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

Ayan felt that something was wrong with his fifth uncle, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

After tilting her head and thinking for a while, she suddenly asked, "Fifth Uncle, did you see Sister Tao'er up there?"

"That's why you wanted this painting, right?"

"Shh...

Ah Yan, keep your voice down, it won't be good if others hear you!

This is bad for your reputation, Sister Tao'er!

People will misunderstand!

This little guy is really smart; he figured out his real purpose right away.

"Oh, okay, then I'll keep my voice down."

"But Fifth Uncle, didn't you want this painting so you could see Sister Tao'er?"

Ayan covered his mouth and chuckled.

"Children shouldn't talk nonsense."

How could that be? Fifth Uncle is reluctant to part with you, and of course he's reluctant to part with Huanhuan too.

Don't say anything about this carelessly, and don't overthink it!

Also, you mustn't tell your sister Tao'er about this.

"Whatever you do, whatever you do, don't tell her that I asked you for this painting."

If Tao'er finds out, what will she do if she wants to go back?

Will he give it to me or not?

"Oh, Fifth Uncle, I understand. I won't tell Sister Tao'er."

Ayan agreed with a grin.

"Also, Ah Yan, your fifth uncle has a favor to ask you."

If any ill-intentioned men appear around Sister Tao'er, remember to drive them away.

Alternatively, you could write a letter to your fifth uncle!

OK?"

Ayan nodded. "Okay!"

Fifth Uncle asked him to keep an eye on Sister Tao'er, in case she was snatched away by another man.

"Did you remember everything your fifth uncle just told you?"

Xiao Yi asked again.

"I've got it."

"Okay, then you must remember to eat well, not be picky about food, sleep well, and not stay up too late reading or practicing calligraphy."

If you get sick, you should see a doctor promptly.

If your sister Tao'er gets sick, you must tell her to see a doctor.

Xiao Yi gave another instruction.

"I understand, Fifth Uncle."

"You forgot that Tao'er and I can treat minor illnesses and injuries ourselves!"

Ayan nodded, tears welling up in his eyes, but he couldn't hold them back and they slid down his cheeks.

He quickly raised his little hand and wiped it haphazardly, trying his best to hold back, but his voice was already choked with sobs. "I remember every word Uncle Wu said."

Don't worry, I won't let anyone take Sister Tao away from me.

Xiao Yi felt a pang of heartache, but as an elder, he couldn't show too much emotion in front of the child, otherwise Ayan would probably cry even harder!

He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound steady: "Ayan is so good, Uncle Wu believes Ayan is the best!"

"Ayan, eat more, and you'll grow tall."

"Um."

Ayan nodded vigorously, his voice muffled, "Ayan will eat well and grow tall. When Fifth Uncle comes back, Ayan will be taller than Fifth Uncle."

These words amused Xiao Yi, who pinched A Yan's little face: "Okay, Fifth Uncle is waiting for you to grow taller, waiting for you to be taller than me, so you can protect Sister Tao'er then."

Ayan nodded again, then suddenly stretched out his little finger and said in a hoarse voice, "Fifth Uncle, pinky promise."

Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, then laughed, hooked his little finger around his younger brother's little finger, and pressed their thumbs together heavily.

"Pinky promise, a hundred years from now."

Ayan read the sentence carefully, but tears kept falling down his face. He tried his best to hold back his sobs, and his little shoulders trembled.

Xiao Yi pulled Ayan into his arms, gave him a gentle hug, and whispered in his ear, "Fifth Uncle will be back soon, be a good boy."

After saying that, he let go of her hand, stood up, afraid that if he held her any longer, he really wouldn't want to leave.

Ayan stood there, looking up at his fifth uncle, his lips trembling, but no sound came out.

Those two big eyes were filled with tears, like two small pools, but stubbornly, not a single tear fell.

While Xiao Yi was saying goodbye to his nephew A Yan, Dong Kui was already holding Tao'er's hand and crying her eyes out.

Dongkui is usually a straightforward and decisive girl. She does things quickly and speaks concisely.

But today she seemed like a completely different person, her almond-shaped eyes as red as a rabbit's.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, large drops rolling down her cheeks.

"Peach, you must take good care of yourself."

Dongkui choked back tears, her voice broken and intermittent, like the tattered strings of a musical instrument.

"Eat on time, don't forget when you're busy. Your stomach isn't good to begin with, it will hurt when you're hungry."

Dongkui held Tao'er's hand with such force that it seemed as if Tao'er would disappear if she let go.

"Also, don't eat anything too spicy. You have this problem; once you start eating spicy food, you can't stop."

"If I'm not here, there'll be no one to make you herbal tea to cool you down."

Tao'er's hands were held tightly by Dong Kui, and as she listened to Dong Kui's endless, nagging words of advice, her nose began to sting with tears.

But she was more tolerant than Dongkui, and she held back her tears with red eyes.

She tried to put on a smile: "Sister Dongkui, I know, you've said it so many times."

I'm not a child; I can take care of myself.

As for you, you need to be careful to keep warm when you get there; keeping warm is the most important thing for women.

Don't hesitate to wear your down jacket.

"Did you listen to me even after I said it several times?"

I'm afraid that if I'm not watching you, you won't be able to control your mouth again.

Dongkui stomped her feet in frustration and anger, and her tears fell even harder.

"I've told you so many times, but when have you ever actually listened?"

"I can keep an eye on you when you're here, but once you're gone, who knows if you'll start abusing your stomach again."

As she spoke, Dongkui cried even louder, sobbing so hard she could barely speak a sentence, "You know not to sleep in the cold at night, right?"

Your sleeping posture... you have such a bad sleeping posture, you always kick the blanket to the floor.

It's cold and you don't even bother to cover yourself up. If you catch a cold, who's going to make you ginger soup?

I'm not by your side...

Upon hearing this, Tao'er finally couldn't hold back anymore, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She blinked hard, trying to force back her tears, but the tears fell like beads from a broken string, one after another.

She sniffed and said in a hoarse voice, "Sister Dongkui, please don't cry. If you keep crying, I won't be able to hold back either."

I've remembered everything you said.

Don't worry, I will definitely take good care of myself and won't mistreat my body.

I was only lazy before because you were there.

"Since you're not by my side, I definitely need to take good care of myself."

"I just couldn't help it!"

Dongkui rushed over and hugged Tao'er tightly, burying her face in Tao'er's shoulder and crying uncontrollably. "I don't know how long I'll be gone or when I'll be able to come back."

How can I be at ease leaving you here all alone?

If anything happens to you, I won't be able to live either!

Tao'er gently patted Dongkui's back, her voice soft, "Sister Dongkui, I'm not alone. I have Ayan and Huanhuan with me!"

They are so sensible.

If all else fails, I can hire another guard to protect us.

"But you, a young lady, are going with them to the north."

That place is so far away and so cold. I heard the sandstorms are so strong they can blow people away.

Remember, don't wander around unnecessarily. Just stay inside and cook or something.

It wouldn't be good if you ran into bad people outside!

"I'm not made of paper."

Dongkui wiped away her tears and laughed, "You forgot that I used to learn some kung fu."

Anyone who dares to mess with me, I'll beat them to a pulp.

Besides, I have a gentle breeze protecting me now.

"Little Peach, don't worry, I'll be fine."