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

After a long while, Ah Chen spoke up, "Ah Tao... that's not what you said before."

I remember you said you'd leave you once I'd recovered from my injuries.

They won't let me follow you.

Why did you suddenly change your mind?

Could it be because of Young Master Shi and his group?

Or were you coerced?

Ah Chen raised the question that had been on his mind.

Tao'er wondered why the Crown Prince thought she was being coerced.

Do Xiao Yi and his group look like bad guys?

Tao'er immediately shook her head and explained, "Young Master Chen, you've misunderstood!"

No one coerced me. As for why I changed my mind, it's because I felt that you didn't remember anything and were all alone and helpless, which was quite pitiful.

So I thought it might be better to...

Tao'er didn't think too much about it and just made up an excuse.

"Atao, do you think I'm pitiful?"

That's why...

Ah Chen looked at Tao'er in surprise.

"No, no, no..."

Young Master Chen, I misspoke just now, that's not what I meant.

You're not pitiful...

You just don't remember the people and things from the past...

I just think it's more lively with more people...

And Ayan...

He likes you a lot!

Just kidding, the other party is the Crown Prince, how could she say that the Crown Prince is pitiful!

What if he regains his memory and remembers what she said? Would he punish her?

Ah Chen only believed it after hearing Tao'er's last words, remembering what Ah Yan had told him to marry Tao.

Ah Tao suddenly changed her mind and let him leave with them, truly because Ah Yan liked him.

Having thought this through, Ah Chen no longer hesitated and nodded, "Since Ah Tao has said so, I am naturally willing."

He continued sincerely, "Thanks to the care you all have given me these past few days, I am still alive today."

I am deeply grateful that the young lady is willing to take me in.

He paused for a moment, then added somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm just afraid of causing trouble for the girl."

I am injured and have difficulty moving around, so I will have to trouble you to help me on the way."

Tao'er breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

She was worried that he would refuse or have too many concerns, but she didn't expect him to agree so readily.

However, even so, some rules still need to be clarified beforehand.

"If you're willing, then come with us."

As for the troubles and such, there's no need to go into details.

From now on, we'll look out for each other.

Tao'er said, her tone suddenly changing from gentle to serious, even a little stern, "Young Master Chen, but let's get this straight, we need to agree on three rules."

Ah Chen was slightly taken aback, then sat up straight, adopting an attitude of listening attentively.

"Ah Tao, please speak."

Tao'er spoke up, "First, you cannot do anything improper to me or Sister Dongkui."

Although I am a woman, I am not someone to be bullied.

If you dare to have any wicked thoughts, I will never let you off.

Upon hearing this, Ah Chen quickly waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, Miss Tao'er. Although I have lost my memory, I would never do such a shameless thing."

"The girl has been kind to me; if I were to do such a thing, wouldn't I be worse than a beast?"

Tao'er glanced at him, and seeing that he spoke sincerely, she nodded and continued, "Secondly, you can't be a spoiled young master who expects everything to be done for him."

Even though you gave the jade pendant as collateral, you can't just eat and live there for free without doing any work.

From now on, Ayan's studies will be in your hands.

You teach him to read and write, giving him his early education.

"Ayan is a smart child, but he lacks a proper teacher to guide him."

I can tell you're literate; these things shouldn't be difficult for you.

Ah Chen nodded after hearing this: "Of course."

I've been observing Ayan these past few days, and the child is indeed intelligent. I'd be happy to teach him to read and write.

Tao'er nodded and continued, "Since Young Master Chen is with us, he has to listen to me."

I decide everything, big or small, that happens on the road.

You cannot act on your own initiative or without permission.

You must agree to this.

Ah Chen hesitated for a moment.

He readily agreed to the first two conditions, but this one...

He felt that Miss Tao was a bit too domineering.

However, upon further reflection, he realized that although Tao'er was straightforward and spoke frankly, she was by no means an unreasonable person.

She has her reasons for everything she does, and she is sensible in her dealings with people and things. I don't think she would make any excessive demands.

Besides, it's not unreasonable for a young woman like her, traveling with a child and a maid, to be cautious and assertive.

Having thought this through, he no longer hesitated and nodded: "Okay, I promise you."

When Tao'er saw that he had agreed, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She was initially worried that he would find the third condition too harsh, but to her surprise, he agreed after only a moment's hesitation, proving himself to be a reasonable person.

She thought to herself, "Is my arrangement not too excessive?"

They not only gave him a place to stay, but also found a teacher for Ayan.

Having another person traveling with you provides an extra layer of safety, making it a win-win-win situation.

As for those three rules, they're just a way of putting the unpleasant truths out beforehand.

She trusted Young Master Chen's character. After spending time with him these past few days, she could tell he was a gentleman; otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to Xiao Yi's request.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on the table between the two people and casting a long shadow of the rough pottery teacup.

Tao'er picked up her teacup, using tea instead of wine, and raised it to A-Chen: "Young Master Chen, then it's settled."

Ah Chen also picked up his teacup and gently tapped it against his: "Alright, thank you so much, Ah Tao, for taking me in!"

The two smiled at each other, while the locust trees outside the window rustled in the wind.

Suddenly, a locust flower fell from outside the window and landed right on Tao'er's head.

Tao'er was unaware that A-Chen had seen her and approached her, so he spoke gently, "Tao'er, don't move!"

Tao'er was taken aback, then raised her bright almond-shaped eyes. "Young Master Chen, what's wrong?"

"There's something on your head..."

Young Master Chen stretched out his hand, and in his palm lay a cluster of locust flowers in full bloom.

"What a nice view……"

Tao'er couldn't help but praise.

The two were standing very close together, and from a distance, they looked like a pair of lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other.

The woman smiled gently, her head bowed; the man was tender and affectionate.

Unbeknownst to Tao'er, at that moment, in the wing room at the other end of the courtyard, Xiao Yi was standing by the window, watching this scene from afar.

His expression was unclear, but his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched slightly.

Qingfeng stood behind him and whispered, "Master, what about Miss Tao'er and the Crown Prince...?"

The two of them seem quite close, would you like to go and take a look...?

"It's alright, Tao'er is probably trying to persuade the Crown Prince to go with them."

Don't make wild guesses.

Xiao Yi interrupted him, his voice very soft.

Qingfeng thought to himself that his master was really stubborn, even though he was clearly jealous.