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

Although Xie Jue was the one who made the decision, Jiang Sese always felt a bit down when she saw Qing Shuang and Shu Tong.

It was as if I, with the mind of a petty person, had misunderstood the thoughts of a gentleman.

However, there are indeed many things that cannot be perfect. Jiang Sese did not intend to compromise her own feelings for this matter. She did not ask a servant to serve her, so why should Xie Jue be able to have a maid serve him?

Since Xie Jue was able to break the convention of men having multiple wives and concubines in this era and only stay with her, it shows that the rules are not rigid.

The so-called rules are often just excuses. If you want to take a concubine, the rules are a ready-made reason; if you don't want to take a concubine, then the rules can be ignored.

Qing Shuang watched Jiang Sese hurrying past with her head down from afar, paused slightly, and looked thoughtful.

Shutong, who was standing nearby, leaned closer and whispered, "Sister Qingshuang, what's wrong?"

Qing Shuang withdrew her gaze, glanced at Shu Tong, her expression calm and composed, and simply shook her head slightly: "It's nothing. Quickly go and find what the young master needs. Xie Ping should be coming to pick it up soon."

That evening, Jiang Sese and Xie Jue went to Princess Anning's place for dinner. After Xie Jue finished eating, he went to the front courtyard, and Qing Shuang finally seized the opportunity to go to the main courtyard to see Jiang Sese.

Before the couple got married, a separate courtyard was renovated in the mansion and named Qinghe Courtyard. The Tingsong and Shuhe courtyards were only used to store old items.

Qing Shuang waited politely in the outer room of the main courtyard. She said to Hong Dou, who came out to greet her, "Sister Hong Dou, please inform her that Qing Shuang has something to ask to see the young mistress."

Hongdou was flattered and a little nervous by Qingshuang's formal and polite manner.

You should know that Sister Qing Shuang is the most capable maidservant by the eldest young master's side. She has a very high status. Not to mention ordinary servants, even the second madam, Madam Wang, speaks to Qing Shuang with a certain degree of politeness.

Hongdou quickly replied, "Please wait a moment, Sister Qingshuang, I'll go and inform the young mistress right away!"

Hongdou strode into the inner room, where Jiang Sese was engrossed in writing, but her mind was wandering.

Hongdou whispered, "Young Madam, Sister Qingshuang... is outside requesting an audience."

Jiang Sese paused, her fingers moving slightly.

What's meant to come will come.

A pang of guilt welled up inside me again, but I couldn't keep hiding like a coward forever.

Jiang Sese took a deep breath, closed the booklet, and said, "Please let her in."

"Yes," Hongdou replied and withdrew.

A short while later, Qing Shuang came in.

Qing Shuang's expression was cautious and her eyes were calm, without a trace of resentment or grievance.

Qing Shuang walked to within three steps of Jiang Sese, then curtsied respectfully and said, "This servant greets the young mistress."

"Sister Qing Shuang, get up quickly," Jiang Sese said hurriedly, her voice carrying a hint of tension.

Qing Shuang got up as instructed, but did not look up directly at her. Instead, she lowered her eyes slightly and said bluntly, "I have come here to inform you of something, young mistress. Please rest assured, young mistress."

Jiang Sese's heart skipped a beat: "Go ahead."

Qing Shuang said directly, "This servant and Shu Tong grew up in the Xie family since we were young. We are fortunate to have been able to serve the eldest young master for many years thanks to your kindness."

"Now that the eldest son has started a family, and the eldest son and the young mistress are deeply in love, it is our new duty to share the young mistress's worries and help her manage the household affairs."

Xie Ping first revealed Xie Jue's intention to Qing Shuang: the servants would take care of her in the inner chambers and study, and in a year or two, they would find her and Shu Tong a good family to marry into, so that they could be married off with the respect due to a younger sister.

If Qing Shuang agrees, then Qing Shuang will be in charge of persuading Shu Tong.

If Qing Shuang doesn't agree...

Then give them some more benefits.

There are many things in this world that come with a price.

