After a tragic death and rebirth, I became the regent's favorite

"Fifth brother, do you think I was careless when I spoke? You might as well just say it. Anyway, I am hated by everyone wherever I go now, so you won't make any difference!"

These words did make Xiao Ting seem a little miserable, but he deserved it and it was all his own fault.

Neither Xiao Ling nor anyone present would sympathize with him!

"Moyou, let's go back."

Seeing that Xiao Ting was being unreasonable, Xiao Xuan didn't want Shen Moyu to stay any longer, so she took her hand and was about to leave.

"Miss Shen..."

Xiao Ting looked at Shen Moyou's back and called her, "To be honest, I have already asked my father for an order. As long as you can return to the imperial city safely, my father will betroth you to me."

"What did you say!?"

Xiao Linchuan and Shen Moyou didn't do anything, but Xiao Xuan reacted strongly. She took a step forward and confronted Xiao Ting, "Say it again!"

"Why are you so excited, Fourth Sister? If there hadn't been a small incident in the palace just now, Father would have already informed everyone. But good things take time, it won't be too late to tell everyone when I come back!"

Xiao Ting looked at Xiao Xuan with a leisurely smile, but that look made him look like he deserved a beating.

Xiao Xuan raised her hand to slap him, but he caught it and pushed her back directly, with a cold look in her eyes.

"Fourth sister, we are no longer children now, and I am no longer the little prince who can be manipulated by others. Next time, you should think carefully before you take action."

"Snapped!"

A loud and crisp slapping sound followed Xiao Ting's words. Xiao Ling shook his painful hand, looked at the clear slap marks on Xiao Ting's face and the blood slowly flowing from the corner of his mouth, and said coldly, "If the Fourth Princess doesn't want to hit me, I will. Xiao Ting, you don't have to threaten me like this. I'm not afraid of you. Just do whatever you want. I'll accompany you to the end!"

"It seems that Fifth Brother has indeed changed a lot these days!"

Xiao Ting raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth nonchalantly, but the hostility in his eyes could not be ignored. "But no matter how much you change, you can't deceive people with your bones. Fifth brother, you take care of yourself!"

Seeing Xiao Ting leave, Xiao Xuan walked over and held Xiao Ling's trembling hand, "Boy, are you sick?"

After being scolded by Xiao Xuan, Xiao Ling was a little confused, "Sister, why are you scolding me? I was just anxious to vent your anger!"

"I want you to bother?"

Xiao Xuan's eyes immediately turned red. Xiao Ting was right. One's true nature could not be deceived. Xiao Ling was too kind and merciful. He was the kind of person who would not resort to violence even when extremely angry. Yet, he had just slapped Xiao Ting in the face for her sake.

This made Xiao Xuan unbelievable and even more sad. Since when did even Xiao Ling change?

"Sister, I'm fine. Didn't I say this before? I can protect you. This is not just talk. I won't break my promise."

Seeing his sister crying, Xiao Ling felt a little sad, but as he promised, he had to become stronger so that he could protect those he wanted to protect.

Over the years, he has been living behind Concubine Ruan and Xiao Xuan, and living a stable life under their protection. Even though he knew that this was wrong, he never thought about changing the status quo.

And now, it is finally time for him to protect his family. Once some choices are made, one must stick to them unwaveringly.

Since he had promised Xiao Linchuan, he would definitely keep his word. He would be the one to own Mingxu in the future. But if he was still the little prince hiding behind his family, how could he possibly take over this kingdom?

Xiao Xuan knew that what Xiao Ling said was right, but even if he was right, it would be difficult for her to accept this reality. After all, she had always regarded herself as a protector since she was a child.

She had never thought that one day she would be protected by Xiao Ling. This feeling was very strange and touching. She did not refuse again, but looked up at Xiao Ling and said word by word, "Ling'er, I believe you can do it. I will wait for you in Dazhao!"

It is imperative to return to Dazhao as a princess married to a foreign country, so neither she nor Xiao Ling can retreat. What they need to do now is to make each other stronger.

"Sister, I can actually replace..."

Before Xiao Ling finished speaking, Xiao Xuan quickly covered her mouth, "You can't, we have already agreed, right? Ling'er, don't change your plan for me, just do what you have to do, okay?"

She knew that Xiao Ling could go to Dazhao in her place, but the problem was that Xiao Ling was not the most suitable candidate, and if Xiao Ling went instead, everything would have to start all over again, and they no longer had so much time.

"But sister, it's too dangerous for you to be alone!"

Xiao Ling couldn't help but choke up. He was useless and couldn't protect his sister, but he still wanted his sister to protect him. Thinking of this, Xiao Ling couldn't help but redden his eyes.

This made Xiao Xuan laugh. She reached out and punched Xiao Ling's shoulder hard. "Did you do this on purpose? Are you trying to make me cry?"

"Xiao Ling, Xuan'er won't go back to Dazhao alone. Don't worry, I will ensure her safety."

Xiao Linchuan knew the relationship between Xiao Ling and his brother very well, so he didn't want to make him feel bad, so he took the initiative to explain, "I have already arranged everything there, and after Xuan'er leaves Mingzhen, we will follow her soon, so nothing will happen."

"is this real?"

As soon as Xiao Ling opened his mouth, he heard a question from behind. Xiao Xuan's face turned pale in an instant. He turned his head tremblingly to meet Concubine Ruan's tearful eyes, and suddenly he didn't know what to say.

When they were talking about these things just now, they had all forgotten about the existence of Concubine Ruan. However, now that the words had been spoken, they didn't know how to face Concubine Ruan.

It had been guessed before that Concubine Ruan might know the truth, but had been pretending to be ignorant for so many years. Now they suddenly have to face it, and the nervousness of Xiao Xuan and her brother is visibly evident.

"Xuan'er, Ling'er, tell me, is this true?"

Concubine Ruan's voice became increasingly hoarse, and she was about to blurt out something, but she held back and didn't say it, "Speak!"

"Mother, please listen to my explanation. It's not what you think..."

Xiao Xuan hurried forward, wanting to explain something, but found that no matter what she said, it seemed too pale and there was no way to explain this matter at all.

"Xuan'er, what do you want to explain?"

Concubine Ruan cried and suddenly laughed, "Explain why you want to go to Dazhao to marry? Or explain the truth that you and Ling'er have been hiding from me for many years?"

"Mother, do you know? Or have you always known?"