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

Emperor Cangqi stood up, looking down at Jiang Dusheng with overwhelming imperial pressure.

"Jiang Dusheng, no matter what methods you used to bewitch him, I will never approve this marriage! If you were a sensible person, you should have distanced yourself instead of encouraging his rebellious behavior!"

Jiang Dusheng listened quietly until Emperor Cangqi finished speaking, at which point a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

It's Shi Qinglian again...

She slowly stood up, her back still straight as a pine tree, and did not appear humble because Emperor Cangqi stood up.

Jiang Dusheng raised his head, his gaze meeting Cang Qi Emperor's unwavering stare, which held a hint of anger. His words were clear and distinct:

"Your Majesty, all phenomena arise from dependent origination and are empty of inherent existence; all things are without self."

"The concept of destiny is mysterious and profound. It can be seen as a glimpse of the trajectory of the heavens, but it is not an unbreakable iron law."

She paused slightly, her tone growing stronger:

"If everyone rigidly adheres to so-called destiny and dares not step out of line, passively awaiting fate's arrangement, how can there be any talk of human triumph over destiny?"

"The relationship between this commoner and Prince Xie was based on their own feelings, was reasonable, and did not harm anyone or violate the law."

"He knows my destiny, and I know his ominous aura. We understand each other deeply, yet we are still willing to walk hand in hand through life. This is because we are of one mind, willing to share the consequences of our actions and break through the illusions together."

"The calamities Your Majesty speaks of may indeed exist, but troubles are also enlightenment, and calamities can be transformed into trials. To completely reject something based on a single prophecy before even trying and making an effort is surely like throwing the baby out with the bathwater."

"As for defying the imperial decree..." Jiang Dusheng shook her head slightly, "Your Majesty cherishes the future of the Crown Prince, and I understand."

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear as a mirror, reflecting the majestic figure on the throne:

"But has Your Majesty ever asked yourself what the Crown Prince truly desires? Is it a seemingly secure but unnatural obedience, or a choice that, despite the storms, is willingly embraced?"

"Is Your Majesty truly not using the guise of acting in the best interests of the Crown Prince to actually imprison and restrict him?"

Emperor Cangqi felt a tightness in his chest from her words, especially since she dared to use Buddhist principles to refute his authority, which enraged him even more. He shouted angrily:

"Insolence! How dare you use Buddhist principles to presume to understand the mind of your sovereign, to speculate on my intentions, and to resort to sophistry? Do you really think I dare not punish you?!"

Jiang Dusheng was not intimidated by his anger. Instead, he took a half step forward, getting closer to the imperial steps, and his posture became more and more calm and fearless.

"I am not making excuses, I am simply stating my true feelings and the facts."

"Your Majesty, I like Xie Jinchen."

Jiang Dusheng paused, then spoke each word with utmost clarity, “This affection is not because he is the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion, nor because of his illustrious status or the power he wields.”

"Similarly," she said firmly, "we will not be easily swayed by the Grand Preceptor's prophecy, nor by Your Majesty's opposition."

"What I like is Xie Jinchen, who carries a murderous aura but still stays true to himself."

"It's Xie Jinchen, who would be overjoyed by a single word from me; it's Xie Jinchen, who, knowing the road ahead would be difficult, would still take my hand and say he would persevere to the end."

Jiang Dusheng shook his head at this point, his eyes clear:

"His power and status may be dazzling in the eyes of the world, but to me, they are only a part of him, not the whole, and certainly not the reason why I am so fond of him."

"What I admire is Xie Jinchen, who is flesh and blood and has a sense of responsibility, after all the glory and constraints have been removed."

"So, Your Majesty, you ask me if I know my crime." Jiang Dusheng slightly raised his head, looked directly at the emperor's face, and straightened his spine.

"I do not know. I only know to follow my heart, to be true to others, and to be true to myself."

The Imperial Study was deathly silent, with only the rising smoke from the incense burner, as if even the air itself had frozen.

"How dare you!" Emperor Cangqi was enraged by Jiang Dusheng's words. He grabbed the Longquan celadon teacup beside him and threw it at her.

Jiang Dusheng did not move, but just as the teacup approached him with a whoosh of wind, he slightly turned his head.

The teacup grazed her temple and flew past with a crisp "crack," shattering on the gold-brick floor behind her, shards of porcelain and warm tea splashing everywhere.

