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

Li Nanyu was terrified, and kept her head down, not daring to look directly at King Cheng.

In a very soft voice, she said, "Your Highness, please don't joke with me. Your Highness is of noble birth, and my nephew is stupid and uncouth. I'm afraid he is not good enough to be Your Highness's page. I'm afraid we might anger Your Highness and make him unhappy."

That scoundrel of a prince is clearly using her little nephew to threaten him. What a vicious thought!

Xie Jingxing raised his hand to flick off non-existent dust from his body, stood up, and said, "Miss Nanyu, you are mistaken!"

Children are all about the same age, and their minds are very simple.

"My son happens to need someone to keep him company, and I think this would be perfect."

"Your Highness, I cannot make this decision myself. Please allow me to go back and ask my brother and sister-in-law."

Li Nanyu made excuses again, and could only delay as long as possible.

"I know that your brother obtained a sixth-rank official position because of the protection of the Xiao family, and he is still a sixth-rank official."

Now, because of the Xiao family's affairs, I'm left idle at home. Am I right?

Now that the Xiao family has fallen, His Majesty has not punished your Li family, but only allowed you to stay at home, which is already an act of great grace.

Is it possible that even this minor official of the sixth rank no longer wants to be a position?

If you insist on not helping, then…”

King Cheng then changed the subject, turning his attention to Li Yuxuan, a son of the Li family.

His tone was meaningful.

Li Nanyu gasped inwardly; they were going to target his brother!

King Cheng smiled without saying a word, looked at Li Nanyu's pale face, glanced at Liu Wei who was waiting beside him, and ordered, "Liu Wei, Li Yuxuan's precious son is named Li Chong'an, right?"

I heard she just turned five, and is very cute, intelligent, and quick-witted.

A life for a life, trading his life for the young master of the Xiao family, this deal seems pretty worthwhile, doesn't it?

What do you think?

Liu Wei nodded in agreement, "Your Highness is absolutely right. I think this method is quite good."

Li Nanyu suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with fear and anger, her lips trembling, but she dared not utter a single curse word.

King Xie Jing was ruthless; who in the capital didn't know that?

He did what he said he would do.

"How...how could you..."

Her voice was broken and trembling, filled mostly with fear.

Having been a member of the Xiao family for so many years, how could she not understand the power of authority?

"Miss Nanyu, what do you want to say? It is your own unwillingness, and I have given you the right to choose."

You are no longer a member of the Xiao family, so why put on this act of loyalty and righteousness?

Now everyone in Shengjing knows you are a heartless and selfish woman.

If the Xiao family were to be raided and you were to divorce the Third Master of the Xiao family, the common people would have already cursed you to death.

Perhaps the rest of the Xiao family also hate you to the core.

"Your Highness, although I have divorced the Third Master of the Xiao family, I only want to live."

I believe they can understand me and will forgive what I did.

But if I help you capture the young master of the Xiao family and kill him, then I will truly become a sinner for all time, and be infamous for eternity.

The young master of the Xiao family is only five years old. Even if he escapes and survives, he will only live an ordinary life.

Why must Your Highness be so ruthless as to exterminate them all!

"I beg you, please let him go. He's just a five-year-old child."

Clinging to her last glimmer of hope, Li Nanyu knelt down again with a thud.

"presumptuous………

Li Nanyu, do you want to die?

The prince has made his words very clear; are you still so stubborn?

"Liu Wei, go and invite the young master of the Li family to the Prince Cheng's residence as a guest..."

"No, Lord Liu, please don't go..."

The woman agreed to do her best.

But I hope Your Highness can give Ayan a way out.

He's in poor health, the doctor said he doesn't have much time left..."

Xie Jingxing interrupted her, his tone softening slightly, "Miss Nanyu, do you think I'm willing to be the villain?"

The arrest of the remnants of the Xiao family is His Majesty's decree!

Xiao Yan's escape was a serious crime.

"I have been ordered to oversee this case; how can I allow the fugitive to escape and betray His Majesty's grace?"

He stood up, walked to the drafty window of the dilapidated temple, his back to her, but his voice came clearly: "I do not intend to kill them."

They were simply brought to justice and exiled to the north along with the rest of the Xiao family.

Once they get there, the family can be reunited. Wouldn't that be better than him hiding and living in constant fear?

Although exile is bitter, at least one is still alive.

It's better for Ayan to grow up with his parents and brothers than to be a fugitive who can't see the light of day, don't you think?

And that young cook from the Prime Minister's residence beside him—you guys aren't naive enough to think she can protect Ayan and grow up with him, are you?

Upon hearing what Prince Cheng said, Li Nanyu's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly asked, "Is what Your Highness just said true?"

"Won't this cost the young master his life?"

"Of course it's true. My Prince Cheng always keeps his word."

Liu Wei echoed this sentiment.

Whether they die on the road is another matter, and that's none of their business.

She thought about the young cook in the Prime Minister's residence, who was only a teenager. She was afraid that even protecting herself would be a problem, let alone protecting Ayan.

Ah Yan might die of illness or starvation one day, and that little girl isn't a doctor; she can't cure his illness.

It would be better to send Ayan to the place of exile. Although the journey is long and arduous, at least he will be taken care of by the three young masters of the Xiao family, as well as the first and second wives.

In any case, it's better than Ayan's life of wandering.

"Miss Nanyu, think about it. The young master of the Xiao family is so handsome. Maybe he'll catch the eye of a child trafficker and be sold to a brothel. In the future, he'll be..."

Seeing that Li Nanyu was interested, Liu Wei added fuel to the fire once again.

Xie Jingxing continued, trying to entice her with benefits: "Miss Nanyu, a wise person knows when to yield!"

By helping me with this favor, you are also helping the young master of the Xiao family find a relatively stable home.

After this is done, I will not only ensure the safety of your Li family, but I will also put in a good word for your brother, Lord Li.

Although he is currently unemployed, he still has the qualifications. With some maneuvering, it wouldn't be difficult to transfer him to a substantive post, or even... promote him by half a level or a full level.

I only need to mention this to my mother.

The younger brother's official position...

The Li family's reliance...

Li Nanyu closed her eyes.

Yes, she has already divorced and returned to her parents' home.

For the rest of his life, his honor and disgrace, his rise and fall, would all be tied to the Li family.

My parents are old, and my younger brother is the pillar of our family.

If she can regain the emperor's favor, the Li family has hope of revival, and her life as a daughter who has returned home will be better.

As for the Xiao family...

Third Master has already written a divorce agreement, and it has nothing to do with her anymore.

Even if the Xiao family is exonerated and returns to the court, they will never accept her as a divorced woman again, let alone forgive her for abandoning the Xiao family.

Never mind, never mind...

Perhaps King Cheng is right; this is the best choice.

Thinking of this, Li Nanyu's slight guilt towards the Xiao family seemed so insignificant in the face of family interests and personal security.

She slowly opened her eyes, which were now dry of tears, replaced by a resigned calm, with a subtle, almost imperceptible calculation hidden deep within.

"Your Highness... what do you require of me?"

Xie Jingxing smiled with satisfaction, walked back to his seat, and gestured for Liu Wei to help her up.

"It's very simple."

All you need to do is find them as soon as possible; I believe you'll find a way.

Then you make Ayan and that little cook believe you.

Then you said you had a way to get them out of the city, and then you…”

Li Nanyu finally nodded. "Alright, Your Highness, I agree, but I hope you can keep your promise as well."

"I always keep my word."

"Liu Wei, now take Miss Nanyu back to the Li residence!"