Ban Yingying was stunned and murmured, "Sister is so beautiful."
Even Lu Tu was somewhat taken aback as he looked at the beggar girl in front of him. No wonder she dressed more shabbily than the other refugees; it turned out to be to protect herself.
This is understandable, though. Otherwise, one would probably be captured before even making it two miles from Longcheng. In this chaotic world, beauty is a disaster for women.
"May I have your name?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, my name is Xiang Qiaoqiao, and I am 16 years old."
Lu Tu nodded in approval and said, "You have some courage. You know that opportunities are earned. Since that's the case, you should come along too. I happen to have two wives."
Overjoyed, Xiang Qiaoqiao wept, "Thank you so much, sir! I will certainly serve you both well!"
Ban Yingying stepped forward and helped her up: "Sister Qiaoqiao, my name is Ban Yingying."
"Thank you, Yingying."
For Xiang Qiaoqiao, being able to go to Lü Tu's place to take care of the pregnant woman was a life-changing surprise. She had always lived in fear and trepidation, hiding among the refugees.
Now that she can finally be herself and return to being a woman, how could she not be happy?
Xiang Qiaoqiao's sudden arrival put Lu Tu in a difficult position, mainly due to the issue of accommodation. With Xiang Qiaoqiao's appearance, it was impossible to let her live with the refugees.
Lu Tu called Ban Wei over: "Xiang Qiaoqiao has nowhere to stay now, how about..."
Ban Wei's expression tightened. He was a year or two younger than Xiang Qiaoqiao and knew that he should avoid suspicion in this matter. He took the initiative to suggest, "In that case, let Xiang Qiaoqiao live with my sister. I'll go back to my place."
Lu Tu waved his hand: "There's no need for that. Do you want to join the army?"
"I want to!" Banwei blurted out without the slightest hesitation.
"In that case, I will arrange for you to follow Nie Yun and live with the night watchmen so that you can adapt to military life as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Your Excellency. Ban Wei couldn't be happier!"
However, he quickly calmed down and came to Ban Yingying's side, whispering, "Yingying, I won't be able to stay by your side anymore. Remember to be careful in your actions and don't displease the adults and madam."
With tears welling up in her eyes, Ban Yingying grabbed Ban Wei's hand and said reluctantly, "Brother, I don't want you to leave. You're my only family."
Ban Wei wiped away her tears and said solemnly, "In this chaotic world, what choice do we have? Now that Lord Lü values us and has given us this opportunity, we must seize it firmly, especially considering Father's last wish..."
Ban Yingying nodded quickly: "I understand, brother. I'll visit you at the night watch when I have time."
"I will come to see you too."
Lu Tu, who was listening from the side, couldn't help but chuckle: "Don't make it so sad. It's only two miles away, just a short walk. Yingying is allowed to visit your brother at the night watch whenever she has free time."
"Thank you, sir!"
When they returned home, Nangong Huiyu had also returned. They were both surprised when they heard that the two of them were sent by Lü Tu to serve them.
Nangong Huiyu asked in surprise, "Husband, where did you carefully select this beauty?"
Upon hearing this, Ban Yingying and Xiang Qiaoqiao lowered their heads shyly and timidly called out, "Madam, Second Madam."
Nangong Huiyu, with her impulsive nature, deliberately put on a stern face to scare the two of them: "That's my sister, she's the real Madam."
"I'm sorry! Please don't blame me, Madam." The two maids were so frightened that they immediately knelt down.
Song Yuxi helped the two up and said, "There's no need to be so formal. You're just responsible for chopping firewood, cooking, and fetching water."
Ban Yingying was a little better and obediently agreed when she heard this, but Xiang Qiaoqiao said in a panic, "No, Madam, I am still a servant and I know the rules."
Song Yuxi asked curiously, "Whose maid were you before?"
“I worked as a maid in the Jiang family in Longcheng for five years. Later, I was expelled from the Jiang family because I broke the young mistress’s jade hairpin.”
Song Yuxi and Nangong Huiyu exchanged a glance, both seeing the clue in each other's eyes.
Nangong Huiyu came up to her and used his finger to lift Xiang Qiaoqiao's chin, saying, "What a beautiful woman! If I were the eldest young master of the Jiang family, I would never drive you away because of a broken jade hairpin."
Upon hearing this, a hint of panic flashed in Xiang Qiaoqiao's eyes, but she still calmly explained, "That was the token of love between the young mistress and the eldest young master. I accidentally broke it, so it's only right that I be punished."
Nangong Huiyu chuckled and said, "Now that things have come to this point, there's no need to act anymore, Miss Jiang."
Qiaoqiao's pupils dilated in shock. She looked at Lü Tu pleadingly, her voice trembling with tears, and said, "My lord..."
Lu Tu waved his hand: "I'll listen to my wife. If you don't tell the truth, I won't keep you."
Hearing this, Xiang Qiaoqiao lowered her head, and Song Yuxi said calmly, "Although my husband is only a captain, our family has an upright background and we would never take in people of unknown origin!"
After hesitating for a moment, Xiang Qiaoqiao gritted her teeth and took out a crystal-clear jade pendant from her bosom, presenting it with both hands: "That's right, I am Jiang Wanyu from the Jiang family, but I am not the eldest daughter. I am just an illegitimate daughter. After my father passed away, my mother and I suffered persecution from my aunt's family. My family was forced to jump into a well, and I had no choice but to escape from there."
"I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have hidden my identity. I was worried that you would have reservations and be unwilling to take me in, so I resorted to this tactic."
She bowed respectfully to Lü Tu and said, "Thank you for feeding me these past few days, sir. I will now leave this place."
"Wait!" Song Yuxi called out to her.
Jiang Wanyu looked at her curiously: "What are your orders, Madam?"
For the first time, Song Yuxi displayed the demeanor of the daughter of the Great General of the Eight Pillars of the Great Yu: "I have long heard of the Jiang family of Longcheng. The Jiang family is not a good family. Since you have been expelled, you can stay here from now on."
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