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

That day, Xu Yi came to the East Palace and invited his older brother to fly kites together. Xu Li looked at his younger brother's expectant eyes, then at the pile of memorials on his desk, hesitated for a moment, and finally refused: "Your Majesty has state affairs to attend to. Yi'er, go and play by yourself."

After Xu Yi left in disappointment, Xu Li stared at his younger brother's retreating figure for a long time without looking away. Jing Chunxi happened to witness this scene and was so heartbroken that she almost burst into tears.

That evening, she said to Xu Zize, "Your Majesty, I know you have high hopes for Li'er, but he's still just a child. Today, Yi'er came to ask him to fly kites, but he refused..."

Xu Zize remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "How could I not want him to have a happy childhood? But Xi'er, you must understand that the education of the crown prince is related to the fate of the country. I must raise Li'er into a wise ruler in my lifetime."

He walked to the window and looked at the starry sky: "Do you know that I feel more pain than anyone else when I see Li'er studying so hard every day? But it is precisely because I love him that I cannot indulge him. This vast country and hundreds of millions of people are his responsibility in the future. The more he learns now, the more secure he will be in the future."

Jing Chunxi nestled against her husband's shoulder and sighed softly, "I understand... but it hurts to see Li'er working so hard."

"I promise you, tomorrow Li'er will rest for half a day and accompany Yi'er to fly kites, okay?" He patted her head and comforted her.

However, when Xu Zize made the suggestion the next day, Xu Li refused: "Father, the aftermath of the snow disaster in Jiangbei has not yet been dealt with, and I cannot slack off."

Xu Zize and Jing Chunxi exchanged a glance, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes—a mixture of relief and heartache.

As time went by, Xu Li's performance in government affairs became increasingly outstanding. One day, during a heated debate in court about the reform of the imperial examination system, the officials listened quietly for a while, then suddenly spoke:

"In my opinion, the imperial examination should focus on selecting the virtuous and capable. Nowadays, most scholars are buried in the classics and lack practical knowledge. It would be better to add practical questions to the imperial examination to select talents who understand the people's conditions."

This suggestion immediately caught the attention of the entire court. Xu Zize looked at his son with satisfaction and promptly issued an edict ordering the Ministry of Rites to study a specific plan.

After the court session, Xu Zize deliberately kept Xu Li behind to explain in detail the evolution, advantages, and disadvantages of the imperial examination system. Xu Li listened attentively and occasionally offered insightful observations.

"Father," Xu Li suddenly asked, "I have recently been reading history and have seen that many dynasties were thrown into turmoil by princes vying for the throne. Why are you not worried about me and Yi'er...?"

Xu Zize smiled with satisfaction: "Because you and Yi'er are brothers, that's what puts my mind at ease the most. Li'er, you must remember that a ruler must not only govern the country, but also manage his family. If the family is not harmonious, the country will not be at peace."

Xu Li nodded solemnly: "Your subject will remember your teachings, Father, and will never kill his brothers. Even in the future, I will make sure my younger siblings are taken care of."

On the Lantern Festival of the eighth year of the Da Kang reign, a banquet was held in the palace. Xu Li, as the crown prince, presided over the banquet. His demeanor was proper and his speech was composed, winning praise from the imperial clan.

After the banquet ended, Xu Li stood alone on the palace wall, gazing at the distant lights of countless homes, lost in thought for a long time.

Xu Zize quietly walked up to him and asked, "What are you thinking about, Li'er?"

“Father,” Xu Li said softly, “I am watching the people of the capital. They are celebrating the festival and are very happy. I am happy with them.”

Xu Zize followed his son's gaze and saw that the streets were brightly lit and teeming with tourists, a scene of great prosperity.

"It is the responsibility of a ruler to ensure that the people live in such peace and happiness forever." Xu Zize patted his son's shoulder. "Li'er, you must remember what you saw today."

Xu Li nodded solemnly: "Your subject will certainly remember this."

Back in his bedchamber, Jing Chunxi was sewing an undergarment for him under the lamp. Seeing Xu Zize return, she put down her needlework: "Li'er, have you gone back to rest too?"

"He's asleep." Xu Zize sat down next to his wife. "Today, we watched the lights on the palace wall for a long time, and we talked a lot about our feelings."

Jing Chunxi sighed softly, "This child always has such a heavy heart. Your Majesty should give him more guidance."

“But he is very happy.” Xu Zize held his wife’s hand. “After the banquet today, he told me that he wanted the people of Dakang to live in such peace and happiness forever. Chunxi, our son, will surely become a wise and benevolent ruler.”

Jing Chunxi nestled in her husband's arms, tears glistening in her eyes, but a smile played on her lips: "Your Majesty, I believe in you, and I believe in Li'er."

Outside the window, a bright moon hangs high, its gentle light bathing the palace. Under this moonlight, the crown prince of the Great Kang Dynasty is slowly maturing, shouldering the future of this vast empire.

Xu Zize gazed in the direction of the Eastern Palace, his heart filled with anticipation and reluctance—anticipation of his son's growth, and reluctance to see him lose his innocence too early. But this was the fate of the royal children, and a choice he, as a father and king, had to make.

However, he also had his own selfish reasons, for the people he loved.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it has been eight years since Xu Li was made crown prince. The crabapple blossoms in the deep palace bloom and wither, wither and bloom again. Jing Chunxi sat by the window, watching the falling petals, and sighed softly.

"What troubles Your Majesty again?" Hongfen brought in tea and snacks. Although she was old, she refused to leave the palace to marry and remained by the Empress's side.

Jing Chunxi turned to look at her, shaking her head helplessly: "You, when the Second Prince got married, didn't I say I would let you leave the palace to retire? I even prepared a house for you. Even if you don't marry, you can have two maids to serve you, which is better than staying in this deep palace. Why won't you go?"

Hongfen gently placed the teacup on the table, her tone as firm as ever: "This servant has been with Your Highness since I was a child, for more than twenty years now. I am very familiar with every plant and tree in this palace. Your Highness is like family to me. I feel uncomfortable when I leave the palace."

“But you should at least think about yourself…” Jing Chunxi tried to persuade him again.

Hongfen smiled and said, "Being able to serve Your Highness for the rest of my life is my greatest blessing. Besides, isn't Tangshuang already married? She can't be with me, so I have even less reason to leave the palace."

Mentioning icing, a warm smile appeared in Jing Chunxi's eyes. That once naive and silly girl had actually married far away in the northern frontier a few years ago, to Chong San. Recalling Chong San's earnest letter of marriage proposal, filled with trepidation and sincerity, he said that he only dared to ask for marriage after achieving military merit and being promoted.

What was even more surprising was that Sugar Frosting agreed without hesitation after receiving the letter.

“I remember my third brother Chongsan,” Tangshuang said, blushing. “He bought me candy when we went to Jian’an County.”

Looking back now, it seems that the seeds of that relationship were sown long ago. She didn't care about the person who went to great lengths to cook for her, but she remembered the kindness of buying her a single piece of candy.

Jing Chunxi took a sip of tea and looked out the window, thinking that the fate in this world is truly unexpected, yet wonderfully indescribable.