The glow from the red lanterns cast a sheen on the crossbeams, faintly revealing a series of flowing, graceful characters.

In an instant, a crowd of guests had gathered behind Mr. Yue Ming.

Some had seen his Cursive Script at Marquis Xiao’s birthday banquet before, while others had only heard of it and never witnessed it firsthand.

Even the few scholars who had been critical of Chen Yi were craning their necks to see, though it was clear their status wasn’t high enough to get them a spot at the front.

"This calligraphy is so fluid and unrestrained. Unlike Wei Qing’s Style, it isn’t bound by rigid conventions. It certainly has its merits."

"Merits? Elder Bian, with all due respect to you as my senior, I must say something. Someone who can’t even capture the mental realm of youthful brilliance in Wei Qing’s Style has no right to critique a new one."

"I... am ashamed."

"This script could establish a new school of its own. No wonder Yue Ming invited the young man to his academy."

As the voices mingled, someone’s attention was drawn to the poem itself.

"Advise?"

"What arrogance."

"He’s just a son-in-law living with his wife’s family. Even if he has some scholarly honor, what gives him the right to ’advise’ the Third Place Scholar?"

A few faint, mocking whispers echoed through the side chamber.

The scholars didn’t dare to chime in again, but many guests of higher status felt the criticism was justified.

Chen Yi simply listened and watched, not bothering to argue or defend himself, just as before.

The earlier slander from the scholars had only bothered him because it involved Xiaodie.

Now that the comments were directed at him alone, they had no effect on him.

It wasn’t as if his intention was to "advise" Li Huai’gu in the first place. He had simply wanted to complete his earlier poem as a keepsake.

And even if he *was* being "arrogant" and "advising the Third Place Scholar," so what?

Chen Yi remained silent. Mr. Yue Ming, who had been immersed in the Cursive Script Pen Technique, finally came to his senses and waved his hand.

"I have seen a fragment of this poem before," he said. "It was written for Fang Gui, advising him to look into his own heart and decide whether or not he truly wanted to marry Yun Xiang."

"Today, Qingzhou must have wanted to complete the poem to give to Fang Gui. It was a thoughtful gesture. You all should stop making a mountain out of a molehill, don’t you think?"

Though it was phrased as a question, how could anyone present miss the defensive tone between his words?

Immediately, some people slapped their own cheeks, laughed about misspeaking, or clasped their hands in apology toward Chen Yi.

Chen Yi laughed it off.

’A thousand people, a thousand faces. It takes all sorts to make a world.’ He didn’t take their comments to heart.

Still, his predictions from last night had all come true.

It could all be summed up in one word: trouble.

Even Xiaodie, standing to one side, found the people incredibly annoying. She was pouting so hard you could have hung a lantern from her lip.

The calligraphy scroll wasn’t put away until after Li Huai’gu and Yun Xiang had completed their ceremony, changed into fresh clothes, and came out to thank their guests.

Mr. Yue Ming, still not ready to give up, tried to persuade him again. "Qingzhou, please give my earlier proposal some serious thought."

"Guiyun Academy may not be famous in the Great Wei Dynasty, but it’s a far more suitable place for you than the Xiao Family Medicine Hall—and a better place to pursue your studies."

Chen Yi merely nodded, offering no response.

The laughter and festivities continued until nightfall, when the many guests in Luoyi Lane finally began to disperse.

[Witnessed the marriage of Third Place Scholar Li Huai’gu and Yun Xiang. A joyous union, destined for a long and happy life together. Reward: Thousand Hands Chess Manual, Opportunity +30.]

[Evaluation: You came, you saw, you were heard. To stand by and smile while others achieve scholarly success and celebrate their wedding night is the mark of a man with insufficient ambition.]

Chen Yi glanced at the text, and his fists clenched.

’Damn it. For the system to find such a niche way to criticize me on a joyous day like this... it must have really racked its brains.’

After staring at the glowing panel for a long moment, he grunted and dismissed it. ’Out of sight, out of mind.’

Chen Yi glanced around, then decided to take Xiaodie back to their residence.

The last event was the traditional teasing of the newlyweds in their bridal chamber. He’d leave that to Li Huai’gu’s cousins and groomsmen; he had no interest in joining the commotion.

Just as the two of them were leaving Luoyi Lane to get their carriage, a voice called out from behind.

"Brother Yi, don’t be in such a hurry to leave."

