"What makes you right, my parents haven't said anything, I have a big family, why don't they say it's my family that's struggling, several hundred taels of silver?" Chunyu argued with her neck raised.

  The old master and the Tian family's faces were so gloomy that they could squeeze out water, while Zhou's smile on his face couldn't be covered up no matter what. Zeng Rui-xiang, on the other hand, was tightly pursing his lips, probably afraid that if he wasn't careful, he would have to share some of the responsibility and it was only a few hundred copper coins, but they were still haggling over it here, not fearing that their parents would be heartbroken. Zi-yu quickly walked up to him, tugging on his sleeve, Zeng Rui-xiang stroked Zi-yu's head, smiled, although it looked worse than crying, but Zi-yu was reassured.

  "That's one family with twenty people, it's almost enough, don't argue anymore." Xia Yu looked at the old man and his companions' faces and said.

  Qiu Yu listened for a moment and asked: "Elder sister, are you prepared to only give twenty pouches to send off Father's birthday?"

  "Isn't there still a copper plate for reward? What can be done, I'm the most difficult one at home, my family has many children, Damao was sent away, Ermao went to prison, and Guiying wants to talk about marriage..." Chunyu looked pitiful again, and it's unknown what Old Master and Tian Shi were thinking in their hearts. Zi Qing was indeed a bit curious.

  "Alright, alright, it's always the same old thing, don't you ever think about how much your parents have spent on you in a year?" Autumn Jade was too lazy to bother with her and turned to ask Zeng Ruiqing, "Big brother, don't just talk about us, how much silver are you preparing to spend on the banquet? How many dishes per table? I see that second brother's recent good deeds have been of high quality, so this time shouldn't be too shabby either."

  Zeng Ruixiang feared that Zeng Ruizheng would be troubled, thinking that the old man's sixtieth birthday was a once-in-a-lifetime event. He hastily said: "Big brother, do you need me to lend some money first?"

  "This is none of your business, I said I'll take care of it. I'll pay first and then settle the account with my brother later. It's our family matter. I won't let others laugh at me for celebrating Father's birthday. Whoever should spend the money will do so." Zeng Ruiqing was unhappy after hearing Qiu Yu's words.

  At this time, Zi Quan and Huihui, Mumi three children came in crying. It turned out that Wuma had snatched three small firecrackers from them outside. Mumi was raised by Tian Shi with great care, so she hurried forward to help Mumi wipe away her tears. Zhou Shi and Zi Ping also rushed forward to comfort the child, Zeng Ruiqing scolded: "You three good-for-nothings, you can't even beat him alone. What's the use of crying?"

  "It was just a small matter, the five Mao saw that they were young and didn't know how to play, so he took it over and helped them light it up. This kind of thing isn't worth making a fuss about." Yan Renda explained hastily seeing Zeng Ruqing get angry.

  "It's not, it was given by my brother-in-law. It can be held in hand and shaken to play with, shining and flashing, so beautiful, the five older brothers all snatched it." Zi Quan is already over five years old and can express himself very well.

  "Children. When they see something new and interesting, which one doesn't rush to grab it? If you want to blame someone, blame Kangping for taking it out." Chunyu said.

  "With you spoiling the child like this, it's a wonder they can be taught at all." Qiu Yu gave Chun Yu a sideways glance, and her dissatisfaction grew.

  "Kangping, what good things have you brought for the kids again?" Qiu Yu continued to ask.

  "Little aunt, I saw those kids playing with firecrackers and it's really dangerous. If someone gets hurt, it won't be a joke. Luckily, I brought some sparklers for kids to play with, so I gave them a few sticks. They can light them up at night, it'll look even prettier." Lin Kangping said. Actually, those were bought by Lin Kangping to coax Zi Qing into playing.

  Zeng Ruixiang said: "Kang Ping, take a few small ones out, I still have something to say."

