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

"Third Uncle, you're still hiring young children to work?" Jing Chunxi's heart was pounding. His gaze towards Jing Changning had changed, and he completely regarded him as a bandit tyrant. His voice unconsciously rose a few decibels, filled with disbelief and shock. His fingers, gripping the reins, turned slightly white from the force.

Although there weren't many children who could continue their studies in this era, and most farm children started working for their families at a young age, she did not approve of the government's workshops using a large number of child laborers in order to save on wages.

This realization filled her with an inexplicable sense of disappointment and anger, as if she were seeing a huge chasm between her ideals and reality.

"Don't jump to conclusions too quickly." He dismounted at the first gate, and someone immediately came over, calling out "My lord," and took the reins from his hand. Jing Changning's movements were calm and unhurried, showing no sign of apprehension, as if he were completely at ease with everything before him.

Jing Chunxi's speculations didn't stop. She refused his outstretched hand, jumped down on her own, and stepped back to distance herself from him, seemingly wanting to sever ties.

Her movements were marked by obvious resistance, and her eyes were full of scrutiny and incomprehension, as if she were getting to know her third uncle again, who had doted on her since childhood and had already won the good reputation of the local people.

The first gate was easily passable by Jing Changning's face. The guards immediately straightened their backs and saluted upon seeing him, their eyes filled with respect, clearly very familiar with this esteemed official.

However, upon reaching the second gate, Jing Changning proactively handed an official document to the young guard. The guard took the document, examined it carefully, and even checked it against the original version. Only after confirming its accuracy did he step aside and gesture "please." The entire process was meticulous and exceptionally rigorous.

Jing Chunxi chuckled inwardly. The child had just barged in without any hindrance, but now he was being so meticulous—was it all for show, to impress her third uncle, a court official? What a double standard! She couldn't help but curl her lip, feeling this was clearly just a facade.

"Lord Jing, you've arrived."

I thought the two gates were secure enough, but after taking less than ten steps, another wooden fence blocked my way. This fence, though seemingly simple, completely and impenetrably blocked the path ahead. The voice, however, belonged to a young child. It was clear and slightly childish, yet dignified.

Jing Chunxi couldn't help but frown. Looking closely, she saw that the wooden fence was open a crack, and two children, about ten years old, were standing on either side of it. The girl on the left had her hair in two buns, while the boy on the right was slightly taller, and both of them stood ramrod straight.

The slightly older one turned her head to look at Jing Changning; she was actually a girl. Her gaze was firm as she spoke, showing no sign of stage fright despite being facing an official of the imperial court.

“I’m bringing the princess to see the workshop.” Ignoring Jing Chunxi’s strange expression, Jing Changning lifted his robe slightly and walked inside. His movements were unhurried, as if he were already used to such procedures.

No matter how angry she was, Jing Chunxi still followed. In her heart, however, she began to curse her third uncle—"a corrupt official who eats people without spitting out the bones." She bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with resentment.

She was secretly wondering whether she should go back and file a complaint with the emperor, but she was also worried that her maternal grandparents' family would be implicated, so she was thinking of a temporary solution. Her mind was in turmoil, filled with both anger and helplessness, and her fingers unconsciously twisted her sash.

Just as she lifted her foot to step over the fence, "bang!" the fence slammed shut from the inside, blocking her out. The sound was crisp, decisive, and utterly merciless.

A small hand reached out, and the little girl said in a clear voice, "This is a restricted area of ​​the workshop. Even the princess cannot enter without official credentials." Her tone was firm, and her little hand stood steadily in front of the fence, showing no intention of backing down.

"Me? You want a receipt from me?" Jing Chunxi pointed to her mouth, her voice trembling with anger. She could hardly believe her ears; a princess like herself was being stopped at the door by two children.

"Anyone who dares to trespass without a receipt will be sentenced to death." Another boy, whose voice was already slightly distorted, was probably a teenager, and his tone was equally firm. Although his voice still carried the immaturity of a teenager, his words were resounding.

Jing Chunxi looked at Jing Changning, who had already gone through the fence, but saw that he remained expressionless, even staring at him with a hint of mockery and teasing, clearly doing it on purpose. The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, and his eyes held an expression of watching a good show.

