Palace.
Eunuch Sun came and Jiang Xiancao received an invitation to a blessing banquet ten days later.
"Of all the princes, the Empress Dowager loves you the most. You must come." Eunuch Sun smiled. "The Empress Dowager also said that the noble ladies of the capital will gather at the blessing banquet. She will help you find a suitable match. If there is one suitable one, we will arrange the marriage as soon as possible."
Jiang Xiancao asked Chaoyue to hand over the reward silver to Eunuch Sun.
After Eunuch Sun left, she sat on the chair with the invitation.
When she was still Miss Jiang Er, she had heard people from the Marquis' Mansion mention this blessing banquet.
As early as several months ago, the Jiang family began to busy themselves with preparations for Jiang Huaizhuo to attend the banquet.
The Marquis's wife hired the most famous embroiderer in the capital with a large sum of money. The old lady took out her most valuable jade headpiece, and the five young masters also prepared various gifts for Jiang Huaizhu.
They made such a big fuss just to allow Jiang Huaizhu to show up at the blessing banquet and win the favor of the Empress Dowager.
Since he had made sufficient preparations in advance, Jiang Huaizhu would definitely not miss this opportunity.
She knew that she could not marry the Ninth Prince, so she would definitely make her move on other powerful men.
Thinking of this, Jiang Xiancao's mouth corners curled up slightly.
No matter what Jiang Huaizhu wanted to do, she would not let her do it.
Ting Lan's voice came from outside the door:
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
"Come in."
Ting Lan walked quickly to her side, leaned over and whispered something.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiancao's eyes darkened slightly.
As expected, Shen Yubai sent someone to investigate the incident in which Shen Tingsi was injured.
"Have your men secretly keep a close eye on his men, and find a trustworthy stranger to keep an eye on the Marquis of Wenning's mansion."
Jiang Xiancao said in a deep voice, "Don't let the people from the Imperial City Bureau come into contact with Miss Jiang Er. Make sure you keep an eye on that woman."
"I understand."
…
In the Imperial City Division, Shen Yubai sat in the study, with a man wearing a bronze ghost mask standing beside him. "Master, are you going to agree to Miss Jiang Er's conditions?"
Shen Yubai smiled lightly and asked him:
"Ghost Face, do you think there's anything strange about Miss Jiang Er?"
The secret guard named Ghost Face was silent for a moment, then replied:
"That day, my subordinate suddenly appeared in her bedroom, but she showed no fear upon seeing me. Later, when negotiating with my subordinate, her manner of speech was quite firm. She didn't seem like a girl who had been bullied for years, but rather like a superior who was used to giving orders."
Shen Yubai listened without comment, and Ghost Face continued to analyze:
"When you were investigating a case in Lan Garden, I was secretly observing Miss Jiang Er. Her behavior at that time was even more abnormal.
You and the Ninth Prince clearly want to clear her name, but she isn't emotional at all. Her attention is always on the Ninth Prince."
Shen Yubai smiled:
"A girl's feelings are always poetic. She finally had the opportunity to get in touch with her sweetheart. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with looking at him for a while longer."
Ghost Face whispered:
“But I feel that the look she gave the Ninth Prince had nothing to do with admiration, but more like wariness and worry.
It was as if she was worried that the Ninth Prince would say something unfavorable to her.
Afterwards, Eunuch Sun announced the imperial decree. When she heard that her engagement with the Ninth Prince was cancelled, she did not show any sadness at all, as if she had expected it.
I also saw her secretly say something to the Ninth Prince when he wasn't paying attention. Both her and the Ninth Prince had very cold and hard expressions, and they didn't look like lovers at all."
When Shen Yubai heard the last part, the smile on his lips changed:
"This Second Miss Jiang is indeed very strange. Her words and actions do not seem to be in line with her status and position.
Under what circumstances do you think a person would become like this?"
Shen Yubai of the Ghost Face Gang had investigated many suspects and had seen many strange things that ordinary people could not imagine. After thinking for a while, he said:
“I think there are two possibilities.
The first is that this person’s identity is fake, and someone else is impersonating her.
For example, in a tragedy that the Imperial City Division had investigated before, a wealthy businessman who returned home after many years was actually his twin brother who was living away from home. When his wife and two daughters discovered this, he killed them all.
The second is that this person has suffered a tremendous blow that has drastically changed their character, or encountered something that necessitated a change in their personality and temper, and that if they didn't, they would die."
Shen Yubai said calmly:
"The first possibility doesn't hold true for Jiang Xiancao. I've had someone check, and the Marquis' wife only gave birth to a baby girl. It's impossible for her to have a twin sister impersonating her.
The second possibility makes some sense, but I don’t think it’s right either.”
Ghost Face frowned, unable to think of what else could have happened, but then he heard Shen Yubai whisper:
"Have you heard of taking over a body?"
Possessing another's body?
Ghost Face's expression hidden under the mask revealed a trace of astonishment, "Master, are you saying that I'm possessed by a ghost?"
Didn't His Highness never believe in these kinds of folk legends about supernatural powers?
The blood in Shen Yubai's eyes emitted a strange cold light, and his face turned three times paler, but the corner of his mouth still had an unfathomable smile:
"I don't believe in gods or Buddhas, but there's a saying that goes, 'People's hearts are like ghosts and demons.' Maybe there really is a ghost in Jiang Xiancao."
He chuckled again as he spoke, "And she's not the only one with a ghost."
Ghost Face immediately understood, "You mean, that person also..."
"If I'm not mistaken, the Ninth Prince's men will definitely take action.
If they are following our people, you know what to do, remember not to alert them.
As for Miss Jiang Er, don't rush to reply. Since she has something to hide, she can wait."
"Yes, I understand."
…
Ten days passed quickly, and it was the day of the blessing banquet.
Shen Tingsi was very anxious when he didn't wait for anyone from the Imperial City Division.
Tang Yuan could see that he was in a bad mood and thought he was angry about the engagement. She whispered to him, "Although the Ninth Prince has finally regained his sight and become a human being, I have heard that he is having affairs outside. Such a dirty man is not worthy of you, young lady!"
Shen Tingsi: “???”
How dare this little girl think he is dirty?
He was angry and aggrieved.
When he was a prince, he often went to brothels to see beauties and listen to songs.
But as a prince, he also has his own style. He has never spent the night with these women, and there has never been a concubine in the palace. How can he be dirty?
Seeing that his young lady's face looked even worse, Tang Yuan scratched his nose and wanted to persuade her again, but someone outside came to urge her:
"Is the Second Miss ready? The carriage is about to depart."
Tang Yuan quickly stood up and said, "Didn't we agree to leave in an hour? Why are we leaving now? Our lady hasn't even changed her clothes yet."
The maid outside said sarcastically, "Everyone else is fine, you're just too slow. You can't keep everyone waiting just because of the Second Young Lady, right?"
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