After her mind was read, the spoiled brat became the darling of the whole group.

Xie Xing pulled his hands back into the blanket, becoming much more obedient and no longer arguing with Lin Qingyue.

“Father…” Xie Mingzhu hesitated before speaking. She glanced at Lin Qingyue, whose face was pale, and couldn’t help but say, “This was an accident.”

"It would be better to minimize the damage..."

Hearing Xie Mingzhu speak up for her, Lin Qingyue's eyes lit up, and she looked at Xie Mingzhu with expectant eyes.

Xie Ansheng dotes on Mingzhu so much that he certainly won't hold this against her.

Since Xie Mingzhu had said so, Xie Ansheng thought for a moment and was about to agree when he heard Jun Lanjin beside him say with a half-smile, "I have noticed that Miss Xie always seems to like to speak for outsiders."

"When her own sisters were injured, Miss Xie showed little concern, yet she was concerned about outsiders?"

Jun Lanjin's words were like a sudden awakening.

Xie Yuze frowned. He hadn't noticed until Jun Lanjin spoke up, and once she did, scenes from the past echoed in his mind.

Xie Mingzhu did not speak up for Xie Xing at the last meeting at the Supreme Pavilion; instead, she always helped Chang Rongxuan.

If it were just that she disliked Xie Xing and was unwilling to speak up for her, that would be understandable. But Xie Xing and that strange thing's thoughts were still ringing in her ears.

Mingzhu, is she an ingrate?

"Mingzhu, come here." Thinking this, Xie Yuze reached out and beckoned to Xie Mingzhu.

Xie Mingzhu glanced at Lin Qingyue, bit her lip, and walked towards Xie Yuze.

Xie Yuze led the person behind him, no longer looking at her, but turning to Lin Qingyue and saying, "If it is the fault of my Xie family, then let this matter drop."

"But if not, then it is your fault, Lin Qingyue."

Lin Qingyue opened her lips, but in the end, she couldn't say anything.

Xie Xing and Xie Jiaojiao were taken away to change their clothes.

inside the house.

The two drank ginger soup, and Xie Jiaojiao looked at Xie Xing beside her while holding the soup.

Looking at the well-behaved little girl, he was secretly thinking about how to complete his task.

Originally, Xie Jiaojiao only thought of her as a somewhat strange cousin, but after falling into the water today, what Xie Xing did warmed Xie Jiaojiao's heart.

She pressed her finger to her lips, and after a while, a blush spread across her fair face.

"Xing'er." Xie Jiaojiao's way of addressing Xie Xing has changed.

She looked at Xie Xing tenderly and said, "I heard that the Fifth Princess is looking for a study companion. Would Xing'er like to enter the palace and study with the Fifth Princess?"

Xie Xing was stunned for a moment.

She tilted her head and looked at Xie Jiaojiao, "To be the Fifth Princess's study companion?"

Xie Jiaojiao paused, covered her mouth and coughed lightly, then said slowly, "For daughters of officials, if they can become a princess's companion, they will have a better life in the future by having that connection with the princess."

"And...you'll also get to see Prince Jin more often."

Today, Prince Jin spoke up for Xie Xing, and anyone could see that Prince Jin treated Xie Xing differently.

Prince Jin was indifferent to other women, but he was much gentler and more familiar with Xie Xing.

Xie Xing lowered his eyes in deep thought.

Indeed, in the story, Xie Mingzhu, you, and Xie Jiaojiao all entered the palace.

[So many members of the Xie family have entered the palace?] Xie Xing was somewhat taken aback.

Xie Jiaojiao wanted to get closer to the Crown Prince, so she asked her grandmother to help her enter the underground palace through a back door.

Xie Jiaojiao was taken aback when she heard the voice in her heart.

She had learned this news through inquiries, but she did not have any desire to enter the palace.

She had no interest in the Crown Prince.

However, Xie Jiaojiao had to consider her marriage.

But I am about to marry the three kings.

Xie Xing suddenly spoke up.

Putting aside this hypothetical marriage, Xie Jiaojiao had never even thought about it.

The reason is simple: the General's Mansion never took the marriage seriously. Both Xie Ansheng and Madam Xie were very casual, as if they knew all along that the marriage could not take place.

Xie Mingzhu's wedding dress was never prepared.

But Xie Xing's wedding dress was only half-finished.

[Just now, your father only annuled Xie Mingzhu's engagement, but unexpectedly, the Emperor also annuled your engagement.]

[Besides the three princes and her mother whispering in the emperor's ear, Jun Lanjin also spoke up for you.]

So your engagement is off.

Xie Xing's eyes lit up, his heart leaping with joy: [Prince Jin is such a kind person!]

Xie Jiaojiao's lips twitched slightly.

People always have ulterior motives for doing things, especially someone like Prince Jin.

Could it be that Prince Jin has truly taken a liking to Xie Xing?

...

After the palace banquet.

The story of Xie Xing winning the Southern Kingdom Princess quickly spread among the people.

The young lady Xie adopted from the countryside is not a good-for-nothing.

In particular, Jun Lanjin's attitude towards Xie Xing in the imperial court made everyone speculate.

Could it be that Prince Jin has taken a fancy to that little girl from the Xie family?

After one day.

Madam Xie took Xie Mingzhu, Xie Jiaojiao, and Xie Xing to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Madam Xie came from a scholarly family and was already famous in the capital when she was a young girl.

The only person I fear is Old Madam Xie.

On the carriage.

Madam Xie, with a stern face, said to Xie Xing, "You are my daughter, and you don't need to hide your relationship with me."

"Besides your chess and painting skills, what else can you do?"

Xie Xing obediently replied, "Mother, this is all the little thing I know how to make."

"Hmph!" Madam Xie snorted coldly, "You are quite clever. You don't speak up until you do, and then you startle everyone, causing me to be scolded by your grandmother."

Of course, it wasn't just Madam Xie who was scolded by the old lady; Xie Ansheng also received a severe scolding from the old lady after returning from the palace banquet.

[They don't even care about their own daughter; they deserve to be scolded.]

Xie Xing muttered to himself.

Xie Jiaojiao covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

Seeing her submissive demeanor, Madam Xie was furious. She said coldly and sarcastically, "What? You're still not convinced?"

Xie Xing looked up. "No, Mother."

"Whatever you say."

But these words clearly did not appease Madam Xie; her expression became even more unpleasant.

Seeing this, Xie Mingzhu gently supported Madam Xie and said reproachfully, "Sister, Mother's health is already poor, so please don't upset her anymore."

Xie Xing: ?

A large question mark floated above her head.

"No."

Xie Jiaojiao's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

A sense of unease quietly rose in my heart.

Xie Xing did nothing wrong, so why is everything he does wrong in front of Madam Xie?

With her thoughtful daughter by her side, Madam Xie's expression softened slightly. She smiled and gently patted Xie Mingzhu's hand, saying, "Mingzhu is so sensible."

Xie Mingzhu smiled gently.

However, Madam Xie did not realize that before Xie Xing appeared, Xie Mingzhu did not need to rely on being sensible to win Madam Xie's favor.

The Grand Tutor's Mansion was soon reached.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Grand Tutor's mansion.

The old grand tutor stood at the door, leaning on his cane. After everyone had come down, he looked directly at Xie Xing, then smiled and beckoned to him.

"Child, come here."

Xie Xing didn't recognize the old man and didn't move immediately. Instead, he looked at Madam Xie.