Even before reaching Luoyi Lane, Chen Yi could feel the effects of the Wei Dynasty’s current Third Place Scholar’s grand wedding.

From Kangning Street onward, the entire northern part of Shu State Prefecture City resounded with the clamor of gongs, drums, and firecrackers.

Lanterns and colorful banners lined the streets, each one adorned with the character for "joy."

Smiling young scholars and ladies, dressed in red robes and long skirts, handed out candies and pastries to passersby.

"It is the grand wedding of this year’s Third Place Scholar, Li Huai’gu! Let us all celebrate together!"

"Congratulations, Third Scorer Li."

"Thank you, thank you."

The only time a scene this lively had occurred was the last time Li Huai’gu paraded through North City, when young scholars and ladies vied to follow in his wake.

’None of this was here when I passed by yesterday. It’s all been put up today.’

As Chen Yi sat in the carriage looking out at the scenery, a memory surfaced in his mind.

It had been just like this on his wedding day. The streets from Fengchun Building to the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion had been lined with lanterns and banners, creating a scene of extraordinary liveliness.

However, the pedestrians on the roadside hadn’t been offering congratulations like they were today. Instead, they were saying, "General Jinghong is taking a son-in-law. Why not find someone more outstanding?"

Vaguely, he thought he heard someone else say, "A fresh flower on a pile of cow dung. Do you think you’re worthy?"

Chen Yi snapped back to reality, his brow furrowed slightly.

That voice didn’t sound like it came from a random passerby. It had been directed right at him, as if the speaker was standing right there.

’Who was it?’

After a moment of thought, it dawned on him. ’Was that the person who caused me to flee my own wedding?’

But the voice had sounded old, hoarse and deep—not like that of a young man.

Still, it was easy to discern the disdain in the words.

’I still have no news about that person. I wonder if he knows I didn’t die.’

’He probably does know. After all, I’ve caused quite a stir in Shu State City recently.’

With that thought, Chen Yi committed the voice to memory.

If he heard a similar voice again, he would at least be on his guard.

Just then, Xiaodie reached over and tugged on his arm, shouting excitedly, "Young Master, Young Master, look! It’s the Third Place Scholar!"

Chen Yi followed her gaze and saw Li Huai’gu at the head of the procession, wearing Fifth-Grade Court Attire and an Official’s Hat, mounted on a tall horse.

Behind him, an honor guard and a musical troupe were arranged in two rows, playing celebratory music, while attendants to the side scattered grains and beans and lit firecrackers.

Farther back was a bridal sedan, carried by eight men and draped in red gauze, adding to the festive and lively atmosphere.

Seeing this, Chen Yi knew Li Huai’gu had already picked up Yun Xiang and was now heading home.

After a moment’s thought, he signaled for Liu Si’er up front to stop the carriage, then got out with Xiaodie.

"Brother Si, you can head back. Come pick me up from Luoyi Lane after the banquet tonight."

Liu Si’er glanced at the bustling crowd ahead, realizing the carriage wouldn’t be able to get through, and nodded in agreement.

Chen Yi led Xiaodie along, following the wedding procession. Swept up in the atmosphere, he temporarily forgot the unpleasantness he had recalled earlier.

Xiaodie, on the other hand, was overjoyed. Her head swiveled from side to side, her two hair buns bobbing about.

"Young Master, there are so many people!"

"It was just like this on your wedding day with the Second Young Miss."

"But we had the mansion’s Personal Guard with us back then, so it was an even grander affair."

Chen Yi heard Xiaodie’s words clearly and simply smiled without responding.

Amid the din of the firecrackers, he could only hear her clearly thanks to his proficiency in Martial Arts; Xiaodie, of course, had no such skill.

Just then, a voice called out from the side. "Brother Yi! Brother Yi! Over here!"

The smile on Chen Yi’s face receded slightly. He feigned confusion and glanced around, finally spotting Chen Yunfan on the other side of the bridal sedan.

Chen Yunfan was also mounted on a tall horse, wearing an Official Robe that was even more magnificent than Li Huai’gu’s. He was smiling and waving at Chen Yi.

Chen Yi returned the greeting with a slight bow but didn’t move to join him.

Since he wouldn’t come over, however, Chen Yunfan leaped off his horse, tossed the reins to one of the accompanying government officials, and ran toward him.

He shouted as he ran, "Brother Yi, you’re here quite early! I didn’t think I’d see you until the banquet."

Enduring the deafening noise, Chen Yi returned the courtesy by leaning close to his brother’s ear and shouting:

"I was free today and had nothing to do at home, so I came over early to join the festivities!"

The smile on Chen Yunfan’s face faltered. Resisting the urge to rub his ear, he smiled, nodded, and continued to shout:

"With your wife away, you’re certainly enjoying your freedom! But you can’t just be running wild. It would be best to stay away from places like the Spring Rain Building."

