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

"Miss Xi, on the day of the calligraphy appreciation, I was so excited that I forgot my limits. I only thought about having fun writing and exchanging ideas with everyone, without considering that your interests lay elsewhere. I apologize to you for my words and actions that day."

Xie Wanyi is Xie Wanyi; even at this moment, she still speaks flawlessly.

With her taking the lead, Xie Wanru and the two Wang families also expressed their opinions. Wang Shuhui and Wang Shuyuan were much more sincere in their words. Xi Lingxian guessed that the two must have been reprimanded by Grand Commandant Wang himself, otherwise how could these two arrogant young ladies suddenly have such a good attitude?

Regardless of whether it was genuine or not, seeing the once arrogant and confrontational person now bowing down and admitting their mistakes in front of her, Xi Lingxian felt extremely pleased.

What kind of "a gentleman takes revenge even after ten years" mentality is that? Wouldn't that be satisfying?

If you have a grudge, you should settle it on the spot.

Madam Wang: "Today is a day for you young ladies to enjoy yourselves. The Wang family's stables have been cleared out, and tea, snacks, and fruits have been prepared in the flower hall. I won't keep you from having a bad time. Just enjoy yourselves."

Upon hearing this, the girls were overjoyed and went to the stables in groups of three or five to change into riding clothes and choose their mounts.

Xie Wanyi smiled kindly, "Miss Xi, I've heard you're an excellent horseman. May I ask you for a few pointers?"

"Miss Wanyi is known for her elegance and grace, yet she can ride a horse?" she asked in surprise.

"I know a little bit, but I don't dare to show off my skills in front of Miss Xi. When I was seven years old, I begged my cousin to teach me, but he said that a girl like me should just do embroidery and flower arranging. Why should I suffer and learn these things?"

Xi Lingxian nodded, "My riding skills were taught by my uncles and elders in the garrison, and Wang Jue might not be my match."

Xie Wanyi; "..."

Squeezing her palms, Xie Wanyi smiled and said, "Then let's go change our clothes first. Miss Xi looks beautiful today, but it's not convenient for riding a horse."

Xi Lingxian touched the soft sword at her waist. "Okay."

Xie Wanyi: "...You can use a sword, young lady?"

"I know a little bit," she suddenly said very modestly.

Xie Wanyi nodded and smiled, then said nothing more.

The horse ranch of the Langya Wang clan occupied almost half a mountain forest, with a magnificent presence and well-mannered servants.

When Xi Lingxian came out after changing her clothes, quite a few scions of prominent families had already run around the track.

Male peacocks only display their plumage when female peacocks are present, and the same applies to humans.

Wherever women are present, men will go to great lengths to demonstrate their bravery and heroism.

Although Xi Lingxian was secretly endorsed by Wang Jue, the allure of beauty was irresistible.

The young men of the Xie and Huan families, wanting to show off in front of the young ladies, rode very fast.

The girls clapped and cheered.

Xi Lingxian showed no appreciation whatsoever. She mounted her horse, gave it a gentle nudge, and chased after it, not wanting to be outdone.

The wind whistled past her ears, blowing her long hair and clothes behind her.

In just a few moments, she had left many young men with poor skills far behind.

The girls suddenly changed their previous doubts and disdain, looking at the woman in the lead with starry eyes, completely impressed.

Wang Jue stood at the highest point of the stands, his gaze following the crimson figure.

His fingers slowly traced the rim of the glass. Beneath his calm expression, something seemed to be churning within.

After running seven or eight laps, Xi Lingxian was exhausted and urged her horse to turn back.

When Taozhi saw her dismount, she quickly went up to her and handed her a teacup.

She took it, tilted her head back and took a sip, exhaled a long breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, and felt refreshed all over, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Miss Xi!"

Xi Lingxian turned her head and saw two young men walking side by side towards her.

The one in blue is Xie Mingyuan, the third young master of the second branch of the Xie family. The one behind him in the moon-white robe is Huan Heng, the seventh young master of the Huan family. He is younger than Xie Mingyuan and still has a touch of youthful naiveté on his face.

"Miss Xi," Xie Mingyuan approached and bowed, "your heroic figure on horseback just now was truly breathtaking. In all my years, this is the first time I have ever seen a woman with such superb riding skills."

Huan Heng nodded in agreement, his face showing genuine admiration: "Yes, yes, Miss Xi, that sideways movement you just did to pick up the target stick, I've practiced for years and still can't do it right. How did you manage to do it?"

Xi Lingxian was in a good mood, so she didn't keep people at arm's length.

"I started riding when I was five or six years old. My father taught me."

Xie Mingyuan's gaze fell on her face, moving from her slightly flushed cheeks to the stray hairs on her forehead damp with sweat, and he suddenly felt his heart skip a beat.

Huan Heng: "Miss Xi, where do you usually practice riding? May I come and take a look?"

He blushed as he spoke, "I mean, I also want to improve, and the young lady's riding skills are truly superb, which I admire."

Xi Lingxian's smile deepened, her eyes curving into crescent shapes.

Huan Heng stared blankly at her, his mouth slightly agape.

Xi Lingxian sipped her tea slowly, occasionally saying a word or two, a bright and cheerful smile on her lips, like a cat that had basked in the sun.

Lazy and casual.

"Miss Xi, there's a polo tournament in the south of the city next month. Several clubs from the capital will be attending. If you're interested—"

Before Xie Mingyuan could finish speaking, he caught a glimpse of a dark robe out of the corner of his eye. The fabric was woven with an extremely fine dark pattern, and it shimmered with a soft, lustrous sheen in the light.

You can't find more than a handful of these kinds of materials in the entire city of Jiankang.

He suddenly turned his head to the side.

Wang Jue stood two steps behind him, his gaze deep and his expression unreadable.

Xie Mingyuan and the other man bowed in unison, "Young Master Wang."

Wang Jue glanced at them.

"You two are here too."

"What brings you to horseback riding, Brother Wang?"

"We can't possibly finish reviewing all the official documents, so let's stretch our muscles a bit."

Xi Lingxian turned around, had her maid pour her another cup of tea, and drank it slowly without giving her a second glance.

Xie Mingyuan and his companion sensed something was amiss and quickly made an excuse to slip away.

Wang Jue glanced at the servant who was serving tea, and the servant immediately poured a cup and offered it to him.

"You don't seem very sad?"

Xi Lingxian looked puzzled. "...Why should I be sad?"

"Isn't it enough that the man you wanted to marry into your family has suddenly broken up with you?"

Xi Lingxian chuckled.

They're mocking her, aren't they? They think no man would want her except him, aren't they?

"Well, you can say whatever you like."

Wang Jue looked at her with his eyes half-lowered, "I wonder where you learned to be so good at taking things on and letting them go."

"What's it to you?"

Didn't you have enough of the arguments from your past life?

He said quietly, "I thought I was going to see a beautiful love story full of vows and tender feelings, but I was greatly disappointed."

Xi Lingxian scoffed.

"Don't worry, if one doesn't work out, there's always another. You'll eventually see the perfect husband I've found."

"What use is a man who's meant to be supported by the Xi family?"

"I'd like to."

Wang Jue scoffed coldly.

Rotten wood cannot be carved, and stubbornness is incorrigible.