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

The words "recruiting a son-in-law to live with his wife's family" left Zhou Shuhuai stunned for a moment.

What man in the world would willingly marry into another family?

"Banfan?"

Not far away, Xi Rui spurred his horse past, saw his sister in the distance, and went up to speak with her.

Xi Lingxian exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, you've come to the temple fair today too?"

"You think I'm like you? You girls like crowds, but I don't."

"So what are you doing?"

"Today, I am fortunate that Grand Tutor Wang opened the 'Timely Clearing After Snowfall' in his home and invited everyone to come and appreciate it. My father has already gone ahead. He thinks my handwriting is worrying and insists that I come along as well."

Many of the Wang family members were skilled in calligraphy, and Xi Jian was also a great lover of it. However, the handwriting of the siblings Xi Rui and Xi Lingxian was rather unappealing.

When Wang Jue first saw her handwriting in his previous life, he gasped several times with his eyes closed.

Gritting her teeth, she dug out the calligraphy practice book he used when he was a child from his study and assigned her the homework of writing twenty pages every day without saying a word.

He looked as if he was afraid she would embarrass him, the Prefect, by going out one day.

"The 'Timely Clearing After Snowfall'? The one by Wang Xizhi?" Ji Ruchuan's eyes sparkled, his expression filled with excitement.

Xi Rui nodded: "Exactly."

"I want to go too. That is a masterpiece by the Prince. I have only ever seen copies before. It is rare that Grand Commandant Wang would be willing to take it out for everyone to appreciate."

Xi Rui smiled, her gaze falling on Xi Lingxian. "Fanfan, are you going?"

Xi Lingxian glanced at Zhou Shuhuai.

"Young Master Zhou, let's go together."

Xi Rui said in a gentle tone, "Today's opportunity is rare. Several ancestors of the Langya Wang clan were great calligraphers, and there are not many opportunities to see their original works in person."

Ji Ruchuan was equally eager, "Let's go together, Brother Zhou, this is a rare opportunity."

Zhou Shuhuai's gaze swept over their faces one by one, and he changed his mind before speaking, "Okay."

Xi Lingxian never expected that her final destination today would be the Prince's Mansion in Wuyi Lane.

Xi Rui quickly had a carriage arranged. The two young ladies, Xi Lingxian and Shen Qingdai, boarded the carriage, while the three young men rode horses.

When they arrived at the Langya Prince's Mansion, the gate was already full of carriages and horses.

The gatekeeper recognized Xi Rui and respectfully welcomed the group inside.

In the courtyard in front of the Prince's Mansion's main hall, there were more than a dozen tables and chairs covered with brocade tablecloths, on which teacups and fruits were displayed. In the center of the main hall hung several calligraphy scrolls, arranged in a row, all mounted on fine silk and framed in rosewood.

Xi Jian was talking to an elderly man with gray hair and beard, dressed in a black casual suit, with a tall and upright figure and a handsome and refined face.

Xi Rui was always well-behaved with his father when they were out. "Father, I saw Fanfan and Ruchuan on the way, so I brought them along so they could also learn from them."

Xi Jian sighed helplessly, "Others are one thing, but you two siblings should really take this opportunity to be properly influenced today."

Xi Rui scratched his cheek. "Dad, you shouldn't expose someone's shortcomings. There are so many people here. Give your son some face."

Xi Jian waved his hand dismissively, "Get out of here."

Ji Ruchuan pulled Xi Rui and Zhou Shuhuai closer to examine it closely.

Shen Qingdai and Xi Lingxian showed little interest in these things, and sat quietly behind the table enjoying their fruit snacks.

Xi Lingxian prayed silently.

Please don't run into that Wang Jue again. Let her have some peace and quiet.

But things often don't go as planned.

Now that we've come to the Wang family, how can we possibly live in peace?

A burst of cheerful laughter rang out.

All eyes turned to the moon gate.

Xie Wanyi walked in front, wearing a light purple dress, looking gentle and charming.

Following behind her was Xie Wanyun, the second daughter of the Xie family, who was two months younger than Xie Wanyi. She had married into the second branch of the Wang family last year and was already a daughter-in-law of the Wang family. She wore an autumn-colored dress and had a red-gold hairpin in her hair. Her overall demeanor was even more luxurious than that of her older sister.

