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

Tao'er took out a rough map from her bundle and spread it on the ground; she had prepared it in advance.

"The east gate is the most strictly inspected, while the west gate is slightly more lenient, but we have to take a longer route."

Our destination was Jiangnan in the south, where the old lady had a distant cousin.

Although we don't know each other, with the old lady's handwritten letter, there shouldn't be any problem.

After thinking it over, Tao'er decided to go find the old lady's relative.

Jiangnan is far from Shengjing, so it should be safer.

She originally planned to take Ayan back to her hometown, but now that Dongkui is involved, she decided not to take that route for now.

If the old lady's distant cousin was there, that is, Ayan's maternal uncle.

Dongkui leaned closer to examine it closely: "To get out from the west gate, you have to pass through Qingshi Ridge in Jingmeng Mountain. I heard that there have been bandits appearing in that area recently."

It seems to be that bandit who was feared by everyone and whom even the imperial court was powerless to eradicate.

However, there is a temple fair tomorrow, and the temple is located on a mountain near the west gate.

Tomorrow will definitely be crowded, which will be a good opportunity to leave the city.

Winter Mallow had thought of this.

"We need to change our identities simply because there are bandits."

As Tao'er spoke, her gaze shifted between Dongkui and Ayan, "Dongkui, you have to dress up as a man and pretend to be my husband."

Ah Yan is disguised as a girl; his identity is my younger brother.

Ayan's eyes widened: "Me, dressed as a girl?"

Tao'er patiently explained, "Ayan, please bear with it for a moment. This way, it won't be easily discovered by those with ulterior motives."

Two women with a boy are likely to attract attention.

But it's much more normal for a couple to bring their wife's younger sister along.

Besides, Ayan, you're young, so dressing up as a girl won't be difficult for you."

Dongkui nodded, "Sister Tao is right."

Young master...

No, Ayan has delicate features; he would definitely look like a girl if dressed up.

Although Ayan was somewhat reluctant, he knew that Tao'er was thoughtful, so he nodded and said, "I'll listen to you, sister."

"Ayan, it will be dawn in an hour or two. You should get some sleep. I'll tell you that Sister Dongkui is going outside to change her clothes and we can discuss the details."

Tao'er arranged for Ayan to continue sleeping and resting.

He's only a few years old, it's good for him to sleep a little longer.

Ayan nodded, then obediently crawled into the blankets and continued sleeping.

Tao'er took out a package from somewhere, actually from her spatial storage.

She pulled Dongkui a short distance away, then took out some simple clothes and a few bottles from her bundle: "I brought some old clothes and disguise items with me when I escaped, just in case, and now they come in handy."

She made Dongkui change into a dark men's outfit, bound Dongkui's chest tightly with strips of cloth, and then used charcoal to draw on her face, darkening her eyebrows and drawing some stubble on her lips.

Dongkui's originally gentle face suddenly looked less gentle than before, but she was still considered a handsome scholar.

"Hmm, not bad!"

Like a thin, frail scholar!

Now practice your walking posture.

Tao'er walked a few steps to the side and gave an example.

Dongkui imitated her with great enthusiasm.

"Walk with your eyes looking straight ahead, a confident and poised gaze, and take larger steps. Don't always look down."

Tao instructed, "Speak in a low voice and keep it as brief as possible."

Dongkui tried a few times, and at first she always looked awkward, which made Tao'er chuckle. But gradually, she started to look quite good.

Seeing that it was about time, Tao'er pulled Dongkui back, and the two of them stayed close together, dozing off for about an hour.

The next morning, Tao'er and Dongkui both got up early.

Tao'er took out some noodles and a few eggs and gave them to Dongkui, asking her to make breakfast.

Then she began to dress up Ayan.

Tao'er dressed him in an old girl's cotton dress and used strips of cloth to comb his hair into two small buns.

You can't wear new clothes, otherwise you'll easily attract the attention of bad people.

Ayan has fair skin and delicate features, so he looks perfectly natural dressed as a girl. However, his awkward expression reveals his true gender.

Children of a few years old, unless they have particularly masculine or feminine features, are inherently difficult to distinguish as male or female.

Moreover, in ancient times, both men and women had long hair, which made it easier to dress up.

Tao'er said softly, "Ayan, you need to be more natural."

Remember, you are now my little sister, your name is Ying, and you are four years old.

Because Ayan was chronically ill and weak, he was not as tall as his peers, so some people believed he was four years old.

Ayan took a deep breath, trying to relax, and tried to bow his head slightly like a girl, twisting the hem of his clothes with his fingers.

After practicing a few times, you'll be able to do it.

Tao'er also changed her clothes, put her long hair up in a woman's bun, and drew a very realistic black mole on her chin.

As dawn broke, the three of them were ready.

Afterwards, all three of them had eaten their fill.

Tao'er then spoke up, "Now that we're full, it's about time we set off."

Remember, no matter what happens, don't panic.

Dongkui is my husband, his name is Afu, my name is Atao, and Ayan's name is Aying.

Once we're in a safe place, we'll call them back to their original names.

Dongkui nodded nervously, her hands trembling slightly.

Tao'er held her hand: "Don't be afraid, we can do it."

Suddenly, Tao'er slapped her forehead. "Oh no, I forgot something very important."

Dongkui and Ayan asked at the same time, "What is it?"

Both of them were taken aback.

"We need travel permits to leave the city; we can't use our current identities!"

Tao'er blamed herself for being too careless.

"What should we do then?"

Sister Tao'er?

Ayan looked anxious.

"Little Peach, what should we do now?"

Today is our best chance to leave the city.

If you miss today, it might not be so easy to get another chance.

Tao'er thought that since there was no time to lose, she could only take advantage of the chaos to get out first.

It won't be difficult to get a few more travel permits once we get outside.

Money makes things easier, no matter the era.

Anyway, she had already arranged for Uncle Chen to send beggars to cause trouble, so she could just slip away in the chaos.

Thinking of this, Tao'er was no longer in a hurry and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I have already made arrangements."

If someone causes trouble, we can take advantage of the chaos to get out; someone in Wulipo will meet us.

Here are some more, both of you take some.

Tao'er distributed the copper coins she had prepared beforehand to them.

The two looked at Tao'er, puzzled. "Why are you giving us money?"

"Winter Okra asked."

"It'll be here soon. When you get to the city gate, you can..."

Tao'er gestured and said a few words, and the two of them immediately beamed with joy.

"Sister Tao'er is so smart!"

"Little Peach is amazing!"

As dawn broke, the three left the Prime Minister's residence.

Dongkui led the way, with Tao'er following behind, holding Ayan's hand.

As expected, a long queue formed at the city gate, where the guards checked each person's travel permit and luggage.

Today is indeed a good day; there are so many people leaving the city!

When it was their turn, the soldier looked Dong Kui up and down: "Where's your travel permit?"