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

The moment the Imperial Censor's wife finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.

Countless gazes swept back and forth between Jiang Dusheng, Chu Yanzhao, and Jiang Wanqing, whose face had turned pale instantly.

Arranged marriage since birth?

Or is it Chu Yanzhao, who is now engaged to Jiang Wanqing? That's really... intriguing.

Song Suya's face turned slightly pale, and she forced a smile, saying, "Madam Wang is joking. Those were just the elders' drunken banter. They shouldn't be taken seriously. The children are all grown up now, and each has their own destiny."

"A joke?"

Madam Wang covered her mouth with her handkerchief, a hint of smugness flashing in her eyes. "I remember it perfectly well. Back then, Old Master Jiang and the old Prince were good friends. After drinking, they pointed and said they wanted to get married. So many people heard it."

"Oh, right, I heard they exchanged jade pendants back then. What, Miss Jiang has been away from the capital for so long, does that mean the matter is no longer valid?"

She deliberately emphasized the words "it doesn't count anymore," and her gaze shifted meaningfully between Jiang Dusheng and Chu Yanzhao.

"That's true, now that the Crown Prince Chu and Miss Jiang are a perfect match, why bring up the past? But..."

She drawled, "It's quite a coincidence that the younger sister ended up marrying the older sister; it's a wonderful story."

She used the word "承" in a cunning and malicious way.

It subtly implies that Jiang Wanqing stole her sister's things, suggests that there may be some unclear entanglement involved, and places Jiang Dusheng in a position of being abandoned.

Jiang Wanqing's face had lost all color, her fingers were tightly gripping the embroidered handkerchief, and her fingertips were white.

Her gaze toward Madam Wang was filled with anger, but even more so with panic and helplessness. She involuntarily looked toward the men's section.

Chu Yanzhao maintained a gentle smile on his face, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and didn't say anything immediately, as if he was weighing his options.

Suppressed whispers broke out during the gathering.

Many younger people are indeed unaware of this old story.

Hearing this now, it felt incredibly melodramatic, and everyone's gaze towards the Jiang sisters became complicated.

Song Suya was so angry that her hands were trembling, but she didn't know how to refute it.

Just then, Jiang Dusheng, who had been sitting quietly without saying a word, slowly put down his teacup.

The porcelain cup lightly touched the table, producing a crisp, soft sound that strangely drowned out the whispers.

She raised her eyes and looked calmly at Madam Wang, as if she were looking at a clown.

"Madam Wang, you seem to be particularly interested in other people's old stories."

Madam Wang smiled insincerely: "It was just casual conversation, Miss Jiang, please don't take it to heart."

"I don't mind," Jiang Dusheng said calmly. "It's just that I feel your memory seems to be sometimes good and sometimes bad, Madam."

"I can remember a joke someone made while drunk more than ten years ago, but I can't recall reminding my wife just now to tidy up the house and calm her mind."

"It seems that the lady is currently experiencing a deficiency of heart fire and liver qi stagnation affecting her eyes. She will likely have many nightmares and palpitations tonight."

Madam Wang's expression changed, and she was about to retort.

Jiang Dusheng didn't give her a chance. He turned his gaze slightly and swept over Jiang Wanqing, who was pale-faced, and Chu Yanzhao, whose eyes were dark.

Finally, the words returned to Madam Wang's face, and she continued slowly and deliberately, "As for your statement that I accepted my elder sister's marriage, that is a great misconception."

She shook her head slightly, as if correcting the mistake of an ignorant child, "Marriage is predestined, but human relationships are complicated. Everyone has their own destiny and their own choices."

"An old joke is like a spring flower falling, leaving no trace in the wind. Some people are obsessed with picking up the petals that have long since fallen into the mud, thinking they are treasures."

"Some people only look forward, for there is a wider world ahead, so why bother looking back and worrying about a little dust?"

Her words not only distanced her from the so-called arranged marriage, downplaying it as mere dust, but also subtly criticized Jiang Wanqing and Chu Yanzhao for their narrow-mindedness in clinging to the idea.

"Moreover..." Jiang Dusheng's tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of sarcasm, "I grew up in front of the Buddha, listening to Buddhist teachings and chanting, and accustomed to seeing ancient scrolls and lamps."

"What I seek in my heart is no longer the petty love and affection of the mortal world. Madam Wang judges me by her own standards and tries to understand me with the mindset of a woman in the inner quarters. She is underestimating me and also underestimating Buddhism."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Madam Wang's tactics of bringing up the marriage agreement and her jealousy appear utterly vulgar and laughable in the face of Jiang Dusheng's detached attitude.

Even Princess Yongning looked at Jiang Dusheng with a deeper gaze after hearing these words.

Jiang Wanqing stared blankly at Jiang Dusheng, her lips moving but unable to utter a single word.

Chu Yanzhao's fingers tightened slightly as he held the wine glass, his gaze towards Jiang Dusheng complex and difficult to describe.

Madam Wang's face flushed red and then turned pale, leaving her speechless.

She originally intended to humiliate Jiang Dusheng, sow discord between the sisters, and also annoy Song Suya, but she didn't expect Jiang Dusheng to not take the bait at all.

Instead, it used minimal force to deflect a great deal of attention, making her appear like a gossipy, narrow-minded woman who spread rumors.

"Well said." Princess Yongning, who was seated at the head of the table, spoke up at the right moment, her smile gentle, and her eyes looking at Jiang Dusheng with approval. "Miss Jiang is insightful and discerning, truly an extraordinary person. The past is past, the future is promising."

"Today's flower-viewing banquet will focus solely on romance and poetry, nothing else. Come, everyone, try this newly tribute honey wine; it's refreshing and delightful, just right for this time of year."

The princess's words were decisive, and no one dared to argue further.

Everyone quickly echoed, and the atmosphere became lively again, but the undercurrent had not truly subsided.

Madam Wang glared at Jiang Dusheng before lowering her head to drink her tea.

Jiang Wanqing's eyes suddenly reddened, her eyelashes trembled slightly, barely managing to force the tears back into her eyes.

Jiang Dusheng's words were like fine needles, piercing her under the public eye and leaving her in a dilemma.

Jiang Dusheng's nonchalant attitude was tantamount to declaring to everyone present that everything he cherished was nothing more than worthless trash that he could discard at will.

Meng Xueyan's spirit sighed softly beside Jiang Dusheng: "Miss Jiang, you've probably offended Madam Wang terribly. And what about the Second Miss..."

Jiang Dusheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and interrupted her: "The more debts you have, the less you worry."

"Besides, some people and some things can't be cleared up by hiding."

What's meant to come will come.

Outside the hall, Xie Jinchen, who had come specifically to join the fun after hearing that Jiang Dusheng was there, leaned against a cold stone pillar and smiled.

What a wonderful statement: "What one seeks in one's heart is no longer the petty love and affection of the mundane world."

These words were not only a rebuttal to Madam Wang, but also likely meant for certain people with ulterior motives present.

She is clearly drawing a line and erecting an invisible wall.

Xie Jinchen didn't listen any further. He calmly walked out from behind the pillar, as if he were just passing by.