解:
$\because$ 四边形$ABCD$是长方形,
$\therefore ∠ A = ∠ D =90°,$$CD=AB=3,$$AD=BC=5。$
$\because CE$是折痕,
$\therefore FC=BC=5,$$EF=BE。$
$\because$ 在$\mathrm{Rt}△ CDF$中,$DF^2 + CD^2 = FC^2,$
$\therefore DF^2 = FC^2 - CD^2 =5^2 -3^2=16,$
$\therefore DF=4,$
$\therefore AF=AD-DF=1。$
设$AE=x,$则$BE=EF=3-x。$
$\because$ 在$\mathrm{Rt}△ AEF$中,$EF^2 = AE^2 + AF^2,$
$\therefore (3-x)^2 = x^2 +1^2,$
解得$x=\frac{4}{3},$
$\therefore AE=\frac{4}{3}。$