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

Finally, we come to the topic of Jing Mingyue’s selection.

The three elders remained silent, looking back and forth between Xu Zize and Jing Chunxi with expectant eyes, especially placing their hopes on Jing Chunxi.

Xu Zize sighed inwardly, wondering how much trust it took to entrust such an important family marriage matter to these two young people to decide.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze gently falling on the cute little face of Jing Chunxi opposite him. With a helpless yet doting smile on his lips, he asked softly, "Xi'er, do you really not have a suitable candidate in mind?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Chunxi blinked her lively almond-shaped eyes, her slender jade fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes as she muttered, "I went to Zhuangzi when I was eight years old. Brother Xiaokang knows about this, so how could I know this young master from the capital?"

Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she raised her head abruptly, a trace of vigilance flashing in her eyes. Like a kitten guarding its food, she bared her teeth and threatened, "If you dare to marry my cousin to Jiangnan, I will be the first to disagree! When my uncle comes back, he will definitely come after you!"

“Huh!”

Xu Zize was amused by her cute and aggressive appearance, and ripples appeared in his eyes.

He deliberately dragged out his tone and said with a hint of mischief, "I'm afraid I've completely forgotten what I promised Aunt Wei when I was in Jiangnan."

He recalled the time in Jian'an County when this girl called someone "brother" in a soft and sweet way, which made him change his expression.

Looking at her current ignorant look, it really makes people angry and funny. He shook his head and felt that he was overthinking it. She was heartless and he was the only one who could spoil her.

When they parted in Jiangnan that day, she had clearly vowed to her aunt that she would often visit her two cousins ​​at the Ningguo Mansion after returning to Beijing. Now it seems that this heartless person has probably thrown the promise to the wind.

"Brother Xiaokang, are you talking about...Brother Chengrui?" Jing Chunxi suddenly opened his eyes wide and exclaimed as if he was suddenly enlightened.

Seeing Xu Zize looking at her with a half-smile and specifically mentioning Aunt Wei, her eyes suddenly lit up and she became lively.

But then she frowned again, twisting the corner of her clothes in confusion: "But...but didn't Brother Chengrui say that he would take the imperial examination this year?" In other words, he didn't have any achievements, so she sighed angrily, "Hey!"

Xu Zize calmly picked up the teacup, the steamy heat blurring his smiling face. "But he is the Duke of Ning after all, isn't he?"

He gently blew away the foam, his tone as firm as a rock: "After my grandfather's family's injustice is redressed, the Duke of Ningguo can be inherited for three generations. My cousin has simply not yet requested the title, but the title will be his in the end."

"Ah!" Jing Chunxi suddenly held her cheeks in distress, her tender pink lips slightly pouted. "If I hadn't asked for the title, would it have been left to Brother Chengzhi? Is that why I want to take the imperial examination and gain fame?"

She counted on her fingers anxiously, "My cousin Mingyue is not young anymore. What will happen if she marries a cousin-in-law who has no achievements? Will I have to wait another three to five years?"

"This matter..." Xu Zize suddenly became serious, his eyes sweeping over everyone present, "There's no need to trouble Xi'er and the elders to worry about it."

His gaze finally fell back on Jing Chunxi, and he said with a hint of pride: "My father is more anxious than you are. If he can't personally inquire about this matter, he will always feel guilty towards the spirit of my mother in heaven."

He sneered and said, "If cousin doesn't submit a petition to request a title, I'm afraid father will directly issue an imperial decree granting the marriage and the title as well."

When he turned to the old lady and the old general, his tone suddenly turned serious: "The title should be inherited by the eldest son. Besides..."

His slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a crisp sound. "With the Emperor's favor and my cousin working in the court, if Cousin Chengzhi can't gain a foothold in the court, then he really can't bear the burden of the Ningguo Mansion."

The last sentence was resounding and carried unquestionable majesty.

At last, he said in a gentle voice: "Of course, success or failure depends entirely on the wishes of the elders and Miss Mingyue."

Upon hearing this, the three elders simultaneously turned their gazes to Jing Chunxi again.

