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

Jiang Dusheng then took something out of his sleeve.

It was a small, smooth, jade-like peach wood branch, only the length of a finger, with a small, naturally formed flower bud at the top.

She lightly touched the peach branch with her fingertip, and spiritual energy sprinkled onto the peach blossom buds.

In an instant, the flower bud seemed to be infused with life, radiating a pink halo.

Although not yet in full bloom, it exudes a peaceful and warm feeling.

Jiang Dusheng placed the small peach wood branch into Li Xiuniang's illusory palm.

The peach branch touched her soul, but instead of falling, it seemed to come alive and remained in her hand, emitting a warm light that enveloped her cold soul.

"This item is of little use; it is merely a token of my appreciation."

Jiang Dusheng looked at her, and in his usually cold eyes, the faint light of the peach wood was clearly reflected, as was the stunned image of Li Xiuniang.

She spoke slowly, her voice clearer than the moonlight, yet carrying a comforting warmth:

"Take this with you. May you, in your next life, be like this peach tree in spring, receiving the warm sun, with lush branches and leaves."

"Li Xiuniang, the road ahead is clear, go."

After saying that, she gave a gentle push.

Li Xiuniang held the small piece of peach wood, and her soul was sent into the portal by a gentle force.

Just as her figure was about to disappear completely, she turned around and bowed deeply to the figure in white under the moonlight.

The tear stains on my face had dried, leaving only relief and gratitude.

The portal slowly closed, eventually turning into specks of golden light that dissipated into the night.

The Wang family courtyard returned to silence, with only the heavy stench of blood and the intermittent groans of a mother and child in the corner.

The lingering resentment slowly dissipated.

Jiang Dusheng stood still for a moment, then looked up at the night sky.

The cinnabar between his brows remained deep red.

"Master..." Wang Dazhuang's soul cautiously floated over, gazing in the direction where the light gate had disappeared.

Even the honest-looking soul's face revealed a genuine sense of gratitude, "You are so kind."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng turned to look at him, the moonlight illuminating half of her exquisite face.

She tilted her head slightly, her tone as calm as if she were discussing the weather:

"I see. Well then, being the kind person I am, I'll take you down there too, how about that?"

Wang Dazhuang's soul shuddered violently and flew far away in a flash, his voice trembling with fear:

"No, Master! You mustn't! I... I haven't had enough fun yet, this wonderful world... this..."

He was so anxious he was incoherent, "I haven't even repaid your kindness by serving you like a slave yet! Let me stay a few more days! Just a few more days!"

Jiang Dusheng smiled and ignored him, no longer glancing at the filth on the ground.

He turned and left the Wang family.

When they returned to the main gate of the Jiang residence, it was nearly 9 PM.

The Jiang residence was still brightly lit, and the sounds of laughter and conversation could be faintly heard coming from the front yard.

The joy of the betrothal ceremony seemed not to have completely faded.

As Jiang Dusheng stepped through the main gate, he saw Jiang Zhiyuan accompanying a man out not far away, seemingly seeing a guest off.

The man was quite tall, about the same height as Jiang Zhiyuan, and wore a moon-white brocade robe with cloud patterns and a jade belt around his waist.

He had a handsome face, with open and bright eyebrows and eyes, a high nose bridge, and a natural smile at the corners of his lips. He looked gentle and refined, with a noble and elegant demeanor.

However, the smile did not fully reach his eyes; as his gaze shifted, a subtle, almost imperceptible distance would occasionally flash across his face.

Jiang Dusheng didn't stop walking, pretending not to see, and planned to walk around it without looking to the side.

"Watatsuki."

Jiang Zhiyuan called out to her.

He quickened his pace, stepping between her and the man, a polite smile on his face. "Perfect timing. Let me introduce you. This is the heir apparent of Prince Chun's mansion, and also Wanqing's future husband."

Jiang Dusheng then stopped and calmly turned his gaze to Chu Yanzhao.

The gaze swept across his face very quickly, as if passing over an insignificant decoration.

However, in that brief moment, her gaze seemed to pause for a moment somewhere between his brows, so quickly that it was almost an illusion.

She then nodded expressionlessly as a greeting, and continued walking.

The whole process took only two or three breaths, and was so cold as to be almost rude.

The moment Chu Yanzhao saw Jiang Dusheng's face clearly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

This face... bears a slight resemblance to Wan Qing, but their temperaments are completely different.

Her current attitude of treating him as if he were nothing was quite different from the timid eldest daughter of the Jiang family he had imagined.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhiyuan quickly explained to Chu Yanzhao with a slight apology:

"Yanzhao, please don't be offended. Dusheng has only recently returned to the manor and is still getting used to many of the rules. If she has been impolite, I apologize on her behalf."

Chu Yanzhao had already suppressed his surprise and resumed his usual gentle smile. "It's alright. We'll all be family in the future."

Jiang Dusheng hadn't gone far when he was blocked by Jiang Wanqing after just rounding a corridor.

Jiang Wanqing had obviously been waiting here on purpose.

