After my whole family overheard my thoughts, they went berserk.

"And what about my father... what should I send him?"

The emperor raised his eyebrows, looking expectant.

"Just send any kind of gift, I'm not picky. Like longevity charms or something, ten should be enough!"

She rolled her eyes at him.

"Forget it, I won't give it to him. He didn't prepare a gift for me, and he even knocked over my candy. I want him to reflect on what he did wrong."

When everyone heard Miao Miao's thoughts, they secretly rejoiced, but they were too tacit to reveal it to each other.

The emperor was very embarrassed.

It seems I really offended my daughter today.

Fortunately, they can't hear!

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, the Crown Prince has returned and is on his way to Huayao Palace!"

Upon receiving the news, Qing Sui immediately reported it to the Empress.

Upon hearing this, the Empress froze, completely at a loss for what to do.

Until... that tall, slender boy, covered in snow and walking hurriedly towards her.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty, and pays respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty!"

Shi Youzhi's face was red from the cold. He took off his cloak and shook the snow off his sleeves.

"Heavy snow fell outside the city, blocking the roads, so I got back a little late. Fortunately, I didn't miss staying up all night this year!" Shi Youzhi said with relief.

The Empress stood up and looked at Shi Youzhi in front of her.

The fair-skinned boy from back then is now sallow-skinned and thin, with an unshaven beard, but he exudes a sense of maturity and composure.

"My son is back! It really is my son!" The Empress's eyes immediately reddened, and her voice trembled slightly. "He has lost so much weight in the five months I've been away."

I thought the Crown Prince would spend this Spring Festival alone in Gui County with the disaster victims, but he suddenly appeared before my eyes.

The Empress was filled with excitement and joy.

"As long as the people of Gui County are safe, I don't care how thin I get!" Shi Youzhi said resolutely.

The Emperor looked at him and realized he was no longer the idle, good-for-nothing Crown Prince who only knew how to eat, drink, and gamble!

"Okay, good point!"

Shi Youzhi knelt down and reported to the Emperor.

"Father, I have fulfilled my mission. In just five months, I have completed the great task of Gui County. Tonight, the people of Gui County have moved to the new county and city and are peacefully welcoming the New Year!"

The Emperor was surprised that the Crown Prince had completed the task so quickly and so well!

"Tell me, how did you do it?"

"It was Si Lingchen. He gathered craftsmen from various countries, divided them into two teams, and worked day and night to shorten the construction period while ensuring quality and quantity. With the help of the people of Gui County, the relocation was completed just before New Year's Eve!"

"Good, very good!" The Emperor was overjoyed.

This is enough for him to brag about to the court officials for a year!

"Prince is back! Prince is back!"

Shi Miaomiao was very excited.

With her encouragement, Prince Gong finally became a model youth!

Shi Youzhi looked at Shi Miaomiao, feeling equally happy.

"Judging by the time, I've been gone for almost five months. My little sister must be almost five months old by now, right?" He walked over and teased Shi Miaomiao, saying, "Miaomiao, your brother is back."

"The amulet you gave me for safety, I haven't taken it out of my sight for a moment!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yuzhi excitedly raised his hand as well.

"Brother, I have one too! My sister gave me a slimming charm!"

Shi Lingfeng was not to be outdone.

“Brother, I have one too, a wisdom-enhancing talisman my sister gave me.”

The Empress was happy to see her sons happy.

"This girl, always talking nonsense, gave me beauty charms, whitening charms, and anti-aging charms. I think she looks younger these past few days."

The emperor's face darkened.

He really wanted to go up and show off, but he didn't.

So, he's the only outsider in the whole family?

When these sons are showing off, can they at least think about where they came from?

This Lunar New Year's Eve was much more lively than usual.

The Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Fourth Prince gathered together, and the older brothers all vied to hold their younger sister, but in the end, the Crown Prince won.

Everyone was happily fussing over the younger sister, and no one noticed that the Emperor had a dark expression the whole time.

"It's delicious, I want more!"

Shi Youzhi dipped his chopsticks in the sweet soup and placed them between Shi Miaomiao's lips.

Kids love candy the most, and Shi Miaomiao fell in love with this flavor from then on.

The Crown Prince indulged her, letting her try all sorts of sweet soups.

"Wow, I'm so full from drinking."

The whole family watched as she stretched, looking extremely relaxed.

The neglected emperor didn't even have the chance to snatch his daughter, so he blamed his son for it.

He looked his sons up and down.

Looking at the Crown Prince on the left, he has recently made great contributions, and the people of Gui County love and respect him. This can be considered as making amends for his past mistakes, so he is being let off the hook.

Looking at the fourth prince on the right, he is only twelve years old and has not yet reached adulthood. The court does not need him for the time being, so there is nothing to say.

"Brother, you've been holding me for half an hour, let me hold you too!" Shi Lingfeng reached out to grab him, but Shi Youzhi wouldn't let him.

The Emperor's gaze shifted to Shi Lingfeng.

He finally caught me!

"You brat, you're twenty years old! Others have already settled down and started families. Instead of getting married and having children, you come here to steal my daughter. Where's your face?!"

The emperor's shout startled Shi Lingfeng, who withdrew his hand.

"Oh dear, I'm getting scolded again. Let me see, whose eldest son is still unmarried? Oh, it's my second son!"

Those who enjoy watching the spectacle are always eager for more excitement; everyone's watching the show.

"Father is right, but I do not wish to start a family. I will simply stay with my sister from now on!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor became even more displeased.

"Take care of your own child. Don't bother with me. If you're so capable, go have one yourself!"

Shi Lingfeng was utterly despondent; it was heartbreaking.

She chuckled to herself every second.

"Oh dear, speaking of which, my new sister-in-law should be making her debut soon, right?"

Everyone was stunned, and all eyes turned to Shi Youzhi.

But soon they moved away, pretending they hadn't heard.

Shi Youzhi frowned.

New sister-in-law?

What incredible secret does this little guy have now?

Your Majesty, you've finally got your chance to make your presence felt.

"Speaking of which, you are already twenty-two years old. You have only married one concubine. Is there any other girl you fancy? As long as she comes from a respectable family, I will grant you permission to take her as a secondary concubine!"

"cough--"

The prince coughed suddenly.

"Your Majesty, I have not!"

He was afraid that the emperor would misunderstand him and act like before.

"Phew, it'll be here soon, I reckon it'll be during this year's lantern festival."

The emperor was overjoyed upon hearing this.

If it says yes in a second, then it's yes!

The Emperor urged in a serious tone, "In that case, you'd better hurry!"

"Your subject understands," Shi Youzhi replied respectfully.

Shi Lingfeng couldn't help but chuckle as he listened to Shi Miaomiao's inner thoughts.

Seeing everyone's calm expressions, and knowing that only he could hear his sister's innermost thoughts, he felt incredibly good.

"You still have the nerve to laugh? I think you're the dumbest one. At least the Crown Prince is married, but what about you? You're nowhere to be seen. Don't even mention your surname Shi when you go out; you'll embarrass me!"

She giggled every second.

"Sigh, my second brother is really a worry. Maybe he's just not smart enough. Only my intelligence-boosting talisman can save him."