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

Jiang Dusheng finally showed obvious impatience on his face.

She stopped, but didn't turn around. Her cool, mocking voice rang out clearly:

"Since Prince Chu has so much leisure to worry about whether I am familiar with Prince Xie or not, he should spend more time thinking about how to win over my sister."

After saying that, she turned her head slightly and glanced meaningfully at a spot not far behind Chu Yanzhao.

Chu Yanzhao subconsciously followed her gaze.

Dressed in a delicate cherry blossom pink outfit, Jiang Wanqing, who should have been sweet and lovely, was standing next to a cluster of blooming camellias. Her face was slightly pale, and her beautiful eyes were filled with anger and resentment.

She was staring intently in the direction where he was talking to Jiang Dusheng, the silk handkerchief in her hand already twisted beyond recognition.

Clearly, she had witnessed Chu Yanzhao taking the initiative to talk to Jiang Dusheng and even whispering to him.

Taking advantage of Chu Yanzhao's momentary distraction, Jiang Dusheng did not linger and went straight back to sit down next to Song Suya.

Meng Xueyan's soul floated beside her, curiously glancing back at Chu Yanzhao, whose expression had slightly changed, and Jiang Wanqing, who was clearly filled with jealousy.

Seeing Jiang Dusheng return to her side, Song Suya secretly breathed a sigh of relief and whispered a few words of advice:

"Dusheng, where have you been? The banquet is about to start, don't wander off again."

She glanced around but didn't see Jiang Wanqing. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she gave instructions to Zhao, the old woman standing behind her:

"Go and find the Second Miss. Don't be late."

Granny Zhao responded softly, "Yes," bowed, and withdrew, heading towards the densely populated area.

Meng Xueyan's soul nestled beside Jiang Dusheng, her voice as soft as a sigh, carrying endless sorrow:

"Look, that's my mother, Zeng Yanran."

Jiang Dusheng stared intently at it.

Zeng Yanran was around forty years old, and her features still faintly revealed the elegance and gentleness she possessed in her youth.

However, his eyes were now tinged with obvious bluish-black, and even makeup could not hide his weariness and sorrow.

She wore a plain silver hairpin in her hair and a sandalwood-colored brocade jacket; the material was nice, but the color was too dark.

Jiang Dusheng's gaze swept over her eyebrows, eyes, and life palace, and his heart stirred slightly.

This person has a kind and reasonable appearance, is blessed with good fortune and prosperity, and is likely to have children.

However, at this moment, the palace representing "woman" is dim and lacks luster, showing signs of breakage, which corresponds to the early death of Meng Xueyan.

What Jiang Dusheng noticed even more was that her marital palace was dark and unclear, with hidden rifts and troubles, indicating that there would definitely be a fierce argument or cold war soon.

The marital relationship is facing a severe test, the atmosphere is cold and tense, and the source of this rift seems to be related to the children.

As if sensing Jiang Dusheng's gaze, Zeng Yanran raised her eyes and looked over.

Her gaze was initially somewhat blank, but when she saw that it was a beautiful woman she didn't recognize, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes. However, out of courtesy, she nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Jiang Dusheng calmly nodded to her, then subtly looked away.

Just then, a message came from the garden gate:

"Princess Yongning and Princess Zhaohua have arrived!"

The garden fell silent instantly, and everyone, whatever they were doing, quickly tidied their appearance, bowed their heads, and prepared to pay their respects.

Jiang Dusheng stood still, his fingertips lightly twirling, a layer of faint light invisible to ordinary people swept over his body.

In everyone's eyes, she bowed respectfully just like everyone else, her posture was standard and there was nothing unusual about her.

Despite the spell, her gaze bypassed the lowered heads of the crowd and landed directly on Princess Yongning, who was being ushered in.

Princess Yongning was about forty years old, well-maintained, and had a radiant appearance.

Adorned with a phoenix hairpin inlaid with red gold and kingfisher feathers, and dressed in a pomegranate red palace gown covered with gold, she exuded an aura of magnificence and nobility.

However, Jiang Dusheng's gaze sharpened and fell on Princess Yongning's side.

There, almost transparently attached, was a man's soul.

The man had a handsome face but was deathly pale, his soul so faint that it almost blended into the spring sunlight.

He was enveloped in deep affection, yet there was little hostility about him.

He just stared at Princess Yongning's profile, clearly at his last gasp, about to vanish into nothingness at any moment, yet he stubbornly lingered there, refusing to enter the cycle of reincarnation.

"Please, everyone, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise." Princess Yongning smiled warmly and spoke in a clear voice, raising her hand to help them up.

Her gaze slowly swept over the guests in the garden, pausing for a moment when it passed over Jiang Dusheng.

Her smile then naturally fell on Song Suya, deepening slightly: "Madam Jiang. This must be Miss Jiang, who has just returned from the Buddhist temple? Indeed, she possesses an extraordinary and refined air."

Song Suya quickly replied with a smile, "Your Highness is too kind. Dusheng, please step forward and greet Your Highness."

Jiang Dusheng stepped forward as instructed, giving only a slight nod, his voice clear and melodious, "Jiang Dusheng greets the Princess."

This scene immediately drew some subtle gasps and whispers.

A round-faced woman, dressed in a dark purple floral jacket, who had never gotten along well with Song Suya, immediately spoke in a sarcastic tone at a volume that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those around her to hear clearly:

"Oh, you're used to the tranquility of Buddhist temples, aren't you? You don't understand the rules of Changling City. You just nod and call it a day when you see Her Highness the Princess?"

"Madam Jiang, you are very good at managing the household, but how come your daughter's manners are so poor... tsk tsk."

She was the wife of Imperial Censor Wang, and was always quick-witted and loved to find fault with others. She also had a long-standing feud with Song Suya.

All eyes immediately focused on Jiang Dusheng, some gloating, some worried, and some simply watching the spectacle.

Song Suya's expression changed slightly, and she was about to speak up to defend her when Jiang Dusheng raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Madam Wang's face.

In an instant, she averted her gaze, her voice low but clearly drowning out the subtle whispers:

"Treatise lies in sincerity, not in empty gestures. Bowing thousands of times before the Buddha may not be true respect; bending one's back before others may not be true reverence."

She paused, her gaze sweeping meaningfully over Madam Wang's well-preserved face once more:

"Judging from your appearance, Madam, your family should be well-off, but the deep frown lines between your brows indicate that you have been overly worried and fearful recently."

"A faint red line is visible on the right side of the nose, near the Lan Tai position, indicating potential financial loss or trouble caused by a close relative. A dull color at the corner of the eye suggests instability in the husband's luck, not due to external factors but rather internal strife."

Instead of worrying about whether others are polite or not, it's better to sort out your family's accounts and ease your mind. Being too hot-tempered harms your health and... others.

She spoke slowly and deliberately, without any harsh words, yet every word was like a needle, precisely piercing the hidden pain that Madam Wang was most unwilling to share.

Imperial Censor Wang has recently been sidelined in court for speaking frankly.

The household did indeed lose some money due to some business ventures, and the couple argued about it quite a bit.

She was also worried about her husband's future and couldn't sleep at night.

Although these matters were not publicized, Jiang Dusheng's few words seemed to hit the nail on the head regarding her recent worries.

Madam Wang's round face instantly turned bright red, her finger pointing at Jiang Dusheng, her lips trembling:

"What nonsense are you spouting! It's utterly absurd!"

Despite saying this, he had lost all his composure and felt ashamed and indignant under the curious and inquisitive gazes of those around him.

The entire hall fell silent.

No one expected that Miss Jiang, who had just returned from the Buddhist temple, would dare to talk back to the censor's wife.