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

"Brother, I was wrong," Xie Yao said again.

Xie Jue looked at him with a sense of helplessness. After a long while, he looked away, picked up his pen again, and said indifferently, "Go down."

"Yes." Xie Yao felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and quickly bowed and fled the study as if he were escaping.

Xie Yao finally breathed a long sigh of relief after leaving the study.

Xie Yao raised his hand to wipe away imaginary cold sweat from his forehead and muttered under his breath, "That was terrifying. Looks like I'll have to find a different place to drink next time..."

As Xie Yao muttered to himself, he hurried toward his own yard, eager to take a shower and wash away the smell of alcohol.

Xie Yao was walking along when he suddenly stopped and glanced in the direction of the west courtyard as if by some strange impulse. But after hesitating for a long time, he returned to his own courtyard first.

……

As darkness fell outside the window, lights began to illuminate various parts of the Xie residence.

"Miss, which one do you think would be better?" Green calyx opened the small camphor wood chest, her brows furrowing slightly as she looked at the few pieces of clothing inside.

There were only three or four changes of clothes in the trunk. Although the material was not the worst, it was obviously too plain and shabby in the lavish Xie mansion.

Jiang Sese's gaze swept over the few clothes, some plain and some old, and she sighed inwardly.

Having transmigrated, she became a cousin living under someone else's roof, a precarious situation for her, and she didn't even have many decent clothes.

If you dress too poorly for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, you'll likely be looked down upon.

Fortunately, she has some money now, and after the Dragon Boat Festival, she can ask Aunt Sun to send a servant out to buy her two sets of clothes.

As for going out by myself?

Don't even think about it.

The Xie family has extremely strict rules; it is the norm for them not to leave the inner courtyard, and going out is the exception.

Jiang Sese's slender fingers lingered among the clothes for a moment before finally landing on a light orange silk jacket and a pale blue pleated skirt.

These two items are the most presentable in her suitcase.

"This is the one," Jiang Sese decided.

"Yes." Green Calyx responded, quickly taking out the clothes and carefully helping Jiang Sese change into them.

The light orange silk jacket was tailored to fit her perfectly, making her skin appear even whiter than snow. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with delicate lotus scroll patterns, adding a touch of refinement.

The light blue pleated skirt she wore was elegant and refined.

This outfit is neither too flashy and out of proportion, nor too plain and appearing petty; it perfectly accentuates her slender figure.

After changing her clothes, Lü'e combed Jiang Sese's hair again.

With skillful hands, Green Calyx quickly twirled her fingers and a delicate updo took shape behind her head.

Her long, thick, black hair was pulled back, revealing her smooth, full forehead and graceful neck. A few slightly curled strands of hair casually fell beside her temples, adding a touch of lazy charm.

Green Calyx opened a palm-sized rouge box, dipped her fingertip in the bright red rouge, and applied it evenly to Jiang Sese's lips.

Then, using my fingertips, I blended it out a little and gently swept it across her cheeks.

The woman reflected in the mirror had a delicate nose and cherry lips, skin as smooth as jade, and a natural radiance in her eyes and brows. She was exquisitely beautiful, so stunning that it was almost impossible to look directly at her.

Green Calyx was almost stunned, nearly dropping the comb in her hand: "Miss, you...you truly resemble a fairy descended from a painting..."

Jiang Sese was also startled by her reflection in the mirror.

She knew the original owner was good-looking, but she didn't expect that with a little grooming, she could become this beautiful.

After getting ready, Jiang Sese took Lü'e to Aunt Sun's place first.

As dusk deepened, the exquisite colorful silk lanterns hanging in the corridors of the Xie residence emitted a soft glow, illuminating the busy figures of people moving about.

As Jiang Sese passed through the moon gates and corridors, the amazement she had just felt in the mirror had not yet faded, and now she was even more shocked by the real and magnificent wealth of the Xie family mansion.

Although Jiang Sese had read about the extravagance of ancient nobles in books, seeing this overwhelming wealth and refinement accumulated over generations was still an eye-opener for her.

My outfit wasn't a waste of time.

As you walk through the passageway, a refreshing coolness washes over you.

Jiang Sese glanced at the huge ice mirror in the corner, where large, crystal-clear blocks of ice were piled up, and the cold air was being carefully fanned out.

The precious incense was burning in the bronze incense burner next to it, and the smoke curled up.

The maids and old women came and went, their steps hurried but their heads bowed and their eyes drooping.

Continue walking, and you'll pass a small garden.

Moonlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves of the flowers and trees, illuminating a small lotus pond in the garden.

An old woman was instructing several young maids: "Those chilled fruits in the kitchen are for the masters. They must be placed in baskets woven from fine wicker, with two layers of fresh lotus leaves at the bottom, then a layer of crushed ice, and the fruits on top. Make sure they are not jostled. Take them carefully to the main hall..."

The little girls nodded repeatedly and walked away with light and quick steps.

As Jiang Sese traveled along, she felt that she couldn't take it all in.

Seeing the Xie family's extravagant wealth, it's no wonder the original owner was unwilling to be just a scholar's wife.

Aunt Sun's residence was not far from the garden. Jiang Sese led Lü'e through two corridors and arrived.

A maid was already waiting outside the courtyard. Upon seeing Jiang Sese, she hurried inside, lifted the curtain, and announced, "Auntie, Miss Jiang has arrived."

Jiang Sese stepped inside and saw that Aunt Sun had already tidied up, and Xie Xun was also there.

Upon hearing the announcement, Aunt Sun looked up at Jiang Sese: "Sese's here, quick..."

He paused for a moment, then his eyes revealed undisguised amazement.