istake, they would be scolded and have their wages deducted.Such an opportunity to be respected, even immortalized in stone and renowned throughout the land, is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.Young Maste...Thirty miles, it takes no more than half an hour to get there.

In the new village, almost every household was empty, with people of all ages gathered at Li's house.

Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru, along with a group of women, were busy and sweating profusely.

In a large pot, the mutton soup had been boiled until it turned milky white. Along with the offal and mutton bones, it was all packed into a big barrel. There were also hundreds of steamed buns in baskets.

This is to be taken to the hot spring valley, to be given to the guests.

Today, the family is busy and I don't have time to cook a special meal for them. There aren't enough hands to properly host everyone, so please accept this bowl of mutton soup as a token of apology. It's meant to bring good luck and ward off any bad fortune.

There are also two small dishes, one with braised pork belly with Chinese cabbage and wood ear fungus, and the other with minced meat eggplant.

This is a note saying that if female guests don't like the strong smell of mutton soup, they can choose a different dish so they won't go hungry.

After finishing all that, they began setting up tables inside and outside.

Today is a great day. The autumn wind seems to have lost its coolness from before, leaving only the sun warming people pleasantly.

Under the eaves, three tables were set up for distinguished guests and elders.

There were eight tables in the courtyard, enough to seat all the men, women and children from the village.

The family had already slaughtered pigs and sheep, and then Madam Cui sent even more chicken, fish, meat, and eggs.

Therefore, today's meal is exceptionally plentiful.

The four main dishes are: braised chicken with mushrooms, fish and tofu stewed in a wok, red-braised lamb ribs, and garlic sauce pork belly.

The four dishes are stir-fried cabbage with wood ear mushrooms, minced meat eggplant, sweet and sour spare ribs, and fried eggplant boxes.

Four cold dishes are walnut spinach, garlic mung bean sprouts, shredded large mixed vegetables, and homemade jellyfish.

In addition, there are also two dishes that women and children love: sweet potato strings and pumpkin with egg yolks. The two soups are winter melon ball soup and pork bone radish soup.

A total of sixteen dishes, piled on top of each other, large plates stacked upon large bowls, the table was almost crushed under their weight.

The staple food was steamed white flour buns, piled high in five or six baskets. Over a hundred people ate as much as they wanted!

Rows of wine bottles squat in line against the wall, waiting to be opened and enjoyed.

Upon seeing Li Lao Er's return, everyone greeted him with smiles.

"Mr. Er is back, waiting for you to have a drink."

Li Laer laughed in agreement, then went up the steps and said to his mother and brother, "The courtyard has been sold, and the household registration books have all been changed. Everything went smoothly."

"Good, this is good, our family is finally complete, everyone's back!"

The old woman's eyes turned red, she struggled to hold back her tears. Li Zhensheng also turned his head away, afraid to speak for fear that as soon as he opened his mouth, tears would well up.

Everyone quickly changed the subject, and Liu Zhiheng joked with the old lady.

"Auntie, today's noodles are so plentiful! You've brought out all the good stuff. From now on, things will be fine at home, right"

The old woman chuckled and waved her hand, extremely generous.

"Our family has been together for over a decade, and today is the happiest day. Of course, we have to celebrate it well. Everyone, eat and drink your fill, don't be shy. After this, there will be a year of plain porridge and vegetables, but our family is happy!"

Everyone burst into laughter and shouted excitedly.

"Congratulations to the whole family on reuniting!"

"Congratulations on Zhesheng's return home!"

"From now on, smooth sailing and all the best!"

The villagers hadn't read much, so they couldn't come up with any flowery greetings. But every word was sincere.

Li Zhensheng got up, took his two sons, walked to the steps, and knelt down on the ground in front of his mother-in-law and the main room.

"Mother, the ancestors of the Li family are watching from above. Unfilial son Zhen Sheng has returned with his two sons, Jia Li and Jia Kang, bringing with them proper familial rites and respect."

Lao Li, forcing back tears, replied loudly.

"Upon your return, you must henceforth honor your ancestors, love your brothers, and bring glory to the Li family name. Never slack off!"

"Yes, I will remember my mother's teachings!" Li Zhensheng led his sons in a bow, officially recognizing their ancestral roots.

