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

"You've arrived just in time,"

Looking up and seeing Jing Chunxi, Jing Qiurong gently caressed Zhaozhao, who had woken up first and was babbling with her hands open, asking for a hug. She looked up and said to her, her voice as gentle as ever, "Chuntao is also a very sensible girl. Knowing that you have been busy lately and need to rest, I didn't bother you. I came here specifically to report to my mother about their matter."

As she spoke, she picked up Zhaozhao, who was wrapped in a big red cotton-padded jacket and no longer had to be swaddled all day. She touched the diaper inside and saw that it was still dry, then gently stuffed him into Jing Chunxi's arms.

"They? What happened to them?" Jing Chunxi was stunned by his mother's nonsensical words. His heart suddenly tightened. He thought that something had happened to Chuntao, and his tone couldn't help but become a little anxious.

"Look at your memory, what else could it be? It's about their marriage, of course!" Her mother couldn't help but find her reaction a little amusing. Watching her frantically catch the heavy, limp Zhao Zhao, a trace of apology flashed in her eyes, and she sighed softly, "It's all because of your incompetence. I gave birth to these three enemies. I can only take care of one, but not the other. Xi'er has suffered so much."

As she spoke, she reached out her hand and lovingly stroked Jing Chunxi's hair. Her movements were gentle, but her eyes lingered on her face, as if she had only just realized her changes at this moment. Her eyes were a mixture of relief and a hint of barely perceptible guilt.

"Mother, what are you talking about?" Jing Chunxi quickly turned her head to avoid her mother's hand. She felt both amused and bitter. "I'm already a grown-up, do I really have to compete with my brothers and sisters for you? I already feel bad for not being able to help you. If you keep saying such things, you'll really embarrass me."

Zhao Zhao in his arms waved her little hands. Seeing Jing Qiurong's actions just now, she also babbled and imitated them, stretching out her chubby little hands and trying to grab Jing Chunxi's head.

"You little brat, you can't even speak a few words, but you've already learned to use your hands." She pretended to be angry and gently slapped her restless little hands away. But the little thing was not angry at all. Instead, it thought she was playing with her and danced with joy. Her little arms and legs were quite strong, kicking so hard that she could hardly hold her.

He smiled helplessly, leaned his cheek over, pressed his hand against her warm little palm, and teased her. Jing Chunxi then continued the conversation and asked, "Mom, what did Chuntao say specifically?"

Jing Qiurong also lowered her head, teasing Zhao Zhao's chin with her fingers, and answered nonchalantly, "She said that she and Qingfeng have agreed not to get married for the time being. She wants to serve you for a few more years, and then talk about marriage after you... after you enter the palace."

As she spoke, her eyes did not leave Zhao Zhao's rosy little face. She did not even notice Heng Ge'er, who had already woken up but was unusually quiet, playing with his fingers in the crib next to her.

"They can't do whatever they want!" She blurted out without a second thought, her tone firm and unwavering, leaving no room for maneuver. "This matter must be decided by Brother Xiaokang and me."

If I were only going to be married in a year or two, Chuntao's desire to stay with me a little longer would be understandable. However, she would still be more than two years away from turning sixteen, and by then it was unclear whether the wedding date set by the Imperial Observatory would be postponed. However, Qingfeng and Chuntao were already quite old, and waiting another three years would be unconscionable.

Although Chuntao is indispensable for all matters big and small in the hospital and no one can bypass her, the people under her still have to be trained slowly.

Besides, now that Aunt Wei is here, judging by her style of doing things, she must be a good housekeeper and will be able to help her share a lot of the burden.

The Rong Enbo Mansion already has many servants but few masters, and most of the things they deal with are just given orders with their mouths. How could they really not be able to do without Chun Tao? Why did they have to drag her until that time?

No matter what, she would never treat these girls who had loyally followed her in her previous life unfairly in this life. Even if they got married, she would let them visit the mansion frequently and would only treat them better than they did now. She would never become estranged from them.

"It's really up to you to decide. How can a girl wait until she's twenty-four or twenty-five before getting married? If you don't know, you'd think we won't let her go!"

Jing Qiurong's voice was filled with anxiety. "Which girl in the capital isn't engaged at the age of sixteen or seventeen? If we delay any longer, I'm afraid people will gossip about us."

Jing Chunxi simply smiled faintly upon hearing this, handed Zhao Zhao to the wet nurse beside her, and then took a sip of tea. She knew her mother's concerns, but she never wanted to force anyone around her.

Seeing that she was unmoved, Jing Qiurong continued, "Tang Shuang is here too, but this girl is adamant about not marrying anyone. She also said she'll go wherever you go. Her tone is so firm that I'm afraid you can't force her." She sighed, "This girl is stubborn. Once she makes up her mind, nothing can change her mind."

"Tang Shuang did mention this to my daughter, but now she doesn't even have the heart to get married. Let's wait a few more years. Maybe it's not the right time yet." Jing Chunxi put down the teacup, his tone gentle but firm.

She knew Frosting too well. Although she was simple-minded, she was very stubborn. It would be bad if she was pushed too far.

Tangshuang is a simple person, not as versatile as Chuntao, so releasing him too early may not be a good thing.

Jing Chunxi had a firm idea in mind: she would not force others to do anything. If these girls were unwilling or had not met a good man, it would be nice to keep them by her side for the rest of their lives. It was not like she couldn't support them.

She gazed at the swaying sycamore trees outside the window, her gaze determined. Over the years, she had already considered these three personal maids her own family, and she would never dismiss them simply to silence gossip.

Now that the Crown Prince had been appointed and his marriage was arranged, he was already quite old, but the future Crown Princess had not yet reached the age of marriage. This situation had once again stirred up the officials who had been vying for a position in the harem. They had long forgotten the words the Crown Prince had spoken about his marriage in court, or perhaps they had selectively forgotten them in order to achieve their own goals.

These officials thought that since the Crown Prince was deeply favored by the Emperor, if they could get their own daughters into the Eastern Palace before the Crown Prince's wedding, they might be able to have a bright future for them.

Three days later, a court meeting in the palace confirmed the emperor's proposal to hold the Spring Examination on February 22nd, along with other related matters. The court that day was exceptionally lively, and even after all matters had been agreed upon, the ministers were reluctant to leave.

There were quite a lot of memorials that day, and Xu Zize, who had an appointment with Jing Chunxi, was a little impatient. He had originally wanted to leave the court early so that he could talk to the maid and have breakfast together as usual.