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

Xi Lingxian drank the medicine prescribed by the female teacher for two more days, and it really cured her illness.

Taking advantage of her recent recovery from a serious illness, she summoned the steward of the public hall and had all the bedding in her room replaced.

From bedding and blankets to incense burners; and the old items that were taken off, for fear that Yu had tampered with them, were all burned by Taozhi in a secluded place.

Therefore, when he paid his respects the following day, he incurred the displeasure of Madam Qu.

"The Xi family's money didn't come from thin air. All those things are in good condition. You're so extravagant and wasteful. Who would dare to marry you and make you the mistress of the household? Even if they do, people will laugh at the Xi family for raising a spendthrift daughter who doesn't know how to manage a household."

Xi Yao tried to soothe the old lady, saying gently, "Grandmother, please calm down. Don't get angry; your health is the most important thing. These are just material possessions. Although the things are still in good condition, if Sister doesn't like them anymore, she can simply change them. Father dotes on Sister so much; he certainly won't care about these things."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Lingxian with a sweet smile, "Sister, don't you think so? Father loves you so much, you're happy to spend money, how could he think you're wasting it?"

Xi Lingxian looked at her.

These words sound like they are speaking up for her and complimenting her father on how much he loves and cares for her, but upon closer examination, what does "on a whim" really mean?

What does "change it if you don't like it anymore" even mean? Doesn't this confirm that she is willful, reckless, and extravagant?

Although her lifestyle was never exactly simple.

But to use the guise of pleading for her while actually sowing discord is disgusting.

Upon hearing this, Madam Qu's expression indeed turned even uglier. "Every stitch in this house was earned by your father through his desperate battles on the battlefield. If you were even slightly sensible, you wouldn't have done what you did today."

"Look at your younger sister. She's younger than you, but she's more mature and filial than you in every way. You, as the older sister, don't act like one at all."

Sitting to the left of Madam Qu, Madam Yu looked gentle and kind. She sighed and continued the conversation, "Grandma, please don't blame A-Fan. It's common for young girls to like new things. Fortunately, Yao'er doesn't care much about these things. She can save her share, and the rest can be used by A-Fan, so the household management won't suffer any losses."

As Xi Lingxian listened, she increasingly wanted to travel back to her past life. She grabbed that version of herself by the collar and questioned, "How could you have been so easily fooled by these idiots in your past life?"

These words are full of loopholes, and the tone is ostensibly praising but actually criticizing. How could she have been so stupid in her past life?

Before he could speak, a voice suddenly rang out from behind him, "Grandma, please forgive me, but this old woman dares to speak up for our young lady. As you know, our young lady has been pampered by the master of the house since childhood and cannot endure any hardship. Ever since she fell into the water on the Dragon Boat Festival, she hasn't been sleeping well at night, so we thought of changing her bedding to get some peace and quiet. At first, I thought it was more than that, but then I realized that money is just material possessions and nothing is more important than our young lady's health..."

As she spoke, she knelt down in the hall, her voice growing more earnest, "If the old lady wishes to punish me, this old servant is willing to accept the punishment, I only beg the old lady not to blame the young lady."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Qu's face was already extremely pale.

This girl has been pampered since childhood; she doesn't need anyone to remind her of how much she's been spoiled.

Her previous daughter-in-law, Han, also came from a prominent family. It is said that her dowry was so large that it could be piled up like a mountain. After giving birth to her eldest grandson, Xi Rui, she had a beautiful daughter who was the apple of her eye.

She could have a house full of gold and jade to choose from, wear gold and silver, and have servants at her beck and call.

There were more than forty people in Qiluan Pavilion, including maids and servants.

So many people, serving a little girl.

Qu was born into poverty. During the turmoil in the Central Plains, Qu's father fled south with the Xi family ancestor to Yishan. Because of his great strength, he eliminated two major threats to the Xi family ancestor. The Xi family ancestor was grateful for his loyalty and righteousness, and seeing that his daughter was beautiful, he arranged this marriage.

It's one thing for elders to make decisions, but Qu's marriage with her husband was utterly tasteless.

Neither of them did anything wrong, and they never even said a harsh word to each other, but they always ended up arguing and having nothing to say to each other.

Having never experienced the joy of marital harmony and love, seeing her son and daughter-in-law like that caused her unbearable imbalance, making her unable to like Han Shi or even her daughter.

Thinking of the past, Qu felt even more choked up.

Seeing her mother-in-law's expression change, Madam Yu did not try to appease her, but said, "Speaking of which, the families of the girls that A-Fan saved from drowning a few days ago sent us invitations, saying that they are grateful for A-Fan's life-saving grace and want to hold a banquet to thank him properly."

Qu, annoyed, seized the opportunity to vent: "You really have some nerve, falling into the water and getting soaked in public, and you..."

"grandmother!"

After they finished speaking, Lingxian slowly looked at Madam Qu, and then glanced at Madam Yu.

"As the Buddhist teachings say, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. When others are in trouble, helping them is an act of accumulating merit and blessings for the family. My grandmother is a vegetarian and a Buddhist; how could she not know this principle?"

"Speaking of which, I forgot to send someone to report this to the Court of Justice. After all, my falling into the water was not a natural disaster but a man-made one."

Madam Yu looked over, feigning confusion. "What do you mean by that, A-Fan?"

"It means that I was pushed into the water from behind that day. I had only been back in Jiankang for three months. I really don't know what I did to offend them that they would want to kill me."

