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

Xie Mingzhu covered her tears with her hands: "Is it because Your Majesty looks down on me and therefore betroths me to the Fourth Prince because my sister is your biological daughter?"

The General of the State's Mansion wields considerable military power, and no one in Manchao dares to offend it.

With such a noble status, one of the daughters of the General's Mansion should have been the Crown Princess.

Madam Xie was ignorant of court affairs, but she hugged Xie Mingzhu with heartache and said, "How could that be? My dear daughter, in my heart you are my own daughter."

After saying that, Madam Xie glared at Xie Xing again: "You troublesome thing, you always make your sister sad. Don't take advantage of your blood relation to bully Mingzhu."

Who's bullying whom here?

Xie Xing covered his forehead, silently feeling wronged for the original owner of this body: "I'm clearly the biological child."

The system replied: [This is clearly a story about a family that dotes on its members, but the Xie family's ending is quite tragic, which is rather sad.]

The Xie family women traveled in one car, and the men in another.

While Xie Xing was being confronted head-on by Madam Xie and Xie Mingzhu, the atmosphere in the other car was somber.

Today's banquet is ostensibly a victory celebration, but in reality, it's a suppression campaign.

Xie Ansheng's face was grim: "Why would His Majesty bestow Mingzhu upon the Fourth Prince in marriage? Mingzhu should have been the Crown Princess."

It's all because of that woman's shallow knowledge; she dared to openly mention the pearl in the main hall.

When His Majesty betrothed Xie Xing to the Third Prince, Xie Ansheng had already sensed that His Majesty's attitude was not right.

Xie Yuhe pondered for a long time before saying, "Perhaps it is His Majesty's fear."

That's what they said, but what really bothered Xie Yuhe were the four words in his heart: "His merits are so great that they threaten the master."

The most taboo thing in imperial power is that one's achievements overshadow the ruler.

His Majesty's attitude is unclear. If that's the case, the Xie family should make plans as soon as possible.

They remained silent the entire way.

Back at the Xie family home.

Xie Yuhe, the eldest brother of the Xie family, saw Xie Xing getting off the carriage.

Thinking of the heartfelt words she had heard in the palace today, Xie Yuhe's eyes flickered, and she called out to Xie Xing, "Xie Xing."

Xie Xing turned around and saw that it was Xie Yuhe who had called her, and she was puzzled.

[My brother usually ignores me like I'm invisible, so why did he suddenly call me today? Does he also think my presence is bothering Xie Mingzhu and is going to scold me?]

The little girl's thoughts reached Xie Yuhe's mind.

Xie Yuhe paused.

Since Xie Xing entered the manor, he really didn't know how to treat her.

Afraid of upsetting Mingzhu, he simply treated his younger sister as if she were invisible and didn't pay any special attention to her.

Looking closely now, the little girl has delicate and charming features, and her bright, clear eyes gaze at her with a clean and transparent look. Her eyebrows and eyes even resemble his.

This is his blood-related younger sister.

Xie Yuhe was somewhat dazed, but then he remembered what had happened at the palace banquet that day. He paused, then hesitated before speaking, "You today..."

[This eldest brother of the Xie family is quite handsome, but his eyesight is a bit poor. He treats his own sister like she's invisible, but he dotes on his stepsisters.]

He observed Xie Xing, and Xie Xing was also observing Xie Yuhe. She commented to the system in her mind.

Xie Yuhe: "..."

The sudden message from his sister almost made Xie Yuhe lose his composure, and his face darkened slightly.

The system chuckled: [Your older brother's ending wasn't so good.]

[Huh? Isn't he on the female lead's side?] Xie Xing was stunned.

System spoilers: [Xie Mingzhu is a princess of the previous dynasty. In the story, the former dynasty's faction will find Xie Mingzhu during the autumn hunt a few days later, and Xie Mingzhu will then learn her true identity.]

"What does this have to do with my older brother?" Xie Xing asked, puzzled.

[Your elder brother, Xie Yuhe, took on the case of thoroughly investigating the remnants of the previous dynasty. During one of his investigations, he followed clues and discovered Xie Mingzhu's identity. By this time, Xie Mingzhu was already in a relationship with Luo Hanfeng.]

