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

It was not until they left the rockery that Mrs. Tao looked at the familiar yet slightly dilapidated garden in front of her, and suddenly covered her face and burst into tears.

Although the garden still maintains its original layout, time has been merciless. The flowers and trees that were once carefully trimmed now have messy branches and leaves, and the stone paths are covered with moss, making it look particularly desolate.

The once bustling corner now only has the sound of wind and birdsong. The laughter and joy of the past seem to have been swallowed up by time, leaving only endless desolation.

Mrs. Tao stood there, tears streaming down her face, her heart filled with nostalgia for the past and helplessness about her fate. This garden held so many beautiful memories for her, yet now it lay desolate, as if her life had been ruthlessly destroyed.

Cheng Rui gently supported his aunt's shoulders, letting her tears fall silently, and just handed her a handkerchief.

Suddenly, he said to his younger brother with deep emotion: "Brother once took you and the second uncle's second brother to play hide-and-seek here. Brother and second brother deliberately hid in the rockery. When you couldn't find them, they burst into tears and couldn't stop crying no matter how much you tried to comfort them."

His eyes were filled with pain, and there was no expression when he spoke. Although those days had passed a long time ago, the memory of them was still clear.

He still remembered hiding in the cracks of the rockery, watching his brother's anxious expression. Everything in the past could not be returned, and he was lucky to have his brother there. Otherwise, he didn't know if he could have made it.

Chengzhi looked at everything in front of him blankly, trying hard to remember something, but he couldn't grasp anything. A trace of confusion and loss flashed in his eyes.

He tried hard to search his mind, but there was only a blank. Chengzhi smiled awkwardly and said guiltily, "Brother, I... really can't remember."

Several people sat quietly in the pavilion. The carvings from the past could still be vaguely seen on the pillars, but the colors had faded and looked a little mottled.

Although the surrounding scenery remains the same, it has long lost its former vitality.

Jing Chunxi sat next to Mrs. Tao, listening to him sobbing softly, and a sense of sadness welled up in his heart.

Jing Chunxi suddenly looked up, pointed in the direction of the side, and said slowly: "Xiaokang said that in the past, his mother loved to sit in the attic upstairs and enjoy the view."

There was a hint of hesitation in her words, and she herself didn't understand why she suddenly said this. Her eyes fell on the slightly dilapidated attic, which was once Tao Jin's mother's favorite place.

An inexplicable emotion suddenly welled up in Jing Chunxi's heart. Perhaps it was sympathy, perhaps it was resonance. She felt as if she understood Mrs. Lan's feelings. Although the attic was not high, it offered a panoramic view of the entire garden. She must have spent many peaceful hours there, watching her family play in the garden while she quietly accompanied them from upstairs.

Mrs. Tao looked up at the attic and said tearfully, "My eldest sister, I, and the children at home all like the garden and often play here. Only my eldest sister likes to be quiet and often sits there reading or embroidering.

No matter how noisy we were, she would just smile peacefully, never chasing butterflies or picking flowers with us, but she was extremely caring towards us."

There was a hint of sob in her voice, but there was light in her eyes, and she was completely immersed in that wonderful time.

"It's a pity that I've only lived here for a year and my elder sister has already married the Prince of Yan."

Mrs. Tao's voice was filled with a hint of helplessness and regret. She remembered that year, the family was bustling with activity, and her eldest sister's marriage was the focus of the entire family. The envoy from the King of Yan arrived with a generous betrothal gift, and everyone was happy about her eldest sister's marriage.

Suddenly hearing the name "Prince of Yan," Jing Chunxi's mind buzzed, and she felt a little confused, but after a while, her mind quickly became clear again. A strong shock suddenly surged in her heart, as if she had overlooked something important.

She recalled the moment when Tao Jin was taken away by two or three hundred officers and soldiers when she first entered Lingnan last year. She felt something was wrong at the time, but did not investigate further.

Now, after hearing Madam Tao mention the Prince of Yan, she suddenly realized. Tao Jin, that handsome young man who was so close to her, was actually the Prince of Yan!

Jing Chunxi was filled with shock and self-blame. How could she have been so stupid not to notice this sooner? Tao Jin had provided her with so much information, all related to the royal family and court officials. How could an ordinary aristocratic family have such ability?

She recalled Tao Jin's words and actions, those seemingly casual conversations, those inadvertently revealed messages, which turned out to be full of deep meaning. She couldn't help but feel a little regretful that she had not realized his identity sooner.

Grandfather and Third Uncle must have had suspicions, perhaps even certainty, but they simply refused to voice them. A flash of understanding flashed through Jing Chunxi's mind. She recalled the complex and profound look her grandfather and Third Uncle had given Tao Jin when they'd looked at him. They must have known Tao Jin's identity long ago, but for some reason, chose to remain silent.

Jing Chunxi couldn't help but wonder why they kept it a secret. Was it to protect Tao Jin, or was there some other reason?

What about Tao Jin? Why didn't he tell her the truth? Why did he keep it a secret for so long? Did he not trust her? Or...

Jing Chunxi's expression changed and he forced himself not to think further.

Seeing her expression change, Madam Tao assumed she was simply empathizing, so she continued slowly, "At that time, the current emperor had been on the throne for almost three years, and he was very suspicious. He used the excuse of eliminating dissidents as an excuse to persecute many officials, especially those who had served long-time."

There was a hint of grief and indignation in Mrs. Tao's voice, and a flicker of pain in her eyes. She remembered those dark days when the Emperor, in order to consolidate his power, had slaughtered those who had once served him well. Many innocent people had been murdered, and many families had been torn apart.

The Tao family was not spared either. Her father and brothers were implicated, and the family fell into poverty. Their former prosperity and wealth vanished in an instant, and they were brutally killed.

Mrs. Tao's tears flowed silently, her heart filled with helplessness towards fate and longing for her loved ones.

The three cousins ​​also shed tears. Chengrui still remembered those good days, his father's teachings, and his mother's tenderness.

Ayue suddenly moved, and Jing Chunxi held her hand tighter.

Madam Tao added, "The Emperor does not like his younger brother, the Prince of Yan. His elder sister was arranged by the late Emperor since he was a child. Even after his grandfather returned home, the Prince of Yan still insisted on marrying his elder sister, which shows his deep affection for her."

She remembered the day her elder sister got married, the Prince of Yan's eyes were filled with determination and deep affection. His love for her was sincere and deep, and even in the face of the Emperor's dissatisfaction, he did not back down.

I still remember my grandfather once said: "It is the current king who has usurped the throne of King Yan."

This sentence was like a thunderbolt, striking Jing Chunxi's heart. Her heart was filled with doubts and confusion. Could it be that all these tragedies were caused by the struggle for the throne?

Mrs. Tao could no longer speak, tears blurring her eyes. The past came flooding back like a tide, making her unable to extricate herself.