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

Upon hearing this, Hongdou was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and explained, "Miss, you are unaware of this. The order of birth among the young ladies in this household is one thing, but marriage is another. The fourth young lady of the eldest branch is the legitimate daughter of Princess Anning, whose status is extremely noble. How could an ordinary family be worthy of her marriage?"

"As for the Fifth Miss, although she is also a legitimate daughter, her status is slightly lower than that of the Fourth Miss. Now that the Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon her, betrothing her to the Second Prince as his principal wife, this is an immense blessing. Besides, Miss Yu Jiao is already sixteen this year. Although she is a few months younger than the Fourth Miss, she is still of marriageable age. Who would dare to disobey the Emperor's decree? How could they possibly care about any order of precedence?"

Jiang Sese suddenly realized.

In this era, social status is far more important than age.

As Hongdou spoke, she straightened Jiang Sese's collar: "Girl, alright, let's hurry up, or we'll miss it."

Along the way, the servants in the mansion were busy.

Jiang Sese led Hongdou and Lü'e all the way to the front courtyard of the mansion.

The further they walked, the louder the noise became, with maids and servants hurrying by.

Upon arriving at the front yard, Jiang Sese had just found a spot to stand on the side and hadn't even had a chance to take a closer look at the furnishings when she heard a gentle voice calling from behind her: "Sese, you've come."

Aunt Sun only brought Yuehe and Yun Que with her, and Yun Que was holding Xie Xun's hand.

Xie Xun was wearing a royal blue brocade robe today, with exquisite patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. A small jade belt was tied around her waist, and her hair was neatly combed and tied with a small gold crown. Her delicate, jade-like face was full of curiosity, and her pair of black grape-like eyes looked around with great interest.

As a concubine of the second wife, Concubine Sun's status was far inferior to that of the main wife, Madam Wang. Even in the procession receiving the imperial decree, she could only stand in the position of a collateral branch of the second wife's family, slightly ahead of Jiang Sese, but still on the edge.

Although Xie Xun was the son of the second wife, he was born out of wedlock and could only stand on the periphery with his mother.

Jiang Sese quickly bowed and said, "Aunt."

He smiled at Xie Xun again, "Xun-ge'er is so cute today."

Xie Xun blinked, her little face flushed slightly, and she called out softly, "Sister Se Se."

Aunt Sun held Jiang Sese's hand, her face full of gentle smiles, but her eyes held a hint of excitement: "Today is a joyous day for the manor, it's so good that you can come to witness the ceremony. It's truly a joyous occasion that Fifth Miss is marrying into the royal family."

Aunt Sun was also quite surprised that Madam Wang had allowed Jiang Sese to attend the ceremony.

But actually, it was Xie Yujiao who pestered Wang Shi to bring Jiang Sese.

No matter how beautiful Jiang Sese is, her marriage is something that Jiang Sese can only dream of in this lifetime.

For most people, their fate is already determined at birth.

Identity and class are insurmountable barriers in any era.

Only a very small number of people can defy fate and change their destiny.

Aunt Sun looked Jiang Sese up and down.

Jiang Sese's simple, moon-white dress was originally elegant, but on her, it became the most fitting background color.

Her pupils were as black and bright as lacquer, and her skin was a cool-toned white, which, combined with her striking eyebrows and eyes, made her even more radiant.

Aunt Sun's heart tightened slightly. Her gaze quickly swept around, and she gently patted Jiang Sese's hand, whispering, "Sese, keep your eyes down and look up as much as possible."

Jiang Sese snapped out of her daze and, noticing Aunt Sun's worry, immediately lowered her head slightly and said, "Don't worry, Aunt, I know."

Jiang Sese glanced at Xie Xun again and asked softly, "Aunt, why did you bring Xun-ge'er along?"

Aunt Sun smiled helplessly and said, "The manor has ordered that all masters must be present. Although Xun'er is born out of wedlock, he is still the young master of the second branch of the family, so he cannot be absent. Besides, I don't feel comfortable leaving him alone in the courtyard. It's better if I'm by his side to take care of him."

