After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

"I see." Jiang Dusheng nodded slightly, his tone still calm. "It seems that Young Master Cui is indeed deeply affectionate."

She then changed the subject, "However, Madam, you should know that in matters of fortune-telling and divination, appearances and reality are sometimes not consistent."

"The affection is genuine, but the actions and methods involved may not be entirely beneficial, and may unintentionally affect other aspects."

"Based solely on what you have said, I cannot make a definitive judgment. It would be clearer once I have met Young Master Cui in person, observed his appearance and complexion, examined his speech and demeanor, and sensed the aura surrounding him."

Seeing her composure and refusal to jump to conclusions, the Duchess of Wei felt even more trust in her and nodded repeatedly, "What you say is absolutely right, absolutely right."

At this moment, she only hoped that Cui Wenjing would arrive soon so that this Miss Jiang could see the truth.

Time ticked by anxiously as the maidservant announced from outside:

"Madam, the Second Young Master Cui has arrived and is waiting in the front hall."

In the front hall, Cui Wenjing was already seated as a guest.

He wore a brocade robe of sky blue after the rain, with a jade belt around his waist. He had delicate features and, in terms of appearance alone, was indeed dignified and had a scholarly air about him.

At this moment, a look of worry and fatigue lingered between his brows, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes, as if he had been unable to eat or sleep for many days.

Upon seeing the Duchess of Wei leading in a woman of refined elegance, Cui Wenjing immediately rose and bowed respectfully.

"Junior Wenjing greets Auntie."

Then, his gaze fell on Jiang Dusheng, his pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly concealed it and said:

"My name is Cui Wenjing. I had the honor of witnessing Miss Jiang's prowess in suppressing the hundred ghosts at the palace banquet that day, and I admire her greatly."

Seeing that he recognized her, the Duchess of Wei skipped the introductions and said directly, "It is indeed Miss Jiang. I was very worried about Li'er's illness, so I specially invited Miss Jiang to come and take a look. Wenjing, please sit down and let's talk."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Cui Wenjing's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. "With Miss Jiang's help, Li'er will surely escape danger."

After Cui Wenjing sat down, he looked earnestly at Jiang Dusheng, "I wonder if Miss Jiang has noticed anything? What exactly is wrong with Li'er? Is it evil spirit possession, or... something else?"

His words were polite and his concern was evident; anyone who saw him would think he was a deeply affectionate gentleman who was exhausted by his fiancée's illness.

Jiang Dusheng's gaze lingered on his face for a moment before he slowly spoke: "Young Master Cui, you are too kind. I have heard that you have gone to great lengths for Miss Wei's sake, even going so far as to personally test the medicine and use your own flesh as a catalyst. Your deep affection and loyalty are truly admirable."

Cui Wenjing's face showed a hint of sadness and self-reproach. "I'm sorry to have made Miss Jiang laugh. It was just a desperate attempt to find a cure."

"At the time, hearing the itinerant doctor's confident promises and seeing Mingli's condition, I was willing to try anything, as long as there was a glimmer of hope..."

He gave a bitter laugh, a laugh filled with helplessness and regret. "But in the end, it was all in vain. Li'er suffered for nothing, and her condition only worsened. I am filled with remorse whenever I think of this."

He raised his hand, seemingly unintentionally stroking the area above his left chest, "What does physical pain matter? I only hate my own powerlessness."

Jiang Dusheng took in all his subtle expressions and movements.

At first glance, this person does indeed appear to be a gentle and refined gentleman, with clear eyebrows and bright eyes. However, upon closer inspection, his eyebrows are too delicate and meticulously crafted, indicating that he is not of pure intentions.

Although the bridge of the nose is straight, slight twitching of the nostrils and a slightly shallow breath are signs of restlessness.

Most importantly, in his life palace, there is a faint trace of decaying energy that does not belong to his own life force.

This gloomy atmosphere was subtly similar to the gloomy feeling she had previously sensed on Wei Mingli's birth chart and marriage destiny line.

Upon closer inspection, Jiang Dusheng found no obstruction or damage to the blood and qi circulation beneath Cui Wenjing's left chest fabric, nor any residual blood and qi from a fresh injury.

"Young Master Cui, you are mistaken." Jiang Dusheng took a step forward, closing the distance, and an invisible pressure quietly permeated the air. "Young Master cut flesh to heal Miss Wei's wounds, so the wounds must not have healed yet."

"May I have a look? I have some knowledge of medicine and may be able to check how the wound is healing so as to avoid any potential problems."

Cui Wenjing's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, then a troubled expression appeared on his face:

"This...is truly inconvenient. The wound has mostly healed, and its location is private; there's a difference between men and women, and it might offend the young lady's eyes. Besides,"

His tone lowered, becoming heavy, "Seeing this wound reminds me of the suffering Li'er endured, and my heart is filled with unease."

"Oh?" Jiang Dusheng raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "But I observe that your breathing is smooth, and although your face looks tired, there is no sign of blood loss or damage to your vital energy."

"His left chest is full of blood and qi, with no new wound obstructing his flow. Young master, your wound is healing far too quickly, as if... it never happened at all."

Upon hearing this, the air in the hall suddenly froze.

The Duchess of Wei looked at Cui Wenjing with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty in her eyes.

Cui Wenjing's expression changed slightly, but he forced a smile and said, "Miss Jiang is joking. The wound is inside, so it's naturally not visible on the outside."

"Is that so?" Jiang Dusheng stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point, "Then I'd like to ask Young Master Cui, was the meat required for that folk remedy truly taken from your own body?"

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze clear yet sharp. "Or... was it taken from someone who died young, their resentment still lingering, and then replaced with another person?"

"You... what nonsense are you talking about!"

The worry and self-blame on Cui Wenjing's face shattered instantly under Jiang Dusheng's merciless questioning.

He suddenly stood up, knocking over the teacup beside him. The warm tea splashed onto his clothes, but he didn't even notice.

"My love for Mingli is as sincere as heaven itself! How dare you... how dare you speak such lies and slander against me!"

He abruptly turned to the stunned Duchess of Wei, his expression agitated, his eyes even welling with tears, as if he had suffered a tremendous insult:

"Auntie, please don't listen to her nonsense! My love for Li'er is as clear as day!"

Lady Wei looked at Cui Wenjing's almost out-of-control excitement, and then at Jiang Dusheng's calm expression. She was in a state of confusion, her lips moving, but she didn't know who to believe.

"Whether it's defamation or not, a single test will tell." Jiang Dusheng stood firm, turning to the Duchess of Wei, his tone resolute:

"Madam, please immediately summon the physician who bandaged up the wound on Young Master Cui's left chest to confront him and examine him in public."

"If there are any fresh scars, I, Jiang Dusheng, will immediately kowtow and apologize, and accept whatever punishment I may offer. If not..."

She looked coldly at Cui Wenjing: "Then please explain, Mr. Cui, what was your intention in presenting Miss Wei with that piece of meat, and in painstakingly creating this drama of deep affection?"

Jiang Dusheng didn't give Cui Wenjing a chance to breathe or argue, pressing him step by step, "You want to use that flesh and blood containing death energy to devour Miss Wei's life force and destiny without her knowing, so that she will be sick forever, or even die silently."

"And you can not only get rid of this marriage you are unwilling to accept but dare not openly refuse, but also make the Duke of Wei's mansion and the Pei family feel guilty towards you, and even owe you a huge favor."

"Even... paving the way and clearing obstacles for yourself, and for the person you truly love but cannot be with because of social class, isn't that right?"

The final question, like a thunderclap, resounded in the silent hall.