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

Granny Zhang said in a warm and gentle tone, "Auntie, our mistress asked me to send some things to Miss Cousin to help her recover, including two bolts of brocade."

As she spoke, Granny Zhang gestured to the maid behind her to open the brocade box.

One box contained neatly arranged slices of American ginseng, glossy and lustrous; the other box contained snow-white bird's nest, clearly of top quality. The two bolts of brocade were even more radiant and exquisitely patterned.

Before Jiang Sese could speak, Aunt Sun, who was standing to the side, was so surprised that she stood up. Her face was full of flattery and she waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Granny Zhang, this is too precious. How can our Sese accept such a generous treatment from the Second Madam?"

In the past, Aunt Sun was always very careful when she saw Granny Zhang. It was rare for Granny Zhang to give her a good look. Today, not only did she greet her with a smile, but she also brought so many valuable items, which really made Aunt Sun feel a little overwhelmed.

Seeing this, Zhang Mama smiled and said, "What are you saying, Aunt? It's only right that the Second Madam is concerned about the young lady who is currently ill."

When Zhang Mama spoke, her tone was warm and polite, completely unlike her usual disrespectful attitude towards Aunt Sun.

Aunt Sun was stunned for a moment, and seeing Zhang Mama's unusual attitude, she suddenly understood.

It must be the fact that the eldest son invited the imperial physician that made the second madam take Sese seriously.

Thinking of this, she felt a little relieved and quickly turned to Jiang Sese, saying, "Sese, hurry up and thank Granny Zhang."

Jiang Sese leaned against the soft pillows and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Second Madam, and thank you for troubling Zhang Mama to make this trip."

Granny Zhang quickly smiled and said, "You're too kind, Miss. I won't disturb your rest any longer. Once you're feeling better, the Second Madam is looking forward to having you come over for a chat."

After saying this, he smiled gently at Aunt Sun, then turned and left with his maid.

After Zhang Mama left, Aunt Sun looked at the things on the table, still feeling a bit unreal, and murmured, "I never expected the Second Madam to treat us like this... It seems that the Eldest Young Master really helped you a lot this time."

Jiang Sese nodded and said, "Aunt is right, Sese should thank the young master properly."

Even if she didn't need his help, it's still normal for people to exchange favors.

She lived and ate at the Xie family's house because she was indebted to them.

During her time at Panlong Temple, Jiang Sese reviewed the few plot points about Xie Jue in the book and finally remembered something.

Princess Anning was reclining on a soft couch, flipping through a Buddhist scripture in her hand, when she heard Granny Qian say, "Madam, the eldest young master sent someone to invite the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to examine Miss Jiang during the court assembly."

Princess Anning paused, her fingers gripping the book pages. She glanced at Granny Qian, her tone flat and indifferent: "That girl, is she really that seriously ill?"

Granny Qian said cautiously, "I heard that she had a persistent high fever and was unconscious for most of the day. The palace physician was helpless, and Miss Qing Shuang had no other choice but to go to the palace gate to disturb the eldest young master. I suppose that if it weren't for a truly critical situation, she wouldn't have dared to deliver the message while the eldest young master was on duty."

Princess Anning frowned slightly and placed the Buddhist scriptures on a small table to the side.

A distant cousin being fostered in the mansion, whose status was as lowly as dust, actually warranted a personal visit from the head of the Imperial Medical Academy. If word got out, people would probably laugh at the Xie family for making a mountain out of a molehill.

She thought this to herself, but didn't say it aloud.

It's a life after all, and if something goes wrong, it won't sound good if word gets out.

Moreover, she suddenly remembered what Xie Jue had said earlier.

Master Liaowu once said that if Jiang Sese were to get married within the year, it would be detrimental to her health. For this reason, the girl even turned down a very suitable marriage.

Princess Anning's thoughts raced for a moment before she stopped worrying about it. She simply instructed Granny Qian, "In that case, have the steward of the courtyard fetch some nourishing herbs and send them to the west courtyard so she can rest and recuperate properly."

Granny Qian acknowledged and withdrew. Princess Anning picked up the Buddhist scripture again, but as her gaze fell on the pages, a hint of inexplicable surprise flashed across her face.

