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

Qing Shuang's heart skipped a beat, but as Xie Jue's longest-serving maid, she knew that she should never ask questions she shouldn't.

Qing Shuang quickly composed herself, bowed her head, and replied, "Yes, this servant understands. Tomorrow I will definitely choose a reliable and sensible one to send to Miss Biao."

Qing Shuang thought for a moment, then asked, "Does Young Master have a specific candidate or requirement?"

"You can handle it as you see fit," Xie Jue said, seemingly unconcerned about the details.

After Xie Jue finished speaking, he continued walking towards the study.

The next morning, Jiang Sese was sitting by the window, propping her head up with one hand, lost in thought about how she could please Xie Jue.

I really want to curry favor with someone powerful, I desperately want to curry favor with someone powerful.

But what does Xie Jue like?

The book describes him very little, and he has always been someone who doesn't show his emotions. He doesn't cling to things he likes, nor does he show disgust for things he doesn't like.

He held a high position of power and lacked nothing.

Besides, she couldn't even get into his yard.

...At most, I would only get to the door before being stopped.

What did the original text say?

Xie Jue was a man of deep thoughts, obsessed with power struggles, and had almost no other hobbies.

He was not fond of drinking, lustful, or pretentious. He rarely even indulged in the refined pursuits of powerful officials, such as calligraphy, painting, and antiques. It was as if he was born to be a machine for power.

As for the marriage...

A sudden idea flashed in Jiang Sese's mind.

correct!

The book mentions that Xie Jue is twenty-one years old this year, but he has not yet married. It is not that he has no noble ladies who admire him, but that his mother, Princess Anning, already has a daughter-in-law in mind.

Princess Anning was eagerly awaiting this daughter-in-law, so she never took the initiative to mention marriage to Xie Jue.

Princess Anning didn't mention it, and Xie Jue himself certainly wouldn't.

His marriage is not just a matter for him alone; it involves many aspects, so he certainly won't marry easily.

In Xie Jue's case, Princess Anning could have arranged for her son to have a concubine or maidservant, but the Xie family had never had a rule of taking concubines.

Jiang Sese was lost in thought when she suddenly heard Lü'e talking to someone. She looked up at the window and saw that it was Qing Shuang.

Jiang Sese's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly got up to greet her.

Qing Shuang still had a smile on her face, and behind her was a girl who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

This girl was slightly taller than the average maid, with an upright posture and bright eyes. Although she kept her head down and looked demure, there was a hint of efficiency between her brows that was different from that of ordinary maids.

"Greetings, Miss." Qing Shuang curtsied and smiled, "This servant is here on the orders of the eldest young master to deliver a maidservant to you."

Jiang Sese was stunned for a moment: "For me?"

Yes, according to the rules, she should have two maids to serve her personally, but after Chun Tao passed away, Madam Wang never thought of assigning her any more maids.

Qing Shuang nodded and gave a wink to the maid behind her.

The maid immediately stepped forward and bowed to Jiang Sese, her voice clear and sweet as she said, "This servant, Hongdou, greets Miss Jiang."

Jiang Sese: "Your name is Hongdou?"

The maid smiled and said, "Yes, because my mother ate a bowl of red beans before giving birth to me, so my name is Red Bean."

Jiang Sese first helped Hongdou up, then turned to Qingshuang, a hint of surprise and gratitude on her face: "This... Sister Qingshuang, how can we trouble our cousin? I still have Lü'e here..."

Qing Shuang smiled slightly and explained, "The eldest young master said that Lü E lacks experience and might not serve you properly. Hong Dou was originally a maid in the eldest young master's room, specializing in tidying up."

"This girl is quite steady and quick-witted. What's more, she learned some martial arts from the guards in the manor when she was young. Although she's not a master, she's stronger than others and reacts quickly. If she's with the young lady and there are any bumps or heavy lifting that need to be done, she can lend a hand."

He knows martial arts!

Jiang Sese was both surprised and delighted. Xie Jue had not only sent her someone, but also someone with martial arts skills.

This is far more practical than an ordinary maid who only knows how to serve tea and water.

Jiang Sese sincerely said, "Big Cousin, you've really gone to a lot of trouble. I thank you for your kindness, and I also trouble Sister Qing Shuang to make this trip."

Qing Shuang smiled and said, "You're too kind, Miss. This was all the young master's order. I was just running an errand. Hong Dou will be following you from now on. If there's anything she does wrong, please feel free to teach her."

After giving her instructions, Qing Shuang took her leave.

Hongdou stood obediently in front of Jiang Sese.

Hongdou stepped forward and bowed to Jiang Sese again, smiling as she said, "This servant, Hongdou, will be at your service from now on, Miss. Please feel free to give any instructions you may have."

Hongdou was a second-class maid in Xie Jue's room. Although she had a lot of influence in the mansion, she only received seven coins a month.

But after following Jiang Sese, she became a first-class maid, receiving a monthly allowance of one tael of silver.

