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

The atmosphere inside the side hall was tense.

Emperor Cangqi's expression was unreadable; he simply said to Duke Zhenguo Xie Dai, "No need for formalities."

Xie Dai straightened up, his gaze steady as he looked at Emperor Cangqi, and said:

"Your Majesty, my son, dissatisfied with the Imperial Advisor's prophecy, acted impulsively and rashly, offending the Imperial Advisor. The reasons and the truth of the matter are for Your Majesty's wise judgment. But before proceeding, may I have a word?"

Emperor Cangqi stared at him and slowly uttered a single word: "Speak."

Xie Dai's gaze swept over the expressionless Shi Qinglian to the side, then over the languid Xie Jinchen, and he said in a deep voice:

"The marriage was arranged by their parents and the matchmaker. The matter between Chen'er and Miss Jiang..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty... has no objection."

He looked at Xie Jinchen, then glanced at Jiang Dusheng as if unintentionally, and said in a loud voice, "The two of them are a perfect match!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Cangqi's pupils contracted slightly.

Shi Qinglian paused, her fingers stilling as she held the prayer beads.

He raised his eyes and looked at Xie Dai. Beneath that calm exterior, a hint of coldness flashed deep in his eyes.

Xie Dai's voice echoed in the silent hall, carrying the domineering aura forged in countless battles:

"As for what the Imperial Advisor said, Miss Jiang's fate is strange and she cannot marry anyone, otherwise disaster will surely follow, bringing harm to her husband's family..."

His gaze suddenly shifted to Shi Qinglian, "My Xie family has earned its fame and fortune on horseback since the time of the founding emperor!"

His voice was resounding, like the beating of war drums, "What evil aura or calamity have the men of the Xie family ever feared? If they can't even withstand the fate of their own wives, and can't protect them properly, then they are not worthy of being called sons of the Xie family!"

He took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Shi Qinglian, but his words were addressed to Emperor Cangqi:

"I have no fear! The Xie family has no fear either!"

Emperor Cangqi stared intently at Xie Dai, his hands clenched behind his back, his knuckles white from the force, and the veins slightly visible.

It was a secret that both he and Xie Dai knew perfectly well.

Xie Jinchen has the blood of Emperor Cangqi flowing through his veins!

How much of Xie Dai's upbringing, protection, and even favoritism towards Xie Jinchen over the years is due to a promise made back then, and how much of it conceals resentment and unwillingness for being forced to accept him back then?

Now, Xie Dai is so magnanimous in accepting a woman who could bring disaster, and is even willing to defy the will of the Imperial Advisor and the Emperor to support this son who is not his biological son…

How many of these people genuinely feel they are a perfect match? And how many are simply retaliating against his inability to do anything about it back then?

Emperor Cangqi's paranoia reached its peak at this moment.

Xie Dai's words were like a torch thrown into a pot of boiling oil, instantly bringing the already tense situation to its climax.

Shi Qinglian's face darkened completely, and her calm mask nearly shattered.

Xie Dai's words were clearly directed at Xie Jinchen, but every word felt like a heavy slap to his face, striking his supposedly hidden wounds.

Perhaps Xie Dai already knew his true identity.

Thinking of this, Shi Qinglian tightened her fingers on the prayer beads until her knuckles turned white.

He lowered his eyes, trying to hide the turmoil within them.

After a long pause, Emperor Cangqi finally managed to squeeze out a voice through gritted teeth, filled with suppressed anger and oppressive force: "You and your son... are you going to defy the imperial decree?"

Xie Dai cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his words sounding humble, but in reality, he was not giving an inch: "Your subject dares not."

Though he said he dared not, his straight back and unwavering gaze clearly showed that he would not yield an inch of ground.

At this moment, Shi Qinglian chuckled softly, breaking the suffocating silence, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness and mockery:

"The Duke and his son truly have a deep father-son bond; it's truly touching."

These words sounded like an exclamation, yet also like sarcasm.

Xie Jinchen raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconcerned about Shi Qinglian's sarcastic remarks.

