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

Jiang Wanqing was completely stunned, forgetting her fear and only feeling bewildered.

She...she actually doesn't want Brother Yanzhao?

Jiang Mao was struck dumb upon hearing this, staring incredulously at his daughter, whose expression was terrifyingly calm, as if he were seeing her for the first time.

Cut ties? Has she gone mad?!

This demand shocked him even more than the demand to reclaim the engagement!

Song Suya covered her mouth, tears welling up instantly, feeling as if a knife had been plunged into her heart.

She shook her head. That's not it. She wasn't trying to drive her daughter away…

Even Shi Qinglian's fingers, which were twisting the prayer beads, paused for a moment.

This time, his gaze fell undisguisedly on Jiang Dusheng.

The gentle expression on Emperor Cangqi's face froze instantly, and he seemed stunned.

He leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Jiang Dusheng, as if he wanted to re-examine the person in front of him.

After a long pause, he finally spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying an imperial aura, "Jiang Dusheng, do you know... what you're saying?"

"Severing ties with one's parents and clan is an act of defiance against human ethics and filial piety, a grave transgression!"

"Minister Jiang is an important official of the court, and the Jiang family is a family of scholars and gentlemen. What has wronged you that has forced you to have such a resolute thought?"

The emperor's question struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

All the pressure was now focused on that pale purple figure in the hall.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng met Emperor Cangqi's scrutinizing gaze without fear, his expression unwavering.

She spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, even a large tree has withered branches, and a family has its troubles. The Jiang family has not mistreated me, however..."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the pale-faced members of the Jiang family before finally settling on Emperor Cangqi, her tone flat as if she were narrating someone else's story:

Family ties are like water; only the person experiencing them knows whether they are warm or cold. The depth of the bond cannot be forced.

"My relationship with the Jiang family is like that of the lone pine tree on the back mountain of Nanchansi Temple and the bustling prosperity in front of it—we are not of the same origin. Why force us to be together, only to cause each other discomfort?"

"My request today is not out of resentment, but for liberation. To liberate them, and to liberate myself."

"From now on, the sky is high and the sea is vast, and I am like a boat adrift; the road ahead may be uncertain or clear, but my fate is in my own hands, not in the hands of my family. I beg Your Majesty, grant my request!"

The hall was completely silent; time seemed to stand still.

Silence spread through the heavy air.

Finally, Emperor Cangqi turned his gaze to Jiang Mao, whose face was ashen, and threw the problem back at him:

"Minister Jiang, this concerns your family affairs, what...what's your opinion?"

Jiang Mao seemed to be startled awake by the question. His voice was hoarse and pleading: "Your Majesty, please understand! After my daughter returned home, my wife and I may not have been attentive enough to each other, but that was absolutely not our intention!"

He raised his head, his eyes slightly red, looking heartbroken.

"Family ties and blood relations are a matter of natural law and human ethics; how can they be severed so easily? How can we easily sever the bond of blood?"

"I...I am unwilling! And I absolutely cannot agree!" By the end, his voice was almost choked with emotion.

Jiang Mao's portrayal of a heartbroken father is incredibly vivid and convincing.

He knew perfectly well that after tonight, the name Jiang Dusheng would resound throughout Changling City.

If we really let her leave the Jiang family, what will people say?

The stigma of forcing his own daughter away will be an indelible disgrace in his career.

Jiang Zhiyuan immediately left his seat and knelt down, speaking earnestly: "Your Majesty, my younger sister has only been home for a short time, and it is inevitable that there will be some estrangement and adjustment among family members."

"We haven't done enough and have neglected her. But no matter what, we are still family, blood relatives, our blood ties are unbreakable! We beg Your Majesty's understanding to give us a chance to make amends!"

These words were spoken with such sincerity that even many ministers in the hall nodded slightly.

After all, in this world of strict social norms, it is truly shocking for children to leave their families.

Seeing this, the Empress intended to win over the Jiang family on behalf of the Crown Prince.

She spoke at the opportune moment, her tone gentle and conciliatory, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes."

"This matter concerns human ethics and filial piety. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to let Lord Jiang handle it himself? Miss Jiang may just be feeling wronged and angry."

Her words, seemingly fair, actually gave the Jiang family a way out.

"Oh."

A sudden, soft laugh rang out, sounding exceptionally clear in the silent hall.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xie Jinchen standing to the side, a smile that was neither entirely sarcastic nor entirely mocking.

He didn't look at anyone, as if he were talking to himself, but his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear:

"If someone were to abandon me in a temple for over ten years and ignore me, I would..."

He paused, the last syllable fading into the air, but the unspoken meaning left more room for imagination than if he had said it all.

Seeing this, Princess Yongning also stepped forward, facing Emperor Cangqi with dignified bearing, "Your Majesty, I have heard a little about this matter."

"Miss Jiang was fostered at Nanchansi Temple for more than ten years. Apart from sending some money for her expenses every month, no one from the Jiang family ever went to visit her."

She slightly raised her phoenix eyes, her voice clear and melodious, "To give birth but not raise, to raise but not be close—what weight does the word 'family' truly carry?"

Seeing this, Xu Yuan, the Minister of Personnel, recalled what Jiang Dusheng had done for Xu Yishuo, and also rose from his seat, speaking in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, I agree with what the princess said. If parents truly love their children, no distance can stop their love."

"To ignore them for over ten years, maintaining them only through financial support—how is this any different from fostering outsiders?"

"Now that Miss Jiang has made this decision, although it is shocking and unconventional, upon closer examination, the reasons for it are probably not something that happened overnight. I believe we should try to understand her situation."

As Emperor Cangqi listened to the various opinions, his brows furrowed more and more, and his gaze toward Jiang Dusheng carried a hint of displeasure.

This is no longer a simple reward for merit; it subtly influences the delicate attitudes of different factions within the court.

Just then, Jiang Dusheng raised his head again and spoke:

"Your Majesty, Buddhism teaches that cause and effect are sown early. Perhaps the seeds of this karma were sown when my daughter was sent to the temple at the age of two."

She tilted her head slightly, a few stray hairs falling across her forehead. "My memories before I was two years old are very blurry..."

"I only vaguely remember someone singing lullabies in the meditation room to lull me to sleep. After I turned two, no one came to visit me again."

"I later learned it was because my younger sister was born. The master at Huguo Temple analyzed my fate..." A sarcastic smile appeared on her lips, "Seven Killings in the Life Palace, harming family ties, especially my younger sister."

A gust of wind blew past outside the hall, and the copper bells on the eaves jingled.

Her voice, though mixed with the ringing of the bell, remained clear: "So my so-called family dares not come to see me, and... has never thought of taking me back to the manor."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the Jiang family members, before questioning them:

"Your Majesty, how can a daughter whom her own family considers a jinx to her relatives still be considered family?"

"If I, your daughter, do not sever this kinship today, and if the Jiang family encounters any misfortune in the future, can it all be attributed to my fate?"

"This relationship, if it continues, is a sword hanging over my head; for the Jiang family, it's a thorn in their side. If it ends, both sides will be clean."

"Your Majesty, please see the truth!"