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

Tao'er quickly poured a cup of tea for Old Man Chen, presented it to him with both hands, and said, "Uncle, please have some water first. Don't rush, tell me what's on your mind."

The tea sloshed gently in the rough porcelain bowl.

Ah Yan also spoke up sensibly, his voice clear and bright like a child's, yet suppressing a barely perceptible tremor: "Grandpa Chen, please sit down and rest for a while before we talk."

He suppressed his excitement, but his demeanor remained unusually calm.

He turned around, picked up a square wooden stool, and moved it step by step behind Old Man Chen, then gently placed it down.

Seeing Ayan trying to suppress his emotions, Old Man Chen felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

This child is only five years old, so young and already…

That's so pitiful!

At this moment, Old Man Chen felt even more hatred towards those who had harmed the Xiao family.

He sat down as instructed, took the tea that Tao'er handed him, and gulped down several mouthfuls.

The cool liquid slid down my dry throat, instantly soothing the burning sensation from running all the way.

Not only did it quench my thirst, but it also miraculously alleviated the fatigue and shortness of breath that emanated from my heart and lungs.

He even felt that the ordinary plain water tasted exceptionally sweet today.

The strange feeling was fleeting and didn't lead me to think about anything else.

Old Chen had no idea that the tea had become sweeter because Tao'er had added a few drops of spiritual spring water.

Old Man Chen shook off his unfounded doubts and sighed heavily.

His cloudy old eyes looked at Ayan, then turned to Tao'er, his lips trembling as if the words were weighing a thousand pounds, and he didn't know how to begin.

His gaze swept over the small figure standing quietly to the side several times, but he ultimately hesitated.

Young Master probably doesn't know the devastating news that the old lady has passed away yet.

If I were to reveal this to him, would he, at such a young age, be able to bear it?

Old Master Chen was unaware that Ayan already knew about the old lady's passing, because Tao'er had not told them.

There are some things that don't need to be said, and Tao'er naturally won't say them.

Tao'er, being perceptive, immediately noticed the old man's concerns.

She walked to Ayan's side and gently placed her hand on the child's thin shoulder, feeling the slight trembling of that shoulder.

She could tell that Ayan really wanted to know anything about the Xiao family.

Tao'er looked up at Old Man Chen and said firmly and clearly, "Old Man, just tell me what's on your mind. You don't need to hide it from Ayan."

He is a child of the Xiao family, and also the only grandson of the Xiao family. He should know everything about the Xiao family.

Ayan raised her head, her face pale, but her gaze, unwavering for her age, was fixed on Old Man Chen, filled with complete trust and a heartbreaking strength.

He took a small step forward, his voice not loud, but clear and distinct: "Grandpa Chen, what happened to the Xiao family?"

Please tell us everything you know!

I'm okay. Although I'm young, I can handle it.

No matter what happens, I should bear it, because I am a son of the Xiao family.

Can it withstand it?

These words, spoken by a young child, carried an almost cruel maturity.

Tao'er felt a lump in her throat and quickly turned her face away.

Ayan was actually more upset and anxious than anyone else.

Overnight, the once magnificent Prime Minister's mansion was reduced to ashes, his family members were all imprisoned, even his grandmother...

He woke up several times last night, muttering the names of the master, mistress, and old lady, but then pretended nothing had happened.

These peaches know it all too well.

So she truly felt sorry for this child from the bottom of her heart; it was hundreds of times more miserable than when she was a child in an orphanage.

Now, little Ayan has to face one bad news and misfortune after another from the Xiao family.

There was nothing he could do; after all, he was the heir of the Xiao family!

Most of the children from such large families are like this!

Some things must be borne and endured, even if it is a heart-wrenching pain.

Old Chen's gaze lingered on Ayan's face for a long time, filled with endless pity, indignation, and a silent accusation against the injustice of Heaven.

His calloused and wrinkled hands gripped the rough rim of the teacup tightly, his knuckles turning white.

What a wonderful child! Intelligent and sensible, he should have grown up carefree amidst beauty and splendor, but now he has to face such a cruel and harsh world.

Is this cannibalistic world only targeting the honest and kind-hearted?

Madam Xiao dedicated her life to doing good deeds, distributing porridge and medicine, and building bridges and roads. Everyone who mentions her praises her as a "living Bodhisattva."

Prime Minister Xiao devoted himself to the country and its people with all his heart and soul, yet he ended up in such a state!

God is truly blind!

Overwhelmed by grief and indignation, Old Chen abruptly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his eyes were filled with a resolute, bloodshot red.

He knew he had to tell the young master, Ayan, about this.

His voice was dry and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against rough wood, and tinged with a sob, "Ayan..."

You...your grandmother...she...passed away...

Those few words seemed to have exhausted all his strength. After speaking, he slumped his shoulders and couldn't bear to look the child in the eye.

