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

At this moment, Ayan was also awakened by the knocking sound.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and saw that Sister Tao'er was staring intently at the door.

"Sister Tao'er, what's wrong?"

"Shh... Ah Yan, don't make a sound, there are people outside."

Tao leaned over and gently covered Ayan's mouth, lowering her voice as she spoke.

Ayan nodded obediently.

Remembering the knocking sound earlier, I instantly understood what was going on.

"Ayan, drink some water first to moisten your lips."

When Tao'er saw that Ayan nodded, she let go of his hand and took the sheepskin water bag containing the spiritual spring water.

These spiritual spring waters are not mixed with any other water, so that Ayan will recover faster.

Next time, mix it with regular water and give it to Ayan to drink. That way, it won't be too obvious, and Ayan shouldn't suspect anything.

She fed him the spring water, and Ayan, who had been suffering from a high fever the night before and felt thirsty, gulped down a few mouthfuls. He immediately felt a warm current rise from his abdomen and spread rapidly to his limbs and bones.

Yesterday's high fever, headache, and general weakness miraculously disappeared, replaced by a refreshing and comfortable feeling.

"Sister Peach, this water is so sweet!"

Tao'er nodded casually, then pointed under the table, "Ayan, stop talking."

You hide downstairs first, I'll go open the door.

If you see something's wrong, just run, okay?

Ayan nodded, then quickly dressed and crawled under the table.

He listened to Sister Tao'er.

The cat was under the table. He recalled how Tao'er had stayed up all night taking care of him, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

Although Sister Tao'er was not his biological sister, but only a maid in the Xiao family, she took meticulous care of him during the two days of their escape. Even when facing life-threatening danger, she did not abandon him and ran away alone.

He will always remember this kindness and will find a handsome and caring husband for Sister Tao in the future.

If anyone dares to treat Sister Tao'er badly in the future, he will teach that person a lesson.

There were a few more knocks on the door, more urgent than before.

Tao'er had no idea what little Ayan was thinking. She took a deep breath, walked over, and unlatched the door.

As soon as you open the door, a damp smell hits you, along with the unique earthy smell of rain-soaked soil.

Standing outside the door was a middle-aged man in his forties, with dark skin and the marks of time and labor etched on his face, but with gentle eyes that conveyed the simplicity of a farmer.

"Uncle, who are you?"

How did they end up in Old Chen's yard?

Tao asked warily.

I didn't see this man last night, only Mr. Chen and his wife.

"You must be Miss Tao'er?" The man rubbed his hands together, looking a little flustered. "Don't be nervous, I'm not a bad person."

My surname is Chen, and I am the son of the old man Chen you mentioned. My name is Chen Ping'an.

My parents told me that if you hadn't gotten up by Chenshi (7-9 AM), I should call out to you, in case the young master's fever wouldn't go down...

Tao'er's vigilance hadn't completely subsided, but an apologetic look appeared on her face: "Uncle Chen, the young master's fever has gone down."

I'm so sorry...

I didn't know you were Mr. Chen's son.

Chen Ping'an smiled憨厚ly, "It's alright, Miss Tao'er."

My parents said that the young master is the child of the Xiao family, who saved my life, and we must take good care of him.

Breakfast has been prepared in the main room, so go and eat!

"Oh, why are you alone? Where's the young master?"

Chen Pingan looked inside but didn't see anyone, so he asked.

Tao'er smiled sheepishly and explained, "Uncle Chen, I thought he was a bad guy, so I had Ayan hide him."

Please don't mind, given our situation, we really have to be careful.

"It's alright, Miss Tao, it's never wrong for you to be cautious."

Chen Ping'an understood perfectly; anyone would have done the same.

Tao'er finally relaxed completely and called into the house, "Ayan, come out and greet Uncle Chen."

Ayan crawled out from under the table and gave a proper bow: "Hello, Uncle Chen."

As Chen Ping'an dodged, he hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "Young Master, no... no need to be so polite."

His voice stammered slightly, clearly indicating that he wasn't used to dealing with children from such backgrounds.

If it weren't for the misfortune that befell the young master's family, he probably wouldn't even be able to see him.

"Uncle Chen, you can just call me Ayan."

I am no longer some noble young master from the Prime Minister's mansion.

Ayan spoke softly, his youthful face displaying a composure beyond his years.

"this………"

"Uncle Chen, just do as he says!"

"You are an elder, so it's perfectly acceptable for Ayan to call you 'Uncle'."

Chen Ping'an nodded, no longer insisting, and led them to the main room.

On the table was an earthenware pot filled with thick rice porridge, and next to it were two hard-boiled eggs in a broken bowl.

