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

Xi Lingxian has never been a good-tempered or patient person.

In her past life, she could argue back and forth with Wang Jue, let alone with Xie Wanyi and the others.

Previously, he was wary of Wang Jue and his mother, fearing that his rudeness would displease them.

If she doesn't start over now, and these guys still manage to bully her, then she'll have lived in vain.

"Clap clap clap!"

Xi Rui leaned against the door frame and clapped his hands in approval.

"As expected of my sister, so cool! That's how it has to be done!"

Xi Lingxian raised an eyebrow. "Brother, the short knife you gave me before is a bit dull. I want a sharper one."

"No problem, I'll replace it for you when I get back, and I'll also inlay gemstones on the scabbard and hilt so you can use the knife beautifully."

The rest of the group: "..."

Xie Wanyi looked at Wang Jue, who was watching from the sidelines behind Xi Rui, with tears welling up in her eyes. "Cousin, Miss Xi has really misunderstood me."

Wang Jue lowered his eyes, his voice icy, "Father and I, out of respect for Mother, have not been too harsh on you, but I never expected..."

Xie Wanru became anxious, "Brother Qingyu, it's really not my sister's fault, it's clearly Xi Lingxian who went crazy."

"I feel it's necessary to remind you both that this is our Wang family home, and neither of you has the surname Wang."

Xie Wanyi's face turned pale, and her lips trembled as two tears silently streamed down her face.

Wang Shuhui and Wang Shuyuan opened their mouths to say something, but Wang Jue's glare froze them in place.

Xi Lingxian ignored her and said, "Big brother, let's go."

She then walked over to Zhou Shuhuai and said with a smile, "I'm sorry you had to see this. Let's reschedule the horse-riding trip for another day."

Zhou Shuhuai smiled gently, "It's alright, since we're here, let's make the best of it and take things as they come."

"As long as the weather is clear and the wind is strong, any day is a good day for an outing."

She chatted and laughed with another man right in front of him, and they left side by side.

He didn't take his words to heart at all.

……

Although she didn't want to pay attention to Wang Jue, Xi Lingxian was genuinely worried that associating with her would bring disaster to Zhou Shuhuai.

A young man's feelings are written all over his face; she could tell that Zhou Shuhuai had feelings for her.

She didn't fall in love with him at first sight, but she felt very comfortable around him.

I've already experienced something extraordinary in my past life, so there's nothing wrong with living a simple and ordinary life in this one.

But as my father said, the two families' social standing is quite different;

Would he be willing to marry into the family?

She needs to find an opportunity to ask him clearly; if he is unwilling, she will look for someone else.

……

When Zhou Shuhuai returned home, it was already late at night.

The worn-out lantern swayed in the wind, casting a dim yellow light on the mottled wooden door.

The lights were on in the main room.

Hearing the commotion, Madam Zhou hurried over, her gaze sweeping over her son. Her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement, "You went out with that Xi family girl again?"

"I heard you went to the Langya Prince's Mansion today? For a family of that caliber to invite you, it's clear that the Xi family girl really values ​​you."

Seeing that he remained silent, Madam Zhou nudged him, saying, "Say something! Does she like you or not?"

"Mother," his voice was very soft, as soft as a sigh, "don't say that. It's not good for the girl's reputation."

Madam Zhou waved her hand dismissively, "What's wrong with that? I think that's exactly what she meant. If she didn't like you, what young lady would be so proactive? Inviting you to banquets, taking you to temple fairs, and showing you calligraphy appreciation."

"Everyone knows that General Xi holds military power, and who in the court dares to disrespect the Xi family? If you could become the Xi family's son-in-law—"

Zhou Shuhuai stood by the window, his voice low: "Mother is overthinking it. They just want a son-in-law who will live with them."

"What?" Madam Zhou's voice was so thin it was almost broken. "A son-in-law?"

How could her son become someone else's son-in-law? He'd marry into another family, his children would take that family's surname, he'd be buried in that family's ancestral grave, and there wouldn't even be a memorial tablet for him in the ancestral hall. What was the point of all the hard work she put into raising him?

Hearing his mother's heavy breathing behind him, Zhou Shuhuai felt as if his heart had been squeezed, a feeling he couldn't quite describe.

He knew what his mother was thinking. She couldn't bear to part with the wealth and luxury of the Xi family, nor could she bear to let her son become a live-in son-in-law.

She wanted to have the best of both worlds, but in this world, there's never such a good thing.

After a while, Madam Zhou's voice rang out again.

"Son, listen to your mother. Spend more time with that girl, and try to win her over. Girls are easily swayed; say a few sweet words, let her act a little spoiled and throw a tantrum in front of her father. Maybe then, her father will take pity on her and agree to your marriage?"

Zhou Shuhuai suddenly turned around.

"Mother, what do you take me for?"

Madam Zhou felt a little guilty under his gaze and stammered to make amends.

Zhou Shuhuai didn't say anything more and had a maid help his mother downstairs to settle in.

With no one around, Zhou Shuhuai read two volumes of books, but Xi Lingxian's face kept appearing in his mind.

Who wouldn't like such a beautiful and vibrant girl?

But what right does he have to possess it? What can he use to compete with that young master of the Langya Wang clan?

Two days later, Zhou Shuhuai attended a gathering for intellectual conversation in the courtyard in the east of the city as scheduled. The host was a distant relative of the Xie family of Chenjun.

He arrived early, exchanged a few pleasantries with his old friend, and keenly sensed the difference in the atmosphere.

Several people who were usually on good terms with him all avoided him today, looking away as if they couldn't bear to see him.

Someone kindly advised, "Brother Zhou, take my advice and stay away from the Xi family's daughter. She's someone that the Wang, Xie, Huan, and Yu families have their eyes on; she's not someone you or I can aspire to."

Before he finished speaking, a group of people walked over from the other side of the path. Immediately, someone recognized them as members of a collateral branch of the Langya Wang clan, with the leader named Wang Xun.

Wang Xun looked to be no more than 18 years old. After scanning the crowd, his gaze went straight to Zhou Shuhuai.

"Young Master Zhou, there's something I have to say even if I shouldn't."

"Young Master is also a scholar; he should know the principle that a wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. My second brother is magnanimous and doesn't hold grudges, but that doesn't mean the rest of the Wang family can tolerate it."

It would be a lie for Zhou Shuhuai to say he wasn't embarrassed.

A friend smoothed things over for him, saying, "It's all a misunderstanding. His relationship with the Xi family girl is completely innocent; there's absolutely nothing like the rumors."

"There is no best option. Even if Miss Xi doesn't marry into the Wang family, there are plenty of men from overseas Chinese families and gentry families in Jiangdong who would be willing to marry her. The most important thing is to have self-awareness, don't you think, Young Master Zhou?"

Zhou Shuhuai endured the humiliation and felt deeply that he should not have been there.

If it weren't for Wang Zhang's rebellion, the Zhou family would have been the leading family in Jiangdong, and these people would definitely have shown a completely different face.

Wang Xun, sitting opposite him, seemed to see through his thoughts. "Times have changed, and the world is cruel, but I think you can understand this, Young Master Zhou."

"Putting aside others, Duke Xi would never have agreed to marry his daughter to you. This isn't about currying favor with the powerful and belittling the weak; if you were in Duke Xi's position, you would have done the same."

The so-called hatred of those in power is nothing more than hatred that those in power are not themselves.