we are deeply grateful to the Emperor for taking time out of his busy schedule to consider our family so thoroughly."The Lord nodded and said, "The tax from the nearby villages is due soon. Should I...Li Laotai was surprised to hear this. She really didn't know about these things.

She patted Wan'er's hand, full of contentment. "Grandma is getting older, and your parents will gradually get old too. In the end, it all comes down to you siblings supporting and relying on each other to get through life."

"You guys are doing great, taking care of each other, it's the best!"

Especially Fu Niuer, this child is a bit special. Since she was young, she's been headstrong and unwilling to be controlled, but her abilities are beyond ordinary people.

"If one day all of us elders are gone, and you and Jiaren encounter something you can't handle, be sure to ask Funiu for help or seek her advice. She is more reliable than anyone!"

"Grandma, rest assured, I understand. In the past two years, whenever there's a big matter at home, it’s always Lord Hou and Uncle, Father, they all go to consult with younger sister together."

And her younger sister's business was also flourishing, making many merchants feel ashamed of themselves.

"I have the utmost admiration for my younger sister."

Lao Li was proud of her granddaughter, but she also didn't forget to give her eldest son's wife some encouragement.

Your sister certainly has her merits, but don't underestimate yourself either. Over the past two years, you've been by Jia Ren's side, keeping Earl's Mansion running smoothly and taking care of everything meticulously. Everyone who mentions it praises you both highly.

"Thank goodness I brought you in early that year, otherwise, such a good daughter-in-law would have been taken by someone else. Grandma's intestines would probably be green with regret!"

"Grandma, don't praise me, this is all I should do." Waner blushed with joy, holding her grandma's arm as they walked into the courtyard, leaving the scorching sun behind them...

The Junzhu Mansion at the back of the Hot Spring Valley has been built for two years.

The mansion wasn't large, a five-entrance courtyard house built according to traditional standards, with an attached side courtyard and garden, covering about ten acres of land.

The houses were layered upon each other, with intricate carvings and painted beams. Overall, it had the grandeur of northern architecture, but on a smaller scale, there was also the delicate charm of a Jiangnan garden.

Especially in a corner of the garden stood a three-story building, with white walls and gray tiles, hidden behind tall weeping willows. It seemed like a shy woman, quiet and beautiful.

A large parasol had been set up on the top floor, almost covering all the open space.

Under the umbrella, a table was set with tea, refreshments, and various fruits.

A girl in a sky-blue dress was bowing her head, using a special spoon to scoop out the jade melon.

A gentle breeze ruffled her scattered bangs, revealing her fair complexion. Her forehead was full, with willow brows and large eyes fringed with long eyelashes. Her nose was high, and her lips were a vibrant red, making her exceptionally beautiful.

A plump girl stood a few steps away, dressed in red, she was teaching a white fox and an orange cat a lesson by pinching their waists.

She constantly threatened with things like "cat stew" and "fox pelt," but the orange cat and fox weren't fazed at all. Not even yawning was a sign of respect for their master.

The blue-clad girl, hearing this, turned her head and smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. The gentle grace she possessed just now seemed to gain a few points of vivacity in an instant.

Like a stream in the mountains, it suddenly encountered a rock blocking its path and began to surge and gurgle.

Needless to say, the girl in blue is Jia Yin, and the one in red is Bao Zhu.

Two years passed in the blink of an eye, Jia Yin transformed from a chubby little girl to the beautiful young lady she is today.

While the agate had become rough and dull, the pearl remained consistently smooth and round...

While her hands worked tirelessly, Jia Yin's mouth urged Baozhu to calm down.

"Don't waste your breath, if Big Three and Orange had listened, they wouldn't get scolded every time. "

Let them be naughty, if they knock over flower pots or spill things, then they won't get any spicy fish jerky anymore!

Hearing the five words "Spicy Dried Fish," the listless fox cub and orange tabby who had been enduring their lessons immediately perked up their ears, straightening their postures.

Baozhu understood and immediately agreed, saying: "Okay, Spicy Dried Fish is too delicious, I'll eat them all, not leaving any for them!"

As expected, the little fox and orange cat were blown up by the cat, rushing forward in a hurry and circling around Baozhu.

