Third Uncle's wail was still echoing through the courtyard when another voice rang out at the gate, even louder than his.
"What are you howling like a ghost for?!"
Second Uncle Si Che strode in, carrying a chubby baby.
The baby in his arms was Si Chen's little cousin, Si Ming, who was not yet a year old.
Startled, Si Shuo spun around. "Second Brother! How come you walk without a sound?!"
"If I made a sound when I walked, how would I hear someone spouting nonsense here?"
Holding the child, Si Che looked Si Shuo up and down, his eyes full of disdain.
"Is the Ascension Tribulation your household pet? You can just bring it forward whenever you like? Why not say you'll transcend the tribulation tonight and head up tomorrow morning?"
"Just look at yourself, huh?"
As he spoke, he gently patted little Si Ming in his arms.
Then he glared fiercely at his younger brother. "A grown man, and you still can't behave!"
"Where's your decorum?!"
Frightened by his booming voice, Si Ming finally burst into tears with a loud wail.
Si Shuo had just opened his mouth to argue. "I..."
"What's all this noise?!"
Just then, more footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate.
Si Kai walked in with his hands behind his back.
He first glanced at Si Chen, then swept his gaze over Si Ming in Si Che's arms, before finally settling on Si Shuo.
He looked at Si Shuo. "One of you is about to ascend and still fools around!"
Then he looked at Si Che. "The other is holding a child and still bellows away!"
Then he snorted coldly and delivered his verdict:
"Where's your decorum?!"
Si Che: "..."
Si Shuo: "..."
The brothers exchanged a glance, neither daring to answer.
Just as