sprawled out

Everyone followed Yi Shen's example and went through it one by one. From raising the iron copper hand to firing the first cannon, one cannon unicorn after another raised its hand, waved, walked, and ran in front of Wu Qi. Some nervous students were not skilled in operating the cannon unicorn, causing it to stumble and almost fall flat on its back.

Watching from behind, Wu Qi found his classmates and friends, including Pao Lin, to be increasingly endearing.

After the round ended, everyone gathered around Wu Qi, chattering about the unexpected situations they encountered in the cannon's control room. Whether it was a slip of the hand causing the cannon to run too fast, or firing the cannon before reaching the designated location, Wu Qi felt it was all within her expectations. Moreover, what they described were really not serious matters; they were simply people who were sitting in the cannon's control room for the first time, a little unfamiliar with it, and nervous, and certainly not anything beyond redemption.

Seeing that everyone was still a little nervous, Wu Qi comforted them, "Alright, alright, it's okay. Don't put too much pressure on yourselves. I think you all handled it very well, you're already amazing. Really, really, let's go, let's go eat!!"

Lin Kuo leaned against Song Yinxing and deliberately said, "I can't take it anymore, it feels like a dream. To ease my tension, I've decided to go to Langyue Tower for dinner! Who supports me and who opposes me?"

"support!"

"support!"

Lin Kuo said, "Let's go! It's my treat!"

A group of people walked out noisily and bustlingly. He Qi walked at the back, turned around and glanced back at the cannon unicorn he had just been controlling.

He silently counted—among the nineteen people who operated the cannon fin today, he made the most mistakes, while Yi Shen did not make a single mistake.

What's most frustrating is that nobody cares about his mistakes, and nobody compares him to Yi Shen.

Langyuelou recently introduced several new soups and medicinal dishes, all prepared for pregnant women. Each dish was reviewed by the local physician, and they all managed to combine good taste with nourishing effects.

In an instant, the crowd scrambled to grab the items, and long queues formed on the street.

They were somewhat incredulous to see the students of Cizi Pavilion chatting and laughing in the distance. Bored while waiting in line, they began to chat idly in small groups:

"When did the children of aristocratic families and the children of high-ranking officials become so close?"

"It seems... their relationship was actually pretty good to begin with?"

"No way! I heard that powerful families and high-ranking officials are sworn enemies!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Because the aristocratic families have developed the Northern Kun! We all know how powerful the Northern Kun was back then; it scared enemy countries so much that they haven't dared to invade again! Now, the aristocratic families have completely overshadowed the high-ranking officials, and all these years, the high-ranking officials haven't made any contributions..."

"You can't say that. Aren't those important officials also busy to the point of being dizzy every day?"

"Heh, he's probably too busy to think straight about the gold and silver treasures he's hiding in his mansion."

"It's not like there aren't any good officials..."

"What do you mean by 'it's not that there aren't good officials'? Those who see the emperor every day and hold his authority cannot be bad officials. As for corrupt officials and sycophants, they shouldn't exist, not a single one should."

"That's true, but... how is that possible?"

"...Indeed, look, that young man in the middle is wearing a veil! Who is he? And why is he wearing a veil?"

"You don't know? That's Young Master Yi Shen, who was punished for violating the family's rules of etiquette by protecting a young lady from the Wu family. It's said that he has to wear a veil all the time."

"Which rule of etiquette of aristocratic families did Young Master Yi violate?"

"It seems to be martial arts."

"It's alright. Young Master Yi doesn't kill or set fires. He practices martial arts to protect his beloved. It's strange, though. Young Master Yi is punished by having to cover his face when he practices martial arts. That... that one," the man pointed to his clothes and continued after the other person realized who it was, "He killed so many people and nothing happened to him."

"Who can explain this kind of thing?"

The group of people who had been chatting quietly fell silent as the students from Cizi Pavilion drew closer. However, it was rare to see all the people from Cizi Pavilion gathered together, especially five children from a prominent family. A few of the bolder ones asked, "Young Master Yi, are you here for dinner at Langyue Tower?"

Yi Shen stopped in his tracks, looked at him, and politely replied, "Yes, come and eat."

The man then said, "Young Master Yi, rest assured. Even if you wear a veil, we will never look down on you."

Yi Shen said, "Thank you."

Another person said, "Yes, yes, yes! It's right to charge into battle for your sweetheart. I once climbed over the wall to see my wife and got a beating from my father-in-law."

Yi Shen glanced at the man and said, "Thank you."

The man asked, puzzled, "Thank me for what?"

Yi Shen said, "Thank you for your wishes."

The man asked, even more confused, "Huh? What blessing?"

Wu Qi burst into laughter after realizing what had happened, and then one by one, everyone else realized it too, except for the person who had been thanked. Even after Yi Shen and the others left, that person was still puzzled.

One person couldn't stand it anymore and said to the other, "Are you stupid?! I'm asking you, have you married the person you love?"

"ah."

"That's all I need to thank you for!"

"Huh?" The man paused for a moment, then exclaimed in realization, "Oh, oh, oh! Young Master Yi is thanking me for wishing him and the Wu family lady a happy marriage! I thought he was thanking me for wishing him a good beating from his father-in-law!"

With this explanation, those queuing outside suddenly remembered a bet—when would Young Master Yi and the Lady of the Wu family get married?

Many people placed bets, but they didn't know if they could win.

Inside Langyue Tower, Lin Kuo had his arm around Song Yinxing's waist, laughing so hard tears streamed down his face, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably. After finally following the others into the private room, he sat up straight as soon as he sat down, mimicking Yi Shen's manner, and said, "Thank you for your...blessing."

