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

The moment Jiang Wanqing saw Jiang Dusheng, the sweet smile on her face suddenly froze.

She tightened her grip on the handkerchief, her nails almost digging into her palm.

She knew she bore a resemblance to Jiang Dusheng, but Jiang Dusheng's pure and aloof beauty was undeniable, even in simple clothes and plain hairpins.

Now, with just a touch of makeup and a change of clothes, she has completely outshone herself.

Standing in front of her, my carefully crafted outfit seemed overly elaborate and lacking in style.

Jiang Wanqing felt a surge of bitter jealousy rush to her head, and she couldn't help but glare at Zhao Mama, who was standing to the side with her hands hanging down.

Is dressing Jiang Dusheng up like this intentionally to overshadow her?

Song Suya finally snapped out of her daze, a smile spreading across her face. She quickly stepped forward, looking Jiang Dusheng up and down, her tone filled with exaggerated admiration:

"Oh my, Dusheng, you've dressed up so much, I almost didn't recognize you! You truly... truly rival any noble lady in Changling City!"

As she spoke, she reached out to take Jiang Dusheng's hand, seemingly trying to show affection.

Jiang Dusheng subtly turned aside, avoiding her hand, and simply said, "You flatter me."

This distant attitude made Song Suya feel somewhat embarrassed.

"mother!"

Jiang Wanqing stamped her foot, her voice filled with grievance and dissatisfaction, and quickly walked to Song Suya's side, taking her arm and saying coquettishly:

"You only know how to praise my sister! I spent a long time choosing this outfit and headdress for me today, and you haven't even looked at it carefully yet!"

Song Suya, startled by her youngest daughter's tantrum, immediately snapped out of her daze, a doting smile spreading across her face. She quickly turned around to soothe Jiang Wanqing, patting the back of her hand.

"Look at you, you're getting jealous. Of course, Wanqing is also the best. This cherry pink outfit suits you best, making you look charming and lovely. I'm delighted just looking at you."

Jiang Wanqing's expression softened slightly as she nestled close to her mother, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Jiang Dusheng, who stood quietly to the side.

The other person had their eyes downcast, their fingers unconsciously fiddled with the prayer beads on their wrist, seemingly oblivious to the interaction between the mother and daughter.

That detached indifference was more frustrating to her than direct mockery.

Jiang Dusheng was too lazy to watch their mother-daughter drama and had no intention of wasting any more time on it.

She raised her eyes, her gaze calmly sweeping over the two of them, and uttered two words in a cool voice:

"Let's go."

Having said that, she didn't linger and turned to walk towards the carriage waiting outside the mansion gate.

Song Suya watched her eldest daughter's departing figure, opened her mouth, but ultimately only sighed softly, and tugged at the still unwilling Jiang Wanqing:

"Alright, let's hurry up and go, don't be late."

The carriage wheels rolled as it headed towards the Yongning Princess's residence.

Inside the carriage, Jiang Wanqing stood close to Song Suya, trying to recapture their former intimacy and the sense of superiority she felt as the beloved second young lady of the Jiang family.

However, out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but glance at Jiang Dusheng, who was sitting alone opposite him, resting with his eyes closed.

Her moon-white dress seemed to radiate a gentle glow in the carriage, making her face appear even more radiant and otherworldly. Silent and speechless, she exuded an aura that made people dare not disturb her.

Jiang Wanqing snorted coldly and looked away.

After about half an incense stick's time, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and the sounds of people and carriages could be heard outside.

Today, the area in front of Princess Yongning's mansion is bustling with activity, with a constant stream of carriages and people.

Princess Yongning's mother was the late emperor's youngest daughter, Princess Jiahui.

Princess Jia Hui was of humble birth and died during childbirth.

The late emperor pitied her for losing her mother at a young age, so after she came of age, he bestowed upon her the title of Princess and granted her a fief, but he did not give her as much attention as other princesses born of the principal wife.

When the current emperor ascended the throne, she was still a young girl; now the emperor is nearly fifty, while she has just turned forty.

She married a noble civil official in her early years. The couple lived harmoniously and had a daughter. After her husband passed away a few years ago, she lived a secluded life.

Princess Yongning's flower-viewing banquet was ostensibly for the purpose of enjoying the flowers, but its most important purpose was to find a suitable husband for her only daughter, Princess Zhaohua, who was of marriageable age.

Princess Yongning sent out invitations widely, inviting not only eligible young ladies from various families, but also many princes, noblemen, and talented young men.

Families with daughters of marriageable age naturally had the idea of ​​bringing their daughters to broaden their horizons.

If one could catch the eye of some important person or become on good terms with the county magistrate, that would be a wonderful thing.

Those with sons especially hoped to stand out in such occasions. If they could marry a county princess, they would be one step closer to the royal family and have a bright future.

Therefore, this flower-viewing banquet today, though seemingly elegant, is actually rife with undercurrents.

As Jiang Dusheng prepared to disembark from the carriage, Song Suya looked at her somewhat indifferent expression, and that unease in her heart resurfaced.

She couldn't help but speak again, her voice low, carrying a cautious reminder:

"Dusheng, when you arrive at the flower viewing banquet, there will be many people and distractions. You... remember to be careful with your words and actions, do not argue with anyone, and do not mention anything that should not be mentioned."

She was referring to Jiang Dusheng's old marriage agreement with Chu Yanzhao.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng slowly curled a meaningful smile at the corner of his lips.

She looked up and calmly glanced at Song Suya. She nodded in agreement but did not make any promises.

This gesture made Song Suya's heart tighten, but she couldn't say anything more.

Princess Yongning's mansion is magnificent, and today it is decorated with a profusion of flowers, filling the air with fragrance.

The people of Tian Shu were more open-minded than those of the previous dynasty. Although the separation of men and women still existed, it was not entirely isolated.

The flower-viewing banquet at Princess Yongning's mansion was held in Qinfang Garden, the most spacious area within the mansion.

The garden is lush with flowers and trees, full of the spirit of spring.

The banquet was divided into east and west sections, separated only by several tall Suzhou embroidered screens depicting a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.

One's gaze could easily penetrate the gaps in the screen, and one could vaguely see the elegant figures of those seated opposite, while their laughter could also be clearly heard.

This approach maintains the necessary etiquette while fulfilling the purpose of today's visit, demonstrating thoughtful consideration.

As soon as Jiang Wanqing stepped off the carriage, she moved with ease and quickly found several young ladies from official families whom she was familiar with. They gathered under a crabapple tree, chatting and laughing happily.

Song Suya then roused herself and led Jiang Dusheng to exchange pleasantries with several familiar ladies.

The ladies were all amazed to see such a beautiful and elegant young woman suddenly appear beside Song Suya.

The moon-white dress accentuated Jiang Dusheng's fair complexion, making him appear even more radiant than snow. A dot of cinnabar between his brows resembled a red plum blossom blooming in the snow, strikingly beautiful.

What is most striking is that demeanor; it is not a deliberately displayed nobility, but a kind of detached and transparent quality as if one were far removed from the mundane world.

A lady dressed in a royal blue brocade dress couldn't help but take Jiang Dusheng's hand, scrutinizing him closely, her eyes filled with admiration:

"Oh my, this must be Miss Jiang! What a beautiful woman! Her bearing is even more striking than any painting! Has she studied any books? Has she learned any calligraphy?"

This question was quite meaningful, clearly indicating that the person was interested in Jiang Dusheng and had the intention of finding a match for their son.