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

"Sister!"

Xi Song fluttered to Xi Lingxian's side like a moth, grabbed her arm and called out several times, but didn't say anything specific.

"What's wrong?"

Xi Song was furious. He just didn't like someone, so why was he being bullied by his sister?

He stood up abruptly and bowed deeply to Xie Wanyi. "Sister Wanyi, relationships are all about fate. I don't like Miss Zhuang because she's bad, but if she takes out her anger and dissatisfaction on my sister, don't blame me for being impolite."

Hsieh Wan-ju stood up for her cousin, saying, "She just likes you, she didn't do anything wrong."

This was Xi Song's first argument with someone, and not wanting to be at a disadvantage, she tried her best to make her tone aggressive.

"My sister only liked someone back then, so why do you all keep bringing it up and making fun of it all the time?"

Xi Lingxian's eyelids twitched slightly.

Wang Jue glanced up casually.

Xie Wanyi had nothing to say and willingly apologized on behalf of her cousin.

She had seen this kind of sarcastic and mocking tone many times in her past life, and Xi Lingxian was now completely indifferent to it.

The only thing that surprised her was Xi Song.

"Sister, don't be angry. If they dare to say anything more, I'll slap them!" He was like a rabbit with its fur standing on end. "I don't have any rule about not hitting women. Whoever bullies you, I'll hit them."

Xi Lingxian felt a little sour.

"Okay, then you'll be in charge of protecting my sister from now on."

"...Then I might have to go back and learn more martial arts from my elder brother." Xi Song was very self-aware.

"Hahaha." Xi Lingxian laughed out loud at her younger brother's cuteness, leaning against Shen Qingdai and giving him a good rub on the cheek.

The joy in her eyes and the tenderness in her gaze evoked a long-lost sense of familiarity.

Wang Jue was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained her composure and continued lecturing.

……

Wang Jue showed no mercy even to his own family members who made mistakes, let alone to the Xie family's cousin, who was involved in such a roundabout way.

Regarding Zhuang Yaru's matter, he not only didn't give her a kind look at the time, but also didn't offer any decent explanation afterward.

Gu Yong hated the kind of lovey-dovey, jealousy-filled stuff that happened in the study. The old man was furious and complained to the head of the Xie family.

When the head of the Xie family was told that his niece had caused the trouble, he was furious and immediately ordered his sister and brother-in-law to bring her home and teach her a lesson.

The Zhuang couple were indignant, saying that Wang Jue was too heartless, even though they were still related by blood.

Others couldn't see through it, but the head of the Xie family understood it perfectly. He summoned the first wife and the other wives from the other households.

"Once the girls return home, you must discipline them strictly. Remember to remind them not to hang around in front of the Xi family girls when they have nothing to do, and even more so, not to overestimate themselves and make sarcastic remarks."

Madam Zhang, the first wife, disagreed: "Isn't the head of the family taking the Xi family too seriously? We're not afraid of them."

"Are you stupid? Can't you see what Wang Jue is up to?"

Zhang was taken aback: "Master, are you saying that Wang Jue has feelings for the Xi family girl...? Impossible!"

"We watched that kid grow up; who can force him to do something he doesn't want to?"

"If this is a temporary measure to arrange a marriage between the two families, we didn't see him treat Wanyi any differently when our two families had a tacit understanding. Gu Yong is not a busybody, so this message to me was probably that kid's doing."

"That kid is unfathomable; even his father can't completely control him. Don't mess with or offend the people he protects."

Zhang was startled by her husband's stern tone, and thinking of Wang Jue's ruthless methods that were beyond the reach of his peers, she subconsciously shivered and nodded tremblingly.

On the same day, the Xie family sons, who were far away at the Linchuan Abode, received a message from their elders.

Everything they possessed came from their family, and the head of the family decided the life, death, honor, and disgrace of all the family members. No one dared to disobey the head of the family.

Calm and tranquility can change in an instant.

