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

Xie Mingzhu was dragged out of the water by Lai Xiao, soaking wet.

"Cough cough!"

She clutched her chest and coughed up some water.

Lai Xiao said with a guilty look, "Princess, things didn't go as planned, and you've made a wasted trip."

Xie Mingzhu pursed her lips.

She clutched her chest and shook her head, then looked up at the turbulent water, her expression worried: "Seventh Prince..."

Lai Xiao turned to look at the river and said coldly, "Princess, that man has ulterior motives. It would be better if he were dead."

Xie Mingzhu bit her lip. "The Seventh Prince isn't that kind of person. I have some dealings with him, and he... might help you?"

When Xie Mingzhu said those words, she herself was stunned for a moment.

What is she saying?

Has she unknowingly accepted her identity?

Xie Mingzhu seemed somewhat dazed.

She is the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion. Even if she is not his biological daughter, she still has the grace of being raised. If she really stands on Lai Xiao's side, where will that leave the General's Mansion?

She looked up at Lai Xiao and couldn't help but ask, "Is it really necessary to restore the country?"

"If it fails, it will affect everyone's life."

Upon hearing this, Lai Xiao's expression turned cold. He said, "Princess, you grew up in the General's Mansion, so I don't blame you for saying such things."

"His Majesty treated us with the utmost kindness during his lifetime. Restoring the kingdom is our mission, and you are our only hope for restoring the kingdom."

Xie Mingzhu carries the blood of the previous dynasty; she only needs to give birth to a prince to help him ascend the throne.

Seeing Xie Mingzhu's wavering expression, Lai Xiaofu added, "In this world, no one can compare to blood relatives."

"Your mother protected you with her life. If she were still alive, she would want to bring you the best of everything in the world."

"Mother... Empress?" Xie Mingzhu stared blankly at Lai Xiao.

Madam Xie doted on her from a young age, and what she heard most often was, "My dear, I almost lost my life to give birth to you."

"My dear, how could I not love you?"

But Xie Xing is back.

Everything ahead seemed like an illusion; the child her mother gave birth to, who had nearly lost half her life, wasn't her.

is fake.

Everything is fake.

She felt like a drifting raft, unable to find peace of mind, living in constant fear.

Afraid of being abandoned, afraid that everything they had before would vanish.

She went from having everything to having nothing.

But now, Lai Xiao tells her that her biological mother loves her very much and would protect her with her life.

Would Mrs. Xie have done the same?

Would she give him such unconditional love?

Lai Xiao continued, "Princess, everyone says that the people in the General's Mansion love you. You have been pampered and cherished since you were a child."

"But if they truly loved you, why would they accept Xie Xing?"

"Wake up." Lai Xiao's voice was like a demon luring someone into hell, devoid of emotion yet piercing straight into Xie Mingzhu's heart.

He said, "Your identity as a princess can never be changed."

is it?

Is that right?

Lai Xiaojian had said enough, so she changed the subject, saying, "Princess, it's getting late, let's go back."

Xie Mingzhu nodded.

Just as the two were about to leave, a soft humming sound suddenly came from the bushes nearby.

Lai Xiao looked sharply in that direction and saw a person lying in the corner.

The person was covered by weeds, was tall and slender, his face was covered but his feet were not, which showed that the person who hid him was extremely perfunctory.

Xie Mingzhu saw his clothes clearly and exclaimed in surprise, "Seventh Prince?!"

Lai Xiao's face darkened.

Why is this seventh prince's ghost still haunting us?

*

The fourth young lady of the General's Mansion has disappeared. The entire General's Mansion practically turned the capital upside down, but they still couldn't find Xie Mingzhu.

Xie Xing, holding the ledger he had taken from Luo Hanfeng, was seen by Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze on their way back.

Xie Yuze was very excited to see Xie Xing.

He immediately jumped down from the carriage, looked at Xie Xing's clothes, and asked in surprise, "What's wrong with your clothes?"

As he spoke, Xie Yuze immediately took off his clothes and covered Xie Xing with them.

Xie Xing's expression was somewhat somber.

She took the clothes from Xie Yuze without saying a word.

He hung his head, completely silent.

It felt like I had returned to the moment I first entered the mansion, just like now, like a quiet breath, not speaking to anyone.

Especially since her true feelings were not expressed.

It made me feel a little uneasy.

Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze exchanged a glance.

After realizing that Xie Xing's thoughts were accurate, Xie Yuhe's last remaining doubts disappeared.

Seeing that Xie Xing was not speaking and her bangs covered her eyebrows and eyes, making it impossible to see her expression, the two men were filled with apprehension.

Xie Yuhe couldn't help but ask, "Xing'er, what's wrong?"

"Could it be...could it be that someone bullied you?"

Xie Yuhe felt a sense of unease, especially when she noticed that Xie Xing's clothes had been changed.

Xie Yuhe became even more worried.

Xie Xing shook his head, pulled his clothes closer, and smiled at Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze: "I'm fine, brother."

After saying that, she lowered her head again.

Although she said she was fine, she was secretly whispering to the system in her mind:

These two don't look like they belong on a ship at all. Could they have deliberately put me on the ship to watch me die?

Xie Yuhe had just put down his snacks because of Xie Xing's smile and was about to get into the carriage when he was startled by the voice behind him and stumbled.

The system hesitated slightly: "If that's the case, this family really deserved to die."

The system unconditionally sides with Xie Xing.

None of the Xie family members ever had a good ending.

Let's look at what the Xie family has done.

It was deserved that he died.

Xie Yuze: "..."

"Xing'er, we didn't abandon you." Xie Yuhe couldn't bear it any longer and defended himself.

He had no idea that so many things would happen on the ship beforehand. He just wanted to get back home as soon as possible to verify the facts. Besides, with Xie Yuze watching over him, he shouldn't be in any danger.

and so……

The problem lies with Xie Yuze?

Xie Yuhe couldn't help but turn his gaze to Xie Yuze.

How come this kid can't see people anymore while he's looking at them?

Xie Yuze: "..."

He guiltily looked away.

At first, he was indeed keeping an eye on Xie Xing in secret, but as he watched, he was drawn to something more important and completely lost track of him.

"Really? Brother, what did you do just now?" Xie Xing's expression was indifferent, and her voice was not resentful, but rather like an ordinary question.

Xie Yuhe was stumped by this question.

He opened and closed his lips, but couldn't say anything coherent for a long time.

Xie Xing smiled and said, "It's alright, my brother must be off to do something important."

"Xie Xing won't blame you."

Listen.

How considerate you are to say that!

Xie Yuhe was satisfied.

A gentle smile appeared on his face, and he was about to say a few more words of praise.

He saw Xie Xing turn her head away. He couldn't see the expression on her face, but he could guess from her thoughts that she must be feeling cold right now.

Because the voice of the heart speaks out—

They definitely did it on purpose!

Xie Yuhe: "..."