Therefore, Hongdou was quite happy; it didn't matter who she served.

Besides, she had virtually no chance to get close to the young master at Tingsong Courtyard. If she didn't come to serve Miss Biao, she would at most be a second-class maid in her life, and it would be difficult for her to climb any higher.

Jiang Sese asked Lü'e to take Hongdou downstairs to settle her in.

At this moment, Xie Huaizhang knelt before Wang Shi and asked his mother if he could marry Jiang Sese.

Only the mother and son were in the house.

Wang thought Xie Huaizhang was about to say something, but she didn't expect it to be...

The Ru kiln white porcelain covered bowl that Wang was holding fell to the ground with a thud.

Wang was dumbfounded: "What did you say? You want to marry Jiang Sese and make her your legal wife?!"

Wang could hardly believe her ears.

Although her son was not as good as Xie Jue from the first branch of the Xie family and could not marry a princess, he was still the legitimate son of the second branch of the Xie family.

He will inherit the family business from the second wife in the future.

As for Jiang Sese, she was just an orphan girl who had lost both her parents and was living under the roof of others.

Wang took a deep breath and sneered, "If you were to suggest making her a concubine, I'd have to think twice about whether she's even qualified. And you, you actually dare to say you want to marry her?! What filthy thing has bewitched you?!"

Madam Wang trembled with rage, her finger shaking as she pointed at Xie Huaizhang. "Who does Jiang Sese think she is? Does she even deserve to enter the second branch of the Xie family?!"

Wang thought Xie Huaizhang had completely lost his mind.

Xie Huaizhang kowtowed deeply again, his forehead touching the ground, and said, "Mother, please calm down. I am not confused for a moment. The Xie family has always forbidden taking concubines. As a descendant of the Xie family, I dare not disobey the ancestral teachings. However, I have a sincere heart for my cousin Sese. I respect and love her and do not want to wrong her in the slightest. If I cannot marry her, I would rather remain unmarried for the rest of my life."

Wang's eyes turned cold as she looked at Xie Huaizhang, whose forehead was pressed to the ground, and said, "Never to marry? You dare to threaten me with your life's most important matter for that little slut? Fine, very well!"

"Did that Jiang Sese seduce you? What kind of bewitching potion did she give you? I knew it! That vixen can't be allowed to live. Looking like that, she's just a troublemaker!"

Wang said through gritted teeth.

Jiang Sese, like her aunt, is a shameless woman who seduces men.

"Mother, you've misunderstood Cousin SeSe."

Xie Huaizhang suddenly raised his head and hurriedly defended Jiang Sese, saying, "Cousin Sese has never done anything inappropriate to me. It is I who like her. This matter has nothing to do with Cousin Sese. It is all my own thought."

Wang silently watched Xie Huaizhang, who looked anxious.

Her anger was suddenly doused with cold water, and Wang calmed down.

Wang knew her son too well; he wasn't the kind of person who could be easily swayed, much less lose his composure for a woman.

It seems he's really caught up in it, and very deeply at that.

Wang's eyes flickered with uncertainty: "Do you truly love her?"

Xie Huaizhang replied, "Yes!"

Madam Wang took a deep breath and said slowly, "Alright, Zhang'er, you've grown up, you've become independent, and you dare to use your life's most important matter to pressure your mother."

"You want to marry her? It's not impossible."

Xie Huaizhang's heart leaped into his throat, and he looked at Wang Shi with surprise and delight.

Madam Wang pursed her lips and said, "If you can rank among the top three in next year's autumn imperial examination, I will grant your request and allow you to marry her in a grand and glorious manner."

Passing the imperial examination was already extremely difficult, and the top three were even rarer.

Xie Huaizhang considered himself diligent and quite talented, but he only made it into the top three...

There's no guarantee that it will be successful.

Looking at Xie Huaizhang's expression, Madam Wang said, "If you have the ability to pass the imperial examination with flying colors and bring glory to your family, then I, your mother, will have nothing to say. If you don't have that ability, then you should give up on this idea as soon as possible."

"If you fail the exam, or dare to mention marrying her as your principal wife again, don't blame me for being ruthless as her mother! I have a thousand ways to make sure she can't stay in the Xie family anymore, believe me?"

Xie Huaizhang trembled all over.

He knew that if his mother said it, she would definitely do it.

Thinking of the radiant young woman at last night's banquet.

Xie Huaizhang kowtowed again, "Alright, Mother, rest assured, I will do my best in this autumn examination and strive for a top-three finish! I only ask that you treat my cousin Sese kindly during this time."

Madam Wang snorted coldly: "Hmph, treat her well? As long as she behaves herself and doesn't cause trouble, I naturally won't lower myself to make things difficult for an orphan. You get back to your study now and from today onwards, shut yourself in and study diligently!"

"Your son takes his leave." Xie Huaizhang kowtowed again before leaving.

Wang's face was cold, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

It seems that girl cannot be kept.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Wang immediately had someone summon Aunt Sun.