Shen Hour.
Sun Shaozong escorted the Grand Heir and his mother to the Noon Gate, where some twenty-odd carriages were parked in the square. Given the number of civil and military officials summoned this time, nearly all had come with only a light retinue.
By comparison, Sun Shaozong's contingent of more than a hundred men stood out conspicuously.
Not only did the haughty servants beside the carriages turn to stare, but quite a few people were also peering out from the passageways on either side.
When Sun Shaozong stepped down from his carriage, a howl rang out from the left passageway: "Second Brother?! It's Second Brother! Second Brother, Second Brother, I'm over here!"
Before the cry had even faded, a hulking fool built like a black bear charged out. He shouted as he ran through the snow, stumbling every few steps and slipping every few more, yet somehow made it safely to them.
Grinning and wriggling his brows, he said, "Second Brother, in a few days, won't we have to change how we address each other?"
As he spoke, his grin stretched nearly to his ears.
This was none other than Xue Pan, Big-Headed Xue.
To end up with such a brother-in-law was truly a blessing earned in a previous life. Fortunately, Sun Shaozong could still keep him in check. If it had been someone unable to restrain him, this idiot would probably have driven them to cough up blood.
Tilting his chin toward the palace, Sun Shaozong said helplessly, "Your Majesty has just passed away. The wedding will have to be postponed again."
Xue Pan's face instantly fell. With a look of utter indignation, he muttered, "Couldn't he have died earlier or later? Why did it have to happen just when my sister was about to get—"
"Watch your