To help the male lead, Xie Mingzhu ruthlessly allowed her subordinates to kill Xie Yuhe to silence him. In the end, he perished in a fire, and even in his dying moments, Xie Yuhe couldn't believe that it was his beloved sister of over a decade who had committed the crime.

Xie Yuhe's expression suddenly turned astonished, and he looked at Xie Xing in disbelief.

Xie Xing met his gaze, tilted his head slightly, and looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Big brother?"

While mentally replying to the system: [Oh my god, is Xie Mingzhu an ingrate?]

System: [In novels, the female lead always has various things beyond her control; this is a bit of a angst.]

Xie Xing's conversation with the system was heard not only by Xie Yuhe, but also by Xie Tongchen and Xie Yuze.

Xie Yuze panicked.

Xie Xing and that so-called system were spouting such nonsense in their hearts, daring to say that Mingzhu caused their elder brother to perish in the sea of ​​fire!

How can this be?

Xie Yuze was about to go over and settle accounts with Xie Xing, but Xie Tongchen stopped him.

Xie Tongchen shook his head at Xie Yuze with a sullen face and without saying a word.

They still don't know what Xie Xing and that thing are, or what the novel, plot, and female lead they're talking about are.

Is the person in front of them really their younger sister?

Xie Yuze quieted down.

Upon suddenly hearing his fate from the system, Xie Yuhe was somewhat dazed, and he lost all interest in saying what he had originally intended to say to Xie Xing.

He said calmly, "It's nothing, you should go back and rest."

Xie Xing glanced at him suspiciously, but seeing that he was really alright, she followed him into her own yard.

After everyone left, the Xie brothers came over.

Xie Yuze was the first to speak out, "Big brother? You can hear that strange sound too?"

Xie Yuhe nodded, not too surprised.

After Xie Tongchen changed his words at the palace banquet, he had a vague idea of ​​what was going on.

"We still don't know who they are or what their purpose is. I suggest we don't alert them," Xie Tongchen said in a deep voice.

"No, she's talking complete nonsense. Brother, don't believe her. Maybe she's just trying to sow discord between us and Mingzhu!" Xie Yuze said with disgust.

He was closest to Mingzhu, so naturally he refused to believe what Xie Xing and the system said.

Xie Yuhe paused for a moment: "Even so, this matter is too fantastical and bizarre, so we must be somewhat wary."

"Moreover, it was right about the arranged marriage."

Xie Yuze rolled his eyes: "Maybe it's just a guess, some information they heard from somewhere and they're trying to mislead us. Besides, the assassination attempt didn't happen, did it?"

Xie Yuhe's mind worked faster than Xie Yuze's: "That's what makes us stand out. Perhaps we're not the only ones who can hear what's on our minds. Who knows, the assassination might have been thwarted beforehand."

Xie Tongchen largely agreed with what Xie Yuhe said.

"Judging from the information revealed by that strange thing, some things don't seem to be made up. This matter is of great importance, so it's better to believe it than not to believe it."

Hearing what the two said, Xie Yuze remained silent for a moment, and then stopped talking.

Xie Yuhe's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "The autumn hunt is in a few days. Whether it is or not, we just need to wait and see."

"Before this, no one should make any move to alert her."

"Third brother, starting tomorrow, you will stay at home and follow Xie Xing closely. Tell me the news you gather each night."

Xie Yuhe looked at Xie Yuze.

"Me?" Xie Yuze asked reluctantly.

Xie Tongchen snorted coldly: "You're just lazing around at home, but this concerns the Xie family. You must behave yourself and listen to us these next few days!"

Xie Yuze's face fell. "...I know, I know."

late at night.

Half-asleep, Xie Xing felt unwell all over, her body burning as if on fire. She opened her eyes, her head throbbing, and found her throat parched and dry.

He must have fallen into the water and caught a chill during the day, which caused him to develop a fever at night.

"Xiao Wen... Shui," Xie Xing called out in a hoarse voice.

There was no movement for half a day.

Helpless, she could only fumble her way out of bed.

Just as I touched the edge of the table, a sudden chill ran down my neck, followed by a warm, burning chest pressing against my back.

"Don't move." The man's voice was deep and magnetic, his breath brushing against Xie Xing's ear, sending a chill down Xie Xing's spine.

The water glass in her hand fell to the ground with a clatter.