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

Xiao Yi stared at Tao'er's somewhat slender yet graceful back, lost in thought.

Tao'er waved her hand, "Seventh Brother Shi, let's not talk about this anymore. What are your plans next?"

Xiao Yi stood there, staring at her backlit figure, speechless for a long time.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Tao'er, I was just saying it casually. It's okay if you don't want to."

If one day you meet a man you truly love, tell me, and I will prepare a generous dowry for you.

Upon hearing this, Tao'er thought that Xiao Yi was actually quite a kind person. He truly treated her like a younger sister and had even prepared a dowry for her. She just didn't know how much he had prepared.

Tao'er looked up at him with a smile, "Seventh Brother Shi, you're such a kind person, you even prepared a dowry for me, thank you!"

How much silver is it?

Or is it a shop or estate?

"You silly girl, I never knew you were such a little money-grubber..."

You can wear this key; it's part of my dowry for you.

This is the key to a manor; inside are many things...

Its location is...

Xiao Yi whispered the last sentence in her ear.

Then Xiao Yi took a key from his own neck and hung it around Tao'er's neck.

"Peach, you must not take this key off, and you must not let anyone else take it."

Because that place was not only the location of his private property, but also his last resort.

"Brother Shi Qi, isn't this key a bit too valuable...?"

Actually, if you're going to give me a dowry, just give me a sum of silver or gold.

Tao looked at the somewhat old key and felt that it was no ordinary key.

Because of its unusual shape and design, which resembles a Qilin (a mythical creature), it feels solemn and dignified.

"Silly girl, just take it. You can use this key to get it when you get married..."

My dear girl, this is the greatest protection and security I can offer you. May you live a carefree and peaceful life!

"But I feel like this key..."

Although Tao'er loves money, she won't accept it easily.

She felt that this was all of Xiao Yi's wealth.

Just then, Qingfeng approached. "Miss Tao'er, Ayan is looking for you!"

His eyes were fixed on the Qilin key hanging around Tao'er's neck, and he stammered, "Tao'er...Miss, how come you have this Qilin key?"

"Isn't this my master?"

Tao smiled, tilted her head and asked, "Brother Qingfeng, do you recognize this key too?"

This is what your master just gave me, saying it will be part of my dowry.

Is there something special about this key?

"This person has a very powerful background; they belong to my master..."

"Gentle breeze..."

What nonsense!

This is just a key to an ordinary manor. You asked what happened to Ayan earlier.

Xiao Yi quickly interrupted Qingfeng.

"master……

This Qilin key is yours...

How could you...?

"Qingfeng, shut up!"

Don't you listen to me anymore?

If I'm not around in the future, your responsibility is to protect Tao'er and A-Yan...

"It's Master..."

Qingfeng understands.

Qingfeng cupped his hands in greeting.

He knew his master's temperament; once a decision was made, it couldn't be changed.

"Brother Shi Qi, judging from what Brother Qingfeng said, this key must be very important to you!"

You should take it back!

As Tao'er spoke, she was about to take the Qilin key off her neck.

"Peach, what I give you is yours."

Qingfeng was just talking nonsense; it's not really important.

It's just a little silver and some farmland.

"Qingfeng, look what you've done to Tao'er! Hurry up and explain things to her properly."

Xiao Yi glared at Qingfeng, signaling him to speak quickly.

Qingfeng quickly changed his tune, saying, "Miss Tao'er, this is your dowry from your master, so please accept it!"

This is from the bottom of his heart.

I was just so surprised that I had that expression.

After all, he had never seen his master treat any girl so well before.

You're the first one!

Qingfeng felt a pang of heartache; this was his master's last trump card.

He actually gave it to Miss Tao'er. Could it be that the master is worried that he won't live past next year, so he did this?

Well, since the master has made this arrangement, then so be it!

After all, Young Master Ayan has been protected by Miss Tao'er all along, so giving him to her is better than giving him to someone else.

"Oh, is that so!"

Then I won't stand on ceremony and will accept it.

Oh, right, Qingfeng, you just said Ayan was looking for me, so I'll go check on him right away. You two can chat some more, but don't stay in the courtyard for too long.

The night breeze is still a bit chilly. You've all had a long day, so go back to your rooms and rest early.

"Oh, right, you'll be sleeping in the room next to the east wing, the room next to Young Master Chen's."

Tao'er pointed to the room on the right side of the east wing.

"Tao'er, we understand. Go and keep Ayan company!"

Xiao Yi nodded.

Tao'er then turned and left.

Seeing that Tao'er had left, Qingfeng finally asked, "Master, don't you know how important that Qilin key is to you?"

Even if you are grateful to Miss Tao for her kindness to the Xiao family, you can't just hand that thing over, can you?

just in case……"

Qingfeng's tone was both urgent and angry.

"Unless something goes wrong, I believe her."

Just the fact that she risked her life to protect Ayan time and time again is enough for me to believe in her.

Moreover, I don't know if my Heart-Eating Cold Poison can be cured; the chances are slim.

If I die, I won't be able to protect her anymore, so this is the last protection I can give her.

Qingfeng, if I really die, please protect her for me!

You and Dongkui are protecting her together. I know you like Dongkui, so consider this fulfilling my wish.

When Xiao Yi said this, his tone was full of loneliness and reluctance.

Qingfeng held back her tears, turned her back, and said, "Master, don't talk nonsense. You are blessed with good fortune and will surely live to be a hundred years old."

Peach Girl is someone you like. If you're not afraid of her being bullied, then you should protect her yourself.

And then there's Ayan, who is also your own nephew. If you don't protect him, why are you handing him over to an outsider like me?

"I don't care, you just stay alive. If you die, I don't want to live either."

Qingfeng's words were choked with sobs, as if a knife was stuck in his throat, making him tremble with pain!

Xiao Yi's eyes reddened upon hearing Qingfeng's words. He patted Qingfeng's shoulder and said, "Qingfeng, it's late. Let's go back to our room and rest."

Everyone has been working so hard these past few days!

Don't worry, I won't die anytime soon!

The two then went back into the house one after the other.

The night was long and arduous, and Tao'er tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She kept thinking about what Qingfeng had said, and then looked at the bunch of keys she was wearing around her neck.

I always felt that Qingfeng's words had a hidden meaning and were full of suspicious points.

No, I'll find a chance to ask Qingfeng tomorrow.

Then she realized that the Qilin key was so important that it might not be safe for her to wear it, so she took it off and put it into her spatial storage.

It's safest to keep it in a safe place!