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

The days passed peacefully like this for a few days.

Tao'er grew up in an orphanage, which fostered her keen observation skills.

In the past few days, she had noticed that Dongkui was acting strangely.

That girl was usually lively and energetic, like a sparrow that never tires. She did everything efficiently, from washing clothes and cooking to sweeping the yard, and she would often hum an unknown tune.

But in the last few days, Dongkui has been acting like a completely different person.

While cooking, she stared blankly at the fire in the stove and accidentally burned the porridge.

While washing clothes, I would stop scrubbing and stare blankly at the water.

Even when Huanhuan, the little girl she usually loved to tease, came over to pester her, she could only manage a forced smile and perfunctorily pat the child's head, completely lacking the warmth she used to have.

Tao'er saw all this and began to have doubts.

They've only been married a few days, shouldn't they be happy?

Could it be that Qingfeng treated her badly?

Tao'er felt more and more uneasy.

She knew Qingfeng well; he was carefree and easygoing, but reliable in his work, and genuinely cared for Dongkui.

He finally mustered the courage to confess his feelings and marry Dongkui, so he couldn't possibly treat her badly, right?

Could it be that they're not getting along in that area?

I was too ashamed to talk about it, so I didn't tell them.

Tao'er shook her head, deciding to stop guessing and ask directly for clarification.

After breakfast, Tao'er called Dongkui into her room.

The room was dimly lit, and Tao'er pulled Dongkui's hand to make her sit down.

Dongkui obediently sat down, her eyes lowered, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Seeing her like this, Tao'er became even more certain that something was wrong.

"Dongkui, tell me the truth, did Qingfeng bully you?"

Tao'er went straight to the point and asked.

Dongkui paused for a moment, then shook her head repeatedly, her voice muffled: "No, Qingfeng treats me very well."

Tao stared at her for a couple of seconds and thought it didn't seem like she was lying.

If it's not that, then what could it be?

She thought for a moment, then asked, "So... is it because you two are not compatible in that area?"

Tao'er deliberately lowered her voice as she said this, "Didn't you read the booklet I gave you?"

Dongkui's face flushed red instantly, all the way to her ears.

She shook her head vigorously, her voice tinged with embarrassment: "No...it's not that..."

Tao'er is really worried now.

It's not this, it's not that, what's wrong with winter mallow?

She asked a few more questions, her tone becoming increasingly gentle and concerned. Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Dongkui's tears fell like beads from a broken string.

This crying really frightened Tao'er.

She was most afraid of people crying, especially Dongkui, who was usually such a feisty and straightforward person, always cheerful.

Now that those tears had fallen, Tao'er's heart clenched. She hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, saying repeatedly, "Don't cry, don't cry. Tell me what's wrong, and I'll help you."

Dongkui cried for a long time, sobbing and choking, as if the words that had been building up in her heart for many days had finally found an outlet.

Slowly, she began to explain the reason, albeit haltingly.

It turned out that a few nights ago, Qingfeng told her something important: soon he would be escorting the Northern King northward.

The Northern King is going to his fiefdom in the North.

This journey home was no ordinary one; the road ahead was fraught with unpredictable dangers, and General Xiao accompanied him.

As Xiao Yi's confidant, Qingfeng was bound to accompany him.

Then he asked Dongkui if she wanted to go north with him.

She cried and said to Tao'er, "Sister, Qingfeng said that the journey north is long and will take at least one or two months. After we get to the northern border, we don't know how long we will have to stay."

He asked me to come with him, but... but what will happen to you if I leave?

She became more and more upset as she spoke, tears streaming down her face: "If I leave, who will do your laundry and cook for you?"

Who combs Huanhuan's hair?

Who will make Ah Yan's favorite sponge cake?

And you, Peach Sister, you have no one to take care of you either!

"And with two children, what if we encounter any danger on the road? Who will protect you?"

As Dongkui spoke, her voice became hoarse: "Sister Tao'er, I really can't bear to part with you."

I can't bear to part with Sister Tao'er, I can't bear to part with Ayan, and I can't bear to part with that little girl Huanhuan.

She's so small and delicate, will she cry if I leave?

What should I do if she has nightmares last night?

As Tao'er listened, her heart felt as if it were being squeezed, a mixture of sourness and pain.

Only then did she understand why Dongkui had been frowning and absent-minded these past few days.

The girl wasn't unwilling to go with her husband, nor was she afraid of the perilous journey north; she simply couldn't bear to leave them behind.

