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

The night was cool and still.

The old locust tree in the courtyard cast a deep shadow under the moonlight, with occasional shards of light filtering through its branches and leaves, swaying gently in the breeze.

Xiao Yi sat on a stone bench under a tree, wearing only a moon-white long robe. The night breeze rustled the hem of his robe, bringing a touch of coolness.

His gaze fell on the wooden door that had just closed. Tao'er's figure was reflected in the window paper for a moment before disappearing into the dim light, without a sound.

He thought the girl must be asleep.

He had just watched her go back to her room, but he didn't get up and go back to his own.

He couldn't sleep yet, so he didn't go back to his room right away.

He had just sat down on the stone bench.

The stone bench was very cold; you could feel the chill even through his clothes, but he seemed completely oblivious.

He just sat quietly, his back straight, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall, looking somewhere, or perhaps some distant, unreachable place.

After a long while, he sighed almost imperceptibly. The breath was so light that it seemed as if he was afraid of disturbing something, and it was blown away by the night wind just as it reached his lips.

Suddenly, a weight settled on my shoulder.

A warm rabbit fur cloak was draped over him, its fluffy collar brushing against his chin, dispelling the chill that had accumulated on his body.

Xiao Yi looked up slightly and saw Qingfeng standing beside him, holding the sash of the cloak in his hand, and bending down to adjust the cloak on his shoulders.

"Master, it's late, please go back to your room and rest."

The breeze's voice was low and carried a hint of concern.

"The night is deep and the dew is heavy; please do not catch a cold, my lord."

Your health is important.

It is important to know that if one catches a cold, the toxins in the body will take effect prematurely, which is what Qingfeng is worried about.

Xiao Yi shook his head, reached out and pulled his cloak tighter, but showed no intention of standing up.

I'm not sleepy yet.

"Qingfeng, don't worry about me. I'm not made of clay; my body isn't that weak!"

He said it in a somewhat indifferent tone, with an air of nonchalance.

He knew Qingfeng was worried about the cold poison in his body.

Qingfeng knew his master's temperament; if he said he didn't want to sleep, there was no way to persuade him otherwise.

So he said no more, but simply stepped back half a step, stood quietly beside the stone bench with his hands at his sides, and kept her company.

The master and servant sat and stood silently in the shade of the locust tree, the only sound the rustling of the leaves overhead in the wind, as if someone were whispering in the distance.

After a long silence, Xiao Yi suddenly spoke.

His voice was calm and unhurried, as if he were talking about something he had been thinking about for a long time: "Qingfeng, don't stand there, sit down."

I need to talk to you about something.

Qingfeng sat down on the stone bench next to his master as instructed.

"Master, what is it?"

"I have already made arrangements for how to settle the Crown Prince."

Qingfeng paused slightly, then lowered his voice and asked, "What arrangements did Master make?"

Xiao Yi did not answer immediately.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the wooden door in the courtyard. After a moment's pause, he said, "It's about having Tao'er take the Crown Prince to a place to hide for a while."

Once he regains his memory, I will arrange for someone to send him north.

"We'll wait for the right opportunity, gather evidence, and bring down King Cheng."

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng first nodded, then showed a hint of hesitation.

Having served Xiao Yi for many years, he always considered things from his master's perspective. Upon hearing this arrangement, he felt it was appropriate, but there was a difficulty involved.

"Master's method is indeed the best solution at the moment."

Now that the Crown Prince has lost his memory, his situation is even more dangerous than before. Finding a secluded place to settle down not only avoids the limelight but also gives him time to recuperate.

only……"

Qingfeng carefully considered his words before speaking slowly.

"Just what?"

Qingfeng, what do you think are the things to be concerned about?

Do you still feel that this arrangement is inappropriate?

Qingfeng had followed him for many years, so Xiao Yi naturally trusted him a lot.

Therefore, I will listen to some of his opinions.

Qingfeng paused, glanced at Xiao Yi, and seeing that his master did not show any displeasure, continued, "But in this way, it will be hard on Miss Tao'er."

