Chapter 623: Rewards for All!

hands clasped behind their backs and chests puffed out, looking very serious.The scholar didn't know what he said, but the children all responded loudly and confidently.The Big River and Little River...All the houses in the new city were filled with envy and jealousy.

There were also wise old people who warned their grandchildren, “In the future, you must not provoke the Li family. The Li family has great fortune and if you can befriend them, it’s best to do so. If you cannot befriend them, you absolutely mustn’t offend them.”

The grandchildren naturally obeyed obediently.

Let's not even talk about the fact that my child is still being tortured and suffering in a military camp, while the devil himself, Li Jia's youngest son, leads them!

They are as stubborn as a stone, set in their ways, and wouldn't dare to touch the Li family…

In the palace, from the palace gate to the Qianyuan Hall where the court was held, the path and steps added up to a thousand steps.

Since a few days ago, when the imperial farm finished harvesting corn cobs, they have been sent here and piled up on both sides of this road.

Every day, as officials came and went, it was all visible to everyone.

And no matter if the Emperor was attending court or had been reviewing memorials until he was weary, as long as he stepped out of his threshold, all he saw were dazzling golds.

All the court officials had a guess in their hearts, the emperor was probably going to bestow gifts on the Li family again.

After all, without the Li family, there wouldn't be such a magnificent sight.

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

Because he knows more about the inside story.

This golden corn, the sixth grain bestowed from heaven, was not something the Li family unexpectedly obtained from foreigners.

It was brought out by the Li family, using the pretext of a foreign origin, and sent to the new capital after circling north and south.

It can be said that the abundant harvest today is not simply due to good fortune, but is entirely the result of the Li family's hard work!

Reward, must reward!

He wasn't curious about where the Li family got their treasures, he only knew that the Li family had done good deeds for Tianwu!

As an emperor, he was not lacking in that kind of magnanimity. He could tolerate the Li family's little secret.

And the fact proved that Li Jia was loyal enough, worthy of his trust!

Therefore, on that day during the grand court assembly, he personally commended Li's family for their contributions and wanted to bestow further rewards.

No civil or military official could possibly stop him.

But Li Laer stood out, kneeling and declining. "Your Majesty, our family merely happened to have such a bountiful harvest. I believe it is Heaven's mercy, unwilling to see the Tianwu people starve, and unwilling to cause Your Majesty worry, that it bestowed such blessings upon us through our family."

"As for this bountiful harvest, it is all thanks to the Emperor's favor, the support of all the officials, and the hard work of Liu Zhiheng and everyone at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It has nothing to do with our family."

"If there must be gifts, Your Majesty should bestow them upon the esteemed officials first. And please allow me to express my gratitude to Your Majesty for Your generosity."

"Haha!" The emperor was delighted and couldn't help laughing aloud, "Reward, of course! Reward all the civil and military officials with one month's salary. I shall also take a break from the grand court meeting, personally husk some corn cobs, and taste how they are."

All civil and military officials knelt down in unison, loudly thanking their emperor.

Whether sincere or insincere, at this moment, everyone's face was plastered with a smile.

Praise and flattery poured onto the Emperor like water, flowing freely and abundantly.

The Emperor's face broke into a wide smile. He persisted, "Zhongshan Bo, everyone else has received rewards, you should say what you want as well!"

Li Laer pondered for a moment, then smiled politely and said, "Your Majesty, if I were to say what kind of reward I desire, there is indeed one. Previously, I have received silver and intended to build an Earl's Mansion and a Princess Mansion, but the new capital is just being established, and the Ministry of Works is extremely busy, unable to spare manpower."

"Now that the autumn harvest is over and the new capital has been built, could you please trouble our colleagues from the Ministry of Works to take care of these two mansions for our family"

People were originally curious about what the Li family would ask for as a reward, but it turned out to be such a small matter.

This is exactly what should be done, but Li's family bringing it up at this time, with the Emperor's love and care in mind, is truly modest and humble.

