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

Xi Lingxian's injury caused Xi Jian to feel inexplicably uneasy.

What can he do to truly ensure his daughter's safety?

There are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding; the same applies to powerful families.

No matter how capable he is, he cannot take care of his daughter in every way. There will always be political enemies and people who are unhappy with his rise to power who use his daughter as a target to vent their resentment.

Without power and glory, one cannot provide wealth and honor for one's children; but once one has these, one is more likely to be a tree that stands out in the forest and be felled by the wind.

Xi Jian's mind was once again shaken.

Xi Lingxian knew perfectly well the depth of her father's love.

"All the honor and privilege my daughter enjoys are bestowed upon her by her father. If she were to complain about her father over such trivial matters, what kind of heartless person would she be?"

Xi Jian: "I originally wanted to find you a son-in-law, but now it seems unrealistic; right now you are the target of everyone's criticism, but later there will be two of you, and the son-in-law might even need you to protect him."

"..." How did the topic end up here?

"Your coming-of-age ceremony will be on the sixth day of the tenth month; the marriage should be arranged then."

Xi Lingxian suddenly realized.

She almost forgot that her birthday was approaching.

At this time in her previous life, the Wang and Xi families had already exchanged birth charts. At her coming-of-age ceremony, Wang Jue presented her with a hairpin to tie her hair up, which became the talk of the town in Jiankang and aroused the envy of countless people.

"The Prince of Chenliu saved you twice. If you say he didn't have some other ulterior motive, even your elder brother wouldn't believe it this time."

Xi Lingxian smiled dismissively.

Xi Jian knew his daughter well. "Fine, if you don't like it, then your father won't say anything more."

Shen Qingdai brought many rare treasures to visit her younger sister. The Shen family was extremely wealthy in Yixing, and Shen Qingdai was known for her generosity.

"Fanfan, look, I specially picked out this luminous pearl for you. Didn't you say that lighting a lamp at night wastes candlelight and you can't sleep without light? With this, you can have the best of both worlds."

"This is too valuable."

"Why should we talk about whether it's valuable or not?"

"Come on, I'll go out with you to relax today. Miaoyin Pavilion has set up two new plays, and it's been packed these past few days. I had to go to great lengths to get a private room."

Xi Jian was already traumatized. "Going out again?"

Shen Qingdai held up a finger: "Uncle, don't worry, I promise I'll watch the show quietly this time and won't go anywhere else!"

Xi Lingxian looked at the strip of cloth in her hand and hesitated for a moment.

"They're still clinging to you; won't it be inconvenient for them to go out?"

"What's wrong with clinging? Does clinging mean we can't watch the play?" Shen Qingdai pulled her up from the couch without a word. "Come on, let's change our clothes. I've had a carriage prepared. After the play, we'll go to Zuixianglou for a meal, and then go to Baohualou to see the new jewelry."

Miaoyin Pavilion is located in the south of Jiankang City, overlooking the Qinhuai River. It is a three-story building with upturned eaves.

Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, and even before entering, one could hear the melodious singing and cheers from inside.

Shen Qingdai's private room was on the third floor, by the window, where she could see the painted boats on the Qinhuai River and the distant green mountains.

The private room was elegantly furnished with rosewood tables and chairs, bamboo blinds, tea, snacks, fruits, and burning agarwood incense.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Shen Qingdai looked around smugly. "I had someone book the table half a month in advance."

The play began in the audience. After the performance of "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River," Shen Qingdai went to wash her hands, leaving Xi Lingxian alone in the private room.

Shen Qingdai turned back, and the door to the private room opposite was suddenly pushed open.

Seeing the person approaching, Shen Qingdai exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness? You've come to watch the show too?"

Xiao Yun nodded slightly, his smile gentle and warm: "I was watching the play across the street. I just saw Miss Xi here and thought I'd come over to say hello. I wonder if I'm disturbing you?"

"No disturbance at all!" Shen Qingdai quickly offered her a seat. "Your Highness, please sit down. We were just wondering who to talk to."

Xiao Yun did not refuse and sat down in a spot not too close to Xi Lingxian, his gaze falling on Xi Lingxian's hands, which were still wrapped with thin strips of cloth.

"Is Miss Xi's hand feeling better?"

"I'm much better, thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Xi Lingxian nodded slightly.

"That's good. Today's performance is 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River'? I just heard a section, and the singing style was quite unique."

"Your Highness also understands opera?" Shen Qingdai's eyes lit up.

I know a little bit about it.

Just as the discussion was in full swing, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.

Tables and chairs overturned, cups and saucers shattered, amidst a chorus of gasps and screams.

"What's going on?" Shen Qingdai put down her teacup and peered out the window.

The noise grew louder and louder, spreading from the first floor to the second floor, and then surging from the second floor to the third floor like a tide that could not be stopped.

A commotion erupted in the hallway outside the door, with someone shouting, "Who are you? What right do you have to kick people out? Do you know who my father is—"

Then came a gruff, authoritative voice: "The Prince of Huainan's residence is handling a case! Everyone stay put and do not move! Anyone who disobeys will be treated as an accomplice of the assassin!"

In an instant, the door to the private room where Xi Lingxian and the others were located was pushed open forcefully from the outside.

Four or five armored soldiers rushed in, their swords already drawn, gleaming coldly.

The leader was a captain with a thick beard. His gaze swept around the private room and landed on Xi Lingxian. The fierce expression on his face immediately softened.

"Miss Xi, I apologize for the inconvenience." His tone became more polite. "The Prince of Huainan's mansion is searching for assassins, and all the private rooms are being searched. Please forgive any disturbance."

Shen Qingdai turned pale with fright. "You...you people are utterly lawless! We are women from the Shen and Xi families, how dare you search us?"

The captain frowned slightly, but quickly regained his official demeanor: "Please forgive me, ladies, it's not that I'm being disrespectful. The Prince of Huainan has ordered a city-wide search, leaving no one unchecked. Even the sons of the Wang and Xie families would be treated the same way here."

"It's alright, we have nothing to hide, so search us as much as you want." Xi Lingxian's voice was very calm.

The soldiers searched the area but found nothing, and shook their heads at the captain.

Xiao Yun revealed his waist token and asked, "Has something serious happened at the Prince of Huainan's residence?"

The captain's expression was grave. "We just received news that the heir apparent of the Prince of Huainan was assassinated last night."

Shen Qingdai turned around: "Dead?"

"Seriously injured, unconscious."

Xiao Yun's eyes were grave. "Who is so audacious as to attempt to assassinate the heir apparent of the imperial family?"

The captain hesitated, then said, "I don't know either; I was just following orders to investigate."

"Miss Xi, forgive my bluntness, but these are turbulent times, so you and Miss Shen should try to stay home as much as possible."

Xi Lingxian nodded. "Thank you for your kindness."

A light drizzle began to fall outside the window, and Xi Lingxian quickly made a mental calculation.

This didn't happen in my past life, so who did it?

Although the Prince of Huainan did not have much real power, he was still a prince of the imperial family. There were very few people in Jiankang who dared to assassinate the Prince of Huainan's heir.

But what is the motive?

Aside from his extravagant nature and unrestrained behavior, Xiao Jing didn't seem to have any other serious faults.

The incident happened suddenly, and security in Jiankang City was immediately tightened, with everyone feeling insecure.

With the assassination attempt discovered, neither Xi Lingxian nor Shen Qingdai had any interest in watching the opera.

When Xi Lingxian returned to her residence, she could see many carriages and horses parked in front of her mansion from afar.

These are truly turbulent times.