It was already difficult for her, a young woman, to raise Ayan and the innocent Dongkui girl.

If we add a crown prince who has lost his memory, and he has to take care of Ayan's daily life while also guarding against King Cheng's pursuit, the hardship and difficulty involved will be considerable.

"Miss Tao, I don't know if you'll grant this request. To be honest, even I think it's a bit much!"

Xiao Yi nodded, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the stone table, the movement slow and carrying a heavy weight.

"It's true that she's had a tough time, and it's been hard on her."

I know all of that.

Our Xiao family owes Tao'er far too much!

I thought I would feel better if she didn't agree, but she agreed without hesitation.

She was such a good person; she could have lived a happy, ordinary life.

But because of our Xiao family...

Qingfeng, I fear I can never repay her kindness in this lifetime...

Qingfeng, I'm so sorry to her...

But………"

When he said this, there was something in his voice that he didn't usually reveal.

It was a deep sense of guilt, a feeling of indebtedness, a heavy feeling that was hard to describe.

His words were extremely harsh.

Qingfeng had followed Xiao Yi for many years and had heard and witnessed countless decisions, but he rarely heard his master speak in such a tone.

After all, Miss Tao'er was just a maid in the Xiao family, and she wasn't even related to the Xiao family.

She had no obligation or duty to save the Xiao family, nor any responsibility to save the Crown Prince, thus putting herself in danger.

But given the current situation...

He wandered aimlessly, had no fixed abode, and was on the run for his life, nearly dying several times.

In other words, all these disasters were brought to her by the Xiao family.

No wonder the master felt so guilty!

Even he thought it was going too far!

"Master, you don't need to feel too guilty."

There's nothing we can do about it.

With the situation in the court still unsettled and the Crown Prince suffering from amnesia after being assassinated and poisoned, if he is not properly taken care of, the consequences could be disastrous if word gets out.

Miss Tao'er is a reasonable person. Since she agreed, she must understand the importance of the matter.

"Once things are settled, Master will make it up to Miss Tao'er properly."

Qingfeng said this only to ease his master's guilt and blame.

Otherwise, the depression in one's mood will only worsen the cold poison in the master's body.

Xiao Yi remained silent for a moment after hearing this, without responding.

He simply tilted his head slightly and looked up at the night sky through the gaps in the locust tree leaves.

The moon had already set in the west, hanging in the corner of the eaves, its cool light casting a light frost over the entire courtyard.

Seeing that his master was in a heavy mood, Qingfeng quickly changed the subject: "Master, how did you come up with this idea?"

And how did you persuade Miss Peach?

Xiao Yi turned his gaze from the moon to his hands, which were folded on his knees.

His fingers were long and strong, with distinct knuckles, yet they were now slightly clenched into the folds of his robes. "This decision was made after I corresponded with my father."

He said, his tone becoming solemn, "My father said that saving the Crown Prince's life means saving the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and saving the millions of people of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, even Qingfeng's expression became more solemn.

"As for persuading Tao'er..." Xiao Yi said, a slight smile curving his lips. "Persuading her didn't actually take much effort."

I explained the pros and cons to her and asked if she would be willing to help.

She remained silent for a moment before nodding.

She is the smartest, most decisive, and most resilient woman I have ever met…

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng sighed inwardly.

Peach Girl may look delicate and frail, but she is a responsible person at heart.

In such a situation, most people would hesitate and weigh the pros and cons, but she only remained silent for a moment before agreeing. Her decisiveness and courage are truly admirable.

"What you say is true, Master."

"I also greatly admire Miss Tao'er."

Qingfeng sincerely praised.

"Qingfeng, if one day I......"

You must treat Tao'er like I am...

Xiao Yi suddenly spoke, his expression very firm.

Qingfeng shook his head. "Master, that day will never come."

You will be alright...

Your cold poison…”

Xiao Yi interrupted him, "Promise me!"

Qingfeng nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Okay, I promise you..."