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

Although Madam Xie disliked Xie Xing, she still said, "Go if I tell you to."

That's your maternal grandfather.

Xie Xing then walked over to the old Grand Tutor and obediently called out, "Grandpa."

The old Grand Tutor looked at Xie Xing gently and smiled with satisfaction: "Indeed, he looks exactly like Ah Yin when she was young."

Ayin was Madam Xie's nickname.

"Come in first." Old Madam Gu affectionately took Xie Xing's small hand and welcomed her in with a smile.

Grand Tutor Gu had three children in total, with Gu Jinglin being the youngest.

Gu Yin is the name of Madam Xie.

Gu Yin's elder brother, Gu Jiangyi, served as a historian in the imperial court. He had a son and a daughter. His son was two years older than Xie Yuze, and the two often hung out together.

In the hall of the Gu family.

Old Madam Gu gently stroked Xie Xing's hand, tears welling in her eyes, "Poor child, it's been over ten years since you last came home, and you've..."

Just as Madam Gu was about to say that Xie Xing had lost weight, but the skin on his hands was fair and delicate, and he looked plump and healthy, so he didn't seem to have been mistreated, she paused and asked, "Have you been mistreated during your time at the General's Mansion?"

"Your mother is senile, don't blame her."

"Mother!" Madam Xie said with displeasure.

Old Madam Gu glared at her, "I won't say anything to you in front of the child."

Xie Mingzhu stood behind Madam Xie, her hands clasped in front of her, twisting the handkerchief in her hand.

Her current situation is even more awkward, especially seeing her maternal grandmother, who used to dote on her, now acting as if she didn't even see her, holding Xie Xing's hand and chatting the whole time.

"Sister Mingzhu, how have you been these past few years?" Just then, a clear voice rang out.

Xie Xing looked over and saw a bright little girl in a pretty pink dress with her hair in two buns run into the hall. She came up to Xie Mingzhu and took her arm affectionately, tilting her head and smiling at her, "Zi'er hasn't seen Sister Mingzhu for a long time and misses her very much."

Gu Jinzi is a daughter born to Gu Jiangyi.

She took Xie Mingzhu's hand and came to Old Madam Gu, scolding her, "Grandmother, you've been so busy talking to her that you've neglected my sister Mingzhu."

Xie Xing was not surprised that this situation would occur.

After all, Xie Mingzhu had only truly lived with these people for over a decade, so in terms of closeness, she naturally couldn't compare to them.

Therefore, when Gu Jinzi spoke, she did not speak, but only sat to one side of Old Madam Gu and glanced at Gu Jinzi.

Gu Jinzi gave Xie Xing a provocative look, then pushed Xie Xing aside and pulled Xie Mingzhu to separate Xie Xing from Old Madam Gu.

Seeing this, Xie Jiaojiao reached out to help Xie Xing.

Old Madam Gu was one step ahead of her, reaching out to grab Xie Xing and pulling him closer.

She gently pushed Gu Jinzi aside and said calmly, "Zi'er has overstepped her bounds."

"Today is your cousin's first time visiting the Gu family. Grandmother has never met this niece before and wants to dote on her."

"You and Mingzhu have been by your grandmother's side for so long, is this one thing enough?"

Madam Gu's calm gaze fell on Gu Jinzi and Xie Mingzhu.

"Zi'er!" At this moment, Madam Gu also pulled her back with a cold face and scolded, "Don't be silly."

"Mingzhu won't resent her grandmother for neglecting you, will she?" Old Madam Gu said, turning her gaze to Xie Mingzhu.

Xie Mingzhu felt extremely bitter inside, but shook her head and said, "No."

"Mingzhu was very happy that her maternal grandmother could see her younger sister."

Only then was Madam Gu satisfied.

Xie Xing, watching from the side, finally saw the difference between the Gu family and the Xie family.

It's something that can be clearly seen.

"Grandmother." Thinking of this, Xie Xing smiled sweetly.

She laughed, but Gu Jinzi, feeling humiliated, glared fiercely at Xie Xing.

