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

Jiang Sese nodded and went to sit down.

Aunt Sun looked at Jiang Sese with satisfaction. She had to admit, her niece was really beautiful, too beautiful.

Jiang Sese lowered her eyes and said, "Aunt, you wanted to see me?"

In fact, Jiang Sese had already guessed a few things in her heart.

I mentioned the story of Scholar Wu to her around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Aunt Sun nodded and said, "Sese, you're not young anymore. Your marriage is something I've always been worried about."

"The Second Madam also knows about this and says it's a good thing. She even gave me special instructions. I've already made arrangements. You'll meet him tomorrow through the carved screen. The Second Madam also said that if you like him, she's willing to prepare a decent dowry for you."

Did Wang prepare a dowry for her?

...Telecommunications fraud?

Jiang Sese immediately looked at him with suspicion and confusion.

After hesitating for a moment, Aunt Sun did not hide anything from Jiang Sese and told her about Xie Huaizhang's intention to take her as a concubine.

Jiang Sese thought to herself, no wonder Madam Wang was so eager to marry her off.

Jiang Sese said, "Aunt, isn't it too rushed to arrange the marriage tomorrow?"

Seeing that she didn't object, Aunt Sun felt relieved and quickly said, "No rush, no rush. It's just a meeting. See if you like him. That Scholar Wu is a well-mannered scholar and won't be disrespectful to you. Good child, just go and see him. If you really don't like him, your aunt will think of another way."

Jiang Sese thought for a moment and said, "Alright then. I'll listen to my aunt and go see her tomorrow."

It's just a meeting, it won't hurt her.

Aunt Sun was a weak person and not her biological parents. If she really didn't want to, Aunt Sun wouldn't force her.

It seems I won't be able to stay in this Xie residence any longer.

Jiang Sese had a headache; why did Xie Huaizhang suddenly want to take her as a concubine?

Doesn't he know that his mother wishes she could eat him alive?

Jiang Sese now understands the original owner a little better. If she really had to be Xie Huaizhang's concubine, she would rather be Chu Shaoyuan's concubine.

Oh, that won't work either.

Becoming Chu Shaoyuan's concubine would have hastened her death.

Seeing that Jiang Sese had agreed, Aunt Sun was immediately relieved. She held Jiang Sese's hand and talked on and on about what clothes to wear and what jewelry to wear the next day, as if she could already see Jiang Sese getting married.

Once Jiang Sese gets married, her mission will be complete, and she can say she has done right by her sister's spirit in heaven.

Only Wang Shi and Aunt Sun knew about Jiang Sese's marriage proposal, and Wang Shi kept it a complete secret from Xie Huaizhang.

Xie Xun sat on the stone steps, her little hand supporting her cheek, her delicate face filled with listlessness.

He had just come home from school and secretly peeked under his mother's window, where he overheard his sister Se Se talking about going on a blind date.

Xie Xun naturally understood what "looking at each other" meant.

Xie Xun's lips were pouting, and her eyes were a little red.

He loves Sister SeSe the most!

Sister Se Se would tell him wonderful stories and make delicious snacks. If Sister Se Se left, he would never be able to eat them again.

Thinking of this, Xie Xun felt as if the whole world had turned gray.

Xie Xun kicked at the pebbles at his feet, feeling sullen, when he suddenly remembered that he had to go to Xie Ping's place to practice kung fu this afternoon. Although he was in a bad mood, practicing kung fu was an important matter, and he couldn't skip it.

The servant escorted Xie Xun to the martial arts training ground next to Tingsong Courtyard.

The place is small, but it is fully equipped with weapon racks, stone locks, and other items, making it a place where the guards of the manor practice their skills on a daily basis.

Xie Ping was wiping a long sword on the sidelines when he saw Xie Xun approaching with his head down. He greeted him with a smile, "Young Master, you're here? Why do you look a little unhappy today?"

Xie Xun called out "Brother Xie Ping" listlessly, walked to the small open space specially marked for him in the middle of the field, and weakly assumed a horse stance.

The little body squatted slightly, the two short legs tried to spread apart, and the two little hands were clenched into fists and tucked into the waist.

The horse stance, which is usually quite steady, was shaky today. After a short while, her little bottom sank down and her legs began to tremble.

"Young master, your horse stance today looks a bit unsteady."

Xie Ping sheathed his knife, walked over, and teased him with a smile, "You can't even hold on for long? Back when you were this age, the eldest young master could already hold a horse stance for a whole incense stick's time without even breaking a sweat."

Xie Ping grew up with Xie Jue, and was therefore given the surname Xie.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xun immediately puffed out her small chest, gritted her teeth, and lifted her sunken bottom, trying her best to straighten her short legs.

If his older brother could hold a horse stance for so long at the age of five, he couldn't be too bad.

Inside the study of Tingsong Courtyard, Xie Jue was reviewing an official document. His profile was clearly defined in the sunlight streaming in from the window, making him appear handsome and noble.

Qing Shuang walked in silently, holding a strip of paper in her hand.

Qing Shuang walked to the desk, gently placed the note next to the empty inkstone beside Xie Jue, and then stood respectfully to the side with her hands at her sides.

Xie Jue continued writing until he finished the last word, then put down his pen, picked up the note, and unfolded it.

Xie Jue's gaze lingered on the note for only a moment before he casually brought it close to the lit bronze crane candlestick on the corner of the table.

The note was quickly engulfed by flames.

Xie Jue thought for a moment and then instructed, "Bring Xie Ping in."

"Yes," Qing Shuang replied softly, then immediately turned and left.

A moment later, Xie Ping entered and bowed, saying, "Young Master."

Xie Jue said casually, "Miss is going to have a marriage proposal tomorrow. Go and investigate Wu Weizhen's background."

Although they weren't proper relatives, as long as she lived in the Xie family mansion, he would protect her and ensure that no one would ruin her life's most important matter.

"Yes, I understand!" Xie Ping replied.

Xie Ping bowed and quickly left the study, his figure disappearing outside the door in no time.

Xie Ping figured that before sunrise tomorrow morning, Wu Xiucai's ancestors for eighteen generations would be thoroughly investigated.