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

Xie Jue said in court: "Your Majesty, I have observed that in accordance with the ancestral family laws, in order to ensure that the imperial clan members do not forget military preparedness and understand the hardships of the common people, there was a system in place: any imperial clan member who is sixteen years of age or older and does not hold a hereditary official position can be selected by the Imperial Clan Court and sent by imperial decree to the border camp to serve as a soldier for one year. This measure can not only strengthen their physique and temper their will, but also make them aware of the hardships of military life and the difficulty of maintaining the country."

"However, in recent years, this system has gradually become a mere formality, either due to prolonged peace or lax selection criteria. I humbly request Your Majesty to reinstate this system, with rigorous selection criteria, to send members of the imperial clan who reside in the capital and are free from official duties to the Liaodong military camp in batches for a year of training. Upon completion, the camp commander and supervisor will jointly assess them. Those who excel will be rewarded with leisurely duties, while those who are mediocre will be sent back to the capital, merely to complete the training stipulated by the ancestral system. This is in accordance with the established ancestral laws, strengthens the foundation of the imperial clan, and saves the national treasury from the unnecessary expense of subsidizing those who are incompetent. I humbly request Your Majesty's wise decision."

Xie Jue's words were clear and detailed.

Xie Jue invoked ancestral rules, emphasizing that this was an imperial decree for training, not a demotion or punishment, and further pointed out the need to conserve national treasury expenditures.

The final sentence, "Those who are mediocre shall return to the capital," completely shut down any pretext the imperial family might use to cause trouble. This was not punishment, but a legitimate opportunity for advancement.

Emperor Jingyuan thought about it and realized that there were indeed quite a few spoiled brats in the imperial clan who relied on their status, spending their days cockfighting and horse racing, and frequently causing trouble. Especially that Chen Jinghuan.

Emperor Jingyuan immediately agreed: "The imperial clan is the bulwark of the country. How can they indulge in pleasure all day long and forget their roots? This system should be reinstated. Your request is approved. The Imperial Clan Court shall immediately work with the Ministry of War to draft regulations and conduct a rigorous selection process. The first batch of candidates must be determined within half a month."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The assembled officials cheered.

The imperial edict was issued swiftly.

The next day, the Imperial Clan Court drafted the first list of imperial clan members to be sent to the Northwest Camp for training.

The name of Prince Rong'an, Chen Jinghuan, was prominently listed at the top!

Chen Jinghuan was a notorious playboy among the imperial family.

When the news reached the Prince's residence, Chen Jinghuan was embracing his newly acquired beauty, laughing and drinking.

Upon hearing the news, Chen Jinghuan jumped to his feet, his face deathly pale: "Wh...what?! To the main camp?! A year of training?! Are you kidding me! Am I the kind of person who goes to that kind of place?! To be exposed to the wind and sun, to eat sand and drink the wind? And to hang out with a bunch of soldiers?! Who came up with this terrible idea?! I'm going to find them right now!"

Chen Jinghuan was furious and was about to rush out, but was grabbed by the old prince who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

The old prince's face was also grim, but more than that, it was one of disappointment and exasperation: "You unfilial son! Haven't you brought shame upon yourself enough?! This is an imperial edict! Ask yourself honestly, who in the entire capital doesn't know that you spend your days frequenting brothels, indulging in cockfighting and dog racing, and indulging in excessive feasting?! The Imperial Clan Court has listed you first on their list, and it's only right!"

No matter how unwilling Chen Jinghuan was, he could only obediently wait to be packed up and sent to the main camp.

Even after dealing with Chen Jinghuan, Xie Jue was still not in a good mood.

Xie Jue came to find Jiang Sese and told her about his trip to Jiangnan.

Emperor Jingyuan sent Xie Jue as an imperial envoy to the south of the Yangtze River to oversee river works, dredge waterways, supervise disaster relief, and reform local officials.

You shall depart immediately and take full control of all matters without needing to report to the authorities for every matter.