As expected, the Emperor immediately said, “This can be considered a reward Granted! The Ministry of Works will dispatch personnel to Fragrant Gold Beach immediately to build an Earl’s Mansion and a Countess’ Mansion.”

Li Lao'er quickly knelt down and thanked him, “Your Majesty, Zhou, the official from the Ministry of Works, is someone our family has known since we arrived at Suijin Beach. This time, I also want to ask Zhou to take the trouble.”

Moreover, the number of artisans need not be excessive, because my family does not desire a grand manor. My elderly mother often says that a large house separates family members and fosters distance; it is better to live in a cozy space where everyone can gather together warmly and happily.

This is said sincerely, with more down-to-earth feeling, making it easy for one to imagine a family gathering together, eating, drinking and laughing.

Then, from the emperor to the ministers, all envied...

The Li family was indeed prosperous and harmonious.

Could this also be the reason for Li Jiafu's good fortune...

When it was time to disperse, Li Lao Er not only took Zhou Da Ren and the artisans back to Suijin Beach, but also hauled two carts full of various good things bestowed by the emperor.

In Li's courtyard, Old Mrs. Li was measuring her granddaughter's size, muttering to herself, "It won't work! We have to put Fu Niuer on a diet! Other children are growing taller, but why is our child only gaining weight Look at this waist, we need to widen it by another inch!"

Tao Hongying also couldn't help pinching her daughter's belly and said reproachfully, "Then you have to fight over the bowls at mealtime! Also, tell everyone in the family that no one should give her any vegetables!"

Jia Yin hugged her stomach, trying hard to defend the three layers of colorful cakes, laughing with a guilty and blushing face.

Prior to being “tortured” by Dr. Zhang every day, and having to worry about Baihuayuan, the relief office, and tea shops, she had indeed lost some weight.

But these past few days, she's been so busy that her appetite has returned with a vengeance, and her little bit of flesh has quickly come back to join her.

Mrs. Wen sat beside Wenjuan, dividing embroidery thread, and couldn't help but speak up for the little girl, "Children are all chubby when they are young. This is called baby fat. In three or two years, she will grow taller."

"Master Aunt is the best, only Master Aunt loves me the most!" Jiayin found support, ran forward and hugged Master Aunt's neck, kissing her face heavily.

Mrs. Wen laughed even more, “But you should also eat less overly sweet and greasy food. In a few days, your mother and I will be going out to visit someone, and we'll take you with us to play. You can’t wear the freshly made clothes that are too tight right away, can you”

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

Just at that moment, Li Laoer returned home laden with goods.

Upon seeing the two carts overflowing with goods, everyone was astonished. Upon inquiry, they learned that it was a gift from the emperor. Everyone immediately knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the palace.

In the end, Old Mrs. Li was overjoyed and brought He Mamá into the warehouse, waiting for things at home to settle down before distributing some to her grandchildren.

After a while, Mr. Zhou came in to have tea and chat after looking over the terrain near Li's house.

It happened that Huiniang brought twins to visit the Li family, which caused a bit of awkwardness for a moment.

To put it simply, Li Yong's betrayal of the Yan family was a result of accumulated contradictions over time. It had little to do with Tong Hui's wife, but she did benefit from it in reality.

The Yan family now lives far away from the new capital, making do in their old home.

These past six months, I've heard that both of the elderly couple are in very poor health. They must be nearing the end of their lives.

Mrs. Zhou found herself stuck in the middle, torn between pity for her parents and resentment towards her sister-in-law. She couldn't help but feel a deep frustration towards her sister-in-law.

Mr. Zhou had certainly tried to persuade me, but I never expected to run into him here today...

Three more chapters are offered, wishing you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, with a full moon and families reunited! Muah!i De Ting heard that Jia Yin was playing games with a group of girls, sticking paper strips all over their faces, Lu Cong couldn't help but laugh.Jia Xu wasn't surprised either, and smiled similarly:...