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

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and Li Nanyu walked in front, followed by Dong Kui. Behind Dong Kui were two guards dressed in black, who were obviously guards from the Li family.

Tao sneered inwardly: They came really fast!

They even brought guards with them, just in case she and Ayan ran away.

Dongkui ran over with a silly grin, took her hand, and said, "Little sister Tao'er, I met my young lady on the way."

You and the young master should come back with us quickly!

The young lady even arranged a sedan chair for you.

Tao'er looked at Li Nanyu behind her and did not immediately answer Dongkui's question.

This girl is really stupid; she still hasn't figured out her young lady's true intentions.

Li Nanyu felt Tao'er's gaze and immediately walked over with a smile. "Tao'er, you've worked hard taking care of Ayan these past few days. Come home with me now!"

This place is too dilapidated; it's not suitable for living.

You have no idea how happy I was when I found out you escaped with Ayan!

That's why Dongkui sent someone to find you.

Thankfully, I found it today.

If you fall into the hands of bad people, I'm afraid the old lady will die with her eyes wide open in dismay!

I cried for a whole day and night after the old lady passed away. If only I had known…”

As Li Nanyu spoke, she squeezed out two tears and pretended to wipe the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Why didn't you know sooner?"

Miss Nanyu, are you perhaps thinking that you should have stayed in the Marquis's mansion if you had known better?

Will you still keep vigil for the old lady?

Or perhaps she shouldn't divorce Master Xiao?

Li Nan paused, speechless at Tao'er's sarcastic words, and then awkwardly explained, "Miss Tao'er, I also want to keep vigil for the old lady, but I can't get into the Prime Minister's residence!"

Let's not talk about this anymore, you should come back to the manor with me!

The sedan chair bearers are still waiting outside!

This is really not the place to talk.

After Li Nanyu finished speaking, she gave a wink to the guard standing to the side.

Two guards walked behind her and Ayan, one in front and one behind.

"Sister Tao'er, let's not go back with Third Aunt. She doesn't seem like a good person."

Ayan, who was hidden behind Tao'er, spoke up.

"Ayan, don't talk nonsense..."

Tao'er gave a soft rebuke.

He then smiled and said, "Miss Nanyu, I'm sorry, Ayan is young and doesn't know any better, he said something nonsense, please don't take it to heart."

As for staying at your house, I think it's better not to!

We're actually quite happy here; as long as we have a place to stay, that's enough.

I won't bother your Li family anymore.

To avoid causing trouble for your Li family.

Tao'er politely declined at first, her tone indifferent and devoid of emotion.

"Ayan is young, so of course I won't hold it against him."

He probably resents me for leaving his third uncle.

But you really can't live here. How can anyone live in a place like this?

Now that the old lady has passed away, the Xiao family members have already left the city.

Now that only you are left, how can I ignore you?

Don't worry, Peach Girl, I have a way to get you out safely.

There are government officials hiding everywhere outside. It's too dangerous for you to be like this. You should come back to the manor with me!

Even if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about Ayan.

He's never been in good health, and living in a place like this isn't good for him, don't you think?

Li Nanyu was surprised that Tao'er would refuse her, and wondered: Did this little girl doubt her?

But she easily fooled the maid Dongkui!

This Tao'er is just a country girl. Besides being able to cook some delicious food, she doesn't have any other special skills!

It's probably because she resents being abandoned by the Xiao family back then; that's for sure.

Just as Li Nanyu was wondering, Tao'er nodded in agreement.

"Miss Nanyu is right. Ayan and I will go back to the Li residence with you!"

"I'll have to trouble Miss Nanyu."

Ayan scratched Tao'er's hand, which was tightly gripping his, in his anxiety.

What's wrong with Sister Tao'er?

I didn't say that Third Aunt was a bad person, so why go back to the mansion with her?

Tao'er turned her head and winked at Ayan, then shook her head, signaling him to stop talking.

Ayan understood and nodded, "I'll stay wherever Sister Tao'er lives, I'll listen to her."

"Dongkui, hurry up and help your sister Tao'er and the others into the sedan chair."

When Li Nanyu saw that they had agreed, the joy on her face was undisguised.

"Okay!"

Dongkui couldn't hide her joy, and she was genuinely happy.

There were two sedan chairs outside.

