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

Soon, Zhao Mama, who had received Song Suya's instructions, arrived at Jiang Dusheng's courtyard.

However, the scene she witnessed instantly choked her up all the lectures on court etiquette she had prepared.

Jiang Dusheng was leisurely lying on a soft couch under an old tree in the courtyard, with an unknown old book covering his face, seemingly taking a nap.

Granny Zhao stood at the courtyard gate, unsure whether to go in or go out.

She had witnessed the young lady's methods of ferrying ghosts. The young lady was no ordinary young lady who could be arbitrarily controlled and restrained by rules in the inner quarters; she was a person with her own world.

Unfortunately, the lady and the master seem unable to see this point, or rather, unwilling to see it.

Hearing the faint footsteps, Jiang Dusheng didn't remove the book from his face, but lazily said:

"Granny Zhao is here? Find yourself a seat."

Granny Zhao responded and sat down awkwardly on the stone bench to the side. After a long while, she didn't know how to start the conversation.

After a while, Jiang Dusheng reached down and removed the book from his face, revealing a pair of clear eyes. He looked at the troubled Zhao Mama, his tone calm:

"Granny, stay here for a while, have some tea, and soak up the sun. When the time is up, go back and report, just say... I know everything that needs to be said."

This was clearly a way to give Granny Zhao a way out.

Upon hearing this, Granny Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully the young lady hadn't made things difficult for her.

She respectfully replied, "Yes, this old servant understands."

Before they knew it, it was the evening of the Empress's birthday banquet.

As dusk settled over Changling City, carriages and horses thronged the palace gates, and dignitaries gathered in droves.

Everyone in the Jiang family was already dressed in their finest attire, ready to set off together.

However, Jiang Dusheng did not travel with the Jiang family.

Because the people from Princess Yongning's mansion had arrived at the Jiang residence two hours earlier and respectfully took Jiang Dusheng away.

Inside the princess's mansion, the lights were on.

Princess Yongning even personally prepared a dress for Jiang Dusheng to wear to the banquet, a light purple fairy dress with flowing cloud patterns.

This purple is extremely pale, almost between moon white and light purple. As you move, it shimmers and glistens, like the light of dawn as twilight dissipates, elegant and refined, yet still dignified enough for a formal occasion.

Beside the dress, there was also a simple pearl headdress and a pair of embroidered shoes in the same color scheme.

"Time is short, I don't know if it suits your taste. I think this color suits you well," Princess Yongning said with a smile, her tone one of equal consultation, not charity.

Jiang Dusheng did not refuse. After thanking her, he was helped to change by a maid from the Princess's residence.

The dress was well-tailored, outlining her slender figure, and the flowing sleeves gave her an elegant and graceful demeanor.

The maid applied a light touch of powder to her face, lightly painted her eyebrows, and styled her long hair into a simple bun, adorned with a pearl hairpin. Small pearl pendants dangled from her ears.

Finally, the bright red birthmark on her forehead was left unhidden, and against the backdrop of her pale purple dress and the luster of pearls, it stood out even more.

As she gracefully stepped out, Princess Yongning's eyes flashed with undisguised amazement and satisfaction.

She looked her up and down, then smiled and said, "Very good. Not too flashy, not too plain, just right."

Jiang Dusheng looked at the huge bronze mirror in the room. The figure in the mirror was hazy, with flowing clothes and indistinct features.

She nodded slightly; this outfit was neither impolite nor unsuitable for her personality.

"Your Highness has gone to great lengths." Jiang Dusheng turned to Princess Yongning, his gaze clear and bright. "If Your Highness has something to say, please speak frankly."

She was not an ignorant or naive person. Princess Yongning specially invited her to her residence in advance and personally prepared her clothes, clearly intending to create momentum for her before the banquet.

It was also a way of announcing to everyone that Jiang Dusheng was someone she, Princess Yongning, valued.

Such high regard must be for a reason.

Princess Yongning's eyes showed even more admiration: "It's so easy to get along with smart people."

She raised her hand, signaling all the maids and nannies serving in the room to leave, and then closed the door.

Only the two of them remained inside.

Princess Yongning suppressed her smile and said seriously, "Miss Jiang, I do have a request to make."

"Please speak freely, Princess."

"At tonight's banquet, I would like to ask you, young lady, to carefully examine someone for me." Princess Yongning's gaze sharpened. "Through his appearance, I would like to see what kind of character he has, and whether he is someone I can entrust my heart to."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng immediately understood.

This person is most likely the future son-in-law chosen by Princess Yongning for the county princess.

"Okay." Jiang Dusheng agreed without hesitation.

But then, she changed the subject and added:

"However, Your Highness, you should know that all I can tell you is his current appearance and aura, which reflect his character and state of mind."

"What this person will become in the future, whether he will change, is not something I can say for sure based on just one observation today."

Princess Yongning frowned slightly: "What do you mean? Aren't facial features and destiny predetermined at birth?"

Jiang Dusheng gently shook his head and explained, "Fate is determined by heaven, but fortune is created by oneself. While facial features can reflect a part of one's innate destiny and current state of mind, they are by no means an unchanging shackle."

She paused briefly before continuing to explain: "A person's circumstances, choices, and even a moment of good or evil can subtly change their temperament and character, which in turn can gradually influence or even reverse their appearance and destiny."

"A gentleman who appears upright and virtuous today may change his appearance if he is corrupted by the lust for power or suffers a major upheaval that distorts his character, revealing a fierce and ruthless side."

"Conversely, a person who is confused for a moment, but can suddenly realize his mistakes and practice good deeds, may gradually develop a peaceful and noble appearance."

"As for sincerity..." A self-deprecating smile appeared on Jiang Dusheng's lips, as if he were lamenting or reminding him, "The human heart is the most unpredictable thing. In an instant, sincerity can turn into delusion, and indifference can turn into warmth."

"The word 'entrust' implies placing one's own safety and happiness in the hands of another's thoughts. The princess should see this more clearly than I do."

Princess Yongning remained silent.

Having lived in the deep palace for so long, she had witnessed too much of the ups and downs of human nature and the changes in the world. Jiang Dusheng's words precisely touched upon her deepest worries.

She feared that the person she had carefully chosen for her daughter might change in the future, and that that temporary good match might become a lifelong constraint for her daughter.

After a long silence, she took a deep breath, nodded, and her gaze became firm again:

"Miss Jiang's words are truly insightful, and I have learned a great deal. Very well, then please tell me, Miss Jiang, what is he like as you saw him tonight?"

"As for the future... I, the princess, will handle it with caution."

Jiang Dusheng nodded in agreement, "Okay."

Princess Yongning glanced at the time: "It's getting late, we should set off. Tonight, you will sit next to me, and I will show you around."