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

Xiao Yi sat at the table with a gloomy face as Qingfeng pushed open the door and entered.

The night was deep, and the flickering candlelight cast intermittent light on Xiao Yi's cold and stern face.

He held a teacup with his long, slender fingers, his knuckles slightly white. The tea had long since cooled, but he hadn't touched it.

The image of Tao'er yelling at him kept replaying in his mind. Was she angry?

Was it because of Ayan or because he opposed her relationship with Young Master Chen?

Qingfeng shook his head and sighed, gently closing the door behind him. Turning to look at his displeased master, he carefully chose his words, "Master, were you... a little too harsh just now?"

Xiao Yi did not respond, but simply placed the teacup on the table, making a soft, crisp sound.

Qingfeng took two steps closer, her tone tinged with concern: "The young master is only five years old; how could he understand what you're saying..."

He meant well, wanting the Crown Prince to be Tao'er's husband, but he didn't know that his brother A-Chen was the Crown Prince.

Your tone just now must have upset the young master, right?

Xiao Yi finally moved, raised his eyes, and the candlelight flickered in his eyes before dimming again.

He spoke, his voice slightly softer than before, with a hint of weary sigh, "Qingfeng, I know Ayan's thoughts are simple; he just wants to find a suitable husband for his sister Tao'er."

I know he likes Tao'er, and he also likes the Crown Prince.

If the Crown Prince were merely Prince Chen, I wouldn't object.

He paused, then lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the glass, his voice lowering: "I'm just afraid..."

Peach Girl took it seriously.

If she gets caught up in it, Tao'er will be the one who suffers in the end.

The crown prince could never be with her for life…

Qingfeng didn't respond immediately, but instead quietly looked at Xiao Yi for a moment.

His gaze held a mixture of inquiry and understanding.

Qingfeng mustered her courage and lowered her voice, "Master, is that really... all you think?"

Xiao Yi frowned slightly.

"Isn't it because the young master wanted Young Master Chen as his sister's wife that you're angry?"

Qingfeng asked, enunciating each word clearly, "Aren't you... jealous?"

The room fell silent suddenly, and even the faint crackling of the candle flame could be clearly heard.

Xiao Yi's face hardened abruptly, a flicker of anger crossing his eyes as if he'd been seen through, and he snapped, "Qingfeng, what nonsense are you spouting?"

His voice echoed briefly in the empty room before quickly fading away.

"How could I possibly think that way?"

Why should I be jealous?

He turned his face away, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice unconsciously lowered a few decibels.

You know perfectly well about my health condition...

Even towards Tao'er...

That's where the conversation ended abruptly.

As if something was blocking his throat, Xiao Yi pursed his lips and didn't continue speaking.

His hands, hanging by his sides, tightened slightly, then slowly relaxed.

He didn't even dare to tell her his feelings; he could only keep them buried in his heart.

How could I possibly stop her from finding a good husband?

Qingfeng took in the unfinished sentence his master had left unsaid and the momentary desolation in his eyes. His heart softened, and he sighed, "Master, I understand your thoughts."

But the cold toxin in your body isn't...

"Gentle breeze..."

"Don't mention the cold poison again, lest Tao'er and the others hear about it."

Xiao Yi interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Qingfeng stopped talking abruptly, swallowing the rest of his sentence.

Miss Peach told him not to say it, but since he had promised, he couldn't go back on his word.

Just seeing my master like this...

He felt bad about it.

He almost blurted it out just now.

Well, Elder Li will probably arrive tomorrow, so a day or two won't make a difference.

Xiao Yi remained silent for a moment, the stern look from before fading away, replaced by a trace of regret.

"Qingfeng, you're right. I shouldn't have been so harsh on Ayan just now."

He said in a low voice, rubbing his temples.

"I admit that my tone was not good just now."

Ah Yan is probably going to be heartbroken. I should talk to him properly.

