The three-year-old host decides to raise an emperor father for himself.

Huo Wubing's two friends, Xu Ruixi and Xu Zhihui, were cousins ​​and relatives from Huo Wubing's maternal grandmother's side.

One was a bit introverted, and the other was extroverted; they were childhood friends who grew up with Huo Wubing.

Xu Ruixi was that playful, mischievous child who was not annoying.

He was the same person Huo Wubing had mentioned before, always causing trouble, and then being told by his grandparents that he was still a child; and then being told by his parents that he was too old to be as good as the children in the clan when he was in school.

Xiao Lanxing treated Xu Ruixi and Xu Zhihui the same way, her eyes crinkling as she said, "Kang Kang is so grateful for your care. My sister said that you two have always taken good care of Kang Kang, and you are the only ones who are willing to play with him. Thank you for your hard work!"

Xu Zhihui was even more embarrassed. Xu Ruixi, on the other hand, found Xiao Lanxing's mature and elder-like way of speaking amusing. Because of the height difference between the two, he simply lifted his robe and squatted down in front of her: "Your Highness, you are being too polite. What kind of relationship do I have with Wubing? We are brothers. There is no question of taking care of each other."

Xu Ruixi: "Your Highness, you are truly amazing. A while ago, every time I made an appointment with Ahui, he said he was busy. But when I looked back later, wow! It hadn't been that long since I last saw him, and he looked like a completely different person. He has grown quite a bit taller."

"After my mother found out about this, she wanted to ask the princess what kind of remedy was used. When she learned that it was your doing, she beat me up when she got back."

Xiao Lanxing asked curiously, "Why?"

The others also looked at him with curiosity.

Xu Ruixi sighed, "My mother said that I'm such a grown-up, yet I'm not as reliable as a five-year-old... I heard you've already studied the 'Great Learning'?"

Xiao Lanxing blinked: "I'm reading 'The Doctrine of the Mean' now."

The little girl always has something to do every day, but she doesn't neglect her studies.

She doesn't need to sit at her desk all the time to read, because she has a photographic memory. She can memorize a book after reading it once, and even when she's walking, it doesn't stop the little girl from pondering the contents of the book in her mind.

Of course, this method is not suitable for most people.

"Wow!" Xu Ruixi looked at her in surprise for a moment, then gave her a thumbs up: "You're the one! Oh no, my mother is going to beat me again when I get home today."

Xiao Lanxing giggled: "Then I'll tell your mother for you, you can't compare yourself to me, even Liangliang doesn't compare herself to me anymore."

Zhao Liangji, who was called out, replied calmly, "Yes, Master is no ordinary person, and I am aware of my own limitations."

As they chatted, it was almost time, and palace servants came to lead the dozens of young masters and ladies into the hall.

Although men and women still pay some attention to avoiding suspicion nowadays, it's not as extreme as in some dynasties, where a girl would be gossiped about behind her back if she spoke to a boy.

Besides, they were all children, and the square was spacious. It wasn't a big deal for them to stand together and chat.

They didn't enter the main hall, but a side hall. The tables and chairs were already set up, and there were even a few empty seats because some people had registered but didn't show up.

As soon as they entered the hall, the little ones seemed to have agreed beforehand and automatically split into two teams, one for boys and one for girls.

After everyone found their places and stood still, they were quiet for only a short while before rustling sounds began to rise again.

Some craned their necks, looking here and there with boundless curiosity about everything in the hall; others lowered their heads, staring at the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table, lost in thought; still others whispered amongst themselves, talking quietly to each other…

These small actions also reveal some of their different personalities.

As the others entered the hall, the conversations inside grew quieter until eventually there was no sound at all.

Xiao Lanxing was the last to enter the palace. Although it was not explicitly stated, judging from the attitude of the palace servants towards her, who could not guess?

If you really can't guess, just overhear someone whispering something, and you'll know.

"Oh, it was so lively just now, why is it so quiet now?" Xiao Lanxing took small steps inside, glancing at where Huo Qubing and the others were, and finally looking at the empty seats in the first two rows: "Why leave them empty? If they're not coming, they're not coming. You guys move forward a bit, so I don't have to walk a few more steps later."

As she spoke, Xiao Lanxing knew that waiting for a leader to take the lead would be a waste of time, so she waved her hand and signaled the servants in the hall to come forward and help: "By the way, among those who didn't come, surely some of you are familiar with them, right?"

"From today onwards, go back and tell them that failing to register is considered deceiving the emperor. They should think it over carefully."

As a result, the already quiet hall became even quieter.

Xiao Lanxing herself didn't care at all. She took small steps to the front and walked to the platform that had been set up in advance. The little girl looked down at everyone below, her eyes crinkling: "Next, let's talk about the rules for today's exam. There are rules for the written exam and rules for the martial arts exam..."

Although the exam preparation was somewhat rushed, when Xiao Lanxing came up with the idea, a set of rules automatically popped into her mind. She had made it clear when she told Xuan Yuanjing about it, so naturally she wouldn't mess things up now.

Having explained the rules, Xiao Lanxing didn't give them time to argue. She separated those who weren't participating in the written exam, leaving one invigilator and three deputy invigilators, and then strolled off to the square with those taking the martial arts exam.

In just a short while, most of the umbrellas on the square were removed and rearranged, making it look somewhat similar to a drill ground at first glance.

At the same time, a group of people came from the other side.

Xiao Lanxing glanced to the side and recognized that the person in the first position was her dear father. This time, she didn't rush over like before, but just waved to him.

On the other side, Xuanyuan Jing naturally saw his beloved daughter as well. When she waved, he waved back in response.

The morning sun wasn't too strong, at least not for Xuan Yuanjing and the others.

Chen Li followed behind Xuan Yuanjing, taking in the scene, and said with a smile, "Your Highness is still so lively and adorable."

An official in a robe, wiping sweat as he walked, chimed in, "Yes, yes, the young prince is clearly clever and adorable, full of energy..."

Other officials, whether they saw it or not, all joined in the praise.

And you have to give different compliments each time.

Xuanyuan Jing smiled but didn't say anything. Only when he walked up to Xiao Lanxing did he say, "Why are there only so many people?"

This was because they assumed no one else had come.

Xiao Lanxing said with a smile, "These are the ones who are not taking the written test. The others are taking the test inside. I thought it wouldn't take up much time, so I came to test their level first."