Zhenmo paused slightly, his breathing becoming slow and deep.

"From then on, he began a life of constant fear and escape."

Three months after learning the truth about his origins, the new emperor began planning to force the emperor to abdicate and seize the throne.

At the same time, the Third Prince's faction was also fighting against the new emperor, and the capital was thrown into chaos.

Until my father passed away, and my mother soon followed suit, becoming bedridden and dying of grief, I took advantage of the chaos to escape the capital.

At this point, Zhenmo's eyes dimmed, and his voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

"Although Grand Tutor Meng said that the Empress Dowager fell ill because she missed me, and then suffered the blow of the passing of the Emperor, which caused her health to collapse temporarily."

But on the night I arrived in town, I overheard a conversation between Grand Tutor Meng and the Third Prince's faction.

The Empress Dowager was poisoned to death by the new Emperor with a bowl of poisoned wine.

Grand Tutor Meng kept it from me and didn't tell me the truth, probably because he was afraid that I would harbor thoughts of revenge and seek retribution against the new emperor.

The new emperor is a ruthless man. I'm afraid I'll die at his hands before I can even take any revenge. It seems he's already tracked me down.

Although Grand Tutor Meng was a strategist and a brilliant strategist, telling me to be patient for a few more days and that things would be fine in time, I didn't know if I could endure those few days.

This town is so small; they'll probably be able to trace it back to the Paradise Dessert Shop very quickly.

Anle was stunned for a moment. The boy had told her about the new emperor sending people to investigate, but how did another group of the Third Prince's faction suddenly appear?

"So, it wasn't just Grand Tutor Meng who knew you fled to this town? Did the Third Prince's faction also know?"

Zhenmo shook his head.

"Because the Third Prince's faction is fighting to the death with the new emperor, the new emperor can't take care of me for the time being."

It was during this period of chaos that Grand Tutor Meng arranged for me to fake my death, allowing me to escape and leave the capital.

If the Third Prince's faction knew about my background, how could they possibly let me go? They would have used me as leverage to force the new emperor to abdicate long ago.

With the legitimate reason that he is not of royal blood, the new emperor will not be able to sit on the throne. Why would he need to fight so fiercely with his enemies?

As for the new emperor, he was too busy keeping it a secret to possibly tell the third prince's faction.

Anle nodded understandingly and breathed a sigh of relief.

"That makes sense. They probably just see you as an ordinary student."

Looking at Anle's relaxed little face, with her eyebrows curved and dimples smiling, Zhenmo was in a daze, belatedly realizing that he was facing a six-year-old girl.

Without realizing it, he had inexplicably spoken so much to the same little girl!

This is just a child!

But when I talked to her, I didn't feel like I was talking to a child.

This child of her age didn't give off a childlike vibe at all. From the very beginning, he felt that this little girl seemed to be somewhat different.

Judging from the situation in this household, that is indeed the case.

Because there's no family where a six-year-old girl is in charge, yet this situation has occurred in this Paradise Dessert Shop.

Her words have a persuasive power.

They would unconsciously be led astray by her, which explains why the whole family had to watch her every move and consult her before doing anything.

Thinking about this, I couldn't help but chuckle—

So, have I been assimilated by this family?

How could you so easily tell such a momentous matter to a child who is only six years old?

Anle tilted her head, looking at Zhenmo with a puzzled expression as he smiled.

"What are you laughing at?! Are you sick?!"

One second they were grieving the loss of their parents, and the next they were laughing like they were in heaven, beyond words.

Is this schizophrenia?!

Overwhelmed by grief, causing a personality breakdown?

"However, what you just said has something on my mind. What did you mean when you said that Grand Tutor Meng would be fine in a few days?"

Zhenmo hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth about what Grand Tutor Meng had told him.

"At the moment the new emperor ascended the throne, Grand Tutor Meng saw the situation clearly and calculated that the neighboring Kingdom of Kro would take the opportunity to suppress them."

Compared to the Kingdom of Kro, my Apocalypse Empire is already a weak country.

The army of the Kingdom of Kro has conquered the Kingdom of Islail. It is inevitable that such a powerful nation would invade our territory.

The fortified city of Jincheng was the first to be affected.

As long as the ownership of Jincheng belongs to the Kingdom of Kro, the new emperor will be unable to interfere.

For the new emperor, Jincheng became a place beyond his reach.

As long as I stay in Jincheng, I am safe.

That's why Grand Tutor Meng brought me here and let me stay in Jincheng.

And the current situation is indeed as Grand Tutor Meng predicted: the new emperor has relinquished the ownership of Jincheng to the Kingdom of Keluo.

This Golden City has now been designated as part of the Kingdom of Kro and is no longer under the jurisdiction of Apocalypse.

However, Grand Tutor Meng said that during the few days of handing over the city, it was still necessary to be cautious and vigilant.

Anle stared blankly, her mouth slightly agape.

"This Grand Tutor Meng is incredibly insightful! He even foresaw this?" My goodness, he's quite the capable person!

Zhenmo nodded in agreement. This Grand Tutor Meng held a position of great importance in the current dynasty, and had many powerful and influential students under his tutelage.

His students were mostly princes, princesses, and powerful nobles from aristocratic families.

The three princes, including the new emperor, were all his students.

Anle's big, bright eyes flashed as she inquired.

"Did Grand Tutor Meng say whether the safety of the people remaining in the city is guaranteed? Will it affect the lives of the people in this city?"

Zhenmo was taken aback by the question. This—

"I don't know, Grand Tutor Meng didn't say. However, since I'm fine staying in this city, the people should be fine too."

If it weren't safe here, Grand Tutor Meng wouldn't have returned to his hometown, intending to spend his remaining years here, and certainly wouldn't have let me stay in this dangerous place.

Upon hearing Zhenmo's words, Anle's eyes lit up, sparkling with tiny stars.

In that case, she doesn't have to leave this place, and her Paradise Dessert Shop can continue to operate here.

and--

Anle's eyes flickered, and she stared intently at Zhenmo, her mind racing with ulterior motives.

Since Zhenmo is a law-abiding person, he certainly doesn't intend to cause any trouble.

This place has now become the territory of another country, and since the new emperor is too far away to exert his influence, he certainly won't be able to cause any trouble here.

Wouldn't that solve the problem?

Moreover, the fact that Zhenmo has managed to survive until now and escape to this town suggests that he must have had a number of bodyguards protecting him.