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

After walking for a while, Xiao Yi looked around to make sure no one was there before lowering his voice and speaking.

"Peach, what did that bastard, the chief, want you to do?"

Tao'er glanced at him sideways, her eyes still holding the coldness she had just concealed, but when she spoke, she switched back to her usual tone: "Seventh Brother Shi, the gold and silver jewelry in his room was stolen, and he suspects that I stole it."

"What?" Xiao Yi paused, his brows furrowing. "That bastard actually suspects you?"

Didn't you explain it to him?

Is he brain-dead?

How many days have you been in Hutou Village?

How could anyone possibly know where he hid his gold and jewels?

Tao'er's lips curled slightly, with a hint of sarcasm. "I've explained and refuted all his doubts."

He believed it.

But that bastard turned around and set a trap for me, giving me three days to find the thief. If I couldn't find him, I would have to marry him and have his son.

That bastard, all he thinks about is having a son, is he crazy?!

However, he didn't know that he would never be able to have children in his lifetime.

After Tao'er finished speaking, she turned her face away in disgust, as if she had just mentioned something filthy.

She said this because she had long noticed that the chief, Zhang Fei, was not very fertile.

Xiao Yi's knuckles clicked, and a cold laugh rolled out from his throat.

"This shameless thing."

three days?

You don't even know the way to Tiger Head Village; he's clearly trying to make things difficult for you.

It seems he's forcing you to find the thief for him.

However, judging from his tone, he seemed certain that you could find it.

"Peach, do you know who stole that scoundrel's treasure?"

Xiao Yi paused, his eyes darkening, before asking the question that had been on his mind.

But he was really annoyed!

This bastard wants Tao'er to have a son for him? Have a son my ass! I'll smash his head in!

A toad trying to eat swan meat—what a pipe dream!

"Otherwise, I'll go and kill him directly to vent your anger!"

Why keep someone like that around for the New Year if we don't kill him?

The First Madam is already on our side, so we have nothing to worry about.

Xiao Yi spoke calmly, as if they were discussing what to eat for breakfast the next morning.

As Tao listened, the corners of her eyes curved slightly.

This guy is quite funny!

But he just asked himself, could it be that he also thought he stole those treasures?

She said softly, her tone becoming a little lighter, "That's what I think too. Since he's so eager to die, let's send him on his way sooner rather than later."

As for why that bastard is making things difficult for me like this, he probably wants to force me to have a son for him!

"You're going crazy missing your son!"

Tao'er spoke casually, trying her best not to arouse Xiao Yi's suspicion.

"Oh, so that bastard is still plotting this. How hateful!"

Xiao Yi cursed again.

"Brother Shi Qi, don't be angry. It's not worth getting angry over something like this."

I originally planned to find the third leader first, because he had the defense map, and without that map, I couldn't control Tiger Head Stronghold.

But now that the boss has pushed us to this point, let's send him to his death first.

This is truly a case of choosing the path to hell when there's a way to heaven.

Xiao Yi nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"With the death of the chief, the entire Tiger Head Stronghold is now under the control of the First Madam."

She's one of our people. With her backing us up, finding the third-in-command and getting the defense map is just a matter of time.

Tao'er responded and looked down at the layered rooftops in the distance.

"Only by obtaining the defense map can we truly control Tiger Head Village."

"Tao'er, what exactly do you plan to do?" Xiao Yi asked.

Tao'er looked away and lowered her voice even further, "We'll make our move tonight."

At night, four people guard the chief's house, while during the day there are only two.

The best time to act is around midnight.

The night watchmen were at their most exhausted and their defense was at its weakest then.

Xiao Yi nodded: "The first watch is just right."

"Have the First Madam's men clear out the area outside, then I'll go in and kill him. You stay outside and guard the area."

Xiao Yi agreed wholeheartedly and then shared his own thoughts.

He didn't want Tao'er, a girl, to kill someone.

