal.

In the front hall, Xi Jian was sitting in a chair drinking tea.

He was off work today and made a point of seeing his daughter before going on with other things.

Xi Lingxian walked in.

The morning light slanted in through the doorway, falling on her and enveloping her in a soft golden glow.

Her pale yellow dress looked exceptionally soft in the light, her sleeves were as light as smoke and swayed slightly with her steps, and her shawl trailed behind her in two long arcs.

The butterfly hairpin shimmered with a greenish luster in the light, and the pearls on the hair ornament jingled softly.

The entire lobby fell silent.

Xi Jian's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.

He looked at his daughter, his gaze fixed as if something had nailed him to the spot.

In a daze, he seemed to see another person.

The woman, dressed in a pale yellow dress, with her hair styled in a high bun, walked towards him with a smile.

That was a long, long time ago. Back then, she would always make a point of turning around in front of him before going out and asking him if she looked good.

He said it looked good, and she smiled with her eyes crinkling.

"Father?"

His daughter's voice brought him back to reality.

"Go ahead. Come back soon."

Huainan Prince's Mansion

Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the fragrance of clothes mingled with the shadows of hair.

From the main gate to the main hall, the mansion was lined with chrysanthemums of all colors: golden, snow-white, light purple, and dark red.

In the courtyard in front of the main hall, there was a tall flower platform with several pots of rare green chrysanthemums on it. The flowers were as big as bowls and as white as jade. It was said that the King of Huainan had spent a lot of money to bring them here.

Princess Nankang arrived in full regalia, wearing a magnificent robe adorned with butterflies, peonies, and auspicious symbols, and glittering with jewels.

She gracefully stepped down from the palanquin amidst the astonished looks of the crowd.

"Long live the Empress! Long live the Princess!"

As soon as Princess Nankang entered the garden, she saw a girl wearing a pale yellow long-sleeved shirt in front of the flower bed.

After a moment of stunned silence, he came to his senses, and a surge of anger immediately welled up inside him.

How dare they steal her thunder!

The prince's eyes lingered with amazement, and as he thought of his mother's scheme today, a surge of heat rose in his chest.

The initial hesitation and doubt had faded by about 70-80%.

Xi Lingxian and Shen Qingdai were standing in front of the flower stand admiring and commenting when they suddenly heard footsteps behind them.

A gentle breeze carries the cool, refreshing scent of agarwood.

Xi Lingxian guessed who it was, but pretended not to see them and only spoke to Shen Qingdai.

"Miss Xi, we've met again?"

Upon hearing the gentle voice, Xi Lingxian suddenly turned her head.

On the left-hand side of the corridor was Zhou Shuhuai, and just a few inches in front of her was... Wang Jue.

He smiled and said, "Miss Xi certainly has a wide network of good relationships."

Zhou Shuhuai's gaze became slightly subtle the moment he saw Wang Jue.

"My lord, I'm disrespectful."

"polite."

Wang Jue was humble and polite to everyone, even Zhou Shuhuai, the son of an old friend with whom he had a past feud.

"Miss Xi, may I have a word with you in private?"

Zhou Shuhuai is not worth his attention.

His priority now is to seduce Xi Lingxian.

Lingxian knew this man wouldn't give up easily, but it didn't matter; she would refuse him every time he came.

The Wang family has a sense of honor; they would never resort to force or coercion.

The two walked to a stone bridge in the garden.

"Miss Xi, have you always been so fickle?" A voice tinged with grievance and resentment reached her ears.

"Why do you say that?"

"You've been in contact with Zhou Shuhuai."

Lingxian frowned slightly. "It was just a chance encounter."

"But you allow him to get close, don't you know what that means to outsiders?"

Ling Xian remained silent for a moment.

She hadn't even figured out Zhou Shuhuai's temperament yet, so it was too early to talk about it now.

But being with Zhou Shuhuai was definitely more comfortable than being with Wang Jue.

Her silence was also a form of answer.

On the lakeside, the two stood facing each other, dressed in snow-white robes and skirts, looking like a perfect couple.

"That girl is so cruel."

"What?" She thought she had misheard.

"Isn't it cruel to disturb a pool of spring water and then abandon it?" the man said softly and resentfully.

Lingxian's gaze was icy. "Young Master Wang's skill in disguise is in no way inferior to that of the male prostitutes in the music hall."

Wang Jue scoffed, "Whatever I say now, Fanfan won't believe me?"

Xi Lingxian glared at him, "Who gave you permission to call me that?"

"A name is meant to be called." He had a playful and mischievous glint in his eyes, and a natural charm about him.

This appearance is truly outstanding, perfectly matching her preferences in every way, no wonder she loved it so much in her past life.

"What does Fanfan want from me to make things go back to normal?"

Lingxian found it absurd. "What do you mean, 'as before'? What past have we ever had?"

"You didn't look at me like this before."

"Because I don't like you anymore."

"You're angry because I didn't save you on the Dragon Boat Festival."

Lingxian was even more exasperated. "What does this have to do with anything? I don't need your help in the first place."

"But from that day on, your attitude towards me plummeted."

His gaze was fixed, as if he were interrogating someone.

"...It's your choice to save whomever you want, but what I want is a husband who will always put me first; whoever it is, I don't want him."

Wang Jue: "You mean, that day you didn't need me to save you, and you won't allow me to save anyone else?"

"Of course not."

"My decision to give you up is not entirely because of that day on the Dragon Boat Festival; Second Young Master, you are learned and exceptionally talented, and you will surely become a very busy person who holds a high position in the government and serves as both a general and a prime minister in the future. How much energy can you spare for your wife and children in the harem?"

A dark glint flashed in Wang Jue's eyes. "Did you only find out I was the eldest son of the Wang clan on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival?"

She knew his identity at their first meeting at the Orchid Pavilion gathering, yet she still dared to provoke him, didn't she?

Now that these things are happening, I don't find it laughable.

Lingxian was also annoyed. "When we first met, I was reckless and full of courage, but your indifference and coldness over the next few months have made me more and more sober."

"You are not a bad person, and my family's refusal of the marriage alliance was not intended to disrespect the Langya Wang clan; Young Master Wang, we are not suitable."

"But what if I tell you I'm starting to care about you?"

Xi Lingxian froze instantly, her astonishment and anger evident in her expression.

Does he even know what he's saying?