Not to be outdone, Chen Yi shot back, "Thank you for the reminder, brother. I’ll be sure to take it to heart. I just never thought that an esteemed man like yourself, this year’s Imperial Top Scholar, would even know of the Spring Rain Building. You must be quite the regular visitor."

You shout a thirty-word barb, I’ll shout a forty-word one right back.

It was a contest to see who would be the first to break and use their Martial Arts to shield their eardrums.

The two of them were enthusiastically engaged in their war of words, but to any onlookers, they simply appeared to be two brothers with an excellent relationship.

Only Xiaodie was confused. If she remembered correctly, the Young Master had once told her that he and his brother didn’t get along.

’So why are they laughing and joking with each other now?’

If Chen Yi had known what she was thinking, he would have corrected her: sometimes, two people laughing and joking together aren’t on good terms at all, but are instead true adversaries.

The pair of brothers didn’t stop their exchange until the wedding procession finally entered Luoyi Lane.

The way they reluctantly broke off their banter held a hint of grudging respect, as if they hadn’t quite had their fill.

"Brother Yi, I never noticed you were so sharp with your words. When we were young, you barely paid any of us brothers any mind."

"And you, brother, are just the same as ever. It seems your position as Imperial Top Scholar was indeed something of a fluke."

Hearing this, a peculiar look crossed Chen Yunfan’s face. "You’re saying that to my face?"

Chen Yi casually picked at his slightly numb ear and replied nonchalantly, "Does it bother you, brother?"

Chen Yunfan was momentarily speechless, then he smiled and shook his head. "Imperial Top Scholar, not Imperial Top Scholar... I truly don’t care."

"But what can I do? Your brother here is just too lucky. I didn’t even want it, but someone just had to force it on me."

Hmm?

The words may have been spoken casually, but the listener read between the lines.

Chen Yi asked thoughtfully, "The Holy Emperor?"

Chen Yunfan nodded directly. "The very same."

"That day in Jinluan Hall, he tested all the others on matters of policy and current events. But when it was my turn, all he asked was, ’Do you want to be the Imperial Top Scholar?’"

"Brother Yi, you tell me. In that kind of setting, with him asking me that in front of all our elders and relatives, how was I supposed to answer?"

Chen Yi nodded in understanding. "That is..."

But before he could finish, Chen Yunfan cut in with a twist, "I, of course, answered directly: ’I do not.’"

"..."

Chen Yi turned to look at him, his tone unreadable as he asked, "And then you became this year’s Imperial Top Scholar?"

Chen Yunfan nodded, then raised his head in a fresh wave of smugness. "Looking back on it now, my position as Imperial Top Scholar was indeed something of a fluke."

Chen Yi gave him a thumbs-up. "No wonder the other scholars were so furious. You’re lucky they didn’t beat you to a pulp back in the Capital Prefecture."

Chen Yunfan scoffed. "They just make a little noise, nothing original. When it comes to scholarship and ability, they’re not worth a single hair on your head, Brother Yi."

"You flatter me, brother."

"I never speak falsely. Take what you did a few days ago, colluding with the ’Sword Madman’ Liu Lang at the Spring Rain Building to rob your own family’s medicinal supplies. No one else could have pulled that off."

Hearing this, Chen Yi looked over at the smiling Chen Yunfan and couldn’t help but start laughing himself.

"Just a little something I did on the side, and you found out, brother. But compared to the great things you’re involved in, I’m still a long way off."

"I hear you’re about to be appointed Right Governor?"

Chen Yunfan mimicked his tone. "A mere Right Envoy? Like taking something from my own pouch."

Just then, a few coughs sounded from nearby.

The two of them looked toward the sound, their smiles vanishing. They bowed in unison and said, "Greetings, Right Envoy Yang."

As luck would have it, the person who had arrived was none other than the Right Minister of the Shu State Governor’s Office himself, Yang Ye.

He looked at the two brothers, a slight smile gracing his aged face. "I didn’t hear a thing. You may continue."

Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan exchanged a glance and bowed again. "As you command."

However, as soon as they straightened up, they began walking and talking, quickly making their exit.

Seeing their perfectly synchronized steps, anyone would have praised them as true brothers-in-arms.

Xiaodie’s mouth fell open. After quickly bowing to the various unfamiliar dignitaries around them, she hurried to catch up.

Chun Ying, who had overheard their conversation from the edge of the crowd, shook her head as if nursing a headache.

’How had she never noticed before that her Young Master held Young Master Yi in such high regard?’

"Why is Lord Right Envoy here?"

"If I recall correctly, he adopted Li Huai’gu’s wife as his goddaughter."

"..."