Her son, who was usually carefree and unconcerned with anything, was acting strangely today.

Following the imperial physician's instructions, Lü'e had the cook stew a bowl of congee with very soft rice, seasoned with only a little salt, and also prepared a dish of candied plums to relieve the bitterness of the medicine.

The cook dared not be negligent. She simmered the porridge over a low flame until it was thick and sticky. She then served it in a white porcelain bowl decorated with gold, and placed a small dish of green plums in the food box as well.

By this time, the sky had completely darkened.

The lanterns in each courtyard were lit up, and Lü'e walked in carrying a food box.

Seeing Jiang Sese leaning against the soft pillow, the previous flush between her eyebrows and eyes was gone, but her face was still a little pale, and she was resting with her eyes closed.

Hongdou hurriedly stepped forward to help take the food box and set the table, saying softly, "Miss, please eat while it's hot."

Jiang Sese slowly opened her eyes and sat up with the help of Hongdou, with a soft pillow placed behind her back.

Hongdou fed her porridge spoonful by spoonful, her gaze falling on her face. Seeing that she was in much better spirits, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Before we knew it, the sky outside the eaves had become completely dark.

Jiang Sese drank about half a bowl of porridge, then shook her head: "I'm not drinking anymore."

Hongdou agreed, cleared away the dishes, and tucked the blanket around her.

Just after 1 p.m., the servant announced loudly, "The eldest young master has returned to the manor."

Xie Jue had just returned from the palace, still wearing his second-rank official court robes, with a jade belt around his waist. The belt buckle was carved from a single piece of mutton-fat white jade, which was lustrous and radiant.

Wherever he went, the servants all bowed and bowed, not daring to look up.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Shu Tong stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Young master is back. Warm water for washing your hands has been prepared, with freshly picked mint dew added. A newly sun-dried brocade quilt has also been laid out on the couch in the inner room. Young master, please rest for a while."

Before he finished speaking, two second-class maids came up with a copper basin and a brocade handkerchief.

Qing Shuang stepped forward and lowered her eyes to report, "Young Master, the imperial physician has examined Miss Jiang. He said it was caused by accumulated heat, which led to a high fever. Fortunately, you sent someone to invite the imperial physician in time, and he prescribed the right medicine. Her fever has subsided now, and she can eat some porridge."

Qing Shuang spoke clearly and logically, with every sentence hitting the nail on the head. She dared not omit anything or add a single unnecessary word.

This is the rule for those around Xie Jue; not a single mistake can be tolerated.

Xie Jue raised his hand and untied the jade belt from his waist. Shu Tong quickly stepped forward to take it, her movements so gentle as if she were afraid of breaking the jade buckle.

While washing his hands and casually splashing water, Xie Jue instructed, "Have the kitchen stew some bird's nest porridge and send it to the west courtyard every day at 5 PM."

"Yes," Qing Shuang replied, not daring to delay for even a moment.

Xie Jue didn't say anything more. He raised his hand to take the handkerchief that Shu Tong handed him and slowly wiped his hands.

It was midnight when the drizzling rain began to tap on the windowpane. At first, it was just a few scattered drops, but soon the rain intensified, splashing up tiny water droplets that meandered down the roof tiles, forming a silvery curtain of water.

The candlelight flickered twice on the rosewood desk.

Xie Jue put down his pen and rubbed his temples.

Qing Shuang glanced at Xie Jue and said in a low voice, "Young Master, it's late and the rain is heavy. Why don't you rest? Even if folding paper is important, there's no need to ruin your health."

Xie Jue didn't even look up, only saying, "It's nothing."

Qing Shuang pursed her lips and gave Shu Tong a wink. Shu Tong immediately went to get a black brocade cloak.

Xie Jue put on his cloak, walked to the window, and pushed open half of it. A damp, cool night wind, carrying the smell of rain, rushed in, causing the candlelight to flicker again.

Xie Jue silently watched the rain curtain.

Without warning, what popped into my mind was the West Wing next to the corner gate. That place was low-lying and became damp whenever it rained heavily.