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

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Xing turned to look at Luo Hanfeng in disbelief.

The man was no longer the madman he had been in the room. His handsome face was now full of smiles, and his gentle eyes looked at him with kindness and harmlessness. His slightly furrowed brows made it seem as if Xie Xing had really done something that angered both heaven and man.

[This is utter nonsense!] Xie Xing was furious.

Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze behind her both looked at Luo Hanfeng with dangerous eyes.

Although Xie Yuhe was spanked, he was still clear-headed.

Before Madam Xie could reprimand Xie Xing, he dared to speak first, asking, "Is the Seventh Prince's statement true?"

"Xie Xing was with me and Lao San last night, so where did he find the time to scheme against Mingzhu?"

Luo Hanfeng smiled slightly: "Young Master Xie, there's no need for such hostility towards me. I was just standing up for Miss Mingzhu."

“If Xie Wu didn’t do this, I naturally wouldn’t make such a fuss.”

Xie Mingzhu was nestled in Madam Xie's arms, tears streaming down her face. She seemed frightened, clutching Madam Xie's sleeve, her body trembling slightly.

She didn't explain, but looked at Madam Xie pleadingly: "Mother, I know you are not my biological mother, but you have raised me and loved me for so many years. In my heart, I have always regarded you as my own mother."

"Perhaps my presence has affected my sister? I've usurped her place."

Xie Mingzhu cried so pitifully that it evoked sympathy.

In everyone's eyes, she seemed to have suffered a great injustice, looking weak and pitiful. Her pale appearance was truly heart-wrenching.

Madam Xie hurriedly said, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

"You will always be my darling, my sweet girl. How could your mother allow you to leave my side?"

Xie Yuhe seemed momentarily dazed.

He stared intently at Xie Mingzhu.

If he and his third brother hadn't discovered beforehand that Xie Mingzhu was indeed with the remnants of the previous dynasty, and hadn't been able to hear Xie Xing's thoughts, and hadn't confirmed that Xie Xing had indeed been on the ship all night and couldn't possibly have harmed Mingzhu, he might have actually believed it just by looking at Xie Mingzhu's pitiful state.

The more Xie Yuhe looks at Xie Mingzhu, the more unfamiliar she seems.

she……

How did my usually innocent and adorable little sister become like this overnight?

The one most affected was Xie Yuze. Perhaps Xie Yuhe still had some doubts, but Xie Yuze had personally witnessed Xie Mingzhu with the remnants of the previous dynasty, and even had contact with them.

He never expected that Xie Mingzhu would lie through her teeth and blame everything on Xie Xing.

Doesn't she know that if they really misunderstand Xie Xing, the consequences for Xie Xing would be unimaginable?

Xie Yuze couldn't help but ask, "Mingzhu, are you sure it was Xie Xing who tricked you into going to the brothel?"

"Explain what exactly happened to you."

Upon hearing this, Xie Mingzhu lifted her head from Madam Xie's embrace, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Even after all this, her eldest and third brothers, who had always liked her, were standing not far away, looking at her with suspicion.

In the past, they would believe anything she said.

I would never look at her like that, never doubt her, and never question her!

Xie Mingzhu's tears finally welled up and spilled over; she was starting to break down.

So, is it because she's not their biological sister that all the previous affection vanished and turned into nothing?

Thinking this way only made Xie Mingzhu more and more distraught.

When she looked up again, her face was covered in tears.

"Third brother, so you think I'm wronging my sister?"

She began to sob, her shoulders heaving, and she cried louder and louder: "I know I'm not your biological sister, so naturally you'll side with Xie Xing a little more, but you've never treated me like this before."

"Just because we're not related by blood, does that mean you no longer like me?"

Xie Mingzhu cried hysterically.

The people inside the brothel all gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Everyone was pointing and whispering about Xie Xing.

"Everyone says that the inner quarters of powerful and wealthy families are full of ghosts. I was wondering why the Xie family could be so well-behaved after such a thing happened. It turns out they were brewing something big here."

"Who can argue with that? Xie Mingzhu brought honor to the Xie family in her early years. She was the most talented woman in the capital. If she were me, even if she weren't my biological daughter, I would definitely cherish her more."

"What a tragedy! If it were my identity as a young lady that had been stolen, I wouldn't have been able to tolerate it until now. I would have poisoned the person who took my identity the moment I entered the manor."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Xie Yuze had initially stood firmly on Xie Xing's side, but seeing Xie Mingzhu crying so pitifully and collapsing, he immediately became at a loss.

“Mingzhu, no, that’s not how it is.”

"Don't cry."

"You brat, shut up!" Madam Xie was extremely distressed and glared fiercely at Xie Yuze.

She took the cloak handed to her by the maid, wrapped Xie Mingzhu in it, and said gently, "My dear girl, we can talk about it when we get home."

"If anyone has truly plotted against you, I will punish them severely!"

Xie Xing watched indifferently from the side.

She didn't utter a single word in her own defense throughout the entire process.

Her gaze shifted from Xie Mingzhu to Luo Hanfeng, who was standing not far away.

Luo Hanfeng noticed her gaze, tilted his head slightly, and looked in her direction.

He smiled at Xie Xing and mouthed to her, "This is a lesson to make you listen."

Xie Xing: "..."

She turned her face away expressionlessly and said, "Qi Yi, Cai Yue, let's go back to the manor."

Throughout the journey, Madam Xie gently coaxed Xie Mingzhu.

It was as if her crying could erase the memory of her inexplicable disappearance that night.

Return to the mansion.

Madam Xie immediately sent someone to invite Old Madam Xie.

Upon hearing that Xie Mingzhu had been found in a brothel, Madam Xie and Xie Jiaojiao immediately rushed to the main hall.

At that time, inside the main hall.

Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze couldn't sit because of the injuries on their buttocks, so they simply stood.

Madam Xie sat on the right, leaving the main seat on the left for Old Madam Xie to sit in.

As soon as Madam Xie entered the main hall, her gaze swept around the room and finally landed on Xie Mingzhu, whose eyes were red and who looked delicate and pitiful.

After hearing what Xie Ansheng said last night, Madam Xie felt as if she had never seen Xie Mingzhu again.

She couldn't even believe that her beloved granddaughter, whom she had watched grow up and who had been pampered since childhood, was actually a heartless ingrate who had dragged the entire Xie family into hell.

"What exactly happened?" Madam Xie composed herself and, supported by Xie Jiaojiao, sat down in the main seat to take charge of the situation.

Madam Xie immediately said, "Mother, this matter begins with the letter that came from Caiyue, Xie Xing's maid..."