Tao sighed softly, reached out and pulled Dongkui into her arms, patting her back like she was comforting a child.

"Silly girl,"

Is this all you're doing?

Tao'er's voice was very soft and gentle.

Dongkui buried her face in her shoulder and gave a muffled "hmm".

Tao'er said, "Listen to me..."

Dongkui looked up at her, her eyes red.

"You've started a family now, so you should prioritize your family."

Qingfeng is your man, you should go with him wherever he goes!

Otherwise, what's the difference between him marrying you and not marrying a wife at all?

Also, you don't want to break up with him, right?

Tao looked into Dongkui's eyes and said earnestly.

Dongkui opened her mouth as if to say something, but Tao'er held her hand and continued talking.

"As for me, Ayan, and Huanhuan, you don't need to worry about them at all."

Tao smiled. "You forgot?"

Now, Ayan and I have both learned how to make poison.

"I'm not bragging, but with our current skills, ordinary thugs wouldn't even be able to get three steps close to us."

Dongkui shook her head, her eyes full of worry: "If you only know how to make drugs but don't know kung fu, what if you encounter a powerful criminal?"

just in case……

What if King Cheng's men catch up with us?

When she said the words "King Cheng," her voice unconsciously lowered, as if she was afraid of being overheard.

Tao'er was silent for a moment, then smiled.

"Don't worry, Sister Dongkui. It's not so easy for Prince Cheng to find our whereabouts. I don't plan to go to the Chen family in Jiangnan."

Tao patted Dongkui's hand.

Winter Okra was stunned.

Why?

"Didn't we plan to go to the Chen family in Jiangnan?"

Dongkui asked, puzzled.

Tao'er said slowly, "The journey to Jiangnan is long and there are too many variables."

The people under King Cheng must have guessed that I was going to the Chen family in Jiangnan, otherwise they wouldn't have chased me all the way to Ping'an County.

Therefore, I had to change my route and go to a different place.

"So where do you plan to take Ayan and Huanhuan?"

Dongkui quickly asked.

"I haven't figured it out yet, but you don't need to worry about it."

You should just relax and live a good life with Qingfeng.

I'll contact you again once I've settled down.

Tao'er comforted Dongkui, explaining that she hadn't given her the address because she was afraid Dongkui would be stubborn and refuse to go with Qingfeng.

There was another reason behind Tao'er's decision that she didn't fully express.

She didn't want to bring too many people back to Xinghua Village; too many people would make it harder to explain.

What's going on over there? She's been gone for so long, and everything in the village has changed. With so many people around, things can sometimes feel restrictive.

She just wanted to live a few years of freedom.

Most importantly, she didn't want the young couple to be separated so soon after their marriage.

That's too cruel.

It's really not a good deed to separate husband and wife, and she doesn't want to be that kind of bad person.

As for the two children needing care, we can simply hire a maid to look after them.

Dongkui wiped away her tears and nodded. "Then you must write a letter to tell us."

"it is good."

Tao'er held Dongkui's hand and nodded gently.

"Sister Dongkui, after you leave with Qingfeng, please take good care of yourself."

When you get there, live a good life with Qingfeng and give him a big, healthy son.

Dongkui's tears fell again, but this time it was different; this time she smiled.

Her crying and laughing was somewhat comical, and Tao'er couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to flick her nose: "Look at you, crying like a little cat."

"Alright, alright, stop crying. If you cry your eyes out, Qingfeng will think I bullied his wife."

Dongkui burst into laughter through her tears, wiped them away, and suddenly rushed over to hug Tao'er tightly.

"Little Peach," her voice choked with emotion, "I really, really can't bear to part with you."

Tao'er didn't push her away, but gently patted her back, like coaxing a child about to embark on a long journey.

"I'll miss you too..."

Sigh, this girl is really sentimental; she cries like she doesn't care about money.

It made her almost cry.

"However, Sister Dongkui, all good things must come to an end."

Don't be too sad.

"I just want to see you and Qingfeng living a good life together."

Outside the window, the morning light is just right.

Huanhuan's laughter came from the courtyard, as clear and crisp as scattered silver coins.

Ah Yan was saying something to her, and the girl laughed even more happily.

As Dongkui listened to those voices, her eyes blurred with tears, she etched them all deeply into her heart.

She knew that Tao'er was right.

Once you're married, you should prioritize your family.

But she also knew that no matter where she went, she would always have Tao'er and Ayan in her heart.