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

Jiang Sese looked up at the sound and looked at Xie Yihua with a puzzled expression.

Xie Yihua smiled slightly: "I think my cousin's outfit today, although elegant, is an old style."

"If you don't mind, cousin, I have a few sets of clothes that I just wore recently and haven't even been washed many times. The fabric is of very fine quality. How about I have my maid send them to you tomorrow?"

Xie Yihua's words sounded like a kind gesture in times of need, but in reality, they were a veiled insult.

She seemed generous, but in reality, she wanted Jiang Sese to wear her old clothes that she didn't want anymore and to be grateful to her.

Aunt Sun's expression changed slightly. She wanted to speak but dared not interrupt because of her status.

Wang held her teacup, a faint, cold smile playing on her lips.

Xie Huaizhang wanted to speak up for Jiang Sese, but because Wang Shi was present, he remained silent.

Jiang Sese didn't care much. Although she couldn't refuse in public and embarrass Xie Yihua, she could accept it and not wear it.

Jiang Sese felt that whether she was ashamed or not was secondary.

The important thing is that this is the female lead.

How many lives does she have to go against the female lead?

Jiang Sese only wants to save her life right now.

Nothing is more important than life; it's better to live a miserable life than to die a good death.

Jiang Sese thought for a moment and was about to say thank you, but it was embarrassing, since it wasn't the first time the original owner had been embarrassed.

But at that moment, Xie Yujiao suddenly let out a sneer.

Xie Yujiao put down her silver chopsticks, picked up a silk handkerchief, and slowly wiped the corner of her mouth. She glanced at Xie Yihua with her almond-shaped eyes and said, "Fourth sister, the way you're talking makes it sound like our second branch of the family has mistreated cousin Sese."

Xie Yihua's smile froze slightly.

Xie Yujiao continued, "No matter how good your clothes are, they were still made to fit your measurements. Cousin Sese's figure is slimmer than yours, and her chest... cough, her figure is also more voluptuous. Will your clothes fit her well? When she goes out, people will think that our Xie family can't even afford to make a few new clothes for our relatives."

Her words subtly implied that Jiang Sese had a better figure, while also taking a jab at Xie Yihua.

They then pinned the blame for the Xie family's reluctance to make new clothes on the entire household.

Wang's expression, which had been watching the show, changed instantly.

Although she disliked Jiang Sese, she cared more about the reputation of the second branch of the family, especially not letting the first branch look down on them, and even more so not letting outsiders think that the Xie family was mean to an orphan.

Although Xie Yujiao's words were sharp, they reminded Wang of a crucial point.

Since Jiang Sese entered the manor, she has indeed not been given any formal clothes.

If word gets out that we made her wear old clothes to the family banquet where the First Madam is also present, wouldn't it make the Xie family seem stingy and petty, not even giving her this much face?

Thinking this through, Madam Wang immediately put down her teacup and said, "Yu Jiao is right. Look at my memory, I've been so busy I've forgotten everything. Sese has been in the manor for a while now, she should get some new clothes for the season. I've been so busy with the Dragon Boat Festival that I've neglected this matter."

Madam Wang then turned to the head maid beside her and instructed, "Granny Zhang, remember this: in a couple of days, after the holiday is over, please ask the best tailor in the mansion to go to the west courtyard to take the young lady's measurements properly, select some fashionable fabrics, and make a few decent outfits for her."

Granny Zhang quickly agreed.

Jiang Sese looked at Xie Yujiao with surprise. Although she didn't understand why Xie Yujiao would suddenly speak up for her, Jiang Sese immediately stood up, bowed to Madam Wang, and said in a slightly flattered tone, "Sese thanks Madam Second."

Xie Yihua's fingers tightened slightly as she held the teacup, a fleeting shadow of gloom and anger flashing across the depths of her eyes.

Xie Yihua originally intended to subtly put Jiang Sese in a bad light by making her wear his old clothes to annoy her, while also showing off his kindness and generosity in front of everyone.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yujiao, that fool, interfered and not only failed to embarrass Jiang Sese, but also allowed her to get several new clothes for free.

It would also make one feel that their previous good intentions were both superfluous and hypocritical.

Xie Yihua felt chest tightness.

Xie Yihua: "My sister is right. I didn't think it through. My second aunt was much more thoughtful."

Xie Yihua silently made a mental note of both Xie Yujiao and Jiang Sese.

Xie Jue and Xie Bo were talking, but they noticed what the others were saying and couldn't help but glance at Xie Yihua.

After finishing his meal, Xie Xun felt sleepy. Aunt Sun got up to take Xie Xun back first. Jiang Sese secretly glanced at Xie Jue, feeling that she really couldn't find any opportunity to please her older cousin today.

Then, along with Aunt Sun, they got up and prepared to leave the table.

Then, Xie Yujiao also left the table with Xie Huaizhang.

Jiang Sese paused slightly, her mind racing.

The memory of Xie Yujiao's murderous glare during the day in the suburbs was still vivid, but just now she suddenly spoke up for herself at the banquet.

Jiang Sese was genuinely curious.

Jiang Sese asked Aunt Sun to wait a moment, then took a deep breath and walked towards Xie Yujiao and Xie Huaizhang.

Jiang Sese: "Cousin Yu Jiao."

The moonlight illuminated Jiang Sese's exquisite and beautiful face, her eyes sparkling.

Xie Yujiao still disliked Jiang Sese's face; it was an eyesore. She immediately frowned and asked, "What is it?"

Xie Huaizhang noticed that Jiang Sese had something to say to Xie Yujiao, but he wasn't sure if it was appropriate for him to listen, so he immediately told the two of them that he would go ahead and wait for them.

Seeing that Xie Huaizhang had left, Jiang Sese asked directly, "Cousin, thank you for speaking up for me during the meal. I thought you would be even more angry with me after what happened during the day."

Xie Yujiao was taken aback by her directness, then, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she immediately retorted, "Who spoke up for you? Don't flatter yourself!"

Xie Yujiao turned her head away, unwilling to look at Jiang Sese's alluring face, and said, "I just couldn't stand Xie Yihua's hypocritical attitude, trying to get rid of people with his own old clothes. Do you think our Xie family is really that poor? If you accept it, people will only say that my mother mistreated you."

This explanation sounds reasonable.

But Jiang Sese always felt that, given Xie Yujiao's personality, even if she wanted to step on Xie Yihua, she might not necessarily benefit herself, the person she disliked even more.

Xie Yujiao's jealousy and刁难 (difficulties/making things difficult) towards the original owner are clearly described in the book.

Jiang Sese didn't point it out, but simply went along with Xie Yujiao's words and said happily, "I never expected my cousin to be so magnanimous. I am truly ashamed."

"Hmph!" Xie Yujiao snorted, feeling somewhat smug as she listened to Jiang Sese's flattery.

No matter how beautiful she is, she still has to grovel before him.

My older brother is right; there's no need for me to argue with her.

Xie Yujiao said, "You should also thank your older brother. It was he who told me that one should be tolerant of others to show the demeanor of a well-bred lady. I'm not trying to help you; I just don't want to appear petty and mean in front of him."