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

Jiang Dusheng was taken aback by his sudden accusation, but quickly recovered and reached out to place his hand on his shoulder, gently pushing him away.

She looked up at Xie Jinchen, deliberately putting on a stern face and speaking in a flat tone, "Young Master Xie, please follow etiquette and maintain your distance."

Xie Jinchen didn't back down; instead, he used the force of her push to pull her closer, his gaze intense: "Didn't you say you weren't angry anymore?"

He was referring to the smile she had given him just now.

Jiang Dusheng blinked, looking innocent and even a little surprised. "When did I say I wasn't angry?"

"You just said that." Xie Jinchen remained expressionless, her tone firm, her eyes open as if she had truly made a promise.

Jiang Dusheng was too lazy to argue with him about this fallacy, so he simply changed the subject, and his expression became more serious:

"Have you found out who was behind the ghosts and assassins who attacked you that day?"

When the topic turned to business, Xie Jinchen's tenderness and playfulness quickly vanished, his brows furrowing slightly, but he didn't loosen his grip on her arm. "The existing clues all point to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion..."

He paused, lowering his voice, "But for some reason, I always feel it's not him. Yet, all the clues I find seem to circle back to him."

"It's like it was meticulously arranged, or like... someone wanted me to believe it was him."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng also fell into deep thought.

She unconsciously tapped her knees with her fingertips, and after a moment she spoke, "After we've dealt with Ruan Guyan's matter, I'll accompany you to find your mother's remains."

She looked up at him, her gaze clear and firm. "If it really is him, or if this matter is inextricably linked to him, then he will surely slip up."

Xie Jinchen hummed in agreement, his arms unconsciously tightening around her, burying his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling the unique fragrance of the Buddhist temple emanating from her.

"Once my mother's remains are found and properly buried, and this greatest worry of mine is over... then we will get married."

He paused, then suddenly looked up into her eyes, his tone more serious than ever before, "When the time comes, I will give up being the heir apparent and go back to Nanchan Temple with you, becoming your live-in son-in-law."

Jiang Dusheng was stunned by his grand plan and couldn't help but laugh, "Young Master Xie, the way you put it makes you sound like I'm keeping a male concubine."

Hearing this displeasing address, Xie Jinchen turned his head to retort, but his gaze happened to catch a glimpse of the faint red mark he had left on Jiang Dusheng's neck when he was passionate last night, her collar slightly open.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed back the words he was about to say. He couldn't help but turn to the side, his warm lips covering the mark, and gently kissed it.

"Ouch!" Jiang Dusheng winced slightly, a tingling, stinging sensation spreading through the skin on the side of her neck. She instinctively raised her hand to push his head away. "Xie Jinchen, be gentle!"

"From now on, I might as well call you Xie the Scoundrel."

Xie Jinchen opened his mouth, looking with satisfaction as the color of the mark became more vibrant.

His fingertips traced the fresh red mark, and far from being annoyed, he actually began to think about it seriously, nodding in agreement:

"Hmm, calling him Xie the Scoundrel is fine too."

Jiang Dusheng: "..."

This person's shamelessness is only increasing day by day.

In the afternoon, the carriage slowly entered Changling City, and the sounds of people outside the window gradually became noisy.

Jiang Dusheng and Xie Jinchen sat in the car, clearly hearing snippets of conversation coming from outside the window:

"Have you heard? The second young lady of the Duke of Wei's mansion, who had been in a coma for many days and whose condition even the imperial physicians couldn't treat, has miraculously woken up!" A voice exclaimed in amazement.

"They've not only woken up! Just now, the Duke of Wei's mansion sent three carriages, fully loaded with silks, satins, gold, silver, and jade, saying it was to thank a young lady surnamed Jiang!"

"Miss Jiang? Could she be the one who broke off her marriage with Minister Jiang a while ago and started her own business?" someone wondered.

"Indeed! Remarkable! The Duke of Wei's family is a prestigious clan, to offer such a generous gift in gratitude shows that this Miss Jiang is truly capable!"

"I heard she grew up at Nanzen-ji Temple. Where is Nanzen-ji Temple? I must go and pay my respects!"

The discussions were varied and numerous.

Jiang Dusheng lowered a corner of the slightly lifted carriage curtain, his expression calm, and simply said, "The people from the Duke of Wei's mansion are quite astute."

When she took on this task, she did not explicitly state the amount of compensation to the Wei family.

Now, the Wei family is not only offering generous gifts in return, but also publicizing the matter extensively, undoubtedly using the prestige of the entire Duke's Mansion to make her famous.

This is more precious than any gold or silver, and it is exactly what she needs right now.

Xie Jinchen nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes, "It is precisely because the Wei family has always been thorough in its dealings and knows how to assess the situation that the Crown Prince's position is so stable."

When the carriage reached a fork in the road, Xie Jinchen raised his hand and gently tapped the side of the carriage. The driver understood and slowed down.

He looked at Jiang Dusheng: "There are a few tricky cases piling up in the city that I need to handle personally at the Dali Temple. It will probably take some time. You don't need to wait for me for dinner; please eat first."

Jiang Dusheng nodded: "Okay."

Jiang's residence.

Wang Dazhuang was directing the servants of the guard's mansion to carefully move the delivered boxes and chests into the storeroom and put them away, busy as bees.

Jiang Dusheng entered the main room, pondered for a moment, then laid out paper, ground ink, wrote four characters, and summoned Wang Dazhuang:

"Dazhuang, go to Princess Yongning's residence and personally deliver this letter to a reliable person close to the princess."

Wang Dazhuang took the letter, patted his chest, and assured him, "Don't worry, Master! I've got it covered!"

The time has come; it is time to vindicate Ruan Guyan's soul.

Dinner time.

The aroma of food wafted through the flower hall.

Since Xie Jinchen had not returned, Jiang Dusheng sat alone at the main table to eat.

A smaller, lower table was set up next to it, which was also covered with dishes.

Wang Dazhuang and Ruan Guyan, their souls now much more solidified, sat there, intoxicated by the aroma of the food.

Jiang Dusheng ate his meal slowly and deliberately, then suddenly remembered something, put down his chopsticks, and said:

"Dazhuang," she said, looking at Wang Dazhuang, who was trying to savor the aroma of the stewed chicken soup.

"I'll wander around the city these next few days, looking for ghosts like you who died young, whose souls are solidified and whose natures are still acceptable. If I find a suitable one, I'll bring it back."

Her intention was that the house was too big, and sometimes when Wang Dazhuang went out on business, or was as busy as he was today, it was inconvenient to guard the gate and pass on messages.

Finding a reliable ghost to guard the house and run errands can solve the urgent problem of manpower shortage, and it is also a stable job for a wandering ghost.

Offering incense and prayers can accumulate good karma, potentially leading to a better rebirth.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Wang Dazhuang, who was inhaling the aroma of the hibiscus cake, suddenly froze.

Immediately, two ghost tears fell from the paper figure's eye sockets.

Ruan Guyan, who was standing next to him, was startled, and her soul trembled.

She looked at Wang Dazhuang in surprise, not understanding why this usually cheerful Brother Wang would suddenly burst into tears.

The scene was truly eerie and heartbreaking.