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

Outside the Suzaku Gate, the hot wind was scorching and the flags were fluttering.

Xu Zizhe reined in his horse and stopped, looking up. He saw crimson and purple clouds gathering at the city gate. The six ministers and cabinet scholars all stood solemnly to greet him. Behind them, the imperial guards were like rainbows, and the golden-armored guards were lined up like a forest.

With such a grand occasion, not to mention the prince returning to the capital, even if the emperor went on tour, it would be no more than this.

His heart was shocked and he was a little dazed - his father actually sent these important officials of the court to welcome him in person?

"Your Highness, we welcome your triumphant return!"

Led by the Prime Minister Yan Shiqing, all the ministers bowed in unison, their voices shaking the sky.

Xu Zize quickly dismounted. The gold thread on his black military uniform sparkled in the sunlight, and the imperial sword at his waist swayed slightly with his movements, making a clanging sound that startled all the court officials.

He stepped forward quickly, supported Chief Minister Yan, and said in a gentle voice, "My Lords, there is no need to be so polite. What virtue and ability has this Highness possessed that you have troubled me to personally welcome you?"

Minister of Revenue Wang Huanzhi stepped forward with a smile and bowed, saying, "Your Highness has come here to quell the grain crisis in Jiangnan, eradicate corruption, and eliminate the rebels, ensuring that the northern border army has no worries about food. This is why you have won these victories. The people of Jiangnan live in peace and security, and your contribution to the country is undeniable. I, your servants, will welcome you respectfully!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people around cheered loudly, and the ladies in the attics on both sides of the street could not contain themselves and began to look out and whisper to each other.

"Look, that's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"He is truly as heroic and extraordinary as the rumors say!"

"I heard that he acted decisively in Jiangnan this time, beheading hundreds of corrupt officials and even eliminating those powerful families who colluded with the rebels. It's really gratifying!"

"With such achievements, I'm afraid he will be made the crown prince, right?"

"Looking at her age, she should be sixteen or seventeen, and she still hasn't taken a concubine..."

The ladies became more and more excited as they spoke. Someone threw down a silk handkerchief embroidered with twin lotus flowers first. Then, all kinds of sachets and purses fell from the pavilions like raindrops. Some even had gold and jade pendants tied to them, which showed that they were carefully prepared.

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, look at me!"

Xu Zize raised his eyes slightly, pursed his lips, and did not reach out to take any of the tokens. He knew very well that what these noble ladies wanted was just his status.

His heart was filled with Xier, and no one else could fit in.

"Your Highness, please get on the carriage." The Minister of War stepped forward and bowed, pointing to the carriage with red wheels and a canopy that had been prepared long ago.

Xu Zize's eyes narrowed slightly - this was actually the prince's ceremonial system!

Seeing this, Yan Shiqing explained in a low voice, "His Majesty has orally instructed that, in consideration of Your Highness's hard work and great achievements, he is hereby granted special permission to enter the palace in a carriage."

Xu Zize felt warm in his heart.

He no longer refused and stepped onto the carriage steadily. The imperial guards then played music to clear the way, and the golden-armored guards flanked him as they marched towards the imperial city in a mighty procession.

On both sides of the street, people knelt down, their eyes full of admiration. Xu Zize looked through the gauze curtains, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart.

During this trip to Jiangnan, he had truly lived up to his father's trust. Not only had he resolved the food shortage in the northern border, but he had also cleaned up the rotten bureaucracy in Jiangnan, allowing the people to breathe. Now that he had returned in glory, his father had greeted him with such high honors, clearly expressing his great joy.

But Xier deserved the greatest credit. He couldn't help but go over in his mind all the things he had thought about on the way back.

After passing through numerous palace gates, the carriage finally stopped outside the Qianqing Palace. Xu Zize got off the carriage, and an eunuch came forward to lead the way, but not to the main hall, but directly to the imperial study.

Xu Zize understood in his heart - his father has always disliked red tape. This time he summoned him to the imperial study, he must want to inquire about the details of Jiangnan in private.

Outside the imperial study, the autumn sun shone down, the vermilion-lacquered palace door half-closed, the flickering candlelight faintly visible within. Xu Zize straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and knelt respectfully outside the palace, saying in a clear voice, "I, your unfilial son, Xiaokang, return the order and beg to see you!"

