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

The Crown Prince's impatient gaze fell on Xie Xing: "What earth-shattering secret could there be in the stables?"

Both Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze broke out in a cold sweat.

The two of them followed Xie Jiaojiao, so they heard every word Xie Xing said.

When they heard Xie Xing's plan to have that ugly stable boy sullied the Seventh Prince's reputation, the two of them almost imagined the entire Xie family being tied up in the market and beheaded.

They were truly terrified.

Especially Xie Yuhe.

Just now, she witnessed her beloved younger sister, whom she had raised with great affection, distorting the truth in front of the Crown Prince and sowing discord between the Xie family and the Crown Prince.

Before I could even catch my breath, my younger sister started causing trouble again, this time involving ransacking our house.

The two were initially so frightened that they immediately ran out to stop Xie Xing, but fortunately, Xie Jiaojiao was one step ahead of them and went out first to stop Xie Xing.

The two brothers exchanged a glance.

Judging from Xie Jiaojiao's behavior, it's not hard to see that she should be able to hear Xie Xing's thoughts.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be so shaken.

This made Xie Yuhe even more puzzled.

What is the reason that Xie Xing's inner thoughts can be heard?

Prince Jin could hear it, his three brothers could hear it, and Song Qingyang could hear it too. Now, Xie Jiaojiao was added to the list.

Who else can hear Xie Xing's inner voice?

Xie Yuhe felt he needed to find some time to talk to Xie Jiaojiao.

At least Xie Jiaojiao is a member of the Xie family.

Before the two could ponder further, they heard the Crown Prince's movements.

Although Xie Xing and Xie Jiaojiao's commotion wasn't huge, it wasn't insignificant either. If the Crown Prince happened to pass by and heard something he shouldn't have, it would be difficult to explain.

So Xie Yu and his brother blocked the prince on the road, using a flimsy excuse to stop him halfway.

That's how the group ended up meeting on the way.

Hearing Xie Xing say he was going to tell a big secret, all three of them felt a jolt of fear and turned their attention to Xie Xing.

What is she going to say?

A giant question mark floated above the three people's heads.

Xie Xing coughed lightly and said, "Just now, when my cousin and I were going to the restroom and passed by the stable, we happened to run into the personal maid of Miss Luo, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel, having a secret rendezvous with that stable boy."

"The maid said that when the stable boy saw the white dove, he should go to the side room in the backyard."

"Your Highness, the back courtyard rooms are where the ladies and young ladies rest. I wonder what that Minister's daughter is planning to do."

Xie Xing sighed heavily.

Upon hearing this, Luo Cheng'an's expression changed slightly. He looked at Xie Xing suspiciously and asked, "Are you serious?"

If it's true, this is no small matter; it concerns the reputation of the Crown Prince's residence. Even if Luo Cheng'an dislikes Xie Xing, he cannot afford to be careless.

Xie Xing raised his clear, black-and-white eyes, which were incredibly pure and sincere: "How could I dare to deceive the Crown Prince! My cousin heard it too."

Xie Xing turned his head and glanced at Xie Jiaojiao.

Xie Jiaojiao hadn't yet reacted to Xie Xing's sudden remark.

She was taken aback for a moment, then said, "What my sister said is true."

Luo Cheng'an still didn't quite trust Xie Xing, so he lowered his eyes to look at Xie Jiaojiao: "Why didn't you tell me just now?"

Xie Xing raised his hand and said, "I told you directly as soon as I saw Your Highness!"

Luo Cheng'an snorted coldly: "I don't want to hear what you have to say, I want to hear what Jiao Jiao has to say."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Jiaojiao looked up and gave Luo Cheng'an a strange look.

Even Xie Yuhe and Xie Yuze stared at Luo Cheng'an in astonishment.

Xie Jiaojiao and the Crown Prince had only met a few times, yet the Crown Prince addressed Xie Jiaojiao by her maiden name. Wasn't that a bit too intimate?

Was this done intentionally or unintentionally by the Crown Prince?

Xie Xing shrugged.

What does Luo Cheng'an mean by this? Is he interested in Xie Jiaojiao?

The system didn't know either, but it guessed: "After all, some plot points have fallen apart. Regarding the storyline between Xie Jiaojiao and the Crown Prince, the butterfly disappeared for some reason, preventing Xie Jiaojiao from developing any special feelings for the Crown Prince."

[She didn't even try to compete for the position of Crown Princess like Luo Mingyue did. It's probably due to the plot that they're being brought back together.]

Today is a garden party, and it is known that the Crown Prince cannot directly decide on the Crown Princess now. After all, she is the future Empress and also an assistant to the Crown Prince. The Crown Princess needs to be chosen very carefully.

But now, the Crown Prince's attitude towards Xie Jiaojiao is clearly wrong.

Could it be...

[Could it be that the Crown Prince wants to take Xie Jiaojiao as his concubine?] Xie Xing boldly speculated in his heart.

These words startled all three people.

Especially Xie Jiaojiao.

Her face was full of resistance.

Xie Xing had once said that she would scheme against her to become the Crown Prince's consort and end up suffering a fate worse than death. Since then, she had wanted to stay as far away from the Crown Prince as possible.

Even though Xie Jiaojiao was indeed moved when the Crown Prince saved her,

But afterwards, Xie Jiaojiao forcefully nipped that feeling in the bud.

Lately, she has been having nightmares every night, all of which involve being deposed along with the crown prince and ending up as a beggar.

She doesn't want it.

Xie Jiaojiao lowered her head and said softly, "Just as Sister Xing'er said, I was still in shock just now and didn't react in time. I bowed to His Highness the Crown Prince first."

"The stable boy is in the stable. The maid cut out his tongue to prevent him from talking nonsense. He is lying half-dead in the stable now."

"If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can wait until the white dove appears and have the stable boy go to the back room to find out."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince flicked his sleeves and strode towards the stables.

Upon seeing this, Xie Xing's eyes lit up, and he was about to follow, but Xie Yuhe grabbed his wrist.

"Xing'er," Xie Yuhe looked at Xie Xing disapprovingly, "Such a scene is not suitable for a woman like you to watch."

“Come with me to Mother’s.”

Xie Xing naturally refused.

She broke free from Xie Yuhe's hand and said seriously, "Brother, I discussed this matter with the Crown Prince, and I must go and see for myself."

"What if the Crown Prince thinks I'm deceiving him?"

Xie Yuhe: "..."

Since she had said that, Xie Yuhe could only let her do as she pleased.

But Xie Mingzhu's side...

Xie Yuhe naturally couldn't abandon Xie Mingzhu. Regardless of Xie Mingzhu's identity, she was now a member of the Xie family. If something happened to her and her reputation was truly ruined, it wouldn't just be Xie Mingzhu who would be ruined; it would affect all the daughters of the Xie family.

Xie Yuhe gave Xie Yuze a wink.

Xie Yuze understood and was about to turn around to find Xie Mingzhu when Xie Yuhe stopped him.

He felt somewhat uneasy.

Xie Yuze is a reckless and careless person. If he messes things up, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Xie Yuhe said, "Wait, third brother, you stay here with Xing'er and Jiaojiao, I'll go check on Mother first."

Xie Yuze: "..."

He didn't know why.

But he listened anyway.