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

The Empress Dowager's words were simple and clear. Consort Lin remained silent for a while before smiling and saying, "It just so happens that Mengfei is close in age to them. It would be perfect if she could enter the palace to accompany Mengfei."

After Consort Lin finished speaking, the Empress Dowager finally smiled with satisfaction.

"You've always been less of a worry than the Empress."

Consort Lin's smile froze for a moment, then she lowered her head and said gently, "This humble servant dares not presume to be compared with Her Majesty the Empress."

At this moment, Xie Xing also vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

[Why do I feel like there's something strange about this Empress Dowager?] Xie Xing asked the system in his mind.

The Empress Dowager appears to be friendly and affectionate towards everyone, but she exudes a chilling sense of crisis.

The system stated: "The Empress Dowager is with the Emperor. They originally intended for Jun Lanjin to inherit the throne, but they didn't expect Jun Lanjin to be poisoned with a slow-acting poison, and there's also the unpredictable Seventh Prince."

Xie Jiaojiao's beautiful eyes widened slightly upon hearing the system's voice, a look of astonishment flashing across her pupils.

Is this...is this something she can hear?

Xie Xing was even more puzzled: "Even if Jun Lanjin is the Emperor's son, why do the Empress Dowager and the Emperor both favor him so much?"

This involves matters from the previous generation.

Just as the system was about to explain, Luo Mengfei said, "Mother, you two chat, I'm going to go play with my companions."

As he spoke, he pulled Xie Xing up and, without waiting for Xie Xing to follow, headed straight for the palace gate.

Xie Xing stumbled and could only walk a few quick steps to catch up with the Fifth Princess.

Luo Huaichuan wanted to follow, but the Empress Dowager stopped him coldly: "Huaichuan, I have something to tell you."

Luo Huaichuan could only stop in his tracks and watch Xie Xing and the Fifth Princess leave.

Xie Jiaojiao didn't hear what was coming from behind, and she felt terrible. She quickly caught up and helped Xie Xing to prevent her from falling.

After leaving the Empress Dowager's palace, Luo Mengfei's expression changed drastically, and she coldly shook off Xie Xing's hand.

Xie Xing was thrown off balance and stumbled. If Xie Jiaojiao hadn't caught her, she would have fallen.

"What does the Fifth Princess mean by this?" Xie Jiaojiao looked at Luo Mengfei in surprise.

Luo Mengfei snorted coldly, crossed her arms, and looked down at the two of them condescendingly: "If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's intervention, what qualifications would you two, a country bumpkin from the countryside and a down-on-his-luck fellow trying to curry favor with someone, have to be my study companions?"

Luo Mengfei's words struck a chord with Xie Jiaojiao, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across her face.

"If the princess does not wish to be our study companion, she can simply tell the Empress Dowager. Why say such hurtful things?"

Xie Jiaojiao suppressed her anger and replied.

Luo Mengfei arrogantly raised her chin, "This princess doesn't want to upset the Empress Dowager because of you two bumpkins."

"From now on, you must remember this: if I say east, you cannot go west."

"You must do whatever I tell you to do."

Luo Mengfei's words really showed a complete lack of respect for people.

Xie Xing took a deep breath, shielding Xie Jiaojiao behind him, and looked at Luo Mengfei: "Does the Fifth Princess dare to say these words to the Empress Dowager?"

Luo Mengfei sneered: "I heard from De'an that you particularly like to tattle. What, are you going to tattle to the Empress Dowager now?"

"I already played the tactic of accusing others when I was six years old. You can see whether Grandmother favors you or me."

Xie Xing: "..."

broken.

This man was coming for her.

Luo Mengfei was, after all, the Fifth Princess, and she had Consort Lin behind her, so Xie Xing naturally didn't intend to really cause trouble for the Empress Dowager.

Although the Empress Dowager seemed kind and patient with her, as if she liked her very much, Xie Xing always felt a sense of unease.

She did not intend to seek help from the Empress Dowager.

After thinking it over, Xie Xing changed his strategy.

A sweet smile appeared on her face. "Princess, you are too kind. Of course, I don't intend to complain to the Empress Dowager."

Seeing how quickly her expression changed, Luo Mengfei looked at her suspiciously: "What mischievous idea are you plotting?"

"This princess isn't buying your act."

Xie Xing coughed lightly and tried to get closer to Luo Mengfei, saying, "Princess, you see, we are complete strangers. I don't know what I did to upset you. Please tell me, and I will try my best not to upset you in the future."

Luo Mengfei seems to be the type of person who responds better to gentle persuasion than force.

Her expression softened a bit, and she snorted, "You're a country bumpkin who knows what's good for you."

"Since you've asked, I, the princess, can mercifully tell you that there's no reason why; I simply dislike you just by looking at you."

Xie Xing's smile froze slightly.

What an unreasonable and annoying person.

Xie Xing naturally wouldn't bother trying to please someone who already disliked her. Her smile faded, and she distanced herself from Luo Mengfei.

"Since the princess is not pleased, I will tell the Empress Dowager and my grandmother that Xie Xing is not worthy of being the princess's study companion, so as not to be an eyesore to the princess."

With that, Xie Xing turned to leave.

Luo Mengfei was dumbfounded.

How can this person change their expression so quickly? Just a moment ago they were all trying to please her, and now they're telling the Empress Dowager they won't be her study companion anymore?

Luo Mengfei originally intended to take this opportunity to teach Xie Xing a lesson, but she didn't expect to be frightened instead.

Her expression turned somewhat flustered, and she immediately said, "You stop right there for me, Princess!"

Xie Xing, of course, didn't stop.

Luo Mengfei panicked. She followed behind Xie Xing, trying to grab Xie Xing's hand: "Hey! You country bumpkin, didn't you hear me tell you to stop?!"

Xie Xing not only didn't stop, but even sped up.

Luo Mengfei was furious and immediately ordered the people around her to grab Xie Xing to prevent her from running to the Empress Dowager's palace.

But Xie Xing was as nimble as a monkey, running incredibly fast, and Luo Mengfei and the palace maids behind her followed him, circling the entire palace in a large loop.

Finally, the Fifth Princess, panting heavily, leaned on her hips and pointed at Xie Xing, cursing, "You bumpkin, stop right there! I'm telling you something!"

Xie Xing finally stopped.

She was also panting, her hands on her hips, then looked at Luo Mengfei with bright eyes: "Has the princess accepted me?"

"Then I won't go to the Empress Dowager and my grandmother to tell them."

Luo Mengfei gritted her teeth and glared angrily at Xie Xing: "You tattletale, are you a child?"

Xie Xing said in a serious tone, "Princess, you are mistaken. I am not a tattletale. It's just that you don't like me, so I can't shamelessly follow you."

Luo Mengfei snorted coldly.

Xie Xing took two steps toward her tentatively, but did not get close, remaining vigilant at all times, fearing that Luo Mengfei might suddenly have the palace servants restrain her and give her a beating.

Luo Mengfei rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Do you think I'm such a petty person?"

"I said I wouldn't settle accounts with you, and I won't."

Xie Xing was relieved and walked a little closer to Luo Mengfei.

Luo Mengfei's expression was somewhat awkward. She said, "I heard that your second brother dislikes you very much, so I dislike you too."