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

Jiang Sese originally didn't have much to say, but when Xie Yihua mentioned the artist's background, she couldn't help but want to argue.

After Jiang Sese finished speaking, her gaze swept over Xie Yihua, who looked astonished.

Xie Yihua's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, and she said awkwardly, "Sister Se Se's words are a bit too extreme. At that time, the painter was imprisoned, and his enemies were powerful. What could a weak scholar like him do? If he had confronted them head-on, he would have only lost his life in vain, and he wouldn't even have had the chance to leave his works to posterity. Isn't this kind of forbearance another form of prudent consideration?"

Xie Yihua forced a smile, but her mind was already in complete disarray.

Originally, I thought Jiang Sese would serve as a foil, but who would have thought she would say such hurtful things, yet still manage to claim it was morally sound.

On the contrary, it made his previous pretentious comments seem light and meaningless.

Chu Shaoyuan also had an unexpected expression.

He had previously thought this woman was all beauty and no substance, but now, hearing her words, he realized that every utterance carried a stern air, and it didn't seem like she was just spouting nonsense.

Jiang Sese knew when to stop and didn't argue with Xie Yihua. She simply said, "Everyone has their own opinion. I'm just an amateur, and I was just speaking off the cuff. I'm sorry that Fourth Cousin and Prince Chu made a fool of themselves."

Xie Yihua looked at Jiang Sese, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

That Jiang Sese is really troublesome.

Xie Yihua was still hesitant about the Qixi Festival, but now she was completely determined to make Jiang Sese slink back to where she came from!

After Chu Shaoyuan left, Jiang Sese also took her leave.

Before she could finish speaking, Xie Yihua called out to her, her eyebrows curving into a smile, though the smile didn't reach her eyes: "Cousin Se Se, is there something you're unhappy about with me?"

Jiang Sese shook her head frantically: "No, no."

She simply wanted to avoid Xie Yihua and Chu Shaoyuan.

But Jiang Sese also sensed Xie Yihua's subtle hostility towards her.

The original owner felt inferior because of her background, which is why she wanted to become Chu Shaoyuan's concubine.

But Jiang Sese is not from ancient times, so she doesn't feel inferior.

Reincarnation is not something one can choose; are kings and generals born with a special destiny?

Being born into a noble family does not equate to having noble character.

Jiang Sese thought for a moment, then looked up to meet Xie Yihua's gaze and said frankly, "Cousin, I know what you're thinking. I was foolish before, harboring inappropriate thoughts about Prince Chu. Looking back now, I realize how wrong I was. From now on, I will definitely stay true to myself and never have any more thoughts about Prince Chu."

These words were spoken frankly and without the slightest hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yihua was slightly taken aback at first, then her smile became more genuine. She stepped forward, took Jiang Sese's hand, and said in a gentle tone, "Cousin, what are you saying? We are all sisters in the household, and we should get along harmoniously. Let bygones be bygones."

Jiang Sese looked at Xie Yihua's gentle and beautiful eyes and didn't say anything more.

After Jiang Sese left, Zhixi glanced at Xie Yihua and whispered, "Miss, do you really believe what she said?"

Xie Yihua picked up a handkerchief from the side and wiped her hand that had just touched Jiang Sese.

Then, Xie Yihua casually tossed the handkerchief aside, her smile vanishing instantly, her eyes turning icy cold: "Believe her? Do you think I'm that stupid?"

The human heart is the most unpredictable thing.

She was taught from a young age to be gentle, kind, and tolerant. Over the years, she has always held herself to the high standards of a noblewoman and has never taken the initiative to criticize anyone.

She didn't want to target Jiang Sese, an orphan, as it was different from the discipline she had received since childhood.

However, she couldn't gamble with her beloved, nor could she risk her lifelong happiness.

What if Chu Shaoyuan takes a fancy to Jiang Sese's face? What if Chu Shaoyuan has the idea of ​​taking Jiang Sese as a concubine? What should she do?

What should she do?

She had spent so much time and energy on Chu Shaoyuan. She had wanted to marry Chu Shaoyuan since she was a child, and she couldn't let it all be ruined because of Jiang Sese!

Is it easier to deal with Jiang Sese, or is it simpler to choose another suitable person?

The former is definitely the better choice.

As the Qixi Festival approached, Jiang Sese took Green Calyx and Red Bean out to pick flowers.

Who would have thought that the weather in July could change so suddenly?

One moment it was just muggy heat, the next thick clouds hung low, and large raindrops began to pelt down.

While protecting the flowers in the basket, Hongdou said urgently, "Girl, quick, let's hide in the pavilion over there!"

The three servants, mistress and servants, lifted their skirts and trudged along the wet cobblestone path, making a hasty but agile dash as they rushed into the exquisite lakeside pavilion not far away.

The rain pattered on the glazed tile roof and the lake surface, creating a cacophony.

"This rain came so fast!" Hongdou patted her chest, still shaken. The stray hairs at her temples were wet with rain and clung to her cheeks.

Looking at the garden outside the waterside pavilion, ravaged by the wind and rain, Lü'e couldn't help but say, "Look, young lady, all those flowers that were in full bloom have been knocked down..."

Looking at the scattered fallen flowers, Green Calyx couldn't find the right words to describe the scene before her.

Jiang Sese followed her gaze.

The rain fell like a curtain, and the flowers and trees in the garden swayed and struggled in the wind and rain. Petals fell into the mud, and green leaves drooped in a sorry state.

Jiang Sese subconsciously murmured, "The sound of wind and rain last night, how many flowers have fallen..."

"The sound of wind and rain last night, how many flowers have fallen..." Hongdou murmured, repeating it twice, her eyes brightening.

Red Bean: "Girl, this poem is wonderful! Did you just compose this poem? It truly captures the scene before us!"

Jiang Sese was carefully arranging the few remaining flowers in her arms when she heard this and was taken aback.

To write poetry?

She doesn't have that ability.

This casual remark was purely a conditioned reflex from nine years of compulsory education.

Jiang Sese looked slightly embarrassed. "No, no, I didn't write this. It's a poem written by a very learned gentleman from my hometown. I just thought it suited the scene, so I just recited it offhand."

One lie requires countless lies to cover it up.

Even if this is a fictional dynasty, and the people here don't know who Li Bai and Du Fu are, with the few poems she's almost forgotten in her head, she has no way of packaging herself as a talented woman.

A simple investigation reveals that the original owner only had two years of formal education.

Some lines of poetry simply cannot be written without life experience.

Green Calyx pondered the two lines of poetry and nodded, saying, "Indeed apt. That gentleman is truly a man of great literary talent."

Just then, a deep voice suddenly came from outside the waterside pavilion, as if blown in by the wind. It was not loud, but every word was clear: "This sentence fully expresses the sentiment of cherishing flowers after the rain, and is sincere and heartfelt."