The two sisters entered the courtyard, first bowed to the host, and then exchanged a few pleasantries with the elders.

Xie Wanyun had been married into the Wang family for over a year and was already familiar with many of the women from prominent families present. They quickly struck up a conversation.

Xie Wanyi stood upright in front of the "Timely Clearing After Snowfall" calligraphy scroll, leaning slightly forward to examine it closely. Her posture was dignified, her gaze focused, and her insights were exceptionally unique. On a whim, she picked up a brush and wrote a few words in a flowing, elegant style on the Xuan paper on the table to the side.

"The eldest daughter of the Xie family is indeed remarkable. Her entire demeanor exudes an air of refinement, clearly indicating that she comes from a scholarly family."

"That's right. I heard that her handwriting is excellent, and even Grand Commandant Wang praised it."

Xi Lingxian was standing under the corridor, holding a cup of tea in her hand.

Xie Wanyi caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of her eye, and the smile on her lips faded slightly.

The matter concerning the crown prince caused a great uproar throughout the city.

For Xi Lingxian's sake, my cousin dared to depose the crown prince, trample on the empress's face, and even overturn the entire court.

He did it so spectacularly, so openly, so recklessly.

This was something she had always dreamed of but could never have. Why did Xi Lingxian get it all?

The courtyard gradually became lively.

Someone suggested that since today's purpose is to appreciate calligraphy, what's the point of just looking without writing? Why don't we each pick up a brush and write a few characters, then appreciate and review each other's work? That would be a good way to make the most of this beautiful time.

This suggestion was immediately supported by many people.

The young ladies of the second branch of the Wang family had already had paper and brushes prepared. Xuan paper was laid out on a long table on one side of the flower hall, and the ink was ground, thick and fragrant with the scent of pine smoke.

Xie Wanyi stood in front of the desk and picked up her brush to write a picture.

She writes in small regular script, modeled after the Lingfei Sutra. Her handwriting is elegant and neat, and every stroke reveals the skill she has honed over many years.

Several ladies nearby, upon seeing the calligraphy, repeatedly praised it, saying, "Miss Xie's calligraphy truly captures the essence of Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi."

"Incredible, incredible!"

Xie Wanyi put down her pen, a reserved smile on her face, and bowed slightly: "Madam is too kind. It's just some boudoir writing, nothing to mention."

Her gaze swept across the crowd and landed on the quiet figure under the eaves.

"Sister Lingxian," her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those around to hear, "Since we have such a good opportunity today, why don't you write one too? If all of us sisters write one, let's just do it together for fun."

All eyes turned to Xi Lingxian.

Xi Lingxian looked at Xie Wanyi's smiling face, and she knew exactly what was going on.

The Xi family rose to prominence through military achievements, but their cultural foundation was inferior to that of the Wang and Xie families. In her previous life, Xie Wanyi was eager for the whole world to know that she was a vulgar, uncultured, and illiterate woman, practically having the words "unworthy of Wang Jue" engraved on her forehead.

Xie Wanyi stood before the desk, pen in hand, smiling gently: "Sister Lingxian, do you perhaps find our handwriting too inferior, unworthy to compare yourself to us, or refuse to do us the honor?"

As she spoke, there was a hint of self-deprecation in her tone, "Indeed, Sister Xian probably wouldn't even look at our refined writings."

This statement both puts oneself in a humble position and elevates Xi Lingxian to a superior one.

If I don't write, I'm seen as arrogant and looking down on others; if I do write, it's exactly what they want.

The ladies exchanged a glance.

Xie Wanyun stood to the side, glanced at her sister, and moved her lips.

She knew that her sister was determined to marry the second son of the eldest branch of the family, but marriage was always arranged by parents and matchmakers.

There were already quite a few Xie women in the Wang family's inner quarters, and Grand Commandant Wang could not tolerate the Xie family becoming too powerful in the Wang family.

Moreover, the Xie family is indeed declining in power and influence is not what it used to be.

If Wang had the idea of ​​finding another political partner, no one could say anything about it.