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

Tao'er came out of the bathroom after taking a bath, wearing only a soft and breathable silk nightgown.

The fabric was so thin it was translucent, and so soft it clung to her body like a pool of water, swaying gently with her every step.

Her long, wet hair cascaded over her shoulders, water droplets rolling down the ends, swirling around her collarbone, and then sliding deeper down her neckline.

She was like a white lotus just picked from a pond, fresh and tender.

Her face was flushed pink from the steam, her cheeks rosy, truly like a batch of peach blossoms blooming in March, so beautiful that you could squeeze water out of them.

Xiao Yi's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, as if he had been frozen in place, unable to move.

His gaze slid down from Tao'er's damp hair, across her fair and rosy face, down her slender neck, and further down...

Exquisite and beautiful mountain peaks, skin as smooth as jade and pearls.

His waist was perfectly sculpted, so slender that it seemed as if he could wrap his arms around it.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he unconsciously swallowed.

Qingfeng stood half a step behind Xiao Yi, waiting for his young master to give him instructions.

The moment Tao'er came out, his eyes seemed to be hooked by something, and he stared straight at her.

A night breeze blew up, lifting a corner of Tao'er's skirt and revealing a section of her fair and smooth legs.

Qingfeng opened his mouth, and his mind exploded with a "boom," leaving only one thought buzzing in his mind.

So...so Tao'er is so beautiful!

He had seen Peach Girl quite often before; she was the kind of girl next door.

Nothing else compares to tonight, so clean and fresh, so tender and delicate, it makes me want to reach out and pinch it.

Damn it, what is he thinking? Is this something he should be thinking?

"What are you looking at?"

Xiao Yi had put down his teacup at some point, turned around, and kicked Qingfeng in the shin.

The force wasn't great, but it carried an inexplicable mix of jealousy and anger.

Qingfeng winced in pain, hissed, and pulled his foot back in a wronged manner.

He stole a glance at his young master's face, and wow, his face was as black as the bottom of a pot, but the tips of his ears were clearly red enough to drip blood.

"Young master..."

Qingfeng muttered softly, her voice sounding aggrieved, like a child who had been wronged.

"You...you were just as mesmerized, your eyes practically popping out of your head."

The tea in your hand has gone completely cold; you haven't even taken a sip.

Xiao Yi choked, his eyes widening in surprise.

Qingfeng shrank back, wisely turning his head away and fixing his gaze on the locust tree in the yard, no longer daring to glance at Tao'er.

If he dares to look at him again, the young master might really gouge out his eyes.

"Where did I look?"

Xiao Yi lowered his voice, but couldn't suppress the guilt in his voice.

"I was thinking about something!"

"Look, go look at the okra right now, stop standing here in my way."

He had barely finished speaking when he heard light footsteps behind him.

"Brother Shi Qi! Brother Qingfeng!"

Tao'er had already walked up to them, tilting her head to look at the two of them, her eyes crinkling, smiling like a little fox, "What are you two talking about?"

Is it that lively?

I could hear you talking from far away.

Xiao Yi jumped up from his chair as if he had been burned.

His movements were so large that the chair leg squeaked loudly on the ground.

He quickly grabbed the cloak from the back of the chair, turned around, and draped it over Tao'er's shoulders.

His movements were quick and urgent, carrying an undeniable domineering force, yet he was exceptionally careful when he stopped, even tying the ribbon gently, as if afraid of pulling a single strand of her hair.

"It's chilly at night, don't catch a cold."

His voice was muffled, and his eyes were looking elsewhere.

Tao'er, wrapped up like a dumpling by him, shook her head, both amused and exasperated. "Seventh Brother Shi, I'm not cold!"

She tugged at the collar of her cloak, revealing a section of her neck that was still steaming. "I just took a shower, and I feel warm all over. I'm not cold at all."

Look, my hands are warm.

As she spoke, she actually reached out and touched the back of Xiao Yi's hand.

Xiao Yi recoiled as if burned, his ear tips turning even redder.

He took a deep breath and said patiently yet stubbornly, in a tone that coaxed a child, "Tao'er, be good."

Catching a cold is no joke; Ayan will be heartbroken then.

He spoke with great confidence, as if by bringing up the formidable figure of Ayan, his little schemes could now be legitimate.

Qingfeng couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Xiao Yi shot him a sharp glare, quick and ruthless. Qingfeng quickly covered his mouth, forcing back his laughter. His shoulders trembled as he tried to suppress it, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Young master, you really know how to make excuses!

Bringing Ayan into the conversation makes it sound like you have no ulterior motives whatsoever.

Qingfeng grumbled inwardly, but dared not utter a single word.

Seeing that Xiao Yi insisted, Tao'er went along with it.

After all, they meant well, and she wasn't ungrateful.

The cloak was quite thick and carried a faint scent of pine wood from Xiao Yi, making it rather warm.

She adjusted her cloak, suppressed her smile, and asked seriously, "Brother Shi Qi, Brother Qingfeng, do you think Prince Cheng and the others will come again?"

Do they really believe I've already left?

When it came to serious matters, her brows furrowed slightly, and a layer of worry appeared in her eyes.

Those beautiful eyes reflected the moonlight, yet carried an inescapable shadow.

"I'm afraid they might come back, or leave someone in the shadows to watch us."

She raised her hand to tuck a stray hair from her forehead.

"I'm fine, but Ayan is still young, and the Crown Prince is here too. What if..."

"Peach".

Xiao Yi suddenly called her name. His voice wasn't loud, but it was steady and clear, like a hand pressing down on her wildly beating heart.

He took a step forward, getting closer to her, and looked down at her.

The moonlight fell on his shoulders, making his eyebrows and eyes appear exceptionally deep.

He said earnestly, word by word, "Don't be afraid."

Even if they come, it will be of no use.

With me here, I won't let him hurt you, and he certainly won't take you and Ayan away.

Tao'er felt a warmth in her heart, looked up at him, her lips moved, but she didn't say anything to thank him.

She thought for a moment, then continued, "This is what I'm thinking: why don't you stay here? After all, Brother Shi Qi still needs to be detoxified."

The Crown Prince, the young master, Sister Dongkui, and I will take our leave first.

She counted on her fingers, "Seventh Brother Shi, it will take more than a month to detoxify. Changing places all the time is not good for your health."

"No."

Xiao Yi interrupted her without even thinking, his tone resolute and leaving no room for negotiation.

"Tao'er, I'm worried about you without anyone protecting you."

His brows furrowed, and the vertical line between his eyebrows was so deep it could trap a mosquito.

"How many eyes are watching along the way?"

There were people who became kings, and people from who-knows-where.

None of you have much skill, and Ayan is still young. Now we have another little girl, Huanhuan.

Although Dongkui knows a little martial arts, what use is she, a young girl?

"I will be careful, Brother Shi Qi, you don't need to worry so much."

I'm not someone you can easily bully.

Tao'er felt that Xiao Yi was being too concerned about them.

Xiao Yi raised his hand and touched the top of Tao'er's head. His tone softened a bit, as if afraid of frightening her. His tone was firm, "Tao'er, don't worry, after tonight, that bastard Prince Cheng won't come again."

You don't need to rush to leave.

"If you leave, how will my father teach you medicine?"

His last sentence was spoken with great confidence, but Tao'er clearly saw his eyes flicker.