The seventh year of Great Xia, the fifth day of the tenth month, the fourth hour after nightfall.

Xia City, Residence No. 10, Inner City

Knock knock knock...

The main door was knocked from outside. The hostess Shi Lu, who was in the main hall directing the maids to set up the banquet with her pregnant belly, immediately broke into a smile.

"It must be father arriving, I'll go open the door."

"Madam, you're not convenient to move, let me go!"

Shi Lu was about to go open the door but was preempted by the maid beside her. She touched her seven-month pregnant belly and nodded with a smile.

"It must be Grandpa arriving, I'll go open the door, I'll go open the door."

But before the maid could walk out of the main hall door, a rambunctious little boy from the martial arts field outside, rushed ahead to open the door.

Although the boy's face looked only five or six years old, his height was comparable to an eight or nine-year-old. He had clearly been practicing boxing in the martial arts field, and was now bare-chested. He was still too young to show any muscles, but his burly frame already gave a glimpse of what was to come.

"You little rascal, slow down!"

Shi Lu, watching, was afraid her son would tumble, she reminded him with a hint of exasperation. But seeing her son sturdy as a little calf, she figured he wouldn't get hurt even if he fell, and she couldn't help but smile.

Yuan Shao was her and Yuan Cheng's eldest son, born on the fifth day of the tenth month in the second year of Great Xia. Today was exactly his fifth birthday.

In Great Xia, now abundant and peaceful, celebrating children's birthdays had become a trend. On such occasions, families prepared extra food and drink, inviting family members to gather together. It allowed the children to feel the care from their elders and gave the adults, usually busy, a chance to rest and enjoy the warmth of family reunion, achieving two goals at once.

"It's a pity that Ah Ping is in Longyou, it would be nice if he could come back too!"

Thinking of her brother Shi Ping, Shi Lu sighed slightly, thinking to herself, "He shouldn't have taken the tough job as Zhaoyang Guard Commander. Now, he rarely comes home even a few times a year. Alas..."

Shi Ping was a member of the Cloud Jiao Team, originally working beside Xia Chuan, helping to manage the Camp Supply Department for a time, and later became the Deputy Director of the Garrison Department, serving as her husband Yuan Cheng's deputy.

This path seemed promising; even if he didn't get promoted to Director, as long as he assisted Yuan Cheng in managing the Garrison Department, continuing as Deputy Director would be fine. After all, it was a third-rank position, something many people in Xia City longed for.

Yet, five years ago, after the new policy of Long Mountain, Shi Ping asked Xia Chuan to resign from the Deputy Director of the Garrison Department and voluntarily requested to guard a side in Longyou.

Deputy Director was a third rank and allowed a permanent stay in Xia City; Guard Commander was a sixth rank, requiring a stay far from Xia City. To Shi Lu, this request from her brother seemed utterly inconceivable.

She initially thought her husband might have upset her brother, making it unbearable for Shi Ping to stay in the Garrison Department, and planned to have a quarrel with Yuan Cheng. Later, she found it wasn't the case; everything was at Shi Ping's request.

She did everything she could to dissuade Shi Ping, even trying to enlist her husband and father to help persuade him. Unexpectedly, both Yuan Cheng and Shi Qing, after learning about it, not only didn't discourage him but agreed and even praised Shi Ping's decision.

Shi Lu isn't someone who's inexperienced. Although she couldn't comprehend her husband and father's actions, she realized there must be some hidden truth she didn't know about, so she did not continue to persuade.

Shi Ping was eventually appointed as Wushuang Guard Commander and two years later, transferred to Zhaoyang Guard Commander, staying in Longyou for five whole years by now.

Shi Lu now isn't that little girl from Da Shi Camp anymore. Her eldest son Yuan Shao is already five years old; the one in her belly is about to be born soon. As she grows older, especially after becoming a mother, she's placing more importance on family ties. With her only brother away for five years, naturally, her concerns for him grew.

"Mom, Uncle is back!"

However, today seemed to be a day when wishes come true.

Upon hearing Yuan Shao's shout from outside, Shi Lu stood up stunned, looking outside, her face suddenly filled with joy.

An overwhelming number of people came walking in through the door, led by her father Shi Qing, holding her eldest son Yuan Shao in his arms. Standing beside him was a young man in a red ceremonial robe, who else could it be but her brother Shi Ping!

Behind Shi Ping was her sister-in-law Lu Xiu'e, holding a boy of over four years in her left hand, and carrying an under-one-year-old baby in her arms, precisely Shi Ping's two younger sons, her two young nephews.

"Sis, long time no see!"

Upon hearing her brother's long-awaited voice, Shi Lu's eyes welled up, maybe due to pregnancy hormone changes, she gently rubbed her eyes and then smiled, "You rascal, why didn't you send word in advance? Came back all of a sudden."

Seeing his sister's teary eyes, Shi Ping also showed slight emotion, but as a man, he quickly composed himself, smiling, "The Garrison Department issued the transfer order during the day, it was rushed, didn't have time to send a message."

The Garrison Department issued a transfer order?

Shi Lu was stunned as she heard this. Before she could speak, Yuan Cheng's laughter downstairs interrupted her.

"That was quick, I wasn't able to tell your sister yet!"

Seeing the smile on her husband's face, Shi Lu immediately knew he had deliberately kept it a secret from her. She first glared at him, then quickly ushered her father and brother's family to take a seat.

Thus began a lively birthday celebration.

Today was originally supposed to be primarily about Yuan Shao, but Shi Ping's arrival evidently stole the spotlight. However, being young, he didn't mind. After casually having a few bites, he quickly went off to play at the martial arts field with his cousin Shi Da.

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