"You won't let me in? Then I'm leaving." She really turned around, not out of spite, but because she was truly about to explode. Her steps were quick and heavy, revealing her inner dissatisfaction.

"You...you are...Sister Xi?" The little girl's voice came from behind, timid, hesitant, and uncertain. There was a sudden sense of familiar warmth in that voice.

"No way? Lord Jing said it was a princess? How could that be? Sister Xi probably won't be coming." The voice was filled with doubt and disappointment.

"But... I remember Sister Xi's surname is also Jing, could she possibly have some connection to the adults?"

The ensuing conversation was filled with questioning tones. Suddenly, Jing Chunxi realized the girl's voice sounded strangely familiar, and she whirled around. Her movements were quick and urgent, her eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Girl: "Yes, it really is~ it really is Sister Xi." Her voice suddenly became excited, and her eyes lit up.

The boy said, "No, Sister Xi is dark-skinned and thin, and not that pretty." He scratched his head, looking at Jing Chunxi with a puzzled expression.

"Are you Cuifang? Da Niu?" Looking at the familiar faces and thinking about Da Niu's age, Jing Chunxi changed her address, "Er Niu!" Her voice was filled with surprise and uncertainty as she looked the two children up and down.

"Sister Xi!"

"It really is Sister Xi."

As soon as the wooden fence opened, Jing Chunxi was about to step inside when Cuifang suddenly pushed her back. Fortunately, the force wasn't strong, and Jing Chunxi only took half a step back. Cuifang's movements were quick and urgent, with a resolute expression on her face.

The two slipped out, but closed the wooden fence from the outside again. Erniu said, "If Sister Xi doesn't have an official document, she can only speak from outside." Although he had the joy of seeing an old friend on his face, he still insisted on his principles when he said this.

Their faces were clearly beaming with excitement, their eyes practically overflowing with smiles. Yet, when they spoke those words, they were completely serious and methodical, treating her as if she were a stranger. Their expressions shifted so naturally between warmth and solemnity.

"Hahaha!" Jing Changning laughed heartily inside. "What do you think, Xi'er? Wouldn't it be more fair and less biased to have the children as junior supervisors?" His laughter was hearty and tinged with smugness.

"Junior supervisors? You're junior supervisors? Does the government pay you wages?" Cuifang had already put her arm around hers. Erniu, who was almost as tall as her, stood to the side chuckling. Except for his expression and smile, which were basically unchanged, he no longer looked like a child. Jing Chunxi looked at the two children, both surprised and gratified.

Cuifang replied, "The children in our school volunteered, but the adults didn't agree at first. We still had to go through layers of selection; only those with good grades, principles, and the courage to manage others could get in." She puffed out her chest as she spoke, a proud expression on her face.

Seeing Jing Chunxi's suspicious look, Erniu quickly added, "We don't interfere with our studies. Usually, the boys read and learn to read in the morning, and the girls do embroidery in the afternoon. So the boys and girls take turns coming. Today is a day off from school, so it's Cuifang and my turn to guard the gate, and there are a few others inside monitoring the process." His explanation was clear and organized, showing a maturity beyond his years.

"Don't worry! We didn't use them for nothing. We paid them wages based on the hours they worked, bought them writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, embroidery thread, and embroidery frames, and even hired good tutors and embroiderers for them." Jing Changning then handed out a receipt from inside and said, "Let the princess in. She was sent by the Crown Prince to inspect the area." His tone was gentle, with the affection of an elder.

"Princess?" Cuifang was stunned. She loosened her grip, took two steps back, and was about to kneel down with Erniu when Jing Chunxi pulled them up from either side. The two children immediately showed expressions of fear and unease.

“Come on, little supervisors, let’s take a look at how it’s made in the workshop. I’m very curious,” Jing Chunxi said softly, trying to ease their tension.

"Okay! Cuifang will take you inside." Cuifang was overjoyed and pulled her inside. A smile returned to her face, and her steps were light.

Erniu watched Jing Chunxi's retreating figure, feeling incredibly envious that Cuifang could hold her sister's hand.

But after the wooden fence was closed, he didn't follow. Instead, he stood quietly by himself, continuing to serve as the supervisor. His posture was ramrod straight, his gaze fixed intently ahead, like a dutiful little guard.