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

In the thirteenth year of the Da Kang reign, on a bright spring morning, Emperor Da Kang, who had just turned forty, announced his abdication at the morning court session without any warning.

The entire court was shocked, and even the Crown Prince himself was stunned.

"Father!" Xu Li hurriedly knelt down, "Your subject is young and not yet capable of shouldering such a great responsibility..."

Xu Zize rose from the dragon throne and personally helped his son up: "Over the past ten years, you have handled government affairs in an orderly manner, shown compassion for the people, and distinguished right from wrong. All the officials in the court have witnessed this. My mind is made up, and the abdication ceremony will be held in three days."

After the court session, Jing Chunxi found Xu Zize in the Imperial Garden. He was standing under a crabapple tree, looking more relaxed than ever before.

"Have you really decided?" Jing Chunxi asked softly.

Xu Zize turned to look at her, a smile in his eyes: "Li'er is already twenty-one, not much younger than I was when I ascended the throne. Over the years, he has handled state affairs better than I imagined. It's time for him to spread his wings and fly high."

Jing Chunxi leaned on his shoulder, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that her husband was fulfilling his promise from years ago—that when Xu Lineng was able to stand on his own, he would take her to travel the world and live a carefree life.

The abdication ceremony was grand and solemn. Xu Li, dressed in a dragon robe, received the imperial seal under the watchful eyes of civil and military officials. At that moment, Jing Chunxi saw a resolute light shining in her son's eyes and suddenly realized that their Li'er had truly grown up.

On the fourteenth day of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, after presiding over Xu Li's wedding, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager watched as the servants loaded the last piece of luggage onto the carriage. Xu Li, accompanied by the Empress and his younger siblings, saw them off to the palace gates.

"Father, Mother, please take care." Xu Li's voice choked with emotion, and Xu Yi beside him had tears in his eyes. The twins, Xu Chen, hugged their elder sister, Xu Yixi, tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

Jing Chunxi hugged his son and daughter one by one: "You are not young anymore. Li'er, govern the country well and treat the people kindly. Listen to your elder brother. If there is anything important, you can send a message by carrier pigeon. Your father and mother will definitely come back."

The carriage slowly drove away from the palace. Xu Zize held Jing Chunxi's hand, and they smiled at each other. At this moment, they were no longer the emperor and empress, nor the retired emperor and empress dowager, but simply an ordinary couple.

There were many different opinions about their whereabouts. Some said they went to Lingnan, some said they went into seclusion in Jiangnan, and others said they went to Rouran to visit Princess Mingzhu. In reality, their carriage was traveling on a small road to Jiangnan.

Their first stop was Suzhou. Xu Zize had bought a villa in the south of the city years ago, with white walls and black tiles, small bridges and flowing water, which had a distinct Jiangnan charm.

Every morning, Xu Zize would accompany Jing Chunxi to the market to buy groceries. This was an experience they had never had before—in the past, in the palace, everything was handled by designated people.

"How much are these lotus roots?" Jing Chunxi squatted in front of a vegetable stall, curiously examining the fresh lotus roots that were still covered in mud.

The old woman selling vegetables smiled and replied, "Three coins a pound. Madam, did you just move here? These lotus roots were just dug this morning; they're perfect for making a sweet soup."

Xu Zize stood to the side, watching Jing Chunxi haggle with the old woman, his eyes full of tenderness. This kind of life was ordinary yet real.

In the afternoon, they would sit under the crabapple tree in the courtyard and enjoy tea. Xu Zize finally had time to pick up his brush and ink again, and paint a picture of spring in Jiangnan for Jing Chunxi. Jing Chunxi, in turn, picked up her embroidery again, and sewed an ordinary blue long gown for Xu Zize.

"I never imagined that my Empress Dowager would be so skilled at needlework." Xu Zize couldn't help but admire her as he watched her nimble fingers work the needle.

Jing Chunxi looked up and gave him a reproachful look: "It's time to change how you address me now, my husband."

Xu Zize laughed loudly: "Absolutely, absolutely, you should call me Madam."

After staying in Suzhou for three months, they traveled south by boat to Hangzhou. Jing Chunxi was so captivated by the scenery of West Lake that they rented a small courtyard by the lake, without disturbing local officials or residents.

Every morning, Xu Zize would accompany Jing Chunxi for a walk along the Su Causeway. In the misty morning light, West Lake resembled a fairyland. Occasionally, they would encounter early-rising fishermen, who would buy a few fresh fish to steam at home.

That evening, they sat under Leifeng Pagoda watching the sunset. Jing Chunxi leaned on Xu Zize's shoulder and suddenly whispered, "If only it could always be like this."

Xu Zize put his arm around her shoulder: "We have a lifetime together."

During their time in Hangzhou, they stayed at Lingyin Temple for a few days. One day, after returning from the temple, Xu Zize looked at the amulet Jing Chunxi had obtained from the Buddha and suddenly said, "Madam, why don't we have another little princess?"

Jing Chunxi was taken aback at first, then blushed: "At your age, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Xu Zize, however, became serious: "When Xu Li and Xu Yi were born, I was unable to properly accompany them. Now that I am living a carefree life, I can make up for this regret."

These words softened Jing Chunxi's heart. Yes, when she was pregnant with those two children, Xu Zize was at the height of his political career, often returning to the palace late at night. If she could truly have a little daughter, and raise her with care during such a leisurely time, it would be a wonderful thing.

After leaving Hangzhou, they traveled west to Jiujiang County, where they had once stayed together, and then to Jingdezhen. Jing Chunxi was very interested in porcelain making, so Xu Zize accompanied her to a porcelain kiln for half a month, where she learned pottery making from a master craftsman.

When Jing Chunxi's hands first touched the clay, she couldn't help but laugh: "This is much harder than embroidery."

Xu Zize stood behind her, holding her hand, and together they shaped the clay on the turntable. The clay flowed between their fingertips, gradually taking shape. Although the final product was just a crooked teacup, Jing Chunxi loved it dearly.

"This is the first item my husband and I made together." She carefully wrapped the teacup and placed it in her luggage.

During their stay in Jiangxi, they heard that Emperor Xicheng was implementing new policies, reducing taxes, and was deeply loved by the people. Xu Zize nodded with satisfaction: "Li'er has indeed not disappointed me."

Jing Chunxi noticed that he used the title "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I, the Emperor"), and knew that although he had abdicated, he still cared about the affairs of the court. She gently held his hand: "Li'er has grown up. We must learn to let go."

Xu Zize was silent for a moment, then finally smiled with relief: "Madam is right."