Moreover, he was determined to personally deal with that traitor Zhang Fei.

Tao'er nodded without hesitation, "Okay, the head of the household is in your hands."

She knew Shi Qi's skills.

Zhang Fei, or Zhang Mang now, does possess some martial arts skills, but he is still recovering from serious injuries. Killing him now would not be difficult.

Xiao Yi paused, then said, "Then let's do it this way!"

"Alright, then I'll go to the First Madam's place later to arrange things for tonight."

"That's what Tao'er said."

Xiao Yi looked at Tao'er, and the coldness in his eyes faded slightly.

He looked at Tao'er again, his voice much gentler, "Tao'er..."

It's getting late, let's go to the kitchen now!

That bastard is waiting for you to make breakfast.

Tao'er smiled and said, "Fine, this will be his last meal before he's beheaded."

The two entered the small kitchen one after the other.

Dong Kui is cooking porridge by the stove. The white rice is bubbling in the boiling water, and puffs of warm white steam are rising.

Tao washed her hands, glanced at the ingredients on the cutting board, took a piece of lean meat, sliced ​​it thinly, and slid it into the porridge pot.

Then, I started another stove, cracked a few eggs, mixed them with flour to form a batter, chopped some scallions, sprinkled them in, and then scooped them into the hot oil pan one spoonful at a time.

The edges of the omelet quickly curled up into a golden-brown, crispy crust, and the aroma filled the small kitchen.

Half an hour later, the porridge thickened, and a stack of pancakes were ready.

Tao'er ladled the porridge into a porcelain bowl, arranged the flatbreads neatly, and had Dongkui deliver it to the head of the household's courtyard.

Dong Kui steadied the wooden tray and left as instructed.

Tao'er served another bowl of porridge to Xiao Yi, and left a portion for Dong Kui before inviting Shi Qi and A Yan to sit down.

The residual heat from the stove still warmed the corner of the room, and the four people sat around the table, eating pancakes with hot porridge.

The porridge is soft and sticky, and the pancakes are crispy. One bite warms you from the tip of your tongue to your stomach.

No one spoke; the chopsticks touched lightly, like a typical family's breakfast.

After finishing her meal, Tao'er got up and cleared away the dishes, her movements unhurried and deliberate.

Dongkui wanted to help, so she pressed her hand.

Tao'er said, "Sister Dongkui, you go back and rest first. I'm going to see the First Madam."

Dongkui looked up and saw that she looked normal, so she didn't ask any more questions. She just nodded and went back to her residence with Shiqi and Ayan.

Tao'er washed her hands, straightened her clothes, and pushed open the door to go to the east courtyard.

The First Madam was tidying up the thread by the window when she saw her arrive. She put down her work and dismissed everyone around her.

Tao'er sat down beside her, her voice as soft as ashes.

"Madam, it's time for the first watch tonight."

Please send the people outside the chief's house away.

The First Madam lowered her eyes, her fingers tracing the silk fabric on her knees. After a moment, she nodded.

Tao'er didn't linger any longer and got up to take her leave.

Stepping out of the courtyard, the sunlight fell perfectly on the veranda.

There were still patrols coming and going in the village, but the third leader was still nowhere to be found.

Peach stood in the shadow of the pillars and squinted at the sky.

Tao'er returned to her residence without telling Dongkui about her and Brother Shi Qi's plans, for fear of worrying her.

Soon it was the first watch of the night, and Tao'er and Brother Shi Qi disappeared into the night.

They quickly arrived outside the head of the household, but there was no one guarding the door; it seemed that the head wife's men had taken care of it.

"Tao'er, wait for me outside. I'm going in to kill the chief."

Xiao Yi said to Tao'er.

"Okay, Brother Shi Qi, be careful, Xu Xiao Si is still guarding inside."

Tao'er instructed.

"Okay, I understand."

Ten Xu Xiaosis wouldn't be a match for me.

After Xiao Yi finished speaking, he slipped into the house.