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

"Miss Tao'er, thank you for teaching Yan'er so well."

I am ashamed that I cannot even provide my mother with a decent coffin and a respectable funeral.

Xiao Wen was filled with sorrow, and even more so with guilt.

"Prime Minister, what the old lady cares about most is not whether the funeral is dignified, but that you and the young master are safe and sound."

Tao'er said softly, "Before she died, she repeatedly instructed you to stay alive no matter what, and wait for the day when your injustice is redressed."

Actually, the old lady hadn't had a chance to say these words yet. She said them only to comfort and encourage the prime minister, wanting him to live no matter what.

Xiao Wen gave a bitter smile: "To clear one's name?"

It's easier said than done.

The Emperor, believing slanderous words, has concluded that I have colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. The imperial edict to execute the entire Xiao family has been issued. If it weren't for my mother's sudden death, which granted me temporary release from prison to handle her funeral arrangements, Ayan probably would never have seen me again…”

His voice choked with emotion. This prime minister, who once held sway in the imperial court, finally shed all pretense and revealed his vulnerable side in front of his son.

This is only human nature; even heroes have their moments of sorrow.

Ayan held his father's hand tightly: "Father, you haven't colluded with the enemy, have you?"

You wouldn't do such a thing!

He couldn't believe his father was that kind of person. His father used to teach them that they should always have a clear conscience and live a life free from guilt.

Xiao Wen said firmly, "Yan'er, how could your father be so confused? Of course not. I have been loyal to the emperor and loved my country all my life. How could I do something like colluding with the enemy?"

This is all a frame-up!

"Then why doesn't the Emperor trust you?" Ayan asked, puzzled.

The emperor used to treat his father very well, and he was fortunate enough to meet the emperor once, and he felt that he was not the kind of bad guy.

Xiao Wen sighed, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "The affairs of the court are not simply a matter of right and wrong."

"Yan'er, let's not talk about this anymore. You're still too young to understand."

Tao'er listened quietly to the sound of her voice, then suddenly spoke up: "Prime Minister, if I may be so bold as to ask, do you have anyone in mind whom you suspect?"

Xiao Wen glanced at Tao'er; this maid was much more perceptive than he had imagined.

He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "This matter has far-reaching implications, the less you know, the safer you will be."

Don't say things like that again.

And your behavior today was incredibly reckless; you almost lost your life.

The Prime Minister's tone was somewhat reproachful, but his eyes held a hint of admiration.

If this little girl were a boy, she would surely have a bright future.

Tao'er nodded and said, "What the Prime Minister says is true. I did not consider this carefully."

"Miss Tao'er, I have told you before that you are a benefactor of our Xiao family. From now on, you must not refer to yourself as a servant."

Xiao Wen corrected him.

However, Tao'er was still very curious, so she continued to ask, "Prime Minister, Tao'er dares to guess whether the one who framed the Prime Minister's residence was Prince Cheng or the Imperial Noble Consort in the palace."

Or perhaps there are others?

For example, your political enemies in the court might be allies.

Or perhaps they bribed one of the prime minister's protégés?

"Miss Peach, how do you know all this?"

Xiao Wen was increasingly shocked, as he had not mentioned any of this in the manor.

"This is Tao'er's guess; please forgive her if she's wrong, Your Majesty!"

Tao'er cupped her hands in greeting.

"It was Qin Zhong who impeached me."

Qin Zhong, the Grand Tutor, held a high position and wielded great power. He was the emperor's teacher and was deeply favored by the emperor.

He wasn't good friends with the Prime Minister, but I never expected this...

It seems I was right after all.

"Three months ago, an urgent report came from the border, saying that a secret letter I wrote to the King of the Northern Barbarians had been discovered, which revealed our dynasty's border defense deployment."

"The handwriting on those letters is exactly the same as mine; I can hardly recognize it myself."

What's even more terrifying is that the letter also bears my personal seal.

"Private seals can be forged..." Tao'er blurted out.

"It can be forged, but I have always carried my personal seal with me and have never lost it."

Xiao Wen smiled bitterly.

"Unless... unless it's someone closest to the Prime Minister, they can get it."

Xiao Wen frowned: "Does Miss Tao'er mean there's a traitor among us?"

Tao'er nodded: "Very likely, but it won't be Butler Zhou."

"Who is the traitor?" Xiao Wen pressed.

Tao'er shook her head, "I don't know either, it's possible..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Ping'an suddenly rushed in and looked up: "Miss Tao'er, someone's here!"

Tao'er immediately blew out the only two candles in the mourning hall, and the four of them quickly hid in the shadows behind the coffin.

Sure enough, a moment later, footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by voices.

"Those bandits were really weird; they disappeared halfway through the chase."

"It seems someone deliberately led us away."

Quickly, go back to the manor and check, don't let the Prime Minister escape!

If they escape, none of us will survive.

The Imperial Guards who chased after them have returned!

Xiao Wen's expression changed, and he whispered to Tao'er, "Take Yan'er away quickly!"

Leave through the back door!

"No, Father, I want to stay with you!"

Ayan gripped his father's hand tightly, almost bursting into tears.

"Silly child, if you stay, the Xiao family line will truly end."

Yan'er, listen to me, you are the only hope of the Xiao family, you must live on.

You must live well, and if you have the opportunity in the future, clear the name of the Xiao family.

If there is no opportunity... then live in anonymity and pass away peacefully.

Xiao Wen cupped A Yan's face in his hands and explained, word by word.

"Father..." Ayan's tears flowed again.

"Miss Tao'er, I entrust Ayan to you. Please accept my deepest bow!"

As Xiao Wen finished speaking, he was about to kneel down when Tao'er quickly helped him up, saying humorously, "Prime Minister, you're making me die young! I don't want to die so soon..."

Xiao Wen rarely showed a smile, "She's a clever little girl who knows how to talk."

He stood up and handed her a small parchment scroll. "Take this. My father left it to me. I don't know what it is."

But he told me it was very important.

If I carry it with me, the soldiers will search me sooner or later.

It's safer to keep it with you.

You should leave now...

Otherwise, it will be too late.

The footsteps grew closer and closer; the sound of the Imperial Guards approaching could already be heard.