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

In the cold winter of the sixteenth year of the Dakang reign, the capital was enveloped in a festive atmosphere. Fine snowflakes fluttered down, adorning the vermilion palace walls with an exceptionally elegant simplicity.

The palace was already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, but this year's celebration was filled with an unusual anticipation – the retired emperor and empress dowager, who had been living outside the palace for a long time, were about to return to the palace for the New Year.

Inside the imperial study, Emperor Xicheng put down his vermilion brush, gazing at the falling snowflakes outside the window, a warm smile unconsciously spreading across his lips. The eunuch whispered, "Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager's carriages have arrived thirty li outside the city and are expected to enter the palace around 3 PM."

Xu Li stood up, his bright yellow dragon robe shimmering warmly in the candlelight: "Issue my decree: all palaces prepare to welcome the Emperor. Remember, keep everything simple and do not disturb the peace of Father and Mother."

"Summon the princes and princesses, and have them accompany me to the palace gate to greet you personally."

Even so, the entire palace was still immersed in an irrepressible joy. The palace servants spread the news, and every face was filled with genuine smiles.

Although the retired emperor and empress dowager had been exchanging letters for two years since leaving the palace, they could not alleviate their longing for each other.

The two sixteen-year-old twins—Princess Xu Yixi and Prince De Xu Chen—were anxiously waiting around the charcoal stove in the corridor. Xu Yixi, dressed in a pale yellow palace gown, had a face as pretty as her mother's, filled with anticipation; Xu Chen, in his dark prince's everyday robes, tried to maintain his composure, but his eyes could not hide his excitement.

"My brother said that Father and Mother would arrive at Shenshi (3-5 PM), but it's already three-quarters past Weishi (1-3 PM) now." Xu Yixi kept looking towards the palace gate, unconsciously rubbing the handkerchief in her hand.

Xu Chen gently comforted her, "Please calm down, Your Highness. The roads are slippery in the snow, so it's normal for the carriage to move slowly."

Before the words were finished, a commotion suddenly arose outside the palace gates. Immediately afterwards, a eunuch's loud announcement shattered the silence: "The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager have returned to the palace—"

The twins exchanged a glance, then simultaneously got up and ran outside.

At the palace gate, Xu Zize was the first to get out of the carriage. His still upright figure was wrapped in a black cloak, and his brows showed an unprecedented ease and composure.

He turned around and gently helped Jing Chunxi, who was getting out of the car. She was wearing a moon-white fox fur coat, and her face was still beautiful, with the faint lines at the corners of her eyes adding to her gentleness.

Neither of them showed any signs of old age, like the retired emperor or empress dowager; on the contrary, they were radiant and had rosy complexions.

"Father! Mother!" Xu Yixi was the first to rush forward and hug Jing Chunxi tightly, her voice choked with sobs, "Your daughter missed you so much!"

Although Xu Chen tried to restrain himself, he could not hide his excitement and performed a grand salute respectfully: "Your subject respectfully welcomes Father Emperor and Mother Empress back to the palace."

Jing Chunxi reached out and embraced her two children, her eyes glistening with tears: "Let your mother take a good look at you. Xi'er has grown taller, and Chen'er has become more and more mature."

When Xu Li saw his parents, the young emperor was speechless for a moment before bowing deeply and saying, "Your son respectfully welcomes Father and Mother."

Xu Zize helped his eldest son up, carefully examining his increasingly composed face, and nodded with satisfaction: "Over the years, you have handled the affairs of state very well, and even your father has heard about it when he is away from home."

The family walked hand in hand into the warm inner hall, where the charcoal fire burned brightly, dispelling the winter chill.

As soon as Jing Chunxi sat down, Xu Yixi snuggled up to her and refused to leave. Although Xu Chen was sitting at the lower end of the table, his eyes were always following his parents, as if he was afraid they would disappear in the blink of an eye, which made Jing Chunxi feel extremely guilty.

"The Empress is about to give birth, so she was unable to come to greet Father and Mother. The imperial physician said it will be in the next few days," Xu Li reported. "My second sister-in-law is also in the same month. I was thinking that this year, our family can finally be reunited."

