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

Just as Aunt Sun was about to speak, her gaze swept lightly over Green calyx and Spring Peach, who were standing to the side.

Jiang Sese understood immediately. Without Aunt Sun needing to speak, she naturally turned her head and said to the two maids, "Lü'e, Chuntao, my aunt is looking after me here. You two go and wait in the corridor. I'll call you if I need anything."

"Yes, Miss." Green Calyx and Spring Peach exchanged a quick glance, obediently curtsied, and retreated, gently closing the door behind them.

Only Aunt Sun and Jiang Sese remained in the room.

Aunt Sun then leaned forward, lowered her voice, and said, "Sese, I'm only telling you this."

"Yesterday, when I was serving the master his writing materials in his study, I overheard him having a private conversation with someone."

Jiang Sese's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. Sensing that what was about to be said was no small matter, she subconsciously sat up straight and held her breath.

Aunt Sun lowered her voice even further: "The princes are all of marriageable age. Although His Majesty has not said it outright, the selection of an heir and a consort... is probably just around the corner."

Aunt Sun paused, observing Jiang Sese's reaction, but saw that Jiang Sese's expression was calm and she couldn't tell anything.

Aunt Sun continued, "Our Xie family is a powerful and deeply rooted family, so we're naturally involved as well. Master's intention is to choose a suitable match between the Fourth and Fifth Misses to marry into the imperial family!"

Jiang Sese's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

There is indeed such a thing in the book.

The Xie family ultimately decided to marry Xie Yujiao into the royal family.

However, Aunt Sun in the book never mentioned this matter to the original owner.

What does Aunt Sun mean by bringing this up with her now?

Jiang Sese didn't think Aunt Sun had the ability to make her marry in place of Xie Yujiao.

So Jiang Sese remained silent and continued to listen quietly.

Seeing the slight change in Jiang Sese's expression, Aunt Sun slowly said, "Sese, your aunt knows you have high aspirations. But we have to face reality. Your background is really too low, and you've lost both your parents, bearing the title of an orphan. The position of the principal wife is something you absolutely dare not even dream of."

"However..." Aunt Sun reached out and grasped Jiang Sese's slightly cool hand, earnestly saying, "With your looks and talent, you're more than qualified to be a concubine. If you're willing, your aunt will arrange it for you. Whether it's the Fourth Miss or the Fifth Miss who marries, you'll go with them as part of their dowry. With your face, how could you not rise to prominence?"

Jiang Sese's eyes widened slightly, never expecting that Aunt Sun would have such an idea.

The original owner was determined to climb the social ladder.

If I heard such good news, I would definitely be so happy that I would agree on the spot.

However, in the original plot, Aunt Sun was never mentioned.

Jiang Sese remembered.

In the book, Xie Xun was in a hurry to visit the original owner of the body who had fallen into the water, and bumped into Xie Yujiao and was punished. When the original owner heard about this, he coughed twice and, on the grounds that he was not feeling well, only sent Lü'e to check on the situation.

Did she really change the plot?

Jiang Sese was both delighted and surprised.

When Aunt Sun saw that Jiang Sese was silent, she assumed that Jiang Sese was unwilling to become a concubine, and she glanced at Jiang Sese in surprise.

Aunt Sun had observed her niece's behavior after she entered the household, and initially, she even planned to help Jiang Sese make some good plans.

Who would have thought that this niece, because of her good looks, would have such an arrogant idea that she wanted to get close to the Crown Prince of Chu.

This terrified Aunt Sun.

Who is the Prince of Chu? He's even suitable to be paired with a princess.

What is Jiang Sese's identity?

Even becoming a concubine requires finding connections.

Knowing that Jiang Sese was ambitious and determined to find a man of exceptional talent, Aunt Sun gave up on that idea. Aunt Sun could find Jiang Sese a good family, even a scholar's wife would be fine with her.

But Jiang Sese's demands are too high.

Even Aunt Sun thought, how could this niece be so unrealistic?

Aunt Sun had initially believed that Jiang Sese was someone who wanted to marry into a higher social class, but she never expected that when this matter was brought up, Jiang would actually refuse.

To outsiders, being a concubine might not be a good thing.

But for someone like Jiang Sese, who comes from an unremarkable background but possesses only beauty, this is a great thing.

Jiang remained silent.

Aunt Sun's heart stirred slightly, and she looked at Jiang Sese with newfound respect: "Good child, I misjudged you in the past. I thought you were... but I never expected you to be..."

Jiang Sese then came to her senses and looked at Aunt Sun with a puzzled expression.

Aunt Sun analyzed gently, "Although you are a concubine, you are serving a member of the imperial family. As long as that person can advance further in the future, your status will naturally rise accordingly. At that time, you will be a proper empress—"

"Aunt!" Jiang Sese hurriedly interrupted Aunt Sun.

Jiang Sese smiled gratefully: "Auntie, you're too kind. I know you've always been there for me. I'm deeply grateful for your kindness."

Jiang Sese lowered her eyes obediently, her long eyelashes concealing the turbulent thoughts within them. Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying just the right amount of doubt and dependence: "Sese is just a little apprehensive. I wonder which prince... the Second Master prefers?"

Seeing how sensible Jiang Sese was, Aunt Sun smiled with satisfaction, patted her hand, and said, "Auntie knew you were a smart child. It seems that Master has taken a liking to the Third Prince."

The Third Prince?

The name exploded in her mind like a thunderbolt, instantly drowning out all other sounds.

The Xie family initially favored the seemingly gentle and refined Third Prince from the book, who was actually a deep and scheming character with a tragic end?!