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

Shen Ziyu suddenly snapped out of her daze, realizing her lapse in composure, and a blush of embarrassment instantly spread across her face.

Shen Ziyu quickly lowered his head, not daring to look any longer. He hurried forward and stopped a few steps away from Jiang Sese, saying, "I am Shen Ziyu, a junior scholar in the Hanlin Academy. I was once favored by Lord Xie. Hearing of your plight, I came to visit you. Is Miss Fu alright?"

Jiang Sese never expected to see Shen Ziyu under these circumstances.

The book describes him as having "a resolute face and eyes like lightning," so Jiang Sese always imagined Bao Zheng as having a dark complexion and a majestic, menacing look between his brows.

And then... this person in front of me?

His fair and clean face was flushed with embarrassment. He had delicate features, wore a well-fitting blue official robe, and stood upright, exuding the refined and noble air of a scholar.

Seeing that Shen Ziyu was even more nervous than she was, Jiang Sese couldn't help but smile: "You're so kind, Lord Shen. I'm fine."

Her voice was clear and melodious.

Shen Ziyu couldn't help but look up.

Her radiant smile made Shen Ziyu dizzy again, and her heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.

Shen Ziyu hurriedly lowered his head again, stammering, "That's good, that's good. If Miss Fu needs anything... I... I..." He was speechless for a moment, realizing that he couldn't help at all. In this solemn and important place of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, what could he, an outsider, do for her?

Jiang Sese wanted to correct Shen Ziyu, who kept calling her "Miss Fu," because his surname was Jiang.

But then he remembered that Shen Ziyu had originally planned to come and propose marriage, but for some reason changed his mind. Now, to reveal that she was the one he had previously broken off the engagement with would be incredibly awkward!

Forget it, better to avoid trouble.

Jiang Sese said, "Lord Shen, you are very kind, but I am perfectly fine and really don't need anything. Lord Shen, you don't need to worry about it."

After saying that, Jiang Sese said no more, nodded slightly to Shen Ziyu, and then turned and followed the two stern-faced old women into the quiet room.

Shen Ziyu subconsciously took a small step forward, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

An old woman standing outside glanced at Shen Ziyu, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

This nanny was very particular about rules and titles.

Hearing Shen Ziyu repeatedly refer to her as "Miss Fu" was really grating.

The old woman then spoke up to remind him, "Lord Shen, this young lady is not a member of the Fu family clan."

Shen Ziyu suddenly looked up and stared in astonishment at the old woman.

The old woman said, "Although the Duke has adopted a daughter, the young lady's original surname is Jiang, and her given name is Sese. Please don't call her by the wrong name again, sir."

Shen Ziyu froze on the spot, as if under a spell, and subconsciously asked, "Surname Jiang? Which Jiang?"

The old woman thought for a moment, then gestured with one hand to indicate the name, and replied, "It's the ginger from the ginger plant."

Jiang Sese... Jiang... Sese...

Shen Ziyu suddenly remembered!

Several months ago, Fei Ying had urged him to go to the Xie family's second branch to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage.

Shen Ziyu forgot everything else.

I only remember her name.

Sigh.

Like the chilly autumn wind, it is elegant and refined.

However, he had just been entrusted with an important task by Lord Xie at that time, and the matter was eventually dropped, and he never took it to heart.

But now...

Shen Ziyu glanced listlessly at the tightly closed quiet room.

Could there really be two people in this world with the same name?!

……

The room was dimly lit and simply furnished.

As soon as Jiang Sese stood still, before she could even look around, she saw the two old women who had kept a straight face the whole way, as if they were about to find fault with her, suddenly breathe a sigh of relief and smile.

The speed at which this person changes their expression is comparable to a Sichuan opera skill.

One of the old women said with concern, "Miss, you've been frightened. This place is simple and you've suffered."

Jiang Sese was taken aback, and alarm bells rang in her mind—was she being overly solicitous for no reason?

This change in attitude is so bizarre!

Jiang Sese remained expressionless, only nodding slightly and saying, "You flatter me, Granny. I dare not say I am wronged. I just don't know why you are like this..."

Seeing this, the old woman immediately stepped forward and explained in a low voice, "Please don't take offense, Miss. Consort Hui specifically instructed the eunuch to send us to serve you."

Consort Hui, being in the palace, naturally had access to all sorts of information.

When Xun Gui made trouble in the court, the emperor ordered Jiang Sese to be sent to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and Consort Hui immediately learned of it. Although she could not openly disobey the emperor's will, as the eldest daughter of the Fu family, it was only natural for her to protect her adopted sister within her power.

Consort Hui, née Yu, sent two trusted nannies who could speak with authority in the Imperial Ancestral Temple to take care of Jiang Sese. This was in accordance with the rules and ensured that Jiang Sese would not be mistreated in this place.

Jiang Sese suddenly realized: "So it was Consort Hui's grace."

Jiang Sese quickly curtsied to the two nannies, "Sese thanks Your Highness for your concern, and thank you both for your hard work."

"Oh dear, young lady, you flatter us!" Granny Li and Granny Liu quickly stepped aside.

"Her Majesty instructed us that since you are family, we must do our utmost. Please rest assured, Miss, although this quiet room looks simple, it has everything you need. If you need anything, just let us know."

What followed completely overturned Jiang Sese's understanding of the Quiet Room.

She was brought in around noon.

After a while, a young eunuch carrying a three-tiered, exquisitely carved food box brought the meal.

Granny Li took the food box and opened it.

Jiang Sese leaned closer to take a look and found that it wasn't the bland and watery meal she had imagined, but a standard four dishes and a soup, two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup, all with excellent color, aroma, and taste, along with two plates of delicate snacks and a bowl of glistening rice!

Judging from the dishes and the presentation, they are clearly the work of the imperial kitchen!

It was clearly Consort Hui who had made special arrangements.

Emperor Jingyuan most likely just didn't want her dead; as for her food, he certainly wouldn't care.

Looking at the sumptuous lunch before her, and then at the two smiling, busy nannies, Jiang Sese had only one thought in her mind: This isn't reflection on one's mistakes, this is clearly...

Want to find another place to lie down?

Since we're here, let's just lie down!

With food and drink, what more could you want?

Granny Liu also brought two volumes of leisure books for Jiang Sese, saying it was to help her pass the time.

"If you feel bored, Miss, I can keep you company and talk to you, or tell you about the history of the Imperial Ancestral Temple," said Granny Li in a solicitous manner.

In the evening, dinner was equally exquisite and plentiful.

As night falls, the bedding, though plain in color, is thick and soft, with an excellent feel.

Jiang Sese lay in bed, feeling that she had had a really good day. Sure enough, having someone in the palace to protect you makes all the difference in treatment!