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

The two sat facing each other in the courtyard as dusk settled, the last rays of the setting sun like spilled rouge, staining the old eaves.

Tao'er felt that something was off about the atmosphere, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

The usually cheerful Seventh Brother seemed like a different person today. His eyes, which always looked at her frankly, would occasionally look away from her for a moment, as if he were hiding something.

Does he doubt that he doesn't belong to this era?

Did I give myself away somewhere?

I don't think so!

After thinking about it, I can't think of any way she gave herself away!

However, she quickly shook off this inexplicable feeling, smiled slightly, and asked, "Brother Shi Qi, you said you had something very important to tell me. What is it?"

Xiao Yi looked up at her. The girl sat opposite him, her brows and eyes showing a rare composure, her gaze clear and firm, like the cleanest spring water in a mountain stream.

His Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't reply immediately.

"Tao'er, I do have something to tell you."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his knee.

"But let's not talk about that yet."

Tell me your plans first.

"What are my plans?"

"Mm." Xiao Yi nodded.

"Now the chief Zhang Mang is dead, the second chief Hu Biao is dead, and the third chief Ma Jiakang is still alive, but don't worry, I'll find him soon."

I'd like to hear your thoughts next.

Upon hearing this, Tao'er thought about it seriously.

These past few days have felt like a chaotic dream. From being inexplicably captured and taken to Tiger Head Stronghold, to learning that the leader, Zhang Mang, was the enemy of the Xiao family, and finally getting revenge, every step of the way has been thrilling.

Now that things have settled down, she really should think carefully about her future.

She tilted her head and said frankly, "My initial idea was to kill the top two leaders, after all, they were the culprits who killed the Xiao family army and were also bandit leaders who harmed the people."

Now, just as you said, they're all dead, leaving only the relatively unimportant third-in-command, Ma Jiakang.

"So what do you think now?"

Xiao Yi asked with a smile.

Tao'er chuckled, her eyes brightening: "Now..."

I was thinking that as long as I got the Tiger Head Stronghold defense map from the Third Leader, it would be pretty good for me to stay here with Sister Dongkui and Ayan.

This place is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even if King Cheng is shrewd, he probably wouldn't have expected us to be hiding inside Tiger Head Stronghold.

Xiao Yi watched Tao'er speak animatedly, without interrupting her, but quietly watched and listened.

He felt that the girl in front of him was so vibrant and brave.

She raised her chin, her tone resolute: "I've decided to stay with Ayan and the others."

We can live peacefully with the First Lady and protect Tiger Head Village together.

The First Madam never truly wanted to be a bandit; she was coerced by the leader and his men.

I'm sure she won't go against us.

Tao'er told Shi Qi her thoughts without any hesitation.

For some reason, this man gave her a very reliable feeling. Although he looked handsome and aloof and didn't talk much, he had a chivalrous spirit.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"You mean, after getting the defense map, you don't plan to take the young master down the mountain?"

He hadn't expected her to have this plan.

He originally thought that after taking revenge, she would want to take Ayan to a beautiful place and live a peaceful life.

"Yes, Brother Shi Qi, that's exactly what I mean."

Tao'er nodded, and seeing that his expression was not right, she added, "If the three leaders of Tiger Head Stronghold are all gone, then Tiger Head Stronghold will no longer be a danger to us."

Look, those low-level thugs are just trying to make a living, so it doesn't matter who's in charge.

They wouldn't be so stupid as to mess with us...

As she was speaking, she suddenly stopped and tilted her head to look at Xiao Yi.

Why does he seem a little unhappy?

Could it be my imagination?

He usually agrees with whatever she says, but today he's like a gourd with its mouth sawed off.

Feeling down...

Sure enough, the next moment he spoke, his voice a few decibels lower than usual: "Tao'er, you can't stay in Tiger Head Village."

Why?

Tao'er was taken aback and looked at him.

"Brother Shi Qi, why can't we keep him?"

I think Tiger Head Village is pretty good, the scenery here is also nice…”

"Because King Cheng, Xie Jingxing, already knows that you are at Tiger Head Village."

He will soon lead his troops to attack Tiger Head Stronghold!

Xiao Yi interrupted her, his tone unusually urgent.

Tao'er's smile froze for a moment, then she regained her composure: "Tiger Head Stronghold has a treacherous terrain. Even if Prince Cheng has a large army, he wouldn't dare to attack the mountain rashly, would he?"

She remembered hearing people say that the imperial court had suppressed bandits countless times over the years, and every time it had ended in failure.

The reason why Tiger Head Stronghold has been able to dominate outside Shengjing City for so many years is because of its treacherous terrain.

Xiao Yi looked at her with a complicated expression. "Prince Cheng certainly doesn't have the courage, but it's hard to disobey the emperor's orders."

To put it bluntly, the old emperor and Prince Cheng came here specifically for you.

Ayan is the only bloodline of the Xiao family, and they will not let him go.

Although Tiger Head Stronghold is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is not 100% safe.

"If the imperial court is determined to attack and besieges the mountain for three or five months, what will you do when the supplies run out?"

He paused, then softened his tone: "I think you should find a safe place to live in seclusion."

At least as far away from Shengjing as possible.

Tao'er fell silent.

She lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

After a long while, she raised her head and nodded: "Okay, we'll listen to you."

Brother Shi Qi, I'll leave this place to you.

"We'll have the villagers take us down the mountain tomorrow."

She thought about it for a while and realized that what Shi Qi said made sense.

Although Hutou Village is quite sturdy, it cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe.

Moreover, the thought that the enemy knows where you are hiding and is watching you all the time makes you feel uneasy and completely insecure.

Let's leave here, go far away, and make sure King Cheng doesn't know where they're going.

Although there was food and grain in her space.

But that's not enough to feed the hundreds of people on the mountain!

With so many people, even if we eat a lot, we'll eventually run out of food.

Even if she had money, she couldn't go out and buy it.

They can simply wait at the foot of the mountain with their troops to ambush the rabbit.

Over time, the people of Tiger Head Village were left with no choice but to starve to death.

My thinking was too simplistic!

Xiao Yi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she agreed so readily, but he also felt a little reluctant to part with her.

He suppressed this inexplicable emotion and said, "There's no need to rush in a day or two."

"Once I get the defense map and take down the third leader, I'll come down the mountain with you all."

Tao'er suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open, as if she had heard something unbelievable: "Seventh Brother Shi, you mean...?"

"Are you coming with us?"

"Okay." Xiao Yi nodded. "I'll leave with you."

I'm really worried about you two girls taking care of a five-year-old child.

In case anything happens on the road, it's always good to have another person.

Moreover…

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Protecting Ayan was originally my responsibility."

Tao'er was stunned for a moment, then smiled with her eyes crinkling, the smile spreading from the corners of her mouth to the depths of her eyes: "Brother Shi Qi, that's really wonderful!"

This gives the young master an extra layer of protection.

If the Prime Minister and the others knew of your unwavering loyalty, they would surely be grateful to you.

In any case, having an adult male accompany them ensures their safety to some extent.

Having spent so much time together, she had long since come to regard Shi Qi as one of her own.

"Tao'er, this is all I should do."

Looking at her bright smile, Xiao Yi felt like he was carrying a rabbit, his heart pounding wildly.

He knew that what followed was the main event of the day.

He took a deep breath, his fingers clenching and unclenching repeatedly.

"Tao'er, there's something I need to tell you..."

I must confess to you.