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

Qing Shuang paused, turning back in confusion.

Jiang Sese quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply to Qing Shuang, raised her head, and looked up with utmost sincerity and gratitude, as if she had just escaped a calamity: "Please convey my gratitude to the young master on my behalf, Sister Qing Shuang. Thank you so much for your kindness, young master. I am deeply grateful!"

Qing Shuang looked at the stunningly beautiful young lady before her, who now appeared remarkably sincere and apprehensive. A fleeting hint of surprise flashed in her eyes before she regained her composure, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You're too kind, Miss. I will certainly convey your message."

After speaking, Qing Shuang bowed to Jiang Sese again, then turned and left.

Qing Shuang passed through the mansion gate and walked straight to the understated yet undeniably luxurious black flat-topped carriage parked under the locust tree not far away.

The driver silently put down the pedal.

Qing Shuang deftly lifted the curtain and slipped inside.

The interior of the car is spacious and elegantly furnished, with thick velvet carpets and a small bronze incense burner in the corner emitting a refreshing scent of cedar.

A figure was sitting on the cushion in the main seat, resting with eyes closed.

Today he wore a sky-blue brocade robe with cloud patterns, and a jade belt around his waist, which made his figure appear even more upright and tall like a bamboo.

The morning light filtered through the slightly swaying carriage curtain, casting dappled shadows on his face.

Hearing the noise, the person didn't open their eyes, but simply asked, "All done?"

"Reporting to Young Master, the message has been delivered." Qing Shuang respectfully sat down in the position to the side in front of the man, bowing her head and saying, "Although the Second Madam was not feeling well, she ultimately agreed and spared Miss Jiang from punishment."

The carriage fell silent for a moment, with only the rumbling of the wheels over the bluestone slabs and the faint crackling of the incense burner.

Looking at the man's aloof and indifferent demeanor, and recalling Jiang Sese's tearful gratitude in the hallway earlier, Qing Shuang hesitated for a moment before softly adding, "Young Master, when I was leaving, Miss Biao specifically called me back."

The man's eyelashes twitched almost imperceptibly, but he still did not open his eyes.

Qing Shuang, observing the situation, continued cautiously, "The young lady asked me to convey her gratitude to you, and her expression was very sincere."

After a moment, the man finally opened his eyes slowly.

Those eyes, just as Qing Shuang had imagined, were deep and calm, without any waves or ripples, like a deep lake covered with a thin layer of ice.

The corners of the man's lips twitched slightly upwards, the curve almost imperceptible; it was less a smile and more a knowing look tinged with amusement.

The man parted his thin lips slightly, his voice clear and cold like the striking of jade chimes, revealing neither joy nor anger: "Oh? You've become sensible."

These five short words don't reveal whether they are praise or something else.

Upon seeing this, Qing Shuang immediately fell silent, focusing her gaze on her nose and mind, and said nothing more.

The carriage moved forward smoothly.

……

Jiang Sese led Xie Xun to Tinglan Courtyard, where Aunt Sun lived.

Jiang Sese's two maids, Lü'e and Chuntao, as well as Yun Que who took care of Xie Xun, naturally followed along.

Green Calyx and Spring Peach lagged a few steps behind.

Green Calyx nudged Spring Peach with her elbow, gestured with her chin toward Jiang Sese's slender back, and said in a low voice with a subtle undertone, "Hey, did you see what just happened? That person..."

Chun Tao understood immediately, and lowered her voice as well, her eyes darting around: "Tsk, who would have thought? Although everyone says this young lady is only staying temporarily in the manor, she's still a mistress. Look, even Qing Shuang, the young master's maid, has come forward."

Qing Shuang's intervention made the two of them realize that no matter how hopeless Jiang Sese was, she was still considered half a master.

Green Calyx seemed to be deep in thought. The two of them had been whispering to each other earlier about whether they should try to climb the social ladder and serve a more promising master.

Chun Tao's eyes flickered, clearly she was also quickly calculating: "Let's wait and see... As long as she's still in the manor, we're still her people."

The two exchanged a knowing glance, and their initially restless hearts were temporarily calmed down thanks to Qing Shuang's intervention.

……

As soon as Jiang Sese and Xie Xun entered the door, Aunt Sun came over and hugged Xie Xun.

She had already heard about what had just happened.

"Oh my little darling!" Aunt Sun held Xie Xun's hand, gasping for breath with heartache, her voice trembling.

Aunt Sun glanced at Yun Que behind her and hurriedly instructed, "Yun Que, quickly take the Sixth Young Master to the inner room and carefully massage him with that bottle of White Jade Skin Regenerating Ointment, be gentle!"

"Yes!" Yun Que quickly responded, carefully taking Xie Xun's small hand. "Sixth Young Master, please come with me."

Xie Xun glanced at Jiang Sese before following Yun Que, turning back every few steps.

The curtain fell gently, leaving only Aunt Sun, Jiang Sese, and the two maids, Lü'e and Chuntao, inside.

Two maids stood a little distance away, obediently bowing their heads.

Aunt Sun glanced at the two maids, her brows furrowing slightly. Her gaze then fell on Jiang Sese, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, like a tangled ball of yarn.

That was truly a face that could steal your soul.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a thin halo around her, making her skin appear even more delicate and smooth, like the finest white jade, with a subtle, warm, jade-like luster.

Her eyebrows were naturally dark without any makeup, and her eyes were exquisitely beautiful. The corners of her eyes naturally had a slight upward curve, and when she smiled, they seemed to ripple like spring water, clear enough to reflect a person's image, yet deep within them seemed to hide a bewitching whirlpool that could inadvertently draw one's soul away.

It is already stunningly beautiful without the need for lipstick.

Even though Aunt Sun was a woman, she couldn't help but be shocked by Jiang Sese's appearance.

As her niece grew older, she became more and more beautiful.

If Sese had a good background, her appearance would be the icing on the cake, but since she came from an ordinary background, her appearance became a disaster.

Aunt Sun concealed the complex emotions in her eyes and firmly grasped Jiang Sese's slightly cool wrist: "Sese, you were just pulled out of the water yesterday, and you're still weak. Why are you doing this? For Xun-ge'er's sake, are you going to provoke that mother and daughter again?"

Aunt Sun's heart was still pounding as she recalled the scene when the maid rushed in to report.

Wang and Xie Yujiao were both formidable women; how could Sese, an orphaned girl living under someone else's roof, dare to confront them head-on?

This child... in the end, she is loyal and devoted; all the love and care I gave her was worthwhile.

Jiang Sese gently grasped Aunt Sun's hand in return and said with a smile, "Aunt, what are you saying? Xun-ge'er is my younger brother. He offended Fifth Miss because he came to see me. If I hide and don't speak up, what kind of person would I be?"

Aunt Sun's Adam's apple bobbed, and her eyes reddened slightly: "Good child, you've gone through so much trouble..."

Originally, Aunt Sun was somewhat hesitant, but because of Jiang Sese's actions, Aunt Sun decided that if Jiang Sese was willing, she would risk helping her!