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

Chapter 408 Song Qingyang's Anger

Xie Xing's eyes lit up, and she looked at Jun Lanjin gratefully: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Jun Lanjin looked at Xie Xing with an apologetic expression: "I'm sorry, I didn't expect Luo Hanfeng to make a move against you so quickly."

Xie Xing was taken aback.

Her eyes reddened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She wiped her eyes and said, "It's alright, this matter has nothing to do with Your Highness."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Jun Lanjin moved closer to Xie Xing. He reached out, and his fingers paused for a moment when his hand touched Xie Xing's cheek. Then he cupped Xie Xing's face in his hands, lifted her face, and said gently, "Xing'er, I don't know what he said, but I like you, there's no doubt about that."

"Don't be afraid, I will protect you."

This was the first time Jun Lanjin had referred to himself as "I" in front of Xie Xing.

His dark eyes were fixed on Xie Xing, with only Xie Xing in them.

Standing behind Xie Xing, Qi Yu puffed out his cheeks. Although he was a little unhappy about the intimacy between the two, he didn't say anything.

Xie Xing didn't say anything, but just smiled and took out a painting from behind his back.

"Your Highness, as promised to you earlier."

Jun Lanjin's eyes flickered slightly.

He reached out and took the painting Xie Xing gave him. This time, when he opened it, it revealed a scene.

He looked dejected, sitting in a wheelchair with a chessboard in front of him. He held a black piece in his hand, about to place it on the board.

The person sitting opposite him wore only a piece of white fabric, making it impossible to tell whether he was male or female.

Jun Lanjin raised his head and looked at Xie Xing.

Xie Xing smiled and said, "Your Highness, my paintings are just average, but I used all my artistic talent to paint Your Highness."

This painting is also from the original anime; it depicts Jun Lanjin's last game of chess after his impending death.

In the story, Jun Lanjin was forced to his death at the Star-Picking Tower.

Luo Hanfeng was merely an instigator, not the mastermind.

Jun Lan put the painting away and leaned down to gently kiss Xie Xing's lips.

"I have arranged six bodyguards around you, and with the protection of Lin Yi and Qi Yu, you have nothing to fear from him."

"He's planning to make a move soon, so be careful."

"Don't fall into his hands."

“Your Highness…” Xie Xingxing’s eyes trembled. She reached out and grabbed Jun Lanjin’s sleeve, her clear eyes filled with Jun Lanjin.

She looked at Jun Lanjin's exquisite face, opened her mouth as if to say something, but stopped herself before she could finish. She stood on tiptoe and gave Jun Lanjin a quick kiss on the lips.

"Your Highness, please be careful."

Her words came out of nowhere, and Jun Lanjin paused. He lowered his head and looked at Xie Xing seriously: "Do you have anything to say to me?"

Before Xie Xing could speak, the system in his mind spoke first: [Host, you cannot actively change the plot, otherwise you will be punished.]

Jun Lanjin's eyes flickered slightly.

Xie Xing bit her lip and finally shook her head: "No, Xie Xing is just worried about the prince."

As he spoke, a hint of guilt flashed in Xie Xing's eyes.

But considering that Jun Lanjin's poison had been neutralized, he couldn't possibly be in such a passive position as in the story.

That's all she could do to help Jun Lanjin.

Jun Lanjin then released Xie Xing and said gently, "In that case, I will take my leave now."

With that, Jun Lanjin took the painting Xie Xing had given him, turned around, and left.

Meanwhile, Song Qingyang, who witnessed all of this, was speechless.

His expression was complicated.

Although he had long suspected that there was something between Jun Lanjin and Xie Xing, Song Qingyang felt extremely uncomfortable seeing his younger sister, whom he had raised since childhood, being intimate with someone.

He had just found his sister in the capital, and not long after, she was about to be kidnapped.

"Xing'er."

Song Qingyang, dressed in a dark red official robe, called out to Xie Xing, who was about to turn and leave.

Xie Xing's eyes lit up when he heard Song Qingyang's voice, and he turned around: "Big brother?!"

She walked towards Song Qingyang with surprise and delight: "Big brother, what brings you here?"

Song Qingyang said helplessly, "My parents are arriving in the capital today. I came here because I wanted to..."

As he spoke, his expression changed.

He anxiously lifted Xie Xing's chin and was shocked to see a distinct and gruesome pinch mark on her fair neck.

Song Qingyang's expression suddenly darkened: "Who did this?"

Xie Xing was surprised that Song Qingyang noticed it at a glance.

She awkwardly moved her chin away, using her collar to cover the marks on her neck, and said, "This...it was an accident..."

Song Qingyang said sternly, "Don't tell your older brother that you accidentally choked yourself and left such obvious red marks."

Xie Xing: "..."

"But it was Prince Jin who did it?" Song Qingyang's first suspicion was Prince Jin.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xing immediately replied, "It's not Your Highness."

[That bastard Luo Hanfeng, I don't know what's gotten into him.] Xie Xing thought to himself, annoyed.

Song Qingyang listened to her inner thoughts and pursed her lips.

Luo, Han, Feng!

He called out Luo Hanfeng's name slowly and deliberately in his mind, his expression chillingly cold.

"Big brother, you said Mom and Dad are here?" Xie Xing's eyes lit up slightly as he changed the subject.

Song Qingyang looked at Xie Xing with heartache. He reached out and rubbed Xie Xing's head, saying, "Xing'er, you've suffered in this palace."

"Your brother will get justice for you."

After saying this, Song Qingyang naturally replied, "Yes, Father and Mother have arrived."

"I came to find you to tell you something."

"From now on, you don't need to go to the Xie family anymore. Go directly back to the Song family."

Xie Xing smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Of course I know, and that's what I think too."

Song Qingyang pinched Xie Xing's cheek, paused, and then said, "You and Prince Jin..."

Xie Xing's smile faltered.

"Did you see it, brother?"

Song Qingyang pursed his lips and said, "Prince Jin's appearance is indeed unparalleled in the world, and he has the world in his heart. But such a man has great ambitions. Even if he doesn't become emperor, he will become a ruler."

“He…is not right for you, Xing’er.”

As her older brother, Song Qingyang naturally wanted Xie Xing to find someone who could love her wholeheartedly, and at least when it came to matters of principle, Xie Xing would always be his first choice.

But Prince Jin could never be that kind of person.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xing smiled and looked at Song Qingyang, saying, "Thank you for your concern, elder brother."

"I am well aware of this matter."

Prince Jin's favorability remained unchanged at sixty.

To complete the mission, Xie Xing also wondered what Prince Jin truly desired.

How can I improve my chances of getting a good impression?

Although the two seem to be close now, they are actually distant in heart.

Xie Xing didn't understand Prince Jin, and Prince Jin had never had a heart-to-heart talk with Xie Xing.

The two did not confide in each other, but could vaguely sense their mutual affection.

Song Qingyang sighed and said, "It's good that you know what's going on. But Xing'er, don't worry, your brother and the Song family will always be your last resort."

“Your older brother didn’t have the ability before, but now, your eldest and second eldest brothers are working their hardest to bring you glory.”