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

Jiang Dusheng stepped off the carriage. The summer sun shone on her light yellow dress, making her skin appear even whiter.

The cinnabar mole between her eyebrows was so bright red it seemed to glow, adding a unique touch to her cool and aloof face.

However... fate had other plans.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she looked up and saw Jiang Wanqing and Song Suya, surrounded by a group of maids and servants, gracefully alighting from another carriage not far away.

Both mother and daughter were dressed in their finest attire, adorned with pearls and jade, and were just as stunning as any flower in full bloom.

Song Suya spotted Jiang Dusheng at a glance, her eyes lit up slightly, and she subconsciously tidied her sideburns.

A cautious smile appeared on her face as she pulled the slightly reluctant Jiang Wanqing along, quickly walking towards Jiang Dusheng. "Dusheng!"

She seemed to want to reach out and tug at Jiang Dusheng's sleeve, but when she met Jiang Dusheng's calm, even distant eyes, she hesitated and stopped.

In the end, he only stopped nearby, looking at Jiang Dusheng with earnest eyes, his voice becoming even softer:

"It's been a long time. Are you doing well outside the manor? If you encounter any difficulties, please be sure to tell your mother."

Before Jiang Dusheng could react, Wang Dazhuang, who had just jumped off the carriage, nimbly stepped forward and blocked Jiang Dusheng's path.

He pinched his throat, trying hard to imitate the tone a maid should have: "My young lady has now established her own household, and all past matters have been settled. Madam Jiang and the second young lady, please make yourselves at home."

The implication was clear: to draw a clear line.

Jiang Wanqing, who was arrogant and spoiled because of her status, had never been interrupted by a maid before.

Her pretty face immediately darkened, her carefully drawn willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed, and she scolded Wang Dazhuang in a coquettish voice:

"Who do you think you are, daring to stop my mother from speaking? Have you no manners at all!"

Her tone carried a spoiled and willful air, but she still managed to maintain the demeanor of a noblewoman, glaring at Wang Dazhuang with hostility.

Upon hearing this, Wang Dazhuang was not afraid at all. Instead, he tilted his head and stared straight at Jiang Wanqing.

He deliberately used a volume only they could hear, drawing out his voice in a sinister tone:

"Miss Jiang, you must have a bad memory. Don't you remember me?"

As he spoke, he suddenly opened his mouth wide and blew out a breath of yin energy towards Jiang Wanqing.

The yin energy rushed towards her, carrying a chilling aura that instantly made Jiang Wanqing shiver and drain the color from her face.

She instinctively grabbed Song Suya's arm, her voice trembling with fear, "Mother! It's...it's that...that thing from last time in the manor! How come it's still with my sister!"

Song Suya was also startled by the cold aura and took a half step back. The smile on her face froze, and a trace of fear flashed in her eyes.

But she quickly calmed herself down, tightened her grip on Jiang Wanqing's hand, and gestured for her to stay calm.

At the same time, his gaze passed over Wang Dazhuang and landed on Jiang Dusheng, who remained indifferent. His tone softened further, even carrying a hint of pleading:

"Dusheng, your mother just wants to say a few words to you and show her concern."

"We are blood relatives after all, why should we go to such lengths? Let this... young lady stop her supernatural powers, Wanqing is weak and can't take this fright."

Jiang Dusheng glanced at them indifferently and said calmly, "Dazhuang."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dazhuang, who was radiating a sinister aura towards Jiang Wanqing, immediately composed himself and straightened up.

He resumed his submissive demeanor, but his eyes still secretly glanced at Jiang Wanqing, with a hint of "you're lucky."

Jiang Dusheng stepped forward, his gaze falling on Jiang Wanqing's well-powdered face, and suddenly spoke:

"Has a date been set for your marriage to Prince Chu?"

Jiang Wanqing was still in shock when she was taken aback by the sudden question. She subconsciously shook her head, her expression a mixture of wariness and doubt.

