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

Jiang Sese was shocked.

She had always held the preconceived notion that ancient people were narrow-minded and would never have thought of many creative ideas. Just now, she couldn't recall the legend of the Rotten Chessman at all!

Upon closer reflection, it dawned on me that similar ideas of time travel and otherworldly journeys had already taken shape in ancient times.

The idea of ​​time travel isn't something unique to modern people.

Jiang Sese realized that she had underestimated Xie Jue.

Although he was from ancient times, he was not ignorant or foolish.

Jiang Sese: "...Why did you suddenly decide to talk about this?"

Xie Jue's fingertips slowly slid down her temple, gently brushing along the line of her jaw: "It's nothing, I just read your poems and essays from your youth today, and suddenly remembered these old stories, so I wanted to tell you about them."

Xie Jue raised his eyelids to look at her, his calm and deep eyes reflecting her slightly flustered face.

"SeSe, do you think such a thing really exists? The physical body transcends the world, while the soul experiences extraordinary events in dreams. A person's soul goes to another place, lives half a lifetime, and then returns to their own body..."

Xie Jue was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Sometimes I wonder, if you weren't here, where would I go to look for you?"

Even though Xie Junheng possessed extraordinary talent, he couldn't reverse the course of history.

Jiang Sese's heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Sese looked at Xie Jue, and Xie Jue was also looking at her. There was no probing or questioning in his eyes, only a deep tenderness.

She suddenly understood.

He wanted to tell her that no matter where she came from, he knew, he accepted, and he loved her.

But he was afraid she would leave.

Jiang Sese remained silent for a while, then gently exhaled and looked up to meet his gaze: "Xie Jue, wherever you are, I will be there."

Xie Jue gazed at her for a long time, then lowered his head and pulled her tightly into his arms, saying, "Okay."

The two stayed in the study for a while longer. Jiang Sese's cheeks were burning hot, and the blush spread all the way to the tips of her ears. Her eyes were a little unfocused. Xie Jue silently tidied her clothes and hair.

With no mirrors around and Jiang Sese unable to see her own reflection, she could only look at Xie Jue with a mixture of disbelief and doubt: "...Are you alright?"

Xie Jue glanced at Jiang Sese's hair and nodded: "Don't you trust your husband's cooking skills?"

Jiang Sese: ...

Hongdou waited for a long time, and when the two finally came out of the study, she went up to them and reported, "Young Madam, Jiang Qian specially sent someone to wait outside the old residence, asking if you could spare some time to see him?"

Jiang Sese frowned almost imperceptibly.

Jiang Qian?

The shrewd old patriarch of the Jiang family's direct line?

Jiang Sese's mind quickly flashed through fragments of the original owner's memories.

When their adoptive parents suddenly passed away, the Jiang family did not take advantage of their misfortune like the Sun family did, nor did they openly seize the property of the orphan and widow. Instead, they simply stood by and did not offer any substantial assistance.

When the original owner of this body was an orphan girl, she went to the capital alone with her belongings. The Jiang family's gate was tightly closed, and no one saw her off.

That indifference stood in stark contrast to the original owner's resolute vow before her adoptive parents' spirits to make something of herself.

Xie Jue's gaze fell on Jiang Sese's face. He didn't make any decision for her, but simply asked, "Sese, do you want to see her?"

Jiang Sese did not answer immediately.

The two memorial tablets on the altar flashed through my mind again.

And the girl's resolute vow.

Amidst the swirling smoke of cigarettes, the names of the adoptive parents seemed to carry a silent sigh.

She felt absolutely no affection for the Jiang and Sun families, these so-called relatives.

In her eyes, they were nothing more than sycophants and cunning strangers.

Even the Jiang family only started currying favor with her after she became successful. The only difference is that the Jiang family is a little smarter than the Sun family.

If she were still Jiang Sese before she went to the capital, would Jiang Qian want to see her?

impossible.

People are all driven by self-interest.

The Sun family is blatantly greedy, their behavior is ugly, and their methods are despicable.

And the Jiang family...

Back then, he chose to stand by and watch, neither offering help in her time of need nor taking advantage of her misfortune. Now that she has gained power, he has adopted an extremely humble posture, only sending someone to inquire about her and request an audience. His words were not forceful, but rather revealed a cautious probing and respect.

The Sun family could hardly match their ability to assess situations and adapt to changing circumstances.

Jiang Sese thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sure, why not? They're already at the door, and with such a respectful attitude. Turning them away would only make us seem mean."

Wealth and honor not returned to one's hometown is like wearing fine clothes at night.

The girl's wish was to slap these people in the face, to slap them hard in the face!

Since she's already here, offering herself up for a humiliation, why should she be polite?

Xie Jue looked at her with his deep eyes, taking in the indifference in her eyes that showed no ripples of affection towards family.

Xie Jue said calmly to Hongdou, "Tell the person who came that the princess has given her permission, and take her to the front hall."

Xie Jue deliberately emphasized that it was the front hall, not the main hall of the ancestral hall where his adoptive parents were enshrined, making the distinction clear.

Red Bean accepted the order and left.

……

Jiang Qian had been waiting in the hall for a long time.

Jiang Qian's silver-white hair was neatly combed, and he bowed slightly.

He was followed only by two clansmen; he didn't even bring the steward who accompanied him into the hall.

The two people following behind him were his distant cousin and his nephew.

The two stood there for almost half an hour, but Jiang Sese still didn't summon them.

Jiang Mao, the younger cousin, couldn't hold back any longer and whispered in Jiang Qian's ear, "Brother, aren't we being too humble? You are, after all, the princess's grandfather. There's no reason for us to make you stand here for so long. No matter she is a princess, she still bears the surname Jiang."

Jiang Xing, a cousin standing nearby, chimed in, "Yes, Uncle Mao is right. Our Jiang family is a prominent family in Yangzhou. If word gets out that we're acting like this, won't people laugh at us?"

Jiang Qian's face darkened abruptly as he turned around, his voice low but still stern: "Shut up! Do you know that when she left the capital, the Jiang family didn't even prepare a farewell drink for her? Now she's back, a princess, not some junior you can judge. If you've been standing here too long, get out now."

Jiang Mao and Jiang Xing were so embarrassed by the scolding that they lowered their heads and dared not say another word.

Originally, I just wanted to vent, but who knew I wouldn't even be allowed to vent.

But it's true that they've waited so long; they're all older than that little girl. How dare she? Doesn't she fear shortening her lifespan?

Jiang Qian then slowly turned around.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hall.

The three of them bowed and retreated to the side. As soon as Jiang Sese and Xie Jue entered, Jiang Qian, along with two clansmen, lifted the corners of their robes and knelt down before Jiang Sese and Xie Jue.

"This old man, Jiang Qian, along with members of my clan, pays his respects to Princess Chenjia and Lord Xie."