Chen Yi turned and saw it was Chen Yunfan. He had Xiaodie get into the carriage first.

"Aren’t you going to join in teasing the newlyweds, Brother?"

Chen Yunfan shook his head with a smile. He motioned for Chun Ying to wait there, then gestured for Chen Yi to walk with him for a private chat.

Chen Yi had no objection and followed him to a more secluded spot.

"Weddings are exhausting."

"You’re not married yet, Brother?"

Chen Yunfan shot him a sidelong glance. "You don’t know whether I’m married or not?"

Chen Yi thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Not married. But you have a betrothal."

’As I recall, Chen Yunfan was betrothed when he was a child to someone from the clan of Cui Yu, the first madam of the Chen Family.’

’I don’t know how closely they’re related, but the connection is there.’

Chen Yunfan tutted, the smile on his face fading. "That betrothal is just a piece of paper. You just watch, I’ll tear it up sooner or later."

"You’re not happy with it?"

"Happy? Oh, I’m just thrilled. I..."

Chen Yunfan paused, not finishing his thought. Instead, he said, "I didn’t come all this way to talk about that nonsense. There’s something I need to tell you."

Chen Yi felt a stir in his heart. He said nothing, waiting for his brother to continue.

"I don’t know how much you understand about the Xiao Family, or what your plans are, but as your blood brother, I have to warn you: don’t get involved in the Xiao Family’s affairs."

"Oh?"

"I’ve said my piece. Whether you listen or not is up to you."

Without further explanation, Chen Yunfan patted him on the shoulder, turned, and walked back the way he came.

Chen Yi watched him walk away and calmly said, "Thank you."

He knew Chen Yunfan would hear him.

But he wasn’t sure from what position or on whose behalf Chen Yunfan was speaking.

After a moment of thought, a gentle smile returned to Chen Yi’s face, and he strode toward Liu Si’er’s carriage.

’He was already bound to the Xiao Family. How could there be any question of not getting involved?’

RUMBLE RUMBLE.

The carriage wheels rumbled over the bluestone road, gradually receding into the distance.

Chen Yunfan stood in the shadows, watching quietly for a moment.

Suddenly, he stretched his arms and legs, let out a long sigh, and muttered a few curses.

It wasn’t clear who he was cursing, but his words were so foul they would make a street ruffian blush.

Chun Ying heard him, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

She couldn’t fathom where a well-read scholar had learned such filth.

After a moment of silence, Chun Ying reminded him in a low voice, "Young Master, if that member of the White Tiger Guard finds out you warned Young Master Yi, I’m afraid he won’t be pleased."

Chen Yunfan snorted. "What do I care if he’s pleased or not? He’s just a Silver Banner Officer, using his master’s authority to threaten me. He truly doesn’t know his place."

That being said, given his temper, those words were practically polite.

Chun Ying was well aware of this. "Of the four generals of the Secretariat, the Cyan Dragon General controls the Capital Prefecture, the Black Tortoise General commands the Great Wei Navy, and the Vermilion Bird General shares control of the Military Token with the Minister of War and the Capital Commandery."

"Those three, at least, have tracks that can be followed. But the White Tiger General..."

"The White Tiger General is the most mysterious and unpredictable. It’s said the position changes hands every ten years. Their movements are erratic, their methods are cruel, and only the Holy Emperor himself knows their true identity."

"Furthermore, he commands the White Tiger Guard, which specializes in infiltration. Even the First Master, the Madam, and the Second Master of our family are wary of them."

Chun Ying tried to persuade him gently, "Young Master, please don’t be reckless."

Chen Yunfan pursed his lips and muttered, "Of course I know all that. Did I ask for your input?"

Chun Ying hesitated, then said, "I have one more thing to say. Young Master, you should keep your distance from Young Master Yi, lest..."

Chen Yunfan stopped and stared at her, his eyes like ice. "I don’t like what you just said. Say it again, and you die."

Chun Ying immediately bowed her head, not daring to utter another word.

Chen Yunfan stared at her for a long time before turning back toward the Li Family’s residence. "Remember your place. Don’t tarnish the reputation of the ’White-robed Minister’."

At his words, Chun Ying bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.

After a long moment, she sighed and hurried after him.

’It seems Young Master Yi has quite an influence on the Young Master,’ she thought. ’The affair in Shu State might become complicated.’