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

As the banquet drew to a close, the atmosphere, under the guidance of Princess Yongning, maintained a superficial harmony.

As the music faded, the maids began to quietly replace the leftovers with refreshing tea and delicate fruits and pastries.

Princess Zhaohua became more subdued from the middle of the banquet than at the beginning.

Her beautiful eyes no longer scanned the room aimlessly, but instead occasionally glanced shyly and curiously at a certain spot in the men's section.

Princess Yongning followed her daughter's gaze, a thoughtful smile appearing on her face, and nodded slightly.

Many astute ladies had already noticed this unusual attention, and their eyes followed suit, wondering which young master had caught the county princess's eye.

Princess Yongning had already made up her mind, so she did not keep the group any longer.

After finishing the last dessert soup, she gracefully took out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth, and said with a smile:

"The spring sunshine is just right today, and I am delighted that all of you ladies have come."

"Now that the banquet is over, I'm sure you're all a bit tired. The scenery in the garden is quite beautiful, so you may feel free to stroll around or go home as you please. There's no need to stand on ceremony."

This is a tactful way of saying goodbye.

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up, bowed to the princess and the county princess to say goodbye, and expressed their gratitude for the hospitality.

Song Suya also led Jiang Dusheng and Jiang Wanqing to get up.

Since Madam Wang's words, Jiang Wanqing had been somewhat absent-minded, her eyes still slightly red, and she kept her head down, not daring to look at anyone.

Song Suya sighed inwardly and was about to take her leave when she saw Princess Yongning's gaze pass over everyone and land on Jiang Dusheng behind her.

"Madam Jiang," Princess Yongning said gently, "Miss Jiang is exceptionally intelligent and speaks eloquently. We get along very well, and I would like to keep her here to talk for a while longer."

"Madam and Second Miss may return to the manor first. I, the Princess, will send someone to escort Miss Jiang back later."

Upon hearing this, the ladies and young women who had not yet completely dispersed stopped in their tracks, their gazes turning to Jiang Dusheng with either surprise or curiosity.

To be kept behind by the princess for a private conversation is a rare honor and a sign of favor.

Song Suya's heart skipped a beat, feeling both surprised and vaguely worried.

This eldest woman is unpredictable and acts outrageously; she has already offended the censor's wife.

Whether being kept by the princess at this moment is a blessing or a curse is unknown.

She looked at Jiang Dusheng, only to see that she was calm.

Song Suya didn't know what else to say, and respectfully curtsied, saying, "It is my daughter's good fortune to be favored by the princess. Then I will take my leave. I am young and ignorant, and I hope the princess will forgive me if I have said anything inappropriate."

"Madam Jiang is too modest. I think Miss Jiang is very sensible," Princess Yongning said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Song Suya glanced at Jiang Dusheng again, her eyes containing a complex emotion.

She didn't say anything more, but pulled Jiang Wanqing, who was still a little dazed, and whispered, "Wanqing, let's go."

Jiang Wanqing then came to her senses, and naturally she also heard what Princess Yongning said.

She bit her lower lip, took one last look at Jiang Dusheng who was standing there, her eyes swirling with emotion, and finally lowered her head, silently walking out of the flower hall along with the other departing women.

Chu Yanzhao was also among the departing crowd. As he passed Jiang Dusheng, he paused slightly.

He seemed to want to say something, but Jiang Dusheng kept his eyes down, completely ignoring him.

Seeing Princess Yongning smiling at them, they had no choice but to swallow their words, politely bow to her again, and then turn and leave.

The other guests gradually left, and soon only Princess Yongning, Princess Zhaohua, several maids and nannies who served them, and Jiang Dusheng standing quietly to the side remained in the flower hall.

Princess Zhaohua looked at Jiang Dusheng with curiosity and felt a good liking for this sharp-tongued older sister. However, she knew that her mother must have something important to discuss with Jiang Dusheng, so she obediently nestled beside her mother and did not interrupt.

The polite smile on Princess Yongning's face faded, replaced by scrutiny and inquiry.

She waved her hand, dismissing those around her, leaving only two trusted old nannies guarding the door.

The hall fell silent, with only the occasional birdsong from outside the window and the faint sound of flowing water in the distance.

Princess Yongning's gaze slowly fell on Jiang Dusheng, and she got straight to the point, lowering her voice slightly:

"Miss Jiang, I have kept you here not just for idle chatter. During the meal just now, you observed Madam Wang's face and what she said was quite insightful."

"This princess is very curious. Besides reciting scriptures in the Buddhist temple, did you perhaps... practice other unusual arts?"

Her question was direct, her gaze sharp.

The spirit shadow beside Princess Yongning seemed to flicker slightly when the princess asked that question.

His gaze shifted from the princess to Jiang Dusheng's face.

Jiang Dusheng met Princess Yongning's sharp, probing gaze without showing the slightest fear.

She did not answer Princess Yongning directly, but instead slightly turned her head, her gaze seemingly passing over the princess's side.

"The princess deliberately kept me here, probably not just for idle chatter, but to confirm whether I practice any unusual arts."

She paused, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the smooth Buddhist prayer beads on her wrist. "Do you wish for my help in finding someone, or... a ghost?"

Princess Yongning's hand, resting on the armchair, tightened slightly, her fingertips turning slightly white.

She showed no outward expression, but the pressure in her phoenix eyes suddenly intensified, fixing firmly on Jiang Dusheng, her voice deep and slow:

"Oh? Miss Jiang, what makes you say that? Whom does this princess wish to see?"

Jiang Dusheng seemed oblivious to the invisible pressure. Her gaze was fixed on a spot slightly behind the princess, as if someone were actually standing there.

"Princess, there is no need to test me. If I am not mistaken, the initial purpose of the banquet you are hosting today is indeed to find a suitable match for Princess Zhaohua."

"But later, my argument with Madam Wang revealed something unusual to you, which led you to decide to keep me behind alone, right?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, and then a smile of appreciation slowly curved her lips.

She did not deny it, but simply nodded slightly, signaling Jiang Dusheng to continue.

Miss Jiang's keen insight and courage certainly did not disappoint her.

Jiang Dusheng remained expressionless, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over the void beside Princess Yongning once more. The soul shadow appeared to tremble slightly at her gaze.

"Looking at the Princess's brows, there lingered a wisp of melancholy that had not dissipated over the years. It was not about herself, nor was it entirely about the County Princess, but rather... an unresolved longing for an old friend."

She slowly began to speak, "If I'm not mistaken... the person the princess has been unable to let go of is someone, or rather... someone who has passed away."

She paused for a moment, then said, "It was a man. He was probably a few years older than you, and must have been a handsome and refined scholar in his lifetime."

"Clang!"

Before Jiang Dusheng could finish speaking, Princess Yongning suddenly stood up from her seat.

The teacup on the small table beside her was abruptly knocked off by the hem of her sleeve, which she suddenly raised in a fit of rage.

A crisp cracking sound rang out in the flower hall, with porcelain shards and warm tea splashing everywhere.

Her usually smiling face suddenly lost all color, and her lips trembled slightly uncontrollably.

She stared intently at Jiang Dusheng, as if trying to find any trace of a lie on her calm face.

The impact caused her to sway slightly, but her long-standing royal upbringing and self-control allowed her to regain her composure after a brief moment of disorientation.

She slowly sat back down in the chair, though her straight back was a little stiff.

Her voice carried a warning: "Jiang Dusheng, do you know... what the consequences will be for deceiving this princess and recklessly discussing palace secrets?"