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

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the bluestone pavement in front of the palace gate was shimmering with moisture. A carriage slowly approached, its wheels making a crisp sound as they rolled over the flagstones.

"Your Highness, why are you here so early?"

Xiaoman jumped off the shaft of the cart nimbly, and as soon as her shoes touched the ground, she was eager to hand over the sign. Unexpectedly, she almost bumped into Xu Zize who was walking quickly towards her. She quickly stood up and bowed.

Inside the car, Jing Chunxi was holding Chuntao's hand and helping her tidy up her dress.

The old lady had anticipated this incident when she returned to the capital, and had specially prepared for her a red brocade dress with wide sleeves and a flower bud pattern, which set off her skin like snow. Hongfen had already jumped down and turned back to smooth the tassels hanging from the jade belt around her waist.

Hearing the familiar voice coming from outside, Jing Chunxi paused slightly, and the tips of his ears turned a little pink.

"Stretch your arms and legs, and come out to pick up your young lady."

The reply was clear and gentle, like melting snow in early spring. Before he finished speaking, a bony hand reached through the raised curtain.

Jing Chunxi lowered his eyes and gently placed his soft hand on her. When his fingertips touched the other's warm skin, his heartbeat suddenly quickened a few beats. He was even more nervous than the previous two times when he disguised himself as a servant and entered the palace.

She lifted her skirt and tried to jump, the hem of her dress embroidered with gold thread streaking across the air. Xu Zize's other hand grasped her waist just in time, and with just the right amount of force, he pulled her down from the carriage.

He was wearing a black python robe today, a jade belt cinched his slender waist, and the oriental pearls on his hair crown shone with a warm luster in the morning light.

"Good morning."

The greeting rang close to my ear, carrying the uniquely refreshing scent of the morning. The warm breath he exhaled brushed against my earlobe, instantly turning that small, soft spot pink.

Jing Chunxi felt her cheeks burning, even her neck flushed. Her hair was styled in a sleek, sleek bun, and the pearl tassels dangling from her temples swayed slightly as she lowered her head, but they couldn't hide the burning sensation on her ears.

The morning breeze blew by, bringing with it the delicate fragrance of the early osmanthus from the imperial garden. The two stood facing each other, the young woman as charming as a crabapple blossoming on a branch in March, the young man as gentle and elegant as the finest white jade.

Chuntao and Hongfen lowered their heads quickly, but still couldn't help but steal a glance out of the corner of their eyes.

The maids saw their young lady's delicate fingers being gently pinched by the eldest prince beneath her lotus-embroidered cuffs. The smile in his prince's eyes was even gentler than the spring water in the imperial pond.

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and the vermilion palace walls appeared even more majestic in the rising sun. As they walked forward, Xu Zize did not let go of her hand. Instead, he gently closed his fingertips, wrapping her slightly cool hand in his palm.

"Let's go, it's almost time for the morning court." His voice was soft, but with a firmness that could not be refused.

During this time, the palace gates open at 3:15 pm at Yin, and the court meeting begins formally at Mao pm. Most of the time, it ends in the middle or end of Chen pm, so they don't have much time to wait.

Jing Chunxi took a deep breath and followed him as he hurried forward. The long palace road was paved with white marble. On both sides, imperial guards stood with halberds in hand, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Even this ordinary sentence could make her feel uneasy. After all, she was seeing the emperor again, not in the comfortable home environment of Lingnan, but in this deep and secluded palace.

She could not hear any other sounds around her, only the footsteps of two people echoing between the vast palace walls.

Xu Zize noticed her nervousness and gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips, "Look at that osmanthus tree, it was transplanted from Lingnan." He pointed to a flower tree in full bloom beside the palace road, trying to distract her attention.

Jing Chunxi followed his gaze and saw a golden tree. The rich sweet fragrance mixed with the wind blew past his temples, slightly alleviating the stuffiness in his chest.

After turning a corner, the tall vermilion-painted gate of Deyang Palace was right in front of him. Jing Chunxi took two steps back after just a glance inside.

