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

Jing Chunxi fell into a scheme again, and this time the one who plotted against her was none other than Xu Zize - and he used the medicine that she had given him personally.

The feeling was really complicated, as if my heart was being slowly rolled over by a blunt object, painful and astringent. I couldn't tell whether I was more angry at him or at myself.

Just moments before, they had been snuggling in the attic, the sycamore leaves rustling outside the window as they whispered about their impending separation, their words filled with a lingering, unwavering love. He stroked her hair, she leaned against his shoulder, their breaths blending together as if this moment were eternal.

But who would have thought that when she woke up the next moment, it was already noon, the sun so bright that she couldn't open her eyes. She was awakened by the sounds coming from downstairs - Xiaoyu and Ling'er were chasing each other and laughing, their carefree joy forming a sharp contrast with the emptiness in her heart.

"That's fine too." She rested her head gently on her folded hands, lost in thought as she gazed at the intricate embroidery on the tent ceiling. Her thoughts drifted far away, and strangely, she couldn't detect a single trace of the pain of parting. Instead, it was as if a faint light filtered through, making her feel that a proper farewell might be a dose of sobriety.

If two people always stick together, they are more likely to get lost; only by separating occasionally can they see each other clearly and see the path they want to take clearly.

As the crown prince, Xu Zize had a heavy burden on his shoulders. Daqing was a vast territory, and completing the canal was by no means the end. It would only lead to more and more pressing tasks, one after another, waiting for him to undertake and complete.

She must learn to get used to such separations, and even get used to longer separations and fewer reunions in the future - this is the fate she must face if she chooses him.

She, on the other hand, had her own path to walk. She needed to manage her own space properly, grow more food, and stockpile more supplies. She couldn't walk alongside him, but at least she had to be his strongest and most worry-free support.

She pondered this quietly for a full quarter of an hour. Then, with a sudden thought, she slipped into the space and carefully sowed the next season's crops. Seeing the fertile soil rejuvenate, she felt a sense of peace of mind. Then, she slowly called someone in to serve her.

---

Two months passed by quietly like flowing water.

On this day, the dinner at Prince Jing's mansion was particularly lively, and Prince Hong and his wife also came.

As soon as everyone sat down and their dishes were not yet touched, Prince Jing's expression became serious and he sent all the maids and servants serving in the room away.

After the door gently closed, he looked at Jing Chunxi and Ling'er, and then spoke in a deep voice: "Your father received the emperor's order today and must leave for Qingliu Manor and Qingshan Manor in two days."

"Are we about to start excavating Daqing Mountain?" Jing Chunxi's heart stirred slightly, and she felt an irrepressible surge of anticipation. She couldn't help but be the first to ask. She turned her gaze to her uncle and father, who were sitting beside Prince Jing and the old princess, and saw them both nod solemnly at the same time.

Since their family moved out of Qingshan Villa, Jing Chunxi obtained the consent of his father and mother and stated to His Majesty that he would donate Daqingshan, which was under his name, along with Qingshan Villa to the court.

The emperor kept the Daqing Mountain, but he did not take it for free. Instead, he "purchased" it back at a hundred times the price they paid for it, and stated that after it was excavated, it would be used as a hunting ground for the royal family.

As for Qingshan Manor and Qingliu Manor, the emperor was determined not to take them, saying that they were gifts from the previous emperor and there was no reason to take them back. They still belonged to Jing Chunxi and the Tao family.

Even if the entrance is dug from the two villages in the future, it will remain as it was and returned to the two families.

"Well," Xu Dingchun took over, "Uncle and Dad, one is responsible for excavation matters inside the mountain, and the other is responsible for security and management outside."

Prince Hong also looked at Jing Chunxi and said, "Official excavation will not begin until next spring, after the snow melts. What we need to do now is to properly resettle the residents within a ten-mile radius of Daqing Mountain."

When the two spoke, their eyes were on Jing Chunxi. Their expressions did not seem like they were looking at a junior, but rather as if they were reporting to the backbone.

"When the emperor summoned my brothers to the palace for a secret talk, he specifically asked us to give this to the princess." Prince Hong said, taking out something from his arms and handing it over, "His Majesty has ordered that the princess can come and go freely during this excavation project. After the mountain is dug through, the princess must be present when all the objects inside are registered." It was actually a plate made entirely of gold.

"What is this?" Jing Chunxi reached out to take it, only to feel her palm sink. The weight made her wrist drop slightly.

The front of the gold medal is engraved with a coiled and flying dragon. The dragon's body is winding, and its scales and claws are clear. It is a three-dimensional relief and looks lifelike.

She turned the sign over to look at the other side, and immediately couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "This is... a golden medal of immunity from death!"

A powerful and deeply engraved word "免" occupies the center of the card, emitting a heavy and golden luster under the candlelight.

"I guess this is the grace that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has sought for Xier. As for letting Xier be present to monitor, it also shows the emperor's trust and regard for you, his future daughter-in-law." Xu Dingchun looked at her, his eyes filled with both relief and a hint of imperceptible heartache - heartache for the fact that she was still young and had to bear such a heavy responsibility before she even got married.

Jing Chunxi suddenly remembered Xu Zize's promise to cast hundreds, even thousands, of these death-proof medals for her. A warm feeling welled up in her heart at the thought, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly. Then, she straightened her expression and nodded earnestly.

"Xi'er, I obey." She responded softly, her voice not loud but remarkably firm. Now that Xu Zize was away from the capital, the burden should have been his. What she was doing now was sharing it for him.

"From now on, your uncle and I will probably only be able to come back once every ten days. Father, mother, the two wives, Xi'er, and Ling'er will have to take care of all the household affairs, big or small."

After hearing this, Jing Chunxi nodded generously in agreement. Ling'er, standing beside her, shrank back slightly, clutching Jing Chunxi's sleeve tightly with her small hand, snuggling closer to her. Although she nodded, her little face was filled with nervousness and dependence.