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

Jiang Dusheng slept very soundly and woke up at noon the next day.

She had just opened her eyes and was still a little dazed when she saw Xie Jinchen walk in carrying a tray with a few light side dishes, rice porridge, and two plump white steamed buns on it.

"Awake?" Xie Jinchen placed the tray on the table, walked to the couch and sat down, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I was just about to wake you up for lunch."

Jiang Dusheng felt weak all over, too lazy to even move her fingertips. She only raised her eyelids and glared at him irritably, her eyes glistening with tears, but they held no power.

Xie Jinchen felt a pang of guilt as she waited for him.

He subconsciously raised his hand to touch the tip of his nose, remembering that he had indeed been a little too indulgent last night, and her intermittent pleas for forgiveness later, which were choked with sobs.

Xie Jinchen coughed lightly, trying to change the subject, and took out a letter from his pocket, handing it over with a more serious tone: "What you wanted."

Seeing this, Jiang Dusheng propped himself up, took the letter, and opened it.

Inside were several pages of seemingly ordinary correspondence, but the content made her gaze grow cold.

The first letter begins with "To be opened by Jing Shen personally," and at first glance, the content appears to be a complaint:

"Recently, the family has been planning to renovate the West Garden, but is struggling to find rare and exotic stones and plants. We have heard of a remarkable person in the city who is skilled in geomancy and geomancy, but he is aloof and cannot be persuaded without substantial gifts and bribes. I have long admired him, but have been unable to gain his favor. My cousin is known for his extensive knowledge; does he perhaps have a way to introduce you? Or do you know his likes and dislikes, so that we can cater to his tastes?"

The inscription reads, "Respectfully presented by your younger brother, Yanzhao."

Another reply read:

"There's no rush regarding the West Garden project. We should proceed slowly and patiently, rather than hastily seeking quick results, which would only attract unwanted attention. Recently, I was reading history and came across the charm of bonsai pines. Even in shallow pots, they develop a vigorous and robust form over several years. If you have the time, you might want to take a look at small bonsai, especially those with deep roots in barren soil. These tend to be very resilient and, with a little care, can become beautiful specimens."

"Brother, you can help with the necessary funds. Also, I've heard that Uncle has been having some troubles lately with the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation. Perhaps there's a chance for him to turn things around? I can inquire about it in detail."

These letters, seemingly just everyday greetings and discussions of trivial matters, actually conceal hidden secrets.

Seeing that Jiang Dusheng was looking at it intently, Xie Jinchen whispered an explanation: "The extraordinary person mentioned in this letter refers to you. It's not that we can't persuade you with generous gifts, but rather that we're discussing ways to win you over."

"Look at the reply again." He pointed to the second letter, "The bonsai pine is a metaphor for a force cultivated over a long period of time, while the barren pine represents someone from a humble background but with potential."

"And the last thing mentioned, the worries about the Ministry of Personnel's assessment," Xie Jinchen sneered, "are about how to use the opportunity of the Ministry of Personnel's assessment to place their own people."

These letters, taken individually, might be enough to offer some explanation, but when put together, they are enough to clearly outline, to those with a keen eye, the Second Prince's clandestine cultivation of power and his connections with foreign officials.

Jiang Dusheng quickly finished reading the letter, slowly folded it, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes:

"Chu Yanzhao has really bitten off more than he can chew. Our Emperor is in the prime of his life, full of vigor and vitality. It seems he's not the kind of person who would tolerate his son starting to act so ambitiously and eyeing the chair under his butt at this age."

These letters, once delivered to the Emperor, would be enough to cause the Second Prince considerable trouble, and Chu Yanzhao, his henchman, would be the first to suffer.

At this moment, Xie Jinchen suddenly raised his eyes, looked at Jiang Dusheng, and said in a deep voice:

"Jiang Dusheng, I plan to rebel."

Jiang Dusheng paused slightly as he carefully put the letter away. Upon hearing this, his face showed no shock or fear; instead, he raised an eyebrow.

She slowly and carefully put the letter away, placed it back on her pillow, then lifted the covers and got out of bed, deliberately teasing him with a light, airy tone:

"Oh," she turned around and walked towards the door, "I suddenly remembered I have something to take care of, so I'll be going now. Young Master, please continue your plans."

Xie Jinchen stretched out his long arm and easily pulled her back, pulling her tightly into his arms. He lowered his head and chuckled softly in her ear, his breath warm, "Trying to run away now? Too late."

