take credit for your efforts..."Li Laosi hurriedly waved his hand, "We didn't do much to help and have no credit. But we failed to keep an eye on these poor women under our noses, allowing them to ta...Li Laoer looked at the three white-bearded old men standing opposite him, his face full of confusion.

He had just entered the court and didn't know much about the civil and military officials. He could only barely recognize their ranks and positions.

He couldn't remember their names, only that they were from the Hanlin Academy.

The Hanlin Academy, this place, is noble and prestigious. Almost every top scholar who wins the imperial examination would set foot here as their first step after success.

After serving several years as an official outside the capital, returning home and climbing the ranks again would be extremely easy.

Isn't there a saying that not every Jinshi will enter the cabinet, but every important minister in the cabinet has studied at the Hanlin Academy.

So, the Hanlin Academy was a clean government office, but no one dared to offend it.

But the three people before us are exceptions. It is said that they have been working in the Hanlin Academy for decades and have not been promoted.

Whether it's their problem or their persistence,

Li Lao'er was just a idle count, thinking he wasn't capable of anything that would make these three block his path, and besides, he had an angry expression on his face...

"Three esteemed adults, this is..." Li Lao Er was full of bewilderment, just as he finished speaking the first word, he was interrupted by the three elders in front of him.

A white-bearded old man, full of indignation, shouted, “Master Li, the Li family has received imperial grace. They have risen from a humble peasant household to their current position. Shouldn’t they be grateful and united, working together for the sake of Tianwu”

"Why does Master say so" Li Laoer didn't answer, but asked back.

This old man with white beard was even angrier. He said, "You Li family members have made Mr. Wang, the chief minister, so angry out of personal grudges that he almost died from illness! We simply cannot bear to see this. We must come and speak to you. When doing things, one must not cut off all paths, otherwise they will fall into a dead end, which is entirely self-inflicted!"

Li Laoer wasn't pleased. He sneered, "Sir, I can't even remember your name, let alone be familiar with you. I have no idea what capacity you are in to lecture me like this!"

"Everyone says I've gone too far, driven to a dead end. That old man said, tell me, what exactly have I done that would anger heaven and earth"

"I told you! You've made Wang the Grand Scholar sick with anger!" The old man glared, very displeased with Li Lao Er's disrespect.

"Wang the Grand Scholar is sick What does that have to do with me Did I beat him, or scold him" Li Lao'er grew increasingly impatient. Seeing the surrounding officials stop watching the commotion, he raised his voice even higher.

"Your Honor, as you said, our Li family has received immense grace from the emperor, rising from humble farmers to positions of power. Indeed, our Li family is eternally grateful to the emperor and remains devoted to him. Whatever we grow, the first bite always goes to the emperor."

Although our family, and even the whole Suijin Tan, are all loyal to the Emperor, you say I should yield and unite with Wang Daoshi That’s absurd!

"Could it be that imperial grace should not be shown loyalty to the Emperor, but instead to Wang the Grand Tutor Is Wang the Grand Tutor the Emperor"

"You, you! I didn't mean it!" The old man with the white beard was flustered, wanting to defend himself but unable to find the words.

"It was his companion who spoke up, saying, “Mr. Li is truly sharp-tongued! We were only being kind and came over to chat a few words, yet you've taken offense this much, even accusing us of disloyalty and disrespect!”

"Disloyal and disrespectful" Li Laoer scoffed, replying, "The elder is right. You are indeed disloyal and disrespectful! Just because Wang Daoshi, a high-ranking official, fell ill, you came to me out of the blue and accused me of not being united with my colleagues!"

"What is the meaning of this Does that mean from now on, whenever someone falls ill, it will be my fault, Li Yusong's I have received the Emperor's grace and been appointed Marquis of Zhongshan. Which one of you has a higher rank than mine To actually point fingers at me and scold me This is blatant disrespect!