"The body... is lying in the open space in the front yard of the Prime Minister's residence."

Tao'er wasn't particularly saddened by the news; instead, she felt a sense of joy.

Because the old lady had already passed away, it was originally thought that her body would be buried in the fire, but unexpectedly, the imperial guards actually carried out the old lady's remains.

She had been saddened that the old lady hadn't even been properly buried, but now she thought she might finally have a chance to be laid to rest!

Tao'er thought about it again. Perhaps the old lady still held the title of Lady, so the Imperial Guards wouldn't dare to do it?

The hall was deathly silent, save for the occasional bird calls from outside the window, which only amplified the heavy, iron-like silence.

Although he already knew that his grandmother had passed away, he was still very saddened to hear it from Uncle Chen again.

The pain in my heart spread once again.

He wondered how the Imperial Guards would handle his grandmother's remains.

Tao'er knew that Ayan was sad and heartbroken, so she went over and hugged him. "Ayan, the dead cannot be brought back to life, don't be too sad."

The old lady passed away from illness. If she were still alive, she certainly wouldn't want to see you so heartbroken.

Ayan nestled in Tao'er's arms, letting out soft sobs.

She took a deep breath, patted Ayan's back tenderly, and said in a trembling voice, "Ayan..."

It's normal for Ayan to feel bad right now, and all she can do is offer words of comfort; there doesn't seem to be much else she can do.

Let's find out the specifics first!

So Tao'er pressed on, "Uncle, what...what does the government or the palace plan to do with the old lady's body?"

Have you heard anything about this?

Ayan was immediately awakened by Tao'er's words. He turned his head sharply, suppressing his sadness. Now was not the time to be sad.

Their eager gazes fell upon Old Man Chen, their eyes burning with the last glimmer of hope, like a spark in the cold night, a sight that broke one's heart.

Old Chen wiped his face, trying hard to recall the bits and pieces he had overheard in the chaos of the city today, and said in a low voice, "I heard... I heard that it was from the palace, that the emperor issued an edict."

He paused, seemingly still instinctively fearful of the mention of the lofty word "Emperor," but upon seeing Ayan's gaze, he straightened his back.

"What decree did the emperor issue?"

Sir, please continue.

Could it be that they received an order from the old emperor?

"The imperial decree says that permission is granted to allow... the Prime Minister to return to his residence alone tonight to handle the funeral arrangements for the old lady and to ensure her peaceful burial."

They said...the funeral should be simple and not publicized.

Tao'er was a little confused, unable to understand why the old emperor would do this.

As expected, emperors are all cunning and unpredictable.

Old Man Chen glanced at Ayan and added, his voice full of suppressed resentment: "However, they said that the Prime Minister was personally escorted back by the Third Prince, and they are afraid... afraid that the Prime Minister will run away."

Peach Girl, Ayan, you...you must accept my condolences!

It's such a pity that the old lady passed away like this...

At this point, Old Chen became agitated again, veins throbbing on his forehead, "These people, these beasts!"

What a kind person the old lady was!

Who among our neighbors hasn't benefited from her kindness?

That year there was a severe drought. If it weren't for the old lady opening the granaries and setting up soup kitchens, countless people would have starved to death!

How could they do such a thing!

What kind of logic is it that you can't even let your children and grandchildren give you a proper send-off when you die!

Where is justice?!

The old man's grief and indignation echoed in the simple main room, each word dripping with sorrow.

Tao'er's face darkened as she heard the words "burial tonight," "the Prime Minister will be under the care of the Third Prince," and "the funeral will be simple." Her initial faint relief was replaced by a deeper chill.

My heart pounded heavily in my chest, and a clear thought came to mind: This is not normal.

The old emperor was cruel and ungrateful. Having already dealt a heavy blow to the Xiao family, confiscating their property and exterminating their clan, how could he suddenly show mercy and allow Prime Minister Xiao to return to handle the funeral arrangements?

Do they still want him to be "buried in peace"?

This is more like a carefully laid bait, a cold trap. What was the purpose of releasing the news that "Prime Minister Xiao has returned alone" and "the old lady will be buried tonight"?

Is this a ploy to lure the snake out of its hole?

Will they wipe out all the remaining members of the Xiao family who might have fled, or those old friends and disciples who still have their hearts with the Xiao family?

Or is it that this dog emperor, after the horrific bloodshed, felt a tiny bit of remorse?

For example, considering the memory of Xiao Yi, the young general of the Xiao family, who died fighting for his country?

Regardless of the reason, the fact that Old Man Chen was able to find out this information so easily is itself a huge point of suspicion.

It's like a firefly in the darkness, clearly marking its location, yet it may lead to even deeper darkness.

Tao'er's heart sank little by little; she felt as if a huge net was waiting for them.