Grandma Li was so pleased with her that she burst into laughter. She grabbed her granddaughter and scolded her playfully, "My Fu Niu'er is a fairy descended from heaven! She even met the Queen Mother of the West!"
Everyone laughed. "Everyone says Fu Niu'er is a little fairy, so of course she's seen all kinds of gods."
At this moment, Li Lao Er picked up Mr. Wen first.
Grandma Li led her granddaughter out, and Mr. Wen smiled and bowed, praising, "Auntie, your outfit today is so elegant and perfectly suited to you."
Grandma Li blushed slightly, tugged at her clothes, and laughed, "I'm enjoying my life. I'll dress up and show off to everyone how many good sons I have!"
As they were talking, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the village.
It turned out that Lord Hou, Li Zhensheng, and Li Laosi had returned, followed by Li Yong and Liu Yang, whom they had met on the road.
Inevitably, everyone gathered together for another lively gathering.
Li Yong went into the side room to see his children and wife.
The two children had just finished eating and were already asleep. Hui Niang said a few words to him, then said, "There are one happy event after another in the family. It's a pity that I'm in confinement after childbirth and can't help."
“You don’t need to worry about us. I’ll take care of the child. You should go outside and see if there’s anything you can do to help. My aunt and fourth sister-in-law are very kind to me. Even Shuiyun and Granny He always come to help me soothe the child. I feel so bad about it.”
"Alright, alright, I'll go right away. You get some rest. There are many happy events in the family, so a month won't make a difference. Take good care of yourself. In the future, when the Marquis, Fourth Brother, and I are on campaign, you'll definitely need to lend a hand to your aunt and sister-in-law."
Li Yong offered a few words of advice, kissed his children, and then went outside.
Slaughtering pigs, butchering meat, killing fish, killing chickens, killing rabbits—these dirty jobs are naturally taken care of by the village chief and his men.
Picking and washing vegetables, Tao Hongying and other women, including Aunt Wu, were busy at work.
Li Yong couldn't get involved, and just as he was about to go to the main room, Madam Cui arrived with the Liu family.
Li Yong quickly reported the news, saying that even the old master of the Liu family had arrived, and even the Marquis had come to the door to greet him.
After a long time, Mr. Liu came to Suijintan again. As soon as he got off the car, he was attracted by the lively atmosphere inside and outside the courtyard.
The Liu family was a century-old aristocratic family, and their daily interactions were mostly with scholarly families and wealthy clans. Whenever they held a banquet, the food and wine were plentiful, and there were many servants.
It is certainly grand and luxurious, but it lacks a certain human touch.
But at this moment, the Li family had set up a large stove outside the courtyard, and meat and bones were simmering in a large pot, bubbling and the aroma wafting far and wide.
A dozen or so mischievous boys were playing noisily, occasionally being scolded or laughed at by the woman.
Some villagers were picking vegetables, some were washing skinned rabbits, some were fetching water, and some were chopping firewood.
Even those who had nothing to do would sit around under the big tree and chat.
Everyone was laughing and chatting, genuinely happy for the Li family, and looking forward to the banquet that was about to begin.
The lively atmosphere captivated Grandpa Liu, and he couldn't help but smile along with the crowd.
The crowd came out to greet him, and he couldn't help but say to Old Madam Li, "Madam, you are truly blessed. Not only are your children and grandchildren filial, but you also have such harmonious and lively neighbors."
Hearing Mr. Liu's words filled with envy and praise, Grandma Li felt a surge of pride and replied with a smile, "Sir, you flatter me. In this small rural town, this is the only lively place worth watching. But the people in our village are indeed very united and take good care of each other. When one family has an event, everyone is happy for the other."
Soon, everyone entered the house. The old man called Jiayin forward and saw that she was even whiter, plumper, and cuter than the last time he saw her. He liked her and took out a string of golden peanuts from his purse and handed them to her.
Jiayin smiled and thanked her, wanting to bow, but unfortunately, she had only been learning for a few days and was not very skilled. She also overestimated the strength of her chubby little legs and actually sat down on the ground with a thud.
Everyone burst into laughter. The old man quickly picked up Jiayin and stood up, patting the chubby girl on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "It's a pity that Zhiheng and his wife had two sons, but didn't give me such a lovely little granddaughter."
"It's good that he's a grandson. Once he gets married, the house will be even more lively," the old lady said politely, then called to Liu's two sons, Zhimin and Xiujie, "Jia'an and Jiaxi are playing football outside. Go find them and play!"
The two boys had to follow the rules at home, and could only run wild at the Li family's house. Right now, they were getting impatient.
Upon hearing this, they quickly bowed, then picked up Jiayin and ran outside.
Jiayin wanted to stay inside and listen to the commotion, but the two boys remembered that their sister had the sweetest candy balls. They had come all this way, so how could they let go of the chance to rob her?
So Jiayin could only be carried on her shoulders, her little hands outstretched, watching longingly as the main room receded further and further away from her.
Everyone laughed at Jiayin's reluctant expression. Madam Liu scolded, "My two boys, whenever they hear about coming to play, they practically jump up and smash a hole in the roof!"
"Oh dear, they're all boys, they should be a little mischievous. Once they're less busy with their studies, we'll send them to live with us for a few months. I guarantee you won't recognize your sons when you see them again, they'll be dark and strong."
"Really? Auntie, then I won't be polite! I'll definitely send some next time I have the chance, they're such picky eaters at home!"
After exchanging a few words with Mrs. Liu, the old lady asked about the details of yesterday.
Li Laosi recounted the whole story from beginning to end, and then added, "The Imperial Guards have taken over Yunhe Town. Brother Liu will be busy there for a few days. He'll be back once the grain has been harvested and stored."
Grandpa Liu was delighted. "My eldest son has always been obsessed with money since he was little. I originally thought he was the least promising, but I never expected that this time, he would skip over his second and third brothers in terms of official rank."
"Everyone has their own interests, and studying is not the only path to success," Grandma Li advised. "As long as the child is filial and willing to work hard, he will do well."
The Marquis also said, "In a few days, we will hold a banquet at home. The old gentleman will surely inform us, and we will all go to ask for a cup of celebratory wine. It will also be a good opportunity to let everyone in the capital meet Aunt and Fu Niu'er, so that no one will be so blind as to upset Aunt and Fu Niu'er in the future."
Of course, Grandpa Liu wouldn't refuse.
Liu Zhiheng obtained his official position yesterday entirely because of the Li family's support.
From the seeds to the land in Yunhe Town, everything was arranged by the Li family; Liu Zhiheng only contributed his efforts!
In the eyes of outsiders, the Liu family, the Li family, and even the Marquis are now considered to be inextricably linked.
How could the Liu family possibly not invite the Li family to their banquet?!
At this moment, Li Laosan's family, along with Jiaren and Lige'er, plus Mr. Peng, finally arrived.
Mr. Peng got out of the car and still felt a little weak in the legs.
The Peng family really got incredibly lucky!
Originally, they thought they had wronged their daughter, but who knew that the Li family would rise like a rocket, going from a poor farming family to a newly rich family in Tianwu!
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