Just then, a eunuch's trembling voice came from outside the palace gates, announcing:

"Your Majesty! The Empress and the Duke of Wei are requesting an audience outside the palace!"

Emperor Cangqi's chest heaved, his anger still burning. His eyes flashed with a chilling light, and his tone was full of impatience and lingering rage as he spoke sharply:

"No! Let them wait!"

There was a moment of silence outside the door. The eunuch's voice was even lower, filled with fear, yet he had no choice but to report again:

"But... it seems that Her Majesty the Empress and the Duke of Wei have come about Miss Jiang's matter."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Cangqi glanced at Jiang Dusheng, who was still standing ramrod straight, and his anger burned even brighter.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging anger, and slowly sat back on the dragon throne. His face remained ashen, and his voice was icy, devoid of any emotion.

"Announce."

The palace doors opened, and the Empress and the Duke of Wei entered one after the other.

The two entered and first paid their respects to the emperor according to etiquette.

Their gazes seemed to casually sweep over Jiang Dusheng, who was standing to the side, but they did not linger, nor did they speak up for her or plead for her directly. Their attitude was just right.

The Empress walked straight to Emperor Cangqi's side, leaned down and whispered a few words quickly in his ear.

As the Empress spoke, Emperor Cangqi's expression shifted from anger to shock. His brows furrowed more and more, and when his gaze fell on Jiang Dusheng again, it held a more complex expression.

After the Empress finished speaking, she stepped back and sat down to the side with her eyes lowered.

Duke Wei stepped forward, lifted his robe, and knelt down. "Your Majesty! I do not know what Miss Jiang has done to offend the Emperor, but I dare to beg Your Majesty to grant her temporary leniency, considering that I have only one daughter, Mingli, and that her life is hanging by a thread."

"My daughter's life depends entirely on Miss Jiang! If it weren't for Miss Jiang exposing that Cui family brat who used evil magic to harm people, my poor Li'er would probably have been killed on her sickbed!"

At this point, the Duke of Wei's voice choked with emotion, a mixture of lingering fear and deep gratitude.

He took a deep breath and continued, "Your Majesty, once Miss Jiang has revived my daughter, if she is truly guilty, I...I am willing to share some of the blame!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Cangqi looked at the Duke of Wei kneeling on the ground, and then at the Empress beside him with a solemn expression. The anger in his heart was somewhat disrupted by this sudden turn of events.

He wasn't unreasonable, but Jiang Dusheng's attitude had truly angered him, and Shi Qinglian's prophecy was like a thorn in his side.

Emperor Cangqi snorted coldly and remained silent.

Just then, the eunuch's report from outside the hall rang out again, this time with even greater fear:

"Your Majesty, Princess Yongning, Minister of Personnel Xu, and Director of Studies Meng of the Imperial Academy request an audience."

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Cangqi suddenly looked at Jiang Dusheng, his eyes sharp, his tone filled with shock, anger, and disbelief:

"Jiang Dusheng, you! You're truly remarkable! To have so many people come all the way to my imperial study for you!"

His chest heaved violently, feeling that the Imperial Study had never been so lively, nor had it ever made him feel so troubled.

Emperor Cangqi suppressed his anger, took a few deep breaths, and finally fixed his gaze on the still calm Jiang Dusheng.

He knew that today's events could no longer be resolved in the way he had envisioned.

"Alright!" Emperor Cangqi's voice was tinged with frustration. He waved his hand. "Let's leave today's matter here for now."

Emperor Cangqi looked at Jiang Dusheng, his gaze still sharp, but his tone no longer carried the initial fury, but rather a warning:

"Jiang Dusheng, consider my words carefully. Once the Imperial Advisor emerges from seclusion, I will summon you to the palace again. At that time..."

He paused, then emphasized, "I hope you can give me... the answer I want to hear."

This is a clear concession, giving both yourself and the other party a way out and some time to adjust.

"Duke of Wei," he turned to the still kneeling Duke of Wei, his tone softening, "I know you love your daughter dearly. Please rise, saving lives is the priority, I... grant your permission."

"As for those few outside the door," he rubbed his temples, looking somewhat tired, "tell them that I am tired today and we will discuss this another day. Let them all leave."

Jiang Dusheng stood up, bowed to Emperor Cangqi, and said in a calm and unwavering voice, "This humble woman takes her leave."

She neither made any promises nor refuted Emperor Cangqi's words, but simply withdrew according to etiquette.