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

After Li Nanyu returned to the mansion, she instructed her personal maid, Dongkui, "Dongkui, spend some money to hire a few people to keep an eye on Steward Zhou and Granny Wang."

Unable to contain her curiosity, the maid Dongkui asked curiously, "Miss, have we already left the Xiao family?"

Moreover, Steward Zhou and Granny Wang have already left the Xiao family. Why do you still need me to spend money to keep an eye on the Xiao family?

Aside from us, almost everyone in the Prime Minister's residence has been arrested. Why is Miss suddenly concerned about the Xiao family's affairs?

"My goal is not to keep an eye on the okra, but on the people who come into contact with them."

"To be honest, I'm looking for someone right now, so Dongkui, you need to have someone keep a close eye on those two."

Steward Zhou was once the steward of the Xiao family and was also someone the master trusted.

Wang Mama was originally the old lady's dowry maid, and also the head nanny in charge of the backyard, and the old lady's inseparable personal nanny.

The young master and that little maid Tao'er must not have left the city yet after escaping, otherwise Prince Cheng wouldn't have found him.

Tao'er, a young girl with no connections or backing, will definitely not be able to hide for long with Ayan. They will eventually have to go to Steward Zhou or Granny Wang.

She would then take the opportunity to bring them over, saying she could help them escape the city.

Then they were handed over to King Cheng.

Dongkui was completely confused and continued to ask, "Miss, does that mean that Steward Zhou and Granny Wang have to record and report their every move to you every day?"

And who are the two people you're looking for?

"So I can tell the servants to go look for it?"

"No need, just report back as soon as you see them meeting with the young master of the Xiao family."

Li Nanyu waved her hand and said impatiently.

"Oh, I understand, Miss. You're trying to save the young master and little sister Tao'er, aren't you?"

Dongkui was very happy because Tao'er treated all the maids very well, making delicious snacks and often sharing them with them.

Li Nanyu felt a pang of regret upon hearing this, but thinking of her nephew's safety and her brother's future, she nodded and said, "Go and do it quickly!"

Remember, this must be done secretly, otherwise we'll all be in danger.

Dongkui nodded and went out.

Dongkui is simple-minded, so it's better not to tell her to avoid any complications.

Dongkui happily took the silver and ran out.

For two consecutive days, Dongkui did not bring back any news about the young master.

Li Nanyu was getting impatient, thinking to herself: Could it be that the two of them have already left the city?

"Miss, Steward Zhou and Granny Wang have been living normal lives these past two days and have not done anything unusual."

This servant suspects that Young Master Ayan and Sister Tao'er did not go to find them.

What should we do?

"I hope nothing bad has happened to the young master and the others?"

Dongkui looked worried, her little face scrunched up.

"No, don't talk nonsense, just keep an eye on it."

Report any unusual activity immediately.

"Miss, tomorrow is the day our son-in-law... the third master of the Xiao family, and the others are being exiled from the city. Aren't you going to see them off?"

After hesitating for a moment, Dongkui finally asked.

"I'm not going. I've already divorced Third Master Xiao. Why would I send him anything?"

"Get out, there's nothing for you here!"

Li Nanyu impatiently chased people away.

"Oh, this servant takes her leave!"

Seeing that the young lady was unhappy, Dongkui bowed and was about to turn and leave.

"Winter Okra, come back! What were you saying just now?"

Li Nanyu suddenly asked with a smile.

"I was just wondering if the young master and the others might be in danger?"

Dongkui turned around and replied, thinking that her mistress had come up with some good idea.

"Not this sentence, but the last two sentences."

"This servant explained that tomorrow is the day Third Master Xiao and the others are to be exiled from the city. Would you like to...see them off?"

"Yes, of course I'll go."

Even a day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness; how could I not go?

"Dongkui, prepare a set of thick boots for Third Master. It's cold there, don't let him catch a cold."

Li Nanyu gave the instructions with a smile.

"Alright, Miss, I'll go prepare right away."

Winter Mallow turned and ran off like a joyful little magpie.

Li Nanyu, however, was secretly pleased.

Tomorrow is the day the Xiao family will be exiled, and the young master cannot possibly resist coming to see them off.

Even if we can't say goodbye openly, we can still watch from afar.

Early the next morning.

Ayan secretly got up and glanced at the sleeping Tao'er.

"Sister Tao'er, I'm sorry, I lied to you, please don't blame me!"

"I swear, from today onwards, I will do whatever you say."

"Sister Tao'er, I'll just sneak a peek at my mother and then come back."

"I will be very careful, very careful."

"I'm so sorry, Sister Tao'er..."

"Sister Tao'er, wait for me, I'll be back soon."

With a heavy heart, Ayan left a note and secretly slipped out of the Chen family.

When Ayan secretly slipped out of the Chen family home, it was just dawn.

If we don't arrive early, we'll be discovered, especially since Grandpa Chen and the others get up very early.

He was wearing a small straw hat, which Grandpa Chen had woven for him from rice straw.

He walked briskly along the base of the wall, carefully avoiding the watchmen patrolling the streets and the few pedestrians.

As they approached the city gate, it was already broad daylight.

There were already many people entering the city near the city gate, bustling about, and the soldiers guarding the city were carefully checking them.

The exile procession had not yet arrived. Ayan huddled in a corner behind the crowd, surrounded by piles of miscellaneous items, staring intently at the city gate through the gaps between the carts and baskets, his body pressed against the bottom of the cart.

Meanwhile, Tao'er woke up, only to find that Ayan was gone from the bed.

She looked around in confusion. Ayan's coat was gone, and his straw hat was missing.

Finally, as her gaze shifted, she saw the note hidden under the teapot.

She picked up the teapot and put it aside, glanced at the note, and her expression changed instantly.

"That brat is incredibly audacious!"

"When I catch you, I'll give you a good spanking..."

Tao'er took out two silver notes worth one hundred taels each and placed them under the teapot, then ran out like the wind.

She left the banknotes because she was afraid they wouldn't be able to come back.

If they were discovered by the soldiers, they would not return to the Chen family, because it would implicate their entire family.