  Chun Yu looked at Zeng Rui Xiang, Zeng Rui Xiang glanced at Zeng Rui Qing and said: "I don't know if Father and Mother have told you several sisters or not. Starting this year, Father and Mother will follow the eldest brother for five years. The eldest brother has been away from home for a few years and hasn't fulfilled his duty as the eldest son. So, Father and Mother will be taken care of by the eldest brother and sister-in-law for these five years. Five years later, we brothers will still take turns like this. Also, every year on the second day of the Lunar New Year, let's take turns having this reunion dinner too. I've already discussed it with the eldest brother."

  Chun Yu and several others were taken aback, and there was also Yan Ren Da. Where could they go to enjoy the autumn breeze now? Zi Ping also looked at Zhou Shi with concern.

  "What can the eldest brother give to his parents in a year? Second brother, with such good conditions at home, you don't even take care of your parents, is that acceptable?" Chunyu asked as she saw everyone remaining silent.

  "Otherwise, can you also try to manage it? After the division of the family property, I have been in charge for ten years. Father and mother are still everyone's father and mother, not just mine. Eldest brother is after all the eldest son, he should also do his filial duty. As for how much silver eldest brother can give to father and mother every year, that's not your concern. As long as you don't come to our door begging, father and mother will definitely have enough." Zeng Rui Xiang said.

  Zeng Ruiqing took a look at Zeng Ruixiang, with some doubts in his heart. In the past, no matter how unhappy he was, Zeng Ruixiang would not speak so sharply. It seems that Chunyu must have done something too excessive again. The changes in Erge over the years are really great, and he even dares to disobey his own intentions.

  Chun Yu listened, wanting to say something but unable to speak, her face flushing red. Yan Ren Da hastily took over the conversation and said: "Second brother's words are a bit excessive, one thing at a time. You being filial to your parents and our going back home to pay respects to your father-in-law and mother-in-law are two different matters. We are also being filial, everyone has their own way of being filial, what's wrong with that?"

  "Stop spouting that useless nonsense! Why don't you bring your parents to live with you and show them some filial piety? What's the point of talking crap?" Zeng Ruiqing scolded.

  The couple saw that Zeng Ruiqing was in a bad mood and quickly made up an excuse to go to their mother-in-law's house.

  "Dad and mom, you're being really unfair. Grandpa has raised us for so many years, and Second Uncle has taught us to read for several years. You're actually holding a birthday party for Grandpa, but you're not even willing to spend some money?" Si Mao said, staring at his parents.

  This has stunned everyone, can rotten bamboo really grow good shoots?

  "Alright, what's the point of arguing? This matter is already settled among you few. The two brothers have already discussed it and it has nothing to do with any of you." The old man said, looking quite annoyed, while Tian Shi wiped away her tears.

  The old man's birthday banquet has been set, and originally, Zifeng was supposed to leave on the 17th or 18th of the first month. Now, he will have to delay for more than 20 days, and in autumn, Ziqing will still have to rush back for her wedding, which is a big delay. He is somewhat troubled. Zeng Ruixiang thought for a moment and said: "Why not postpone Ziqing's marriage? Let's do it when Zifeng returns home for the New Year in December?"

  "My father-in-law, if not, I will get married in February. The betrothal gifts are almost ready. It's too long to wait until winter. Let's do it after celebrating grandfather's birthday." Lin Kangping was anxious when he heard that the wedding date would be postponed.

  "The wedding dress hasn't been made yet, and the bedding isn't ready either. How can we possibly make it in time? Besides, that piece of furniture of yours isn't finished yet, I'm not willing to hastily marry off Qing'er." Madam Shen said.

  "Father, mother, how about this: after Zi Lu's exams are over at the end of August, we'll come back for a visit. At the beginning of September, Zi Qing will get married and we'll return to Beijing after that, which is just half a month later. We won't be coming back for Chinese New Year this year, but we'll come home again after the imperial examination next year." said Zi Fu.

  "Brother, you'd better go back home for the New Year, or Dad and Mom will be worried. You won't have the heart to work hard during the New Year when you're away from home anyway. I'll get married in December instead." Zi Qing heard that Zi Fu wouldn't be returning home for the New Year, and by then she would already be married and gone, so there would be several fewer people at home. Dad and Mom's hearts would definitely ache.

