An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

The carriage started.

At first, Jing Chunxi had time to lift the carriage curtain and peek out curiously. The night scene outside was indeed more prosperous and dazzling than what he had seen during the day.

However, when the carriage left this busy street, the scene outside was completely different. It was pitch black outside, and nothing could be seen. Except for the occasional rat running across the street, there was not even a single pedestrian in sight.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and she couldn't help but feel heavy in her heart. Behind this prosperous world, there was a miserable world for the people.

The common people, driven to poverty by plunder, struggled to survive in a harsh environment. Their houses were dilapidated, their clothes were tattered, and they were starving. Meanwhile, the unfeelingly wealthy, especially the officials, continued to enjoy a life of luxury and extravagance. This stark contrast filled Jing Chunxi with resentment and helplessness.

The carriage moved slowly forward in the darkness. There was silence in the carriage, and Jing Chunxi's mood gradually became depressed.

She lowered the curtain, leaned back against the cushions, closed her eyes, and tried to calm herself.

However, the guards reported back that more than half of the houses in the city were empty, and there was no one to collect their bodies. Those tragic scenes kept resurfacing in her mind, leaving her unable to find peace.

Gradually, Jing Chunxi felt a little sleepy. She sighed slightly and dozed off involuntarily.

When you fall asleep, all your worries disappear.

Tao Jin sat opposite the carriage, his eyes softly cast on the little girl's slightly furrowed brows.

In the night, her outline appeared particularly delicate, yet with a heaviness that was inconsistent with her age.

Tao Jin sighed softly, and the long exhalation echoed in the carriage, as if carrying a hint of helplessness and guilt.

He looked at her, a complex emotion welling up in his heart. The little girl was still young, and should have been at a carefree age, but for various reasons, she was dragged into this complicated place of right and wrong.

Tao Jin couldn't help but feel a little regretful, thinking that perhaps he shouldn't have dragged her into this. She should have been enjoying a happy childhood under her mother's protection, playing carefree and laughing to her heart's content like other children.

Yet, reality was cruel. The lives and sufferings of ordinary people—these heavy topics—should not have been borne by her. Her eyes should not have harbored such worry and resentment, her face should not have displayed such exhaustion and helplessness.

Tao Jin looked at her slightly furrowed brows and secretly vowed in his heart that he would do his best to keep her away from these disputes and sufferings.

The carriage continued to move slowly in the darkness. There was silence in the carriage, with only the sound of the wheels rolling on the road.

Tao Jin's eyes never left Jing Chunxi's profile. He was thinking about things silently and also protecting her silently.

……

"Sister Xi, wake up." If it weren't for the gentle call in her ears, Jing Chunxi felt that she was about to fall asleep.

When I opened my eyes, I saw an enlarged smiling face in front of me. The face was fair, the nose was sharp, and the eyes were gentle.

Jing Chunxi then realized that his head was leaning on Tao Jin's shoulder and he was still wearing his big cloak. No wonder he felt so warm.

Jing Chunxi quickly raised his head, sat up straight, and faced the young man opposite him respectfully.

"It's quite far, isn't it?"

Tao Jin answered irrelevantly and added, "This place is close to the East City Gate. It's only half a mile out of the city, and it's the only undefended city gate."

After hearing these words, Jing Chunxi suddenly came to his senses and was a little surprised: "Can food, porcelain, and tea be brought in and out freely here?"

Jing Chunxi couldn't understand it: How could this be possible? It shouldn't be possible. Didn't the government have to defend the city strictly? Could it be that they had a change of heart and left a city gate for the people to escape?