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

After Chen Ping'an left, Tao'er carried the pork and eggs from the table into the kitchen.

The morning sunlight streamed in through the cracks in the window, casting dappled shadows on the earthen stove.

Five-year-old Ayan followed behind, struggling to carry a small basket of vegetables in his little hands, his short legs moving quickly, afraid of losing his sister Tao'er.

Tao'er placed the things on the stove, looked at the little boy, smiled and took the things from his hands, putting them all into the bamboo basket next to him.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ayan! Ayan is awesome!"

Children need to be praised more.

"Sister Tao'er, are you planning to cook for Grandpa Chen and Uncle Ping'an?"

Ah Yan blushed at the compliment and looked up to ask.

Tao'er turned around and looked into Ayan's clear eyes, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

Although this child is only five years old, he has already experienced things that others may never experience in their entire lives.

Perhaps this will also help him grow up quickly.

"Yes, Ayan is very smart; he figured out what his sister was thinking right away."

Tao'er gently patted Ayan's head, her face showing a mixture of doting and heartache.

Ayan clapped his hands happily: "That's great! I can eat Sister Tao'er's cooking again!"

Kids will be kids; their mood seemed to improve considerably at the mention of delicious food.

Then, he tilted his head and looked puzzled. "Sister Tao'er, why do you cook for yourself?"

Grandpa Chen just said he'd cook. Are you worried that Grandpa Chen and the others won't cook well?

Tao'er was amused by the child's question.

Yes, a five-year-old child is at an age when they are full of curiosity about the world.

She suddenly remembered a phrase her best friend used to say before she time-traveled: "Children are all about asking a hundred thousand 'whys'."

At that moment, she deeply understood the meaning of those words.

Tao'er squatted down to look Ayan in the eye. "Ayan, I'm not worried that Grandpa Chen and the others' cooking is bad. It's just that I don't want to be provided with food and lodging and get something for nothing. Do you understand?"

We're staying at Uncle Chen's house, eating their food, and using their things. Shouldn't we contribute some labor in return?

So it's only right that I cook them a meal.

She looked around and realized she hadn't seen Granny Chen all day, and Uncle Chen had just gone out as well.

In this simple yet tidy farmhouse kitchen, only she and Ayan were present at the moment.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]

From the comfortable, stable, and affluent life in the Prime Minister's mansion to the current state of escape, Tao'er was filled with mixed feelings. But she knew that the most important thing right now was to survive and protect A-Yan.

"Ayan, what would you like to eat for lunch today?"

"Sister will make it for you, okay?"

As Tao'er began rinsing the rice, she asked a question.

Stop thinking about other negative emotions.

"Ayan loves whatever Sister Tao'er cooks."

Ayan answered obediently.

This isn't the Prime Minister's residence, where he could eat different delicious food every day.

I'm already lucky to be alive and have enough to eat; I can't ask for anything more.

Tao'er noticed that Ayan sighed almost imperceptibly, and said softly, "Then how about I make braised pork, a bok choy, hawthorn omelet with eggs, and a tofu soup for lunch today?"

The "red fruit" she mentioned was the tomato from this dynasty; although it was small, it was sweet and sour.

"Great!" Ayan's eyes lit up. "I love all of Tao'er's dishes."

He paused, looked around, and said, "Sister Tao'er, shall I help you pick the vegetables?"

It seems he can't do anything besides picking vegetables.

He can't cook rice, and he can't light a fire. What if he accidentally sets the kitchen on fire?

So he just helped with picking the vegetables.

Tao'er nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, then Ayan, you must pick the vegetables carefully!"

I'll wash the pork and make delicious braised pork for Ayan.

The kitchen quickly became busy.

Tao'er lit a fire, and the firelight from the stove illuminated her face.

She skillfully handled the ingredients, her movements swift and efficient.

Ayan sat on a small stool, carefully selecting vegetables, when suddenly he remembered something and looked up to ask, "Sister Tao'er, was the letter you just gave Uncle Ping'an very, very important?"

Tao'er paused for a moment while cutting the meat, then nodded: "Yes, it's very, very important."