He looked at Emperor Cangqi, whose face was ashen, and his tone even carried a hint of relief:

"Your Majesty, you see, even my father said so."

He glossed over the accusation of defying the imperial decree and went straight back to the marriage: "Besides, my betrothal gifts have already been sent to Nanchansi Temple, and the marriage certificates have been exchanged. Whether you acknowledge it or not today, this marriage is a done deal and cannot be changed."

Emperor Cangqi's gaze swept back and forth between Xie Dai's unyielding face and Xie Jinchen's fearless face, his anger surging and burning away his reason.

Finally, that anger transformed into a cold, cruel laugh:

"Excellent! Excellent! What a fine Xie family! What a fine Duke Zhenguo's mansion!"

He slammed his hand on the imperial desk and shouted sternly, "Guards!"

The guards outside the hall responded and entered.

Emperor Cangqi stared at Xie Jinchen and spoke, word by word:

"Xie Jinchen, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, is arrogant and unruly, showing contempt for the emperor's authority. He openly attacked the Imperial Preceptor at the solemn Jingxin Terrace in the palace, disturbing the tranquility of the palace!"

"He is hereby stripped of his position as Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and dismissed from all post as punishment! Furthermore, he shall be given twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others. This shall be carried out immediately outside the palace!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng frowned and took half a step forward to speak, but was stopped by Xie Jinchen with a look.

He seemed to have anticipated this punishment, showing no surprise on his face, even a faint smile playing on his lips. He calmly cupped his hands in greeting, his voice clear and distinct:

"Your subject, Xie Jinchen... I accept the decree and thank Your Majesty for your great favor." His posture was composed, as if he were being rewarded rather than punished.

Emperor Cangqi's gaze then turned to Xie Dai, his anger still blazing. "Duke Zhenguo Xie Dai, you have failed to properly educate your son, allowing him to commit violent acts and speak disrespectfully before the Emperor. You are hereby fined one year's salary and ordered to remain in your residence for three months to reflect on your actions! You are forbidden from entering the court to participate in discussions without an imperial edict!"

Xie Dai remained expressionless, as if the fine and confinement were nothing more than a trivial matter.

He bowed in return, his voice steady: "Your subject receives the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."

Outside the side hall, the dull thuds of caning echoed, striking Xie Jinchen's body and Jiang Dusheng's heart.

Jiang Dusheng's fingertips twitched slightly, and a wisp of pale golden spiritual energy flowed around her. She subconsciously wanted to cast a teleportation spell.

However, a figure suddenly blocked her way.

It was Xie Dai, the Duke of Zhenguo.

"Let him suffer." Xie Dai's tone was calm as he gazed at the figure calmly enduring the punishment. "This beating, the lost official position, and even those words spoken before the Emperor just now... most likely, it was all part of his plan. This kid is shrewd."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng's anxiety and impulsiveness were extinguished as if doused with cold water, and quickly subsided.

Although she was not involved in court intrigues, her mind was incredibly sharp. The events that had just transpired in the hall flashed through her mind, and she immediately pieced them together.

That's right... Xie Jinchen's intrusion into the Cleansing Platform today was definitely not just a matter of acting on impulse.

This incident, which escalated to the point of being brought before the emperor, risking his anger and even physical punishment, was an extreme measure intended to force Emperor Cangqi to turn a blind eye to the marriage proposal after severe punishment.

Emperor Cangqi has already punished him and taken his punishment. If he were to forcibly separate them again, it would appear inhumane and unbecoming of a monarch.

Personally, I fear being too harsh on this nephew would discourage people.

This beating is the price to pay, but also a bargaining chip to silence public opinion.

Secondly... it was an opportunity for revenge.

Inside the palace, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shi Qinglian, as the Imperial Preceptor, would never dare to use her spiritual power to kill Xie Jinchen.

Xie Jinchen, however, had no scruples. He was already eccentric and had taken advantage of Shi Qinglian's restraint to teach her a lesson.

It was not only to vent his anger, but also to declare to Shi Qinglian and all those who were secretly obstructing him that even if the other party was the Imperial Preceptor, he would still strike if his sore spot was touched.