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

She was somewhat surprised to see Tao'er standing at the door: "Why haven't you rested yet, Miss?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I wanted to talk to you."

Tao'er stepped into the room and sat down at the table.

"You sit down too."

Qingge closed the door and sat down opposite Tao'er.

A military treatise lay open on the table, its pages frayed and worn, clearly having been read many times.

That's right, it's normal for this girl to like martial arts and be interested in military strategy books.

She just hadn't noticed it before; she probably watched it secretly at night.

Tao'er glanced at the book but didn't say anything.

Everyone has their own hobbies, and a military treatise is no big deal.

The room was quiet for a while.

The wick of the oil lamp crackled and flickered.

Tao'er spoke up, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, "Qingge, was that big bird today a gyrfalcon?"

You were born in the countryside, so how could you recognize a gyrfalcon at a glance?

Qingge's fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.

Did the young lady perhaps guess her identity?

"I guessed."

Tao'er continued, "Things from the north shouldn't exist in our area."

And it seems to recognize you; it doesn't resist you at all when you reach out!

Qingge, are you hiding something from me?

Qingge remained silent this time.

The light from the oil lamp shone on her face, and her lips were pressed into a thin line.

Tao'er looked at her, waited for a while, and then said, "Qingge, when you came with me, you said you came from a famine, that your parents were gone, and you couldn't find any relatives."

I have always believed in you.

But that bird today...

Qingge suddenly slid off the stool and knelt down on the ground with a thud.

Tao'er was taken aback, but didn't reach out to help her. She simply said calmly, "What are you doing?"

Qingge raised her head, her eyes reddening. "Girl, I'm sorry, I lied to you."

I am not a country girl, I am... I was General Xiao Yi's former bodyguard.

The general arranged for me to come to your side, to protect you and the young master and young lady.

Peach's eyes were icy.

Qingge knelt on the ground, her voice trembling slightly: "The general said that from now on you will be my master, and I will only obey your orders."

In this lifetime, my life belongs to you, Liu Tao'er.

I kept it a secret because I was afraid that if you knew who I was, you would kick me out. I dared not tell you…

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head, her forehead almost touching the ground.

"Punish me, young lady, however you like, just don't send me away."

The room was so quiet that only the faint sound of the oil lamp burning could be heard.

Tao'er looked at Qingge kneeling in front of her. Moonlight shone through the window paper, outlining a silvery-white edge on her back.

She remembered the first time she met Qingge. Qingge had sold herself to bury her father and was then harassed and bullied by thugs. She couldn't help but step in to help.

Unexpectedly, she was very strong and easily knocked down all the thugs and servants.

She immediately felt that this person didn't seem like someone who had fled famine.

If she hadn't pursued him for so long, she probably wouldn't have accepted him.

Unexpectedly, she really was someone Xiao Yi had arranged to be by her side; this guy hadn't even told her beforehand.

Well, at least Qingge didn't do anything disloyal.

They are an exceptional family.

As long as she doesn't harm them and her heart is with them, that's enough.

Tao'er reached out, grasped Qingge's arm, and pulled her up from the ground. "Qingge, get up quickly, the ground is cold."

Qingge stood up, tears still on her face, and dared not look at Tao'er.

Tao'er released her arm, sat back down on the stool, and patted the stool next to her: "Sit down and talk."

Qingge slowly sat down, placing her hands on her knees, her posture as upright as a javelin.

Tao looked at her and suddenly smiled.

"Qingge, it's a promise, you'll belong to me, Liu Tao'er, from now on."

Even in front of Xiao Yi, you have to listen to me.

Is it possible?

Qingge suddenly looked up, her eyes lighting up.

"Girl, I can do it!"

That's exactly what General Xiao said back then.

"Qingge, I have something to ask you now."

Tao'er's smile faded, and she looked intently at Qingge's face.

"You must answer me honestly, and you can't say anything against your conscience. Don't be afraid of making me angry."

Qingge nodded: "The young lady asked."

Tao'er paused for a moment. "Would you like to become my real family?"

Not master and servant, but family.

Qingge was stunned.

She thought about it for a long time but still couldn't understand the meaning of those words.

"Girl... what does this mean?"

Tao'er smiled and said, "My second brother likes you, the kind of liking that makes him want to marry you."

Do you have feelings for him?

Qingge was completely stunned.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

She remembered Liu Tiechui, that tall and strong man who would come over and snatch the axe from her while she was chopping wood, saying, "A young lady shouldn't do this."

When they were hunting in the mountains, she would always stand in front of him, afraid that he might be in danger.

Her former comrades in the secret guard camp all said she was like a man and would never get married, but he treated her like a normal woman.

Qingge's throat tightened a little, but she still boldly asked, "Miss, will Brother Iron Hammer... take a concubine?"

Tao'er paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

She laughed so hard, her shoulders shaking, "Hahaha..."

So that's what you're worried about!

Don't worry, my second brother won't take a concubine.

If he dares to take a concubine, I'll break his legs!

Qingge's ears burned from her laughter, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.

Tao'er grabbed her hand, barely managing to stop laughing, and said, "Qingge, don't worry."

None of the men in our family take concubines.

My father doesn't take concubines, my eldest brother doesn't take concubines, and if my second brother were to marry you, he would be even less likely to.

Qingge's face flushed. "Girl, are you telling the truth?"

Can you guarantee he won't take a concubine in the future?

"I promise, and from now on all his money will be given to you. Without money, how can he afford to take a concubine!"

Don't let my second brother's rough appearance fool you; he's definitely good to his wife!

"Young lady, I..."

Tao'er looked at her bright red ears and understood what was going on. She added, "Take your time thinking about it. There's no rush."

If you're willing, I'll have my brother hire a matchmaker to propose marriage.

If you don't want to...

"I do!"

Qingge's voice was soft, but very clear.

Tao looked into her eyes and asked again, "Are you really sure?"

Qingge, to be honest, you like my second brother!

Qingge nodded.

She remembered that evening when she washed her hands by the well after chopping firewood. Liu Tiechui brought over a bowl of mung bean soup, placed it on the edge of the well, and left without saying a word.

The soup was cooled just right, not too hot to drink, and a few rock sugar crystals settled at the bottom of the bowl.

"Hammer Bro is a good guy."

Qingge lowered her head and spoke in a muffled voice.

"After spending this time together, I've found that we get along well."

She probably likes it!

Anyway, I feel very secure when I'm with him!

Tao'er grasped her hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Then it's settled."

I'll tell my mother another day and ask her to find a matchmaker.

Qingge hummed in agreement, then looked up, her eyes glistening with tears: "Miss, you're not angry that I kept my identity a secret from you?"

Tao'er stood up, reached out and ruffled her hair, just like she would ruffle Huanhuan's hair.

"It's strange, but I can't bear to send you away, so you have to marry my second brother and become my sister-in-law, and stay by my side for the rest of your life to atone for your sins."

Hahaha……"

Qingge burst into laughter through her tears; she knew Tao'er was joking with her.

Tao'er walked out, but turned back at the door: "Don't chop wood tomorrow. Let my second brother and eldest brother chop wood. These are heavy jobs, let the men do them."

Even though you practice martial arts, you must protect your hands.

Alright, it's getting late, let's get some rest!

Qingge sat under the lamp, watching Tao'er's figure disappear into the moonlight outside the door. She reached out and touched the hair that had just been ruffled, and the corners of her mouth turned up, unable to suppress the smile.

Who would have thought that one day she would become the girl's sister-in-law? Fate is truly amazing!