The entire Xindu was filled with deep envy and jealousy.

Some wise elders warned their children and grandchildren, "Never provoke the Li family in the future. The Li family is very fortunate. Befriend them if you can, but never offend them if you can't."

The children and grandchildren, of course, obediently agreed.

Putting everything else aside, the children at home are still being tortured in the military camp, crying and screaming, and the devilish instructor is none other than the youngest son of the Li family!

They were completely resolute and determined, but they dared not lay a hand on the Li family...

Inside the palace, the path and steps leading from the palace gate to the Qiankun Hall where court was held totaled a thousand steps.

A few days ago, the corn cobs from Huangzhuang were harvested and delivered, piling up on both sides of this road.

Every day, the comings and goings of the court officials could be seen clearly.

Whether the emperor was attending court or was tired from reviewing memorials, as soon as he stepped out of the door, all he could see was a golden light.

The court officials all suspected that the emperor would likely bestow further rewards upon the Li family.

After all, without the Li family, there would be no such spectacular scene.

In fact, what no one knew was that the Emperor was far more excited than they imagined.

Because he knew more inside information.

This golden corn, the sixth grain fallen from the sky, was not something the Li family had accidentally obtained from the barbarians.

It was taken out by the Li family and, under the guise of foreigners, traveled all the way north and south before finally being delivered to Xindu.

It can be said that the current bumper harvest is not due to good luck of the Li family, but to their hard work!

A reward is necessary!

He wasn't curious about where the Li family got the treasure; he only knew that the Li family had rendered meritorious service to Tianwu!

As an emperor, he had the magnanimity to tolerate the Li family's little secret.

And the facts have proven that the Li family is loyal enough and lives up to his trust!

Therefore, at the grand court assembly that day, he personally commended the Li family for their contributions and wanted to reward them again.

Surprisingly, none of the civil and military officials obstructed the process.

But Li Lao Er stepped forward, knelt down, and declined, saying, "Your Majesty, our family just happened to receive such a high yield of grain. It is likely that Heaven could not bear to see the people of Tianwu go hungry, nor could it bear to see Your Majesty worry about this matter, so it sent down such an auspicious omen through our family."

"The great harvest we have today is due to the Emperor's favor, the support of all the court officials, and the hard work of Lord Liu Zhiheng and everyone in the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. It has nothing to do with our family."

"If a reward must be given, Your Majesty, please reward the officials first, and also thank Your Majesty yourself first."

"Hahaha!" The Emperor was delighted and couldn't help but laugh loudly. "A reward, of course! All the civil and military officials will be rewarded with an extra month's salary. I will also take a break from the grand court assembly, personally peel a few ears of corn, and taste how they are."

All the civil and military officials knelt down with a thud and loudly expressed their gratitude.

Whether genuine or feigned, at this moment, everyone wore a smile.

Praise and flattery were showered upon the emperor as if they were free.

The Emperor's face beamed with joy, but he still insisted, "Lord Zhongshan, everyone has received a reward, so shouldn't you tell us what reward you want?"

Li Lao Er thought for a moment, then bowed and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, if you ask me what reward I want, then there is indeed one. I have already received the silver and planned to build the Earl's Mansion and the Princess's Mansion, but the new capital is newly built and the Ministry of Works is too busy to spare any manpower."

"Now that the autumn harvest is over and the new capital has been completed, could we trouble our colleagues in the Ministry of Works to do some work for our two mansions?"

Everyone was initially curious about what kind of reward the Li family would ask for, but they didn't expect it to be such a trivial matter.

This was to be expected, but the Li family brought it up at this time, which pleased the Emperor and showed their modesty and humility.

Sure enough, the Emperor immediately said, "Is this considered a reward? I approve! The Ministry of Works shall assign people to go to Broken Gold Beach immediately to build the Earl's Mansion and the Princess's Mansion."

Li Lao Er quickly knelt down to express his gratitude, "Your Majesty, Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Works has been a familiar face to our family since we came to Suijintan. This time, I would also like to ask Minister Zhou to make a trip for us."

"Furthermore, we don't need too many craftsmen, because my family doesn't want to build a large mansion. My elderly mother often says that if the house is too big, the family members will live far apart and become less close. It's better to have everyone gathered together in a lively atmosphere."

These words were sincere and reassuring, immediately conjuring up an image of a large family gathered together, eating, drinking, and laughing.

As a result, everyone from the emperor to the court officials was envious...

The Li family is indeed large and prosperous, and they live in harmony.

Could this be the reason why the Li family is so lucky...?

When the court session ended, Li Lao Er not only took Lord Zhou and the craftsmen back to Suijintan, but also brought two cartloads of various good things bestowed by the emperor.

In the Li family's courtyard, Old Mrs. Li was taking her granddaughter's measurements, muttering, "No good, I have to make Fu Niu lose weight! Other children are growing taller, but how come our child is gaining weight? Look at her waist, I have to widen it by another inch!"

Tao Hongying couldn't help but pinch her daughter's belly, saying with annoyance, "Then she'll have to fight over the bowl at mealtimes! Also, tell everyone in the family not to put any food on her plate!"

Jiayin hugged her belly, trying her best to protect her three-layered belly, and smiled guiltily and blushed.

She had indeed lost some weight after being "tortured" by Dr. Zhang every day, and also had to take care of the Hundred Flowers Garden, the Relief Department, and the Dim Sum Shop.

But these past few days, she's been busy with most things, and her appetite has returned; her little fat has quickly come back to reunite with her.

Madam Wen sat to one side, separating the embroidery thread with Wenjuan, and couldn't help but speak up for the chubby girl, "Children are all chubby when they are young, it's called baby fat. It will take two or three years for them to grow taller."

"My aunt is the best! Only my aunt loves me the most!" Jiayin found a backer, ran up to hug her aunt's neck, and kissed her hard on the cheek.

Madam Wen laughed even harder, "However, you should eat less of the food that's too sweet or too oily. In a few days, your mother and I will be going out to visit some friends and taking you with us. We can't let the dresses we just made be too tight when you put them on, can we?"

When Jiayin heard that she was going out to play, she immediately nodded her little head and readily agreed, "Okay, I'll listen to my aunt."

Just then, Li Lao Er returned home laden with his spoils.

Everyone was overjoyed to see the two carts full of goods. Upon inquiring, they learned that it was a gift from the Emperor, and they quickly knelt down and kowtowed towards the direction of the palace.

Finally, Old Lady Li happily led Granny He into the storeroom, waiting for things to settle down at home before dividing the spoils among her children and grandchildren.

After a short while, Lord Zhou, having surveyed the terrain near the Li family's residence, also came in to drink tea and chat.

Coincidentally, Hui Niang brought her twins to visit the Li family, which created an awkward situation.

Ultimately, Li Yong's defection from the Yan family was the eruption of long-accumulated conflicts, and had little to do with Hui Niang, but she was the real beneficiary.

The Yan family now lives far from Xindu, residing in their old home.

I've heard that the elderly couple's health has been very poor for the past six months, and they probably don't have long to live.

Caught in the middle, Mrs. Zhou felt sorry for her parents but couldn't blame her brother, so she was extremely angry with her brother's wife.

Lord Zhou has offered his advice many times, but I never expected to run into him here today...

Wishing all my darlings a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, may the moon be full and families be reunited! Mwah!