Xie Xing noticed Gu Jinzi's gaze and tilted his head to look at her: "Why is this little sister glaring at me like that?"

Madam Gu was startled and immediately covered Gu Jinzi's eyes with her hands, laughing, "Xing'er, don't mind it, Zi'er is just being a little willful."

[Host, you seem like a villainous supporting character right now.] The system pointed and gestured.

"I didn't do anything," Xie Xing said innocently.

She had no idea what Xie Mingzhu was thinking.

It was her first time visiting the Grand Tutor's mansion, and as the old Grand Tutor's own niece, it was understandable that they were warm towards her.

Since her return to the capital, although Grand Tutor Gu had not seen her, he had warned Xie Ansheng several times, which led to Xie Xing being officially recognized.

This shows that the Grand Tutor's Mansion places more emphasis on blood ties.

But before that, the good things Xie Mingzhu received were real, and they didn't belong to her in the first place.

Now, Xie Mingzhu can't stand it just because someone who used to love her is being a little closer to her.

Xie Xing felt that Xie Mingzhu had been living too well before.

……

At that time, in the backyard of the Grand Tutor's mansion.

Sitting on the swing, Gu Jinzi said angrily, "I didn't like her the moment I saw her."

"Although she is the biological daughter, it is you, sister, who lives with us. Grandmother is really confused!"

Xie Mingzhu stood to the side, her autumn eyes lowered, and said dejectedly, "Zi'er, you don't need to be angry with me. My sister has indeed been too popular with the family these past few days, so it's understandable that they've been ignoring me."

"After all, she is the real daughter of the Xie family."

As she spoke, she said dejectedly, "Perhaps one day, even the Xie family will not have a place for me to live in peace."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinzi was extremely alarmed. She immediately stood up from the swing, grabbed Xie Mingzhu's hands, and said urgently, "Sister, don't say that."

"I will definitely avenge you!" Gu Jinzi rubbed her cheeks.

Xie Mingzhu was stunned, and quickly grabbed Gu Jinzi, "Sister, you don't have to go to such lengths for me."

Gu Jinzi shook off Xie Mingzhu's hand and said, "Don't worry, Sister Mingzhu, I'll just teach her a little lesson."

Xie Mingzhu pursed her lips.

She seemed somewhat tempted.

Gu Jinzi, however, had already taken her hand and said, "Let's go find my brother."

Gu Jinzi's older brother, Gu Shuyang.

He was a true playboy, who did nothing but follow Xie Yuze to gambling dens and cricket fighting.

They have a lot of clever ideas.

He had just returned to the manor when Gu Jinzi and Xie Mingzhu came looking for him.

"Brother, can you teach someone a lesson for me?"

Gu Jinzi pulled Gu Shuyang aside and said directly.

Gu Shuyang, still smiling, noticed Xie Mingzhu and asked in surprise, "Mingzhu, what brings you here today?"

"Cousin," Xie Mingzhu greeted Gu Shuyang softly.

"Oh, brother, come with me."

Gu Jinzi pulled Gu Shuyang toward the backyard.

Gu Shuyang half-dragged him along, half-walked, and lazily asked, "Who is it?"

"Who else can bully you?"

The group arrived at the courtyard of the Grand Tutor's mansion.

Two young girls were sitting in the pavilion.

Gu Shuyang's eyes lit up immediately: "Where did these two beautiful young ladies come from?"

Gu Jinzi angrily smacked Gu Shuyang, "That's Xie Xing!"

At that time, in the pavilion.

Xie Xing and Xie Jiaojiao were together.

She held a pebble in her hand and casually tossed it. The pebble floated nine times on the lake's surface until it reached the other side.

Xie Jiaojiao covered her lips and chuckled softly, "My little sister is amazing."

the other side.

Gu Shuyang's eyes lit up when he saw Xie Xing's ten consecutive floats on the lake.

This woman is no ordinary person.

She can actually execute ten consecutive Water Skim shots!