Chu Shuo was momentarily stunned. He looked over at Chu Hanlin and his wife, then at his brothers, Ye Siheng, and Sixth Sister. "Is it true? Has Beihan really been stripped of his title?"
Ye Siheng’s face turned icy as he ordered the arrogant young master to be thrown out.
He then turned to Chu Shuo and said, "Second Brother, let’s continue the ceremony. Beihan truly isn’t suitable to be here today."
"Suitable? Why wouldn’t he be suitable? Just because his title was revoked? Even if he were a sinner, he’s still my good brother!" Chu Shuo shouted at Ye Siheng for the first time, his voice filled with anger.
The crowd was in shock, their nerves stretched taut. Would the Ninth Prince lose his temper and cause a bloodbath here?
But Ye Siheng only sighed lightly.
Nanli followed up, "Second Brother, even if Beihan is now just a spirit, would you mind him appearing at your wedding hall?"
Chu Shuo froze in shock. Could something have happened to his good brother? He grew restless, wanting to check on him immediately.
Still, he turned to ask Lu Yanyan, "Yanyan, do you mind?"
Lu Yanyan, wearing a headpiece weighing over twenty catties, shrugged. "Go ahead and invite him."
Chu Shuo grinned widely. "Got it!"
He decided to personally invite Beihan.
As he prepared to order a horse, Chu Hanlin stood up anxiously. "Use a Teleportation Talisman! Be quick, don’t miss the auspicious hour!"
Chu Shuo, who had carried his "treasure pouch" even on this joyous day, nodded and quickly took out the talisman.
Ye Siheng leaned over and whispered to Nanli, "A’Li, do you want to go and check things out?"
Nanli shook her head. "No need."
Their matters could be resolved in a few words—no need for her interference.
When Chu Shuo arrived at the Xie family estate, the plaque reading Marquis Zhenbei had already been removed. Servants were busy packing up, preparing to move.
The once-flourishing Xie family had fallen into desolation, which saddened Chu Shuo.
His sudden appearance startled the servants, but Chu Shuo didn’t wait for them to report his arrival. He stormed into Xie Beihan’s room.
Seeing Xie Beihan chatting and laughing with Fan Yunxi, he bellowed angrily, "Xie Beihan! How could you do this to me?! I’m getting married, and instead of attending, you’re here flirting with your wife? Do you have no shame?!"
Chu Shuo had been worried sick after what Sixth Sister said, imagining the worst.
His bright red wedding attire left Xie Beihan and his wife stunned.
"Shuo, isn’t it almost time for your wedding? Why are you here?" Xie Beihan asked, his eyes wide with a hint of annoyance.
"You’re my good brother. How could I possibly get married without you watching me take my vows?" Chu Shuo’s voice carried a deep grievance. "We’ve been brothers for years. Do you think I’d look down on you because of your current status? Let me tell you—no matter what, you’ll always be my brother!"
Xie Beihan was deeply moved, his eyes glistening with tears. But he didn’t want Chu Shuo to cry on his wedding day, so he said, "I know, but I really can’t go. Xi’er is pregnant, and I need to stay here with her."
"Attending the ceremony won’t take long!" Chu Shuo paused and then exclaimed, "Wait, sister-in-law, you’re pregnant? Congratulations!"
"No, it’s really inconvenient," Xie Beihan insisted.
As the auspicious hour approached, Chu Shuo became impatient and grabbed Xie Beihan, trying to drag him along. "I don’t care—you’re coming!"
"No, I really can’t!" Xie Beihan resisted.
In their tussle, Chu Shuo accidentally pulled off Xie Beihan’s entire arm!
Staring blankly for a moment, Chu Shuo looked down at the "arm" in his hand. With a shriek, his eyes rolled back, and he almost fainted.
Xie Beihan hurriedly supported him, pinching his philtrum to revive him.
Fan Yunxi, flustered, said, "Don’t panic—it’s just a straw arm, not a real one."
Hearing this, Chu Shuo’s dizziness subsided slightly.
The arm in his hand reverted to straw.
Xie Beihan waved it in front of him. "See? It’s not real."
Chu Shuo’s pupils shrank. He reached out to feel Xie Beihan’s body and stammered, "Did you lose an arm? Did Sixth Sister make this for you? What happened?"
Xie Beihan stopped his hand and smiled bitterly. "No, my friend, I’m already dead. Not just the arm—this whole body is fake. It’s just my soul residing in it. A dead man, a mere soul—attending your wedding would only bring bad luck. It’s... inauspicious."
At this point, he had no choice but to tell the truth.
Before he could finish, Chu Shuo was already in tears. "How did you die? Why did you die? Didn’t we swear as kids that even if we couldn’t be born on the same day, at least..."
Xie Beihan quickly covered his mouth. "Why bring up childhood nonsense now? Shuo, you’ll live a long, happy life."
"Exactly, Second Young Master. Beihan’s situation can be discussed later. Now that you know, return quickly for the ceremony. Beihan and I will visit you in a few days to congratulate you properly," Fan Yunxi urged.
Chu Shuo didn’t hesitate. "No! Beihan must come. I fear no taboos!"
"While others eat fine delicacies, you’ll have the best incense. I’ll never neglect my brother!" Chu Shuo declared resolutely, preparing to use the Teleportation Talisman to bring Xie Beihan.
Left with no choice, Xie Beihan relented. "Fine, but ask Sixth Sister to make me another scarecrow body. I can’t show up and frighten everyone."
Wiping his tears, Chu Shuo was about to leave when, due to the delay, the Grand Lady had already sent Nanli to check on the situation.
When she arrived and saw the straw arm on the ground, her mouth twitched.
Xie Beihan swallowed nervously and quickly defended himself. "Sixth Sister, this has nothing to do with me. It was your Second Brother who broke it."
Given that his soul inhabited the scarecrow, for a moment, he’d genuinely believed his arm had been torn off.
Chu Shuo, like a child caught misbehaving, sheepishly said, "Sixth Sister, can you make him another scarecrow body? It’s urgent."
"Second Brother, how did you get so strong?" Nanli asked, exasperated.
Her scarecrow had been designed to be quite durable.
Chu Shuo sighed helplessly. "Yanyan insisted on physical training, saying she couldn’t suffer alone. She made me train too."
After all, as the son of a general, he wasn’t without talent—just lazy.
But with training, his posture had become more upright, and his chest and abdomen were now solidly built.
He glanced back at Xie Beihan and even reminded Nanli, "Sixth Sister, make his scarecrow body sturdier. He’s too frail."
Xie Beihan was deeply touched. "Shuo, you truly understand me!"