The Young Emperor Is My Childhood Friend

[Cheerful, beloved second-generation heroine × Reserved young emperor] Childhood sweethearts

When Bao Jiang was seven, her mother died of illness, and she went to the capital with a keepsake to find her father.

Only after arriving did she learn that her legendary, fabulously wealthy father had seen through worldly desires three years earlier, donated his entire fortune, and become the Imperial Preceptor.

But everyone in the imperial court knew that the Imperial Preceptor's greatest treasure wasn't money. It was his knack for making the country prosperous and rich.

When word spread that his only daughter had come to the capital to find him, the imperial clansmen and nobles all scrambled to take her in.

In the great hall, everyone argued until their faces turned red.

The new emperor, who was also only seven, suddenly spoke up. "That's enough."

The hall fell silent.

The little emperor spoke earnestly in his childish voice. "The Imperial Preceptor has served the realm well, and I have no way to repay him. His daughter should live in the palace. I'll raise her myself."

Bao Jiang's life in the palace was easy and carefree, and she had a few princesses and princes around her age to play with. As for the little emperor, he was young but acted like a stuffy old tutor. The princes and princesses treated him like a cat to a mouse, and he often lectured her with a stern face, too.

Bao Jiang liked playing with him least of all.

Sheng Xun had initially taken Bao Jiang into the palace only because he didn't want anyone using her to control the Imperial Preceptor. But the girl showed not the slightest awareness that she was living under someone else's roof, and caused trouble all day long.

The young emperor had to deal with the scheming imperial clansmen and powerful officials while worrying about her, too. At his wits' end, he often had to rein in his temper and clean up her messes.

Years later, her playmates began getting married one after another. Bao Jiang went to her father, the Imperial Preceptor, and asked, "When will His Majesty choose a husband for me? This year's top scholar is so handsome..."

Sheng Xun, who had come to discuss making her empress with the Imperial Preceptor: "..."

The usually composed young emperor turned pale with anger and ordered his attendant, "Go back to the palace and get the empress-making decree. Right now, this instant!"

P.S. An alternate historical setting, lighthearted daily life, and the leads fall in love as adults.

Theme: Live life earnestly