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

Jiang Sese's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head and saw Xie Jue walking towards her.

Xie Jue was dressed in a dark gold cloud patterned casual robe today. Behind him, three steps behind, was a woman dressed in horse-taming clothes.

The woman was also leading a magnificent, jet-black horse.

The woman followed behind Xie Jue, her head bowed, her posture extremely respectful.

Chu Shaoyuan's expression changed slightly, and he became more respectful, saying, "Brother Xie, you've come too?"

After thinking about it, I guess he came for Xie Yihua. Xie Jue is really protective of his sister.

Xie Yihua glanced at Xie Jue as well, a fleeting look of surprise and confusion crossing her eyes. Her older brother had actually come too. Was it a coincidence, or…?

Xie Yihua glanced at Jiang Sese subconsciously, her brows furrowing slightly.

Xie Jue glanced indifferently at the various expressions on the faces of the people in the room, and said naturally, "It was my mother who instructed me to find a suitable tutor for my cousin Jiang."

Jiang Sese listened with a look of surprise.

Mother?

That reclusive First Lady, Princess Anning?

Princess Anning actually personally instructed Xie Jue to find her a riding instructor?

What's going on here?

Xie Jue looked at Chu Shaoyuan and said in a calm tone, "Young Master Chu, there's no need for you to trouble yourself with my sister's riding lessons. It would be best if your maidservant stayed by your side to serve you."

Chu Shaoyuan felt a chill run down his spine, feeling somewhat embarrassed, and his ears burned slightly.

He knew Xie Jue's personality all along. He seemed aloof and cold, like a flower on a high mountain, but he was actually very domineering and protective of his own.

Not to mention my cousin, even the maids around me are not allowed to be ordered around by others.

Last year, the Xie family held a pomegranate appreciation banquet, inviting a group of scions of prominent families from the capital.

The pomegranate flowers were in full bloom that day, and several racks of freshly picked fruit were set up under the eaves. People sat around chatting, and it was quite lively.

Among those present was the son of a Vice Minister of Revenue, who was known for his frivolous nature.

Seeing that Xie Jue's head maid, Shu Tong, was holding a tea tray and brewing tea specifically for Xie Jue, she shamelessly smiled and said, "I'd like to trouble you to brew this cup of tea for me, sister, so I can taste the fine tea of ​​the Xie family."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone in the room secretly thought that this young master of the Jiang family had lost his mind, daring to be so insolent in front of Xie Jue, was he out of his mind?

The man surnamed Jiang thought that with so many people present, Xie Jue would certainly not embarrass him for the sake of a maid.

At that moment, Xie Jue was leaning against the window railing looking at the pomegranate blossoms. Upon hearing this, he did not turn his head, but merely lifted his eyelids slightly.

Shu Tong, however, kept her head down and remained motionless, calmly saying, "Young master is joking. I am merely a servant, and my tea-making skills are quite ordinary. The tea masters in the manor are the true experts."

But Young Master Jiang wouldn't let it go and kept pestering him.

It was at this moment that Xie Jue turned around and said in an ambiguous tone, "Young Master Jiang is becoming more and more unconventional."

Xie Jue didn't say anything more, but simply raised his hand to signal Shu Tong to step back.

But just a few days later, news spread throughout the capital.

The Vice Minister of Revenue was impeached by the Censor for unclear accounts, which enraged the Emperor, who ordered a thorough investigation.

The Jiang family's home fell into disuse overnight.

Everyone in the capital is insightful; who wouldn't guess the key to this?

From then on, even the cats and dogs around Xie Jue were not treated casually by anyone.

After Xie Jue finished speaking, the woman behind him loosened the reins of the horse and stepped forward.

The woman appeared to be around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old. She was dressed in a clean and neat dark blue outfit, her hair was meticulously styled into a bun, and her face was calm with sharp eyes.

The woman nodded slightly in greeting toward Chu Shaoyuan, saying calmly, "Greetings, Prince Chu."

Mrs. Feng? It's actually this Mrs. Feng?!

Chu Shaoyuan and Xie Yihua were both somewhat shocked.

Jiang Sese didn't know who this Madam Feng was, but Xie Yihua and Chu Shaoyuan did.

Lady Feng was a female official who worked at the Imperial Horse Administration during the reign of the late emperor. She was responsible for teaching riding skills to the concubines and noble ladies of the imperial family. Her riding skills were superb, and her eye for talent was also sharp. Her selection and training of mounts were unparalleled.

However, she was of an upright character and retired from the palace many years ago, rarely teaching outsiders anymore.

Even if ordinary wealthy and powerful families offered mountains of gold and silver, they might not be able to persuade her to come.

My brother actually invited her?

Just to teach Jiang Sese, this orphan girl from the countryside?!

Xie Yihua suddenly looked up, staring at Jiang Sese in disbelief, her gaze turning cold.

When she first learned to ride a horse, she only hired an experienced female instructor. She never had such an honor and pomp.

What right does Jiang Sese, an outsider, have?!

Chu Shaoyuan looked at Xie Jue with surprise and admiration. How did he manage to persuade Madam Feng?

Previously, when Chu Shaoyuan's younger sister was learning to ride a horse, they had thought of asking this Madam Feng for help, but they couldn't persuade her. As a result, she came to the Xie family to teach an orphan girl instead.

Xie Jue then looked at Jiang Sese, and seeing her racking her brains, he paused for a moment and said, "Come here."

Jiang Sese was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied "Yes," and walked briskly toward Xie Jue with her head down.

Xie Jue said, "From today onwards, Madam Feng will teach you how to ride a horse."

Jiang Sese lowered her head and said softly, "Thank you, cousin."

Although she didn't know who this Madam Feng was, she could guess something from Xie Yihua and Chu Shaoyuan's shocked expressions.

Xie Jue smiled noncommittally.

Madam Feng seemed oblivious to the two shocked gazes directed at her. She turned her attention to Jiang Sese, scrutinizing her from head to toe with a look that was both critical and maliceless.

Madam Feng smiled slightly and said, "Greetings, Miss Jiang."

Jiang Sese quickly curtsied slightly and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam Feng."

Madam Feng walked to the horse she had led, gently patted its neck, and respectfully said to Jiang Sese, "Miss Jiang, please come with me."

Chu Shaoyuan watched from afar as Jiang Sese learned to ride horses from Madam Feng, and exclaimed, "Sister Yihua, your brother is truly skilled."

The Chu family couldn't find anyone to hire, but Xie Jue easily brought one over.

Chu Shaoyuan's interest in Xie Yihua was, undeniably, partly due to Xie Jue's influence.

He could not only marry a woman he liked, but her family would also be of assistance to him.

Xie Yihua snapped back to reality, forced a smile, and changed the subject in a dry voice: "Brother Shao Yuan, you're joking. Brother Shao Yuan, how about we go for another run?"

Chu Shaoyuan glanced at Xie Yihua, then, remembering that Xie Jue was also there, nodded and said, "Alright."

To marry Xie Yihua, he not only needed to win her heart, but also Xie Jue's approval.

Otherwise, Xie Jue would definitely have been ruthless and cruel in separating the couple.

Unless he feels comfortable entrusting his sister to him.

The two mounted their horses and rode away.

Xie Yihua's knuckles turned white as he gripped the reins.