Xie Ping thought Qing Shuang was a smart person. Since she was smart, she couldn't possibly turn down so many benefits and insist on becoming the eldest young master's concubine. It was obvious that there was no room for a third person between the eldest young master and the young mistress.

If the young mistress's status were lower, it would be easier to handle, but the young mistress is a princess and has the Duke of Dingguo's mansion backing her up. Even if she is lucky enough to become a concubine, as long as the young mistress is unhappy, a bowl of medicine can send her away.

Qing Shuang paused, raised her head, and looked at Jiang Sese with a clear and earnest gaze: "Young Madam is a blessed person. Young Madam doesn't need to feel sorry for me and Shutong. The eldest young master has prepared dowries for both of us, and we will be treated as sisters when we get married in the future. I am only grateful and have no other thoughts."

"Please accept this bow from Qing Shuang, young mistress." After saying this, Qing Shuang was about to kneel down and kowtow to Jiang Sese.

Jiang Sese could no longer sit still.

Jiang Sese immediately stood up, quickly stepped forward, and supported Qing Shuang's arm.

She had never underestimated Qing Shuang, but only now did she truly understand why Xie Jue relied on her so much.

Jiang Sese remained silent for a while, but she didn't regret it at all.

Qing Shuang and Shu Tong can't stay with Xie Jue forever; they will eventually get married, it's just a matter of time.

Jiang Sese looked at Qing Shuang and said slowly, "You just said that the eldest young master prepared a dowry for you. That was his intention. When you get married in the future, I will definitely add another dowry for the two of you myself."

Qing Shuang was taken aback, then curtsied again, saying, "This servant thanks the young mistress for her generosity..."

"Alright, alright," Jiang Sese quickly helped her up again, saying, "Don't thank me so much. It's getting late, you should go back."

With the last trace of dust settling in Qing Shuang's heart, she respectfully replied, "Yes, this servant takes her leave. Young Madam, please rest early as well."

Qing Shuang took two steps back, curtsied again, then turned and calmly left the inner room.

As soon as she stepped out of the inner room and saw Xie Jue walking in, Qing Shuang instinctively stepped back to the pillar and bowed her head in greeting.

That familiar scent, carried by the biting wind, swept past Qing Shuang without lingering for a moment.

Qing Shuang straightened up, her gaze falling on his retreating figure as he disappeared behind the curtain.

It only lasted a short moment.

Qing Shuang's fingers, hanging at her sides, twitched almost imperceptibly.

Qing Shuang nodded without even thinking about Xie Ping's words. There was nothing to consider. The fact that the young master had gone to such lengths for her and Shu Tong was already an overwhelming honor.

She did have those thoughts, but they were like the thin frost on a winter morning window, dissipating on their own before the sun even rose.

Qing Shuang lowered her head even further, almost holding her breath, and quickened her pace as she walked out.

Xie Jue came in and casually asked, "Qing Shuang came looking for you?"

Jiang Sese deliberately put on a serious face and said, "Hmm, guess what she said?"

Xie Jue smiled, reached out and pinched her cheek: "What else can I say? Of course, I'll explain the whole story to you."

Calling someone else might cause a fuss, but it's absolutely impossible for Qing Shuang to do so.

Because Qing Shuang knew Xie Jue's personality very well.

If they behave well, it's fine; but if they make a fuss, they might lose everything.

Jiang Sese removed Xie Jue's hand, somewhat deflated: "How do you know everything?"

Xie Jue glanced at Jiang Sese, then looked up and rubbed his temples, saying seriously, "If Qing Shuang showed even the slightest sign of causing trouble, do you think... I would have given her the chance to come before you?"

Xie Jue had long guessed that Qing Shuang wanted to see Jiang Sese to clear things up and ease her guilt, so Xie Jue deliberately went to the outer study.

Jiang Sese was completely speechless.

Jiang Sese yawned and wanted to wash up and go to bed.

But Xie Jue suddenly remembered the dream he had before.

Xie Jue: "I'll take you somewhere."

"Where to?"

"The hot spring in the backyard."

Jiang Sese: ?