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

After listening, the man was stunned for a long time. The confusion in his eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by a clear and determined look.

He stood up, bowed deeply to Jiang Dusheng, his voice choked with emotion:

"Thank you so much for your guidance, Master! I understand now! Before, I was only trapped in my worries, but I never considered that the way to break through this predicament lay in my own hard work!"

"I will go back and prepare immediately, and I will certainly not let down the master's kindness in giving me guidance today!"

He carefully took out a coin from his pocket and respectfully placed it on the table.

Jiang Dusheng pushed the money back, "This divination will only cost one coin. The rest is my wish for you to get what you want soon."

The man was taken aback, then took out a coin, placed it on the table, and said with a smile, "When my wish comes true, I will definitely invite the master to a feast!"

Jiang Dusheng nodded slightly and accepted the money: "The road is under your feet, take care of yourself."

The man bowed again, and as he turned to leave, his steps were still heavy, but his back was much straighter, and a glimmer of hope rekindled in his eyes.

After the second divination was completed, the crowd began to whisper among themselves again. This time, many people's eyes held less doubt and more conviction.

Sitting by the window on the second floor, Yi Che couldn't help but whisper to Xie Jinchen:

"Ah Chen, this Miss Jiang is not only skilled at judging people by their appearance, but her advice is also very reasonable."

Xie Jinchen didn't speak, but suddenly stood up.

"I'm leaving." Xie Jinchen's voice was as cold as jade striking jade, without any superfluous tone or explanation.

He turned and walked straight toward the stairs, his posture as upright as a pine tree, even the curve of his clothes carried a sense of aloofness and order.

"Huh? He's leaving already? Not asking her for help..." Yi Che was stunned and pressed for an answer, but only saw Xie Jinchen's indifferent back.

Yi Che could only touch his nose and quickly follow, muttering to himself: Ah Chen's personality is truly unpredictable, just like it has been ten years.

Downstairs, the chatter from the crowd had not yet subsided.

Xie Jinchen walked straight through the automatically parting crowd without glancing to the side, and sat down in front of the simple fortune-telling stall, as if all the noise around him could not affect him in the slightest.

Jiang Dusheng raised his eyes and met Xie Jinchen's unfathomable gaze.

A hint of a smile flickered in her eyes, and the moving purple aura and... the money bag had finally arrived.

But his expression remained unchanged, not even bothering to offer a warm glance, he simply asked in a businesslike manner:

"What's so special about it?"

Xie Jinchen looked at her, his fingertips lightly stroking the string of jade beads, his voice carrying its usual indifference:

"I don't do fortune telling. But I'd like to ask you, young lady... to exorcise a ghost."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding crowd who were all listening intently, and added, "It's too crowded and noisy here for a detailed discussion. Would you mind if we moved upstairs to a private room for a chat?"

Jiang Dusheng did not answer immediately.

She tilted her head slightly, seemingly pondering for a moment, then simply nodded. "Okay."

She then turned to the crowd still gathered around her and said, "The three divinations for today are complete. I will return in three days. Those who wish to have their interpretations answered, please arrive early."

After saying that, he got up and left his seat without waiting for the reactions of the others.

Xu Banxian bowed respectfully to see him off, and Wang Dazhuang immediately followed closely behind Jiang Dusheng.

Seeing that she agreed, Xie Jinchen stood up, still expressionless, and simply turned to lead the way.

The second floor of the restaurant, with its quiet and elegant private rooms facing the street, seemed like a completely different world from the hustle and bustle downstairs.

Xie Jinchen raised his hand to gesture for Jiang Dusheng to sit down, and then sat down opposite her.

Yi Che hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to Xie Jinchen.

"What does Miss Jiang like to eat? Are there any dietary restrictions?" Xie Jinchen picked up the delicate porcelain teapot on the table and poured her a cup of tea. His movements were natural, as if it were just a casual gathering of friends.

The aroma of tea rises gently.

Jiang Dusheng glanced at the clear tea but didn't touch it, simply replying, "I don't have any dietary restrictions."

Xie Jinchen didn't insist. He put down the teapot, casually named a few exquisite pastries to the waiter waiting nearby, and ordered them to be brought over as soon as possible.

After the waiter left, only the four of them remained in the private room.

After a brief silence, Xie Jinchen got straight to the point.

He leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped on the table, and his eyes, which always carried a hint of detachment and languor, were now devoid of all emotion.

"Miss Jiang, I would like to ask you to help me... find the remains of a person."

Jiang Dusheng's eyelashes, which had been half-lowered, suddenly lifted, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

Looking for remains?

She looked directly at Xie Jinchen and asked, "Whose?"

Xie Jinchen met her gaze, his thin lips slightly pursed, clearly having some concerns.

He remained silent for a moment before slowly shaking his head. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you right now."

"Oh," Jiang Dusheng responded, his expression unchanged, but he leaned back in his chair, creating some distance between himself and the chair.

"Then I can't work with someone who can't even be basically honest."

She tilted her head slightly, looking at him with clear eyes, "I don't know who the deceased was, or what happened before. Forgive me for not being able to accept such an unclear request."

Her refusal was crisp and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation, and even carrying a sense of helplessness and a "do as you please" attitude.

Xie Jinchen's fingers, which were under the table, curled slightly.

He expected her to ask for information, but he didn't expect her to refuse so directly.

He looked at Jiang Dusheng, whose clear eyes were calmly looking back at him. There was no provocation, no haughtiness, only adherence to the rules.

The air felt somewhat stagnant.

Yi Che watched anxiously from the side, but dared not interrupt.

"it is good."

He conceded, his voice lower than before, "But what I have said today is of great importance, so please keep it a secret, young lady."

"Okay," Jiang Dusheng agreed just as readily. She understood the principles of the transaction.

Xie Jinchen looked out the window at the distant horizon. "What I'm looking for is my mother's remains."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng's usually expressionless face finally showed a clear look of surprise. "Your mother?" she repeated.

"Shouldn't your mother's coffin be enshrined in the imperial mausoleum and receive offerings from the royal family?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Jinchen turned around abruptly, his peach blossom eyes flashing with a sharp light, even carrying a hint of killing intent.

He stared intently at Jiang Dusheng, his voice icy cold, as if his sore spot had been touched, "How did you know my mother's identity?"

Despite Xie Jinchen's sudden heightened wariness, Jiang Dusheng remained unfazed.

She even picked up the untouched cup of tea in front of her, took a small sip to moisten her throat, and then slowly put the cup down to meet his scrutinizing gaze:

"What? You're allowed to send people to secretly follow and investigate me, but I'm not allowed to send a ghost to learn a little about you?"

Wang Dazhuang, who had been standing behind her, almost reflexively puffed out his paper chest even more upon hearing this.

He raised his chin slightly, trying his best to make a "That's right! It was me who investigated, isn't that amazing!" expression on his face.

Although it looked somewhat comical against his charming face.

Xie Jinchen's gaze shifted from Jiang Dusheng's face to the strangely positioned maid behind her.

He instantly understood.

Xie Jinchen: "..."

Yi Che listened in disbelief, glancing at Xie Jinchen's rare expression of frustration and then at Jiang Dusheng's matter-of-fact expression.

Finally, his gaze fell on the maid, and he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.

This maid... could she be a ghost?