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

Before Cuifang and Jing Changning led Jing Chunxi into the factory, the three of them put on light blue protective masks. The masks were lined with soft cotton fabric, and the edges fit snugly against their faces, feeling quite dense to the touch.

Cuifang even helped Jing Chunxi adjust the straps behind her ears and gently pressed the nose clip to make it fit her nose better. She explained softly, "There's a bit of an odor inside. Wearing this will make you more comfortable." Jing Chunxi nodded, feeling the warm breath inside the mask, her big eyes blinking curiously behind it.

Upon entering the workshop, a distinctive smell, a mixture of rubber and other agents, wafted through the air, though not overpowering. The smell carried a slightly burnt, sweet odor, mixed with an indescribable aroma.

He pointed to the rows of bright windows about three feet high around the house, almost reaching the roof, and said, "The prince and I considered this issue when we designed it. In addition to these large windows, each stove has a large chimney, which can both vent smoke and exhaust gas."

They even specially installed skylights on the roof that can be adjusted at any time, and they are always open when it's not raining. "Those window frames extend all the way to the eaves, like curtains of light hanging down, through which the greenery outside can be vaguely seen."

Following their directions, Chunxi looked up and saw that there were indeed many round vents arranged on the towering roof, like open eyes, bringing in both sunlight and fresh air.

Inside the workshop, workers bustled about, moving back and forth between large furnaces and molds. Bare-chested workers used long-handled iron ladles to scoop steaming molten rubber from the boiling furnaces and pour it into rows of neatly arranged molds. The air was filled with hot steam and the distinctive smell of rubber.

As they walked down the corridor, Jing Changning continued, "We don't know if these smells are toxic, so we change the workers here every six months. After a three-year work stoppage, only those who have been diagnosed as healthy by a doctor can apply to join again."

His voice rose and fell, his tone revealing his concern for the workers' health. Jing Chunxi nodded, seemingly understanding, her small nose twitching slightly beneath her mask.

Workshop after workshop, each producing different molds. Jing Chunxi tried opening the mask first. Although she could still smell a faint rubbery odor, it wasn't too unpleasant. The smell was like dried grass mixed with caramel, with a hint of fresh earth after rain.

The three of them stepped out of the workshop and took off their masks. The fresh outdoor air rushed into their faces. Jing Chunxi took a deep breath before asking, "Are A-Kuan and Da Niu working in the workshop? What about San Niu?" Her voice was filled with anticipation for a long-awaited reunion, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Cui Fang.

"They would be so happy to know that Sister Xi still remembers them." Cuifang had just finished speaking when she saw Erniu coming from the warehouse. She waved him over. She greeted Erniu and told him that she was coming back with the princess and the master, leaving him to keep watch by himself.

The two women looked excited when they heard Jing Chunxi's question, and then they kept talking. Cuifang said, "Brother (Akuan) has already returned to the north with Father. Only Mother and I are left. He sent a letter back before the New Year, saying that he has joined the army and will come back after earning military merits." As she spoke, a look of pride and longing flashed in her eyes.

“Big Brother Niu has stopped studying and became a junior manager for the rubber tapping team. He’s often on the mountain, but he comes back every now and then.” Er Niu chimed in, a simple and honest smile spreading across his dark face.

“San Niu is the most intelligent. He has only been studying with us for a little over a year, but the teacher said that he is destined for the imperial examinations and that it would be a waste of his talents to follow him. Now he has been sent to study at the county academy, thanks to the help of Lord Jing.”

After she finished speaking, she pointed to Jing Changning and said, "Lord Jing is the best. San Niu's studies, meals, and lodging are all paid for with money allocated by the workshop." Her words were full of gratitude towards Jing Changning.

Jing Changning didn't notice what the group was whispering about, but she returned their smile with a gentle one, as warm as the spring sun.

"San Niu is the most intelligent?" Jing Chunxi's eyes widened in surprise. The image of the snotty-nosed little boy in her memory was hard to reconcile with the image of this studious boy now.

“Yes, he can remember things we can’t even after reading them ten times, but he can remember them after reading them only two or three times. Everyone is so envious.” Erniu nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with sincere admiration. Cuifang then counted on her fingers as an example, “He can recite the ‘Thousand Character Classic’ backwards in three days, and he is also very fast and accurate when using an abacus.”

Jing Chunxi never expected that the little boy who used to follow them around in open-crotch pants, peeing and playing in the mud, would be so clever. But thinking about how he unintentionally made a great contribution to the production of resin at such a young age, she felt that he might have been born with a special talent, and she was happy that such a talented person could emerge from the small village of Shibalao.

Looking at the distant, rolling green hills, she imagined the little boy who used to follow her around calling her "Sister Xi," now studying diligently in the academy with his books in his hands, and a smile of satisfaction unconsciously appeared on her lips.

With Jing Changning providing cover, unloading the grain from the space was much smoother than it had been in Qiantang County. There were far fewer steps that required secrecy and anxiety.

However, new problems arose—the grain produced in the storage area was piling up like mountains, flowing continuously, but the warehouses in Shiba'ao, hastily converted from the original houses in the village, seemed inadequate in comparison, their capacity ultimately limited. Furthermore, these warehouses were converted from residential houses, their layout not designed for large-scale storage; the winding passageways and storage rooms made loading, unloading, and moving quite troublesome and time-consuming.

Despite their best efforts, the vast amount of grain produced could not be contained, and only a small portion could be left behind. After discussion, it was decided that this small portion of grain would be temporarily unloaded into the more sturdy and reasonably sized official granaries in the Zhaoqing government office, for unforeseen circumstances.

Qiaoqiao couldn't bear to part with Qilang and Nannan, these two clingy little ones. Wanting to spend a few more days with them and see them a little longer, she stayed instead of going to the wedding. Instead, she devoted herself to playing with the two children, listening to their innocent laughter, her heart filled with reluctance to leave.

In the past few days, Jing Changning took the time to chat with her. She talked about many interesting things in the capital and the developments of various parties. Si Shi held her hand and said many intimate things like mother and daughter, carefully instructing her on various things to pay attention to when she enters the palace. Every word was full of love and reluctance.

After playing with the two little ones for several days, the Jing sisters, who had gone to Leizhou to escort the bride, finally returned home, weary from their journey. After staying for a few days, it was time to say goodbye.