Xie Jinchen snorted softly, his voice filled with obsession: "Jiang Dusheng, I've said it before, whether in heaven or on earth, in the netherworld or the underworld, if I die, I will never leave you to live alone."

Jiang Dusheng was held tightly in his arms. Listening to his words, he was not afraid at all. Instead, the smile in his eyes deepened.

That's exactly the kind of unwavering and resolute choice she wanted.

Jiang Dusheng even struggled a couple of times, but couldn't break free. His tone showed no fear whatsoever; it was more like he was teasing a ferocious beast baring its fangs.

"So how do you plan to rebel? By killing the emperor?"

Xie Jinchen loosened his grip on her, "Killing the emperor is a poor strategy. Not to mention the strict palace security and the slim chance of success, even if we were to succeed by chance, it would inevitably plunge the world into chaos, and you and I would become targets of public criticism, traitors and villains in the history books."

"Emperor Cangqi is suspicious and has long harbored fear of Shi Qinglian. He is also not entirely unaware of the Second Prince's faction and corruption."

"I want to support the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. The Crown Prince is kind and gentle, and although he is a little indecisive, he cares about the people, and... we have a genuine friendship in private, so he is the most suitable candidate."

"Next, all we need to do is find a way to get that person to step down voluntarily, or... be forced to step down."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng blinked and deliberately dragged out his words, saying, "I knew it. You agreed to help me find the letters about the Second Prince's collusion with Chu Yanzhao so readily. Turns out, you were killing two birds with one stone."

"They not only helped me and Ruan Guyan, but also conveniently eliminated the Second Prince, the biggest threat to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Jiang Dusheng's eyes were full of laughter, but he deliberately put on a stern face, "Xie Jinchen, you have too many tricks up your sleeve, I don't like it..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xie Jinchen suddenly picked up a white steamed bun and quickly stuffed it into her mouth.

"Hmm!"

Caught off guard, Jiang Dusheng was suddenly blocked by a steamed bun. His eyes widened, and he protested in a muffled voice.

Xie Jinchen looked at her puffed-out cheeks and finally couldn't help but chuckle, instantly dispelling the tense atmosphere from before.

He said, "I don't want to hear you say that you don't like cunning people. So, you're not allowed to say it."

Jiang Dusheng took the steamed bun out of his mouth and angrily said, "Xie Jinchen! I haven't washed up yet!"

Soon, the day of the Hundred Flowers Banquet arrived, and it was also time for Xie Jinchen to set off for Qingzhou to suppress the bandits.

As dawn broke, Wang Dazhuang's voice came from outside the courtyard gate, carrying a hint of urgency that he deliberately lowered:

"Young Master Xie, outside... that eunuch from the palace is urging us again, saying it's getting late and we can't afford to be delayed."

He almost blurted out "the dog emperor sent people to spy on him," but luckily he stopped himself in time.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinchen shifted his gaze from Jiang Dusheng's furrowed brows to the direction of the courtyard gate. His eyes instantly regained their usual calm as he replied, "Understood."

He withdrew his gaze and turned it back to the person in front of him.

Jiang Dusheng was looking down, stuffing all sorts of talismans into his waist, sleeves, and even boots, practically turning himself into a mobile talisman warehouse.

Sensing his gaze, Jiang Dusheng finally stopped, took a half step back, and looked Xie Jinchen up and down, who was almost armed to the teeth, and seemed barely satisfied.

She clapped her hands, her tone confident: "Alright. Even if he sends twenty vengeful ghosts to ambush you, these talismans will be enough for you to hold out until... I get there."

Looking at her as if she wanted to wrap him up like a talisman dumpling, Xie Jinchen felt the gloom of parting in his heart suddenly dissipate.

He smiled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but outside the courtyard gate, the palace envoy's urgent coughing could be faintly heard again, each cough more urgent than the last.

Seeing this, Xie Jinchen said nothing more, opened his arms, and hugged Jiang Dusheng tightly.

He whispered his last words in her ear, filled with deep longing:

"I'm waiting for you."

After saying that, he released his grip, turned around, and strode out of the courtyard.

Jiang Dusheng stood there, watching his figure disappear through the doorway.

Her hands, hanging by her sides, slowly clenched, her fingertips digging into her palms.

After a moment, Jiang Dusheng released his grip, all outward emotions vanishing from his face, leaving only a calm expression.

She turned around and looked at Ruan Guyan, who had somehow walked up to her side, and the female version of Wang Dazhuang, who had already entered the new body.

"Let's go, let's go to the banquet."