When my vicious stepmother mistakenly married me to the Immortal Lord

"Thank you, Your Highness, for coming to my house to inform me of this matter." Xie Guangting stood up and bowed deeply to Ximen Liu.

The four major families were convicted because of the Xie family's report and exposure. Ximen Liu came in person to report the results and also to remind the Xie family to be careful in defense to avoid revenge from the remnants of the evil.

Xie Guangting naturally understood this friendship.

Ximen Liu accepted the greeting with a smile, then his eyes fell on Jiang Song again, "Miss Jiang, I have something to discuss with you alone. Is that convenient?"

Jiang Song was slightly stunned, then nodded, "Your Highness, please."

She turned to Xie Guangting and Chu Jinghong and said, "Father, Mother, I have to excuse myself for a moment."

After saying that, she led Ximen Liu and Mo Ying to the pavilion in the back garden.

"Your Highness, what do you want to discuss with me in private?" Jiang Song sat down in the pavilion and asked straight to the point.

Ximen Liu did not answer immediately, but waved his hand to let Mo Ying retreat and stand guard outside the pavilion.

"Now that the Jiang family has been successfully cleared of charges, Qiao Wanyu and Jiang Shu are naturally safe. I feel guilty accepting the three volumes of the Lotus Sutra, so I want to compensate you in other ways."

"Your Highness, you are too kind. Since the Lotus Sutra is what Your Highness needs, it is an honor for Jiang Song. Moreover, Your Highness has already been of great help in the relocation of the tomb. How dare Jiang Song ask for more?"

"Miss Jiang, the value of the Lotus Sutra is far more than ordinary. Your generosity makes me feel uneasy."

"Well, I have something in my hand that may be of some help to you."

As Ximen Liu spoke, he took out an exquisite jade pendant from his sleeve. It was engraved with intricate totems and emitted a faint warm glow.

"What is this?" Jiang Song took the jade pendant doubtfully and looked at it carefully.

"This is the 'Dragon Roar Jade Pendant'. It possesses the power of protection and can withstand a fatal injury. I am giving it to you as a gift for self-defense."

"Your Majesty, this gift is too precious. I..."

Before Jiang Song could finish his words, Ximen Liu gently interrupted him.

"Miss Jiang, please don't refuse. You have helped me solve my cultivation problems. This jade pendant may save your life at a critical moment. It is also a token of my appreciation for you."

In fact, this Dragon Roar Jade is one of the Ximen family's heirloom magic weapons. It can sense the blood of the Ximen royal family. Those who are not related by blood will find it difficult to control its true power.

Thirty-two years have passed since the palace coup that caused Ximen Zhenhua's disappearance, and it is difficult to trace her whereabouts.

Ximen Liu has been traveling to many places recently, searching for clues but to no avail.

Queen Mother Shentu Yuanyi only felt that Jiang Song was somewhat similar to the missing Princess Zhenhua based on her appearance, but she had no solid evidence.

Ximen Liu gave the Dragon Roar Jade Pendant to Jiang Song, firstly to express his gratitude for her gift of the Lotus Sutra, and secondly to take this opportunity to test her bloodline.

If Jiang Song is really Ximen Zhenhua's daughter, the jade pendant will definitely react, which will be a key step in uncovering the truth.

This thought flashed through Ximen Liu's mind, but he still maintained a gentle smile on his face, without any abnormality.

Jiang Song frowned slightly, with a hint of refusal in his eyes.

"But jade pendants are usually used as tokens of love between men and women. If Your Majesty gives me this jade pendant, I'm afraid it will cause misunderstanding."

"Jiang Song is already married, and her husband is extremely jealous. If he saw the prince giving me such a valuable gift, I'm afraid he would be displeased."

Seeing how serious she was, Ximen Liu raised the corners of his lips and revealed a playful smile.

"Really? I didn't know that Master Xie had such a temperament. It seems that I am being rude."

"I thought Miss Jiang, with her personality, would be able to control her husband's heart, but I never thought she would have such troubles."

As he spoke, he took back the jade pendant, cast a spell to refine it into a sword tassel, and handed it back to Jiang Song.

"It's common for friends to give decorative items like this as gifts. Miss Jiang, are you willing to accept it?"

Jiang Song looked at the sword tassel in front of him. The exquisite jade pendant was cleverly woven into it, which not only retained its luxury but also added a touch of casualness and naturalness.

She was slightly startled, then smiled with relief and reached out to take it.

He wanted to decline in the name of Xie Changyan, but seeing Ximen Liu's sincerity, Jiang Song could no longer refuse.

"Thank you for the gift, Your Highness. If you need me in the future, please let me know."

Seeing that she finally accepted it, Ximen Liu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Jade needs to be nurtured. According to Jiang Song's current level of cultivation, he will be able to make the jade pendant resonate with her in a few months. By then, he may be able to know the truth.

"Miss Jiang, you are too polite. It is my honor to have a friend like you."

The two chatted for a few more words in the pavilion, and then Ximen Liu stood up and said goodbye.

Most likely, he wanted to invite Jiang Song to the Jingyuan Palace to discuss cultivation methods, Buddhist scriptures, Taoist scriptures, or to drink tea and talk about Taoism. Jiang Song politely agreed and personally saw him off to the gate of the palace.

After Ximen Liu's carriage drove away, Jiang Song turned around to go back, but saw Xie Changyu standing not far away, looking at her with a complicated expression.

"Changyu, why are you here?" Jiang Song was a little surprised.

Xie Changyu walked forward slowly, his eyes lingering on the sword tassel in Jiang Song's hand for a moment before he slowly spoke: "I... just happened to be passing by, and when I saw the prince leaving, I wanted to wait for you."

"Sister-in-law, you and brother..." He hesitated to speak, as if it was difficult for him to start.

Jiang Song noticed his strangeness and vaguely understood something in his heart, "The prince and I are just normal friends, nothing more."

"As for your brother, I know he has feelings for me, but he's just a little cold-tempered and not good at expressing himself."

No matter how complicated the entanglement between her and Xie Changyan was, Jiang Song was unwilling to say more in front of Xie Changyu.

After all, this is a matter between them and their husband and wife, which is difficult for others to understand and interfere with.

Xie Changyu's expression eased slightly, but he was still a little worried. "Well, if my sister-in-law gets too close to the prince, it's inevitable that people will gossip about her, which will be bad for my reputation."

Jiang Song smiled sweetly, "Don't worry, I know my limits. Besides, a person of integrity fears no slander. The relationship between the prince and I is innocent, so why should I fear criticism from others?"

The two walked side by side through the garden and returned to the front hall.

Chu Jinghong saw Jiang Song and Xie Changyu coming back together and hurried forward to greet them. "Song'er, what did you talk about with the prince?"

Jiang Song briefly talked about asking Ximen Liu to protect Qiao Wanyu and Jiang Shu, mother and daughter, and mentioned that Ximen Liu gave her the sword tassel as a thank you.

"Song'er, Prince Jingyuan seems to be quite interested in you. You must be careful in your response and don't let anyone misunderstand you."

Jiang Song nodded gently, his expression calm, "Don't worry, mother, Song'er won't worry. The relationship between the prince and me is just a friendship between gentlemen, there is no other connection."

At this point, Xie Guangting also interjected, "Prince Jingyuan is of noble status and commands a large military force. If he truly wants to make friends with you, it wouldn't be a bad idea. But Song'er, you need to be more cautious and don't let anyone take advantage of you."

Jiang Song nodded seriously, "Father's teachings, Song'er will remember them in his heart."