Li Laoer and Li Laosan hurried to help their elder brother up, while Li Laosi held both nephews in his arms.

The village head and others looked delighted, “We should drink a few more cups to celebrate this good day!”

Li Laotai waved her hand. "Wait a little longer. Today, all the elders and fellow villagers are here. Mrs. Cui, Mr. Wen, and Master Liu have also come to celebrate. It's a good opportunity to have them witness our 福妞兒 (Fú Niuer)'s coming-of-age ceremony as well."

Foo-Niu What are you witnessing

Most people in the village were unaware of this, and they were very curious.

Even Li Lao San and Jia Ren wouldn't know about it.

At this moment, Master Ye took Jia Yin's hand and walked to the steps, smiling and saying, "I want to adopt Fu Niu as my adopted daughter. Today, I invite all the elders and neighbors to witness this."

Everyone was both surprised and delighted. Although they knew that Young Master Ye treated the Li family with closeness and trust, and was kind to their children on a daily basis.

But unexpectedly, Young Master Ye favored Fox Girl so much.

You have to know, Young Master Ye is a Marquis, and he's still a military marquis with both war achievements and military power, while the Li family is just an ordinary farming household.

Fu Niu became the adopted daughter of a marquis, she could be said to have climbed straight to the top.

Everyone couldn't help but look at Funiu, wanting to see what was different about this child that the Marquis valued so much.

Funiu'er was specially dressed today, wearing a red slanted collar dress. The collar was embroidered with butterflies, and the hem was embroidered with small cats of alternating yellow and white fur, looking like they were about to pounce on butterflies at any moment. It was so lifelike, playful, and adorable.

Her sparse, short hair wasn't tied up in her usual sky-high braid adorned with golden bells today. Instead, she had two small pigtails, each decorated with a silk ribbon hanging pearls. A shiny gold necklace hung around her chest, complementing her bright eyes. She looked so elegant and dignified, completely unlike her usual mischievous self.

Jia Yi moved a chair and placed it down, Ye Gongzi slowly sat down.

Jiarren also took a cushion and placed it in front of the chair, but Jiayin moved the cushion aside and knelt directly on the bluestone ground.

Young Master Ye's eyes were filled with warmth as he gently touched Jia Yin's head and said, "Though I was born into wealth and privilege, I spent half my life feeling lonely and indifferent. However, I am fortunate to have met the Li family and Fu Niuniu, and only then did I truly understand what it means to have a family."

"Today, in the presence of our elders and fellow villagers, I, Ye Chengyi, the newly appointed Marquis Tianwu Xin Ting, declare that I will take Li Jia Yin as my adopted daughter. I vow to provide for her with food, clothing, joy, and peace throughout her life. Furthermore, I pledge to be a dutiful son-in-law to Li's family, respectful towards my mother-in-law, united with my brothers, and caring for my nephew. If I break this oath, may heaven and earth punish me, and may all humans and gods condemn me!"

This isn't about being a foster daughter, this is clearly about becoming half the son of the Li family, or perhaps even a distant relative!

A man of such high rank as a military marquis, showing no disdain for the Li family, even going so far as to yearn for it! Now, he clearly states his intention to be tied to the Li family, sharing their glory and disgrace. It's truly astonishing!

Even the Li family didn't expect this. When they tried to stop her, Jia Yin softly and sweetly spoke up.

In her past life, she was also a lonely person, longing for family to the extreme. On the surface, she still had to pretend not to care.

If there was only one person in the room who understood why Miss Ye acted this way, it was her.

One in the depths of hell, seeing a ray of light, is one who will grasp it no matter what.

When someone deep in the cold winter encounters warmth, they will definitely give it their all.

"Father, Fu Niu'er represents the Li family in welcoming you. Fu Niu will definitely treat you like her own father and be filial! I'll make clothes for you, cook delicious meals for you, earn money for you to spend, and take care of you when you get old!"

After Jia Yin finished speaking, she respectfully kowtowed three times, then took the tea bowl from the side and raised it high above her head.er.Li La Er carried a pot of peonies into the room with both hands, just about to call Lao Cao Tou over, but Lao Cao Tou, sharp-eyed as he was, saw the master first.He still wanted to speak, but soon...