Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Tao'er's heart tightened, and she turned around abruptly. She saw two burly men emerge from behind the bushes. One of them was choking Ayan with his arm, while the other held a gleaming knife to the child's delicate neck.

Ayan's face was deathly pale, his eyes were brimming with tears, but he bit his lip, not daring to cry out.

"Who are you people?!"

Tao'er suppressed her fear, but her voice trembled involuntarily.

I cursed, what bad luck!

You can always run into bad people here. I just don't know if these two are after money or something else.

If it's about money, that's easy to solve; the real problem is...

She sized up the two men. They were dressed in coarse cloth, seemingly hunters, but the fierceness in their eyes and the way they held their knives clearly indicated that they were not hunters.

It looks like it was a deliberate disguise.

"Young lady, don't worry about who we are, just come with us."

The man with the knife grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

Tao'er's mind raced, but she feigned fear: "You...you are hunters from the mountains?"

Why are you arresting us?

We were just gathering herbs..."

The man scoffed, "A hunter?"

Okay, let's pretend we're hunters.

"Enough talk, let's go!"

"that……

Brothers, is it all for money?

"If you release my sister, I'll give you all the money I have."

Tao'er's voice carried a hint of weakness and ingratiation; she had no choice but to remain calm and not dare to make any rash moves.

At this time, Ayan was still dressed as a girl, so she was referring to her younger sister.

"Who wants your money?"

Enough talk, let's go...

Seeing that they weren't falling for her tricks, Tao'er simply asked directly, "What exactly do you want?"

Another man spoke up impatiently: "It's alright to tell you, we are His Highness Prince Cheng's men."

"If you know what's good for you, come with us obediently, so this child won't suffer."

King Cheng?

Tao'er's mind went blank.

How did he find his way here?

No, now is not the time to think about that.

She looked at Ayan, the blade was pressed against the child's throat, and the slightest movement could draw blood and kill him!

She subconsciously thought of space.

As long as she touches Ayan, she can bring him inside.

But now they are a few steps apart, with those two fierce-looking men in between.

If she makes any unusual move, that knife…

"hurry up!"

The man urged him on, tightening his grip on the knife, and a thin line of blood immediately appeared on Ayan's neck.

Don't hurt him!

I'll go with you!

Tao'er cried out quickly, her heart clenching as if it were being squeezed.

She can't take the risk.

If the matter concerning the space is exposed, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Moreover, without physical contact, she cannot take Ayan away.

"That's right." The two men exchanged a glance and led them out of the forest.

Tao'er lowered her head, seemingly trembling with fear, but her hand secretly touched something.

She touched a small cloth bag; it contained the Sichuan peppercorn powder she used for cooking.

While bending down to avoid the branches, I picked up some with my fingertips and casually sprinkled it into the roadside grass.

A little, then a little more.

She dared not spill too much, leaving only intermittent traces.

If Dongkui and Xiao Yi were to search diligently, they should be able to find it.

She had no other choice but to take this gamble.

After walking for about half an hour, the view suddenly opened up before us.

In a secluded mountain valley, several military tents were pitched, and soldiers with knives patrolled around them.

They were pushed into the largest tent.

Inside the tent, a magnificent felt carpet was laid out, and a young man dressed in a purple brocade robe was leaning against a table, playing with a jade thumb ring in his hand.

Hearing the noise, he raised his head, revealing a handsome yet sinister face.

It was none other than King Cheng, Xie Jingxing.

Xie Jingxing's eyes lit up when he saw Tao'er, and then he threw his head back and laughed loudly, "Hahaha, what did I say again?"

You brat, you'll fall into my hands sooner or later!

Last time I was careless and you escaped right under my nose!

This time, you can't escape!

His laughter echoed in the tent, tinged with smug arrogance.

Tao'er pursed her lips, remaining silent, but she grew increasingly curious as to why this Prince Cheng was so determined to capture the two of them.

It couldn't have been just to send the two of them to exile, could it?

Tao'er remembered the thing that Prime Minister Xiao had given him. Could it be that what Prince Cheng wanted?

"What?

"Are you mute?"

Xie Jing walked over, circled Tao'er, and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"You think you can rest easy just by hiding in Tiger Head Village?"

If you're so capable, why don't you hide forever?

Back at the city gate, you had the young master disguise himself as a little girl like this to get through the checkpoint.

Still dressed the same way today? Keep it up if you dare.

He stopped in front of Tao'er and reached out to pinch her chin.

Tao turned her head away and looked at him coldly.

Xie Jingxing wasn't annoyed. He withdrew his hand and smiled even more smugly: "Don't expect the people from Tiger Head Stronghold to come and save you."

My men have long had their eyes on Tiger Head Stronghold, and now the entire stronghold is completely surrounded by my men.

If they dare to come down the mountain, they will be walking into a trap.

At that time...

"What will you do then?"

Tao'er was startled upon hearing this!

This son of a bitch wants to wipe out everyone in Tiger Head Village!

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes: "You'll find out what I'm going to do when the time comes!"

"I'll show them how the person they risked their lives to save begs for mercy in my hands."

"Xie Jingxing, why should innocent people be involved in my affairs?"

"And besides, you went to such lengths to capture the two of us; it can't be something simple for you, can it?"

Tao asked tentatively.

"You're quite clever. So, that stubborn old man Xiao Wen really did give you that parchment scroll?"

"Or did you give it to the young master?"

Xie Jingxing decided to drop the pretense and asked directly.

"Yes, the Prime Minister did give me a piece of parchment, but I don't know if it's the one you wanted."

Tao'er decided to use this as a pretext to delay the inevitable.

"Whether it's what I want or not, just show it to me and I'll know."

King Cheng's face lit up with joy, and he quickly asked.

"It doesn't matter if I show it to you, I can give you that thing, but you have to release me and the young master and let us go."

I have no desire to be exiled to that wretched place in the North and suffer hardship!

Tao'er took the opportunity to negotiate, and deliberately made him think that she couldn't endure hardship.

After all, she was living a very good life in the Prime Minister's residence.

"Hahaha………

You brat, so you don't want to live a hard life either, you're just a coward who's afraid of death. I thought you were so tough!

So it was just like that...

Xie Jingxing laughed triumphantly again.

"Sister Tao'er, you can't give the things to Prince Cheng. He's no good!"

Even if you give him the things, he won't let the two of us go!

Sister Tao'er, you can't give him the thing! I'm not afraid to die!

Ayan loudly stopped him.

Tao'er cursed inwardly: That brat!

That's really causing trouble!

Why are you even speaking now?!

How could she possibly give the real parchment scroll to King Cheng?

Xie Jingxing waved his hand and slapped Xiao Yan across the face. "Xiao Yan, shut the hell up!"

"Guards, lock that brat in the woodshed!"

"yes!"

"Let me go..."

I'm not leaving. I want to stay with Sister Tao'er.

Sister Tao'er..."

Ayan struggled and shouted.

Tao'er's heart sank as she watched Ayan being taken away, his small figure disappearing outside the tent.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.