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

Tao'er only asked the question after confirming that they had truly left.

Ayan nodded. "Sister Tao'er, I saw them. Why are you asking about those two big ice blocks?"

Those two people didn't show a single smile from beginning to end; their faces were even darker than Bao Gong's in traditional opera.

"Because Li Nanyu brought the two of them with her to prevent us from escaping."

So we had no choice but to follow them to the Li residence.

But don't worry, Ayan, your sister will definitely take you away.

"Oh, I see. I'm so stupid. I didn't think of that and asked such a foolish question."

Ayan pounded his forehead in frustration.

"Ayan, come here, come to your sister's side."

Suddenly, Tao'er waved to Ayan.

Ayan didn't think much of it, assuming that Sister Tao'er had something to tell him in private, so he went straight over.

Without saying a word, Tao'er put Ayan on her lap and then slapped his buttocks three or four times.

Even with a little force, it still hurts.

Ayan was in so much pain that tears streamed down his face, but he didn't utter a single cry.

Tao'er put him down after she finished hitting him, and asked with a stern face, "Do you know why I hit you?"

Ayan nodded and apologized softly, "Sister Tao'er, I'm sorry!"

I was wrong, I'll never do it again!

"Ayan..."

We finally escaped from the Prime Minister's residence and found temporary safety at Old Man Chen's house.

I had already planned my escape, but now…”

"And do you know how worried I was when you secretly ran away?"

You're just a kid, but you've got some nerve, running all the way to the city gate by yourself. Do you have a death wish?

If that's the case, why did I go through all the trouble of rescuing you in the first place?

It would be better to have you thrown in jail with them.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if I took the money and went back to my hometown all by myself?

Why should I stay here and live this life of hiding and extreme danger with you?

"And if you are really caught, what if the Third Prince kills you? How can I face the old lady?"

How can you face your loving grandmother?

"You only know that you can't bear to part with them and want to see your mother off, but if you were to die because of this, would your parents still be able to live?"

Their hope is gone, the Xiao family's hope is gone, do you understand?

Tao'er became angrier and sadder as she spoke, and her eyes reddened as she talked, and she couldn't help but cry.

"Sister Tao'er, don't cry, Ayan knows he was wrong."

It's all my fault for being too willful!

Sister Tao'er, don't cry. If you're angry, hit me a few more times to vent your anger.

If you want to spank me...

I'll let you hit me then...

The little guy lay back down on Sister Tao'er's lap, waiting for her to spank him.

Tao'er, who was originally angry and aggrieved, was amused by Ayan's words and started to laugh.

She gently patted his bottom, and he burst into laughter through his tears. "Get up!"

I won't hit you anymore; that's already considered punishment.

Did it hurt a lot when your sister spanked you?

Should we apply some medicine?

Ayan shook his head, rubbing his bottom with both hands, his face as red as a monkey's bottom. "It doesn't hurt. I'm glad Sister Tao'er isn't angry anymore!"

"Here's the medicine, apply it yourself!"

I'll go check in the yard; they won't peek.

Tao'er could tell that Ayan was shy.

Ayan nodded. "Okay."

Tao'er opened the door, walked into the courtyard, and looked around.

The courtyard was indeed desolate, with peeling paint on the walls and weeds growing in the corners. There were only two side rooms, and the doors and windows were quite old.

Fortunately, the room was quite clean, and the bedding was new; she had just noticed it.

She withdrew her gaze, leaned against the wall, and quietly walked to the courtyard gate, then looked outside through the hole in the gate.

It was indeed crystal clear.

Two guards dressed in black stood like door gods at the entrance to the courtyard, seemingly for protection, but in reality for surveillance.

She sneered inwardly: Li Nanyu's words were all sweet talk, about finding an opportunity to send them out of the city in a few days, but she probably had other plans.

Now that the Xiao family has fallen into ruin and the whole family has been exiled, she and Ayan are the ones who escaped the net, and in the eyes of some people, they are things that can be used to exchange for benefits.

Li Nanyu was able to resolutely divorce Xiao Sanye and quickly sever ties to return to her parents' home. Now, she is so kind as to find them again. Her purpose is definitely not pure.

It seems that escaping during the day is almost impossible; we can only wait until nightfall.

When night fell, they used a sleeping potion to knock the two people out.

She and Ayan were able to escape under the cover of night.

Tao'er shrank back and carefully examined the yard again.

The courtyard wall is about two meters high; it should be no problem to climb over it using a grappling hook.

It was just a bit strenuous and arduous.

I wondered if there was a dog hole. Although crawling out through a dog hole would be unsightly, it would be quick, effortless, and less likely to be discovered.

Unfortunately, Tao'er looked around but couldn't find a single dog hole.

It seems that the original owner of the yard did not have a fondness for keeping dogs.

That's true. In ancient times, they were all mongrels, and few women were afraid of mongrels.

After wandering around for a while, I felt sticky and needed to take a shower. I had been running all day and was sweating a lot.

Ah Yan must have sweated a lot, so he might as well take a nice, relaxing shower and then get some sleep.

Since Li Nanyu has let them stay for a few days, she won't take any action so quickly.

That evening, she would go and find out more information to see what Li Nanyu was up to, and also empty the Li family's storeroom.

We absolutely can't come here for nothing; we have to collect some interest.

Thinking of this, Tao'er patted the courtyard gate. The person guarding outside opened the gate after a while and asked impatiently, "Miss, you can't go out. Miss gave the order."

Tao'er raised her eyebrows slightly, "Who told you I was going out?"

Go and fetch me some hot water; my young master wants to take a bath.

"A bath in broad daylight?"

"You're not going to pull any tricks, are you?"

Another guard glanced at Tao'er with suspicion.

"What tricks could I possibly have? I have good food, good drinks, and good lodging here. I'm not stupid. Why would I run away?"

If you're not going, I'll go ask your young lady myself.

The man was about to say something when the other stopped him.

"Miss, please go inside and wait. I'll make the arrangements right away, and you'll be able to use hot water in a little while."

"That's more like it! You scoundrel, relying on your master's power! Open your eyes and see clearly, we are honored guests!"

Tao'er cursed fiercely and turned to go back into the house.

The guard had just closed the door when a man's voice rang out, "What are you two doing standing here?"

Tao'er stopped in her tracks, wondering who this man was.