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

Ayan thought that Uncle Shi Qi should be alright, and his character was reliable, but he always seemed to be mysterious.

Outside the door, Xiao Yi was already standing under the eaves.

A gentle night breeze stirred, ruffling a corner of his robe.

He had intended to visit Ayan, but unexpectedly, he overheard a conversation inside the house as soon as he arrived at the door.

Ayan's question, "Do you like Uncle Shi Qi?" was like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, stirring up ripples in his heart.

He stood outside the door, his fingers hovering in mid-air, his movement of lifting the curtain frozen.

His heart was pounding, and an inexplicable tension gripped him.

They should have turned and left, but their feet seemed rooted to the spot, unwilling to move an inch.

He stood there quietly outside the door, holding his breath, like someone awaiting sentencing.

He wanted to know the answer.

Inside the house, Dongkui was tidying up her clothes when she heard Ayan's words and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Little Peach, Ayan is determined to marry you off..."

She laughed so hard she bent over, wiping away tears. "This little one really worries herself sick!"

She straightened up and winked at Tao'er: "Tao'er, I think Brother Shi Qi is pretty good. You two are a good match."

Why not consider it!

Although Young Master Chen is good in every way, it's a pity that he has lost his memory.

However, I think his background must be extraordinary. Usually, families like that would already have wives and concubines. It would be more suitable for you to be with Seventh Brother Shi.

Dongkui shared her thoughts.

"Sister Winter Okra!"

Tao'er blushed and glared at her reproachfully.

"Ayan is being silly, and you're being silly too."

Even if we're looking for a husband, you should go first, you're older than me!

Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly smiled slyly, leaning closer to Dongkui and teasingly saying, "Oh!"

I know, are you in a hurry to get married?

Could it be that Brother Qingfeng confessed his feelings to you?

Dongkui's face flushed red to her ears, and she hurriedly stuffed the folded clothes into the wardrobe, stammering, "Little sister Tao'er, don't talk nonsense..."

Qingfeng, that blockhead, didn't say anything...

I have a stomach ache……

I need to go to the outhouse…

She grabbed the last few pieces of clothing and haphazardly stuffed them inside, then turned and walked quickly toward the door, her steps hurried, as if something was chasing her.

Dongkui yanked open the door and stepped out, but almost bumped into a figure.

Xiao Yi stood at the door, unable to leave, and was thus directly exposed to Dong Kui's astonished gaze.

Dongkui paused for a moment, then realized what was happening, and a sly smile appeared on her lips.

She turned around and called out crisply into the house, "Little Sister Tao'er, Brother Shi Qi is here..."

After saying that, he disappeared like a gust of wind, leaving Xiao Yi standing there frozen in place.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Yi felt his ears getting slightly hot, and he forced himself to lift the curtain and go inside.

The candlelight in the room reflected on his face, making his unease impossible to hide.

He lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Tao'er or A Yan. His gaze wandered on the ground for a moment before finally settling on the corner of the table.

"I..." He cleared his throat, his voice stammering slightly, "I came to see Ayan."

He paused, then added softly, as if afraid of disturbing something: "It was my fault just now..."

The tone was too harsh.

Is he alright?

When Tao'er, who was holding Ayan, heard Dongkui say "Seventh Brother Shi is here," she froze as if she had been struck by an acupuncture point.

She wondered what this guy was doing here instead of sleeping at night.

It wasn't until they heard Xiao Yi speak that they realized he knew he was wrong and had come to apologize to his nephew.

I'll just ignore him and let him apologize to his nephew himself!

When Xiao Yi came in, he saw A Yan sitting on the edge of the bed, nestled against Tao'er.

Ayan looked up at Uncle Shi Qi, then called out in a clear voice, "Uncle Shi Qi!"

Xiao Yi responded, walked over and squatted down by the bed, carefully examining A Yan's complexion.

Her little face was rosy and she looked energetic, not like anything was wrong.

However, the tear stains on her face were still faintly visible.

It looks like the little guy has been crying.

He reached out and touched Ayan's forehead, saying gently, "Ayan, it was my fault just now. I shouldn't have spoken to you so loudly."

Ayan shook his head and said like a little adult, "Uncle Shi, it's okay."

It was Ayan's fault; he didn't consider things thoroughly.

You have every right to scold me.

"Ayan meant well, but Uncle has a bad temper..."

It won't happen again next time...

His voice was low, with a slight, barely perceptible hoarseness.

Ayan tilted her head to look at him, then suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve: "Uncle Shi, are you unhappy?"

Xiao Yi was taken aback and subconsciously glanced at Tao'er, who was calmly looking at the two of them.

"No, I'm not unhappy!" Xiao Yi looked away and rubbed Ayan's head.

Then he turned to Tao'er and said, "Miss Tao'er, please don't be angry with me. I was wrong just now."

Tao'er usually greets him first, but she hasn't spoken to him since he came in.

Tao'er shook her head. "I'm not angry with you. I just can't stand you yelling at Ayan."

After all, he's only five years old; how could he understand adult matters?

What he does and says is simply what comes from his heart.

Besides, you didn't even scold me, so why should I be angry with you?

Ayan isn't angry with you, so you don't need to take it to heart.

Tao'er never expected that he would come all the way to apologize to Ayan and even to her.

It was just a small matter.

"What Miss Tao is right, I will pay attention in the future."

I won't yell at Ayan like that anymore.

Xiao Yi lowered his head and said, like a student who had made a mistake.

Tao'er thought to herself, "This man used to be a great general who commanded thousands of troops, how come he looks like a naive and ignorant young man now?"

"Uncle Shi, did you overhear what Sister Tao'er and I were saying just now?"

Ayan blinked, his tone both innocent and earnest.

The atmosphere suddenly became subtle.

Tao'er was stunned for a moment and looked at Xiao Yi: Was this guy really eavesdropping outside just now?

If that's really the case, then didn't he overhear what Ayan said just now?

Xiao Yi was also startled upon hearing this and looked at Tao'er as well.

The candlelight illuminated her profile, making the thin blush on her face stand out clearly.

Xiao Yi remained silent for a moment, then did not deny it, "...I heard it."

But I didn't mean to!

Ayan's eyes lit up, and he was about to say something when Tao'er immediately said, "Seventh Brother Shi, it's late, Ayan is sleepy, we should go to sleep."

This was a dismissal order. Xiao Yi glanced at the sky outside and thought that it was indeed inappropriate for him to stay in Tao'er's room at this time.

So he said, "Ayan, Miss Tao'er, you should go to sleep early. I'm going back to my room."

Seeing Xiao Yi turn and leave, Tao'er finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ayan, go to sleep..."

Ayan quickly crawled into bed and closed his eyes to sleep.

"Sister Tao'er, Uncle Shi's face seemed to turn red just now."

Tao'er laughed and scolded, "You little devil!"