The hall was silent for a moment, and then a low and gentle voice came: "Come in."

Xu Zize pushed the door open and walked in, only to see his father bent over the desk reviewing memorials. He raised his eyes at the sound of his voice, his gaze was sharp, yet also revealed a bit of kindness. His face had indeed become much thinner, probably because he had been very busy with state affairs since he ascended the throne.

"Your son pays homage to His Majesty, Father!" Xu Zize took a few steps forward and knelt solemnly.

The emperor put down his red brush and raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Get up, my son, you have worked hard on this journey."

Xu Zize stood up, but still bowed his head respectfully: "I am sharing your father's worries, so I dare not complain."

The emperor nodded slightly, his eyes surveying him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "I heard that you had a very glorious journey back to the capital, even collecting quite a few sachets from the noble ladies?"

Xu Zize's face turned stern, and he quickly said, "I dare not overstep my bounds. I have never touched any tokens, and I already have someone I like."

The emperor laughed and said, "I naturally know your temper. Why doesn't that girl come into the palace with you? Is she afraid of me?" Then he looked at him teasingly, observing his reaction.

"Xi'er is homesick. Her mother and brother are still at Qingshan Villa and haven't returned yet. However, Xi'er has already agreed with me that she will come to the city within a few days of returning."

"The prince isn't young anymore, but that girl is still young, isn't she?" The look she gave him suddenly became serious, and she changed her tone, "However, your father must also make plans for you as soon as possible. There are plenty of noble ladies in the capital for you to choose from. You should first find someone of your age and marry her as soon as possible. Then you can move into the Eastern Palace and have children for the royal family."

This attitude was very clear, because they wanted him to be crowned as the crown prince after his marriage, and they also cleverly left Jing Chunxi out.

"Your son..." Before Xi'er could finish her words, the emperor interrupted her, "You should understand your responsibilities as the eldest prince. Marriage is a matter for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Don't worry."

Xu Zize stood up stubbornly, a bit annoyed. "I don't want to be crowned the crown prince. If your Majesty thinks I need a wife, please marry Chunxi from the Jing family. I don't want any other women."

"Let me think about this and discuss it later."

The emperor ignored him and stood up, walked to Xu Zize, patted his shoulder, and said with relief, his tone softened, "You have done a great job in handling the affairs of Jiangnan. It is more thorough than I expected."

Xu Zize's heart was filled with excitement. He responded loudly, "It is thanks to the trust of the emperor that Xi'er and I can act freely. It is also thanks to General Jing who gave me a thousand men. Otherwise, resolving the Jiangnan issue would have taken at least several months."

The emperor stared at him and said slowly, "You have grown up. I am very pleased."

This short sentence brought a slight warmth to Xu Zize's eyes. He knew that his father had always been a man of few words, and after his mother's death, he seemed a bit heartless. To receive a word of affirmation from him was a great honor.

In fact, he was already over seventeen, and the emperor's only adult son. It wasn't necessarily a suggestion from the Imperial Clan Court that he be married immediately. So he understood, but he didn't accept it.

"Go and have a good rest. I will reward you at tomorrow's morning court." The emperor waved his hand and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Let's wait a little longer about the reward. Does the Emperor want to leave Xi'er out?"

"Haha! Anyway, we're back now, so a few days won't be a big deal. My son, if you have any ideas or plans, as long as they're not excessive, please write a memorial and bring it to the court tomorrow."

Then she gave him a loving look and said, "Go! Go and see your mother, your brother, and your sister. They're anxiously waiting for your return. Knowing you were coming, your mother specially prepared a family feast for them at this time. Once your father has reviewed these two memorials, go ahead."

Xu Zize bowed deeply and said, "I will take my leave."

After leaving the imperial study, he breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at the sky which was slightly dotted with stars. He saw that the moon was just right and the sky was cloudless.

——After all, his father treated him differently.

But there were some things. At this moment, he thought of the tears falling on Jing Chunxi's face when he pushed him out of the car.

There are some things that he cannot let those old-fashioned people in the clan affairs office lead him by the nose.