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

Two skilled horsemen dismounted and caught up on foot with knives in hand, only a dozen steps away from the rear of the carriage.

The alley was narrow and the carriage was heavy. It only took a moment for them to catch up. Tao'er desperately urged the horses pulling the carriage forward, while glancing at the soldiers chasing after them.

"Sister Tao'er, there's a carriage coming this way from behind."

Ayan shouted.

Tao'er looked back and saw that a carriage had appeared behind her at some point.

Tao'er guessed that the people in the carriage must be Li Nanyu and Prince Cheng.

She was extremely anxious at that moment!

Despair surged up like a tide.

Is there really no way to escape?

Are they really going to be captured by the great demon King Cheng?

She didn't want to fall into the hands of that cruel bastard, Prince Cheng.

"Ayan, I understand. Don't worry, your sister will help you get rid of them."

Tao'er could only comfort Ayan in this way, after all, no matter how sensible he was, he was still just a five-year-old child.

Just then, the alleyway ahead suddenly widened, appearing to be a small crossroads.

Faint lights and voices could be heard from the alleyway to the left, like a few pedestrians returning home after the night market had ended.

There was a narrow road on the right, and she didn't know what was going on there.

A bold idea flashed through Tao'er's mind like lightning.

She made a decision quickly.

"Ayan, hold on tight! Don't let go no matter what!"

She shouted with all her might, yanked the reins sharply to the left, and at the same time pulled out her dagger again, stabbing the horse in pain.

At that moment, she couldn't bear to do it; after all, a horse's life was more precious than a human life.

Besides, it's just a stinging pain; it won't kill you.

Special times call for special measures, and often sacrificing something is a last resort.

The horse, stung by the pain, galloped wildly, and the carriage hurtled toward the left alleyway at an almost insane angle, its wheels scraping the ground and making a piercing noise.

The pursuers were caught off guard by this desperate, last-ditch effort, and their steps faltered.

They all thought that Tao'er would keep running towards the alley ahead, but unexpectedly, she made the carriage turn and find another way.

It only took this one meal!

The carriage rushed into the slightly wider street on the left.

Sure enough, there were a few vendors and pedestrians returning home late. The sudden appearance of the carriage startled them, causing them to scatter in all directions and creating a momentary commotion.

Tao'er didn't care whether she bumped into anyone; all she could see was the road ahead.

That's the right side of the street.

If she remembered correctly, there was a downhill slope leading to the river.

That's a cargo terminal; it should be deserted at night, and it's a waterway...

Perhaps this will allow them both to escape this predicament.

This waterway is one of the channels for commercial exchange in the city.

Residents on both sides of the river come here every morning to do business and then take their goods to sell on the other side.

Although Ayan has only just learned to paddle, he can still hold his breath underwater for a considerable amount of time.

Therefore, Tao'er thought she could use this to evade the pursuit of Prince Cheng's guards.

"Ayan! Listen to me!" Tao'er's voice was broken by the bumps and wind, but it was extremely clear. "The Zimu River is just ahead!"

The carriage can't move!

I'll count to three, and then we'll jump off the car and into the river together!

Hold your breath and drift downstream!

Do you understand?

Ayan's eyes widened, and he instantly understood Tao'er's intention.

Beyond the fear, a ruthless streak belonging to the Xiao family bloodline ignited in his eyes.

He nodded emphatically, "Sister Tao'er, I'll listen to you."

His expression was serious, and his eyes were resolute, as if he were a little adult.

Her little hands gripped the window frame tightly, her body tense, ready to go.

Behind them, the shouts of the guards and the curses of the scattered pedestrians mingled together as the pursuers bypassed the chaotic crowd and closed in again.

To Tao'er's surprise, the carriage behind them had already caught up and blocked their way.

Unexpectedly, it was Li Nanyu who got out of the car first; Prince Cheng did not follow.

For some reason, King Cheng did not come, which was actually a good thing for them.

With King Cheng's presence, the danger for the two of them increased even further.

"Tao'er, why are you running away with Ayan?"

"You made me watch this for so long late at night!"

Tao'er stood on the carriage, spat, and then sneered, "Aren't you going to let Ayan and me run away and offer us up to King Cheng?"

"So you think you can trade our lives for high-ranking positions and a lifetime of wealth and honor for your Li family?"

Li Nanyu was startled. Could it be that this brat knew about her plan?

But who told her that?

The maid, Dongkui, had no idea about this; she hadn't told her.

It's probably just the girl's guess. Anyway, let's just coax her back first.

Forcing a smile, she said, "Miss Tao'er, do you have some misunderstanding about me?"

How could I possibly offer you all to King Cheng?

Although I am no longer the third wife of the Xiao family, I would never do such a heartless thing!

Otherwise, how could I face the old lady and the third master of the Xiao family?

"Come down quickly, I'll take you and Ayan back to the manor. It's too dangerous outside."

"Hahaha………

Li Nanyu, do you not even need to think before you lie?

You still say you're not handing us over to King Cheng to curry favor? Are you blind to these guards behind you?

"Ayan is young, but I'm not a three-year-old child."

Tao'er pointed to the guards behind Li Nanyu.

"Miss Tao'er, you've misunderstood. These are guards from the manor, not soldiers from the Prince Cheng's manor."

They are here to protect you.

Li Nanyu patiently persuaded him.

"Pah!"

Sister Tao'er, don't listen to Li Nanyu's nonsense. She's lying to you. If those guards weren't from the Prince's mansion, how could they possibly carry such knives?

She's no good, don't believe her.

Ayan got out of the carriage, stepped over to Sister Tao'er, and angrily pointed at Li Nanyu and cursed.

"Young master, no matter what, I used to be your third aunt, how could I possibly harm you!"

As for the sword you mentioned, it must have been dark, and you didn't see it clearly.

You little rascal, when did you become so clever?

However, he still suppressed his anger and frustration and continued to feign concern.

"Alright, Miss Li Nanyu, don't waste your time talking to us."

Even if you rave the most about it today, Ayan and I will not go back with you.

You must be wondering how I know you're colluding with King Cheng, right?

I already suspected you when you brought me and Ayan into the Li residence.

"And Ayan and I heard everything you and Prince Cheng said at the entrance of Qingwu Courtyard clearly."

Tao'er simply laid everything out, then watched with a smug look as she observed the changing expressions on Li Nanyu's face.

Seeing that they already knew, Li Nanyu simply stopped pretending and said coldly, "Tao'er, you brat, now that you know, why don't you surrender and avoid physical suffering!"

You think you're saving the young master, but you're actually harming him. You're just a powerless country girl; you're going to die sooner or later with the young master.

The prince said he wouldn't take the young master's life, but would simply send him to exile.

This way, the young master can still meet with his parents.

Young master, you have no relation to him, why offend the prince?

Why don't you come with me and become my maid? I'll find you a servant boy, and then you can get married and have children. Wouldn't that be great?

Why live such a miserable life on the run?

"Li Nanyu, you don't need to worry about me, and you don't need to worry about the young master either. You should worry about your good younger brother instead!"

He'll never have the chance to become an official in his lifetime.

Because dead people can't become officials!

"You brat, what do you mean?"