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

Xie Xing asked, "Is this an imperial decree?"

Luo Mengfei glanced at Xie Xing, raised her chin, and snorted, saying, "Of course. Your Xie family committed a serious crime, but Father not only did not punish you, but also allowed you to atone for your crimes with merits. This is already a great act of leniency."

Xie Xing nodded perfunctorily: "Yes, yes, the princess is right."

Even so, Xie Xing looked at Luo Mengfei with a hesitant expression, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Xie Tongchen didn't like Luo Mengfei, and besides, he still had Xie Mingzhu in his heart.

If Luo Mengfei marries him, she will also live a hard life.

Xie Xing was about to speak when he saw Luo Mengfei's delighted face, so he kept quiet.

A smile returned to her face as she said, "In that case, Xie Xing will congratulate the princess on becoming my second sister-in-law in advance."

"However, Princess, please don't look down on me for not getting along well with my second brother."

Luo Mengfei said, "I find you pleasing to the eye. After you were imprisoned, I even sent someone to bribe the jailers to make your life easier in prison."

"The reason I targeted you before was because Xie Mingzhu was your brother's most beloved sister. In terms of seniority, I, as the princess, naturally had to show her some respect."

"I never expected that Xie Mingzhu would be so ungrateful and turn out to be such a heartless wretch!"

"Stabbing the Xie family in the back."

As Luo Mengfei spoke, her expression turned one of disgust and disdain.

The sixth prince, Luo Huaichuan, said that the Xie family was the most loyal and could never have any rebellious intentions. It was just that the emperor was wary of the Xie family's power and wanted to take back their military power.

The Empress Dowager also said that the situation in the court is currently turbulent. The Xie family was originally loyal only to His Majesty, but now that the Emperor has made such a fuss, he may push the Xie family to other forces.

No one expected that Xie Mingzhu would be this miracle.

She's an adopted daughter after all; there's no blood relation, so you can't really tame her.

Xie Xing nodded, offering no comment.

From any perspective, Xie Mingzhu's actions towards the Xie family were treachery and betrayal, but perhaps they had their own reasons.

After all, isn't that how the protagonist is...?

If you don't love me, I will abandon you.

We had just finished eating when someone from the Empress Dowager came to deliver a message.

“Miss Xie, the Empress Dowager requests that you visit her in her palace.”

Xie Xing was stunned for a moment.

What did the Empress Dowager ask her to do?

Strangely enough, ever since Xie Xing met the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager has always treated him with gentleness and kindness.

Even so, Xie Xing still felt a chill down his spine when facing the Empress Dowager, and he remained composed, not daring to disobey or offend her.

Luo Mengfei stood up and said, "Grandmother summoned Xie Xing? Shall I go with her to see Grandmother?"

The old woman's expression remained unchanged as she smiled and said, "Fifth Princess, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager only summoned Miss Xie."

"Please don't make things difficult for me."

At this point, Luo Mengfei's expression gradually calmed down.

Luo Mengfei asked curiously, "Does the Empress Dowager want Xie Xing to come over? Is there something important?"

The old woman lowered her eyes and said, "This servant does not know."

"Please come with me quickly, Miss Xie, so as not to keep the Empress Dowager waiting."

Since the old woman had said that, Xie Xing had no room to refuse.

She thought for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Granny, I'll go with you."

As she spoke, she followed the old woman over.

She had never offended the Empress Dowager, and the Xie family's matriarch had some connections with the Empress Dowager. Furthermore, the Xie family had just rendered great service, and by atoneing for their crimes with their merits and then marrying the princess, they wouldn't do anything to her at this time.

They arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace.

The same medicinal smell as always.

"Ahem." The sound of the Empress Dowager coughing came from behind the curtain.

The nanny led Xie Xing to the Empress Dowager, who was wearing an undergarment and whose face was growing increasingly pale, looking as if she didn't have much time left.

It's like taking medication every day, forcibly keeping yourself on your toes.

Xie Xing glanced at it, then lowered his eyes and respectfully bowed: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

"Child, come here." The Empress Dowager beckoned to Xie Xing.

Xie Xing obediently walked over.

The Empress Dowager affectionately held Xie Xing's hand, her fingers stroking the back of his hand, and sighed, saying, "You've really suffered for your child. Did he suffer any injustice in the imperial prison?"

Xie Xing lowered her eyes and obediently replied, "Your Majesty, I do not feel wronged at all."

"If my father and brother have truly committed such heinous crimes, then I, who have received their favor, should be imprisoned in the imperial jail."

Fortunately, it was all a misunderstanding.

"If it brings peace to the whole family, it would be worth it even if I had to spend my whole life in prison to suffer for my father and brothers."

That's what Xie Xing said.

In fact, if the Xie family really rebelled, she would have run away faster than anyone else.

The Empress Dowager looked satisfied. She patted Xie Xing's hand and said, "He's a good boy."

"I am old, and I no longer have a say in many matters before the Emperor."

“Back then, your grandmother sent a letter, every word of which was filled with injustice, asking me to spare the Xie family’s life out of consideration for our past relationship. These words caused me immense heartache.”

"I cherish our past friendship, but in this matter, I have little influence over the Emperor and can only speak up for the Xie family from the sidelines. Everything depends on the fate of the Xie family."

"Fortunately, your Xie family is quite capable, and you managed to save your lives."

Xie Xing knelt down and gave the Empress Dowager a deep bow: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for trusting the Xie family and speaking up for us."

The Empress Dowager accepted her bow, and after a while, she helped her up, saying, "You child, you are quite filial."

"I have heard that your father and brothers have always focused their attention on Xie Mingzhu and never cared about you. Now, it is Xie Mingzhu who almost caused the entire Xie family to be executed."

"And you, with your willingness to stand with the Xie family through thick and thin, are truly rare."

Xie Xing chuckled but didn't say anything.

That's what they say, but she didn't enjoy any of the Xie family's blessings, so she certainly didn't suffer any hardship either.

Moreover, the original owner had already suffered a lot for the Xie family.

It has been paid off.

However, what Xie Xing couldn't figure out was whether the Empress Dowager had summoned her just to say these ambiguous things to her.

As expected, the Empress Dowager then began the main text.

"Xing'er, do you know which family I belong to?"

Xie Xing shook his head blankly.

The system didn't say that.

The Empress Dowager said, "I am from the Jun family, so I can be considered Jin'er's great-aunt."

Ok?

Xie Xing looked at the Empress Dowager in astonishment.

Whose aunt?

Jun Lanjin's aunt?

This relationship is really complicated.

If Xie Xing remembered correctly, Jun Lanjin's mother married Jun Lanjin's father while carrying the emperor's child.

And Jun Lanjin's father is the Empress Dowager's brother?!

what is this?

Cuckolding your own family?

No wonder, the Empress Dowager seemed to care more about Jun Lanjin.

He's her own grandson, but he takes her mother's surname. How could she not like him?