are profit-driven and always seem shrewd and calculating, which is not endearing.But Lao Er's straightforward admission was surprisingly honest.Li Laoer pointed to a pot of blooming azaleas and said,...Jiarren was teased by two friends, so he called out to Maoguer, "Let Jia Da Ge and Lu Da Ge have a taste too!"

Brother Cat immediately pinched two pieces of sticky rice cake and ran over, one for each person, feeding them successfully.

Thus, in the dusk of late winter, a group of six or seven children, big and small, all puffed up their cheeks and battled against the glutinous rice cake.

Li Laotai and Zhao Yuru and others laughed heartily, also happy that the children were getting along so well.

Tao Hongying came in from outside, without knowing the reason, and instructed, "Eat a few less sticky cakes, this thing is not good for digestion. At night, our family will gather around the stove to grill skewers, so leave some room in your stomach."

Miao Ge'er and Li Ge'er immediately cheered with joy.

Jia Yin quickly asked her father and second uncle, hearing they had gone to the valley, she would surely come back soon.

She then pondered sending a letter to Mr. Wen, and it would be best to also send some grilled skewers to her godfather along the way.

As a result, Mr. Wen and the Marquis returned from the city together at this time.

Jia Yin excitedly immediately greeted at the entrance of the courtyard, and was finally carried in by the Marquis on his shoulders.

Lu Cong and Jia Xu both knew that the Marquis treated Princess Kangle as his own daughter, but seeing it with their own eyes, they couldn't help but be surprised.

Where is my beloved daughter!

This is clearly an eyeball!

In the dusky winter evening, the chubby girl sat on her godfather's shoulder, beaming with happiness, like a blooming flower of joy.

Lu Cong's heart was filled with envy. He didn't know why, but he lightly touched his own shoulder...

Grandma Li smiled and chided her precious granddaughter, "Your stepfather is so tired, you're still sitting on his shoulders Come down quickly! Do you think he's your father, with a whole body of silly strength!"

Jia Yin giggled and slid down her godfather's arm, taking his hand and sitting down. Then she ran to get fruit and snacks, busy as a little bee in a flower patch.

The God of War in the mouths of outsiders, the demon in the mouths of barbarians, this moment protecting his most beloved chubby girl, is just an ordinary father.

Peeling the orange, removing the pith, and carefully placing the segments into his daughter's mouth, the marquis did so with practiced ease.

Jia Xu and Lu Cong were already numb with shock.

Li Lao'er exchanged a few pleasantries with them and introduced them to the marquis.

The lord glanced at Lu Zong and asked, "Is Lu Qianjun your father or uncle"

"It's my father, sir," Lu Cong quickly replied.

The Marquis nodded and said, “I'll have the opportunity to greet your father on my behalf. Thankfully, Tianwu Southwest has him guarding it, otherwise, there wouldn't even be a chance for us to rest and recuperate in this corner of peace.”

Lu Zong was very excited and quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

The Lu family are a royal clan of different surname, who have been guarding the southwest for many years.

The Lu family considered themselves loyal, but after all, they held considerable power. They feared the Emperor might become suspicious and wary, causing unnecessary trouble.

Therefore, this time, the only heir of the Lu family—the Prince of Zhennan—took the initiative to come to Xindu for academic studies. It also meant taking the initiative to become a hostage, demonstrating to the Emperor the Lu family's sincerity and loyalty.

Now, the new Marquis of Xiting, whom the Emperor trusts most, admires his father so much that it almost represents the Emperor's view of their Lu family.

This simply made him too happy!

Jia Xu's aunt was married in the southwest. When he went to visit her while studying abroad, he encountered bandits on his way back.

At a critical moment, Lu Cong and his entourage encountered injustice and saved him. The two then traveled together to the new capital, their interests aligned, and they became close friends.

Now Lu Cong's biggest worry can be put to rest half, Jia Xu is also happy...

The Lord always acted as an uncle towards the young men of the Li family, never giving them a cold face or putting on airs.

While waiting for the food to be prepared, he chatted with the boys.