The Great Yong Dynasty has always enjoyed favorable weather and few natural disasters.

Events like floods or earthquakes occurred decades ago.

Therefore, although the flood situation in Jiangnan was not severe this time, Emperor Jingyuan still took it very seriously. He did not take it lightly or disregard it just because the disaster was minor. He did not even trust anyone else to handle the situation.

Xie Jue was the most prudent and decisive.

Jiang Sese had already heard about this from Fu Wenzhao.

Jiang Sese's smile faded slightly, and her expression became serious as she asked, "Then... how long will you be gone?"

"Going there..." Xie Jue paused for a moment. In accordance with his usual way of doing things, he would never return to the capital until he had thoroughly sorted out all the matters in Jiangnan.

Therefore, if others ask, he will only answer that his return date is uncertain.

However, at this moment, Xie Jue looked down at the girl in front of him with clear eyes and concern, and those four words rolled on his tongue, but were ultimately swallowed.

Xie Jue remained silent for a moment, then promised, "I will definitely be back within half a month."

Jiang Sese was taken aback. Seeing the worry in Xie Jue's eyes, she couldn't help but want to laugh, which was a bit inappropriate. However, she held it back and shook her head seriously, saying to Xie Jue, "You don't actually need to worry about me."

Jiang Sese really didn't think of herself as some kind of clay doll that would break if she fell down.

Jiang Sese originally thought that having read the book and knowing the plot, she would be able to use her abilities to her advantage.

However, she discovered that none of the things she knew were things she could easily interfere with.

Of course, Jiang Sese didn't intend to change anything.

Xie Jue gazed deeply at Jiang Sese. He knew, of course, that Jiang Sese was not a fragile doll, and that she was stronger and braver than any other woman. But if a man likes a woman, he will always want to do everything he can to protect her from the wind and rain.

I hope she can live a carefree life.

Xie Jue had previously planned the same thing for Xie Yihua and Xie Yujiao.

Within my capabilities, I will help them achieve what they want.

Xie Jue suddenly said, "Why don't you come with me?"

Jiang Sese looked at Xie Jue in shock, shaking her head vigorously like a rattle-drum: "How could I go with you?"

She wouldn't be of much help if she went, and might even distract Xie Jue from taking care of her. Besides, he wasn't going to Jiangnan for tourism this time; what was the meaning of him taking her along?

If the two were already married, that would be fine, but they are not married yet. Even if Xie Jue wanted to take her with him, Fu Chong and Fu Wenzhao would never agree.

Xie Jue rubbed his forehead, knowing he must have been crazy to say such a thing.

But Xie Jue wasn't joking at all.

But Jiang Sese was even more sensible than he had imagined.

Although Xie Jue wasn't particularly happy that her maturity came at the right time.

Xie Jue couldn't help but lower his head and touch Jiang Sese's face. Occasionally, he would hear other people's wives throwing tantrums, and he actually really hoped that she could throw tantrums with him too... If you told anyone, probably no one would understand.

Jiang Sese was puzzled by Xie Jue's gaze, so she could only wrap her arms around his waist and coax him, "Okay, I promise, I'll take good care of myself until you come back. You, just go and be your Xie Qingtian!"

Xie Jue: "Then wait for me to come back."

"Yes!" Jiang Sese nodded vigorously. "I'll wait for you to come back!"

Just then, Jiang Sese suddenly remembered something important.

"Ah! Right, wait!" Jiang Sese suddenly took half a step back from his palm, her eyes shining brightly. "Wait a minute!"

After saying that, without waiting for Xie Jue's reaction, Jiang Sese turned around and ran into the inner room.

Xie Jue was taken aback by her sudden action and watched her disappear through the doorway of the inner room, somewhat puzzled.

A moment later, Jiang Sese ran out again, holding a long, narrow object wrapped in indigo cotton cloth in her arms like a precious treasure.

"I almost forgot!" Jiang Sese proudly presented the cloth bag to Xie Jue, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "Open it and take a look!"

Xie Jue: ?