you at a disadvantage…""Auntie, we're all family, there's no need to talk about taking advantage of each other." The lord sat beside the old lady and smiled: "You know, there are no women in my mansi...Chicken, fish, meat, and eggs, stir-fried, boiled, fried!

Tao Hongying used all her skills, and the table was almost crushed by the plates of food. Every dish looked delicious, smelled fragrant, and tasted wonderful.

Li Laotai, rarely treating herself to wine, poured herself a bowl and was about to get drunk before even taking a sip.

When people get old, what they truly yearn for isn't luxury or family prestige. It's simply the well-being of their children and grandchildren, and a life filled with ease and happiness.

People chatted about trivial matters, the latest news in town and the crops in the fields. The commotion was almost enough to lift the roof.

A meal was eaten until the sun set, and everyone, young and old, including the Marquis, was drunk.

As the women busied themselves tidying up, Li Lao Er suggested they go soak in the hot springs.

On such a day of family reunion, even the hot spring valley needs to rest for two days. It has long been tidied up and awaits its own family to enjoy the tranquility.

Then, the men quickly moved the "battlefield" to a valley to sober up and have some fun.

At Ercun, the six family soldiers who had settled there had received mooncakes and pork from the Li family, as well as the settling rations given by the Marquis. They also had ample rice and flour, so they ate especially richly today.

Unmarried wounded soldiers and veterans still ate from a communal pot, rice with stewed meat, and each person had a large bowl of wine.

When they heard that the Onzen Valley had become a man's world, they also went to join in the fun...

By the time it came to moonlit evening, only women remained in each household's courtyard. All the men were... asleep!

The next day, everything returned to normal. Talking about yesterday still made people laugh non-stop.

How come Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family and togetherness, has become a day for men to let loose

No one wants to say, and no one can tell!

Life, it's not about rules. Just be happy.

Because Li Laosan, Zhao Yuru, and Jia Ren could only rest for two days, Li Zhensheng didn't rush to the docks to unload the cargo.

The whole family gathered at home, discussing food and drink, and having a good chat.

Jixi and Jian'an didn't want to go to the academy to study. They were so anxious that they scratched their ears and cheeks, wishing they could climb a tree.

The two held onto their grandmother's arms tightly, refusing to let go.

Jiā'ān pleaded, "Grandmother, I truly am not cut out for studying. In the academy, I only enjoy horseback riding and archery!"

"Me too, Mama. Just let us go south, please. I want to follow the foreigners and see their country. I want to..." Jiayxi also pestered her relentlessly.

Unfortunately, the old lady refused to divulge any information.

When it comes to the future of my grandson, I can't make a decision lightly.

Then Li Laotai said, “You’ve just returned, so rest for a few days first. Let me ask your uncle and parents, and we'll discuss it properly.”

Jixi and Jia'an were helpless and turned to their younger sister, hoping she would plead for them.

But Jia Yin, despite her brothers' bulging eyes and strained expressions, just smiled innocently and pretended not to know anything...

Every family has its own difficult scripture, especially when there are fledglings with burgeoning wings who constantly want to fly out of the nest, destined to cause a bit of commotion.

And in the city, every household was also having a hard time at this moment.

Because the Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, conscription will begin soon.

Although each family donated a lot of food and money, the rule that every household sends one child to the military camp remains unchanged. There's no way to alter it.

The only exception is the Jiangning Houfu.

The old marquis desperately went to the palace and begged the emperor for mercy, sparing his eldest grandson from joining the army. However, he paid a heavy price: half of the marquis's fortune was given to the Northern Expeditionary Army before the name list could be changed.

Each household couldn't bear to part with half their wealth, and there was no princess from a royal family in their homes. With no other choice, they could only sob and prepare themselves.

When it comes to that overlooked illegitimate son, the family simply gives him some money and a few pieces of clothing.

But those sons who were truly unavoidable, or the favored illegitimate sons, were simply a disaster.

Everything I usually like to eat, wear, use, and even the toilet I'm used to, I'm planning to take to the barracks...