Before he could finish speaking, he leaned on Song Yinxing's shoulder and laughed nonstop.

Ning Xunxu said, "Brother Lian Shi, you... never mind, just laugh."

Lin Kuo, breathless, said, "Thank you... thank you for your wishes."

At first, no one found Yi Shen's words particularly funny. But after Lin Kuo repeated them twice, and seeing how heartily he was laughing, they all burst into laughter, unable to stop. It's unclear what struck them, but a glance at their friend beside them brought another round of laughter.

One wave after another.

The servant pushed open the door and saw a room full of people laughing so hard they were doubled over. He thought they had all gone mad, but fortunately, the Third Young Master looked perfectly normal.

"Young master, what would you like to eat today?"

Yi Shen asked, "Can you kick Lin Kuo out?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Qi couldn't help but burst into laughter and fell into Yi Shen's arms. Yi Shen reached out to catch her, looked at the astonished servant, and repeated, "Can you kick Lin Kuo out?"

The servant said, "Me? I don't think I can kick Young Master Lin out..."

Yi Shen said, "Oh, then don't make the dishes he ordered later. Is that alright?"

"It seems...it seems possible? Or is it not possible..."

“Yes, yes, of course! What do you mean ‘seemingly possible’? It’s absolutely possible!” Wu Qi peeked out from Yi Shen’s arms, the smile in his eyes still bright. “Later, don’t cook anything for Brother Lian Shi, just give him a pair of chopsticks.”

"well!"

The servant didn't actually order the dishes Lin Kuo had chosen from the kitchen, and Lin Kuo reluctantly took the chopsticks. After a short while of quiet eating, he, always eager to stir up trouble, said, "Wei Chong, are you aware of the bet between you and Xiao Qi circulating in the streets?"

"What bet?" Yi Shen asked.

Wu Qi said, "Some people bet on when we will get married, some bet on within a year, some bet on within two years, and of course, some bet on within five years."

Yi Shen said, "I know about this bet."

Ning Xunxu asked, "Wei Chong, have you placed your bet?"

Yi Shen neither nodded nor shook his head, but asked Lin Kuo in return, "You placed a bet?"

Lin Kuo patted his chest and said, "Of course! I bet that you two will get married within two years, and that's because I placed the bet. A lot of people followed my bet with peace of mind."

Yi Shen nodded and said, "People of noble families are forbidden from gambling. Those who violate this rule shall not leave their homes for three months, and shall kneel on the ground in the cold winter to reflect on their actions, in addition to copying the rules of etiquette ten times by hand."

"It just so happens that winter is just around the corner."

Lin Kuo put down his chopsticks and said sincerely, "Haha, I misspoke. I didn't place any bets or gamble. I was just lying to you."

Yi Shen said, "Those who dare not do what they should be done, shall be escorted to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Kuo, assessing the situation, said, "Alright, alright, I was wrong, I was wrong. I shouldn't have made fun of you. Everyone, please keep this a secret, I don't want to be punished!"

The group exchanged glances and said in unison, "Beg me."

Song Yinxing lowered her head and suppressed a laugh.

Wu Qi was overjoyed. When he noticed Yi Shen holding his hand, he instinctively shook it back.

Lin Kuo gritted his teeth and said, "...Please, I beg you, I beg you, please, please keep this a secret! You swear you will keep it a secret!"

The group then feigned generosity and said, "Of course, of course."

Lin Kuo still gritted his teeth and said, "Great, you guys are really good people."

Ning Xunxu said, "It's good that you know."

Lin Kuo stretched out his foot to kick Ning Xunxu, who was sitting next to him, but missed and Ning Xunxu dodged it. He put his leg on Ning Xunxu's chair and said, "This chair is just right for my leg."

Suddenly, a knock came at the door. When the door opened, everyone saw Yi Wo standing at the door, protecting Song Lingshu.

Seeing the room full of people, Yi Wei raised an eyebrow and said, "So lively? What important matter are you discussing? Can we come in?"

Everyone replied, "Of course!"

Song Lingshu's belly was much bigger than before. The person who was previously thin was now a little fatter, but it added a lot of charm. Just by looking at the smile on her face, you could tell that Yi Wo had taken good care of her these past few months.

She held her stomach with one hand, glanced around the room, and said, "Why is Han Su standing there?"

Ning Xunxu immediately went to Song Lingshu's left side, carefully protecting her, and complained, "Sister Ruisheng, Brother Hansu said that my chair is just the right size for his legs."

Yi Wo laughed and said, "Now you know that your brother Lian Shi is a bully, right?"

"I knew he was a bully all along."

The bully Lin Kuo was eager to impress Song Lingshu, so he got up first and pulled up a chair for her. "Sister Ruisheng, please sit down."

Song Lingshu said with a smile, "You don't need to put on an act in front of me. Just be yourself."

Yi Wo teased, "You bully, what did you do to offend Weichong? I heard Weichong was going to kick you out. What happened? What conflict did you have?"

Yi Wo knew that the students from Cizi Pavilion were having dinner at Langyue Tower today, but he didn't pay much attention. Later, when the servant said that the Third Young Master wanted to kick Young Master Lin out, he waved his hand and dismissed the servant. He was a few years older than the two of them and had practically watched them grow up. He knew their temperaments very well and knew that they wouldn't really have a disagreement. Even if they did, Wei Chong would never publicly send someone to drive Lian Shi out.

Perhaps Lin Kuo said something nonsensical.

He didn't care at first, but then he thought—Ruisheng seems a bit bored these days, so why not take her out to have some fun?

That's when he brought Song Lingshu with him.