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

The simple blue cloth carriage rumbled along the streets at dusk. The carriage was quiet; Jiang Sese leaned against the wall, her veiled hat removed and resting on her lap.

Jiang Sese couldn't completely let go of her worries until she returned to her old home.

As for why she went back to her old residence instead of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, it was because as long as she returned to her old residence quietly and without making a fuss, her disappearance wouldn't become a big deal.

After all, if things get out of hand, people will start investigating where she went during her disappearance.

Moreover, without Emperor Jingyuan, she could not return to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Fu Chong and Fu Wenzhao treated her like family, so she couldn't do anything that would implicate them.

Jiang Sese analyzed the situation and slowly exhaled.

Once we reach the old house, everything will be fine.

The lack of preparation allowed Zheng Tong to take advantage of the situation. As long as she returns, Jiu Lu will definitely be defended as tightly as Tie Tong.

As the carriage turned into a narrow alley, Zhou Lai suddenly yanked it hard, causing the horse's front hooves to lift off the ground with a short neigh before falling silent again.

Jiang Sese in the carriage was also jolted along.

Jiang Sese was so nervous that her heart was in her throat. She quickly held her breath and listened intently.

"Is that Miss Jiang in the carriage?" A high-pitched yet calm voice came from the alleyway.

Jiang Sese's pupils suddenly contracted.

She recognized the voice.

On the passageway outside Chang Le Palace, Duan Wei said to Fei Ying in this unhurried tone, "Hand the person over to me."

This person was a man of Emperor Jingyuan.

What did Emperor Jingyuan send him here to do this time?

Last time in the palace, Emperor Jingyuan wanted to kill her simply because of her lowly status. As for why he later compromised, it was probably due to Xie Jue and various other considerations.

But now, she is trapped in a brothel, even if only for a moment, even if her innocence remains, in Emperor Jingyuan's eyes, she is probably no longer worthy of the famous minister in his heart.

The book clearly describes the relationship between Emperor Jingyuan and Xie Jue. Emperor Jingyuan cultivated Xie Jue according to the standards of a famous minister throughout the ages, hoping that he and Xie Jue would be remembered in history and become a model of wise ruler and virtuous minister praised by all future generations.

Deep down, he has an extremely strong desire for control and a perfectionist nature.

Indeed, aside from three major cases that are slightly bloody, it's hard to find any other faults in the book. Discussions of emperors generally don't focus on their private morality, but rather on whether they lived up to the expectations of the country and its people.

Zhou Lai's hand had already unconsciously reached for the embroidered spring knife at his waist, and he said in a deep voice, "Who goes there? An official from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or any other unauthorized personnel—"

Before Zhou Lai could finish speaking, Duan Wei swayed, the hem of his indigo robe brushed the ground, and he stretched out his five fingers to grab Zhou Lai's throat.

Zhou Lai's throat made a cracking sound, and he slid off the carriage shaft, unable to even pull out his knife.

The sound of Zhou Lai falling to the ground made Jiang Sese's heart stop beating abruptly. All the blood in her body rushed to her head and froze into ice in the next second!

Jiang Sese could even imagine the terrifying scene outside the car—

That Commander Zhou who just promised to send her away, is probably... already...

The carriage curtains moved without wind, and a chilling, bone-chilling killing intent swept in as if it were a tangible force!

A thin, withered hand, yet with unusually strong fingers, was about to lift a corner of the carriage curtain...

In that instant, Jiang Sese's brain started working at lightning speed.

She had read countless online novels, filled with life-or-death scenarios, but when death actually stood waiting for her outside the curtain, she realized that all that theoretical experience was no match for one thing—instinct.

She couldn't beg for mercy, nor could she threaten anyone; both would only hasten her killing intent.

She can only use one thing—a bargaining chip.

For Emperor Jingyuan, it was a more important bargaining chip than historical records, famous ministers, or the balance of power in the court!

The moment Duan Wei lifted the carriage curtain, Jiang Sese abruptly raised her head, meeting his cold, lifeless eyes in the twilight. With all her might, she cried out, "My mother was His Majesty's deceased Consort Chen! I want to see His Majesty! I have my mother's belongings to give to His Majesty!"

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The day of their meeting has finally arrived!!! I've been thinking about how to write this scene, revising it over and over again, because under normal circumstances, Emperor Jingyuan wouldn't want to see her, and Jiang Sese certainly wouldn't want to see him. Before they met, neither of them had any good feelings towards the other, although Emperor Jingyuan's feelings were purely malicious.

But after meeting in person... (→_→)

Emperor Jingyuan: So this is my daughter.

Jiang Sese: That's wrong, we're not related by blood.