……

Xiao Yun watched this farce unfold, and thought to himself, "I'm just enjoying the show."

The Xi family members are all good-looking; beautiful women are considered a source of trouble, and so are handsome men.

These two terms hold true at all times.

My cousin has suffered such a great injustice, yet the Xie family has remained silent.

Even a fool would know who made the move.

Xiao Yun's original understanding is constantly changing.

It's not uncommon for men to want to marry Xi Lingxian;

Whether driven by male instinct or by a desire to curry favor with her wealthy family background, it wouldn't be surprising if anyone wanted to marry her.

He himself defined Wang Jue in this way, and he has always defined Wang Jue in this way.

But now, things seem a little different.

Xi Lingxian noticed that Xie Wanyi and her group were keeping their distance from her, and she knew who it was without even thinking.

She was unwilling to delve into the reasons behind it.

There's no need to rely on people or things that you no longer expect.

The winter solstice is fast approaching.

According to folk customs, the Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year, and every family gathers together to celebrate the following day.

The disciples of the hermitage have three days of rest.

The day before he was to return home, Xiao Yun brought a box of dried plum candy for his disciples to taste, saying it was a specialty of Jiangnan.

Xiao Yun was gentle and kind. Although he was a teacher, he was very approachable most of the time, and many students liked him.

They rushed forward to grab it, but really it was just for the fun of it.

Xi Lingxian wasn't very interested; she was sitting by the charcoal brazier under the eaves making knots with Shen Qingdai.

She recently learned a new way of weaving plum blossom patterns. Although she likes to play with knives and guns, she is actually quite skillful. These delicate weaving tasks are no challenge for her at all.

Shen Qingdai was dazzled by the sight, and a knot in her hand was formed.

It was a ribbon with a cluster of plum blossoms, with crimson and dark blue silk threads intertwined to form a band about the width of a thumb.

Every inch there is a raised plum blossom, each one distinct, with the tassels at both ends as neatly cut as if by a knife.

"It's beautiful, Fanfan, can you make one for me too?" Shen Qingdai, who was clumsy with knitting, looked on with envy.

"Here, take this one. I'll call for the others."

Shen Qingdai happily accepted it and immediately tied it to the jade pendant at her waist.

"Miss Shen, Miss Xi."

Xiao Yun appeared in front of the two of them at some point.

Shen Qingdai nodded: "What are your instructions, Master?"

Xiao Yun divided the remaining two small boxes of candy between the two women, saying, "For noble ladies like you, these candies are certainly not precious. They're just something to try, so please don't find them too expensive."

"What are you saying, Master? Thank you, Master."

At the end of the corridor, a voice emanating from someone dressed in white with black hair slowly approached.

Xiao Yun smiled knowingly and looked at Xi Lingxian, whose hands were still busy.

"Miss Xi has such skillful hands."

Xi Lingxian gave a dry laugh, "Your Highness flatters me."

Sometimes being too fast isn't a good thing. While we were still talking, another knot in my hand was already finished.

It is sapphire blue, with a stiff "eight-treasure knot" at the top and wispy tassels spreading out below.

Xiao Yun's eyes lit up. "This is truly exquisite! I just saw Miss Shen receive it as a gift from Miss Xi. I wonder if I might be so bold as to ask for one?"

Needless to say, she definitely didn't want to give it to her!

But they just gave you candy, and you still want this worthless little thing;

They really didn't give her any room to refuse.

"If the Master likes it, then this is for the Master."

She remained relatively calm and didn't grit her teeth.

Xiao Yun accepted the gift with a smile, "Thank you, Miss Xi. I will cherish it."

It's only a few coins, so there's no need to talk about cherishing it.

Xi Lingxian thought to herself, but glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

Beside the osmanthus tree on the other side of the corridor, a person was standing there at some unknown time.

His snow-white robes almost blended into the deepening twilight, and his handsome, aloof features seemed otherworldly.

Wang Jue.

Xi Lingxian suddenly felt a shiver run down her spine.