Qian Desheng, as usual when business was slow, placed a small stool at the shop entrance.

Basking in the sun, watching people come and go, enjoying the peaceful passing of time.

Although their nation had fallen, not having to serve others made life quite pleasant!

Plus, with the Water God Sect eliminated, one less worry plagued his mind.

His actions had been discreet, and he’d even been an informant for Eastern Depot spies.

He’d secretly betrayed two Water God Sect leaders in the capital, so he wasn’t afraid of being discovered.

If life continued this way, it would be quite good.

However, one concern still troubled him.

The princess’s safety!

She was only seventeen, far too inexperienced, let alone for something as professional as assassination.

Even with the sabotaged hand crossbow, what if she charged forward with a sword? What would happen if she was discovered?

Sigh… he should have tied the princess up yesterday!

Either way, her chances were slim to none!

If the princess died, he wouldn’t have the face to live on.

But at his age, he’d lived a full life, and could leave the shop to his adopted sons.

Just needed to choose a dignified way to die… poison or hanging?

The old eunuch found himself in a dilemma.

As he pondered, grief overwhelmed him.

Fate was fickle… how had things come to this?

Once upon a time, he’d been powerful… a figure whose word was law in the palace.

Leaning against the doorframe, tears streamed down Qian Desheng’s face.

While lost in thought, shouts suddenly erupted from the distance.

Qian Desheng wiped his tears and quickly looked toward the source.

His gaze instantly focused, then his whole body trembled! He couldn’t help but cry out: “Fang Zheng!?”

The next moment, Qian Desheng hurriedly darted back to the rear courtyard.

He shouted: “Little Four! Jin Zi! Everyone come quickly!”

Shortly after, four people gathered around him, and Qian Desheng urgently said: “Fang Zheng is here! He’s coming so hastily, perhaps something happened to the princess and we’ve been exposed!!”

“The princess visited just last night, she might still be in Fang’s mansion. Take your weapons, split up and rescue her. If you find the princess, take her to the house outside the city! Quick, go through the back courtyard!”

“But Godfather, what about you?”

Qian Desheng steadied himself, saying proudly: “I’ve navigated the jianghu for so many years, what haven’t I seen! I’ll stall him for you, half an hour won’t be a problem!”

Bang The main door was kicked open.

The four immediately scattered, while Qian Desheng rubbed his old face, forced a smile, and walked toward the front of the store.

Fang Zheng glanced at Zhou Tie beside him, seeing his hesitant expression, and knew he didn’t recognize the fabric shop owner.

Qian Desheng also quickly scanned the two.

Fang Zheng was a young man whom he’d secretly observed several times, a mere novice!

The dirty-looking man beside him seemed to be a coachman, somewhat familiar… but not a threat!

Only two people came… if he had been exposed, shouldn’t they have brought more people?

If he hadn’t been exposed, why had these two rushed here… was he overthinking?

Regardless, sending Little Four and the others to save the princess couldn’t be wrong. She mustn’t attempt assassination!

He’d stall them for an hour!

Analysis complete, Qian Desheng warmly welcomed them: “Young masters, you’ve come at the perfect time, we just received…”

“Strip off his pants!” Fang Zheng pointed.

Zhou Tie stepped forward and pinned Qian Desheng against the counter.

He yanked down Qian Desheng’s pants, exposing his pale buttocks.

Fang Zheng bent down to look.

“Indeed a eunuch! Take him away!”

????

What’s happening!! Say something to me, damn it!

You come in and just pull down people’s pants? Are you human?!

This is outrageous! Outrageous!!!

Qian Desheng’s mind went blank, then tears of humiliation flowed from the corners of his eyes.

He struggled and shrieked: “Fang Zheng, I’ll f—”

Thud!

Before he could finish, Zhou Tie delivered a chop to his neck, knocking him unconscious.

Qian Desheng slid limply down the counter to the floor.

“So that’s what eunuchs look like down there!”

“Indeed, this is my first time seeing it too, all thanks to Master’s influence!”

The two stood there, pointing at Qian Desheng’s backside and commenting.

“Enough! Go find a carriage and return home.”

Zhou Tie turned and left.

Fang Zheng crouched down and pulled up Qian Desheng’s pants.

Then he began searching the surroundings.

Within a cup of tea’s time, he’d found two hundred taels in banknotes, plus five taels in loose silver.

When Zhou Tie returned with a coachman, they began loading the unconscious man onto the carriage.

The coachman watched nervously. Seeing this, Fang Zheng placed the five taels of loose silver in his hand.

“Official business, don’t ask questions!”

Hearing this, the coachman relaxed somewhat, managing a slight smile.

After placing Qian Desheng in the carriage, Fang Zheng looked at the compartment.

“Seems a bit empty!”

“Master, there’s still fabric inside!”

“Keep loading!”

Damn! Robbers in broad daylight!

The victim’s already in the carriage, what to do now? No time to report to officials… and that young man is still watching me!

The coachman looked at the five taels of silver in his hand and swallowed hard.

Five taels… enough for nearly half a year’s work. Here goes!

Gritting his teeth, he went inside and carried out two bolts of fabric…

The three returned fully loaded.

The carriage was filled with fine fabric, with the coachman sitting on two bolts himself.

…

Soon, the carriage arrived at Fang’s mansion.

After unloading, Fang Zheng looked appreciatively at the coachman.

A talented fellow, accepting any job, daring to do anything!

When the coachman saw him looking, he trembled: “Master… we’re… accomplices now… I stole this fabric too…”

“If… if you like, you can take this too?”

He started to pull out the fabric from beneath him.

Fang Zheng laughed: “I told you it’s official business! What are you afraid of!”

“The fabric is yours, go home!”

The coachman felt like he’d received a pardon. He thanked him and scurried away.

…………

An incense stick’s time later, Qian Desheng was tied to a chair, still unconscious.

His facial hair had been completely pulled off.

Fang Zheng sat directly opposite him, staring thoughtfully.

Zhou Tie stood nearby, grinning wickedly: “To think it’s this old fellow Qian Desheng, I never expected to run into him again!”

“He extorted twenty taels from me back then, today he’ll repay it a hundredfold!”

Fang Zheng glanced at him: “Where would he get money? His money is my money!”

“You want me to repay his debt for him?!”

The smile froze on Zhou Tie’s face as he looked at Fang Zheng sheepishly.

Fang Zheng took out the two hundred tael banknotes and handed them over.

“Here, spend it as you wish. Service fee! Don’t visit brothels though, too many visits are bad for your brain. Look how forgetful you’ve become!”

Zhou Tie accepted the banknotes with wild joy.

“Master, you don’t understand. I get more energetic the more I visit!”