"

"Now, the barbarians in Jiangbei are eyeing us hungrily, and our national treasury is depleted. You should be thinking of relieving the Emperor's burden and contributing to the strength of Tianwu. Instead, you blindly attack your comrades. This proves your disloyalty! "

"Such a disloyal and disrespectful bunch, what face do you have to come out and spout nonsense! Are you officials of the Heavenly Martial Empire, or are you dogs raised by the Wang family"

The three elders' faces were no longer simply black; they were red with anger, almost purple. "You, you! You are too vicious!"

This is the entrance to the palace, under everyone's watchful eyes, news will surely reach the palace and into the Emperor's ears.

When the time comes, what face will they have to show in court How will they dare to face the Emperor!

This is going to cut off their way of promotion!

Li La Er brushed his sleeve dismissively and said with disdain, "You're wasting a good life and refusing to do your duty as an official. Instead, you choose to be someone else's lackey. No wonder the old saying goes that even holy men's books end up in a dog's belly! It couldn't be more true!"

Having said that, he turned and walked away, finding Mr. Wen in the distance and together they got into a carriage.

Mr. Wen patted Lao Er Li on the shoulder with a smile, "Haha, I knew it, if you didn't go to help, you definitely wouldn't suffer any losses. That's right, these old fellows are arrogant and think they can give everyone a lecture. They've already become infamous in court."

"Before, the Wang family's reputation plummeted because of your older brother. Wang Bo Wei put a lot of effort into appeasing them, so they became even more arrogant and ignorant. That's why they came to find trouble with you today!"

Li Lao'er rolled his eyes. “They’re picking on the soft ones! They think I’m easy to bully!”

“That’s exactly what they had in mind, isn’t it Too bad they ran into a wall!” Mr. Wen laughed heartily and replied, “From now on, I’m afraid no one at court will dare to bully you anymore. Your tongue is truly sharp!”

Li Lao'er spread his hands helplessly and smiled wryly, "I want to respect the elderly too, but they don't act like decent people themselves!"

The two chatted and laughed as the carriage quickly arrived at the small courtyard. After changing out of their official robes, Li Lao Er went back to Suijin Beach.

This was also the last grand assembly before the year's end, the next one would be after the 15th of January.

All things considered, he has a month of vacation. That's really something to be happy about.

On the way, he bought a lot of snacks for his nieces and nephews at home, candied fruits, candied chestnuts, and candied haws!

As expected, as soon as he got out of the car, he was surrounded by his grinning nephews who blocked the entrance.

Jia Yin was wrapped like a cotton ball and carried on Jia Yi's shoulders. He smiled, revealing a small white tooth.

Li Lao Er quickly took out all the snacks and food, and gave them to his nephews, as a way to smooth things over.

Then, the boys cheered with delight. Some held onto boxes of snacks, others grabbed candied fruit on sticks, and still others carried bags of roasted chestnuts. In short, they divided their tasks clearly and quickly ran back to the west room to share their spoils.

Li Laoer was left standing at the door, empty-handed, a mixture of amusement and helplessness on his face.

Li Laotai saw him standing at the door and called out, "Second son, why are you just standing there Come in quickly! Mother has boiled ginger soup, have a bowl!"

"Ah, here you are!" Li Lao Er hurried inside, couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "It's so good to have a mother!"

Unfortunately, he didn't get to enjoy it for long. After drinking a bowl of ginger soup, his mother drove him out the door.

"Go for a stroll in the valley. We're busy making the New Year's gift list at home."

Li Laotai waved her hand, then called two daughters-in-law and a granddaughter-in-law together to discuss.

Li Lao Er was unable to, so he could only go out.

Just then, Jia Yin came dashing out from the west room, stuck a candied fruit in Er Bo's mouth, and then giggled as she went into the east room.

Elder Li saw her granddaughter coming over and hugged her, placing her on the kang. "Funi," she asked, "Let's calculate. For each household's New Year's gift, we have to send out seven or eight baskets of fruits at least, and ten baskets of vegetables are also a must. What do you think"utsiders harbor ill intentions and spread rumors, it's likely to be hard to avoid hearing them.So, he bid farewell to Lu Zong and Jia Xu with clasped hands, making an appointment to meet again tomorro...