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

Xie Yuhe stared wide-eyed in disbelief, unable to comprehend that Xie Mingzhu would say such a thing.

Indeed, they have been quite cold towards Xie Mingzhu lately, but they still give her everything she deserves. It's just that they are conflicted and don't know how to face Xie Mingzhu.

At least from the current perspective, it's understandable that Xie Mingzhu has become hostile towards Xie Xing because she can't accept the sudden change brought about by Xie Xing's arrival.

After all, Xie Mingzhu now is nowhere near the ungrateful wretch in the story who killed her entire family and then abandoned them.

To his surprise, she was able to say such ambiguous things in front of the Crown Prince.

In an instant, Xie Yuhe's heart turned cold.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince tenderly pulled Xie Mingzhu into his arms.

"Mingzhu, it's alright. No matter how the Xie family treats you, this position of Crown Prince beside me can only be yours."

“Crown Prince Brother…” Xie Mingzhu was deeply moved.

She was about to rest her head on Luo Cheng'an's shoulder when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a figure on the artificial hill.

It's Luo Hanfeng.

But Luo Hanfeng looked over with a dull and lifeless gaze. His light eyes were fixed on Xie Mingzhu. After Xie Mingzhu looked over, he looked away and turned to leave.

That dejected look in his eyes was like that of a stupid, wounded little dog.

Xie Mingzhu was startled. She subconsciously pushed the Crown Prince away and wanted to chase after Luo Hanfeng.

"Mingzhu?" The Crown Prince stumbled from the push, confused. He reached out and grabbed Xie Mingzhu's wrist, looking at her with some puzzlement: "Mingzhu, what's wrong?"

Xie Mingzhu was momentarily stunned. She gently bit her lip and gave Luo Cheng'an a disappointed smile: "Crown Prince, now... you're about to choose a concubine. This isn't right for us."

Luo Cheng'an was taken aback for a moment, then quickly explained, "Mingzhu, are you blaming me for choosing a concubine?"

"Now that the Sixth Prince has returned to the capital and has the support of Prince Jin, and the Fifth Princess has Xie Jiaojiao and Xie Xing as her study companions, it seems that the Sixth Prince's faction has two powerful ministers helping them. If this continues, they will be able to suppress me. I have no choice but to take a concubine to consolidate my position."

After the Crown Prince's lengthy explanation, Xie Mingzhu was somewhat surprised, "Brother Crown Prince, aren't you already the heir apparent?"

"Does the Sixth Prince still threaten your position?"

Luo Cheng'an released Xie Mingzhu's hand, his voice cold: "The Sixth Prince has too much military power. In the royal family, nothing is impossible."

"If he wanted to rebel, he could easily do so."

Xie Mingzhu's heart skipped a beat.

On the other end, Xie Yuhe's eyes darkened as he listened to their conversation.

So it seems the Xie family and the Sixth Prince's faction are indeed too close.

No wonder the emperor was so wary last time.

Given the Xie family's current status, getting too close to the Sixth Prince would displease the Emperor, and getting too close to the Crown Prince would make the Emperor feel that the Crown Prince was eager for him to step down as soon as possible.

Neither approaching nor retreating is an option.

If they join the royalists, the emperor doesn't trust them.

Difficult, difficult, difficult...

too difficult.

Now there's a younger sister who's about to become an ingrate, and another younger sister who's going to be a troublemaker.

Xie Yuhe wiped his face with a weary expression.

Xie Mingzhu looked up at Luo Cheng'an, and after a long while, asked, "Crown Prince...who do you want to take as a concubine?"

Luo Cheng'an reached out and wiped away Xie Mingzhu's tears, saying gently, "Your cousin, Xie Jiaojiao."

"In terms of status and position, she is perfectly suitable to be my concubine."

"Cousin Jiaojiao?" Xie Mingzhu's eyelashes trembled, her eyes filled with astonishment.

How could it be Xie Jiaojiao?

With Xie Jiaojiao's status and position, how could she be worthy of being the Crown Prince's concubine?

Xie Mingzhu frowned.

She couldn't help but ask, "Why would my Crown Prince think of her?"

Luo Cheng'an did not see the dissatisfaction hidden beneath Xie Mingzhu's expression. He smiled and said, "I have seen that you were close to your beautiful cousin before. If she becomes my concubine and you become my Crown Princess in the future, there will be less intrigue in my Eastern Palace."

Upon hearing this, Xie Mingzhu did not reply, but only managed a forced smile.

Luo Cheng'an had recently displeased the emperor, so naturally he dared not take any women from the capital as concubines at this time.

Xie Jiaojiao's background is unremarkable, and she has a general who governs the country as her uncle, so marrying her wouldn't be a bad deal.

"It's getting late, let me take you home, Mingzhu." Luo Cheng'an glanced at the sky and said to Xie Mingzhu with a smile.

Xie Mingzhu gently shook her head. "Brother Crown Prince, you should go back first. The flowers here are in full bloom. I'll enjoy the scenery for a while."

Luo Cheng'an naturally couldn't stay with Xie Mingzhu forever. He hadn't even developed a relationship with any of the other ministers' daughters, including Xie Jiaojiao.

He casually said a few kind words and then turned and left.

When Xie Yuhe saw that the Crown Prince had left, he wanted to leave as well, but then he suddenly heard Xie Mingzhu's voice.

"I know where you're hiding. Come out."

Xie Yuhe was startled.

Has Mingzhu already discovered him?

Just as Xie Yuhe was about to walk out, a familiar figure emerged from behind the artificial hill.

Upon closer inspection, it was none other than the Seventh Prince, Luo Hanfeng!?

“Mingzhu.” Luo Hanfeng stood on one side of the artificial hill, looking at Xie Mingzhu with sorrowful eyes.

Feeling guilty under his gaze, Xie Mingzhu lowered her eyes and began to explain, "Just now..."

Luo Hanfeng interrupted her, saying, "Mingzhu, you don't need to explain, I know."

“You and His Highness the Crown Prince grew up together as childhood sweethearts and have a bond of more than ten years. It is only natural that you are close to him.”

"It is I, of lowly status, who dared to presume to win your favor. How could I, a prince born to a palace maid, possibly compete with the Crown Prince?"

Xie Mingzhu felt increasingly guilty and repeatedly explained, "No, that's not how it is."

Luo Hanfeng remained silent.

"Mingzhu, you are kind-hearted. Everything before was just my wishful thinking. I will not disturb your plans to become the Crown Princess."

With that, Luo Hanfeng gave a self-deprecating laugh and turned to leave.

Xie Mingzhu was getting anxious.

She lifted her skirt, rushed to Luo Hanfeng, and suddenly hugged him from behind, saying, "Luo Hanfeng, it's not what you think."

Luo Hanfeng suddenly stopped.

He lowered his eyes and looked at Xie Mingzhu's hand that was tightly holding him. His fingers twitched slightly as he forcefully suppressed the urge to push Xie Mingzhu away.

Xie Mingzhu said, "My relationship with the Crown Prince is not what you think. I have always regarded the Crown Prince as my brother."

Luo Hanfeng had his back to her, his face expressionless, but his voice sounded somewhat dejected: "Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Mingzhu quickly replied, "It's true."

"There's absolutely no possibility between me and my brother, the Crown Prince. You know my identity, don't you?"

As she spoke, her voice softened. She took Luo Hanfeng's hand and made him turn around. Then she said, "I am a princess of the previous dynasty who cannot be seen in the light of day. You are a prince born to a palace maid. At least, my secret is in your hands."

Xie Yuhe: ?

Xie Yuhe: !