The elderly man mentioned the bride was from the neighboring quarter, and the round trip would take just over an hour.

The old man asked, “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you, sir…”

Chen Changsheng set down his teacup and said, “If I can be of help in any way, I certainly will.”

The old man smiled and said, “Originally, I wanted to hire someone to officiate the wedding, but my son didn’t want to waste silver on it. So he asked me, this old man, to do it. Please don’t laugh, but seeing you two gentlemen here, the thought actually crossed my mind.”

Chen Changsheng agreed readily. “It’s just a small favor. I will officiate the wedding.”

“Thank you so much, sir.” The old man replied gratefully.

The next while passed with casual chatting among them. Zhong Zhengyuan spoke very little, taking sips of tea and occasionally closing his eyes in thought.

He was truly curious how Chen Changsheng could chat this much with people he just met by chance.

Now, he finally understood what it meant to be easygoing.

Half an hour later,

A loud clamor of gongs and drums sounded outside the courtyard.

The groom carried his bride all the way back, greeted by cheers and laughter along the road.

“Congratulations!”

Amidst the well-wishes, the groom carried his bride into the main hall.

Her face was covered by a red veil.

The bride’s parents took seats of honor at the front and exchanged pleasantries with Old Huang.

Dong!

A gong reverberated through the air.

“The auspicious hour has arrived!”

Huang Shan smiled brightly, glancing up to see the gentleman in the Blue Robe stepping forward.

He stared at Chen Changsheng, momentarily stunned.

Chen Changsheng offered a gentle smile. “Fitting this blessed day, I have been invited to bear witness to this union.”

With a grateful smile, Huang Shan clasped his hands respectfully. “Thank you, sir!”

Chen Changsheng stepped to one side and declared, “Here and now, two families unite as one. A covenant made, this marriage forged. A match most auspicious, truly well-paired.”

“Look upon the peach blossoms blooming bright, promising harmony within the home. Soothsayers foretell abundant blessings, prosperity and thriving years to come.”

“With this vow to grow old together, written upon scarlet paper. Just as steadfast as the oath sealed by maple leaves, forever recorded in the tome of love.”

He raised his voice. “First bow to Heaven and Earth!”

Amidst renewed cheers, the couple turned towards the sky outside the hall and bowed deeply.

Each bow required three inclinations: first to the Azure Heaven for heaven-sent union, second to the fertile earth for joyful bond, and third to Heaven and Earth for enduring love.

“Second bow to the parents!”

Saluting father and mother, flesh and blood bond, kindness vast as the sea; giving thanks for nurturing grace, kindness heavier than mountains. Three bows to wish that parents may enjoy family love and live a hundred years.

“Third bow, husband to wife!”

As Huang Shan gazed upon the joyous scene in the hall, he momentarily felt a sense of unreality.

“Mutual respect like honored guests, inseparable as twin blossoms.”

Chen Changsheng then declared, “Thus attested, glad this day the crimson thread binds, a perfect match like pearls joined. Soothsayed that white-haired years they’ll share, fragrant like orchids and laurel rare.”

“Congratulations to the newlyweds!”

A wave of noisy celebration filled the hall.

Old Huang, seated above, grinned from ear to ear. Though his eyes reddened – sometimes he desperately wanted to weep, age had long stolen his tears.

His long-cherished hope was finally realized. It felt like a great weight lifted, easing the turmoil in his heart.

Zhong Zhengyuan, watching the revelry in the hall, felt distinctly out of place.

When Chen Changsheng returned, he spoke quietly, “It was a fine ceremony, yet a pity… it wasn’t real.”

“Whether real or false makes little difference,” Chen Changsheng countered. “As long as the old man believes it.”

Zhong Zhengyuan said, “If he learns the truth later on, who knows how he will react.”

“Who can say?” Chen Changsheng murmured, exhaling slowly.

After the bows to Heaven and Earth, the guests filed out to take their seats.

By afternoon, the tables were full.

Chen Changsheng and Zhong Zhengyuan were invited to the head table by Huang Shan.

That day, Huang Shan rushed about tirelessly from start to finish, toasting every single guest without exception.

It was as if he had truly come to see himself as Old Huang’s flesh and blood. Sometimes, maintaining a role transforms the player.

When the dishes arrived, Chen Changsheng ate without reserve. The feast offered delicacies rarely enjoyed; having contributed his part, he felt no guilt eating.

Seeing this, Zhong Zhengyuan remarked, “So Master Chen truly came just for the feast.”

“Someone snatched a piece of meat meant for me not long ago.”

“Master Chen shouldn’t slander without evidence. When did I steal your meat?”

“Who said it was you?”

“…”

Chen Changsheng now realized that beneath Zhong Zhengyuan’s refined exterior lay a skin thicker than the heavens. Not that it bothered him; it suited his own nature.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have remained companions.

Exactly the same thought echoed in Zhong Zhengyuan’s mind about Chen Changsheng. The term “Birds of a feather” suited them perfectly.

After the feast drew to a close, Chen Changsheng and Zhong Zhengyuan prepared to take their leave.

As they departed, they bid farewell to the elderly man.

“Are you both leaving now?” the old man asked.

“Other matters demand our attention, we cannot stay longer,” Chen Changsheng replied with a nod.

Huang Shan also sought to persuade them to stay, but was equally turned down.

Crowded by guests, they could only escort the two gentlemen to the gate.

“Thank you for officiating my wedding today, sir. If you return to Lin’an in the future, I, Huang Shan, will surely host you properly.”

“The future remains in the future.” Chen Changsheng chuckled, offering a simple, “We’ll meet again if fate allows.”

The two gentlemen walked towards the exit of the quarter.

Standing at the gate, Huang Shan watched their retreating backs, his expression calm.

He seemed to exhale in relief, a faint smile finally touching his lips.

…

Chen Changsheng and Zhong Zhengyuan walked towards the quarter’s exit.

Zhong Zhengyuan asked, “So the Old Dog really doesn’t need supervising?”

“He surely understands the situation,” Chen Changsheng said, taking a swig of wine from his gourd as he walked.

Nodding, Zhong Zhengyuan saw no harm in this approach.

They reached the edge of the quarter.

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Having partaken in the joy of the wedding feast, Chen Changsheng’s spirits were visibly lifted, reflected in his easy drinking.

He pondered the vivid scenes from the wedding hall – the bows to Heaven, Earth, and parents. Though staged, they still radiated a profound sense of fulfillment.

Chen Changsheng suddenly halted, as if struck by a thought.

“What’s wrong?” asked Zhong Zhengyuan.

“Something feels strange,” Chen Changsheng muttered. “These years have seen tensions at the frontier. Practically all able-bodied men were conscripted. According to the Old Dog, all the men of Donglin Quarter died fighting at the Frontier Pass. If that’s so, wouldn’t Huang Shan returning so suddenly raise suspicion? The authorities should have taken note.”

Zhong Zhengyuan remained unconcerned. “That Old Dog is a Monster, surely he has ways to evade notice.”

“I can’t shake the feeling something’s not right.” Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I must find out.”

“Who will you ask?” Zhong Zhengyuan blinked.

“The City God, of course.”

Chen Changsheng raised two fingers, preparing to unleash a Decree Art.

“City God of Donglin Quarter, show yourself!”

Zhong Zhengyuan started in surprise. Recognizing this was the Divine Decree ability, he realized Master Chen possessed such Divine Ability.

However, after Chen Changsheng’s command faded, not a ripple of response followed.

Chen Changsheng looked at Zhong Zhengyuan.

Meeting his gaze, both men instantly furrowed their brows.