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

The following day, at the Xie Family Ancestral Hall.

The temple visit ceremony is complete.

After lunch, everyone took a short rest.

Princess Anning then summoned Jiang Sese to her main courtyard's warm pavilion for a talk. Xie Jue, on the other hand, was summoned by someone sent by Xie Bo to discuss matters.

Princess Anning dismissed her attendants, leaving only two maids at the door.

Princess Anning's gaze swept over Jiang Sese, a mixture of scrutiny, curiosity, and surprise in her eyes: "This morning, I vaguely overheard some gossip among the servants..."

"So... you dismissed Jue'er's two most capable maids, Qing Shuang and Shu Tong?"

Jiang Sese felt a slight tightness in her heart.

News travels fast!

Xie Jue arranged this, but how should she explain it to outsiders, especially to Princess Anning? If she directly blamed Xie Jue, it would make her seem irresponsible; if she said it was her own idea, Princess Anning might think that she couldn't tolerate anyone since she had just entered the family.

Jiang Sese pondered for a moment, recalling Xie Jue's instructions and Qing Shuang's composure from the previous day.

This matter cannot be hidden, nor is it necessary to hide it; the key lies in one's attitude.

So Jiang Sese raised her eyes to meet Princess Anning's gaze and replied, "Yes."

Princess Anning's expression froze, somewhat surprised that Jiang Sese would agree so readily, without even a hint of tact or explanation.

She originally thought Jiang Sese was honest and well-behaved... and thought she was not like Consort Chen.

Princess Anning looked at Jiang Sese with surprise.

This girl is incredibly bold!

Who are Qing Shuang and Shu Tong? They are two senior maids who have served Xie Jue since he was a boy, attending to his every need daily. Xie Jue is a man of old-fashioned and stubborn nature; once he has gotten used to someone, he will never easily replace them.

Moreover, changing personal servants is never a trivial matter. It may seem like just replacing two maids, but in the future, whether it's serving tea and grinding ink, tidying up books, or remembering his various dietary restrictions, writing habits, and preferred incense temperature when he is alone, how can the new maids possibly understand him in a short time?

Previously, Princess Anning had been considerate of him and had specially selected two maids she had trained to serve as his head maids, but Xie Jue had politely declined, saying that Qing Shuang and Shu Tong were familiar with his daily habits and that there was no need to add more people.

Especially the green frost...

Princess Anning thought that Xie Jue might give her a formal title and accept her as his wife.

But Jiang Sese had only been in the house for two days when she actually sent the person away?

Princess Anning really didn't know what to say.

I never thought Jiang Sese and Consort Chen looked alike before, but now I do think they do.

"What...what did Jue'er say about you?" After the initial shock, Princess Anning's tone was filled with curiosity.

Xie Jue actually agreed?

In ancient times, there were seven grounds for divorce, and jealousy was one of them, which was said to cause chaos in the family.

How could Xie Jue, a man who values ​​rules so much, tolerate Jiang Sese's behavior? Tsk.

Jiang Sese could feel the pressure in Princess Anning's gaze, and her palms were slightly sweaty, but remembering Xie Jue's words, she felt inexplicably reassured. Even if the sky were to fall, he would be there to hold it up.

Jiang Sese then said, "I know they are my husband's capable people. However... my husband trusts me and has entrusted Qinghe Courtyard to me, so I will do my best. As for my two elder sisters, Qingshuang and Shutong, my husband and I have made other arrangements for them. We are not mistreating them, so please rest assured, Mother."

Princess Anning was speechless after hearing these words.

Thinking of Xie Jue, a strange feeling suddenly welled up inside her.

This girl... looks soft, but she's actually incredibly brave!

Moreover, her heartless son actually let her do it.

Just before Xie Jue left, Princess Anning casually mentioned, "Sese has her own way of handling personnel matters at Qinghe Courtyard; Mother need not concern herself with them."

But she can't tolerate anyone... Right now, they're newlyweds, and Xie Jue can let her be, but what about the future?

Princess Anning looked at the young and vibrant Jiang Sese with a complicated expression, and suddenly couldn't help but worry for her: "Qingshuang and Shutong have served Jue'er for more than ten years and know his every need and preference. No ordinary person can replace them. Now that you're newly married, you've already transferred away his old servants. If word gets out, people will only say that you're jealous, violating the seven grounds for divorce, and damaging your reputation for virtue. Right now, Jue'er is indulging you and pampering you, but as time goes on, it's hard to guarantee that you and your husband won't develop resentment towards each other."

After listening quietly to Princess Anning's advice, Jiang Sese raised her eyes with a calm expression: "The Book of Rites says that harmony between husband and wife leads to a prosperous family, and the most valuable qualities of a husband and wife are their devotion and sincerity. The virtue of a woman is not simply tolerating others to be close to her, or to always wrong herself in order to be considered magnanimous."

Jiang Sese said calmly, "If in the future, my husband has someone else in his heart and feels that his daughter-in-law is intolerant and not virtuous... then I will break up with him."

When she said this, Jiang Sese was unusually clear-headed.

But to Princess Anning, it sounded like a thunderclap.

For the first time, Princess Anning realized she had misjudged the situation. Previously, Jiang Sese had been granted the title of Princess Chenjia, but that was because of Consort Chen. So it wasn't a case of her misjudging her. But this time…

This new bride, who has only been married for two days, actually said something like "let's break up." This... this is not the kind of thinking an ordinary woman would have.

This is simply...heretical!

Princess Anning was nearly driven mad by Jiang Sese, but remembering that her mother was Consort Chen, she figured they were probably similar in temperament, so she held back and said, "How dare you say such things? Do you know what you're saying?! Marriage is a serious matter, a matter of parental consent and matchmaker's words, not a game! What do you mean by breaking up completely? It's simply... utterly absurd! Don't talk nonsense like that again!"

Seeing Princess Anning's shocked and disoriented state, Jiang Sese felt a sense of peace and tranquility in her heart.

She knew these words were shocking, but that's what she really thought.

After leaving Princess Anning's main courtyard, Jiang Sese walked back along the covered walkway.

Just as I turned the corner of the covered walkway, I saw a person coming towards me.

The man wore a dark blue robe with subtle patterns. His facial features were delicate and smooth, possessing a natural suppleness, like a beautifully painted scroll.

He was walking over from the hanging flower gate when he heard footsteps and looked up.

The two looked at each other and paused for a moment.