The next day after paying respects at the cemetery, Fang Er led his men back to Shenyang.
Motorola, Xiao Huan, Xiao Mi, and Chen Xuelian were also brought back. As for the manor house, Dali was summoned from Chang'an to oversee it.
The weather in Shenyang was fine, bathed in bright sunshine. Thick quilts were spread in the backyard, and Fang Xin and his younger sister Xiao Ya lay on them, playing.
Chai Yue and Xiao Qing chatted nearby, while Hua Niang and Xing'er sat on the quilts, watching the two little ones. Everything was so harmonious.
The workshop was becoming increasingly proficient in helicopter manufacturing. Every few days, one would take to the sky, and after a test flight, it would land in the newly constructed airfield outside the Duke's Mansion.
The sounds of helicopters upon Fang Er's return were completely ignored by everyone.
That was until he walked into the backyard with Xiao Huan and the other two. Chai Yue looked at him with surprise, "My lord, are you finished with your business?"
Fang Er smiled and nodded, "All done. I'm back to hold Xiao Ya's full moon celebration!"
After speaking, he walked over to the quilts and gently picked up Xiao Ya. Fang Xin crawled over to hug his leg, but he kicked her aside.
It was a clear case of favoring the daughter over the son, which made Chai Yue roll her eyes at him.
"Oh, sir, you've brought the other sisters with you too?" Xiao Qing smiled and walked towards Xiao Huan.
These two had followed Fang Er all the way from Gaoling, and their bond was as deep as sisters.
Fang Er nodded and smiled, "Since we're all here, and we don't often go back, it was no use for them to stay at the manor. So, I brought them along."
Chai Yue chuckled at his words.
"Yes, yes, it's no use for them to stay at the manor, but they'll have plenty to do here. Is that what you mean, husband?"
After speaking, she walked over, joined Xiao Qing, and started chatting with the three women.
Fang Er's head buzzed. How did this woman become a bit fierce after giving birth?
Hua Niang covered her mouth and giggled, as Chai Yue had deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of a certain word.
It was emphasized so much that anyone who had been through it knew exactly what she meant.
Motorola was handed over to Fang Er by Su Feng, joining the company of the previous Little Mud and the unlucky prince from Sasanian Persia.
Seeing Chai Yue and the others chatting happily, Fang Er called Hua Niang and Li Baoju together.
"Procure ingredients and prepare for Xiao Ya's full moon banquet."
At Fang Xin's full moon banquet last time, Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin had not been informed and had complained profusely when they met. This time, telegrams were sent to them.
Twenty helicopters had already been delivered to Li Shimin, with each supervisory prefecture receiving two. If they were to come, even Qin Qiong, who lived the farthest, would only be two days away by flight.
This treatment made even Xiao Qing feel a sense of being overly favored.
At that time, Fang Xin's banquet had only been briefly announced to the high-ranking officials of the Tianhuo Army, the workshop managers, and the officials of Shenyang City.
However, Chai Yue did not express any opinion on Fang Er's actions.
His doting on Xiao Ya was almost written all over his face; what else could she say?
Three days later, the Duke's Mansion hosted a grand banquet for guests.
Early in the morning, the division commanders of each division began to arrive, presenting their congratulatory gifts to Zhang Bo at the entrance for registration.
Su Feng, holding a loudspeaker, stood nearby announcing the gifts.
"Division Commander of the First Division, Zhuzi, presents a sable fur!"
"Division Commander of the Third Division, Liu Meng, presents a golden hairpin!"
"Division Commander of the Fourth Division, Wu Yong, presents a full moon tiger cub!"
~~~~
After the division commanders, the artisans from each workshop also presented their prepared gifts.
The items were not necessarily valuable; they were all tokens of their good wishes.
Before the registration was complete, the buzzing sound of helicopters could be heard in the sky.
Everyone looked up and saw eight helicopters flying rapidly towards them in a triangular formation.
Fang Er showed a look of surprise. He had only sent a telegram to these important figures as a formality, to avoid any future complaints. He hadn't expected them all to come.
Leading the formation was Li Shimin's imperial private jet: "The Valiant Warrior Wei Xuancheng"!
He quickly had everyone make way. After the helicopters landed, Li Shimin was the first to jump out, followed by the other dukes disembarking from their own private jets.
"You brat, my granddaughter is having her full moon celebration, and you expect me to come and crash your party? Are you looking for a beating?"
Li Shimin walked up to Fang Er, snatched the whisk from Deng Dengjie behind him, and playfully struck Fang Er's behind with feigned anger.
"Hehehehe, you are busy with state affairs, how could I trouble you with such a small matter!"
Fang Er quickly tried to smooth things over.
He genuinely hadn't expected this old fellow to show up.
Xiao Ya was Xiao Qing's daughter. In terms of closeness, she had nothing to do with him.
When Fang Xin had his banquet, he hadn't seen him come to crash the party, had he?
"Hahaha, good brother, long time no see. You've already had two children, impressive, impressive!"
Yuchi Jingde walked over from behind, giving Fang Er a thumbs-up.
Zhang Gongjin followed him, also smiling, "Brother Fang, you've shown some consideration this time. If you forget us old guys again, we'll break your legs!"
"Hahaha, Father, esteemed dukes, please come in quickly and talk inside!"
With so many people standing outside, it wasn't appropriate. Fang Er quickly led them towards the mansion.
The guards accompanying the dukes handed the gift lists to Zhang Bo, and the sound of announcing gifts began again.
"Prince of Hejian, presents, one hundred jin of dried sea cucumber!"
"Duke of Yi, presents a piece of emerald jade weighing one hundred jin!"
"Duke of E, presents two white bear skins!"
"Duke of Lu, presents five sets of lion treasures!"
~~~~
Just as the registration was being completed, two more people emerged from the crowd: Wu Shiyue and Liu Dacheng.
They took out their gift lists from their clothes and said somewhat awkwardly to Zhang Bo, "Just record it, don't announce it. It's embarrassing."
Zhang Bo took the lists and opened them, instantly amused.
His old face broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum. "Duke of Ying, Prefect Liu, this old servant dares to say something out of line, but announcing this gift list would only benefit you both."
He pointed towards the mansion, "His Majesty is listening inside."
After exchanging glances, Wu Shiyue immediately understood the implication and nodded repeatedly, smiling at Zhang Bo, "Hahahaha, you old dog, you really know how to read people's minds. Announce it, announce it loudly!"
After speaking, without waiting to be invited, he directly pulled the bewildered Liu Dacheng into the mansion.
Su Feng's voice could be heard from behind.
"Liaodong Supervisory Prefecture, Duke of Ying, presents two deer skins!"
"Liaodong Prefectural Office, Prefect Liu, presents one string of copper coins!"