Xiaolian was surprised when she heard his words: "Miss, but I don't think so."

"It's been seven years, so it's understandable that there would be some changes in one's appearance. Besides, I've heard that assassins all know how to disguise themselves."

At this point, Di Furong suddenly looked at the man and asked, "Is that face you have now your own?"

The man nodded: "It's mine. Miss, you can just call me Di Qing."

Upon hearing his name, the astute Di Furong immediately knew who he was. She had heard that only the Crown Prince's secret guards or personal guards were granted the surname Di.

"Are you one of His Highness the Crown Prince's men?"

Di Qing nodded: "Yes, I will follow Miss from now on, so I am Miss's person."

Xiaolian watched the two talking and giggled to herself.

Di Furong frowned in confusion. The meaning of those words was rather profound; I couldn't understand them.

Why are you following me?

"Protect and repay kindness."

Di Furong was speechless: "Di Qing, you have no future following me. You can live the life you want."

"Following you is the life I want. I have already resigned from my post before His Highness the Crown Prince. From now on, I will follow you and protect you," Di Qing said righteously.

Di Furong was about to say something when she suddenly heard Xiao Lian's voice.

"Miss, please keep Di Qing here. There might be some dangers for the two of us women running a shop. With Di Qing here, our safety will be guaranteed. Besides, we can't always hire someone to do the heavy work. And we don't need Di Qing's money!"

Xiao Lian felt that Di Qing's goal was to get rid of her mistress, but her mistress, who was usually quick-witted, became confused in this situation. Xiao Lian decided to help her mistress and Di Qing; it would be good for her mistress to have someone to help her, so that her mistress wouldn't have to suffer too much.

Di Furong glared at Xiao Lian: "You certainly know how to make arrangements."

"Alright, you can stay here. There's a spare room in the backyard; you can tidy it up and move in. But remember, don't just barge into our rooms, or I won't let you stay."

Di Qing nodded: "I won't. Don't worry, Miss."

Di Furong nodded: "Di Qing, after we come out, we can no longer use the surname Di. We should also try not to mention anything about the palace in the future. Did you have your own surname before you followed the Crown Prince?"

"No, I didn't even have a name before. It was His Highness who gave me a name."

Empress Furong sighed, "She's also a woman with a tragic fate."

"After I arrived, it was Qu Furong who registered with the government. Xiao Lian is my sister, Qu Lian. Do you want to take my surname and become my brother?"

Di Qing shook his head: "I can take your surname, but I won't be your older brother."

Di Furong pouted. "Who would want you to be my brother? It's just to avoid suspicion."

"Whatever you want. Xiaolian will take him to the government office to register the case. Call him whatever you want. Go, close the door quickly, I'm starving."

Xiao Lian covered her mouth and chuckled, "Alright, Miss."

Xiaolian closed the door and bolted it before following her mistress and Diqing back to the backyard.

During a break from work, Xiaolian had already cooked the meal and was keeping it warm on the stove. It was perfect to eat right now. She had originally planned to save some leftovers for tomorrow morning, but now that Diqing had arrived, she would have to cook something else for tomorrow morning.

After the group finished eating, Di Furong took Xiaolian inside, locking the door several times and then using a table to barricade it. After all, a man had just moved in, and it was better to be safe than sorry. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but one should always be cautious.

Di Qing, perched in the tree outside the door, watched her little actions, and a smile appeared on his usually expressionless handsome face.

Watching her little gestures, Di Qing suddenly found her adorable. Compared to years ago, the once thin and frail little princess now looked a bit plumper. She also seemed more cheerful and had developed her own little temper. All of this made Di Qing extremely happy. She was no longer the timid little girl she once was. That was good; he would cherish and protect this rare quality in her for the rest of his life.

The next morning, Di Furong and Xiao Lian woke up to find that they had slept exceptionally well the night before. Could it be because Di Qing was there?

As the two went outside, Di Qing suddenly jumped down from the tree. Di Furong and Xiao Lian looked at it and realized that the room seemed superfluous.

“Di Qing, you don’t need to sleep in the tree anymore. You can sleep in the room. We both have some cultivation and can protect ourselves.”

Di Qing nodded without saying a word. He wondered who had gotten up last night before going to bed to check if the door was locked and if the table had been moved.

Di Qing believed that whatever her master said was right, so she didn't offer much explanation and just let her be.

Di Furong always felt that behind Di Qing's taciturn nature lay many hidden thoughts, which he simply chose not to share with them. However, Di Furong was too lazy to ask; he could speak if he wanted to, and let him be if he didn't.

"Let's go buy some breakfast today."

"Okay, Miss."