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

Upon hearing Xiao Yi's question, Tao'er slowly shook her head, her brows furrowed, and her voice tinged with unease: "I don't know who it is."

"Seventh Brother Shi, do you think... it's possible that King Cheng's men have tracked us down here?"

As she spoke, she unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes, her eyes involuntarily glancing towards the night outside the window.

She cursed King Cheng in her heart again: This person is her and Ayan's debt collector, he's a persistent ghost!

Tao couldn't think of anyone else besides him.

Xiao Yi was silent for a moment, his gaze falling on the flickering candlelight. He then shook his head, his tone steady yet thoughtful: "That's unlikely."

He paused, turned to look at Tao'er, and analyzed seriously: "How did Xie Jingxing know that you and Ayan came to Ping'an County?"

How could we know that Ayan would happen to appear at the Lantern Festival tonight?

If they were truly Cheng Wang's men, they wouldn't have only targeted A Yan.

Knowing their methods, they probably won't even let you off the hook.

"Besides, his men wouldn't go and arrest those children."

Arresting those children would only cause trouble for ourselves, wouldn't it?

Although King Cheng was ruthless, he wouldn't do something so stupid.

If he really did have someone do this, once it's exposed, he'll probably be out of the running for crown prince!

After listening, Tao'er's brows gradually relaxed, and she nodded: "You're right."

Although Xie Jingxing, that bastard, isn't particularly smart, he's not that stupid either.

Moreover, even if he were short of money, he would never do something as despicable as begging.

It seems... I was overthinking it.

She sighed softly, realizing she was being too sensitive and probably seeing threats everywhere.

It's all that bastard Cheng Wang's fault; he's given her psychological trauma.

Xiao Yi is right. He might arrest her and Ayan at most, but he wouldn't arrest the other children.

"Tao'er, you're too worried, that's why you're suspecting him."

Xiao Yi's tone was incredibly gentle.

Tao'er nodded. "I was worrying too much."

Of course, this is not my fault; it's just that Prince Cheng is too despicable!

That bastard has done far too many bad things in the past.

"Tao'er is absolutely right."

It's all that dog's fault!

But this time it really can't be him.

Tao'er looked at Xiao Yi and asked, "Why are you so sure?"

Could it be that there's news about that bastard Prince Cheng?

"Tao'er is truly intelligent!"

Yes, just as you guessed.

I just received news that Xie Jingxing has been placed under house arrest by His Majesty.

They probably won't be committing any more evil deeds anytime soon.

As he said this, a barely perceptible hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

This is a secret report that was quietly sent from Shengjing a couple of days ago.

"What?" Tao'er suddenly raised her head, her eyes lighting up. "You said Xie Jingxing has been confined by the emperor?"

That's great news!

Is the news reliable?

Her voice couldn't contain her joy, and even her tone became a little lighter.

"Reliable." Xiao Yi nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Do you know why the old emperor placed Prince Cheng under house arrest?"

Tao'er leaned closer and asked in a low voice, her eyes full of curiosity.

"It is estimated that the last time the bandits were suppressed in Tiger Head Village, too many troops were lost, and the military officers jointly impeached him, so the emperor had no choice but to punish him."

Xiao Yi pondered for a moment before stating his judgment.

"Serves you right!" Tao'er couldn't help but clap her hands, then quickly stopped laughing and her tone became serious. "Well then, let's put it this way..."

Was Ayan's arrest really just an accident?

Is it because he's too good-looking and could fetch a high price, that he caught the eye of child traffickers?

As she said this, her eyes darkened and her voice lowered.

"Oh, I was careless."

Otherwise, Ayan wouldn't have been taken advantage of.

Brother Shi Qi, I'm sorry...

"It's my fault for making the young master suffer."

She raised her head, her eyes slightly red, her tone full of sincere self-reproach.

Regardless, Ayan is the young master of the Xiao family and Xiao Yi's nephew.

If Ayan gets into trouble this time, she will be held responsible.

Most importantly, if Ayan is really murdered, then she will also be dead!

"Tao'er, how can I blame you for this?"

Xiao Yi quickly waved his hand, his tone urgent and firm.

"If anything is really strange, it's my fault."

I am his uncle, and I was on the street today, so my responsibility is even greater.

Peach, you must not have such thoughts.

Without you, I'm afraid I really...

I won't see Ayan anymore.

As he finished speaking, his voice became slightly hoarse, as if he had recalled a moment of lingering fear.

"Seventh Brother Shi, Old Madam Xiao has always been very kind to me."

Tao lowered her head, her voice soft yet firm.

"She entrusted her young master to me on her deathbed, so it's only right that I protect him."

I won't say things like that again, and you're not allowed to say them either.

She looked up and gave Xiao Yi a forced smile.

Then, as if remembering something, she hesitated for a moment and asked softly, "And..."

Are you really not going to tell the young master now that you are actually his fifth uncle?

The young master admires you very much.

You are his hero.

Tao'er thought that Ayan didn't actually need to be kept in the dark all the time.

That child is well-behaved and sensible; he certainly wouldn't reveal that Xiao Yi is still alive.

Xiao Yi remained silent for a long time, the candlelight casting deep shadows on his face.

He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with an indescribable bitterness: "Ayan thought that his fifth uncle was dead..."

And he has been dead for three years.

He probably won't accept the fact that I'm still alive all at once.

"Most importantly, I'm afraid that if someone with ulterior motives discovers this, they might exploit it and make Ayan my weakness, a tool for others to use."

I was afraid he would be hurt, and if that happened, I would have no face to face my grandmother, nor my older brother, even if I died.

He paused for a moment, as if suppressing some emotion.

"I also want to reunite with him, but..."

He sighed helplessly, a sigh that held too many unspoken feelings.

Tao opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something more.

Just then, a childish yet clear voice suddenly came from behind them, filled with barely suppressed surprise and a slight tremor:

"Uncle Shi, Sister Tao'er..."

What you just said, is it true?

Tao'er and Xiao Yi both froze.

The candlelight flickered gently, and the room was so quiet that it was as if one could hear the other's heartbeats.

Xiao Yi and Tao'er were both startled and turned around abruptly.

Ayan stood three steps away, his small face almost transparently white in the moonlight, his bright black eyes filled with disbelief and a hint of cautious anticipation.

"Ayan..."

Xiao Yi's Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice sounded as if someone was choking him.

"Uncle Shi Qi, you are my fifth uncle, right?"

"Isn't he the young general of the Xiao family that Father often talks about?"

After speaking, Ayan looked directly at Xiao Yi, then shifted his gaze to Sister Tao'er, "Sister Tao'er, am I right?"

Tao'er didn't know how to answer. She turned to look at Xiao Yi, a bitter feeling welling up in her heart.

That feeling is unpleasant.

Ayan took two steps forward, looked up at Xiao Yi's face, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "I remember when I was a child, my father told me that my fifth uncle had a scar on his left arm, which was cut by a bad guy's knife."

"Uncle Shi Qi, right?"

Xiao Yi subconsciously hid his left hand behind his back, stammering, "Ayan...nothing like that, your father might be mistaken?"