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

Before Jiang Zhiheng could finish speaking, Jiang Zhiyuan slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups rattle.

His usually gentle face now showed a hint of anger, and his voice was sterner than ever before:

"Zhiheng, that's our own sister! How could you say such a thing about her?!"

Jiang Zhiheng was intimidated by his brother's imposing manner, and subconsciously shrank his neck. His lips moved a few times, but he ultimately did not dare to make a sound.

Jiang Mao sighed heavily, his brow furrowing even deeper.

"She climbed over the wall and left the mansion a few days ago, and we just thought she was playing around. Now that I think about it, it probably wasn't playing around at all; she went to catch ghosts and draw talismans!"

His expression grew increasingly grim as he spoke, and his fingers unconsciously tapped the table.

"How dare an unmarried daughter of an official learn such heretical and unorthodox practices! What kind of behavior is this!"

"If word gets out, not only will her reputation be completely ruined, but the reputation of our entire Jiang family will be tarnished. This matter must not be known to outsiders in the slightest!"

"Father is right," Jiang Zhiheng nodded in agreement.

Song Suya wiped away her tears, her eyes filled with even more worry: "But the truth can't be hidden forever. After today's flower viewing banquet, the old story of the Chu family and Dusheng's betrothal in their childhood has already spread."

She choked up, "If people discover her strange behavior again, what will happen to this child..."

In this world, a woman who behaves out of line and may even be involved in superstitious activities is practically cutting herself off from reputation and marriage.

"Why don't we...find her a marriage as soon as possible!" Song Suya said urgently, as if grasping at a straw.

"Let's arrange a marriage before word gets out!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Wanqing immediately chimed in, her tone tinged with ulterior motives:

"That's right, Father, Mother! Hurry up and find a marriage for my sister! Otherwise, otherwise she'll keep thinking about someone she shouldn't be thinking about."

She recalled the thoughtful look Chu Yanzhao gave Jiang Dusheng at the banquet, and a lump formed in her throat.

She wrung out the handkerchief in her hand, then added, feigning consideration:

"At today's flower-viewing banquet, Madam Wang brought up old stories, and my sister was so sharp-tongued. I wonder what others are saying about our family behind our backs."

"Settling the marriage sooner would be a good thing for my sister and for our Jiang family."

These words sounded grand and dignified, but the eagerness to get rid of the potential threat was not hidden from the shrewd people present.

"Wanqing!" Song Suya said in a low voice, glancing at her youngest daughter with a hint of reproach.

She was well aware of her youngest daughter's thoughts, but to say it now would seem too cold-hearted.

Jiang Wanqing was glared at by her mother, and she pouted in dissatisfaction, but she also shut up sullenly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the handkerchief.

Jiang Mao took in the expressions of his wife and daughter, and felt a throbbing pain in his temples.

He rubbed his temples heavily, his gaze sweeping over everyone present like a knife:

"Listen up, everyone. Everything you saw and heard today, especially those unorthodox practices Dusheng learned at the temple, and the evil thing in her courtyard, keep to yourself!"

He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups clink and rattle: "Who dares to utter a single word about this..."

His gaze lingered on Jiang Wanqing for a moment. "Bring on the family discipline!"

Jiang Zhiheng and Jiang Wanqing trembled and quickly replied, "Understood."

Song Suya nodded silently.

She wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and once again adopted the composed demeanor of the matriarch.

She tapped her fingertips lightly on the armrest of the chair, already beginning to plan: "In a few days it will be the Empress's birthday. There will definitely be a banquet in the palace, and noble ladies and daughters of noble families will all be able to attend."

She looked at Jiang Mao, her eyes filled with consideration, "This is an excellent opportunity."

"We'll bring Dusheng along to the banquet, so she can show her face to important people. If the opportunity arises, she might gain favor with some..."

There's no need to say the rest; everyone present understands.

Jiang Mao tapped his knuckles on the table for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright. Let's take this opportunity to broaden her horizons and let her meet more people."

His tone was tinged with instructions, "These next few days, as usual, prepare a few decent outfits and jewelry for her, so as not to look undignified."

"We should also send a capable person to her courtyard beforehand to make it clear that the White Palace banquet is no small matter, and that she should be careful with her words and actions, and absolutely not make a mistake like today!"

"Yes, sir," Song Suya replied softly.

Jiang Zhiyuan, who had been listening in silence, frowned even more deeply.

He recalled that the guards he had sent to protect Dusheng had reported that she had easily subdued several thugs, demonstrating skills far beyond what one would expect from a delicate young lady.

Based on their brief time together over the past few days, he knew that although his younger sister appeared calm, she was independent and decisive, and was by no means someone who could be manipulated by others.

He couldn't help but speak, his voice steady but with a hint of disapproval: "Father, Mother, my sister has only been home for a few days and is still unfamiliar with us."

"We certainly wronged her when we sent her away from home. Now that she's just returned, isn't it a bit much that we're so eager to arrange a marriage for her? Won't she feel like... we don't truly welcome her back, but are just eager to get rid of this troublesome woman again?"

Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed across Song Suya's face, a mixture of guilt and helplessness:

"Zhiyuan, do you think your mother wants this?!"

"Doesn't Mother want to keep her by her side, to make up for the lost mother-daughter bond over the years, and to watch her slowly adapt and choose someone she likes?!"

She gripped the handkerchief in her hand tightly, her tone becoming urgent, "But given the current situation, can we afford to take it slow?"

"If even a whisper of what she's learned were to leak out, forget about us trying to establish a marriage alliance; every respectable family in Changling City would probably avoid our Jiang family like the plague!"

"While the matter can still be covered up, we should quickly arrange a reliable marriage for her. This is the safest way out for her."

Jiang Mao chimed in, his tone carrying an undeniable conviction, "Your mother is right."

"We can meet and get engaged first, and the wedding date can be postponed for a year or two. But this matter must be put on the agenda as soon as possible and cannot be delayed."

Seeing the stubbornness in his parents' eyes, Jiang Zhiyuan swallowed back the words he was about to say.

In the end, he simply lowered his eyes, sighed softly, and said no more.

The next morning, after Jiang Dusheng had breakfast, he was about to leave for the Meng residence when there was a knock on the door.

The person who came was Zhao Mama, who was by Song Suya's side. She had a smile on her face, and two maids carrying brocade boxes followed behind her.

"Greetings to the young lady. Madam sent this old servant to deliver some things to you and to pass on a message."

Jiang Dusheng calmly ushered the person into the room.

Granny Zhao gave a signal, and the maids stepped forward and carefully placed the lacquer box on the table.

Open the box.

A set of red gold headdresses inlaid with perfectly round pearls lay quietly on apricot velvet.

Next to it were several boxes of the latest rouge and face powder, all of which were the most fashionable items in the boudoirs of Changling.

"Madam said that the Empress's birthday is in a few days, and a banquet will be held in the palace. Master and Madam want to take you to the banquet."

"These are for you to buy some new clothes. If any of them are unsuitable or you don't like them, just tell this old servant, and Madam will have someone else prepare them."

As she spoke, Granny Zhao carefully observed Jiang Dusheng's expression.

"The lady instructed that the palace banquet has strict rules and is attended by many distinguished guests. She asked you to prepare well these next few days and to be dignified and proper, so as not to disgrace the Jiang family."