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

Tao'er warily shielded Ayan behind her, a stun gun already appearing in her hand—her first reaction upon hearing the cough.

If people are hiding in this place, then it seems this place is not safe.

There were still people guarding this place, which Tao'er hadn't expected.

She assumed it was someone from the Prince's residence, and thought to herself that Prince Cheng was incredibly cunning.

Just as she was about to use the stun gun to knock the man unconscious, he spoke, "Miss Tao'er, young master, don't be afraid, it's me, Chen Ping'an..."

The man picked up the oil lamp in his hand and shone it closer, illuminating his simple yet familiar face clearly.

Tao'er recognized Uncle Chen's voice, and when she saw his face, her heart calmed down.

"Sister Tao'er, he's not a bad person, he's Uncle Chen."

Ayan walked forward, took Tao'er's hand, and said excitedly.

Tao'er responded and then said, "Uncle Chen, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go inside."

Chen Ping'an nodded and followed Tao'er inside.

He also knew that the outside was not the place to talk.

Once inside, he quickly bolted the door.

The three of them sat down in a stone pavilion in the backyard. The other courtyards and houses of the Prime Minister's residence had been burned down, but the others had not.

"Miss Tao, young master, it was my fault just now. I couldn't help coughing and startled you."

"I probably caught a cold; my throat is incredibly itchy, and this cough is uncontrollable."

Chen Pingan said apologetically.

"It's alright, Uncle Chen. You've probably caught a cold. Remember to get some medicine when you get home. Don't delay and be reluctant to spend the money on medicine."

"A cough that lingers for too long becomes difficult to treat."

A prolonged cough can develop into pneumonia, which would be troublesome, especially since medical technology in ancient times was not as advanced as it is today.

"Thank you very much, Miss Tao'er. I will definitely get the medicine when I get back."

"Uncle Chen, why are you guarding the back gate of the Prime Minister's residence?"

Still here in the middle of the night?

This is what Tao'er is curious about, so she has to ask.

"I've actually been waiting for you guys here..."

Yesterday, my father and I discovered that you and the young master were missing, and we were extremely worried.

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Seeing the silver notes you left behind, I guessed you probably wouldn't be coming back.

Then Grandpa and I were worried that it would be difficult for you to leave the city at this time, and we were even more worried that you two would encounter bad people.

We went to the streets to secretly look for you and ask around, but we didn't find a single clue.

Until it was almost dark yesterday, we heard that you were being chased by several strong men. My father and I became even more worried, but we didn't know where to look for you.

So we had no choice but to try this, as a last resort.

"My father told me to stay at the Prime Minister's residence last night. He said you have nowhere to go, and maybe if you escape, you will return to this place."

My dad was right.

I waited all night last night but you didn't come.

I came again tonight.

"Luckily, we made it; it wasn't a wasted wait."

After Chen Ping'an finished speaking, he sniffed.

Tao'er understood; Uncle Chen must have caught a cold from being exposed to the night wind all night.

Tao'er was still very touched. Although the Xiao family had been kind to the Chen family, they had already repaid that debt of gratitude.

It is truly remarkable that the Chen family father and son have been able to go this far.

The Chen father and son both had honest and simple appearances; they were both simple and honest people.

Tao'er said, "Uncle Chen, it's really hard on you. You stayed here all night and even made you catch a cold and hurt your health."

If we don't come back tonight, won't you have to keep guarding like this?

Please don't do that again next time. Ayan and I would feel really bad about it!

"Miss Peach, you're too kind. It's just a small matter."

My father instructed me that no matter what, I had to keep watch for a few nights, because if you hadn't escaped the city gates, you might have ended up here.

My father said you definitely didn't want to implicate the Chen family, which is why you left without saying goodbye. My father was absolutely right.

Hearing this, Ayan lowered his head in shame and then said, "Uncle Chen, I'm sorry, it's not that we wanted to leave without saying goodbye."

Actually, it was all because I was immature and willful...

"Ayan, let bygones be bygones, and don't keep it in your heart."

Just remember not to make the same mistake again.

A good child is one who admits their mistakes and corrects them.

Tao'er interrupted Ayan because she didn't want him to keep remembering this matter.

As people experience more things, they naturally grow and mature.

Saplings don't start out as towering trees.

"Okay, Sister Tao'er, Ayan will remember. Ayan won't say anything more."

Ayan nodded and said seriously.

"Miss Tao, you haven't encountered any danger, have you?"

Chen Ping'an didn't know what Young Master Ayan had done wrong, but he didn't want to ask too much.

So they turned their attention to how the other two days had gone by.

Tao'er breathed a soft sigh of relief and sat up slightly on the stone bench, the dim light of the oil lamp casting a soft shadow on her face.

"Uncle Chen, we did encounter some trouble yesterday. We were chased, but we managed to escape unharmed and found a secluded place to hide."

Everything's alright now, you don't need to worry.

Her voice was calm, deliberately omitting the part about the Li family, and it was even less likely that she would tell him that she had dealt with the eldest son of the Li family.

Some things are safer the fewer people who know them.

Hearing this, Chen Ping'an's rough face showed lingering fear. He rubbed his hands together, "It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright..."

These past two days have terrified us.

Miss Peach, young master, this is not a place to stay for long.

Why don't you come back to the Chen family with me?

Although the house was simple, it was at least a place to stay.

It's also relatively safer.

This was Chen Ping'an's idea, and it was something his father had specifically instructed him to do.

Tao shook her head, her tone gentle yet firm: "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Chen."

It's just that it's more convenient for us here.

To be honest, I had previously stored some food and supplies in this mansion, enough to last us for a few days.

And I have my own plans too.

"Miss Peach, even though you are very prepared, isn't there any danger here?"

Or do you have some good ideas?

Chen Ping'an thought to himself that this girl was only fifteen or sixteen years old, yet she spoke and acted with such maturity and sophistication.

Even so, he was still uneasy.

Tao'er paused for a moment, then continued in a simple and calm tone, "We have already made a plan. In two days, when there are many people at the temple fair, we will try to leave the city."

That day was our only and best chance to leave the city.

"But my father..."

"Uncle Chen, don't worry about us, we're really fine."

Go back and tell your father that Ayan and I are safe and doing well, and that he shouldn't worry.

Tao interrupted Uncle Chen with a smile, not wanting to burden others any further.

The Chen family are all good people.

Seeing her resolute expression, Chen Ping'an knew he couldn't persuade her, so he sighed and said, "Then... if there's anything I can do to help, Miss Tao'er, please feel free to tell me."

After thinking for a moment, Tao'er took out a few more silver ingots from her sleeve and pushed them in front of Chen Ping'an: "I really have something to trouble Uncle Chen with."