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

Jiang Sese paused, turned around while holding the painting, and knew perfectly well that she should say something to coax Xie Jue, but the words that came out were: "Of course!"

Xie Jue looked at her, his face showing no anger, but rather as if he had already anticipated her answer.

Xie Jue did not let go of her hand; instead, he tightened his grip slightly, pulling Jiang Sese back to his side and leading her to sit down on the soft couch by the window.

"Red Bean," Xie Jue called out.

Hongdou immediately responded and entered: "Young Master?"

"Put this painting away carefully for the young mistress," Xie Jue instructed.

Hongdou carefully accepted the painting and respectfully withdrew.

The room returned to silence, leaving only the two of them.

After a long pause, Xie Jue slowly spoke: "When Ayao was little, he really liked a dagger. It was brought back from the north by his father; it was inlaid with gemstones and was incredibly sharp."

Jiang Sese was taken aback. Why did he suddenly start telling her a story, and it was Xie Yao's story?

But Jiang Sese didn't interrupt; she just listened attentively.

None of these things are mentioned in the book.

Xie Jue said, "He loved it so much that he played with it all the time. Then one time, he accidentally cut his hand with the dagger while playing. His mother was heartbroken and furious. So, while A Yao was asleep, she secretly ordered someone to throw the dagger away, and it was never found again."

Jiang Sese didn't say anything, which was quite like Princess Anning's style.

When Xie Yao said he liked her, Princess Anning's first reaction was to send her away.

Xie Jue turned his head slightly, refocusing his gaze on Jiang Sese's face, and pursed his lips, saying, "Actually, there were also things I really liked back then."

Jiang Sese asked curiously, "What is it?"

Xie Jue smiled faintly, "It's a gyrfalcon. An old friend of my grandfather brought it back to me from Liaodong. Its wingspan is like dark clouds obscuring the sun, and its eyes are as sharp as knives. It is a true king of the sky."

Jiang Sese could imagine the shock and delight the boy felt when he saw such a bird of prey.

"I took care of it myself every day, feeding it raw meat, hoping it would become familiar with my scent. My grandfather soon discovered this. He didn't approve. He thought the gyrfalcon was too unruly and fierce, difficult to tame, and keeping it by my side would be a waste of time and a hidden danger. He warned me that a bird of prey is still a bird of prey, and if it can't be tamed, it will turn on its owner if I'm not careful."

"I didn't take it seriously at the time and continued to do things my own way." Xie Jue's lips seemed to curve upwards very slightly, with a hint of youthful stubbornness. "That gyrfalcon was fierce, and I was pecked by it a few times."

"When my grandfather saw that his persuasion was useless, he became serious. He ordered someone to kill that gyrfalcon."

"Huh?" Jiang Sese exclaimed softly.

This approach is even worse than Princess Anning's.

If it were Princess Anning, she would definitely release the gyrfalcon. As long as the gyrfalcon wasn't in front of her son, it would be fine.

Xie Jue: "I know that as long as my grandfather is determined, no matter where I hide it, it will eventually be found."

Jiang Sese originally wanted to ask him what he did in the end, but then she remembered the purpose of his story and subconsciously decided not to want to know what he did.

But Xie Jue insisted on telling her.

Xie Jue tightened his grip on Jiang Sese's hand slightly, his eyes filled with unwavering determination and a cold, clear-headed ruthlessness: "I set a trap, using myself as bait. That autumn hunt, I deliberately rode into a dense forest that my grandfather had explicitly forbidden me from entering. It was said that there were giant tigers inside, and the guards accompanying me dared not follow. After I went deep into the forest, I indeed encountered that giant tiger. At the crucial moment, it was that gyrfalcon that led my grandfather's men to find me."

Xie Jue didn't say how dangerous it was, but Jiang Sese's heart still skipped a beat. A tiger!

How old was he back then?

She suddenly remembered the plots she had read in the book.

Xie Jue has always been ruthless in achieving his goals.

She had always thought the author was exaggerating, but now, hearing him say these things himself, she realized that what was written in the book was far less than one-tenth of the whole story.

"It was a very dangerous situation." Xie Jue's tone remained calm and composed. "Even a wise man like my grandfather didn't think of it, because no one would risk their life for a beast. Later, my grandfather never considered killing that gyrfalcon again. Instead, he said that it had rendered meritorious service in saving its master and should be treated well."

Jiang Sese remained silent.

I thought to myself, "That's not necessarily true."

Even if Old Master Xie sees through the young man's scheme, so what? Xie Jue is willing to risk his life for this gyrfalcon; it's no longer just a simple toy. Killing the gyrfalcon would only alienate his most beloved grandson from him.

Xie Jue's move was an open scheme.

Xie Jue looked up at her and said calmly, "I'm telling you this story to tell you—I won't give you any chance to break up, don't even think about it."

It was meant to be a nice thing, but somehow it sent a chill down my spine.

Jiang Sese blinked, leaned closer, and wrapped her arms around Xie Jue's neck. "I didn't mean to. I just mentioned it in the heat of the moment with my mother."

Regardless of what happens in the future, the present moment is forever.

Why worry unnecessarily?

Xie Jue embraced Jiang Sese, his eyes full of affection as he leaned down and gently kissed her lips, giving them a light sip. He had initially intended to stop short of a taste, considering it was broad daylight, but his breathing gradually became erratic.

She was the first girl he ever kissed, and the first girl he ever wanted to kiss.

He was shocked to come up with such a thought.

I used to think kissing was a boring thing, and I didn't even understand why we needed a slow kiss before doing *that* kind of thing. What was the point? What was so interesting about it?

Now I understand, it was just a matter of feeling.

It took them quite a while to separate.

When they parted, Jiang Sese was in a daze, and her clothes were all disheveled.

Xie Jue couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her cheek.

Then Jiang Sese seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, what official position will my third brother be given after he became the third-ranked scholar?"

Xie Jue's fingers, which were around her shoulder, paused slightly. He lowered his eyes to look at her, his calm eyes revealing no emotion, and said, "Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, seventh rank."

Jiang Sese quickly calculated in her mind—a seventh-rank official, the same rank as a county magistrate.

Before she could say anything, Xie Jue continued speaking unhurriedly.

"The third-ranked scholar does not need to take the examination for the position of probationary official. He enters the Hanlin Academy directly on the day of the palace examination. He is a first-class noble official. Although his rank is low, he is a close minister of the emperor. In the Great Yong Dynasty, no one who is not a member of the Hanlin Academy can enter the cabinet. The third-ranked scholar naturally has the qualifications to enter the cabinet, which is a faster start than the second and third-ranked probationary officials."

Jiang Sese exclaimed, "That's amazing!"

They couldn't understand where Xie Yao's lack of confidence came from.

Jiang Sese thought for a moment and then explained, "I ran into my third brother when I came back at noon, and we chatted for a bit. He got third place in the imperial examination, but he doesn't seem too satisfied."

Xie Jue remained silent for a moment.

Fortunately, he was one step ahead of everyone else.

This shows the importance of taking the initiative in everything.

But Xie Jue's expression remained unchanged, still carrying a gentle smile. Of course, he wouldn't tell her about the unspeakable secrets of Xie Yao, Shen Ziyu, and Fu Wenzhao. He wasn't out of his mind; why would he help another man express his feelings?

Xie Jue said nonchalantly, "Perhaps he wants to be the top scholar in the imperial examination."

Jiang Sese suddenly realized that Xie Yao actually wanted to become the top scholar in the imperial examination?

Let's set a small goal first.

Xie Jue gazed at her for a long time, then suddenly said, "Are you very concerned about Changfeng's future?"