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

A circle of fine porcelain plates had already been placed on the ebony table. Xu Zize gestured for Jing Chunxi to sit next to him and personally opened the lid.

"Rose pine nut candy, the Empress Dowager said, in the past, Pingjiang cooks only used roses covered in dew in the early morning, and they would also melt a pound of honey into the candy to make it so crispy that it reaches the tip of your tongue."

"Dingsheng cakes are served hot. The word 'sheng' (victory) carved out of a mold is the most auspicious. This also has a connection to a war..."

"And this steamed crab in lotus leaf," he said, and before he even finished speaking, Ah Yue cheered and clapped her hands, "I'm the best at peeling crab claws!"

Then he pulled Xiaoyu over and sat over to him, not forgetting to turn around and say, "Brother, hurry up, I'll call Ayue for you." But the little boy was still looking at the lake and didn't move.

Jing Chunxi quietly reached out her hand, and just as her fingertips touched an orange-red crab navel, Xu Zize's folding fan gently pressed on her wrist.

"It's only been three days since your period. Have you forgotten the stomachache you had last time? You can only eat half a piece. No more. Brother Xiaokang will peel it for you later."

Jing Chunxi stared in silence and took the Dingsheng cake he handed over.

Ah Yue overheard this and nodded quickly, "Sister, it's better if you don't eat it."

"It's bleeding, Xiaoyu is scared."

Jing Chunxi's face flushed, and blood almost dripped from the tip of her ear. Xu Zize chuckled softly, personally picking out the tender meat from half a crab, placing it on the small plate in front of her, and scooped a spoonful of warm ginger vinegar: "Be good, dip it in this."

Ah Heng turned around and deliberately said loudly: "Ayue can't eat more either. I'll eat two more for Sister Xi and my younger sister!"

Ah Yue was picking crab legs apart when she heard this and hurriedly defended her food: "No! Two for each person. If Sister Xi and cousin can't finish them, it will only be for Xiaoyu and me. Brother, you are bullying us!"

"Girls can't eat too much, give it to me." Ah Heng teased her, and his butt, which had just sat down, was pushed out by Ah Yue.

The three children ate a crab and were dazzled by the scenery at the bow. Zhengyue, Chuyi and Luying followed closely.

Chuntao and Tangshuang added osmanthus wine to the mix as they began to light lotus lanterns on the bow of the boat, slowly paddling toward the center of the lake. The secret guards shrouded the night like silent masts.

"Xiaoyu, Ayue needs someone to accompany her. Madam Xiao wants to keep you. She doesn't need you to sell yourself. She will give you a dowry when you grow up and get married." Jing Chunxi's voice was as gentle as the spring breeze in March, but it made Xiaoyu tremble all over.

The little girl was originally standing on tiptoe to watch Ayue put the small boat made of gold foil into the river lantern. Upon hearing this, she turned her head abruptly, and the red hairband in her hair swayed gently in the evening breeze.

While watching Ah Yue and Ah Heng release river lanterns, Jing Chunxi pulled Xiao Yu aside to ask for her opinion. Willow branches brushed the water, creating ripples. Ah Yue's laughter, clear as a bell in the distance, contrasted sharply with Xiao Yu's rapid breathing nearby.

"Miss, don't you want Xiaoyu anymore?" Xiaoyu suddenly grabbed Jing Chunxi's skirt tightly, her slender fingers turning white from the force. Her two big eyes, filled with tears, looked at Jing Chunxi in fear, like an abandoned little white rabbit.

Her upturned little face was still covered with sugar crumbs from the pastries she had just eaten, and it was gleaming faintly in the moonlight.

"No," Jing Chunxi squatted down and forced her eyes to meet his. "Xiaoyu can live a better life if she stays here. She can worship her family during the New Year and see Ah He and Douzi more often. Shitou and Shuisheng will both be in the government office from now on. If you miss them, just walk a few more steps and you'll see them."

As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief embroidered with orchids from her sleeve and gently wiped the sugar crumbs off Xiaoyu's face.

"Xiaoyu doesn't know where the remains of her relatives are. It doesn't matter where we burn paper during Qingming Festival." The little girl straightened her back, her voice soft but firm, showing no sadness.

She lowered her head and took out a stack of crumpled paper from the small pouch at her waist. "I learned some words from Sister Chuntao, and I'll learn some more so I can write to them. Miss Ayue also said that she'd let Xiaoyu write to her in the future."

