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

Xi Lingxian remained silent.

The Langya Wang clan has a history of deposing and installing emperors, let alone a mere crown prince.

But what does this have to do with him? Why would someone like him, who only gets involved for personal gain, bother with this?

Xi Rui paused, looking at his sister, "Wang Jue is truly a man of extraordinary talent. He quoted extensively from classical texts, from the *Zhou Li* to the *Shang Shu*, from King Zhou of Shang to King You of Shang, even comparing the Crown Prince to a ruler who brought ruin to the country and the Empress to a wicked concubine who brought disaster to the nation. Yu Liang below turned green with rage, jumping up to accuse him of spreading alarmist rumors and having ulterior motives. Wang Jue then retorted—if a moment of folly can ruin someone's reputation, then can a moment of folly another day also lead to murder, arson, and bringing disaster to the country and its people?"

"Why would he do that?" she blurted out.

Xi Rui lowered her voice, "On the way out of the palace, I ran into him and specifically asked him about it. He said..."

"Consider it as standing up for you."

Xi Lingxian's lips twitched slightly.

When Wang Jue pretends to be nice to someone, she can genuinely give that person the illusion that she is the most important person in the world.

"You actually believe what he's saying, brother?"

Xi Rui stroked his chin. "I don't really believe it, but I can't find any other more credible reasons."

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore."

Xi Jian helped his daughter and escorted her back to Qiluan Pavilion.

"By the way, Father, it was Young Master Zhou who saved my life today. His kindness in saving my life is greater than heaven, and I must repay him properly."

Xi Jian understood. "That's simple. What do you suggest as thanks? An official position or gold and silver?"

"I haven't decided yet. Young Master Zhou seems like a refined and unconventional person. I'm afraid he wouldn't be interested in these gold and silver things."

Xi Rui scoffed, "These are exactly what the collateral branches of declining aristocratic families lack most. How could they look down on them?"

Xi Lingxian's heart pounded wildly, and she tentatively asked, "Father, what do you think of the Zhou family's young master?"

Xi Jian was startled by his daughter. "You...you wouldn't be...?"

"No, my daughter just feels that his temperament is not like those dissolute young men, and she feels very at ease with him."

Xi Rui objected: "No, the Zhou family has declined and is not of a suitable social standing."

"Unless he marries into the family!"

Xi Jian's eyes lit up.

"Fanfan, your elder brother's words make sense. If you don't want to get married, your father can find a husband for you to marry into the family. That way, you will always be under the protection of your father and your elder brother, and no one will dare to bully you."

Son-in-law?

Xi Lingxian was a little taken aback.

The more Xi Rui thought about it, the more he felt that he had discovered an incredible idea.

"Father, this is a good idea! If she marries out, the Zhou family is definitely not good enough for Fanfan; but if she marries into the family, it's something we can consider."

Xi Jian rubbed his daughter's head and said, "Your sister is still young, there's no rush. Even if you're looking for a husband, you should make sure you know his character before you start talking about it."

Xi Rui patted his chest and said, "I'll keep an eye out for Fanfan."

There's no reason to support the poor by marrying off a daughter. Instead of supporting the son-in-law, it's better to have him marry into the family and use him for your own purposes.

……

In the evening, at dusk

Xi Lingxian was sitting by the window deep in thought when Taozhi rushed in.

"Young lady, Young Master Wang has arrived."

Xi Lingxian's hand trembled, and she almost knocked over the teacup.

"Now?"

"We're already in the main hall; the head of the family is entertaining guests."

"What's he doing here?"

"He said he came to... visit the lady."

Xi Lingxian took a deep breath, got up and walked towards the front hall.

The main hall was brightly lit.

Wang Jue sat in the guest seat, his demeanor composed; dressed in a black casual robe, his hair tied up with only a jade hairpin, he was elegant and leisurely, with picturesque features.

"Father."

Xi Lingxian turned to Wang Jue, "Young Master Wang."

After she finished speaking, she sat down next to Xi Rui, her eyes lowered.

Wang Jue: "I heard that Miss Xi was poisoned by something unclean today. I was worried about her, so I came to visit her."