  "Zi Qing is right, let's just wait until the twelfth month. Kang Ping has been waiting for several years already, what's two more months?" said Zeng Rui Xiang.

  "I said don't rush, okay? You guys are going to finish me off with one mouthful each." Lin Kangping complained with a bitter face.

  Because Lao Ye Zi's birthday banquet was in February. Xia Yu brought the children to live, Zhou Tian Qing returned first, and Chun Yu's family naturally followed suit. The old house where Xiao's family lived was half-sold and half-given to Lao Ye Zi, so there were more empty rooms at home, making it more convenient for several aunts to return to their mother's home.

  Xia Yu often brings the kids over to sit and sometimes stays for dinner. Chun Yu's family hasn't come again, it seems they also know about Zeng Rui Xiang's attitude now. The old man usually comes in the afternoon, staying alone for a meal and playing mahjong. Zi Fu, Zi Lu, Zi Shou, and Zi Xi are usually together during the day discussing studies, Lin Kang Ping sometimes goes to sit with them, and sometimes accompanies Zi Qing to pick eggs in the back mountain, everyone entertains together at night.

  Time flies, and it's already February 12th. The birthday banquet is being held at the old house, with tables filling both front and back houses. Zifeng and others went early to help out. Today, Old Master wore a new outfit made by Autumn Jade - a deep purple robe with a black collar, black pants, and shoes made of the same material as the clothes, with thick soles that were probably also made by Autumn Jade, as Summer Jade wouldn't be able to handle such thick shoe soles.

  Zi Ping brought her husband and children, Zeng Ruiqing's face immediately fell, grabbing a door bar to drive him out, Zeng Ruixiang hurriedly hugged him.

  "Get him out of here! What is he doing running around here? Get him out, don't wait for me to take action myself!" Zeng Ruiqing cursed.

  Tian's wife urged beforehand, "It's right that you've come. Otherwise, soon Zi Ping will be kneeling with the child, and it'll look like something is wrong. What will outsiders say? After today, I don't care whether you pay attention or not. Guests are about to arrive soon."

  "No way, I only have this one sentence today. With him or without me, with me or without him. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting, trying to get me to let him off easily. No chance, thinking I'm a paper tiger that can be bullied around by you guys. Today we'll see who's real and who's fake."

  Zi Ping immediately knelt down with the child and Hu Bai Song, Zi Ping went forward to hug Zeng Rui Qing's legs and begged, Zeng Rui Qing held his breath, one hand pushed Zi Ping to the ground, and one foot kicked Hu Bai Song four or five feet away, scolding: "Don't you hurry up and roll? You think I don't dare to do anything to you? You've miscalculated."

  Zeng Ruiqing shook off Zeng Ruixiang and picked up the door bolt. Tian Shi and Zhou Shi didn't dare to come over to persuade him either. The old man had no choice but to say to Hu Baosong, "Today is indeed not the time to discuss this matter. You go back first, let Zi Ping stay with the child. As long as you treat Zi Ping well, one day I will allow you to enter our household."

  Hu Bai-song had no choice but to get up, limping out the door. Zeng Rui-qing didn't even glance at him. Fortunately, the guests from the village hadn't arrived yet, only Zi Qing's family and a few close relatives had come.

  Zi Qing saw Zeng Ruiqing's momentum and knew that his own father was still far behind. If he had this kind of boldness, Chunyu's family would never have been able to enter the door. However, Old Master's thoughts were unknown.

  A good birthday banquet began like this, everyone looked at Zeng Ruiqing's big black face and couldn't get excited. The kneeling ceremony was similar to He Shi's birthday, after the kneeling ceremony ended, it was a wine feast, the dishes were ordinary, Lao Yezi and Tian Shi were both somewhat unhappy, however, this matter was done by Zeng Ruiqing, Zeng Ruixiang had no choice but to go along with it, who made him the eldest son?