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

After putting the bed curtains down, Jiang Sese turned over and lay on top of Xie Jue, saying, "You're right, I shouldn't have kept anything from you. My... my father left me something. Do you want to know what it is?"

Jiang Sese's hair hung loosely at her temples, a few strands of her dark hair loosely tied up, a few stray strands clinging to her flushed cheeks. Her eyes, like autumn waters, were veiled with a light mist, her gaze as soft as if soaked in spring dew, the corners of her eyes flushed slightly. Her lips were moist and full, slightly swollen from being kneaded, glistening with moisture, as if they held a drop of rouge.

The brocade quilt barely covered her chest, leaving a section of her fair, jade-like neck and slender shoulders exposed. A casual glance revealed several shady marks of varying shades on her neck and shoulders, striking and eye-catching.

She was languid yet charming, her deep-seated allure impossible to conceal.

Xie Jue's eyes darkened slightly, and with a hint of a smile, he pinched Jiang Sese's chin. "Why tell me about what happened before, instead of the things your father kept hidden away?"

When the past was brought up, Jiang Sese also felt wronged.

God knows, but at the time she really felt that what she did was for his sake!

She was moved by her own words.

But Xie Jue wasn't moved at all.

A man's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

But overall, the fact that the two were able to open up and communicate properly meant there was nothing seriously wrong. Jiang Sese knew she was in the wrong, so she quickly promised, "This will only happen once, and it won't happen again!"

Xie Jue simply looked at her without saying a word.

Jiang Sese knew she had already said those words, and such lighthearted words were clearly no longer effective. She could only steel herself and say, "If there's a next time, then I won't tolerate it..."

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Xie Jue suddenly said sternly, his face darkening.

Jiang Sese said innocently, "You don't seem to quite believe me..."

Xie Jue said with a headache, "I think I believe the saying that everything in the universe is mutually reinforcing and mutually restraining, and that one thing can subdue another."

Jiang Sese quickly raised her hand, pretending to be obedient, and pretended to rub his temples, but Xie Jue grabbed her hand and began to undress her.

Xie Jue was neither curious nor interested in knowing what Zhuang Sheng had left for Jiang Sese.

After returning from Yangzhou, Xie Jue immediately began working on Chen Jingang's case.

Xie Yao was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, and according to regulations, he was required to attend court sessions, with the schedule arranged by the Hanlin Academy.

The compilers of the Hanlin Academy were officials of the seventh rank, and were not qualified to enter the main hall; they could only stand in the ranks of civil officials on the east side of the steps. However, the compilers, editors, and reviewers of the Hanlin Academy were historians, holding a special position, and their positions were further forward than ordinary seventh-rank officials. Unless the emperor specifically asked them questions, they only needed to listen attentively during court sessions.

After the court proceedings concluded, Emperor Jingyuan, having discussed official business with his senior officials, dismissed everyone and summoned the newly appointed third-ranked scholar, Xie Yao, to the Wenhua Hall for an audience.

As soon as Xie Yao entered the hall, he saw a long scroll of landscape painting from the previous dynasty displayed next to the imperial desk.

Emperor Jingyuan stood before the painting, his expression relaxed, and said, "I have long heard that Minister Xie's calligraphy and painting skills are unparalleled among the younger generation. I recently acquired this ancient painting from the previous dynasty. The learned ministers in the court hold differing opinions and find it difficult to distinguish its authenticity. Today, I have summoned you here to appraise it for me."

Xie Yao may not be good at much else, but he is an expert in all things related to eating, drinking and having fun. In particular, he is skilled at appreciating all kinds of rare treasures. Having grown up in a family where wealth and luxury are plentiful, the third young master of the Xie family has a vision that is far beyond that of ordinary people.

Xie Yao bowed and accepted the order. He stepped forward slowly and examined the work carefully. He meticulously analyzed the brushwork, the age of the paper, and the origin of the seals, pointing out where the original work was authentic and where there were traces of later additions. He explained everything clearly and logically.

After speaking, Emperor Jingyuan clapped his hands and smiled: "Tao Wennian said you are naturally intelligent, and it is indeed true. It is common for young people to indulge in pleasure. If you are willing to restrain your nature and use this extraordinary insight in the affairs of the court, your future will be limitless."

Xie Yao was slightly startled, but he kept his eyes lowered and said respectfully, "Your Majesty flatters me. I have only been exposed to this since childhood, and having seen so much, I can naturally discern some things. As for my past absurdity, I dare not argue, but only wish to spend the rest of my life cleansing my heart."

Emperor Jingyuan smiled and said after a long while, "There's no need to cleanse your heart. I see that you are working diligently in the Hanlin Academy and your writing is quite good... Since you have talent, make good use of it. I'm rewarding you with this painting. Take it back and study it carefully. Write me another 'Ode to Appreciating Paintings' another day."

Xie Yao immediately kowtowed to express his gratitude for the emperor's favor, thinking that he had caught the emperor's eye because of his talent and learning.

As soon as Jiang Sese returned to the capital, Zhang Fumeng came to visit her immediately.

Jiang Sese looked at her with a smile, "I heard your marriage is settled? Which family's son is it?"

Zhang Fumeng's smile faltered slightly. After a moment of silence, she replied listlessly, "It's Di Jia's fourth son, Di Ye. He's twenty this year and works in the Five Military Commands. In recent years, he followed his father to guard the northwest border and earned several minor military merits. My father says he has a bright future and his family background is a good match for me. My aunt also agreed."

Zhang Fumeng spoke calmly, without complaint or resistance, only somewhat dazed.

She had always thought she would make a scene, cry, and argue with her father to make her own decisions, but when she actually heard about the marriage arrangements, she found that everyone around her had agreed.

In the book, Zhang Fumeng was infatuated with Chu Shaoyuan, and Xie Jue, for the sake of Xie Yihua's marriage, tried to get the Zhang family to focus on the Di family. Jiang Sese did not expect that even without Xie Jue's help, Zhang Fumeng would still marry Di Ye.

Jiang Sese: "You seem a little unhappy?"

Zhang Fumeng couldn't help but glare at her, "What's there to be happy about? I don't even know what Di Ye looks like!"

Seeing her flustered state, Jiang Sese felt relieved and slowly took a sip of her tea: "So, do you want to see him?"

Zhang Fumeng opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Do you want to? Actually, she doesn't know.

When she used to follow Shen Ziyu around, her heart and eyes were only for that person. She never imagined that one day she would be sitting here, discussing another man with Jiang Sese.

Zhang Fumeng shook her head and said, "I don't want to. We've already exchanged birth charts, so I have to marry him whether I want to or not. So what he looks like is not important to me."

Hearing this, Jiang Sese looked at her seriously and asked, "So, are you still thinking about Shen Ziyu?"

Zhang Fumeng remained silent for a while, then gently shook her head.

"There's no use thinking about it, Shen Ziyu doesn't like me anyway."

It took her a very long time to understand. He wasn't rejecting her as a person, but rather the Zhang family's social standing.

I felt terrible for the first few days after I figured it out, but then one day I suddenly stopped feeling terrible.

Jiang Sese escorted Zhang Fumeng to the outside of the hanging flower gate, and the two exchanged a few more intimate words.

Zhang Fumeng held her hand and chatted on and on, inviting her to go pick out newly arrived Shu brocade in a few days. She also mentioned that the Di family would be coming to propose marriage in a couple of days and urged her to come and give her some encouragement.

Jiang Sese agreed to all of them.

Jiang Sese turned and went back to the courtyard, but did not notice that a man with a resentful look was standing at the side gate.