An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

"Xu Zize"

Xiaokang looked at Jing Chunxi, his face full of apology, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and tenderness. He whispered, "Xu Zize, this is my real name. I had no choice but to use it during my exile. Brother Xiaokang really didn't mean to lie to you, Xier. I had intended to be honest with you after picking you up this time, but I didn't expect you to know in advance." His voice was low and sincere, as if he was recounting an unspeakable past.

Hearing this surname, Jing Chunxi was not angry at all. Instead, she breathed a sigh of relief. She felt relieved instantly, thinking: Prince Yan isn't such a jerk after all. At least he didn't expel his own son from the clan.

She smiled slightly, with a hint of comfort in her eyes, telling Xu Zize that she didn't mind the previous concealment.

As if he could hear Jing Chunxi's thoughts, Xu Zize took a sip of tea and explained softly, "Father is a very good man. He used to be very good to mother, but he didn't have the time and couldn't take care of brother Xiaokang. The Princess of Yan... the current Princess of Yan is not bad either, but brother Xiaokang lost his mother when he was young and was sent back to the Empress Dowager at the age of eight, so he is not close to her and his younger brothers and sisters." There was a hint of sadness in his voice, but more of it was understanding for his family. He felt very relieved and there was not a trace of resentment in his heart.

Jing Chunxi suddenly realized at this time that he had been influenced by his scumbag father. During his exile, he had imagined too much and thought his life experience was too tragic. He even accused the King of Yan of being a scumbag father.

Recalling the scenes on the road to exile, Xiaokang had indeed never said a single bad word about his family from beginning to end. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty, thinking that she was too arbitrary.

Jing Chunxi smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Brother Xiaokang, we plan to stay and help the people of Jian'an County overcome their difficulties." Her voice was firm and powerful, and her eyes were filled with determination. This time, she must do something for the people.

Xu Zize did not nod in agreement, but a hint of relief flashed in his eyes. He was right about this girl. She was kind-hearted.

He suddenly explained to Jing Chunxi, "The Cui family is the maternal clan of the Empress Dowager. They were originally a prominent family in Jian'an County. After the current emperor came to power, they were suppressed several times and gradually declined." He gently recounted the rise and fall of his family, and no longer intended to hide anything from her.

Having said that, Xu Zize gently closed his eyes and did not open them. He continued very painfully: "In the two years before the Royal Grandmother passed away, we had no freedom in the palace." His voice trembled slightly, as if those memories still made him heartbroken.

"My mother and grandmother both said that my grandfather wanted my father to succeed to the throne. But later my grandfather died suddenly, and the edict of succession was never found. The two close ministers who conveyed the oral edict of succession were soon killed by the current emperor, and their nine clans were exterminated." There was a hint of indignation in his words, but more of it was helplessness.

Hearing these words, Jing Chunxi felt a pang of pain in her heart. She could sense the pain and helplessness in Xu Zize's heart, and once again held his hand, saying gently but firmly, "Brother Xiaokang, you still have Xi'er. We will face this together." Her eyes were encouraging, telling him that he was not alone, nor would he be lonely.

Jing Chunxi didn't realize that she had finally called out "Brother Xiaokang" naturally and completely. But Xu Zize realized it, and he smiled and said, "I know, Xi'er is Brother Xiaokang's lucky star." His eyes were filled with gratitude, saying that having her around was his greatest fortune.

The two drank two more cups of tea, and Xu Zize continued, "In fact, memorials impeaching the prince are being submitted to the capital one after another, and they are all written by my father. It's just that there is insufficient evidence, and the emperor has no intention of deposing the prince." The complicated situation in the court was not something they could understand.

"What Xi'er brought is very useful. Brother Xiaokang will have it delivered to our father as soon as possible. But even so, it can only weaken the Crown Prince's power, not eliminate the root cause." There was regret in his words, but more of it was calm and rational. The struggle in the court was far more complicated than they had imagined.

Jing Chunxi had expected this, but he still felt uncomfortable. No matter how much the dog prince troubled people, no matter how he took human life, the emperor would first save the royal family's reputation and would not kill him.

The saying "the prince who breaks the law is guilty of the same crime as the common people" is all fake and only serves to deceive the common people. She couldn't help but feel a little indignant, but more of it was helplessness.

After a pause, Xu Zize sighed softly: "After all, he only has these two useful sons. If we want to really break his weakness, we will have to wait for the right opportunity. But Master Peng, you should suffer the consequences of your own actions." His voice was very cold, and there was no warmth in his voice when he spoke of these people.

Jing Chunxi seemed to understand Xu Zize's words, yet she didn't quite grasp them. Her heart was filled with doubt and uneasiness, but also with anticipation for the future. She knew that this struggle had only just begun, and that she, Xu Zize, the Jing family, and the King of Yan were already tied together, all destined to become part of it.

Seeing the hourglass on the desk already showing the hour of the morning, Jing Chunxi could only cut to the chase: "What should we do now? My people are still in Minqing County, and Xiaoman and Jiuyue are still up in the mountains." Her anxious eyes shone with worry. Since Brother Xiaokang had already ascertained so much information, there was no need to waste time and manpower. They had to withdraw their troops as soon as possible.

"Xiao Man and Jiu Yue are both skilled. They won't be dangerous. Let's keep them for now."

Xu Zize consoled him, his voice tinged with confidence, "My people should have found Ah Qi, and they'll be bringing people here soon."

He paused and continued, "The boats on the beach are just a decoy. There are not actually that many Japanese there. Some of them have been recruited by them for their own use and are just accomplices of the evil." There was a hint of sneer in his voice. In order to achieve his goal, the Dog Prince would do anything.

"And the Tao Mansion... your two cousins, I let them sneak into the government office." Although anxious, Jing Chunxi also told him that Chengrui and Chengzhi also brought ten people with them.

She knew that matters at the Tao Mansion were extremely important and could not be taken lightly. She was also worried about their safety. If anything happened to them, Brother Xiaokang would be sad.

After listening to this, Xu Zize nodded slightly, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. He said softly, "The people in my grandparents' family are not cowards. I believe they know what to do."