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

Jiang Dusheng did not stop walking and went straight to the center of the flower hall.

After hearing Jiang Mao's words, he just yawned lazily, as if he had just listened to some unimportant rambling.

Her gaze swept over the diverse expressions on the faces of the crowd, her tone flat:

"Get to the point. If there's nothing else..." She paused, raising an eyebrow at Jiang Mao, "I didn't come here specifically to be lectured."

"You!" Jiang Mao's face turned pale with anger at her nonchalant attitude. He slammed his hand on the table, making the cups and saucers rattle. "You've gone too far!"

"father!"

Jiang Zhiyuan quickly stood up to dissuade his father, blocking him from view. He then turned to Jiang Dusheng and gave him a meaningful look, speaking in a gentler tone:

"Dusheng has just returned to Changling and is curious about everything. It's fine for him to go out and see the world. However, in the future, he should take more people with him when he goes out, so as not to worry his parents."

Song Suya quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Master, please calm down."

Seeing the atmosphere freeze, she quickly changed the subject, forcing a smile, "By the way, tomorrow is the flower viewing banquet at Princess Yongning's residence, and the invitations have already been sent over."

"Your mother had some new clothes made for you. The fabric and style are the latest. I'll have them delivered to your courtyard later. Take a look and see if they fit and if you like them. That way you can dress appropriately tomorrow."

Jiang Dusheng nodded. "Okay."

After saying that, she turned to leave, clearly having no intention of staying any longer.

"stop!"

Jiang Mao called out to her again, his voice filled with suppressed anger but also a warning: "Your sister's marriage to Prince Chu has been officially arranged."

"Tomorrow is the flower-viewing banquet, and all the prominent families in Changling will be attending. When you go, you should know what to say and what not to say. Don't disgrace the Jiang family, and don't cause any unnecessary trouble."

He stared intently at Jiang Dusheng's retreating figure, the veiled threat in his words all too clear.

A smile appeared on Jiang Dusheng's lips.

The smile was devoid of warmth, even carrying a hint of obvious mockery.

Is he afraid she'll bring up their past engagement?

Or were they afraid that her contact with Chu Yanzhao would cause controversy?

Or perhaps she simply didn't want her, this variable, to affect Jiang Wanqing's good fortune?

She stopped walking, then calmly left the flower hall, her white dress brushing past the threshold and disappearing into the corridor.

"You wretched child! Look at her! Look at her disrespectful behavior!"

Jiang Mao pointed in the direction she had disappeared, his chest heaving with anger, and roared at Song Suya:

"At first, I felt sorry for her, having left home at a young age and living a hard life in the Buddhist temple, and I wanted to make it up to her. But what has she done? She sneaks out of the house in the middle of the night, and now she's acting like this! Does she even care about this family anymore? Does she even care about me, her father?!"

Jiang Wanqing quickly got up, walked to Jiang Mao's side, and gently patted his back to help him catch his breath, her voice soft and considerate:

"Father, please don't be angry. It's not worth getting sick from it. I will take extra care of my elder sister tomorrow and make sure she doesn't behave rudely at the banquet. Please calm down."

Looking at her furious husband and her youngest daughter who was gently comforting her, and then thinking of her eldest daughter's distant and indifferent back, Song Suya felt a mix of emotions.

She opened her mouth, but in the end, it only turned into a helpless sigh.

When Jiang Dusheng returned to his courtyard, it was already getting dark.

The maid Xiao Huan was sweeping the fallen leaves in front of the courtyard with a broom, using the light of the lanterns under the eaves.

Upon seeing Jiang Dusheng return, she quickly put down the broom and bowed, saying, "Young Miss, you're back."

"Um."

Jiang Dusheng responded and walked into the house without stopping. As he passed Xiao Huan, he casually instructed, "Xiao Huan, go and find me two quilts."

Xiao Huan was stunned for a moment.

Spring has arrived, but although the nights are a bit cool, they are far from needing two extra blankets.

She stole a glance at the young lady's calm profile, not daring to ask any more questions, and only replied in a low voice, "Yes, this servant will go right away."

A moment later, Xiao Huan came in carrying two fluffy brocade quilts and spread them out on Jiang Dusheng's large canopy bed.

Jiang Dusheng checked the thickness and nodded: "It's fine, you can go now."

"No matter what noise you hear tonight, you don't need to come over. Also, if Madam brings anything over, you don't need to call me; just accept it."

"Yes." Xiao Huan was uneasy, but she knew that the young lady's temperament was unusual, so she respectfully withdrew and closed the door behind her.

Only Jiang Dusheng and the paper doll Wang Dazhuang, who followed them in and tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, remained in the room.

Jiang Dusheng walked to the chaise lounge by the window and sat down. She did not light the lamp, but let the rising moonlight stream in through the window, casting a faint silver glow on the cinnabar between her brows.

Her gaze fell on Wang Dazhuang, who was standing properly in the corner.

Wang Dazhuang felt a chill run down his spine under her gaze; his paper-thin body stiffened. He blinked a couple of times and stammered, taking the initiative to speak:

"Master... why are you looking at me like that? Is there... is there something you need?"

Jiang Dusheng rested his chin on one hand, his posture languid, and his tone somewhat nonchalant:

"In a couple of days, once the Xu family has found Xu Yishuo's remains and put an end to her obsession, I will send her into reincarnation."

She paused, her gaze still fixed on Wang Dazhuang, and asked, "And you?"

"Huh?" Wang Dazhuang didn't react for a moment.

"And what is your obsession?" Jiang Dusheng asked slowly. Her eyes were clear and bright in the moonlight, as if they could see through one's soul. "Xu Yishuo has avenged her great enemy and fulfilled her wish. She can enter the cycle of reincarnation now."

"You linger in the mortal realm, clinging to the paper figure; there must be a reason. Is it revenge? Is there something you care about? Or do you simply not want to leave?"

Her tone was calm, even somewhat casual, as if she were offering a suggestion: "How about... taking this opportunity to go with her? At least you'll have company on the road to the underworld."

"No!"

Before Jiang Dusheng could finish speaking, Wang Dazhuang let out a mournful wail, and his paper body collapsed to his knees with a thud.

His paper arms clung tightly to Jiang Dusheng's legs, wailing and crying out:

"Master! Master, you can't send me away! I'm very useful! Really! I can still do so many things for you! Please let me play a few more days... no, I mean, let me serve you a few more days! Please!"

With teary eyes, he looked up at his paper-thin face, trying his best to sell himself: "How about... I go and scare your useless sister for you? I guarantee she'll have nightmares every night."

"Or... I could go to your stupid... cough, your father's study and blow a few breaths of yin energy into him, making him feel uncomfortable too? Master, I'd be very useful, please don't send me away!"

Jiang Dusheng: "..."

She looked down at Wang Dazhuang, who was clinging tightly to her calves, looking like he was determined to cling to her. There seemed to be a faint throbbing vein on his forehead.

She shifted her leg slightly, her tone cool, "Release yourself."

Wang Dazhuang reacted very quickly, immediately loosening his grip, but still kneeling on the ground.

The paper shoulders shrugged, mimicking sobs, and looked at her pitifully.

Jiang Dusheng rubbed his temples and asked again, "Stop with the nonsense. I'm asking you, what is your true obsession?"