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

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking and the thin mist in the courtyard had not yet dissipated, Xiao Yi was already practicing martial arts with A Yan.

They didn't take last night's actions to heart at all.

He focused wholeheartedly on teaching his young nephew.

Although Ayan is young, he studies very seriously, keeping a straight face and not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Xiao Yi watched from the side, nodding to himself: This child has good bones and a steady temperament; he is a good prospect for martial arts.

No wonder they are descendants of the Xiao family.

After practicing for about half an hour, Xiao Yi stopped and patted A Yan's head: "Alright, go eat, Huanhuan must be getting impatient."

Ayan responded, wiped his sweat, and jogged towards the main room.

Huanhuan was already sitting at the table, swinging her little legs. As soon as he came in, she called out in a clear voice, "Brother Ayan, come quickly!"

Sister Dongkui made so many delicious things today!

After a few days, Huanhuan's personality has become much more lively.

She gradually lowered her guard against the people in the courtyard.

She especially trusted Ayan completely.

Breakfast was carefully prepared by Dongkui. Although it wasn't anything fancy, everything was made with care.

A large earthenware pot was filled with steaming hot vegetable porridge, with bright green vegetable leaves mixed among the soft, sticky rice grains, emitting a fragrant aroma.

The plate is piled high with golden-brown egg pancakes, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

There was also a steamer of white steamed buns next to it, each one round and plump, steaming hot.

There were also two small dishes on the table: the pickled cucumber was crisp and refreshing, and the dried radish was salty, fragrant, and slightly spicy—both great accompaniments to porridge.

Ayan and Huanhuan ate without looking up, while Dongkui watched from the side, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Everyone else also enjoyed their meal. Eating with so many people together was lively and warm, and everyone seemed to have a better appetite than before.

After breakfast, everyone went about their own business.

Xiao Yi suddenly walked to Tao'er's side and whispered, "Tao'er, come with me for a moment, I have something to tell you."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked down to the old locust tree in the corner of the yard, his steps neither hurried nor slow.

Tao'er paused for a moment, wondering to herself: What is it that you have to tell me alone?

Can't I say it in front of everyone?

Mysterious...

She followed him, and when they reached the tree, she put her hands in her sleeves, tilted her head, and looked at him: "Brother Shi Qi, what do you want with me?"

Xiao Yi didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Tao'er, you don't need to keep Ayan and the others in check anymore."

It's too stifling to keep them cooped up in the yard all day; children need to go out and get some fresh air.

Upon hearing this, Tao'er frowned.

"Brother Shi Qi, I'm only keeping them detained temporarily, for at most a month or so."

Once we arrive in Jiangnan and settle down, everything will be fine.

She paused, then her tone became serious.

"I did this for the safety of Ayan and the others."

As you know, last time Ayan was almost kidnapped by the bandits, and there's also the matter with Prince Cheng...

Xie Jingxing, that bastard, also came to Ping'an County. We both know what he's up to.

I'm really worried.

She looked up at Xiao Yi, and seeing that he remained silent, she added, "You are Ayan's uncle, so you should be more worried than me."

The more Tao'er talked, the more aggrieved she felt.

She had no other choice, didn't she?

Who wouldn't want their child to run around and play happily outside?

But in the current situation, the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.

She didn't understand why Xiao Yi suddenly brought this up. Did he think she was being too nosy?

Seeing that she had misunderstood, Xiao Yi quickly waved his hand and softened his voice: "Tao'er, don't be anxious, let me finish."

I did not mean that."

He took half a step forward, looking at her earnestly: "I mean, all the crises you were worried about have been resolved."

The gang that was involved in the child trafficking case has been completely wiped out; everyone has been arrested, and not a single one has escaped.

As for King Cheng…”

He smiled slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes: "He can't cause any more trouble now."

Tao'er was taken aback, her mind racing for a moment before her eyes widened: "Seventh Brother Shi, what do you mean by that?"

"It means that King Cheng is currently preoccupied with his own health and is busy recovering from his injuries."

He can't worry about us for the time being.

After Xiao Yi finished speaking, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth into a smile, a smile that carried a hint of satisfaction.

Looking at his expression, Tao'er had a sudden inspiration and blurted out, "Could it be... that you and Brother Qingfeng secretly taught that bastard Prince Cheng a lesson?"

Xiao Yi smiled, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Tao'er is clever."

He leaned against a tree, crossed his arms, and lowered his voice, but couldn't hide the joy in his tone: "Last night, Qingfeng and I sneaked into Prince Cheng's residence."

Wasn't that bastard arrogant?

Weren't they chasing us all the way here?

We made him remember this debt.

Tell him to behave himself and stop causing trouble for people!

Tao'er held her breath, staring at him intently.

Xiao Yi stopped being mysterious and told the whole story.

How did they infiltrate? How did they do it? Cheng Wang looked so disheveled. How did he and Qing Feng coordinate so perfectly?

In the end, he said casually, "In the end, we broke his right leg and cut off his ear."

This can be considered revenge for you and Ayan.

Although it didn't kill him, it was close enough.

That's it for him in this life; he's not going to cause any more trouble.

Tao'er was stunned after hearing this.

She opened her mouth, but it took her a long time to utter a sound: "Seventh Brother Shi... what did you say?"

"You and Brother Qingfeng not only beat Prince Cheng, Xie Jingxing, badly, but also broke his right leg and cut off one of his ears?"

She took a deep breath, her voice rising several decibels: "You...you...you're not lying to me, are you?"

This is a capital offense!

These two guys are incredibly bold!

No matter what, Prince Cheng is a prince, the emperor's son!

If the emperor were to investigate this matter, it would be a heinous crime that would result in the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan!

Although the Xiao family's property has been confiscated, at least they are still alive!

"Tao'er, everything I said is true. Why would I lie to you?"

Xiao Yi spread his hands innocently.

"If you don't believe me, you can ask Qingfeng."

"No..." Tao'er wrung her hands anxiously, "Big brother, you need to understand!"

Xie Jingxing is a prince of noble status!

How dare you cripple him?

"H-H-H-...Are you and Qingfeng out of your minds?"

She was absolutely stunned.

Were all these ancient people really that awesome?

Cutting off ears and breaking legs, what's the difference between that and beating someone to death?

No, it's worse than beating someone to death.

Death would have ended everything, but after becoming king, he was a one-eared cripple, and living was more painful than dying.