"No. Mother is still asking someone to choose an auspicious day. Why are you asking this?"

Jiang Dusheng nodded, his tone still calm, yet seemingly carrying a deeper meaning: "Oh. Well, you're lucky then."

These words, spoken out of the blue, made Jiang Wanqing's heart tighten.

"What do you mean?" Jiang Wanqing frowned, feeling vaguely uneasy, yet unable to grasp the meaning.

Jiang Dusheng didn't look at her again. He led Ruan Guyan and Wang Dazhuang straight towards the gate of the Princess's mansion, leaving behind only one sentence that dissipated in the summer heat:

"All phenomena arise from causes and conditions, and all phenomena cease due to causes and conditions. A marriage is a thread of fate, and also a thread of karma. Miss Jiang, you should think carefully about this."

These words made Jiang Wanqing's heart tighten. Before she could ask further, Jiang Dusheng had already left with two maids.

There were already stewardesses waiting in front of the princess's mansion.

Ruan Guyan stepped forward and presented the invitation. The old woman took the gilded invitation, glanced at it, and immediately became respectful, curtsying and saying:

"So it's Miss Jiang. The princess instructed that you be invited directly to the lakeside pavilion upon your arrival. Please follow me."

Jiang Dusheng nodded slightly and led the two people behind him into the mansion.

As soon as I entered the room, I felt the heat of the day instantly dissipate.

Ancient trees tower within the princess's mansion, filtering the blazing sun into dappled light and shadow.

Although it wasn't springtime, the garden was still full of vibrant colors, clearly thanks to the gardener's meticulous care.

A light blue gauze curtain hung under the eaves, and behind the curtain, ice jars could be vaguely seen, emanating a cool breeze that dispelled the lingering heat of late summer.

Along the way, we encountered groups of noble ladies, all dressed in light summer clothes and holding round fans, chatting and laughing in the shade.

As I was walking, a gentle and clear voice came from the flower path beside me:

"Is this... Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Dusheng looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman dressed in a light blue dress, accompanied by two maids, walking out of the flower path and smiling at him.

She was beautiful, her face showing signs of weakness after recovering from illness, but her eyes were clear and kind.

Seeing Jiang Dusheng looking over, the woman stepped forward gracefully, gave a slight curtsy, and said softly:

"My daughter is Wei Mingli. My mother told me that the benefactor who exorcised evil spirits from me the other day had a cinnabar mole between her eyebrows and was so beautiful and elegant that she was like a goddess descending to earth."

"After waking up, I wanted to go and thank you, but I was afraid of being presumptuous and disturbing your peace. I never expected to meet you here today."

Her tone was sincere, and her posture was very humble, without any of the arrogance of a typical noblewoman.

Jiang Dusheng was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Wei Mingli to recover so quickly, and her complexion and spirits looked quite good, indicating that she had a good foundation and that the family had taken good care of her.

She nodded slightly in return, her tone calm yet polite: "Miss Wei, you're too kind. Saving someone is my duty. Your mother has already paid me, and our karmic debts are settled. There's no need to worry about it anymore."

Wei Mingli could tell that Jiang Dusheng was not the type to enjoy small talk and pleasantries. She didn't feel slighted; on the contrary, she found him to be frank and straightforward, without any expectation of reward, which made her like him even more.

She was a clever and tactful person; upon hearing this, she said no more, only smiling slightly and saying:

"I admire your carefree spirit, young lady, but the debt of saving my life is heavier than mountains and cannot be repaid with gold or silver."

"Mingli will always remember your kindness. If you ever need anything from Mingli or the Wei family in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. Mingli will not refuse."

Wei Mingli stepped aside to make way. "The waterside pavilion and flower hall are not far ahead. Please go first, young lady. Mingli still needs to wait for a sister before visiting the princess."

Jiang Dusheng nodded, said no more, and led Ruan Guyan and Wang Dazhuang, following the old woman towards the waterside pavilion and flower hall.