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

Meanwhile, Tao'er had already arrived at the market and bought two catties of fresh pork ribs, planning to stew half of them into radish soup and braise the other half.

After buying everything, they walked back home with bags full of things.

By the time I returned to the courtyard, it was already dusk.

Tao'er pushed open the courtyard gate and saw Ayan squatting by the well drawing water, while Achen sat on a chair at the entrance of the main house, holding a book in his hand.

That was a miscellaneous book about local customs and traditions that she had casually left behind while packing her bags.

"Why are you up?" Tao'er frowned. "Your wound hasn't fully healed yet."

Ah Chen put down his book and smiled: "I've been lying down all day, my bones are stiff."

"Just coming out for some fresh air, it's fine."

Tao'er carried the things into the kitchen, muttering, "That won't do either. It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone, and your internal injuries need even more care."

"Ayan, stop playing and come help your sister start the fire."

"Coming, coming!" Ayan dropped the bucket and ran happily into the kitchen.

Looking at the dim light shining from the kitchen and listening to the siblings' casual conversation, Ah Chen suddenly felt a strange warmth in this unfamiliar courtyard.

He looked down at the wound on his chest and then remembered the jade pendant with the dragon pattern engraved with the character "Chen".

Who am I, really?

Why was he seriously injured?

He couldn't recall these questions, nor could he understand them.

But at least for now, he is safe.

The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, and Ayan's voice came through: "Sister, when will Brother Achen's injury heal?"

"Take good care of yourself; it should take at least a month or so."

"Can he spend the Lunar New Year with us?"

Tao'er paused, then said irritably, "It's only been a few months, and you're already thinking about the New Year?"

Ayan chuckled: "I was just asking."

As Ah Chen listened, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

This small courtyard, this pair of strangers, siblings—perhaps this is the best arrangement God has given him after he lost his memory.

Tao'er prepared the meal, and the three of them ate quite a bit.

After finishing her meal, Tao'er carefully changed A-Chen's dressing again.

After changing his dressing, I told him to rest well, and then took Ayan back to his room.

She prepared hot water for Ayan and let him rinse his mouth and wash his face by himself. After all, he was five years old, and these were the most basic things.

Seeing that Ayan had done everything well, she also washed up herself.

I thought to myself that I could finally get a good night's sleep tonight.

While treating Ayan's injuries, she could also take the time to recover her strength.

Ayan can finally get some rest, after all, this period of escape has been incredibly tough.

Lying in bed, Tao'er couldn't help but think of Xiao Yi and Sister Dongkui. She wondered how Tiger Head Village was doing now, and how they were doing.

Xiao Yi is so smart, he must know that she and A Yan are still alive!

Unbeknownst to her, Xiao Yi and the others were also in Ping'an County at that moment.

The night was as dark as ink, permeating every street and alley in Ping'an County.

Xiao Yi put down his chopsticks and looked at Qingfeng, who was burying his head in his rice across from him.

The dishes on the table were simple: a plate of cold black fungus salad, a bowl of braised pork, and a plate of braised tofu—the most ordinary food found in a typical inn.

After days of traveling, the three were starving, but only Dongkui was eating seriously, while Qingfeng's mind was clearly not on the food.

"Qingfeng," Xiao Yi said, his voice not loud, but it made Qingfeng immediately look up, "After dinner, go to all the inns in Ping'an County and ask if there is any news of a girl named Tao'er staying there."

Qingfeng put down his chopsticks and listened attentively.

"Take her portrait with you." Xiao Yi paused for a moment, then continued, "If anyone asks, just say your sister has gone missing."

Qingfeng nodded, but a bitter feeling welled up in his heart.

Along the way, from the capital to Ping'an County, it was at least several hundred miles. They asked at each inn one by one, like searching for a needle in a haystack.

He prayed silently that he would find the young master and the others as soon as possible, otherwise his master...

Qingfeng picked up his bowl, quickly ate the last few mouthfuls of rice, and prepared to leave.

"I'll go ask too." Dongkui quickly put down her chopsticks, her face showing urgency. "Brother Qingfeng, you go to South Street, and I'll go to West Street. That way it'll be faster."

Xiao Yi glanced at her.

The candlelight reflected on her face, and Dongkui's eyes held a hint of earnestness.

Throughout the journey, despite being a young woman, she never complained of being tired.

Xiao Yi knew that she felt guilty, thinking that she was the one who had harmed Ayan and Tao'er.

No matter what, she is someone Tao'er cares about, and he can't let anything happen to her again, otherwise he won't be able to explain it to Tao'er.

Besides, it's inconvenient for a young woman to go out late at night; she's likely to encounter danger, so he wouldn't do such a thing.

Xiao Yi shook his head.

"Miss Dongkui, it's already dark. It's not safe for a young lady like you to be out alone."

Xiao Yi's tone left no room for argument.

"You stay in the shop and get some rest. Qingfeng and I will split up to search, and we'll let you know if we find any clues when we get back."

That's all for tonight.

Dongkui opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something.

She is not afraid of the dark, nor is she afraid of walking at night.

I used to work as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) with the Li family.

Brother Shi Qi, I can…

But she was interrupted by Qingfeng as soon as she opened her mouth.

"Miss Dongkui, you should listen to your master."

Qingfeng's voice was even more direct than Xiao Yi's.

"We're worried about you walking alone on the street so late at night."

"It's safer for you to guard the shop, and you won't cause any additional trouble for me and the master."

This will only cause more trouble.

These four words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing all of Dongkui's words.

She lowered her head, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded gently.

Xiao Yi looked at her and sighed inwardly.

He wasn't unaware of Dongkui's desire to help, but it was already hard enough for a young woman to travel around with them all this way.

However, Qingfeng is even more direct than I am.

He was clearly just concerned about the young girl, but those few words turned out to be...

"Miss Dongkui, get a good night's sleep tonight."

Don't take Qingfeng's words to heart. He doesn't think you're a burden...

Xiao Yi explained on Qingfeng's behalf.

"If we don't find anyone tonight, we'll have to continue tomorrow, so you'll have to work hard again tomorrow. Qingfeng is worried that you'll get tired."

After Xiao Yi finished speaking, he kicked Qingfeng under the table. Qingfeng realized what he meant and said, "Miss Dongkui, what Master means is what I mean."

Dongkui responded, "Yes, I know. Brother Qingfeng is doing this for my own good!"

He then quietly finished his meal, got up, and went back to his room.

The door was closed, shutting out the candlelight in the main room.

She stood in the darkness, listening to Xiao Yi and Qingfeng clearing away the dishes outside, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She knew that her seventh brother and Qingfeng brother meant well, but she didn't want to be a burden to them.

Tao'er and the young master were among the few people she cared about in this world.

She secretly vowed to find Peach Sister and Young Master.

The night was dark outside the window. She lay in bed with her eyes open, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

At the entrance of the inn, Xiao Yi and Qingfeng had already set off separately.