She changed out of the gorgeous clothes she wore during the day and into a light pink brocade dress, with only a magnolia in her hair. She was less domineering and more gentle and unassuming.

But those eyes were fixed on Jiang Dusheng, filled with wariness and a hint of guilt.

"Sister," Jiang Wanqing spoke first, her voice gentle but deliberately drawn out, "did you see Prince Chu at the door just now?"

Jiang Dusheng didn't stop walking; he just hummed in response and continued forward.

Jiang Wanqing quickly stepped to the side, blocking her way again. "Sister, please wait. I have a few private words I'd like to say to you."

Jiang Dusheng then stopped, looked up at her, his gaze calm, waiting for her private words.

Jiang Wanqing felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the handkerchief, and she lowered her eyes, softening her voice even more:

"Today, Brother Yanzhao has come to propose marriage, and everyone in the household is overjoyed. Although this marriage was arranged by chance, now that it is settled, it is a matter of great importance concerning the reputation of our Jiang family's daughter."

She raised her eyes, her gaze quickly sweeping over Jiang Dusheng's expressionless face, and continued:

"Sister has just returned to the manor and may not know that Changling City is full of gossips who love to spread rumors. I know that you and Brother Yanzhao had no connection before, but now it's inevitable that you'll run into each other..."

She paused, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, but finally said, "I have no other intention than to ask you to be more discreet in the future if you happen to meet me, and try not to be alone with Brother Yanzhao, so as not to cause gossip."

"After all, my sister has just returned from the Buddhist monastery. If she were to cause any unnecessary gossip and damage the reputation of our Jiang family's daughters, it would only cause Father and Mother unnecessary worry. Can my sister understand my concerns?"

His words were perfectly tactful.

First, she brought up the reputation of the Jiang family's daughter, and then pointed out that she wanted to avoid upsetting her parents.

She seemed to be thinking of her family in every way, but in reality, she only had one intention: to draw a line and keep Jiang Dusheng away from her future husband.

Jiang Dusheng listened quietly, his face still expressionless, but his eyes appeared particularly deep in the glow of the lanterns under the eaves.

She suddenly took a small step forward, closing the distance between herself and Jiang Wanqing.

Jiang Wanqing subconsciously took a half step back, somewhat surprised and uncertain.

Jiang Dusheng leaned slightly forward and spoke slowly and deliberately in a voice that only the two of them could hear:

"Jiang Wanqing".

She used her full name and surname, but did not address her as "sister".

"You seem to have misunderstood something." Jiang Dusheng looked at her slightly widened eyes. "First, this marriage wasn't a matter of chance; you stole it from her. Second..."

She straightened up, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Wanqing's face, a pitying smile playing on her lips:

"I have no interest in what you went to such lengths to steal. I have even less interest in touching it."

"So," her tone suddenly turned cold, and she regained her normal volume, "get out of my way. You're blocking my way back."

Jiang Wanqing's face flushed red and then turned pale as she was choked by her words, especially the word "steal," which felt like a needle pricking her most vulnerable spot.

She clenched her handkerchief, wanting to say something about maintaining appearances, but Jiang Dusheng was too lazy to listen anymore and simply turned to the side, preparing to walk past her.

In a moment of desperation, Jiang Wanqing took another step to block, her spoiled nature finally showing, and she blurted out:

"Stop right there! What do you mean by that? Who stole it? It was me and Brother Yanzhao..."

"A good dog doesn't block the way," Jiang Dusheng interrupted her impatiently, his brows furrowing slightly.

"You! You're so vulgar!" Jiang Wanqing was furious.

Jiang Dusheng suddenly laughed again, this time with a clear hint of mockery.

She adopted a high-pitched, affected tone again, slowly repeating, "Good dog, don't block the way."

After finishing reading, she resumed her cool voice and asked with a smile, "Is that elegant enough, not vulgar? Can you understand it now? Can you move aside?"

Jiang Wanqing was so angry that she trembled all over. She pointed at Jiang Dusheng and kept saying "you" for a long time, but she saw that the other party had already stopped smiling and his eyes were cold.

It was as if if she didn't move aside, they would really clear her away as if she were in the way.

Finally, Jiang Wanqing bit her lip and reluctantly turned her body to the side.

Jiang Dusheng walked past without looking to either side, the hem of her plain-colored skirt brushing against the corridor railing without pausing for a moment.

After taking a few steps, her voice drifted on the wind, carrying undisguised sarcasm:

"Don't worry, in my eyes, your future husband is no different from a roadside stone. However..."

She turned her head slightly and caught a glimpse of Jiang Wanqing's suddenly tense face out of the corner of her eye.

"You'd better keep a close eye on the stones you've stolen. After all, something that can be easily taken away isn't necessarily a good thing, and it might not even truly belong to you."

After saying that, she didn't linger and her figure quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Jiang Wanqing stood alone under the lantern, her expression shifting constantly.

Jiang Dusheng's words echoed in her mind like a curse, making her feel inexplicably irritable and uneasy.