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

Xie Jinchen, with one hand on the edge of the carriage, was slowly getting off the carriage.

He exuded a chilling aura, coldly asking, "How dare you call me 'Du Sheng'?"

Chu Yanzhao was stunned speechless by Xie Jinchen's undisguised murderous intent and contempt. His hand, which was covering his forehead, trembled slightly, and he didn't know whether it was from pain or anger. His face turned pale and then red.

He didn't expect Xie Jinchen, who had just been punished in the palace and was injured, to be so arrogant and attack him directly.

Chu Yanzhao forced himself to remain calm, clutching his wound, and said, "I was once engaged to her. Why can't I call her by her name? Jin Chen, you and she are not even married yet; isn't this far too domineering!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinchen not only did not get angry, but instead tugged at the corners of his lips, the smile not reaching his eyes.

He walked step by step to Chu Yanzhao.

Xie Jinchen was already taller than Chu Yanzhao. Although he was injured, the aura he had forged on the battlefield made the pampered Chu Yanzhao feel suffocated.

"A marriage contract?" Xie Jinchen scoffed, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. "Your mentality of clinging to others when they're in power and discarding them like trash when they fall from grace is as disgusting as ever."

"What? Now that Minister Jiang has lost power, is the Crown Prince of Chu trying to find another patron?"

He mercilessly exposed Chu Yanzhao's despicable thoughts: "Chu Yanzhao, your skin is much thicker than your knowledge."

Chu Yanzhao stared intently at Xie Jinchen. The bloodstains on his forehead and the tea stains on his face made him look disheveled, but his eyes maintained a defiant expression.

"I came today out of goodwill to help Miss Jiang. You attacked her without explanation and uttered vile words. Is this the upbringing of the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinchen seemed to have heard something laughable, and a disdainful smile appeared on his face. "Manners?"

He sized Chu Yanzhao up and down, his gaze as if he were looking at something filthy. "Is this what you call good manners—breaking your engagement and having an affair with your fiancée's sister?"

Chu Yanzhao blushed with embarrassment, especially when the words "betrayed the engagement" and "had an affair" were so blunt and offensive, they felt like they were tearing his face off and stepping on it.

Xie Jinchen had no intention of giving Chu Yanzhao any chance to argue. He pulled Jiang Dusheng around and went straight into the Jiang residence.

Wang Dazhuang, who had been hiding inside the door eavesdropping on the commotion, came out at the opportune moment, grinning as he saw the guest off.

"Fine! Fine, Xie Jinchen! I'll remember this humiliation! Let's go!" Chu Yanzhao could only utter a harsh remark before hurriedly boarding the carriage and leaving with the help of his attendants.

The inner courtyard of Jiang's house.

As soon as the door closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world, Xie Jinchen's forced composure instantly relaxed.

He leaned most of his weight against Jiang Dusheng, his forehead lightly resting against her slender shoulder.

"I'm sorry I made you worry."

He admitted his mistake quickly, showing none of the sharpness and arrogance he had displayed when confronting Chu Yanzhao.

Jiang Dusheng helped him into the house, and upon hearing this, he snorted irritably, "I won't hold it against you since you didn't use your evil aura."

Xie Jinchen was carefully helped into the house and laid down on the cushioned couch.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Then Wang Dazhuang's head popped in, holding a rather exquisite gold-painted invitation card, and he dashed over:

"Master, this is an invitation to the Hundred Flowers Banquet sent by Princess Yongning's residence."

Jiang Dusheng took the invitation that emitted a faint fragrance, quickly glanced at its contents, and then focused on the date: "Ten days later."

She set the post aside, her thoughts drifting elsewhere. Looking at Xie Jinchen, who was lying prone, she asked:

"Which prince in the palace is Chu Yanzhao truly loyal to?"

Xie Jinchen turned his head slightly to look at her, somewhat surprised, "How do you know he's not my father's man?" He thought she would suspect the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion first.

Jiang Dusheng analyzed, "When he first came to test me near the restaurant, I did suspect that it was at the behest of Duke Xie, who wanted to find out my background or prevent you from getting close to me."

"But today, it seems that's not the case at all." She paused, then added, "Moreover, I cast a divination for Chu Yanzhao. Although it was difficult to see the whole picture, what he relies on is definitely not the image of a true dragon."

A hint of admiration flashed in Xie Jinchen's eyes. "It's the Second Prince, Chu Jingshen."

He lowered his voice, "Don't be fooled by his timid and submissive demeanor; he's actually incredibly shrewd."

"Although Prince Chu doesn't have much real power, he's quite adept at evaluating and promoting officials. Chu Yanzhao's connection with the Second Prince is mostly due to his ability to secretly cultivate relationships with lower- and middle-ranking officials on his behalf."

"A while ago, Chu Yanzhao tested you, probably because the Second Prince wanted to win you over."