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

Xi Lingxian felt as if she were trapped in a nightmare; she broke out in a cold sweat and mumbled incoherently throughout the night.

The doctors who examined the patient all said there was nothing seriously wrong. The patient had been too frightened and should take a few doses of calming soup after waking up and rest for a while.

Xi Jian stayed up all night in Qiluan Pavilion without taking off his clothes.

Before leaving for court, he was worried and called Xi Song over, instructing him to stay by his side at all times.

It was common for military generals to be on high alert, and Xi Jian, who hadn't slept all night, was still full of energy when he attended the morning court. When his colleagues mentioned the return of the Prince of Chenliu to the capital, he was still able to find the time to analyze the situation.

The Prince of Chenliu was the only member of the imperial family with outstanding talent. Why did he choose to return to Jiankang at the very moment after the Crown Prince was deposed? His intentions were not simple.

"Xuanping, how is your daughter?" Grand Commandant Wang asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern. I'm not in any danger, but I was quite frightened and had nightmares all night. It broke my heart."

Wang Dun asked in surprise, "You personally took care of her all night?"

"I can't rest easy if I don't keep an eye on her. She only has one eye; if anything happens to her, how can I live?"

Xi Jian never hid his favoritism towards his daughter.

Wang Dun admitted his inferiority. Although he also had a daughter, she was always cared for by wet nurses and maids when she had a headache or fever. At worst, she still had her birth mother.

He was very busy with official duties, and it was not easy for him to show his face. He would usually only hear about his daughter's health from others after she recovered, and after asking a few questions, that would be the end of it.

What are your thoughts on the Prince of Chenliu's return to the capital?

"We'll deal with whatever comes our way. No matter how capable he is, he's just a prince of the imperial family. What trouble can he possibly cause?"

The Wang family, which isn't even afraid of the emperor, can be led by the nose by a mere prince?

Wang Dun sensed Xi Jian's disdain for the imperial family and felt somewhat relieved.

As long as the Jingkou soldiers are not used by the emperor to enhance imperial power, it's a joke.

The Langya Wang clan funded and supported the Xiao family to the throne, not to fulfill the saying "when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away."

After half a day of wasted time at the court assembly, Xi Jian entered the Secretariat, hurriedly ate his breakfast, and began to review official documents, either stamping them or returning them.

"Uncle, greetings." Wang Jue, dressed in white, appeared at the Secretariat, immediately attracting a lot of attention.

The young man was exceptionally handsome and profound; his brows were deep-set and his appearance was aloof.

No wonder Fanfan fell in love with him at first sight.

Xi Jian: "Second Brother, is something the matter?"

"Your daughter is unwell; what did the doctor say?"

Xi Jian rubbed his temples, looking quite tired. "It's nothing serious. The doctor said it seems like she's having a nightmare. She's always sweating and talking in her sleep. She was still unconscious when I left."

Wang Jue: "Doctor Xu and Doctor Lang are highly skilled doctors, unparalleled in this era. Since they both say there is no serious problem, Uncle can rest assured."

Xi Jian sighed, "Speaking of which, I must thank the Grand Commandant for his righteousness; he didn't refuse to lend me a hand so late at night."

"Wang Xi is an old relative, Uncle, your words are really too formal."

Looking at the exceptionally talented young man before him, Xi Jian felt a pang of regret. "Erlang, thank you for your concern for Fanfan, but some things can't be forced, you know?"

Wang Jue's expression was solemn. "Uncle, you should prioritize the overall situation."

Xi Jian smiled wryly, "Never mind, you haven't been a parent yet, you wouldn't understand."

Wang Jue felt that the father and daughter were both stubborn and willful, giving up a bright future and tangible benefits in order to pursue some so-called love and romance.

He was at a loss as to how to deal with these two people.

"Father, Fanfan is awake!" Xi Rui rushed into the Secretariat in a panic.

Xi Jian felt a huge weight lifted from his heart and muttered, "Go back and take good care of your sister..."

Seeing that the father and son had private matters to discuss, Wang Jue said no more and withdrew.

……

Xi Lingxian slept very soundly, and when she woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

She was covered in sweat, so we called for hot water to bathe her and wash away the bad luck.

A sandalwood recliner was placed in front of the glass window of the warm pavilion, basking in the warm afternoon sunlight. She stretched comfortably and sighed.

She heard footsteps behind her, but at first she thought it was Taozhi and didn't pay any attention until the scent of pine resin filled her nostrils.

This is……!

She suddenly opened her eyes, and there he was, the second son of the Langya Wang family, appearing in her boudoir with such nonchalance.

"How did you get in?" she whispered. "Get out of here, or I'll call for help."

Wang Jue's gaze swept over her, and after a moment's thought, he said, "I've heard that Miss Xi is brave in killing bandits, so I've come here to witness the prowess of this heroine."

"..."

boring.

Xi Lingxian had just taken a warm bath, and her limbs were still a little weak. She leaned back lazily on the pillow. "You don't come here without a reason. So, what do you want to say this time?"

Wang Jue gave her a deep look. "You kept saying you'd find a husband to live with you and stay away from me, and what happened? You've ruined yourself into this mess?"

"It's none of your business. Mind your own business."

"That won't do. If you're useful to me, then your business is no longer my concern."

it works?

He really hasn't even bothered to act anymore.

They made their intention to exploit her completely out in the open.

"Feeling wronged by being used by me?" He pinched her delicate chin, forcing her to look at him.

Xi Lingxian's face was blank; she didn't understand why he kept pestering her.

Was it that her unusual behavior aroused his possessiveness and rebelliousness, and that he felt he had to drag her back if she wanted to stay away from him?

"What a delicate flower! You feel wronged just because you're being used? You should be happy; others using you means you have value."

"You think you can get people to risk their lives for you with just a few small favors? When it comes to exploitation, who can compare to you, Young Master Wang?"

"A small favor? What a foolish girl. You call wealth that ordinary people struggle to acquire in their entire lives a small favor?" Wang Jue sneered. "I really don't know whether to praise your naivety or scold you for being out of touch with reality."

Xi Lingxian's heart skipped a beat, her face flushed red, "You!"

"In our past life, our two families were united by marriage, and the Wang family rose to the highest ranks of the Chinese aristocratic families. Have I wronged the Xi family?"

"Shibo was appointed governor of Xu and Yan provinces, and was enfeoffed as General of Anxi, garrisoning Hefei; later he was summoned to serve as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoping, and promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry."

"In every single matter, how have I wronged the Xi family? Didn't the Xi family enjoy the wealth and glory I schemed and plotted against them?"

Wang Jue was baffled by her attitude. He had indeed neglected her, which led to her being harmed by villains.

But he had a clear conscience regarding both families.

Her affected and unrealistic remarks might be touching in a romance novel, but in reality they sound nothing but laughable.

Xi Lingxian was stunned by his sharp and stern words. Everything he said was right, everything he said was right.

But why sacrifice her? Why treat her like that?

She doesn't want to get married, so why are you forcing her?

A sudden pang of emotion welled up in her nose, and her eyes welled up with tears. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to hold back.

She swore she would never shed a tear in front of him again.

She could not forget the disgust and impatience in his eyes when she cried to him about her grievances in her past life.

At that moment, she felt as if she had just woken up from a dream.

It turns out that crying isn't a trick that works on everyone.

The weight of a tear depends on whose heart it falls on;

Her father cherished her like a precious jewel and never wanted to see her shed tears or be heartbroken.

Wang Jue never cared about her in the slightest. Even if she bled from her heart, he would only think she had defiled his courtyard.