On the 18th of August, at the gates of Xincheng, tents had been set up early in the morning.

Each family's precious baby eggs submit their soldier tags, verify their identities, and they will be ready to enlist.

The entire city gate was jammed, waterlogged and overflowing. Servants were clamoring, steeds were neighing, making it unbearable to even approach.

Li Laosi and Li Yong brought two hundred soldiers to receive people.

They both knew it wouldn't be easy, but when they truly faced it, they realized how difficult it was!

On one side, an old woman adorned in gold and jewels pulled on a young grandson with skin as white as snow, weeping like she had lost her entire world.

"My dear grandson, when you get to the barracks, be sure to take care of yourself. If you don't like the food there, have someone bring you home-cooked meals every day.

"Even if you don't have enough silver, just say it! Your grandmother’s dowry is yours! It's all your father's fault for being incompetent. If he had more children, then you wouldn't be the only legitimate son suffering!"

On the right, a woman pulled her son's hand and was cursing at the sky just as furiously.

"Your father is heartless, only caring about the children from the first wife. Oh, woe is me, my son is studying well and yet he has to go to the military camp and suffer..."

Li Yong twitched the corner of his mouth. His twenty-year-old son had studied for at least ten years, and he wasn't even a qualified scholar, yet he dared to say that studying was good

He quietly tugged at Li Laosi's sleeve and said, "Fourth brother, this can't work! When are we going to get the team together to go to the dock!"

Li Laosi was even more annoyed, enduring until his forehead veins bulged.

I had originally been lenient with these people, allowing them to speak at length because I understood they were reluctant to let go. However, the situation spiraled out of control.

If we keep going like this, we're probably not going to finish the task even when it gets dark.

He immediately issued an order, and all the soldiers swiftly blocked the city gate.

All those who have registered should queue up. Each person is only allowed to take one package, which should contain only a few changes of clothes. Anything else should be discarded.

Even those who haven't registered, hurry up! The sun will set soon and if you haven't finished, it will be rejected. Then, you'll be treated as a deserter and beheaded directly.

The city gate immediately erupted in chaos, with cries of anguish echoing everywhere.

A dandy of seventeen or eighteen years old, with rouge and powder on his face, looking glamorous and flamboyant. He held a beautiful maidservant in his arms tightly, "I must bring Meiniang with me. I can't sleep without her warming my bed at night!"

The maid's eyes were red and swollen, she clung tightly to the young master, like a virtuous woman about to be robbed of her beloved. "Woooooo, don't take away my master!"

And this young master's family, with smiles and flattery, pestered Li Laosi, trying to stuff him with silver notes and favors.

For a moment, Li Lao Si almost felt sick to his stomach!

My mother always worries that she spoils the children too much, and as a result, they won't amount to anything.

Now compared to these people, it's really nothing.

It's no wonder the Marquis insisted on raising troops. If these overgrown infants are not awakened, even if we reclaim half the land, it will all be lost!

"All of you, shut up!" Li Lao Si finally lost his temper. He grabbed the young master who couldn't be separated from his bed warmer and threw him hard into the registration line.

Then, he loudly berated the soldiers, “Are you all deaf I told you to clear out the riffraff, what are you doing!”

"Act immediately, whoever dares to delay the mobilization, beat them severely!"

The soldiers were also restless. After all, they were being led by the nobles who usually held their heads high and looked down on them. They couldn't fight back or scold them, so they could only shrink back and hold their breath, feeling very stifled.

There, that's better! Someone's got my back!

Then, they immediately drew their long swords from their waists and began to move...

Little ones, two updates today! Lining up to stick on a secret recipe ointment. Huahua's entire back and neck have become stone slabs from writing, it was slow. Let me adjust, and I'll be back to three updates tomorrow. Don't overfeed Huahua~ Huahua needs everyone's encouragement~.ud Realm instead. She asked someone to send a message back and also to give two boxes of Zhang Shini's favorite snacks along the way.Old children, little children, coaxing is the best way.Doctor Zhang...