"Jia Ren, has the academy started classes yet I suddenly came back on leave, did the master find it inconvenient for you"

"No, My Lord," Jia Ren said with a smile that seemed a bit too eager. "Tomorrow happens to be the day when Baihuayuan and the Academy have agreed to hold their flower viewing event. I told Mr. so that we would come back to find our father and borrow a few more beautiful flowers."

Mr. immediately took leave and even instructed me to bring two more pots of orchids.

Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er were also grinning. Mao Ge'er said, "That's right, we made up an excuse to help our big brother move flower pots so we could skip class together."

The Lord patted their shoulders and said, "Spring will be here soon, so we won't need to ride in a carriage anymore."

There were some horses in the military camp that got injured on the battlefield. I had people take care of them all winter, and they recovered quite a bit. Although they can't fight anymore, they're fine for riding on the road.

In a few days when Li Yong returns, have him deliver these to you. Practice diligently in the meantime, and when you return, ride horses. It's both fast and convenient.

"The house is too quiet on weekdays. You guys have some free time to come back and accompany grandma and your sister."

"Yes, Master!" the three boys said in unison.

Li Ge'er and Mao Ge'er were overjoyed, and even Jia Ren showed eight teeth in a smile.

No matter how old you are or how much you have read, having loving elders is a happy thing.

Lu Cong and Jia Xu were not short of horses to ride, but they did not have the warhorses personally arranged and gifted by Marquis Xin Ting!

Unfortunately, envy doesn't work that way!

Why don't they carry the family name Li anymore……

Soon, the grill and various skewers of meat, vegetables, shrimp, and seafood, as well as seasonings, were all set up.

The Li family had eaten here several times and skillfully took off their outer robes and started grilling.

Although Lu Zong and Jia Xu had never tasted it, they learned by imitation.

Then, the winter wind meandered through the yards of each household before finally reaching Li's house. Peeking through the slightly ajar door, one could see a group of young and old men in their undergarments huddled around a brazier, their faces flushed red as they turned skewers of meat in their hands.

Occasionally, a sprinkle of seasoning powder will release a fragrance that explodes in the house like a small mushroom cloud.

The grease from the skewers dripped onto the charcoal, sizzling and sending up wisps of blue smoke.

Li Lao Si ate with gusto, his face flushed. He picked up the wine jug and filled bowls for the lord and Mr. Wen and others.

Just Jiarren, Luzong, and Jiaxu each got a bowl. Li Ge'er had half a bowl mixed.

Only Cat Brother, whining and begging for a long time, managed to get a sip from Fourth Uncle.

The result was so spicy that he cried out in pain and ran inside to find his sister for some fruit juice to rinse his mouth.

Everyone was laughing, holding skewers in one hand and wine cups in the other, carefree and lively.

Lu Zong and Jia Xu quickly became half-drunk, flushed faces and hazy eyes, but their skewers of meat didn't go any less to their mouths.

Jia Ren slowly roasted two skewers of chicken wings.

This was left by the family specifically for when they killed the chicken during Chinese New Year.

When it was golden brown and sizzling with oil, he shouted.

As expected, the smiling chubby little sister ran over and sat obediently beside him, holding a chicken wing and happily munching on it.

Meow meow was greedy and edged closer, grabbing a piece and stuffing it directly into his mouth. He gulped for a long time before spitting out two bones and proudly boasting to his sister, "Sister, look how amazing I am"

"Wow! Amazing! My brother is the best!"

His words of praise were insincere and superficial, causing Jia Ren, Jia Xu, and Lu Cong to burst into laughter.

Li Lao'er recalled the rumors circulating in the city and asked, "Lord Hou, has there been any outcome to the matter of Yaochi"

The marquis nodded. "This matter will be addressed at tomorrow's court session. Three days later, the entire imperial princess family and all the major officials of Yaochi will be beheaded at Cai Shikou."

Most of the remaining maids and servants were coerced into labor by threats against their families, facing years of hard labor as punishment.

As for those who consume flos rosae paste, regardless of the severity, they shall all be executed. This is to prevent anyone from using flos rosae paste to lure them again in the future, which would be detrimental to Tianwu.

The smoking apparatuses and Fusheng ointment seized from Yaochi should also be burned at the marketplace.uis Xin Ting who is whispering in the emperor's ear, constantly bringing up the recovery of lost territories. You have to understand that our military power has been severely weakened right now. We ne...