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

Jiang Sese felt that she had made her point very clear to Xie Yihua. She knew her own identity and had no intention of stealing the female lead's man. Just like she told Aunt Sun, three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere.

Although most men cannot compare to Chu Shaoyuan's status and position.

However, a man of Chu Shaoyuan's status and position would most likely not have only one wife.

Chu Shaoyuan was an exception, because if he dared to take a concubine, Xie Jue would dare to twist his head off.

Xie Yihua's expression changed slightly upon hearing Jiang Sese's words. She lowered her eyes and said, "The incident happened so suddenly that I was in a panic and didn't see clearly..."

Chu Zhiyin glanced at Xie Jue furtively, wanting to impress him, and hurriedly said, "Exactly! In that situation just now, how could Sister Yihua possibly notice which hand you used to push her!"

Zhi Xi's eyes darted around, and she stepped in to help, saying, "I saw it clearly from behind; you pushed my girl with your left hand!"

Chu Shaoyuan's gaze toward Jiang Sese became even more disdainful. He said to Xie Jue in a deep voice, "Brother Xie, the witnesses are conclusive, and the matter is clear."

The ladies all nodded in agreement.

Jiang Sese suddenly smiled brightly and stretched out her greasy hands: "I'm sorry, I was eating fried cakes before I got up. Fourth Miss must have been preoccupied with something, so I didn't even notice."

Jiang Sese's hands were greasy, while Xie Yihua was wearing a plain-colored flowing gauze dress today.

This material is the most precious Hangzhou silk brocade, white as frost, smooth and translucent, which is extremely flattering, but also the most delicate.

This material cannot tolerate even the slightest stain. Not to mention oil stains, even the slightest rub from a fingertip will be clearly visible. If it were truly shoved by oily hands, it would leave large, glaring oil stains that cannot be concealed at all.

Jiang Sese glanced at Xie Yihua: "If I really pushed Fourth Miss with my hand, no matter which hand it was, there should be a mark on Fourth Miss's skirt."

Everyone clearly understood this principle, and for a moment they became somewhat surprised and uncertain.

Chu Shaoyuan's gaze narrowed slightly as he silently watched Xie Yihua.

Xie Yihua felt the questioning gazes from those around her, especially Chu Shaoyuan's probing look, which made her feel like she was being pricked by thorns. She felt both ashamed and angry, and stared intently at Jiang Sese as if she wanted to devour her alive.

Xie Jue suddenly spoke up: "Zhixi, didn't you just say that you saw Miss Biao push Fourth Miss?"

Zhi Xi trembled all over, her face turned ashen, her knees buckled, and she collapsed heavily to the ground, her forehead pressed against the bluestone slab, her whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Zhixi was born into a household; she had been a servant in the Xie family since her grandfather's generation.

Zhixi knew very well that if she couldn't smooth things over today, her whole family would likely suffer.

Thinking of this, Zhixi gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and kowtowed heavily, making herself see stars. Her voice trembled with tears as she cried, "Young Master, spare me! I lied!"

Zhi Xi lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise her head. Tears mixed with cold sweat streamed down her face as she trembled and said, "It wasn't Miss Biao who pushed Fourth Miss. It was...it was this servant who was angry that Miss Biao had fallen into the water earlier. She deliberately tried to curry favor with Prince Chu, hoping to climb the social ladder. Seeing that Fourth Miss was always gentle and kind, she had evil intentions."

"It was this servant who pushed Fourth Miss, trying to frame Miss Biao!"

As Zhixi spoke, she kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead thudding against the bluestone slabs. She sobbed uncontrollably, saying, "This was all my doing, it has nothing to do with Fourth Miss! Fourth Miss was completely unaware, it was I who was blinded by greed and did such a despicable thing! I beg the eldest young master to spare my life, I beg Miss Biao to forgive me!"

Zhi Xi's words were quite shrewd. She not only admitted her guilt but also took all the blame upon herself. She also subtly mentioned that Jiang Sese had tried to curry favor with Chu Shaoyuan first, and that she had harmed Jiang Sese afterward.

Xie Yujiao said, "So it was you, you wretched servant, who did this! How dare you do such a thing behind your master's back!"

Xie Yihua's expression softened slightly, but then she adopted a shocked and heartbroken look, saying in a trembling voice, "Zhixi! How could you do such a thing! I've always treated you well, yet you've been so foolish, even dragging Cousin Sese into this!"

As Xie Yihua spoke, she raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye, as if she were heartbroken by what her maid had done.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jue's expression remained unchanged. He merely raised his eyes slightly and instructed the maid behind him, "Zhi Xi has disobeyed her duty. According to the rules of the manor, drag her away and beat her to death."

Zhi Xi trembled all over, her face turned as white as paper, but she neither cried out for mercy nor turned to look at Xie Yihua.

She knew that the eldest son's decision to punish only her and not implicate her parents and brothers was already an immense act of mercy.

If you cry and beg for mercy at this moment, it will not only be useless, but may also anger the eldest son and cause the family to take their anger out on you.

Zhixi just bit her lip tightly and let the maid take her away.

Xie Yihua rushed forward, grabbing Xie Jue's sleeve, her voice filled with urgency and pleading: "Brother! Zhixi... she grew up with me since she was little, please spare her life! Even if she has to be sold off, please don't beat her to death!"

Xie Yihua had always known that her elder brother was cold-hearted and ruthless, but she never expected him to be so resolute, leaving no room for negotiation whatsoever.

Zhixi was her confidante and knew too much about her. If she died like this, she could save what happened today, but it would be difficult to find such a close and knowledgeable person again in the future.

Xie Jue lowered his eyes and glanced at the sleeve that she was clutching. Qing Shuang behind him quickly stepped forward and carefully pulled Xie Yihua's hand away.

Xie Jue looked at Xie Yihua and said, "Zhixi committed insubordination, and I only punished her alone, without implicating her parents and brothers. This is already showing mercy."

"Big brother!" Xie Yihua wanted to plead again, but Xie Jue's cold gaze made her heart tremble.

Xie Yihua bit her lip, not daring to say anything more.

The pavilion was deathly silent; even breathing became cautious.

The noble ladies all looked at each other in bewilderment.

Chu Shaoyuan knew that the Xie family had always been strict in their rules, so he didn't say anything. After all, the Xie family had many servants, and it would be difficult to manage them without rules.

Because of this incident, and because it was getting late, the women all took their leave.

Chu Zhiyin deliberately slowed her pace, falling behind. She glanced back at Xie Jue every few steps, only to find that he didn't even look at her. Feeling both disappointed and bitter, she walked away with Chu Shaoyuan.

After everyone had left.

Xie Jue then glanced at Xie Yihua and said, "Apologize to Cousin Jiang."