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

Xie Yuze's eyes were deep and serious. "I saw it with my own eyes."

"Originally, I just wanted to keep an eye on Xie Xing in the dark and see if there was any chance to find out the existence of those remnants of the previous dynasty."

Speaking of this, Xie Yuze looked up at Xie Ansheng, "Father, you should also know that we have been investigating the previous dynasty recently, including the matter concerning Mingzhu."

"But surprisingly, despite our prior knowledge and the heavy security at the General's Mansion, we were unable to find any trace of the remnants of the previous dynasty no matter what we did."

"But Xie Xing ran into him twice at the General's Mansion."

Xie Ansheng looked at Xie Yuze in shock: "You're saying that remnants of the previous dynasty entered the General's Mansion twice?"

Xie Yuhe nodded: "Whether it's true or not hasn't been confirmed yet, but the fact that Mingzhu was able to leave the General's Mansion today means it doesn't need to be verified."

Xie Ansheng felt a chill run through his body.

All of this happened so suddenly.

The fact that remnants of the previous dynasty could freely enter and leave the general's mansion meant that they could take his head at any time.

If they wanted to, they could poison the food and kill the entire general's family.

Xie Ansheng gasped.

Horrible, really terrible.

Xie Yuze continued, "Today on the ship, in order to protect Xie Xing without revealing my identity, I blended in with that group of assassins."

"It was discovered that the Seventh Prince, Luo Hanfeng, had obtained some incriminating evidence against someone of great power, which is why he ordered his men to hunt him down on the ship."

As he spoke, Xie Yuze paused, his gaze falling on the wet ledger in Xie Ansheng's hand.

"This seems to be the ledger?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Ansheng narrowed his eyes slightly, "If that's really the case, then the Seventh Prince truly has a great ambition."

The ledger contained evidence of corruption and bribery by numerous powerful officials; obtaining this ledger meant they were firmly in control.

It seems that the Seventh Prince intends to secretly infiltrate the power of these officials, and his purpose is self-evident.

Xie Yuze suddenly realized.

For a moment, the study fell silent again.

After a long silence, Xie Yuhe finally spoke up: "Father, how about you strike up a conversation?"

“Mingzhu…”

Xie Ansheng's expression was cold and serious. "If what you say is true, Xie Mingzhu is a ticking time bomb that threatens my Xie family. How can we let my Xie family fall into this catastrophic disaster because of her?"

"I helped the emperor conquer this country and achieve our current status, all so that my Xie family could have a place in Shengjing."

"I do not seek the throne, but only wealth and honor."

Although Xie Ansheng now wields considerable power, he lacks a solid foundation.

Compared to the four great families, the Xie family only started to rise from Xie Ansheng, and cannot compare to those deeply rooted families.

Therefore, the emperor could arbitrarily execute the entire Xie family.

The entire family was loyal and devoted to serving the emperor, yet they ended up like this.

How could Xie Ansheng not feel desolate?

But this world, though seemingly peaceful and stable on the surface, is actually on the verge of war.

With the southern kingdom eyeing us covetously from the outside, if we were to fight amongst ourselves now, shattering the surface peace and plunging the world into chaos, what would become of the people?

The land was devastated by war.

Although Xie Ansheng valued power and profit, he did not want to start a war.

This is why, despite having a large army, he never coveted the throne.

At this moment, Xie Ansheng's expression was so cold, as if all the love he once had for that daughter had completely disappeared.

"I cannot allow any variables to arise in the Xie family."

At this point, a hint of murderous intent flashed in Xie Ansheng's eyes.

The fastest way to solve a problem is to nip it in the bud.

Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

The father actually wanted to kill Mingzhu.

However, this is indeed the best opportunity right now.

Can……

A struggle flashed in their eyes. After all, she was their younger sister whom they had doted on for more than ten years. How could they just kill her?

Moreover, should Mingzhu be convicted based solely on Xie Xing's feelings?

When the time came, neither of the brothers could bring themselves to do it.

Xie Yuhe couldn't help but say, "Father, but Mingzhu is after all..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xie Ansheng interrupted him with a cold snort: "With such indecisiveness, what can you accomplish?"

"With her status alone, she could have killed the entire General's Mansion."

They initially thought the dragon-shaped birthmark on her body was an auspicious sign, but they never expected it to be a death warrant.

Xie Ansheng's voice was frighteningly calm: "My Xie family has pampered her like a treasure for over a decade. She has experienced all the pleasures of life, isn't that enough?"

Is it not enough?

Xie Yuze frowned deeply.

He felt that Xie Ansheng was too calm, frighteningly so.

They are even somewhat cold-blooded.

Clearly, just before today, Xie Ansheng doted on Xie Mingzhu, and just now he was extremely worried about her safety.

In just a moment, things changed.

Regardless of their emotional stance, rationally speaking, both brothers agreed that Xie Ansheng was right.

but--

Xie Yuhe couldn't help but say, "Father, this is a serious matter. If you really want to do this, we can't stop you."

"But please, please don't tell Tongchen."

Xie Ansheng looked at Xie Yuhe with a puzzled expression: "Didn't you say that the second brother could also hear Xie Xing's thoughts?"

Xie Yuhe said with a complicated expression, "Father, please don't be angry if I tell you the truth."

The two brothers looked rather unwell when this was mentioned.

Xie Ansheng was even more confused.

Xie Yuhe said, "That's right, Tongchen... has developed some different feelings for Mingzhu."

Xie Ansheng hadn't even had time to react when he said that.

"What different thoughts?"

Xie Yuze clicked his tongue and said directly, "That beast Xie Tongchen has fallen for Mingzhu."

After he said that, the study fell silent.

Xie Ansheng was struck dumb.

He hadn't even realized what was happening yet.

After he realized what had happened, he flew into a rage, his neck and face instantly turning as red as a boiling kettle, and he completely exploded:

"what?!"

"What did you say?!"

Xie Yuze & Xie Yuhe: "..."

The two were silent.

Under Xie Ansheng's terrifying pressure, neither of them dared to speak anymore.

Xie Ansheng's nostrils flared as he looked furious.

For a long time.

Xie Ansheng's clenched fist cracked as he asked in a cold voice, "He knows all of this you're talking about?"

Xie Yuhe's voice softened: "I know everything, except for some things related to Mingzhu."

Xie Ansheng sneered: "I didn't know that I would raise such a beast."

The two were speechless.

"Now that he knows, what is his reaction?" Xie Ansheng tried to remain calm.

Xie Yuze said, "Second Brother said that Mingzhu is innocent."

He paused, then added, "Actually, our deaths all seem to be related to Mingzhu."

"Xie Xing's inner thoughts say that Mingzhu is an ingrate... Father, Father, what are you doing?" Halfway through his sentence, Xie Yuze's expression suddenly turned terrified.