Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

Chaolu safely escorted Jiang Sese to the west courtyard gate, watched her enter, and then turned and left with her lantern.

As I walked back to Tingsong Courtyard, I saw a figure approaching.

Chaolu asked in surprise, "Sister Qingshuang?"

Qing Shuang grabbed Chao Lu's arm and led her to the shadows of the corridor, asking in a low voice, "Chao Lu, I just overheard Shu Tong muttering that the eldest young master asked you to escort Miss Chao back? Is that true?"

Qing Shuang's expression was unusually serious.

Chaolu was taken aback by Qingshuang's solemn attitude, then nodded: "Yes, Sister Qingshuang, the young master personally instructed me. I just escorted Miss Jiang back to the west courtyard and just got back."

Chaolu understood Qingshuang's nervousness and couldn't help but find it amusing. She added, "Sister, don't worry. It's really too dark. Miss was looking for Xun-ge'er and was so anxious that she didn't even bring a lantern. The eldest young master probably thought it would be inconvenient for her to go back alone, so he asked me to escort her."

Qing Shuang was relieved after hearing what Chao Lu said: "I see."

This reason aligns with her understanding of her young master.

Xie Jue disliked trouble the most and valued rules and propriety the most.

A cousin from another family, with such striking looks and a less-than-stellar reputation, would certainly not sound good if something happened to her in the mansion late at night.

Qing Shuang glanced at Chao Lu, and said thoughtfully, "Then let's give it away. This young lady doesn't seem like what those people say."

Chaolu nodded in agreement: "That's right."

Both maids had a good impression of Jiang Sese, finding her to be much more honest and dutiful than the rumors suggested.

But if Jiang Sese were to try anything with Xie Jue, the two of them would probably turn against each other immediately.

……

The next morning, Aunt Sun personally brought Xie Xun to thank Jiang Sese.

"Sese." As soon as Aunt Sun entered, she took Jiang Sese's hand and said, "This child told me everything. If you hadn't been thinking of him and went to look for him, this silly child would have been crying in the bamboo forest for who knows how long. What would have happened if she had caught a cold wind? Come on, Xun'er, thank your sister Sese!"

Xie Xun's little face flushed slightly. She walked forward respectfully, bowed deeply to Jiang Sese, and said in a childish but very earnest voice, "Xun'er thanks Sister Sese."

Jiang Sese quickly reached out to help him up: "Auntie, you flatter me. It was the eldest young master who truly brought Xun-ge'er back safely last night. If Auntie is to thank anyone, it should be the eldest young master."

Aunt Sun glanced at Jiang Sese in surprise at her humble manner.

The maidservant placed the food box on the table, which contained several exquisite pastries and a plate of fresh fruits.

"Of course we should also thank the eldest young master," Aunt Sun said with a smile, her gaze lingering on Jiang Sese's face before she changed the subject, "But Sese, your aunt seems to think you've become much more sensible lately."

Jiang Sese's heart skipped a beat.

During this period, she was very cautious. Apart from making various modern snacks to send to Aunt Sun and Qing Shuang to win their favor, she had been behaving very obediently.

Even though she knew the whole plot of the book, she never had any ambitions or ideas, such as killing the female lead and taking the throne herself, or killing the emperor and taking the throne herself.

This is like putting an elephant in a refrigerator. The first step is to buy an elephant, the second step is to open the refrigerator, and the third step is to put the elephant in the refrigerator.

Some things are easier said than done.

Jiang Sese never had the so-called gambler's mentality, or the idea of ​​taking a gamble and winning a bicycle.

She just wanted to survive until the end of the book!

Jiang Sese's fingers, hidden in her sleeve, curled slightly as she slowly lowered her head: "Sese has also gone through some things before she gradually came to understand."

"The Xie family is of noble birth and treats Sese kindly, and her aunt treats her like family. However, no matter how good the Xie family is, it is ultimately not Sese's place to belong."

Aunt Sun's heart skipped a beat. She turned her gaze to the maid beside her and instructed, "Xiao He, take Xun-ge'er to play in the courtyard for a while. I have something to say to my cousin alone."

The maidservant responded with a "yes" and led Xie Xun out.

In an instant, only Aunt Sun and Jiang Sese remained in the room.

Aunt Sun's smile faded slightly.

Aunt Sun picked up her teacup but didn't drink. She merely skimmed the foam off the surface with the lid, then looked up at Jiang Sese and said, "Sese, you just said that the Xie family mansion is not where you belong. Tell your aunt, what are your true plans?"

Aunt Sun paused, the cup lid resting on the rim, and slowly said, "You're so sensible now, your aunt is delighted. If you're interested, why don't you tell your aunt the truth?"