Chapter 992: Forging Stronger Bonds of Alliance

y remembered I was her son! But it turns out, she was just trying to stabilize me and then turned around and made things difficult for my junior sister behind my back...Everyone knew who "she" was in...On her wedding day, Ai Bei wore a bright red bridal gown and sat in the flower sedan chair. 。Jia Xi was also dressed in a big red wedding robe, riding a white horse, and led Ai Bei from the inn all the way to his home. 。Along the way, countless idlers gathered to watch the excitement, and even children clapped their hands and cheered. 。The Li family wasn't stingy either, throwing out two baskets of copper coins and countless festive cakes and candies, which attracted even more people to crowd around, making it impossible to move. 。Luckily, Jia Yi and Liu Yang brought a group of soldiers who shouted and helped clear the way, protecting the team, so everything went smoothly. 。The Lee family has always been generous with their food at banquets. The dishes they serve are renowned throughout Quanzhou City for their exquisite taste, appearance and aroma. 。And every time there are innovations, with dishes that appear surprising and delightful. 。This time, Tao Hongying pondered for over a month and presented the grand finale dish of her menu – Buddha Jumps Over the Wall – to everyone. 。Last night, a stove was set up in the corner of the kitchen yard. A half-human-high clay pot was placed on it, simmering over low heat. By the time the bride entered the door, the aroma had spread throughout the entire street. 。To such an extent that when they knelt for the wedding ceremony, Jia Xi could clearly hear Ai Bei's stomach rumbling. 。He tried his best to hold back a smile, sending his daughter-in-law into the room and then hurriedly went to find Wenjuan. "Sister-in-law, quickly get some food ready for your sister-in-law, otherwise she'll become the first bride in Tianwu to faint from hunger!"Wenjuan laughed heartily and urged Jiaxi to go forward and toast, while she took a maid and personally fetched a bowl of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, along with rice and two refreshing side dishes for Aibi. 。Abe gently removed his hat and, seeing Wen Juan like this, happily embraced her. 。"Sister-in-law, you saved my life!" The maidservants couldn't help but laugh along with her. The new house was filled with joy and celebration. 。Today's guests of honor, however, were so engrossed in the feast that none of them spared a thought for toasting the groom, allowing the wedding to escape "one disaster." 。When the feast was over, the guests were ready to leave. 。The Lee family also prepared thank-you gifts. The male guests each received two bottles of fruit wine, brewed from a unique fruit native to Jinfo Country. It had a fragrant and pleasant taste, was slightly intoxicating without getting you drunk, and was especially suitable for small sips. 。While the female guests each carried a pair of scented pouches, made of brocade and embroidered with the distinctive patterns of gold Buddha. They were filled with a kind of dried flower from the golden Buddha, emitting a faint, cool fragrance that invigorated the mind. It was extremely pleasant to smell during the summer. 。Everyone was delighted to receive

the gifts and happily went home, satisfied.