This is probably the best food this family could offer.

"Peach Girl, poor families don't have much to offer in hospitality."

Take your time eating.

"Uncle Chen, this is already very good!"

Aren't you going to eat?

Tao glanced at the food on the table, only to find that Uncle Chen had already sat down on a low stool and started weaving a bamboo basket.

These bamboo baskets were probably woven to sell for money, three to five coins each.

"You eat, I've already eaten."

You two take your time eating, there's no rush.

My dad said you shouldn't go out for now, it's not safe outside.

"Hide here with us for a few days, then we'll figure out a way to get you out of the city."

Chen Pingan shook his head. He had already eaten, but he had only drunk a bowl of porridge and had no eggs.

Eggs are for entertaining distinguished guests, and besides, we only have about a dozen or twenty eggs saved up at home.

He couldn't bear to eat it, not even his parents could bear to eat it!

"it is good."

Tao'er nodded when she saw Uncle Chen say that, and then stopped asking questions.

She first served Ayan a full bowl of porridge, then carefully peeled an egg and put it into his bowl.

"Ayan, you haven't eaten for a day and a night, are you hungry?"

"Eat something quickly, it'll help you recover faster."

"Okay, Sister Tao'er will eat too."

Ayan ate in small bites, his eyes occasionally drifting towards Tao'er.

Tao'er ladled out half a bowl of porridge for herself and was about to drink it.

Ayan suddenly pushed another egg from his bowl in front of Tao'er.

"Sister Tao'er, here, have this."

Tao'er was taken aback, then smiled and peeled the egg and put it back in his bowl: "Ayan, be good, I don't eat eggs."

You've just recovered from an illness and need to nourish your body.

"If I'm healthy, I won't slow down my sister's escape."

Ayan was about to refuse, but Tao'er's gaze stopped him, and he obediently began to eat the eggs.

Tao'er looked at Chen Ping'an, who was weaving bamboo baskets and was very quiet, and took out a tael of silver from her pocket: "Uncle Chen, could you please go to the street and buy some meat, eggs and rice noodles?"

Ayan has been ill and needs to replenish his nutrition; he can't just drink porridge every day.

Also, could you please help me inquire about the situation at the Prime Minister's residence, and the guard situation at the city gate?

Chen Ping'an put down the half-finished bamboo basket he was weaving, took the silver, and nodded: "Of course, I'll go right away."

"Please stay home and do not leave the hospital."

Before leaving, Chen Ping'an gave one last instruction.

Tao'er readily agreed.

Ayan's body has not fully recovered, so it is not suitable for him to escape.

After Chen Ping'an left, Tao'er finished the rest of the porridge and began to look around the simple yet tidy courtyard.

The courtyard wall is not high, made of adobe bricks, and a few unknown wildflowers grow in the corner, which look particularly beautiful after the rain.

I didn't expect Mr. and Mrs. Chen to be so romantic. I just don't know if Mr. Chen or Mrs. Chen planted these flowers and plants.

Last night, in the chaos, I couldn't see my surroundings clearly. Now, with the sun shining brightly, I can clearly see a few pieces of coarse cloth clothes drying in the yard, and the firewood piled up neatly in the corner.

It looked much like the rural areas she had visited in modern times.

After finishing his porridge, Ayan walked over to Tao'er and asked softly, "Sister Tao'er, how much longer do we have to stay here?"

Tao patted his head: "Stay at least two more days."

You've just recovered, so you can't travel right away.

Besides, they're definitely looking for us everywhere right now, so we should lay low for a while.

Ayan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Will Father and Mother be alright?"

Tao'er's heart tightened, unsure how to answer.

She was just a fifteen-year-old maid. Overnight, the Xiao family went from being the home of the prime minister to being imprisoned. The master and mistress were imprisoned, and the servants scattered.

If it weren't for his precognitive dream and the preparations he made beforehand, the two of them would probably have been arrested as well.

Suddenly I felt so pathetic, but Ayan was even more pathetic than me.

Tao'er squatted down and looked directly into the child's eyes. "Ayan, no matter what happens, your sister Tao'er will protect you."

Don't be afraid.

Tears welled up in Ayan's eyes, but he forced them back.

A five-year-old child lost his life of luxury and the protection of his parents overnight, but he seemed to understand the cruelty of the world earlier than his peers.

It's impossible not to feel sad.

To prevent him from overthinking, Tao'er started talking about other interesting things.

As the two were talking, Old Man Chen rushed in, panting, his face filled with grief and indignation. "Miss Tao'er, something terrible has happened! The Xiao family..."