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

However, while the death penalty may be avoided, punishment is inevitable!

Today's events have shaken the palace, frightened the emperor and empress, and been witnessed by all the officials. If they are not severely punished, how can we uphold the law and order? How can we reassure the people?

What's more, this evil creature almost took his life!

Emperor Cangqi snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling Prince Chun's family and the pleading Jiang Mao, before he slowly spoke, his voice echoing in the golden hall:

"Prince Chun, Chu Rui, was lax in managing his subordinates and negligent in inspecting the treasury, which allowed evil objects to be mixed into the birthday gifts and presented to the emperor, stirring up evil spirits, disturbing the emperor's procession, and disrupting the palace banquet."

With each word he spoke, Prince Chun bowed even lower, his body drenched in cold sweat.

"Considering that you were truly unaware of the situation, and that you have diligently fulfilled your duties as a subject for many years without any misconduct," Emperor Cangqi's tone shifted slightly, but remained stern.

"The death penalty may be waived, but the punishment must not be abandoned! Effective immediately: the Prince Chun's family's three-year stipend will be confiscated and deposited into the national treasury as a warning to others!"

"Prince Chun's heir, Chu Yanzhao, failed to assist his father in managing the household affairs and is also responsible for negligence. He is hereby punished by being confined to the residence for one month and copying the *Classic of Filial Piety* and the *Classic of Loyalty* one hundred times each, to deeply reflect on his actions!"

"As for Princess Chen," Emperor Cangqi looked at the slumped Princess Chun, his tone slightly softening but still cold, "Although she is a woman, you handled the matter of presenting the offerings, which frightened the Empress and the other noblewomen, so you cannot escape blame."

"You are hereby punished to chant scriptures in the Buddhist hall of the Prince's residence for one hundred days, to pray for the Empress and for all those who were frightened today!"

This punishment was undeniably severe.

However, it did leave room for maneuver, without stripping the title or touching on the fundamental issues, thus preserving the dignity of the Prince's Mansion.

Upon hearing this, Prince Chun felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He immediately kowtowed deeply, his voice choked with emotion.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! I accept the punishment! I will deeply reflect on my actions, strictly govern the government, and never repeat this mistake!"

Chu Yanzhao followed his father in bowing and said, "Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude. I will certainly obey the imperial edict, reflect on my mistakes behind closed doors, and transcribe scriptures to examine myself."

Then, Emperor Cangqi looked at Jiang Mao, his tone softening slightly, and said approvingly, "Minister Jiang, you have raised a good daughter."

"If she hadn't intervened in time tonight and suppressed those ghosts, there might have been an even bigger disaster before Qinglian arrived."

Jiang Mao quickly bowed and humbly replied, "Your Majesty flatters me. This is merely my duty, and it is also due to Your Majesty's boundless blessings and divine protection."

After saying that, he immediately turned to Jiang Dusheng, who had returned to Princess Yongning's side, and said, "Dusheng, come here quickly and thank His Majesty for His grace."

Jiang Dusheng did as instructed and stood at the foot of the imperial steps.

She did not kneel down as required by custom, but simply nodded slightly, her voice calm, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."

Jiang Mao was so frightened by her actions that he almost fainted, and quickly apologized:

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! My daughter grew up in a Buddhist temple in the mountains and only recently returned. She is not yet familiar with court etiquette and had no intention of disrespecting Your Majesty! I will certainly discipline her strictly when I return!"

Emperor Cangqi unexpectedly waved his hand, his face showing no anger, but rather a curious interest as he looked at Jiang Dusheng with a kind gaze:

"No problem. In extraordinary times, we need not adhere to conventional etiquette."

He paused, then asked the question everyone was most concerned about: "Jiang Dusheng, from whom did you learn your skills in exorcising ghosts and evil spirits?"

Jiang Dusheng's eyes flickered slightly as he thought of his unreliable master who complained every day about the lack of worshippers at the temple. The thought flashed through his mind.

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and calm, and answered in a clear voice:

"Your Majesty, my daughter was sent to Nanchan Temple to be raised from a young age. The temple has strict rules that prohibit female disciples."

"However, Abbot Huiming, considering my young age and lack of support, and seeing that I indeed had some talent in this path, made an exception and allowed me to live in a quiet courtyard behind the temple under the name of practicing with my hair intact."

"He also taught me some esoteric arts and Buddhist principles, intending to help me improve my health, understand my true nature, and have a chance to protect myself in this world."

"What we used today was nothing more than a superficial understanding, a mere stroke of luck."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Cangqi nodded slowly, his gaze towards Jiang Dusheng becoming even more meaningful.

"The fur you spoke of saved the lives of everyone in the palace, and protected the safety of me and the Empress."

Emperor Cangqi's voice took on a rare gentleness, "Jiang Dusheng, you have rendered such a great service, I cannot fail to reward you."

"Tell me, what reward do you want? Gold and silver, land and titles, or... something else?"

"Today, I hereby promise that as long as it does not violate the laws and principles of the land, I will grant whatever it may ask for!"

The phrase "or perhaps something else" carries a profound meaning, as if his gaze inadvertently swept towards the direction of Prince Chun's residence.

This statement is almost an explicit implication.

Many people immediately understood what Emperor Cangqi meant.

This is to give Jiang Dusheng a chance, let her speak up herself, and perhaps she can get back the marriage contract that originally belonged to her.

Jiang Wanqing's face turned ashen after hearing these words. Her nails dug deep into her palms as she looked at her parents for help, then anxiously at Chu Yanzhao.

She was terrified, afraid that Jiang Dusheng would actually say in public, "Your Majesty, please grant my daughter a marriage with the Crown Prince of Chu."

Jiang Mao was also shocked and turned his head to stare intently at his eldest daughter.

If Dusheng really wants to return the marriage, the relationship between the Jiang family and Prince Chun's mansion will become extremely awkward in an instant. How will Wanqing deal with this?

Chu Yanzhao also stared at Jiang Dusheng, his hand quietly clenching in his sleeve.

A glimmer of hope, which he himself could not fully discern, rose in his heart.

Under the intense gaze of countless eyes, Jiang Dusheng slowly raised his eyes, his clear gaze fixed directly on Emperor Cangqi on the dragon throne:

"Your Majesty, is any reward acceptable?"

"A king's word is his bond." Emperor Cangqi nodded, already quite certain that the girl was indeed still troubled by the old marriage agreement.

Jiang Dusheng's gaze slowly moved, sweeping over the swaying Jiang Wanqing, and then looking at Song Suya, who was sitting at the table with an anxious expression, shaking her head slightly and pleading with her.

She saw the deeper meaning in Song Suya's eyes: she was being told to consider the bigger picture, her sister, and the Jiang family's reputation.

The last ripple in Jiang Dusheng's heart, which she herself had not even noticed, returned to calm at this moment.

She withdrew her gaze, looked back at Emperor Cangqi, and deliberately raised her voice, saying each word carefully:

"This humble woman has only one request."

"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to sever all kinship ties with the Ministry of Rites and its affiliated offices."

"From this day forward, I voluntarily withdraw from the Jiang family genealogy and no longer identify myself as a daughter of the Jiang family."

"From now on, all matters—fortune and misfortune, life and death, honor and disgrace, gain and loss—will have nothing to do with the Jiang family!"

"I am just Jiang Dusheng."

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

You could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, doubting their ears.

Severing ties?!

She actually didn't want the marriage agreement, the wealth, or the status of being the eldest daughter of a high-ranking official?!