Chapter 185
He murmured, "So that's how it is..."
"Yes, that's right," she said affirmatively.
Qi Heng took the token from her waist and handed it to her: "This is the East Palace token. If you need anything in the future, you can have someone take this token to the East Palace to find me."
Tao Tao reached out and took it, examining it from all sides. It was quite heavy and exquisitely crafted, with animal patterns carved on it that she couldn't understand.
"Thank you for the inkstone gift."
She didn't refuse; naturally, she accepted it without hesitation, because it was what she deserved.
"Then I'm leaving."
Seeing her curiously examining the token, a hint of joy appearing in her eyes, he couldn't help but smile as well.
Tao Tao tucked the token into her sleeve and looked at him with a smile: "Then I'll give it to you."
Qi Heng listened without speaking, her eyelashes fluttered, and she nodded with pursed lips.
Huh?
Her smile froze as she thought to herself that she was just saying it casually. Someone as understanding as him should have gone out on his own, shouldn't he?
Tao Tao: "Let's go then."
She stood at the door, waved to him, and watched the two walk away before turning back. But as soon as she turned around, Murong Yan suddenly appeared and stood behind her.
She turned around and was startled to see this person suddenly appear, almost making her scream.
Tao Tao said irritably, "What are you doing standing here all day without saying a word? Don't you know you're scaring people?"
Murong Yan rolled his eyes: "You're not just anyone. Besides, do you know how close you are to the Crown Prince?"
He crossed his arms, looked at her with a cold smile, and a hint of anger flickered in his eyes.
"What business is Guan Duan in? Besides, you don't actually think they're on the opposite side, do you?" she retorted with a sneer.
Her words puzzled him. "Otherwise what?"
"We'll talk about this when you get back."
After Tao Tao finished speaking, she walked towards her own courtyard.
"Why can't you say it now? What kind of riddle are you playing, Xiaotao..."
Murong Yan hurriedly followed behind her, asking her questions tirelessly.
"You should hurry up and prepare your things for the journey the day after tomorrow. Actually, you didn't need to talk to him like that just now. I'm not your biological sister, and you do have a biological sister..."
They pretended to protect her, but in reality, they were all getting what they wanted.
"It's none of your business! I'll say what I want to say. You're so young, what do you know..."
She scoffed and turned to look at him: "You're only a year or two older than me, what are you pretending to be so profound for? I'm just kindly reminding you that some people may seem to have a good temper, but don't take it for granted."
How could members of the royal family be truly approachable? Their so-called good temper is just a way to lower others' guard.
He suddenly glared at her and said stubbornly, "Do you need to tell me? Of course I know. I said that earlier to test him."
A test? A test of what?
Tao Tao walked into the room, stood at the door, and nodded frantically: "Ah, yes, yes, you're right, goodbye."
With a bang, the door was slammed shut.
Murong Yan was standing so close that he almost bumped his nose into someone's, but his eardrums suffered.
He rubbed his ear, stared at the door for a while, then pursed his lips and turned to leave.
After a while, the door opened again, revealing Tao Tao's expressionless face, and she called out in a low voice, "Leng Qiao."
Soon, Leng Qiao's dark figure appeared before them and walked in.
"Do you know who your real master is? I think you probably only recognize Duan Gan as your real master."
She sat at the table, poured herself a cup of hot tea, the steam rising around her, her eyebrows and eyes appearing and disappearing through the thin veil, making it impossible to see the emotions in her eyes.
Leng Qiao suddenly knelt down on one knee, "Miss, I'm sorry."
Kneeling on one knee was her own choice, and so was apologizing. It wasn't because of Duan Gan, but because she had seen almost everything he had done these past few days.
If we're talking about who understands her better than Duan Gan, then it's only herself.
In this era, women engaged in commerce were criticized, let alone the unlucky and dirty business of funeral services. She received countless harsh and even insulting words and looked down upon with contempt.
But she remained optimistic and knew how to retaliate with sarcasm; she was not a weak person.
Although her methods were not honorable, Tao Tao still managed to climb up the ranks and become the county magistrate.
She originally thought Tao Tao was already satisfied with this, after all, for a merchant's daughter, this was already the highest possible status.
To ask for more would be greedy.
But when she saw the Crown Prince appear beside her again, that vague feeling she had before seemed to find its answer at that moment.
Tao Tao is too greedy. Is her desire to get close to the Crown Prince because he is the most honored person besides the Emperor?
She thought so.
"Why do you all like saying sorry? What good does saying sorry do?"
Her words interrupted Leng Qiao's thoughts, and Tao Tao looked at Leng Qiao with amusement.
Leng Qiao was puzzled and shook her head: "Miss, I must obey my master's orders and can only tell him your news."
"He's quite loyal," she thought to herself.
"Don't worry, I will get ownership of you. If I can't, then I'll have to let you go back."
She spread her hands, looking helpless.
Leng Qiao fell silent, looking somewhat dejected.
"Get up quickly, winter is coming, the ground is cold, it's not good for a girl's health."
Tao Tao stepped forward, reached out to help her up, and smiled with concern.
She paused for a moment, gazed at Tao Tao silently, and slowly stood up.
"Actually, we've been together for so long, how could I bear to leave you? It must be so comfortable to be with me, completely different from before."
It's not just different, it's completely opposite. Every day they're either killing people or on their way to interrogations.
“Listen to me, I can protect you, really, you believe me, and I need your help.”
Tao Tao looked directly into her eyes, holding her hands tightly with a serious and solemn expression.
Leng Qiao frowned, her eyes filled with confusion: "Miss..."
She was just an insignificant person; when had she ever truly been needed? Even without her, countless others would appear before Tao Tao.
"Look at you, you're a girl too, why don't you buy yourself some nice jewelry?"
As she spoke, Tao Tao took a delicate hairpin shaped like a green leaf and pink oleander flower from her hair, stood on tiptoe, and inserted it into her hair, which was tied in a man's bun.
He then took her wrist and led her to the bronze mirror, where two figures were clearly reflected.
Tao Tao moved closer to her affectionately, her eyes full of admiration, and praised, "This is so beautiful, and you are beautiful too. You can try on pretty dresses when you have time in the future."
"...It's not appropriate to do this while carrying out the mission."
"Why not? There are plenty of beautiful and neat dresses out there. I will never restrict what you wear or use."
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