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

The Empress Dowager's smile faded slightly. She gently patted Xie Xing's hand and said, "I know that child Zhiheng. If he didn't have feelings for a woman, why would he openly speak up for him in the palace?"

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager scrutinized Xie Xing. Xie Xing met the Empress Dowager's gaze and lowered her eyelashes to avoid her scrutinizing eyes.

The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction: "It is Qiongying, your child, of the Xie family bloodline. What's wrong with her marrying Zhiheng and becoming a princess?"

Madam Xie opened her lips slightly.

Since the Empress Dowager had spoken so eloquently, she naturally had no reason to refuse.

Jun Lanjin was already favored by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, so it would be even better if Jun Lanjin could become the Xie family's son-in-law.

But the only problem now is the uncertain feeling in Xie Xing's heart.

Madam Xie could only say, "Your Majesty, the Xie family is naturally very honored by your words. However, marriage is no small matter. If His Majesty and Prince Jin can agree, I will certainly have no objections."

As she said this, Old Madam Xie also began to have doubts in her heart.

Judging from the Empress Dowager's attitude, it's impossible to tell that the Emperor has any real fear of the Xie family.

If they truly feared the Xie family, how could they possibly allow the powerful Prince Jin to form a marriage alliance with them?

The Empress Dowager tapped the table lightly with her finger and said calmly, "I will naturally speak to the Emperor on behalf of Zhiheng."

After he finished speaking, the palace fell silent once again.

Before long, a palace servant came in to announce: "Your Majesty, Consort Lin, the Fifth Princess, and the Sixth Prince have arrived."

"Let them in." The Empress Dowager's voice was flat and emotionless.

Xie Xing stayed by the Empress Dowager's side, not daring to move without her permission.

"Grandma!"

A sweet and lively voice came from outside the door; you could hear the voice even before you saw the person.

Xie Xing and Xie Jiaojiao turned to look at the entrance and saw the Fifth Princess, dressed in a magnificent long dress, skipping and hopping into the palace.

The jewels on her head swayed with her movements, making a crisp sound.

The Empress Dowager smiled indulgently and scolded the Fifth Princess, "You're such a grown woman, why don't you follow the rules?"

Luo Mengfei stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Isn't it because I can't wait to see my grandmother?"

"Greetings, Imperial Concubine, Fifth Princess, and Sixth Prince." Madam Xie, along with Xie Xing and Xie Jiaojiao, rose and bowed.

Luo Mengfei noticed the group, her gaze sweeping over Xie Jiaojiao and Xie Xing before finally settling on Xie Xing. She then asked, "Are you the Xie Xing who tormented De'an and is now locked up in the mansion copying scriptures?"

Xie Xing was surprised that the Fifth Princess would ask such a question. She paused for a moment, raised her long eyelashes to look at Luo Mengfei, wanting to see if she was friend or foe.

Luo Mengfei's expression was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Xie Xing couldn't tell for a moment, paused, and then defended himself, saying, "Fifth Princess, the person who tormented Princess De'an was not me."

Seeing how timid she was, Luo Mengfei pouted in disbelief: "What is this? I thought Brother Jin would treat someone special as some kind of legendary figure, but it turns out she's just a pushover."

Xie Xing: "..."

She didn't know what to say, so she could only smile slightly.

"Mengfei!" Consort Lin scolded.

Luo Mengfei then shut up and sat down next to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled and affectionately tapped Luo Mengfei's nose: "You've grown up, so watch your words and don't be so unforgiving."

Luo Mengfei tugged at the Empress Dowager's sleeve and said coquettishly, "I didn't do that at all, Grandmother is slandering me."

The Empress Dowager chuckled with delight, then asked, "What about what you just said about De'an being locked up copying scriptures?"

Luo Mengfei exclaimed in surprise, "Eh? Grandmother, you didn't know?"

"Because De'an spoke rudely to Xie Xing, Brother Jin punished him by making him stay at home to pray for your birthday. He is copying scriptures and cannot come out until he finishes copying them."

The Empress Dowager was taken aback: "Is that so?"

As soon as he said this, everyone present looked at Xie Xing.

Faced with so many people's gazes, Xie Xing felt as if he had thorns in his back, a fishbone stuck in his throat, and was sitting on pins and needles.

She clasped her hands together and whispered a rebuttal: "The prince didn't do it for me."

Luo Mengfei retorted, "If it's not for you, then who is it for?"

"Among the noble ladies in the capital, De'an hates you the most. Last time, Brother Jin punished you and sent you to the Shenxing Division. This time, you've been locked up again. Besides you, who else has made De'an so unlucky?"

As Luo Mengfei spoke, she did indeed have a smiling expression on her face.

Xie Xing: "..."

That was indeed the case, but she always felt that Luo Mengfei's statement was somewhat strange.

Upon hearing this, Luo Huaichuan laughed heartily: "Yes, yes, that guy Zhiheng doesn't treat other women this specially. Maybe he just likes this fifth young lady of the Xie family."

As Luo Huaichuan spoke, he reached out and tugged at Xie Xing's hair, saying, "De'an is arrogant and domineering; few can make him suffer."

"You look small, but you have a lot of courage."

Xie Xing turned his head to avoid Luo Huaichuan's hand and said, "Sixth Prince, you are too kind. It was not me who caused the princess to suffer a loss, but Your Highness."

The Empress Dowager looked at the two of them with a leisurely air and asked, "Didn't Huaichuan just return? How come he also knows this fifth young lady of the Xie family?"

Luo Huaichuan didn't get any favors from Xie Xing, so he withdrew his hand and said, "I saw her at Zhiheng's place last time. This little girl even said she wanted to make some snacks for Zhiheng."

“When I asked her if I had any, she got quite angry and said she only made it for Zhiheng.”

Xie Xing looked at him in surprise.

"No!" she thought, her voice breaking.

How did he just say it so sweetly?

Xie Xing was completely stunned. Hearing these words in front of so many people, her face immediately turned red with embarrassment.

"Xing'er?" Old Madam Xie looked at Xie Xing in astonishment.

Xie Xing always managed to catch her off guard.

When did her relationship with Jun Lanjin become so good?

"Haha." The Empress Dowager laughed heartily upon hearing this. "What was Zhiheng's reaction?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Luo Huaichuan with curiosity.

Luo Huaichuan said, "That's why Zhiheng treats this girl differently; of course he agrees."

Neither Madam Xie nor Xie Jiaojiao spoke.

Especially Madam Xie, whose smile was almost impossible to maintain at this moment.

Fortunately, Consort Lin noticed that Old Madam Xie was restless and spoke up at the right time: "Alright, you two shut up."

"Empress Dowager, did you summon us for something?" Consort Lin asked the Empress Dowager respectfully, her eyes lowered.

While the children could show affection and fondness to the Empress Dowager, Consort Lin had to maintain the proper etiquette befitting a royal consort.

The Empress Dowager's attitude towards Consort Lin and the two children became much less affectionate.

She didn't exchange any pleasantries and went straight to the point: "I heard that Mengfei is going to choose a few companions, so let these two from the Xie family go to the palace to keep the Fifth Prince company."