Princess, Whose Side Are You On?

After Xiao Tao drafted the servitude contracts and handed them to Fang Zheng, he carefully examined them and nodded with satisfaction.

Shui Yibai and Qian Desheng were Qian nationals, naturally not protected by Jing law.

So these servitude contracts couldn't use ordinary ones.

They could only opt for moral constraints.

The content wasn't too extreme... just swearing by Shui Yibai's father.

A loyal servant and a daughter, this should provide enough restraint.

But they would still need someone to watch over the two.

After preparing everything, Fang Zheng returned to Shui Yibai's room, untied her ropes, and led her by the hand to see Qian Desheng.

Her hand held, Shui Yibai naturally felt another wave of confusion.

Her face flushed with embarrassment. Added to Fang Zheng's earlier persuasion, she had basically given up her ability to think.

Fang Zheng was still whispering in her ear: "Yibai, Qian Desheng will probably be reluctant. You'll need to persuade him hard, get him to hand over all his money."

"This money would be a disaster in his hands! In my hands, it's not much use either. I'll save it all for you, as your future dowry!"

Dowry? What dowry? Why is he talking about dowry?

Shui Yibai pressed her lips tightly, her heart growing more confused, even more chaotic than before!

When the two arrived hand in hand before Qian Desheng, his eyes immediately widened!

Initially seeing the princess unharmed brought a moment of joy.

But seeing her being led by the hand by Fang Zheng, with a bashful expression, his anger instantly flared!

However, with his vital point in someone else's grasp, he dared not speak harshly, and could only glare angrily at Fang Zheng.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng released Shui Yibai's hand and smiled: "Eunuch Qian, how are you?"

"The Third Princess is safe and sound. Now can you fulfill our agreement?"

Third Princess? Has the princess confessed everything? Or did Fang Zheng torture it out of her?

Qian Desheng carefully examined Shui Yibai, seeing she didn't appear to have been coerced, and said: "Master Fang has excellent techniques! Please release me, I need to speak with the princess!"

Fang Zheng stepped forward and freed Qian Desheng.

As soon as he was untied, Qian Desheng immediately bowed respectfully to Fang Zheng and said softly: "Thank you, Master Fang... may I speak a few words with the princess?"

Fang Zheng nodded, then turned and left.

After he left, Qian Desheng immediately came forward to check Shui Yibai's condition.

Seeing she appeared uninjured, only with particularly red eyes, he quickly asked: "Princess, has that Fang Zheng mistreated you?"

Shui Yibai recalled how Fang Zheng had been holding her earlier, her face gradually flushing as she said softly: "No."

Then she raised her head: "Eunuch Qian, it's now impossible for me to assassinate the emperor."

"But Young Master... Fang Zheng has promised not to turn us in."

"As long as you hand over all your wealth to him, he will help us create new identities."

"Your fabric shop and residence have already been discovered by him. If he can find them, others certainly can too. It's too dangerous!"

"When he comes to ask you, just... tell him everything. Consider it a debt I owe you!"

What's going on?!

Qian Desheng suddenly felt like he'd been stabbed in the heart!

What's wrong with the princess?! Why is she taking the side of an outsider?!

And so strongly!

Qian Desheng urgently said: "Your Highness! Do you really trust that Fang Zheng? He's not a good person!"

"This old servant's life is yours. You can tell me to do whatever you want, but you absolutely cannot be fooled by Fang Zheng's sweet talk!"

"He can't get much money by turning us over to the court. What he's after is our money!"

"Once we give him everything, he might immediately sell us to the court!"

"He'd profit both ways!"

Hearing him "slander" Fang Zheng like this, Shui Yibai's face darkened and she immediately retorted: "Impossible! He's not that kind of person!"

She spent most of her time in the mansion, occasionally going out with Xiao Tao. Fang Zheng had always been very kind to the servants in the mansion.

Especially to Xiao Tao, giving her handfuls of banknotes, which she had seen with her own eyes.

How could someone so generous with a maid be so greedy?

To her, he must be frugal because she didn't have Taoyuan citizenship!

Another stab to Qian Desheng's heart!

He endured the pain, exclaiming: "Your Highness! You haven't fallen in love with that Fang Zheng, have you?!"

"He is not a good man! Don't forget our identities!"

"He must be using sweet words to deceive you! To speak frankly, having lived to this age, this old servant has seen too many treacherous hearts in and out of the palace. Fang Zheng is definitely not a good person! He's even harboring people from our Great Qian in secret!"

"Forgive this old servant's directness, but a man as bold as him definitely has bad intentions toward you! If he has his way with you... how can I face the late emperor?!"

What does he mean by "have his way with me"?

Hearing this, Shui Yibai's face turned so red that steam nearly erupted from her head.

Angrily, she said: "What nonsense are you talking! I'm only thinking of your welfare. Just tell me, will you give the money or not?!"

Whoosh!

Another flying dagger pierced Qian Desheng's heart.

Qian Desheng said mournfully: "Fine... fine... if you want me to give it, of course I will!"

"At this point, our lives are in his hands. Do we have a choice? But we can't give everything!"

"This old servant... must keep an escape route for you!"

"No need! Fang Zheng said he's saving it for me, and I'll help you get it back later!"

Princess! Where is your brain?!

Qian Desheng suddenly felt ten thousand flying daggers piercing him.

His heart was riddled with holes, and he seemed to age ten years instantly, muttering: "Give... I'll give it..."

Seeing him like this, Shui Yibai also felt pity and said softly: "Eunuch Qian, I have no choice either."

"The Fang family has been kind to me. When it's safer, I'll find a way to help you leave."

Qian Desheng gave a bitter smile.

With no money, where the hell would he go? You've been bewitched by Fang Zheng, so just stop talking.

Shui Yibai bit her lower lip hard, saying sadly: "I won't forget my father's revenge... I'll find another way to break ties with the Fang family."

Qian Desheng glanced at her without speaking.

"It's all my fault... I acted on my own and got you into this..."

"Don't say that, Your Highness. This old servant would gladly do anything for you..." Qian Desheng was touched and began to weep.

The princess used to be so proud.

She had changed so much over the year... she even learned to reflect on herself! Life must have been so difficult!

But it seemed she hadn't given up on revenge. He would need to stay by her side and watch over her.

Fang Zheng, who had been eavesdropping at the door, felt he had heard enough and pushed the door open...