Xi Lingxian dug her fingertips into her palm. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Wang. My daughter is much better now."

Wang Jue looked at Xi Jian, "Uncle, there are some things I'd like to discuss with Miss Xi privately. Is that alright?"

Xi Lingxian's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, "It's getting late, and men and women should be mindful of their boundaries. What you're saying, sir, is probably inappropriate."

Wang Jue stared into her eyes. "Alright, then I'll say it in front of Uncle?"

Xi Lingxian was afraid that he would speak wildly, and even more afraid that her father and elder brother would be swayed by his sweet words.

"...Young master, please follow me."

Xi Jian: "..."

Xi Rui raised his hand to stop her, but was glared at by his younger sister and withdrew it in fear.

Xi Jian also couldn't quite understand the cryptic game the two young people were playing.

Separated by a wall, the next room

"Miss Xi, what do you think of my sincerity this time?"

"What sincerity?"

Wang Jue walked up to her, the candlelight casting a long shadow behind him that enveloped her.

Xi Lingxian instinctively stepped back, but unwilling to lose face, she forced herself to hold back.

"The Crown Prince bullied you, so I'll cripple him for you, isn't that good?" His voice was soft and ghostly.

His breath brushed against her ear, carrying the cool scent of pine.

"What kind of sincerity is this?"

Wang Jue leaned down, his gaze fixed, "Even the Crown Prince can be deposed, so who in Jiankang will dare to offend you in the future?"

"Isn't this sincerity enough?"

So that's what they were talking about.

She raised her eyes with a cold laugh, looking directly into his eyes, "What exactly do you want?"

"I will marry you."

He looked at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was a sense of inquiry, doubt, and a hint of emotion she couldn't understand.

"I'm a little curious, are you really Xi Lingxian?"

"If so, why are you suddenly acting like a completely different person?"

Xi Lingxian froze.

"I asked the doctor, and he said the aphrodisiac you took was extremely potent, something that even ordinary men couldn't withstand. No one would have imagined that a young woman like you would have such stamina and resilience..."

"I had people investigate your words and actions since the Dragon Boat Festival, and almost everyone who knows you says you are a completely different person before and after!"

Wang Jue stared straight into her eyes. "The most conclusive evidence is your suddenly unique handwriting."

Xi Lingxian suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

"We first met at the Orchid Pavilion Gathering. I remember Miss Xi's calligraphy was rather appalling, but today, the calligraphy on the stationery you picked up from the flower stand at the Prince of Huainan's mansion is quite remarkable..."

Xi Lingxian closed her eyes.

Looking at her expression, Wang Jue's suspicions became clearer.

"So tell me, who exactly are you?"

Xi Lingxian's breath hitched.

She never imagined he would be so thoughtful.

This man is truly terrifying.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about. I am who I am, who else could I be?"

The story of his rebirth was so bizarre that no one would believe it if it were told to him; he certainly couldn't have guessed it.

As long as she doesn't admit it, all his guesses will remain just guesses.

Wang Jue took a step back, his eyes unreadable.

"I've been having a strange dream a lot these past few days."

"In my dreams, there is always a woman whose face I can't see clearly, with a small red mole behind her ear, who takes my arm and calls me husband."

Xi Lingxian pinched her palm and deliberately changed the subject, "What you think about during the day, you dream about at night. It's time for you to get married and start a family, young master."

Wang Jue looked at her and said, "So, wouldn't it be better if you married me? If you marry me, this kind of thing will never happen again."

"I've said it before, we're not a good match."

"I know this sounds a bit presumptuous. Any woman would feel incredibly fortunate to marry you." She paused, then said, word by word, "But I don't want to."

Wang Jue frowned slightly.

"Why?" His voice remained calm, but something seemed to be churning beneath his eyes. "Could you possibly find someone better than me?"

"It's not a matter of good or bad," she said. "We're just not a good match."

"What's wrong with it?"

Looking at her, Xi Lingxian felt only exhaustion and heartache.

She carefully chose her words, "Do you think that in a marriage between two families, feelings are important?"

"Do you think it's important?"

His tone was one of unprecedented absurdity and incomprehension.