The old general frowned, stroking his gray beard as he pondered, "His family background is quite good. He's thinking about gaining a good reputation through his real talent and knowledge. It's clear he's ambitious."

As soon as he changed the subject, worry appeared in his eyes: "I'm afraid that after the family has suffered such a disaster, it's inevitable that we will..." Everyone understood what he left unsaid - the most frightening thing is that the hatred in one's heart has corroded one's bones and has long wiped out one's innocent heart. If one's heart is dark and one cannot get out of it, it will be even worse.

These words expressed the common concerns of the old lady and the eldest lady. Although the two women did not express it explicitly, their eyes looking at Jing Chunxi clearly showed worry.

After all, Xu Zize is related to the Ningguo Mansion by blood, so it is hard to guarantee that he will not be biased due to family affection.

"A person who could take in beggars while starving during the flood in Jiujiang County..." Jing Chunxi suddenly straightened his back, his voice as clear as pearls falling on a jade plate.

"When the people of Jian'an County were starving, the refugees learned to make a living..." Her eyes gleamed with determination, "the people who worked with us to feed the people, provided porridge and grain, and never forgot to help the poor, and later assisted Master Xiao in bringing benefits to the people..."

When she turned to the old lady, her tone became more earnest: "He is extremely filial to Aunt Wei, and treats Ah Heng and Ah Yue gently and considerately..." She took a deep breath and said firmly: "Xier feels that such character cannot be faked."

Seeing the elders' expressions relax, she added, "Brother Xiaokang doesn't spend as much time with Brother Chengrui as Xier."

Seeing Xu Zize's expression change slightly, he unconsciously raised his chin, with a little pride: "Brother Chengrui is well-educated and well-mannered, and his words are measured. He is both wise and sincere."

Suddenly, she covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled softly, glancing at Xu Zize, who had already put on a stern face. "And he's extraordinarily handsome..." She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, "He bears a certain resemblance to Brother Xiaokang. Cousin Mingyue will definitely like him when she sees him."

The three of them glanced at Xu Zize's face at the same time, and the eldest lady nodded and praised him, "He is a handsome boy." This made Xu Zize's face hot, and he looked at Jing Chunxi as if blaming him, but he was very happy in his heart.

Unexpectedly, the girl wrinkled her nose at Xu Zize childishly after she finished speaking, and suggested, "Why don't we go visit the two brothers tomorrow and bring cousin Mingyue along?"

"No!"

"no!"

Xu Zize and the three elders stopped him in unison.

The old lady's expression remained unchanged, the eldest lady was waving her hands anxiously, and the old general was fuming with anger.

This proposal is really too abrupt. If they really act like this, wouldn't it make the girl from the Jing family seem frivolous and reckless?

Jing Chunxi knew she had spoken out of turn, so she playfully stuck out her tongue, shrank her neck, and fell silent. Her innocent look was so charming that it made people feel less angry.

Seeing the three elders nodded, he knew that he was the only one who could make this happen. He knew that they believed Jing Chunxi's words, and maybe the two old people thought it was a divine aunt who had tied the knot.

"How about this..."

Xu Zize pondered for a moment, a gleam in his eyes, "This time, my father and mother specifically instructed me on two things."

He explained to Jing Chunxi in a gentle voice, but his eyes swept over the three elders: "First, Xi'er needs to come with me to the palace to receive the reward and title. Second, Xuecheng and the two younger brothers miss Xi'er so much that they keep clamoring to see their sister."

After a pause, she turned to the old lady and said respectfully, "My mother has always admired your reputation as a woman of great talent and has long wanted to seek your advice in person. How about taking advantage of the day Xi'er enters the palace and inviting the old lady, the eldest lady, and Miss Mingyue to the palace for an audience?"

Finally, he smiled confidently and said, "I will arrange for my cousin to enter the palace and take him to Fengyi Palace to pay his respects under some pretext. This way, both parties can see each other without losing decorum."

The three of them looked at each other and nodded. The old general smiled and raised his head, "That's... very good!"

Even Sister Jin, who was standing behind the old lady and only understood half of what was said, knew that good things were about to happen at home, and her face was filled with joy.