Inside the hall, civil and military officials lined up on either side, their scarlet robes and jade belts, solemn and silent. She had never seen such a scene before, in her past life or in her present. The inquiring gazes of the imperial guards and the summoned eunuchs standing in two rows outside the door pierced her like needles, nearly forcing her to turn and flee.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Xu Zize squeezed her hand, and the warmth from his palm made her shiver.

The little eunuch's shrill voice of calling out names just rang out at this moment: "His Royal Highness the First Prince has arrived—Miss Jing of the Rong'en Marquis's Mansion has arrived—" This voice made her truly certain that she and her brother had become the first generation owners of the Rong'en Marquis's Mansion.

Xu Zize was about to lead her into the palace when he felt his palm go empty. Jing Chunxi pulled his hand away, hiding his trembling fingertips in his sleeve. The morning light gilded her, and the pearl tassels cast a delicate halo around her cheek.

"Don't worry, brother," she raised her face, with a shallow dimple at the corner of her mouth, "Xier can do it herself." Since she decided to be with him, she would have to face everything here in the future, so she couldn't always rely on him, she had to stand up for him.

Without waiting for his response, she straightened her back and walked forward. Across the hallway stretched a six-foot-wide passage. She stepped on the golden bricks lining the central axis, each step causing the dark red lilies on her skirt to open and close.

On the golden and glorious platform, the emperor's gaze from under his crown was as heavy as a mountain. Following the palace etiquette that her grandmother had temporarily taught her, she did not look away.

"I, Jing Chunxi," knelt before the altar, my forehead touching the cool jade floor, "wishing Your Majesty long life and good health! Long live Your Majesty."

"Stand up."

The voice from the throne was low, but it carried the warmth of a spring breeze, sweeping across the empty Deyang Palace. The emperor raised his hand slightly, "Chunxi, step forward a few steps and let me see."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty!" Jing Chunxi held his breath, kowtowed to the ground again with his forehead, and then stood up.

The hem of her skirt rubbed against the gold bricks, making a very light rustling sound. She walked to the middle of the hall and stopped according to etiquette.

The emperor smiled and waved, "Come closer, don't be afraid."

She took a deep breath and took three more steps. She could clearly see the twelve emblems embroidered on the dragon robe.

The emperor leaned over, his eyes falling on her thin shoulders, then slowly moved upwards -

Last time in Chancheng, I'd seen the tiny, childish girl grow considerably taller in just a year, now a graceful young lady. Pearls trembled softly at her temples, her fair skin, framed by her red dress, looked elegant and gentle. Only her eyes, as clear as a mountain stream, betrayed a noble demeanor.

After a long pause, the emperor nodded gently, as if sighing and reassuring, "Good, very good." He then glanced at his adopted son, who had already walked into the front hall without him noticing, and thought to himself, "You have quite a good eye."

All the officials in the hall were silent, but at this moment, an undercurrent of emotion arose, and each of them had already begun to complain in their hearts.

"Your Majesty has always been dignified, yet today you're calling him Chunxi by his given name. Could it be..."

"This woman's contribution is worthy of the country's testimony." However, a few generations ago, there was no woman who could live up to this statement.

Further away, the newly appointed Imperial Censor quietly covered his lips with his sleeve and exchanged glances with the official beside him:

"At the tender age of eight, she saved her maternal grandfather's family, protected the prince, and provided relief to four counties. She's already been granted the title of Earl, and now... How can she be an ordinary lady?"

They looked at the slender figure in front of the hall—

Her waist was barely slender, her shoulders thin as a knife, yet she stood straight. Her crimson dress was already quite pretty, but in the morning light, it looked like a sheathed sword, its edge hidden but chilling.

The emperor seemed unaware of the ministers' agitation and only asked in a gentle voice:

"It's been a long journey from Lingnan to Beijing. Have you rested well?"

"Your Majesty," Jing Chunxi lowered his eyes, his voice low but every word clear, "When the people are happy, Chunxi doesn't feel tired."

The emperor laughed out loud and turned to the officials: "Did you all hear that?

At such a young age, she cares deeply about the people. I once bestowed upon her the title of 'Princess Anping,' but it still felt inadequate."

Everyone in the hall immediately knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor".

"Someone, come and announce the decree."