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

Eunuch Sheng, the chief eunuch in charge of the imperial court, stepped forward, holding the bright yellow imperial edict he had already drafted. The gilded shaft traced a dazzling arc in the morning light. His shrill voice pierced the hall:

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Jing Chunxi of the Rong En Marquisate is a virtuous and talented woman, both loyal and filial. She once protected the prince from danger, and now saves the people from disaster. She is hereby promoted to Princess Anping, and is granted a thousand taels of gold, ten thousand taels of silver, and five thousand acres of permanent farmland—"

Before the imperial edict had even finished, Jing Chunxi suddenly kowtowed heavily, his pearl tassels hitting the jade tiles with a clear sound.

"I am terrified!" Her voice was as clear as broken jade. "I am already unworthy of the title of Anping. How dare I take gold and silver from the national treasury?"

The raised face was gilded by the morning sun, and the watery glint in his eyes was firm. "Although a great victory is imminent in the northern border, the people can only plant in the spring next year and harvest in the autumn. They will definitely need a large amount of food relief. If this money is distributed among the people, it can save tens of thousands of people! What Your Majesty has given should be taken from the people and used for the people."

The whole hall was in an uproar.

The tablets held by the left and right prime ministers fell to the ground with a clatter, and many people stared in amazement. All the officials gasped in shock - since the founding of the country, had they ever seen an official refuse an imperial reward?

In fact, Jing Chunxi really wanted to donate all the gold, silver and treasures he had looted from corrupt officials over the years to the national treasury. After discussing it with Xu Zize, he felt that there was no suitable reason and it was not the best time.

Thinking about it again, I felt relieved that the emperor was not so poor that he had to dig things out of the Daqing Mountains.

The emperor's eyes lit up, and he suddenly slammed his hands and laughed. The tassels and jade ornaments on his crown shook violently, startling the birds perched under the eaves.

"Excellent! Take from the people and use it for the people!" He turned to the eunuch holding the pen and said, "Immediately redraft the imperial edict - the gold and silver will be transferred to the national treasury in the name of Princess Anping, and will be used exclusively to provide relief to the people of the northern border!"

As the eunuchs frantically changed the imperial edict, the emperor gazed at the young lady. Her kneeling form was like a green bamboo, her crimson skirt spreading like the morning glow. Every word of his words of rejection struck the hearts of all the civil and military officials.

At the age of eight, he risked his life to save his family. At thirteen, he and the Jing family surrendered the readily available maritime transport and wealth to the imperial court. Now, faced with overwhelming wealth, he is more discerning than the ministers below.

Many officials secretly blushed at the sound of the dripping copper clock in the corner of the palace.

"Chunxi." The emperor suddenly called her by her nickname, his tone as loving as if he were treating his own child. "You must accept these five thousand acres of fiefdom. I want all the civil and military officials in the court to watch—" His gaze from beneath the imperial crown swept over the silent officials. "Only those who care about the people are worthy of enjoying this vast land."

Jing Chunxi's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he finally bowed deeply: "Anping... I accept the order and thank you." However, when he raised his head again, his face was firm, "Eighty percent of the income from the land under Chunxi's name will be used for the people."

His Highness sneered again.

When she received the newly drafted imperial edict, she discovered it was significantly heavier than an ordinary imperial edict. The emperor had specifically ordered the words "Princess Anping has personally promised that 80% of the proceeds from her permanent farmland will be used to help the poor" to be written in relief with gold powder.

Xu Zize chuckled softly at the foot of the altar. His little girl always managed to transform the glory bestowed by the emperor into the morning sun that illuminated all living things.

After the court session, the emperor deliberately kept his two sons with him. The three groups slowly walked through the palace corridors with carved beams and painted rafters and entered the Qinzheng Hall.

The air inside the palace was thick with the scent of ambergris, and sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices onto the golden brick floor, casting a warm glow. The emperor waved his hand casually, signaling the eunuchs to withdraw, leaving only Eunuch Sheng standing in the corner.

"Sit down."

