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

Outside the courtyard, the moonlight was cold and clear, and the night breeze carried a chill.

Jiang Dusheng walked slowly along the cobblestone path, his white clothes fluttering in the wind, like a solitary figure under the moon.

Xu Yishuo floated beside her like a wisp of smoke, her face filled with confusion, and asked softly, "Why...why did you lie to them just now?"

Although she had only followed Jiang Dusheng for a few months, she had heard about the young lady's "great achievements".

Such as chasing a hundred-year-old ghost until it cries and begs for salvation, or grabbing a vengeful ghost and listening to it chant sutras until its soul becomes unstable.

The scene of that agonizing wait just now could never happen to the person in front of me.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng didn't stop walking; he just smiled lazily.

The moonlight shone on the cinnabar between her brows, making the red color appear even more eerie.

"Storytelling and opera performances always have to be somewhat tragic to evoke sighs from the audience, don't they?"

Xu Yishuo did not ask any further questions, but simply accompanied her on a quiet stroll around the garden.

Jiang Dusheng's steps finally stopped in the direction of Jiang Wanqing's courtyard.

She gazed at the brightly lit, exquisite courtyard from afar, separated by sparse flowers and trees and winding corridors.

Her gaze was calm as still water, and her voice betrayed no emotion: "Actually, what I said at the banquet just now wasn't entirely a lie."

A self-deprecating smile flickered across her lips: "However... often before half an hour has passed, my gaze is drawn to the wandering ghosts and spirits along the mountain path."

"They are much more interesting than that empty road down the mountain, where you'll never see your loved ones."

A night breeze swept by, causing her white dress to flutter gently.

"What I have lost is ultimately not mine; since it is not mine, why not let go?"

She tilted her head slightly, gazing at the bright moon on the horizon, her voice very soft:

What doesn't belong to me, even if I once had it, will eventually be lost. But what truly belongs to me, no matter how many detours I take, I will eventually arrive at.

next morning

A sliver of light shone through the window, casting dappled shadows inside the room.

Song Suya was helping Jiang Mao put on his official robes. When she was tying his jade belt, she suddenly stopped and gripped Jiang Mao's arm tightly.

The force was so great that it caused the fabric to wrinkle.

"Husband!" Her face paled slightly. "Yesterday, my mind was in such a turmoil that I completely forgot the most important thing!"

"I...I forgot to mention Wanqing and Yanzhao's marriage to Dusheng!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mao paused in his work of adjusting his hat and turban, his brows furrowing instantly.

He was silent for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Tomorrow, the Chu family will formally come to offer their betrothal gifts. This matter cannot be delayed. Go to Dusheng's place later and explain things clearly to her."

His tone carried the usual caution he used when dealing with difficult matters: "We must give her some preparation, so that if she finds out at the last minute, it will be even harder for her to accept, and it will also create unnecessary rifts between her and Wanqing, adding to the unrest in the household."

Upon hearing this, Song Suya couldn't help but sigh again, a lingering sorrow on her brow.

"Alas... this marriage was originally meant for Dusheng. But now, Yanzhao and Wanqing are deeply in love, and this is a fate that cannot be forced."

Jiang Mao squeezed his wife's cold fingers in return, trying to convey a sense of comfort, but his words sounded somewhat uncertain:

"It's alright. Dusheng seems to be a reasonable child; she'll understand our situation and difficulties."

His words seemed to be persuading Song Suya, but even more so, they were persuading himself.

After breakfast, Song Suya went to Jiang Dusheng's courtyard with a heavy heart.

The courtyard was quiet, with only a third-class maid sweeping the fallen leaves from the stone steps.

"Madam." Upon seeing her, the little maid hurriedly stopped what she was doing and bowed.

Song Suya looked at the closed door and asked, "Has Miss gotten up yet? I've come to check on her."

The maidservant replied timidly, "Madam, the eldest young lady went out early this morning."

"Going out?" Song Suya was suddenly taken aback.

Her daughter had just returned from the temple yesterday, travel-worn and unfamiliar with the vast Changling Mausoleum. Where could she possibly go?

Meanwhile, outside the gate of the Xu family mansion, where the Minister of Personnel was located.

Jiang Dusheng changed into the lotus-colored silk dress that Zhao Mama had sent her last night. The hem of the dress was embroidered with sparse orchids, which was elegant yet dignified.

She stood alone between the pair of stone lions, the wind blowing, her skirt fluttering slightly, making the vermilion mark between her brows appear even more crimson, like a vermilion judgment.

She stepped forward slowly and spoke to a servant guarding the door: "Please announce my arrival; I wish to see your mistress."

The servant glanced at her, noticing her beautiful face and distinguished bearing, and politely asked, "May I ask who you are, young lady...?"

Jiang Dusheng didn't answer directly, but only said, "You only need to take one sentence in—'Xu Yishuo sent me.'"

Upon hearing this, the servant's face immediately showed an expression of anticipation for another free meal, and he waved his hand impatiently:

"Get out of here! How dare you call our young lady by her given name? She's been married off to Tianshui City for many years, a thousand miles away. Why would she send you here? Stop talking nonsense and leave immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng was not annoyed at all; instead, a smile curved his lips.

Her gaze fell on the servant's face. "Your temples are sunken, indicating that your father's influence was severed early. This should have happened when you were five years old, in autumn, in a place associated with water."

The servant's previously disdainful expression suddenly froze, his pupils contracting sharply as if he had heard something unbelievable.

Seeing his sudden change in expression, Jiang Dusheng continued, "Your eyebrows are light and scattered, and your brother's palace is dim, so you must be an only child in your family."

With each additional word she spoke, the servant's face grew paler, until finally, his face was filled with horror.

Jiang Dusheng smiled slightly and added the last question: "Now, may we go and announce their arrival?"