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

Upon hearing this, Xie Jiaojiao couldn't help but turn her head and look at the young ladies behind her.

Their eyes were shallow, their gazes fixed on their noses and their minds, as if they hadn't heard a word Luo Mingyue said.

Xie Jiaojiao couldn't help but cover the twitching at the corner of her lips with a handkerchief.

Don't you know you have to do this behind people's backs?

Luo Mingyue clearly noticed Xie Jiaojiao's actions as well. Her eyes darkened, and she smiled, saying, "Jiaojiao, I heard you came to Shengjing with the Xie family's matriarch?"

"You've gotten to know quite a few young ladies from noble families while you were with Mingzhu recently, haven't you?"

Xie Jiaojiao was confused.

Luo Mingyue chuckled lightly: "Do you know what they say about you behind your back?"

"You're nothing but a down-on-his-luck woman trying to climb the social ladder. Xie Mingzhu is only willing to take you along because you make her look good."

"You think she's kind-hearted?"

Xie Jiaojiao's expression froze.

Indeed, Xie Ansheng's second son is not as successful as Xie Ansheng. To this day, he is only a minor prefect in his hometown, which is naturally not as prestigious as Xie Ansheng's reputation as the Grand General of the State.

Bringing her to Shengjing was merely to ensure Xie Jiaojiao could marry well and attach herself to a powerful and influential person.

Therefore, Xie Jiaojiao is overly cautious and ingratiating in her dealings with others.

Luo Mingyue's words were like a knife to her heart, making Xie Jiaojiao feel extremely embarrassed.

Xie Xing took Xie Jiaojiao's hand and said with a smile, "Who said that? Do you dare to come to the gate of my General's Mansion and howl a few times?"

Luo Mingyue exclaimed, "Sister Xing'er, please don't take your anger out on me. I was just passing on what I heard."

Her eyes darted around, then she looked away, her gaze landing on a peony. She plucked one and tucked it behind her ear: "Everyone says the peony is the king of flowers, symbolizing wealth and glory. Sister, look, isn't it beautiful?"

Luo Mingyue turned her head to let Xie Xing see the peony flower behind her ear.

She was dressed in bright and extravagant clothes today, and the floral ornaments on her forehead were also luxurious. A peony flower was indeed in line with her, but the peony branch had thorns, which not only hurt her hands but also her ears.

[This person is cunning and calculating.] Xie Xing thought to himself.

Those who aren't a little shrewd might not even hear the metaphors inside.

Luo Mingyue was ambitious and determined to obtain the position of Crown Princess.

This also implies that Xie Xing and Xie Mingzhu are irreconcilable enemies.

Xie Xing just couldn't understand why Luo Mingyue would think of becoming her ally.

Although she and Xie Mingzhu are likely to be at odds, they both share the same surname, Xie. If Xie Mingzhu loses her reputation, how good will the reputation of Xie's daughter be?

[So, does a villainous female supporting character really not need logic or intelligence?]

Xie Jiaojiao: "..."

She was worried that Xing'er would be bewitched by Luo Mingyue and do something foolish, but now it seems that her worries were unnecessary.

"The peony in your hair is beautiful, and it suits you perfectly." Xie Xing's eyes curved into a smile as she showered her with praise.

This time, Luo Mingyue's smile finally had a hint of genuine sincerity.

She laughed and said, "Your sister is so good at talking, much more likable than your older sister."

"Go back now. I just couldn't help but say a lot to you today because you seemed kind to me. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Xie Xing nodded. "I'll just listen."

With that, Xie Xing pulled Xie Jiaojiao away.

Once the others left, Luo Mingyue's smile faded, and a venomous glint flashed in her eyes as she coldly stared at Xie Xing and the other person's retreating figures.

"Sister, she doesn't seem to be taking the bait. She's completely unresponsive."

No matter what Luo Mingyue said earlier, she would either be dissatisfied or take the initiative to inquire about the plan. However, Xie Xing was evasive, his attitude ambiguous, neither refusing nor agreeing.

Luo Mingyue took the peony from her temple and casually threw it on the ground.

Her hand, which had been pricked by a peony flower while she was picking it, was still flushed with a red blush, and a few bright red beads of blood were visible on it.

Luo Mingyue wiped her hands with a handkerchief without expression and sneered, "I didn't expect that this country bumpkin from the countryside would be so difficult to deal with."

"Sister, what should we do?"

Luo Mingyue chuckled lightly: "It's alright. Did the maids and servants in the Crown Prince's residence overhear what I just said?"

The girl next to her nodded: "Sister, don't worry, it's all arranged."

"Then let's wait and see what the show is about." Luo Mingyue turned around, her brocade shoes landing right on the peony she had just picked, and she walked away.

Seeing this, everyone immediately followed.

The once vibrant peonies now lie withered and faded on the stone path, like a tattered rag.

the other side.

Xie Jiaojiao and Xie Xing walked into the garden, finally getting away from Luo Mingyue and the others, and then she let go of Xie Jiaojiao's hand.

Xie Jiaojiao frowned: "Xing'er, what is this Luo family girl up to all of a sudden?"

At first, Xie Jiaojiao thought Luo Mingyue was trying to sow discord, but Xie Xing easily deflected her accusations and then sent her away.

Xie Xing said, "Sister, you need to be careful later. That Miss Luo is cunning and ruthless."

[Luo Mingyue first lured us over, then sent someone to bring the maids and servants from her household there, saying some ambiguous things, hoping to hear me complain.]

[It doesn't matter if you can't hear it; what I just said is enough for Luo Mingyue to put in a lot of effort.]

Xie Jiaojiao listened to the inner voice and looked at Xie Xing with some confusion: "Why would you say that?"

Xie Xing said, "Didn't that Miss Luo just say that today's opportunity is excellent? If we can ruin Xie Mingzhu's reputation, then her life will be ruined."

"But didn't she say that herself? What does it have to do with us?"

"Because words are spoken to others, and it depends on who does them," Xie Xing said.

She glanced at the sky and said, "Sister, it's getting late, let's go back."

As he spoke, Xie Xing planned to pull Xie Jiaojiao back.

As soon as I turned around, a bouquet of flowers was shoved into my face.

Xie Xing: "..."

The flower was moved aside, revealing an exceptionally handsome face.

It was Wen Yan, who was wearing a light blue long gown.

With one hand behind her back and the other holding a bouquet of flowers, Wen Yan handed it to Xie Xing, chuckled twice, and said, "Flowers for a beauty, I wonder if the person is more beautiful, or the flowers are more beautiful."

Xie Jiaojiao exclaimed, her eyes widening as she gently covered her lips, looking at Wen Yan in astonishment: "Young Master Wen?"

Xie Xing lowered his eyes and glanced at the flowers placed in front of him.

It's clear that Wen Yan casually picked a few branches, gathered them together, and placed them in front of Xie Xing.

Because the colors don't match, it looks completely mismatched and unattractive.

Xie Xing helplessly brushed the flowers away and said, "What does the young master mean by this?"

Seeing Xie Xing's lukewarm reaction, Wen Yan withdrew her gaze in confusion and said, "I thought you would like it."

"I've heard that you send people to deliver flowers to Prince Jin every day."