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

It's now!

Jiang Dusheng's hand, which was originally pressed against Xie Jinchen's abdomen, suddenly rose up with lightning speed.

"Snapped!"

With a soft sound, the talisman was affixed to Xie Jinchen's forehead, in the exact same spot as when it was first placed on her forehead.

Xie Jinchen's every movement froze completely in that instant.

The lust in his eyes hadn't faded, but it was replaced by shock and helplessness.

Xie Jinchen could feel a binding force instantly flowing through his body, locking him firmly in this passionate state.

He remained frozen in place, still holding Jiang Dusheng half-in his arms, his lips almost touching the side of her neck in that ambiguous position.

Jiang Dusheng deftly broke free from his stiff embrace, took two steps back, and slowly straightened his clothes, which had been slightly disheveled by Xie Jinchen.

Her face was still flushed, and she was slightly out of breath, but her eyes were bright, with a triumphant smile of revenge.

Jiang Dusheng reached out and gently tapped Xie Jinchen's nose with his fingertips. His voice was slightly hoarse from the kiss, but every word was clear:

"All warfare is based on deception. How does this immobilization charm taste?"

The candlelight flickered, reflecting Xie Jinchen's eyes, which were filled with doting affection.

"If you can calm down, I don't mind being immobilized by you for half an hour."

When Jiang Dusheng met that gaze, his heart felt a slight tremor, as if something had scratched at it.

She cleared her throat somewhat awkwardly, forcibly suppressing the strange feeling, deliberately putting on a stern face, and poked the talisman on his forehead with her fingertip again:

"Don't look at me like that. This talisman will only last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Stand there and reflect on your actions."

After saying that, she turned around and walked briskly toward the door, even humming a tuneless little tune, clearly in a very good mood.

"Jiang Dusheng".

Xie Jinchen's voice came from behind, lower than usual, and even carried a hint of danger.

Jiang Dusheng paused, turned around, and raised an eyebrow: "What is it? Does Young Master Xie have any further instructions?"

Xie Jinchen's gaze slowly moved down and landed on her.

She was only wearing a thin nightgown, revealing a section of her collarbone, which was dazzlingly white in the candlelight.

Although her wet hair had been wrung out, a few strands still clung to the side of her neck, adding a touch of charm.

"Are you just going to leave like this?" He finally spoke, his voice still low and slightly hoarse.

Following the implication of his gaze, Jiang Dusheng looked down at himself.

I was so caught up in my smugness that I forgot that my outfit was really inappropriate for me to be outside the room, even though the inn’s corridor might be deserted right now.

She forced a calm "Oh," quickly walked back to the bedside, grabbed a moon-white robe draped over the screen, hurriedly put it on, tied the belt, and wrapped herself up tightly.

Then he walked back to Xie Jinchen, raised his chin, and asked, "Is it okay now?"

Xie Jinchen's gaze swept over her tightly wrapped body, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes, and he hummed in agreement.

Jiang Dusheng then turned around again, opened the door, slipped out, and closed it behind him.

Xie Jinchen was left alone, frozen in the center of the room, facing the flickering candlelight, listening to her footsteps disappear into the door of the next room.

Time ticked by, but the stiffness in his body didn't lessen at all. He maintained that slightly awkward posture, finally letting out a barely audible sigh:

"She really holds a grudge..."

As the night deepens, everything becomes silent.

Jiang Dusheng was fast asleep in the room that originally belonged to Xie Jinchen.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but in a half-dream, half-awake state, her keen senses detected an extremely slight noise coming from the direction of the window.

Someone deliberately controlled the force of the push to open the window and climbed inside.

She suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze clear in the darkness, her body instantly on alert, her fingertips already gripping a talisman under her pillow.

However, in the next instant, that familiar scent, so deeply ingrained in his being, spread out, carrying the coolness of the night breeze and his unique, crisp aroma, quietly approaching.

Jiang Dusheng's tense nerves relaxed instantly, and his fingers, which were gripping the talisman, loosened.

She closed her eyes again, pretending to still be asleep.

The bed dipped slightly as a body, cool from the night dew, pressed against her from behind, pulling her tightly into its embrace.

His strong arms encircled her waist, his palms naturally resting on her lower abdomen, and his chin gently rested on the top of her head, nuzzling her affectionately.

Jiang Dusheng couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Xie Jinchen, are you a womanizer? You actually climbed through the window."

A low laugh came from behind, and the vibration of a chest transmitted through the thin fabric of my clothes.

Xie Jinchen tightened his arms, his voice extremely low, tinged with grievance and accusation:

"Jiang Dusheng, you're so heartless. You left me there while you came here to sleep. You really don't like me."

Jiang Dusheng's ears were itchy from his rubbing, but she couldn't be bothered to argue with him about this boring question at this hour.

She shifted uncomfortably in his arms, finding a more comfortable position, yawned, and mumbled:

"If you're not going to sleep, get out and close the windows."

Her voice was soft and sweet from sleepiness, lacking any intimidation, but rather like a kitten's paw gently scratching Xie Jinchen's heart.

Xie Jinchen indeed stopped talking.

He simply buried his face in the soft strands of hair behind her neck, took a deep breath of her reassuring fragrance, and then tightened his embrace.

Xie Jinchen closed his eyes, and the tips of his long eyelashes brushed against the back of her neck, causing a slight itch.

Jiang Dusheng unconsciously shrank his neck, found a more comfortable position in his arms, and his breathing quickly became long and steady again.

Time flies.

Soon, the day arrived for Crown Prince Chu Jingyu and Abbot Hong'an to enter the city.

They deliberately delayed their trip until the early morning of the next day.

Zichen Palace.

Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, lined up on both sides according to their rank. The hall was completely silent, filled with a heavy sense of oppressive authority.

When Crown Prince Chu Jingyu and Abbot Hong'an entered the main hall side by side, all eyes were on them.

Although Chu Jingyu's robes were slightly dusty, he had an upright posture and a steady gait.

Meanwhile, Abbot Hong'an, wearing a purple-gold kasaya symbolizing the abbot of Huguo Temple, held prayer beads in his hand, his eyes lowered, his appearance solemn and dignified.

Upon closer inspection, the fingers that were twisting the prayer beads seemed to be using too much force, and even trembled almost imperceptibly.

Wang Dazhuang stared at Abbot Hong'an's physical body, his eyes lowered, not daring to look any longer, because... this scene was too terrifying.

On the high seat, Emperor Cangqi's expression was inscrutable.

He looked even thinner than he had a few months ago, with sunken eyes that were now fixed intently on the two people below.

"Your Highness, Abbot," Emperor Cangqi's voice rang out, carrying authority yet seemingly more subdued than usual, "Regarding the assassination of Duke Xie, you went to Qingzhou to investigate, and after many days, have you now found out?"