Xi Yao tilted her head, indignant: "What? Such a thing happened! Who could be so wicked?"

Her angry tone vanished in an instant, replaced by an understanding expression. "But sister, the incident happened so suddenly that day. After someone fell into the water, there was chaos on the boat and the shore. Were you accidentally pushed in a crowded place?"

Qu said impatiently, "Yao'er has a point, but with your temperament, it's normal for you to make enemies and offend people."

Xi Lingxian's expression turned cold. "What do you mean by that, Grandmother? Someone wants to kill me. Am I to blame for my own actions?"

Madam Qu raised her voice and scolded, "Who told you to chase after that man from the Wang family every day? Do you know how famous Wang Jue is? Every official's daughter in Jiankang City is infatuated with him, they just keep it to themselves; but you've become the one to stick your neck out, so who else should they attack if not you?"

Even though she didn't particularly like this granddaughter, Madam Qu couldn't stand anyone embarrassing her family.

She couldn't understand why a granddaughter with top-notch looks and family background would pursue a man.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Lingxian looked at the old man in the main seat and silently raised an eyebrow.

In her past life, her grandmother never spoke kindly to her. She was spoiled by her father and the uncles and elders of the Jingkou retinue and was never willing to put up with other people's attitudes. In addition, Yu Shi and Xi Yao and her daughter interfered with her.

Her relationship with her grandmother once deteriorated to the point where they hated each other.

In this lifetime...

"Grandmother is right. What I did before was just me being ignorant. I will never do it again."

The granddaughter, who was as thorny as a rose, suddenly softened, leaving Mrs. Qu dumbfounded.

"...What did you say?"

Lingxian said earnestly, "Grandmother, after this incident, I've come to understand that he's just a man with decent looks. When I'm infatuated with him, I'm completely infatuated, but when I calm down and think about it, he's just that kind of person."

Ms. Qu blinked.

Xi Yao: "Sister, are you just saying this out of anger? He is the eldest son of the Langya Wang family, second only to the emperor. How could he be just a pretty face? If you ask me, you have excellent taste. You saw the best for him at first glance."

Hehe, the best.

It was so good that any woman would covet it, and in her past life, she drove herself into a resentful and crazy woman because of it.

"No matter how good he is, that's his business. But in my eyes, he's out of the running." Lingxian looked at her grandmother, trying to force a sweet smile. "A man who's too aloof may be good at whatever he does, but he's not suitable to be a husband."

Both Madam Yu and Xi Yao were dumbfounded.

Just a few days ago I was head over heels in love, and now...

Madam Yu chuckled awkwardly, "Ah Fan, you're not just saying that out of anger, are you?"

Lingxian shrugged. "Do you think I'm just saying this out of anger? Actually, falling into the water was a blessing in disguise. It cleared my head. Who would want a man who wouldn't care about me in a life-or-death situation?"

Yu was speechless.

Qu curled her lip. "It's normal to be brainwashed."

"..."

Lingxian took a deep breath. "Before, we just thought our granddaughter had water in her brain, but this time, by chance, we've cleared the water out."

"Furthermore, my granddaughter also has something to say about changing the bedding."

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and sharp. "Grandmother, do you know why your granddaughter wants to change?"

Qu was taken aback by her gaze.

Lingxian continued, "Yesterday, my granddaughter went to Zuixianlou to look for Asong, but suddenly fainted. We called a pharmacist to come and see her. The doctor said that there was something wrong with my granddaughter's body, as if someone had put something in it, and it had been accumulated over many years."

Madam Qu's expression changed drastically. "What? You mean you were poisoned?"

"I dared not disregard what the pharmacist said, so as soon as I returned, I followed his instructions and replaced everything in the bedroom with new ones."

Startled by the word "poisoning," Madam Qu couldn't help but scoff, "What's the use of changing to a new one? If the thief isn't caught, who knows when they might poison you again?"

Lingxian pinched herself secretly, her eyes instantly reddening, and she said with tears welling up in her eyes, "Grandmother is right. I was so scared that I lost all sense of reason. Father and elder brother are not here right now, and I really..."

Qu's expression was complex.

It's really...uncomfortable when an arrogant and domineering person suddenly starts crying.

"Alright, alright, I'll pretend I misunderstood you. Let's exchange it then."

Xi Yao clenched the handkerchief in her hand until it was deformed, and she was about to open her mouth with a forced smile.

Lingxian didn't give her a chance to say anything more and gestured to Taozhi with her eyes.

Taozhi stepped forward, holding an eight-treasure brocade box.

Ms. Qu: "What is this?"

"My granddaughter was tidying up her dowry a few days ago and found a jade bracelet. She was afraid she couldn't wear it herself, so she thought it would be most appropriate to give it to her grandmother."

Madam Qu gasped and stared intently at the people below the hall.

Ms. Yu lowered her eyelids, concealing the surprise and astonishment in her eyes.

How did this girl suddenly change her personality?

He used to be arrogant and domineering, not taking the old lady seriously. If she provoked him a little, the two of them would be at each other's throats.

Over the years, she has never uttered a kind word to the old lady, who comes from a humble background and is extremely sensitive.

Xi Lingxian's pampered and aloof lifestyle was an eyesore to the old lady.

Yet she was still bossy and disrespectful to her elders. With a little guidance, the old lady could easily understand that Xi Lingxian looked down on her as her grandmother.

This trick has worked every time in the past few years.