Like children, they act cute and meow and chirp, their voices sounding like a duet.

Jia Yin's laughter made her branches tremble, fanning the flames and cheering for Bao Zhu. The little fox and orange cat were becoming increasingly exasperated.

In the opposite corner, Lu Cong had a smudge of black ash on his face and was busy lighting a charcoal fire with Jia Xu.

He kept glancing up at the laughing girl, so much so that for a long time the charcoal fire didn't catch.

Jia Xu really couldn't stand it anymore, he elbowed him and shouted, "I'm telling you, brother, hurry up and light the fire! I don't want to eat kebabs anymore!"

"You finally managed to score a meal, don't mess it up!"

Lu Zong retracted his gaze, coughed dryly, and said, “This charcoal fire seems to be damp. It’s really hard to light.”

"It shouldn't, it hasn't rained in days!" Jia Xu muttered, hurriedly urging his friend to work.

Soon, Jiarren came upstairs from downstairs, with a tray full of meat skewers and vegetable skewers in his hands.

Following behind him, Goureng wore a blue coat and a small cap, carrying several bowls of iced smoothies with peach and grape flesh.

Everyone put down their work and each received a bowl. They scooped a big spoonful into their mouths and felt a cool sensation throughout their bodies, it was incredibly refreshing.

Jia Ren couldn't help but mutter to his two friends, "In such hot weather, you guys are actually going to eat barbecue Isn't that adding fuel to the fire!"

Jia Xu smiled and said, “This is called fighting poison with poison!”

"That's right," Lu Zong also laughed, "And spicy grilled skewers paired with icy sweet smoothies, don't you think it's a perfect match"

Jiārén directly rolled his eyes at them, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Over the past two years, Jia Ren has learned to do business alongside his uncle, managed Baihuayuan and the relief agency with his father, and even joined his fourth uncle's army for three months of training.

Compared to when he first came out of the academy, full of scholarly air, he had become much more mature and composed.

Such an unkempt appearance is truly rare.

Of course, since everyone present was either a close friend or my own sister, there were no outsiders.

"One should really bring the dean here to have a look. His pride and joy, his disciple, is actually like this in private!" Jia Xu said with a chuckle. "The dean even brags to others, praising JIAREN as an orchid among the bamboo, possessing the same elegance as he did back then!"

Lu Zong also said: "And those women in Xindu, with nothing to do, ranking the 'Top Ten Young Masters of Heavenly Martial Arts,' actually put Jia Ren's brother ahead of us. They really have no eye for talent!"

Jia Ren hurriedly clasped his hands together and begged for mercy, "Please don't bring this up. My wife is about to give birth. If she hears a few words, she might get upset and have a miscarriage."

This time it was Jia Xu and Lu Xun's turn to roll their eyes.

Jia Xu said, "You don't have to keep saying you're going to be a father."

Lu Cong also agreed with selling misery, “Yeah, it's pitiful that the two of us are lonely souls, coming here to grab some grilled skewers and being criticized.”

Everyone couldn't help but laugh again!

At this time, the stars went downstairs, using her hands and feet to climb the stairs, shouting in her mouth, "Uncle, Auntie, Xingxing is here!"

Jia Yin quickly called everyone, "Quickly eat the smoothies, Xing Xing has had a bad stomach these past few days and should avoid cold food."

Everyone finished their fruit smoothies in a few gulps, piling the white ceramic bowls together and obliterating all evidence.

As expected, the chubby boy climbed up, his sensitive little nose twitching with some confusion.

But before he could ask, Jiayin called him over to pay respects and then sat at the table, swinging her legs and eating watermelon.

Bǎozhū'er only then opened her mouth, her small hands fanning wisps of white breath.

She just had a mouthful of smoothie, almost froze her teeth!

Water Spirit came up a few steps late, holding a piece of paper in her hand. She said, "Miss, someone from the Gu family has sent you an invitation to attend their flower-viewing banquet!"

Before she could even speak, Baozhu trembled and stammered, "Every time I hear about the flower viewing banquet, I remember what happened at the Chang Princess's mansion..."had just risen for a short time on this sweltering summer day, the ground was already hot enough to burn your feet.Though the cicadas chirped with little vigor, the teahouse remained bustling with idl...