The emperor pointed to the rosewood armchair placed at the side of the hall, and spoke in a gentle tone, as if he was just chatting casually with an elder and a younger person.

The palace maids carefully presented this year's new tribute of Longjing tea, which was filled with fragrant tea.

Jing Chunxi sat upright beside Xu Zize, his hands elegantly folded on his knees, his back straight but not stiff.

Her eyebrows were lowered, and her long eyelashes cast a shadow under her eyes. She looked calm and composed, not at all embarrassed by meeting the emperor.

"Chunxi." The emperor suddenly called out. Even though he had personally bestowed the title of Princess Anping, he was not shy. His voice was filled with the kindness unique to an elder.

Upon hearing this, Jing Chunxi immediately stood up, her skirt fluttering as she performed a standard bow. "Chunxi will listen to your majesty's instructions." Her voice was clear and melodious, like pearls falling on a jade plate.

The emperor chuckled at this, leaning forward slightly on the jade chair carved with dragons and phoenixes. He waved his hand, his wide, bright yellow sleeves swaying. "In the future, if there are no outsiders present, Chunxi, there's no need to be so polite," he said with a hint of resignation.

Jing Chunxi was about to reply when she felt Xu Zize's hand gently press on her wrist. The palm was warm and dry, and the strength was just right to prevent her from getting up again.

"Father treats you like Brother Xiaokang. Today he just wants to talk to us about family matters. If you are too formal, it will make father feel uncomfortable." Xu Zize's voice was as gentle as jade. As he spoke, his eyes moved between the emperor and Jing Chunxi, with a faint smile in his eyes.

Although she was pinned down and unable to get up, Jing Chunxi still bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration." Her voice was soft but solemn, and every word was clearly pronounced.

The emperor's gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment, and he suddenly asked, "Have you discussed this with your brother Chunxi these days?" This question came so suddenly that Jing Chunxi's back unconsciously straightened a little.

She looked at the emperor intently, afraid of missing a single word, but a hint of doubt appeared on her face just right.

"After your third brother's wife gives birth, do you plan to return to the General's Mansion, or live with your mother in Prince Jing's Mansion?" The emperor's tone was gentle, but Jing Chunxi was stunned for a moment.

The title of "Third Brother's Wife" made her dazed for a moment, but then she understood the emperor's deeper meaning - he was considering their situation. Especially in Prince Jing's mansion, the family members didn't mind, but they couldn't stop the outsiders from gossiping.

"Qingpu is already eleven years old," Jing Chunxi chose his words carefully. He didn't want to appear too intimate by calling him "Pu Ge'er", but he was also worried that the emperor would think his brother was still young. In fact, Pu Ge'er was only eleven years old.

"But he has his own ideas, Chunxi thought. He must share Chunxi's ideas." She looked directly into the emperor's eyes, her gaze clear and firm. "Since Your Majesty has granted me the title of Earl, it is natural that I should establish my own family, so as to live up to the plaque Your Majesty personally bestowed upon me and his painstaking efforts."

Seeing the emperor nod slightly and Xu Zize also looking at him approvingly, Jing Chunxi continued, "But the specific house to be chosen still needs to wait for him to return from vacation and discuss it with his father and mother." Her voice was neither hurried nor slow, expressing her position while maintaining respect for her elders.

At this moment, Eunuch Sheng, who was standing quietly in a corner, suddenly noticed the emperor's hand reaching for the jade pen holder on the table. He subconsciously wanted to step forward to serve, but the emperor stopped him with a gesture and he had to retreat back to his original position.

In fact, the emperor has been so busy these days that he feels uncomfortable without a pen in his hand.

He fumbled for a moment, finally picking up a jade paperweight. This movement caused the two people opposite him to lean slightly to the side, and Xu Zize subconsciously extended his right arm in a protective gesture. Jing Chunxi felt even more that he had said something wrong.

"Ah! Brat." The emperor scolded with a smile, but did not blame them for their misjudgment. Instead, he gently put the paperweight back to its original place, with a hint of relief in his eyes.