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

Night deepened

Qiluan Pavilion

Xi Lingxian sat on the soft couch by the window, watching her older brother talk on and on for almost an incense stick's time, barely suppressing the urge to kick him out.

Xi Song's eyes lit up when he heard this, and his hand, which was cracking melon seeds, froze in mid-air as he stared intently at Xi Rui.

"...I'm completely convinced. I've been living in fear for days, only to find out that they had everything under control on their end."

Xi Song was stunned. "Is this...is this even human? How can someone have a brain like this?"

Xi Lingxian slightly furrowed her brows.

Although she had always heard people praise Wang Jue in her previous life, she had to admire his skill in social maneuvering after experiencing it firsthand this time.

On the third day of the tenth lunar month, Jiankang City experienced its first rain of autumn.

The rain was fine and dense, like a thin veil covering the entire city.

Xi Lingxian listened to Shen Qingdai across from her speaking with great enthusiasm, "The Wang family of Taiyuan has such a fiery temper, and that memorial she wrote was like a public rant—'Though we are not talented, we are not fish on a chopping block to be slaughtered at will.' It was practically a direct challenge to the emperor, saying, 'Try touching me.'"

She put down her teacup. "So, do you think the Wang family is playing a proactive or reactive game?"

The journey of the Prince of Chenliu to the capital and the assassination of the Crown Prince of Huainan began...

Shen Qingdai shook her head: "No one knows except Wang Jue himself."

"But this guy is terrifying. He predicted everything perfectly!"

"They calculated that the powerful families were afraid the emperor would get a taste of success, so they used this knife to cut down the Wang family today and them tomorrow. They also calculated that as long as the Ninth Rank Officials were involved, the powerful families would definitely band together to protect themselves at the critical moment, and that the loyalty of those supporters around the emperor was not absolute... No wonder my father wrote to me yesterday, telling me not to offend anyone from the Wang family in Jiankang, especially Wang Jue."

Xi Lingxian leaned back in her chair and chuckled softly.

In her previous life, Wang Jue entered the central government before he turned thirty, and she thought it was all because of his family background.

Now it seems that's not entirely true.

Skilled in maneuvering and strategizing; capable of turning clouds into rain with a flick of the wrist.

There really are such people in the world.

"Young lady, His Highness the Prince of Chenliu has come to visit. The head of the household requests that you proceed to the front hall."

Seeing this, Shen Qingdai took her leave.

lobby

As soon as Xi Lingxian walked in, Xiao Yun's gaze immediately fell upon her.

"Miss Xi, the assassination attempt must have frightened you."

"I, Wang, failed in my investigation and nearly caused Miss Xi and the Xi family to suffer an injustice. Now the matter has been dropped. I feel deeply ashamed and uneasy. I have come uninvited today to apologize to Lord Xi and Miss Xi. I hope you will not take offense."

Looking at that gentle and impeccable face, Xi Lingxian gave a slight curtsy. "Your Highness is too kind. The situation in the court is unpredictable, and many things are far beyond Your Highness's control. How can it be said that it is your fault?"

"Miss Xi is reasonable and understanding, while I, Wang, am petty and narrow-minded."

Xiao Yun's trip to the capital this time did not indicate any intention to return his fiefdom.

The emperor's stubborn resistance failed, which made him realize that deep-seated problems don't arise overnight.

The powerful families' control over the world far surpasses that of the imperial family.

He was like an ant trying to shake a tree; he had no power to help the Xiao royal family. He could only think of himself.

"I've heard that Miss Xi's birthday is approaching, and she's also coming of age. I imagine Mr. Xi must be going to great lengths to care for his precious daughter."

These words struck a chord with Xi Jian.

"Fanfan forbids me from having an extravagant celebration, but coming-of-age ceremony is so important to a woman, I can't bear to wrong her."

Xi Lingxian: "Father, His Majesty is critically ill. If we hold a grand banquet now, it will only create trouble and cause more problems."

His daughter was right, and Xi Jian had nothing to say.

Xiao Yun: "Lord Xi, please forgive my boldness, but have you made any plans for the coming-of-age banquet? I have always been fond of refined things, and if you do not mind, I am willing to offer my humble suggestions and do my best."

