After listening to Rong Xun's explanation, Tang Youyou finally understood. Back then in Dashuiwan, she had felt something was off about the backyard. It was supposed to be a banquet, but there was not a soul in sight. It turned out that everyone had fallen into Rong Jiangyu's hands.
If the Xia Kingdom were to send troops to war with Rong Jiangyu at this moment, it would be the Great Ming that would suffer.
Why did all the bad things always happen to the Great Ming?
Tang Youyou saw the two kids sitting there listening to them. Their confused little looks melted her heart.
"Oops, I shouldn't have talked about this in front of the kids."
"It's okay. They don't understand anyway," Rong Jiangyu comforted her.
"Is Rong Jiangyu a big murdering demon?"
The older sister suddenly looked up and asked. Tang Youyou didn't know how to explain. She didn't want such young kids to be exposed to such things.
"Kid, this guy is indeed a bad guy. It was him who destroyed your homeland like this."
Tang Youyou didn't dodge the topic or explain it euphemistically.
"My mom and dad were both killed by them. Sister, I want to avenge my parents."
Tang Youyou had never imagined what it would feel like to hear the word "revenge" from a six - or seven - year - old kid. Now that she heard it, her heart ached.
"Kid, revenge is possible, but not by you. There will be someone to avenge you. Your task now is to grow up well and protect yourselves. Leave the rest to the adults, okay?"
The sister nodded in a daze. How could such a young kid know the price of revenge? She just wanted them to grow up healthily and happily.
She glanced at Rong Xun, whose eyes were already red.
Rong Xun guessed what she was thinking and asked, "Shall we take them with us?"
Tang Youyou did have this in mind. She wanted to take them with her and find a good family to adopt them later.
But the place they were going to was Fengdu City, the worst - hit area. The situation there was even more miserable than here, and they might even run into the returning soldiers on the way.
She didn't want them to be exposed to these negative things again. Kids at this age should be carefree.
"I also want to take them, but I don't want them to see those things again..."
"I know," Rong Xun knew what she was going to say. He held her hand to comfort her. "I'll make the arrangements. You don't need to worry."
"Wen Xue, inform Tie Shou to take these two kids back first."
It was the first time Tang Youyou had heard this name. But she seemed to have heard the name Tie Shou somewhere.
She saw the coachman stand up and walk out immediately after hearing this. It turned out that this coachman was also one of Rong Xun's men. She had thought he was just an ordinary hired person.
Moreover, with the bamboo hat on, she couldn't see his face clearly at all.
"By the way, isn't Tie Shou your good friend, Ye Yue?" Tang Youyou asked.
Ye Yue scratched his head. How could he explain this? When Tie Shou showed up back then, he deliberately pretended to be this identity and didn't let Tang Youyou know. He just came to have a look at what she looked like.
"He is indeed my good friend."
Seeing Ye Yue speak a little shyly, Tang Youyou immediately understood.
Rong Xun smiled faintly. "When we get to the Wuya Pavilion, I'll introduce them to you formally. Tie Shou, Wen Xue, Zhui Feng, and Ye Yue. You can trust these four unconditionally."
"What about you?"
Tang Youyou looked up straight into his eyes. "Can I trust you unconditionally?"
"Of course you can," Rong Xun looked back into her eyes. "I'm more worthy of your unconditional trust than anyone else."
Tang Youyou stared at him for a long time, then finally gave a soft laugh with a hint of doubt in her tone.
"Really? But my personal experience tells me that the only person I can trust unconditionally is myself."
Tang Youyou looked at him stubbornly. This guy had lied to her more than once or twice. How could he have the nerve to say such a thing?
"The number of times you've lied to me." She held out her hand and finally showed three fingers.
The first time was when he faked his death.
The second time was when he married Lin Sheng.
The third time was when he concealed his identity.
"I remember it all. If you dare to lie to me again..." Tang Youyou pointed her finger at his nose. "Rong Xun, just see if I'll still talk to you."
The man held her finger. "No more, never again."
But You'er, forgive me one more time, just this last time.
Ye Yue sighed silently. When would the master tell his wife about the poison on his body? There was only one month left until the next time the poison flared up.
Every time the poison flared up, the master had to endure inhumane torture. His wife was so skilled at making poisons, and that old man Tang's medical skills were unparalleled. If the two of them joined hands, maybe they could relieve the pain that had haunted the master for years.
If it weren't for the master's strict order not to tell anyone, he would have told his wife. It was really worrying.
The rain outside gradually stopped. Just then, Wen Xue came driving another carriage. Tie Shou was sitting on it.
"Then these two kids are in your care."
Tang Youyou gently pushed them forward, then squatted down and instructed them, "You two go with this uncle. He will take you to a safe place. But you have to be obedient, okay?"
"Okay."
The sister reluctantly held her hand. "Can't we go with you? I'm not afraid of hardship or fatigue. I can do anything."
Tang Youyou knew what she was worried about. She hugged her.
"It's very dangerous outside now. Look, your younger brother is still so young. You have to take care of him. Uncle Tie Shou is a good person. You go back with him first. We'll meet again soon."
"A promise is a promise!"
The two hooked their little fingers in front of everyone.
Before leaving, Tang Youyou didn't forget to instruct Tie Shou, "The two kids are young and shy. Take good care of them and don't let them be scared."
Tie Shou looked delicate and easy to approach.
"Madam, rest assured. Tie Shou will do his best."
Watching the carriage drive away, Tang Youyou felt a mixture of joy and worry. She was glad that they finally had a place to stay, but she was worried about whether they could adapt to the new environment.
But this arrangement was already the best under the circumstances.
"You did a good job," Tang Youyou praised and held out her hand to him.
Rong Xun gave a faint smile and then held her hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Hmm?"
Tang Youyou shook her head helplessly. "I asked you to give me your handkerchief. Can't you see my hands are dirty?"
"Oops."
Rong Xun retracted his hand disappointedly, took out a handkerchief from his bosom, and wiped the hands that had gotten dirty from touching the carriage.
Tang Youyou then took his hand and wiped it too. After that, she clasped his hand tightly, sighed, and said, "Wipe them clean before holding hands. Aren't you afraid of getting dirty?"