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

Facing the emperor's almost scrutinizing and imposing gaze, Xie Xing was on the verge of tears. Her almond-shaped eyes instantly welled up with tears, and her voice trembled and was barely audible: "Are you a child? Why are you tattling?"

"What did you say?" The emperor didn't hear clearly.

Xie Xing trembled, shrinking his neck like a quail, not daring to lift his head even slightly.

After all, it's true.

The emperor didn't hear clearly, but the other two did.

Jun Lanjin sighed and said calmly, "Xie Xing has only been back at the General's Mansion for a short time, so it's understandable that he doesn't know some etiquette. He saw the Fourth Prince and others using the Seventh Prince as a live target, so he thought it was the way to get along with them and followed suit."

"If the Seventh Prince wants to complain to the Emperor, he doesn't need to use Xie Wu as a raft."

"Just now, she alone dragged me and Xie Yuzhe into this cave. Her mind is resolute and clear. How could she have any bad intentions?"

These words sent a jolt through Xie Xing, and she looked up at Jun Lanjin with teary eyes.

[System... Waaah, he really is!! So good!]

[Yes, yes! No wonder he's the man from the original story who survived to the end despite being half-dead.]

[Aside from a short lifespan, he was outstanding in appearance, background, intelligence, and abilities!]

The system showered Jun Lanjin with praise.

After praising Jun Lanjin, Yi Rentong began to scrutinize and criticize Luo Hanfeng.

Jun Lanjin: ...

Luo Hanfeng: ...

His face was as black as charcoal, and a sinister, unsettling look lingered in the depths of his eyes.

Is he sludge?

Ah.

After Jun Lanjin spoke, the emperor's slightly angry expression disappeared. He frowned and looked at Luo Hanfeng: "Is it really as Zhiheng said?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Hanfeng looked up, his gaze towards the emperor filled with filial piety and respect. He clasped his hands together and performed a standard salute, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, perhaps I am being overly sensitive and thought that Miss Xie was somewhat dissatisfied with me."

"As for what Your Highness said—" Luo Hanfeng smiled, "Your subject has always had a very good relationship with Fourth Brother."

What is the truth, and would the emperor care?

Of course I don't care.

He was just an unfavored prince with no family background. The emperor had so many sons, what was Luo Hanfeng?

How could the emperor not know what kind of treatment his unfavored son received in the palace?

How can it be?

It's one thing for him to know, but it's another for Luo Hanfeng to come to him and complain.

Just now, Jun Lanjin dug a pit for Luo Hanfeng with just a few words. If Luo Hanfeng had been even a little bit stupid and had readily admitted it, then all his hard work following the emperor today would have been for nothing.

Because the emperor would think he was trying to get close to him.

People who often sit in high positions sometimes harbor a longing for the affection of ordinary families.

The emperor's expression softened considerably, and his gaze toward Luo Hanfeng became gentler: "I know you have been wronged. When we return, I will reward you."

Luo Hanfeng lowered his eyelids. "Your subject does not seek reward. As long as Father Emperor is safe, your subject is willing to lose his life."

The Chu Emperor's expression showed even greater satisfaction.

Within this cave, the three of them had already weathered a small storm with just a few words.

The system sighed: "This girl is very cunning. It's a good thing you're just playing a brainless, vicious female supporting character. If you were asked to do anything else, you wouldn't even be able to argue with her."

Xie Xing pouted.

The cave fell silent again. Xie Xing finally tidied up Xie Yuze's clothes so that he wouldn't look so disheveled.

Not long after, Xie Tongchen returned from outside.

He gathered a lot of firewood and carried several rabbits and herbs in his hands.

"Your Majesty, I have found some herbs to stop the bleeding. Please allow me to stop the bleeding and bandage your wound."

Xie Tongchen addressed the emperor respectfully.

The emperor closed his eyes, said nothing, and simply nodded.

Xie Xing looked at the rabbits, licked his lips, and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, brother, let me handle these rabbits."

After a day on the run, Xie Xing was starving.

With that, Xie Xing walked towards the rabbit.

There are only three people who can move around here: Xie Xing, Xie Tongchen, and Luo Hanfeng.

Seeing Xie Xing carrying the rabbit out, Luo Hanfeng stood up and said to Emperor Chu, "Father, I will go with Miss Xie."

"She's a delicate woman; she probably can't handle those rabbits properly."

The emperor agreed.

Only Jun Lanjin, whose eyes were originally lightly closed, opened slightly because of Luo Hanfeng's words, and watched Luo Hanfeng walk out of the cave.

Xie Xing dared not go far.

There was a stream not far ahead. She looked around cautiously, carrying the rabbit, and when she didn't notice anything, she walked towards the stream.

Upon arriving at the stream, Xie Xing immediately turned to the rabbit in his arms and washed his two dirty hands, while also wiping his face.

The stream was so clear that Xie Xing's face was reflected on its surface.

She went to the water's edge and washed herself carefully until she could no longer see the dirt on her face before preparing to clean the rabbit. But just as she was about to turn to the side, she saw a section of moon-white robe reflected on the water's surface, and looking up, she saw a familiar face.

Xie Xing: "..."

Her body stiffened, and upon seeing that face, she almost stood up and ran away.

However, this time, how could she escape Luo Hanfeng?

As soon as I stood up, my wrist was grabbed by a cool hand.

Luo Hanfeng's eyes curved slightly, his clear and bright pupils looking at her, as harmless as when they first met, and his voice was even more gentle and pleasant: "Fifth Miss Xie, where are you going?"

The more he acted this way, the more Xie Xing felt a chill run down his spine.

She felt like crying but had no tears left to shed.

Why is he out here?! He's not going to take this opportunity to kill me, is he?!

Xie Xing was filled with dread.

Luo Hanfeng smiled.

He moved slightly closer to Xie Xing, bending down, his eyes beneath long lashes incredibly clear: "It seems Fifth Miss Xie is not too happy to see me?"

“But you were laughing so happily in the stables before.”

The little girl's expression became even more terrified; her almond-shaped eyes widened, and she instinctively tried to back away.

But Luo Hanfeng wouldn't let her back down. He tightened his grip on her wrist and pulled her closer. The touch on his fingertips was delicate, like a piece of warm jade. Luo Hanfeng looked down at Xie Xing's wrist.

Her wrists were slender and weak, completely under his control. If he wanted, he could easily break the girl's wrists with just a little force.

She seems to cry a lot?

Luo Hanfeng couldn't help but wonder how much she would cry if he broke her wrist.

The light in his eyes grew increasingly deep and dangerous, to the point that his fingertips unconsciously rubbed the skin in his hands.

Xie Xing struggled but couldn't break free. His face flushed red with anxiety, and he finally managed a dry retort: ​​"I didn't!"