Aunt Sun lowered her voice again, leaned close to Jiang Sese's ear, and said with a hint of solemnity, "Sese, don't underestimate this scene today. This is a rare opportunity for you to witness the majesty of the imperial family and see the rules for receiving imperial decrees in noble families."

The difference between nobles and commoners has never been just about family background and wealth, but more about accumulated experience and knowledge, as well as various etiquette and rules.

Jiang Sese felt a warmth in her heart and said, "Sese understands, thank you for reminding me, Aunt."

Aunt Sun smiled and patted her hand.

Just past noon, the vermilion gates were opened wide.

A ten-mile-long red carpet had already been laid out in front of the mansion, leading straight to the center of the street.

The incense table was set up in the center, with agarwood burning in a bronze incense burner, and wisps of blue smoke curling around it.

On the table were three kinds of sacrificial animals and five kinds of fruit, while musicians on both sides held sheng, xiao, bells and drums.

The entire household was dressed in auspicious attire.

Xie Jue stood alone in the most honored position on the left side of the incense table.

Behind Xie Jue were Princess Anning from the first wife's side and Xie Yao and Xie Yihua.

Looking up from Jiang Sese's direction, one could only vaguely see their backs.

The members of the second wife's family stood respectfully beside the members of the first wife's family.

Xie Yujiao wore a pomegranate red brocade dress today, with a layer of smoky-colored gauze over it. Her black hair was styled into an exquisite updo, adorned with a red gold hairpin inlaid with pearls, and her cheeks had a shy blush.

Jiang Sese stood on the very edge of the crowd, belonging to the group that didn't even have the formal right to attend the ceremony.

Today is such a joyous occasion, and only Madam Wang has shown her mercy by allowing her to watch from afar with Aunt Sun.

Jiang Sese's original concept of imperial edicts was limited to the few dry lines in TV dramas: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees."

Jiang Sese originally thought that receiving the imperial decree would simply involve the head of the family casually bringing a few people to kneel and listen to the announcement, and then kowtow.

But the pomp and circumstance before us is not casual.

Before long, a clear sound of footsteps approached, followed by a shrill shout: "Imperial decree has arrived! The Xie family shall receive the decree!"

Jiang Sese subconsciously followed the person next to her and knelt down.

The musicians immediately began to play ceremonial music.

Jiang Sese was positioned too far back to even touch the edge of the red carpet, yet she could clearly see Xie Jue's figure.

Xie Jue lay prostrate on the ground, and even with his back bent, he still exuded an aura of authority that made people afraid to look him in the eye.

A royal procession slowly approached, led by Li Fu, the chief eunuch serving the emperor.

On either side, two officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court accompanied him, followed by a large group of guards and eunuchs. The procession was orderly and imposing.

Jiang Sese looked bewildered and shocked: ...So many people!

Jiang Sese glanced up briefly, then quickly looked down again.

Li Fu's gaze first fell on Xie Jue in front of him.

A hint of awe flashed in his eyes, which quickly turned into a polite and amiable smile.

Li Fulang proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that Xie Yujiao, the second daughter of the second branch of the Marquis of Jing'an's family, is exceptionally beautiful and intelligent, gentle and virtuous, skilled in etiquette, and eloquent in poetry. The Second Prince, Chen Jingxuan, is intelligent and upright, and though of age, has not yet chosen a suitable spouse. Now, I, for the sake of this match made in Heaven, hereby bestow Xie Yujiao upon the Second Prince, Chen Jingxuan, as his principal wife. An auspicious day shall be chosen, and the wedding ceremony shall be held. The Xie family, having received this honor, shall diligently obey Your Majesty's will, fulfill their duties, assist the imperial family, and repay Your Majesty's grace. This decree is hereby proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know. This is the imperial decree."