Li Nanyu and her servants were in the sedan chair behind, while Tao'er and Ayan were in the sedan chair in front.

She knew there was no way to escape at this point. The two guards had swords at their waists, and if she wasn't careful, their heads would be on the chopping block.

We'll go to the Li residence first and then see what happens.

We have no choice but to enter this tiger's den.

They soon arrived at the Li residence. The sedan chair did not stop at the main gate, but at the back gate.

Li Nanyu brought Tao'er and Ayan inside and arranged for them to stay in a relatively secluded courtyard.

"Miss Tao'er, Ayan, you will stay at Qingwu Courtyard for the time being."

Although it's a relatively remote place, it has everything you need.

You've been hiding and running around these past few days, you must not have had a good rest, so take a good rest today.

Winter mallow will be brought over for both lunch and dinner later.

Li Nanyu's smile was gentle, but it felt too fake.

"Third Aunt, you said you would take good care of us, so you let me and Sister Tao live in this shabby place?"

"This isn't some run-down place where one of your brother's concubines lives, is it?"

Ayan asked this question on purpose.

"Ayan, this..."

It was indeed a concubine who lived there before. It's not that I didn't want to arrange a main room for you, but your current status is special, and there are too many people in front of you, making it easy for others to discover you.

Although the servants in the manor are all our own people, there are bound to be some unreliable ones, so I think it's best to be careful.

So I…”

"So you arranged this run-down house for us?"

Ayan's tone was very unpleasant, like that of a spoiled and willful young master.

"Ayan, don't be angry. I had no choice. After all, this is my maternal home, not my own."

Although it's a bit simple and the rooms are small, very few people come here, so it's not easy to be discovered.

So you and Miss Tao'er will just have to make do for now!

I can't let my dad and the others find out about you.

"If we're discovered and the news leaks out, not only will you be in danger, but I'll be in trouble too."

Li Nanyu patiently explained.

In his heart, he cursed: "He's about to be exiled, and he's still acting so pretentious, throwing his young master's tantrum!"

"Ayan, don't talk like that."

Tao'er saw that it was about time before she spoke up to stop them.

It's no big deal if children say something harsh or insensitive.

No matter how unhappy Li Nanyu was, she had to endure it.

"Miss Nanyu, Ayan is still young and has suffered such a misfortune. He is in a bad mood and his words are not pleasant. Please don't mind him."

He's been treating me the same way these past few days; it's not like he's targeting you.

There's nothing much to do here. We've both been exhausted these past few days, so you and Sister Dongkui don't need to stay here. Go and do your own things!

Li Nanyu couldn't get angry at a child, so she could only nod slightly and beckon Dongkui to go out together.

As soon as they went outside, Ayan asked, puzzled, "Sister Tao'er, didn't you say...?"

"Shh..."

Tao'er made a shushing gesture.

Then Tao'er took Ayan's hand and gently pressed her fingertips against his palm, signaling him to calm down.

She walked to the simple wooden table, poured two cups of tea, and handed one of them to Ayan in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for someone outside the door to hear: "Ayan, have some water."

Miss Nanyu meant well. It's much warmer here than in the dilapidated temple, and there are hot meals available. Staying here isn't so bad, and we don't have to hide anymore.

You agree, right?

After Tao'er finished speaking, she pointed in the direction of the door.

Ayan looked up and saw two figures at the door, and immediately understood what Sister Tao'er meant.

He took the cup, lowered his head, and began to sip the water.

She replied cooperatively, "Sister Tao'er is right."

She knew that Li Nanyu and the others hadn't left yet, but were eavesdropping at the door.

A moment later, the sound of footsteps leaving could be heard.

Li Nanyu led Dongkui out of the courtyard gate and then said to the two people guarding the gate, "You two stay here and don't let anyone into this courtyard except Dongkui."

Also, don't let the two people inside leave the yard.

They fulfilled all of their requests as long as they weren't excessive.

"If they get away, none of you should live either."

"Yes, Miss."

Both of them responded at the same time.

"Dongkui, it's almost lunchtime now. Go and prepare a hearty meal for the two of them."

"Yes, Miss, I will arrange it right away."

Winter Mallow happily walked in another direction.

Li Nanyu glanced at Qingwu Courtyard and murmured to herself, "Young Master, consider this compensation!"