Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

When Tao'er saw the First Madam enter the courtyard, she quickly got up to greet her politely, "Greetings, First Madam!"

Shi Qi watched from the side, made a few simple hand gestures, and then turned and went back to his room.

It was already past midnight, and the courtyard was full of women; it would be inconvenient for a man like him to stay any longer.

Furthermore, since the First Madam has come at this hour, she must have something important to discuss with Tao'er. With him present, it would be awkward for Tao'er to speak.

He wasn't worried about Tao'er being in danger.

The First Madam and her maid were both ordinary women who did not know martial arts. Although Tao'er's martial arts skills were just for show in his eyes, they were more than enough to deal with them.

"Miss Tao, it is truly presumptuous of me to disturb you so late at night."

The First Madam spoke in her usual gentle tone, but her eyes held a clear hint of guilt. "I have something urgent to ask of you."

"Madam, you're too kind. Please have a seat."

Tao'er led her to the table and handed her a cup of hot tea, saying, "Please feel free to tell me what's wrong. I'll do my best to help if I can."

The First Madam took the teacup but didn't drink it. She glanced at the door and then whispered to the maid beside her, "Xiao He, go outside and keep watch. Don't let anyone near."

"Yes……"

Xiaohe complied promptly and immediately withdrew, gently closing the courtyard gate behind her.

The courtyard fell silent as the First Madam sat down opposite her.

Tao'er couldn't help but think to herself: "Being so cautious, even sending away her personal maid, it seems that what she wants to say is no small matter."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have come looking for her in the middle of the night.

The First Madam put down her teacup, raised her eyes, her gaze calm yet firm. "Little Peach, I actually know that the Second Master's death, and the successive misfortunes of the Third Master and the Second Madam, were all your and that Ah Qi's doing."

I know that Ah Qi isn't truly mute, and your so-called husband...

She is not a man; she is a woman, just like you.

Am I right?

Tao'er's heart tightened suddenly, her fingers curled slightly inside her sleeve, but she still wore a faint smile: "Madam, are you trying to use this to threaten me into doing something for you?"

Knowing that denial was futile, she simply admitted it openly.

Since the other party can be so certain in saying this, they must have already seen through the truth.

It seems they were too careless; they thought they had hidden it perfectly, but little did they know…

The First Madam shook her head, her tone softening, "Miss Xiao Tao, I meant no harm, nor did I send anyone to follow or investigate you."

After all, I am a woman myself, so how could I not distinguish between men and women?

I am speaking out today not to threaten you, but to show you my sincerity.

"If I wanted to harm you, I would have told the chief about this long ago."

Upon hearing this, Tao'er pondered for a moment and found it to be reasonable.

If the other party truly intended to expose them, there was no need for them to come alone so late at night to confront them.

"Thank you, Madam, for covering for us."

Tao'er's expression became more serious.

"Then you came here tonight not specifically to expose this matter, right?"

Madam, what exactly do you need me to do?

"Let's just say it directly."

Tao'er dislikes beating around the bush and prefers to get straight to the point.

"If I tell you what you want, will you grant it?"

The First Madam looked at her with an exceptionally serious gaze, her eyes filled with something heavy.

"As long as it does not violate morality or my conscience, and is within my power, I will do my best."

I will always remember your previous help and advice.

Tao'er didn't hesitate and readily agreed.

Liu Tao'er has never liked owing favors, and she repays them as soon as possible if she can.

Although the First Madam was the head of the household's woman, she never did anything to make things difficult for them. On the contrary, she spoke well of them on the very first day they arrived at the mountain.

"Fine." The First Madam took a deep breath, and when she spoke again, each word seemed to be ground out from between her teeth, imbued with icy hatred. "I want you to help me take revenge and kill the Chief."

Tao'er had just taken a small sip of tea when she heard this and almost choked.

She steadied herself, set down the teacup, and looked directly at the other woman: "Madam, you just said..."

Who to kill?

"I asked you to kill Zhang Fei, the bandit leader, for me!"

The First Madam lowered her voice even further, but every word was clear.

That hatred was no longer concealed; like a smoldering fire beneath the ice, it finally burned through the surface.

"I want him dead."

She emphasized her words again.

Tao'er really couldn't understand, "This..."

Madam, he is your husband, the father of your children!

Why would you...?

Do you want me to kill him?

Could you tell me the reason?

It is highly unusual for a woman to ask an outsider to take her husband's life.

Even though Tao'er herself was determined to kill the chieftain, she never expected that his first wife would have the same murderous intent, and even more so.

Tao'er found it utterly unbelievable.

"Because he deserves to die." The First Madam leaned forward slightly, the hazy moonlight reflecting a bottomless, icy pool.

"I hate him! I wish I could tear him to pieces, I wish I could watch him fall into the deepest hell, I wish he could die right here in front of me!"

The intense hatred was so palpable that Peach could even feel the chill creeping towards her.

She was stunned. The usually gentle, dignified, and taciturn First Madam was hiding such a raging hatred.

How much patience does it take to remain completely hidden from others?

"You... hate him so much?"

Tao'er was surprised to hear her own voice.

"Miss Tao, you don't know this, but I have never regarded him as my husband, and he is not worthy to be the father of my child."

The First Madam spoke slowly and deliberately, each word imbued with pain and humiliation.

"I have endured humiliation and lived in hiding all these years, all for the sake of my daughter."

Now, the opportunity has finally arrived...

Little Peach, I know that the girl beside you is exceptionally skilled, and Ah Qi is no ordinary person either.

"As long as you help me kill him and settle this blood feud, I will tell you the location of his secret treasure as a reward."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Tao'er quietly, waiting for her reply.

"Madam, do you mean your daughter isn't the head of the household's child?"

Am I right?

Tao'er asked boldly.

A look of pain flashed across the First Madam's face, then she nodded. "Back then, when I returned to my husband's home from my parents' home, I was captured by the chief Zhang Fei and taken to Tiger Head Stronghold."

She was later forcibly humiliated by him.

On the night I was humiliated, I wanted to end it all, but I found out that I was pregnant with my husband's child. I had no choice but to marry him and give birth to the child.

He's injured now, and his second and third leaders are gone; this is the perfect opportunity to kill him.

"That beast, that bastard, should have died long ago."

Madam, I'm sorry to trouble you. Please help me out when you're done.

But could you tell me where the boss's treasure is first?

Tao'er thought to herself that she should make a quick buck before killing the chief.