After leaving the narrow and confined Clay Vase Alley, Cui Chan made his way down the wide and bright Erlang Alley. His footsteps were light and spritely, his sleeves were swaying from side to side, and he was holding the pair of couplets that he had stolen from Clay Vase Alley in his hands.

Wu Yuan had been waiting for him here for quite some time with his eyes closed, and he opened his eyes as soon as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Upon catching sight of Cui Chan, Wu Yuan hurriedly extended a slight bow as he greeted in a respectful voice, "Teacher."

Cui Chan nodded in response, then casually handed the couplets to Wu Yuan before pulling out a key to open the gate. However, right as he was about to make his way over the doorstep, he suddenly took a step backward before closing the yard gate again.

As a result, Wu Yuan almost crashed into him from behind, and he hurriedly took a few steps backward while looking at his teacher with a befuddled expression.

Cui Chan tucked his hands into his sleeves, then pointed his chin at the pair of door gods on the gates as he said, "The ancestors of your father-in-law are hanging there. Don't they look great?"

Wu Yuan didn't know how to respond to such a strange question.

He wasn't on good terms with his soon-to-be father-in-law, but he had an exceptional relationship with his fiancee. In the capital city of the Great Li Empire, they were renowned as an affectionate and loving couple, and their story was one that tugged on the heartstrings of many. Wu Yuan was a handsome scholar who came from a humble background. 

He had traveled to the capital city to undertake the imperial examination, and his performance had been rather lackluster, but he was able to win the heart of the pillar general's daughter. Despite their requited love for one another, the vast disparity in their backgrounds made their relationship one that seemed extremely unfeasible. 

However, in a stunning turn of events, Wu Yuan became a direct disciple to the Great Li Empire's imperial...