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

They really did hire a good teacher.

Jiang Sese then understood why Xie Jue had invited Madam Feng to teach her.

During this time, Jiang Sese learned to ride horses from Madam Feng and quickly mastered the technique. Although her riding skills were certainly not as good as Xie Yujiao and Xie Yihua, who had studied for many years, at least she wouldn't be like last time when she rode a horse again.

Madam Feng originally thought Jiang Sese was just a cousin living under someone else's roof and only intended to teach her some superficial skills to get by. Who knew that Jiang Sese was actually willing to work hard.

She arrives before dawn every day, and in just half a month, she has already mastered the skill of controlling a horse to trot steadily, making her a hundred times better than some pampered young ladies.

The two of them took turns explaining the essentials of riding, while Green Calyx and Red Bean stood to the side, holding a handkerchief and warm tea, not daring to disturb them.

When the sun was high in the sky, Jiang Sese's forehead was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and the stray hairs at her temples were damp. Only then did Madam Feng let her rest.

Jiang Sese was not in a hurry to return to the courtyard. She simply thanked them and then led her steed, Tayunzhui, to the stable.

Green Calyx was a little puzzled. While wiping her sweat, she muttered, "Miss, wouldn't it be better for us to go back to the courtyard and rest? The stable is dirty and smelly. Why bother feeding the horses yourself?"

Jiang Sese smiled and gently patted the neck of Ta Yun Zhui with her fingertips. The horse rubbed against her palm obediently, its eyes full of affection.

Jiang Sese said, "This horse is intelligent; if you treat it well, it will naturally protect you."

When the stable manager saw Jiang Sese, thanks to Qing Shuang's arrangements, he hurriedly greeted her with a smile: "Why did you come in person, Miss? You could have just given me a word."

"It's alright, I can do it myself." Jiang Sese waved her hand, took the fodder from the steward, and personally scooped some water and poured it into the trough.

Ta Yun Zhui lowered its head to eat the hay, occasionally swishing its tail, looking very docile.

Jiang Sese squatted to the side, watching it chew, a faint smile on her lips.

The manager stood aside watching, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Ordinary young ladies from noble families would never stoop to come to this stable; they would find it dirty even if they only glanced at it.

After feeding Ta Yunzhui, Jiang Sese carefully wiped her hands with a handkerchief before leading Lü'e and Hongdou out of the stable.

Jiang Sese was thinking of hurrying back to the courtyard to bathe and change when she unexpectedly bumped into Xie Yujiao, who was surrounded by maids, on the bluestone path leading to the inner courtyard.

Xie Yujiao was dressed in a brand-new pomegranate red riding outfit, which made her look radiant. She held an exquisite riding whip in her hand, clearly heading to the horse farm.

Xie Yujiao spotted Jiang Sese walking towards her at a glance, a hint of barely perceptible contempt flashing in her eyes.

Even if her older brother gives her face, so what?

Regardless, Jiang Sese's identity is always different from theirs.

Although he thought to himself that it wasn't worth arguing with an orphan girl like that.

But Xie Yujiao still stepped forward to stop Jiang Sese, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Sese's beautiful face, her tone clearly provocative, "I heard Madam Feng praised you for learning quickly. Judging from today's comments, Cousin Sese's riding skills must have improved quite a bit?"

Jiang Sese was wary and cautiously replied, "It is thanks to Madam Feng's excellent teaching. I have only just learned to control the horse at a slow trot and can barely avoid falling off. How can I be said to have made any progress?"

"Cousin Se Se, there's no need for modesty." Xie Yujiao toyed with the riding whip in her hand.

Xie Yujiao said, "Perfect timing! I also want to go horseback riding. Cousin Sese, how about we have a competition?"

Upon hearing this, both Green Calyx and Red Bean's expressions changed slightly.

Their daughter had only been learning to ride for a short time, while Xie Yujiao had been riding horses since she was a child. This was not a competition; it was clearly an attempt to embarrass their daughter in public.

Hongdou looked nervously at Jiang Sese.

Jiang Sese understood.

Jiang Sese remained calm and said, "Cousin, you're joking. My riding skills are so poor; I haven't even settled into my horse yet. How could I dare to compete with you? Wouldn't that be like showing off my limited skills before an expert, making me a laughingstock?"

"Unfortunately, I've also practiced for quite a while today and am feeling tired. I just want to go back and freshen up. How about we reschedule the competition for another day?"

Xie Yujiao's smile faded slightly.

She hated Jiang Sese's seemingly weak and humble demeanor, which was actually slippery and unreliable.

They're quite cunning.

She clearly didn't dare to accept the challenge, yet she spoke so eloquently that she seemed aggressive.

It's not like their family at all; it's not presentable.

Thinking this way, Xie Yujiao slightly curled her lips, feeling a strange sense of superiority.

In the future, she will be a prince's wife, while Jiang Sese will at most be a scholar's wife; their statuses will be worlds apart.

There was no further interaction.

No wonder she's so determined to cling to Chu Shaoyuan; becoming his concubine is probably the best marriage she can hope for.

Thinking of this, Xie Yujiao couldn't help but smile, raising her chin even higher, her tone sarcastic, "Since my cousin is so humble, then let's do it another day. But don't make me wait too long for that another day!"

Xie Yujiao left those words behind, then, with her maidservant, she walked past Jiang Sese with her head held high, like a proud peacock.

Green Calyx watched Xie Yujiao walk away before letting out a long sigh of relief. She patted her chest and whispered, "That scared me to death, Miss. Fifth Miss clearly wanted to embarrass you. Luckily, you didn't agree."

The smile on Jiang Sese's face faded, and she said calmly, "Let's go back."

Just as they rounded a rockery, Xie Yihua's head maid, Hongshao, hurried over from another side road. Upon seeing Jiang Sese, she immediately smiled with a hint of urgency and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Miss Jiang. What a coincidence to meet you here."

Jiang Sese stopped in her tracks, a slight thought stirring within her.

But she only asked gently, "Is there something you need, Sister Hongshao?"

Hongshao straightened up and said with a smile, "Our young lady recently acquired two paintings and calligraphies from the previous dynasty at Songfeng Pavilion. She said the artistic conception is excellent, but unfortunately there are a few ancient seal characters that she can't fully recognize, which is making her very anxious. She specially sent me to invite you to come over and appreciate them together."

Appreciating calligraphy and paintings?

What could she possibly know about calligraphy and painting!

The original owner only attended school for two years, and later, due to financial difficulties, he dismissed his female tutor.