Upon hearing this, Jing Chunxi's eyes lit up with a kind smile: "I rushed back precisely because I was counting down to this day. I thought it best to see my grandson born with my own eyes."

As they were talking, palace servants served hot tea and snacks. Xu Yixi personally poured tea for her parents and said sweetly, "This is this year's new tribute of Yunwu tea, which I specially saved for Father and Mother."

Xu Zize took a sip and nodded approvingly: "Xi'er is so thoughtful." He looked around at the familiar furnishings in the hall and sighed, "When I'm away from the palace, what I miss most is the time I spend with you all."

Xu Chen seized the opportunity to ask, "Father and Mother, once you return to the palace, will you not go out again?"

Jing Chunxi and Xu Zize exchanged a glance, thought about the originally scheduled date, and smiled gently, "We'll have to wait until after our grandson's first birthday celebration."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yixi's pretty face immediately showed disappointment: "Do you really have to leave? I can't bear to part with you!"

She tugged at Jing Chunxi's sleeve, her tone tinged with a hint of willfulness, "If Father and Mother still want to leave the palace, I'm going with them this time no matter what!"

Although Xu Chen did not speak, his eyes revealed the same expectation.

Jing Chunxi gently stroked her daughter's hair and softly comforted her, "You are both grown up now and each has your own responsibilities. Xi'er is about to be engaged, and Chen'er also needs to assist her brother in handling state affairs. How can you leave the palace so easily?"

Xu Yixi disagreed: "None of those things are as important as being with Father and Mother. These past two years, I have missed them every day and wish I could stay by their side all the time. I do not want to get married."

Looking into his children's expectant eyes, Xu Zize felt both moved and reluctant to part with them. Traveling far and wide wasn't without its constraints; his greatest worry was his young twins.

He said gently, "Your father promises that he will return to the palace to reunite with you every year during festivals."

Just then, a palace servant rushed in to report: "Your Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress has just started labor!"

The hall immediately bustled with activity. Jing Chunxi stood up abruptly: "Quick, I need to go see." She then turned to Xu Yixi and smiled, "Haven't you always wanted a little nephew? Tonight your wish will come true. Look at you, still running around outside."

That night, Kunning Palace was brightly lit. Just after midnight, a loud cry came from the delivery room. The midwife came out beaming with joy to announce the good news: "Congratulations to the Emperor Emeritus, Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty! Her Majesty the Empress has given birth to two little princes!"

Overjoyed, Xu Li immediately ordered a generous reward for the six palaces. Jing Chunxi and Xu Zize each held a newborn grandson, their eyes filled with love. The tiny infants slept peacefully in their grandmothers' arms, completely unaware of the joy they had brought to the royal family.

Just as everyone was celebrating, good news also came from the Second Prince's residence—the Second Prince's wife had successfully given birth to a son and a daughter. Overnight, the royal family gained two sets of four grandchildren, truly a double celebration.

Looking at his grandson in swaddling clothes, Xu Zize was filled with emotion. He jokingly said, "They are all born of a heroine's mother. How come they are both twins? Li'er, you and Yi'er should work harder and try to have another pair of twins next time, so that the palace will be full."

I still vaguely remember the births of Li'er and Yi'er. Now, I'm finally able to celebrate the birth of my grandson and enjoy the joys of family life.

This made everyone laugh.

On New Year's Eve, a banquet was held in the palace to celebrate. This was the most joyous New Year's Eve in many years, with four generations gathered together in harmony. Xu Yixi and Xu Chen stayed by their parents' side the whole time, as if they had returned to their childhood.

During the banquet, Xu Yixi personally served dishes to her parents, recounting the changes in the palace over the years. Xu Chen, on the other hand, inquired about local customs and traditions from Xu Zize, pouring wine and tea, and the father and son chatted happily. Seeing his younger siblings and parents enjoying each other's company, Xu Li's eyes were filled with satisfaction.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, after the grandson's one-month celebration, they began to receive greetings and homage from court officials, and they also began visiting relatives.