The two children both had the surname Chu. The sister was named Chu Liuxue, and the brother was named Chu Suiyan.

Tao Mian encountered them while they were pretending to be hit by him near a mound of earth, so he named them San Tu and Si Dui.

When they first met, the children were covered in dirt, but after washing up, their true appearances and skin tones were revealed. Initially, they claimed they weren't siblings, which Tao Mian didn't believe, thinking they were just two little dirt rats.

Once they changed into clean clothes and their faces were spotless, Tao Mian realized there really wasn't any resemblance between them.

The sister had a yellowish complexion and average looks, while the brother had eyes like ink dots and a striking appearance, showing signs of extraordinary beauty even at a young age.

Tao Mian frowned deeply.

"Who are your parents?"

San Tu, with her quick tongue, rattled off a story like pouring beans from a bamboo tube. She said her father used to be a teacher in the village but got addicted to gambling and squandered the family's wealth. Her mother ran away, her father jumped into a river, leaving her all alone.

Si Dui was someone she picked up; his situation was even worse. He was the son of a concubine from a landlord's family, bullied by the main wife, and couldn't even get enough to eat, so he ran away.

Tao Mian listened to her tale.

"Is what you said true?"

"It's true."

"If there's even a half-truth, you won't get any food."

"It's false."

"……"

Si Dui stood behind his sister, nervously pinching the corners of his clothes. He was introverted, shorter than San Tu by half a head, and thin, relying on his sister. Whatever San Tu taught him, he learned.

She said Tao Mian was a banknote, so he was a banknote.

"Bro-Brother Banknote…" Si Dui stammered.

"My name is Tao Mian."

"Li-Little Brother Tao," Tao Mian looked like a young man in his twenties from the outside, and Si Dui couldn't have known he was a thousand-year-old demon, "My sister and I have wandered for a long time, suffering a lot. If you can't take us both in, could you at least keep my sister…"

"What nonsense are you talking!"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

San Tu pinched Si Dui's right hand in a hurry. She was a swindler, but her care for her brother was genuine.

If Tao Mian was only willing to keep one, then—

"Let my brother stay!"

San Tu bit her lower lip, as if making a difficult decision.

"Let Suiyan stay, I'll leave."

Tao Mian wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve, seemingly moved by the deep bond between the siblings.

"You two have a great relationship."

"Then!"

"But you both have to leave."

"……"

San Tu released Si Dui's hand and lunged forward, baring her teeth and claws.

"In this hot weather, how can you say such cold words!"

Tao Mian lay back on the couch, covering his head with a quilt.

"Cool down, beat the heat, so you don't get carried away. What are you daydreaming about, you two little liars."

"I've told you the truth! You can't be so cold-hearted!"

"I, Tao Mian, have always been the one getting things for free from others, dreaming of taking advantage of me, dream on."

Tao Mian was utterly self-righteous, while San Tu fumed and returned to her brother's side.

"Liuxue…"

Si Dui looked at his sister helplessly, and San Tu took his hand.

"Let's go, let him rot in his pile of banknotes!"

"It's not even New Year yet, no need for those auspicious words, but I love hearing them."

Tao Mian replied in a drawn-out voice.

San Tu took Si Dui and slammed the door shut. Tao Mian mumbled about their bad temper and turned over to sleep.

Before he fell asleep, a thin piece of paper flew out from his chest, drifting through the window gap and sticking to a wall, where people passed by outside.

After leaving, San Tu reached the street, hearing the vendors' cries and the rumbling of Si Dui's stomach.

She immediately regretted it.

But Tao Mian seemed like the kind of stingy rich person she was most familiar with, and going back would only mean more humiliation. Being humiliated didn't matter, but not getting money was fatal.

Begging wasn't a long-term solution. San Tu looked into her brother's pure eyes and gritted her teeth.

"We have hands and feet, how can we starve to death? Don't worry, sister will find a way to make sure you don't go hungry."

They wandered around the market, and by chance, saw a job posting on a wall.

A scholar was looking for two young servants, with limited pay but room and board included.

"Sounds too good, could it be a scam…"

San Tu muttered, taking it down, planning to look around elsewhere.

But when she reached the next corner, and then another, and turned another corner…

The same notice was everywhere.

Now there was no choice but to go.

San Tu steeled her heart. Whatever, let's take a look. Those with nothing to lose aren't afraid of those with something to lose. She had nothing, nothing to lose.

She told her brother to stick close, and they went to the teahouse mentioned in the notice.

Before entering, San Tu was still worried that the two little beggars might be chased out by the shopkeeper, but to her surprise, the waiter greeted them with a smile and led them to a private room on the second floor.

The private room was separated by bead curtains, with the sound of a zither and the gentle clinking of wine cups inside. It was San Tu's first time in such an elegant place, and she felt a bit intimidated.

Someone was sipping tea behind the curtain, and she could vaguely see a side profile, a young gentleman.

She mustered her courage and lifted the bead curtain.

Her gaze met the deep eyes of the person inside.

"……"

They stared at each other in silence.

The person inside spoke first.

"Ah, isn't it Little Tu and Little Dui?"

Tao Mian rested his face on one hand, smiling at the two children.

San Tu nearly fainted from anger.

"You, you…"

"Don't point at people, it's impolite."

Tao Mian changed his posture, leaning leisurely against the jade-carved screen.

"You don't even study," San Tu said indignantly, "why are you hiring young servants?"

"Who said I don't study? I'm quite knowledgeable."

"Then why don't you take the imperial exams? Can't pass?"

"I don't take the exams because I don't like them."

San Tu almost rolled her eyes.

"Little girl, don't look down on people. Do you know who the current emperor is?"

"Of course I do!"

San Tu, who seemed disdainful of everyone, surprisingly spoke with admiration when discussing Lu Yuandi's achievements.

She praised her diligence, her love for the people, her wisdom and strategy as a woman not inferior to men, and how the current peace and prosperity of the court were all thanks to her efforts.

Tao Mian, who had traveled for ten years, had heard many praises of the new emperor from the people, but he still listened with interest each time.

Yuan Di, is this what your heart desires?

He sighed softly.

At some point, San Tu stopped her endless talk, and Tao Mian's gaze turned to her.

"Why did you stop?"

"Banknote, are you about to cry?"

"I'm hiring young servants, not those with poor eyesight."

"Oh, maybe it's my mistake," San Tu shivered, "almost got disgusted…"

"…I don't hire those who speak unpleasantly either."

"So, why did you suddenly ask about the current emperor?"

"Nothing, just suddenly thought of my beloved disciple."

"Are you saying… your disciple is…"

Before San Tu could finish, Tao Mian nodded repeatedly.

"……"

The little girl was silent for a moment, then took her brother's hand again, turning to leave.

"Suiyan, let's go. We can't follow a master with a bad brain."