All the members of Li's family were exhausted and collapsed, but mostly, they felt at peace. 。Especially Li Laotai, as her children and grandchildren gradually started families of their own, the burden on her shoulders as the family matriarch became lighter and lighter. 。The saying that the Golden Buddha is too far away and it takes three days to return home has disappeared. 。But on this day, Zhao Yuru still personally took her daughter-in-law for a stroll around the street, buying her many things she liked to eat and play with, as a consolation. 。Abe's eyes welled up with emotion, he hugged his grandmother and cried out that he wanted to spend his whole life at the Li family. 。She was intelligent by nature and more resolute and strong than ordinary women, otherwise she would not have sat as the Queen of Jin Buddha. 。After all, her situation today is largely due to circumstances forcing her hand. 。Her father was frail, her brother was young. The family was threatened by rivals, she couldn't seize the throne, or none of them would survive. 。If she were born into the Li family, with love and protection, there would be no Golden Buddha Queen in this world. 。For the past two months since arriving at Tianwu and becoming the granddaughter-in-law of the Li family, she had almost forgotten her own identity. 。Unfortunately, at the Golden Buddha, she still had too many responsibilities to bear and couldn't escape them. 。After staying for another half month, Jiaxi brought everything prepared at home, filling seven or eight large ships. Then, they followed Aibie back to the Golden Buddha. 。Even though Li Laotai and the others were reluctant, they knew that Jiaxi was a boy and that he was accustomed to going out to sea. Soon, they stopped thinking about it. 。On the other hand, Jia An, who came with the imperial court, began to support the Quanzhou branch of the Foreign Affairs Department. 。This superior is surnamed Zhu, he's a seasoned official in the political arena. He's steady and prudent, and also very adept at weighing the pros and cons. 。This time, he brought his entire family over and rented a three-courtyard mansion. 。Quanzhou is also a place far from the imperial court. Many officials in the prefectural government wanted to inquire about news from the court through Zhu Dairen. 。The Zhu family's gate remained tightly shut. Besides Master Zhu going out to work in the morning and evening, the rest of the family never received guests. 。In private, the officials at the yamen all said that Magistrate Zhu was out of touch. 。As for Li Zhensheng, after hearing this, he specially invited Zhu to have dinner at his own wine shop. When talking about this matter, he advised, "This Mr. Zhu is a smart man, and he does this out of consideration for you. He doesn't want to steal your limelight." 。Although he is your boss, our family has already established ourselves in Quanzhou. He doesn't want to make an enemy of our family. 。“

Jia An nodded, replying, “Uncle is right. I can feel it too.”

These past few days, whenever I've brought up matters for him, Master Zhu has never objected. 。He also often says that I am young, have many ideas, and that I should put my heart into it. 。"You little fool," Li Zhensheng gave his nephew a piece of steamed fish and smiled, "He's your boss. When you get the job done, he gets credit too and shares half the glory." 。Of course he wants to encourage you to take on more responsibilities! “But that’s a good thing too, you’re still young. Take this opportunity to do more and gain some experience. 。"Don't worry, Uncle. I'm not stupid either. I'll consult Master Zhu for everything and have him sign it. If I make a big mistake, he can't escape responsibility." 。It's impossible for everything to be all good and no bad consequences, right 。“Jia'an raised her hand to pour wine for her uncle, smiling ingratiatingly.” 。Li Zhen finally felt relieved, he had forgotten that this nephew was also a little fox. 。Everyone at home says that among the seven boys, Jiaxi is the most mischievous. Actually, to be honest, Jiaxi is just a goofball. Every time he causes trouble, it's Jiaan behind the scheming...During a meal, both the cousins ate very happily 。

When the time comes for me to get married, Li Zhensheng asked again, “Jia'an, about your marriage…”

Jia'an shook his head and smiled, “Uncle, I don’t have any particular ideas about my future wife. As long as Grandma and Mom like her, of course she also has to be kind to my younger sister.” 。If I could accomplish all these things, I would naturally live with her in harmony for the rest of my life, treating each other with respect and courtesy. 。Although my third brother is highly valued in the Hai Lan army, it's not enough to tie the Tang family to ours. 。Therefore, marrying Miss Tang is the best choice. 。Li Zhensheng's heart was a mixture of emotions. What he heard made sense, but he felt sorry for the child. 。He patted his nephew's shoulder and replied, "You brothers have really grown up. You both know how to share the worries of the family." 。“ Jia An smiled sincerely, “Uncle is waiting for a few years. When we brothers grow up some more and take over all the family matters, Uncle can rest assured and enjoy his retirement.” 。"Big brother, your nephew is now a high official, still in charge of the foreign affairs department..." 。Outsiders don't know the ins and outs, so they just ignore it. 。"How could I possibly not know" Jia An nodded slightly in the southeast direction and said, "Xi Ge is also carrying out a mission, right Uncle, from now on you can't hide things from me anymore. It's time for me to help you with things." 。"Okay, I was planning to take you out to sea in two days anyway." 。I didn't expect you to find it first, little rascal. I underestimated you. 。"Among your brothers, you are the most intelligent!" Li Zhensheng patted his nephew on the shoulder twice and, laughing, took him out of the door. 。t I would no longer present flowers to Your Majesty. It is not because I am stingy, but rather because I believe that Your Majesty probably desires more for your subjects than simply admiring flowers....