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

"It's just a few letters, anyone can do that." Although Jing Chunxi was angry, her tone was still harsh, but her physical resistance had clearly weakened. Following Xu Zize's guidance, her gaze fell on the neat handwriting, and she began to read it quickly. Her back remained straight, revealing that her dissatisfaction had not completely subsided.

"She does have beautiful Chinese characters, though I wonder who wrote them for her." Her comment was critical, her eyes scanning between the lines, trying to find any trace of affectation or hypocrisy.

The person behind her pressed close together, their warm body heat seeping through her thin summer clothes. Xu Zize even deliberately leaned closer, his slightly cool lips brushing against her sensitive neck, his breath teasingly blowing against her.

Under this double attack, Jing Chunxi's tense body gradually relaxed, and the anger in her chest seemed to be mostly dissipated by the intimacy, leaving only a barely audible hum.

"...Sister Mingzhu is kind-hearted and always protects others. She was the brightest light that appeared before Si Lifang when he was in his darkest and most desperate time." The words in the letter were sincere and passionate.

"...If I am fortunate enough to marry Sister Mingzhu, I will never let her down. She will be the only one in my harem..." The promise was made with absolute certainty.

"I will accompany her back to Daqing to visit her relatives every three years, and I will never break my promise..." The conditions are specific and clear.

"...This is a written pledge. If I violate this pledge, my father-in-law and elder brothers may lead their troops to attack the Rouran. I will not resist." This last sentence is almost a vow, filled with a desperate and resolute determination.

Upon seeing the last sentence, "I beg my elder brother, the Crown Prince, and my elder sister, the Crown Princess, to grant my request," the humble and earnest address finally brought Jing Chunxi's gaze away from the letter.

She turned her head to look at her husband, who was also gazing at her. The previous playfulness was gone from Xu Zize's eyes; instead, they were filled with understanding and a knowing composure. Their eyes met, and in the brief silence, a tacit understanding was silently achieved.

Jing Chunxi suddenly tilted her head back, wrapped her soft arms around Xu Zize's neck, and pressed her warm lips to his. This kiss was no longer filled with anger, but with compromise, trust, and surrender.

The two were separated after a long time, both slightly out of breath. Jing Chunxi pressed her forehead against Xu Zize's, breathing softly, and finally whispered, "Let's do as Brother Xiaokang says, we'll go back tomorrow and go to the General's Mansion first."

Her voice returned to its usual clear tone, but with an added, subtle tenderness and decisiveness.

Seeing that her maternal grandparents, who had been standing neatly at the gate to greet her after receiving advance notice, were now kneeling down in unison, Jing Chunxi felt a lump in her throat and her eyes instantly reddened.

Among the kneeling relatives, her white-haired maternal grandparents stood out. Her heart clenched, and disregarding any semblance of the Crown Princess's decorum, she rushed forward and almost half-supported, half-carried her trembling grandmother to her feet. The two embraced tightly.

The familiar scent of her grandmother, carrying a faint sandalwood fragrance, enveloped her, causing her throat to tighten with emotion.

“Grandmother, Xi’er is back.” Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly as she buried her face in her grandmother’s warm shoulder and took a deep breath.

If she could, she would rather forgo this lofty and prestigious status, so that she could be closer to her family, free from the constraints of the hierarchical etiquette between ruler and subject, and without having to watch her elderly elders kneel before her. This thought flashed through her mind, tinged with a hint of helplessness and bitterness.

“We’re all family, no need for formalities. Please get up.” Xu Zize quickly stepped forward and helped the old general up. His movements were respectful and natural, as if he were just an ordinary junior.

Using the gesture of support, he leaned slightly forward and whispered in the old general's ear in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Grandfather, Hei Zi has a letter for some elders, we just came back to visit." This sentence explained the purpose of their visit and instantly brought the slightly reserved atmosphere back to a casual one.

After exchanging pleasantries, the elders crowded around Xu Zize, their high-ranking yet humble grandson-in-law, and led him to the front hall in a lively procession. Jing Chunxi then gave a wink to Hongfen, who was standing to the side, and, under the pretext of visiting her nephew, affectionately took Feng Jiaojiao's hand and led her to her courtyard.

"Why didn't Your Highness bring the two young masters back? My Duoduo said she misses them. She even asked to be taken to the palace a couple of days ago." Feng Jiaojiao asked with a smile as she walked, her tone full of familiarity. Due to their different social statuses, no matter how close they were in the past, she now addressed her as Your Highness.

"Why don't you go? Our Duoduo is thinking of going to the palace to visit her brother. How can you, heartless person, try to stop her?" Jing Chunxi immediately changed to a reproachful tone and even stretched out her finger to gently pinch Feng Jiaojiao's arm with an affectionate reproach.

"I...no...it's just that I've found out I'm pregnant again." Feng Jiaojiao's voice lowered, carrying a hint of shyness and helplessness. Upon hearing this, Jing Chunxi quickly changed her grip on her hand to a careful support, as if she were some fragile treasure. Then she chuckled, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint. "Your body is really fertile. How come you get pregnant every time your eldest brother comes back?" Her voice was full of teasing.

"I... how would I know?" Feng Jiaojiao's face turned red instantly, like the sunset on the horizon, even her ears turned pink, and she was so shy that she could hardly lift her head.

"Oh! I know." Jing Chunxi deliberately dragged out her words, leaned closer to her, lowered her voice, and said with a mischievous smile, "Is it because Brother Dalang is too amazing! Is it day and night..." She left her words unfinished, implying something.

"Don't talk nonsense." Feng Jiaojiao was so embarrassed that she pushed her into the courtyard, but the force was not strong, more like sisters playing around. She looked around nervously, afraid that the maids and servants standing nearby would hear their private conversation.