He stood up, his tall, slender figure stretched long by the candlelight.

"You rest first, I'll go check if that kid is crying."

After all, he is his own nephew. No matter how stern he is with words, he can't let it go in his heart.

Qingfeng hurriedly reminded him from behind, "Master, you must speak properly!"

It seems that Miss Peach is angry today. You should apologize to her properly...

I see that even a stranger like him dotes on the young master more than you, his own uncle.

Master, you'd better be more careful!

Otherwise, his wife might have belonged to someone else.

Xiao Yi paused, turned around and glared at him: "You talk too much, kid."

The curtain was lifted and then fell again, and Xiao Yi's figure disappeared into the night.

Qingfeng stood still, watching the swaying curtain, gently shook his head, but a helpless smile appeared on his lips.

In the east room, the candlelight shone softly, illuminating the room with a warm glow.

Ayan could no longer hold back and buried his head in Tao'er's arms, his little shoulders trembling.

He gripped Tao'er's sleeve tightly, tears streaming down his face like broken beads, soaking her clothes.

"Sister Tao'er..." he sobbed, his voice broken and choked with tears.

"I...I didn't mean to."

I never imagined that Brother Chen had a wife...

I'm so stupid!

He raised his tear-streaked face, his round eyes were red, and the tip of his nose was also red. He looked at Tao'er pitifully.

"Just because Brother Chen has amnesia doesn't mean his family hasn't had a wife..."

sorry……

Sister Peach...

Please don't be angry with me, okay?

If Brother Chen isn't good enough, then find another one!

Tao'er originally thought that Ayan was crying so sadly because Xiao Yi scolded him, but she didn't expect it was for this reason.

She looked at the little one in her arms, crying uncontrollably, and felt both annoyed and amused. She shook her head, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry.

She reached out and wiped away the tears on his face, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze in March, "Silly Ayan..."

Is that why you're crying?

Ayan nodded vigorously, tears still clinging to her thick eyelashes, fluttering like two butterflies covered in dew.

"Silly boy..."

How could I possibly get angry over such a small thing!

I know you mean well, you're doing this for my own good.

But my sister has to like the man she chooses!

Tao'er smiled and pinched his round head, her tone full of affection.

Ayan looked up, his bright eyes filled with confusion: "Sister Tao'er, do you mean you don't like Brother Achen?"

He's handsome and so nice.

Tao'er was amused by his earnest and concerned little adult-like demeanor and gently tapped the tip of his nose.

"Fool, being pretty doesn't put food on the table!"

I've only known Young Master Chen for a short time, how could I possibly like him?

Besides, he has amnesia and doesn't even know who he is.

Just like your Uncle Shi said, who knows if Young Master Chen has a wife at home?

If so, wouldn't my sister become his mistress if she married him?

"A mistress?"

No way! Sister Tao'er is so wonderful, how could she possibly become someone else's mistress?

"Sister Tao'er is perfectly capable of being a princess."

Ayan quickly shook his head.

She deliberately put on a serious face and said, "I wouldn't blindly like a man!"

Besides, my sister is only sixteen years old and there's no rush for her to get married.

So from now on, study hard, acquire knowledge, and become a capable person.

"Okay, Sister Tao'er, Ayan will definitely study hard."

but……

But my sister's marriage was also a top priority, just as important as my studies.

Ayan wiped away the tears on his face.

She pinched Ayan's red nose again and laughed, "Alright, you crybaby, stop crying!"

From now on, you little rascal, don't worry about your sister's important life events.

"She's only five years old, but she's already thinking about her sister's future husband."

As Tao'er spoke, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart: Were children in ancient times all so precocious?

Ayan burst into laughter through his tears, sniffed, and his eyes lit up, as if he had come up with another brilliant idea.

"Sister Tao'er, you said you don't like Brother Achen, but do you like Uncle Shi Qi?"

He tilted his little head and raised his stubborn little face.