"Sister Tao'er, what does the letter say?"

Whom do you want Uncle Ping An to deliver the letter to?

Is this for my father?

Ayan opened his bright eyes and asked expectantly.

Tao'er felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

The child thought he could deliver a message to the prime minister who was imprisoned.

She had been in this era for nearly a year, and although she tried her best to adapt, she ultimately lacked the extraordinary ability to break into the Heavenly Prison.

Seeing Tao'er remain silent, Ayan cautiously asked, "Sister Tao'er, should I not have asked?"

Then I won't ask anymore.

Tao'er put down the kitchen knife, walked to Ayan's side, and gently hugged him: "No, Ayan, you can ask me any questions you have, and I will tell you everything I know."

She then took a deep breath. "This letter is not for the Prime Minister, but for Steward Zhou."

"Butler Zhou?" Ayan's eyes lit up.

"Yes, once Steward Zhou sees the contents of the letter, he will go to find the disciple who previously came to report the news to the Prime Minister's residence."

Once that young master sees the letter, he will inform those who admire and respect the Prime Minister.

In this way, those people won't fall into the Third Prince's treacherous scheme, and those innocent people won't die.

Tao'er tried her best to explain in a way that A-Yan could understand, "Sister has said so much, A-Yan, do you understand?"

Steward Zhou had served the Prime Minister for many years, so of course he knew the Prime Minister's handwriting.

He will believe her, and besides, she even affixed the old lady's unique seal.

Butler Zhou should be able to guess that she wrote the letter.

He could guess that the old lady had given her the old lady's seal.

Ayan frowned and thought for a while: "But, Butler Zhou doesn't know Uncle Ping An. Will he easily trust him?"

Tao sighed inwardly, thinking how clever the child was.

"Yes, Butler Zhou will believe it once he sees the words on the envelope."

The young master who receives the letter will understand its contents, and our objective will essentially be achieved.

Ayan nodded as if he understood, and looked at Tao'er with increasing admiration.

He recalled his grandmother's words: "Your sister Tao'er is not only skillful with her hands, but also has a clever mind."

He didn't think much of it at the time, but now he realizes that his grandmother's vision was indeed insightful.

Half an hour later, an enticing aroma filled the kitchen.

The savory aroma of braised pork, the fresh fragrance of scrambled eggs, and the delicate aroma of stir-fried bok choy blend together, making one's mouth water.

"It smells so good!" Ayan couldn't help but sniff.

Tao'er smiled as she ladled the last bowl of tofu soup out of the pot: "Come on, let's take it to the main room."

The two carefully carried the four dishes and soup to the table in the main room.

Just as they were set up, the gate to the courtyard rang.

Old Mr. Chen and his wife pushed open the door and came in, looking apologetic: "Miss Tao'er, Ayan, are you hungry?"

"Your mother-in-law will cook for you."

Grandma Chen started to walk towards the kitchen as she spoke.

Old Chen stopped her, pointing to the table full of dishes: "Old woman, you don't need to go to the kitchen, the food is ready."

Only then did the mother-in-law notice the sumptuous dishes on the table, her mouth agape in surprise: "This...this was all made by Miss Tao'er?"

Tao'er wiped her hands and smiled, "Uncle Chen, Grandma, we have no way to repay you for taking us in. We can only cook some food to express our gratitude."

The mother-in-law's eyes welled up with tears: "No, no, you are our guests..."

Just then, Chen Ping'an returned.

Seeing the table laden with dishes, he was equally stunned: "This...this is..."

"He's back safely?"

"Wash your hands, it's time to eat."

Old Chen said with a smile, then added, "Today we must try Miss Tao'er's cooking."

Five people sat around the table, and sunlight slanted in through the door of the main room, adding warmth to the simple farm-style meal.

After the meal, Tao'er told Ayan to go back to his room to catch up on sleep.

The old man and woman also went out.

Tao'er and Chen Ping'an arrived at the main room.

"Miss Peach, I've made some new discoveries..."

"Uncle Chen, have you made any new discoveries? Tell us quickly."