This letter was naturally addressed to his companions in need. Scribbled across the scrap of paper were names like "Ah He" and "Dou Zi." He must have deliberately asked Chun Tao to teach them their names first; the handwriting was childish but earnest.

Jing Chunxi gently stroked her head, feeling the soft hair under his palm.

She squatted lower, gently hugged her little body, and advised: "It may not be a good thing to follow your sister, and," she paused, looking over Xiaoyu's shoulder at Xu Zize who was talking with Luying not far away.

The moonlight outlined his tall figure, but it also reminded Jing Chunxi of the legendary prison-like palace. He had entered it, but he had no idea that the people around him would be bound there for life.

She also felt that after returning to Beijing, it was time to discuss a marriage for Chuntao with her mother. As for the icing and rouge, she must find a good place for them before they get married.

These thoughts turned around in her mind and finally turned into a sigh: "Being with my sister, I can only sell my body."

"Once you sell your body, you will always belong to the lady, right? Then Xiaoyu wants to sell her body." Unexpectedly, these words did not scare her. Instead, a light flashed in Xiaoyu's eyes.

She let go of Jing Chunxi's clothes and grabbed her wrist instead. Her small palm was warm and strong.

"Xiaoyu, are you sure? It may not be better to stay with Ayue in Beijing. You may not have no chance to see your sister in the future." Jing Chunxi held her hand and felt the warmth from his palm.

The cheerful laughter of Ah Heng and Ah Yue came from afar, the clear boy's voice and the tender girl's voice intertwined.

"I want to stay with my sister. It's better to be with her." Xiaoyu nodded vigorously, and the red hairband in her hair swayed gently with her movements. "Xiaoyu will be obedient and will follow Sister Chuntao to do things, such as washing clothes and cooking."

As she spoke, she raised her little hand to show a few small blisters that had scabbed over. These were the marks left when she learned needlework from Chuntao recently.

Jing Chunxi sighed silently and looked at the stubborn little girl. In the moonlight, Xiaoyu's eyes were as bright as stars, reflecting the twinkling lights of the river lanterns not far away.

She looked at Chuntao who was standing beside her. In the distance, Tangshuang was carefully straightening Ayue's collar that was messed up by the wind, while Xiaoman was standing quietly not far away.

I don’t know how I have earned such trust from them. They would risk their lives for her in this life and the past.

"Okay! I'll take you back to Beijing." Jing Chunxi finally relented and reached out to embrace Xiaoyu. The little girl still had the sweet scent of cakes and the fresh scent of soapberries in her hair.

The little girl smiled, her eyes curved. She stood on tiptoe and whispered in Jing Chunxi's ear, "Xiaoyu will always be Miss Xiaoyu."

In the distance, river lanterns drifted downstream, leaving behind bright streaks of light on the water, making the figures of the two people appear bright and dim.

The moon rose to the zenith, its silver light paving a path of water. Ah Yue, full and tired from playing, leaned on Jing Chunxi's lap and looked up at the sky.

Xiaoyu leaned over the railing to count the stars, then suddenly turned around and said, "Miss, it's almost Mid-Autumn Festival, right? Do you think there really is a Chang'e on the moon? Does she eat crabs, too?"

"What did Xiaoyu say?" Jing Chunxi asked, noticing that she wasn't in a good mood. He then waved to her, asking her to come over and lean on him. "Are you missing your family?"

"I only remember that when I was a child, my mother gave us homemade flatbreads for Mid-Autumn Festival, which were not tasty at all. Last year in Lingnan, Sister He and I ate taro."

Xu Zize first helped Jing Chunxi tie his cloak, then spread out the thin blanket and wrapped the two little ones in it. His voice was so soft it sounded like a sigh, "Maybe. If Chang'e came down and saw Ayue and Xiaoyu rubbing crab roe on her skirt, she would probably be angry."

Ah Yue was almost dozing off when she hurriedly wiped Jing Chunxi's skirt, but ended up spreading the icing evenly. Jing Chunxi pinched the tip of her nose and said, "It's okay. Let Chuntao wash it when we get home."

Xiaoyu continued to lean on her, motionless, as if that was her only support.

The boat swayed slightly as Ah Heng quietly pushed a lotus lantern further away. In the shadow of the lantern were small, crooked words: "May Daddy not be busy next year." Chuyi saw it but said nothing. He just raised his hand and rubbed the boy's head.

The night wind blows, and the lotus leaves rustle, as if hiding the children's wishes in the June waves.