Xi Jian was quite surprised. "How could Your Highness trouble Your Highness with matters concerning a young woman? I am terrified."

"If Lord Xi agrees, it will be my good fortune; as for whether you are a prince or not, even the emperor's orders cannot leave the palace, so what is a prince with only a nominal title?"

"Your words, Lord Xi, are truly shameful to me."

Xi Jian and his daughter were not fools; their intention to curry favor was obvious.

"Your Highness's words are too sudden; please allow me to consider them."

Xiao Yun bowed politely, "It was Xiao Wang who was abrupt first, it's only right."

His overtures were so obvious, yet Xi Lingxian showed no surprise whatsoever.

It makes sense. How could a young lady from such a wealthy and beautiful family soften her heart just because of a man's two words of kindness?

"Does Your Highness wish to choose a better place to settle down?" Xi Lingxian asked suddenly.

"Yes and no." Xiao Yun's tone was gentle. "I have no interest in choosing a tree, I only wish to get to know the young lady."

Xi Lingxian was not interested and chuckled softly without saying a word.

Xiao Yun was somewhat handsome, but not enough to make her fall in love at first sight.

Xi Jian pondered for a moment, then deliberately changed the subject. Xiao Yun, perceptive as ever, brought up Xi Lingxian's coming-of-age ceremony, saying that if it were adorned with fresh flowers, the young lady would surely be pleased.

Xi Jian replied that it was late autumn in October, and there were no flowers in full bloom.

Xiao Yun: "If Lord Xi agrees, I will handle everything. A daughter is a father's most precious treasure, and Lord Xi surely wants to give her the best, doesn't he?"

Young women love beautiful flowers, and Xi Jian wanted to give his daughter the best. After thinking it over, he nodded in agreement.

Xi Lingxian sipped her tea, her face expressionless.

From a young age, whether in Guangling or Jiankang, she was never short of admiring glances and people who would spend lavishly on her.

If this is all the tricks he has, it's a pipe dream to think she'll like him.

Xiao Yun glanced at Xi Lingxian out of the corner of his eye.

She wore a moon-white ribbed quilted skirt, over which was a light blue gauze embroidered with gold lotus patterns, making her look pure, noble, and radiant.

He knew that due to his status, he was not someone the father and daughter could fully trust. The reason they were still willing to associate with him was because he was powerless to pose a threat to the aristocratic family.

It's okay.

It would be great to have the opportunity to meet.

He genuinely liked her.

……

The Xi family's young lady's birthday and coming-of-age ceremony are approaching.

Upon hearing the news, many young men from prominent families begged their elders to fight for their marriages.

Everyone wants to win the heart of a beautiful woman.

The elders in the family were quite frightened by such arrogant words and rebuked him for daring to snatch someone from the Langya Wang family.

Young men are often full of vigor and ambition, and since the men are unmarried and the women are not yet married, and the women's affections are still undecided, how could the Wang family lack even this much magnanimity?

They were not afraid at all.

The young men spoke with righteous indignation, and the Wang family's intention to propose marriage was quite obvious. The fact that Miss Xi hadn't agreed to his proposal for so long showed that she didn't like someone like Wang Jue.

What girl doesn't like someone who is sweet-talking, attentive, and good at coaxing others?

Wang Jue is good in every way, but his personality is really not flattering. It's a real pity that such a beautiful girl like Miss Xi is paired with him.

The elders, feeling uncertain after hearing what their son said, couldn't help but think of subtly probing the Xi family on the day of the coming-of-age banquet.

Wang Jue's friend Lu Yun gloated and relayed these rumors to the person involved.

Wang Jue was sitting behind his desk, drafting a central memorial to establish the second prince as the crown prince, when he heard his friend's teasing and fell silent.

Chang'an continued, "Young Master, the Prince of Chenliu has been frequently visiting the Xi residence these past few days. It is said that Lord Xi has agreed to help him arrange Miss Xi's coming-of-age ceremony."

Suddenly, a blot of ink appeared on the memorial in Wang Jue's hand, rendering the document he had spent half a day writing useless.

She's really something.