Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"What deal?" Qian Desheng stared intently at Fang Zheng Yi.

Fang Zheng Yi smiled and said, "From what this official knows, Bai Yi should have visited your place quite often."

"Although I don't know what relationship you two have, the fact that she could easily obtain the royal weapons suggests her extraordinary status."

"This official is not made of stone. Little Bai has been with me for over a year, even a stone would have warmed up by now."

"So, I don't want to kill her, but I can't just let her go easily either."

"Make a deal with me, it's simple, buy your lives with money!"

"Whether you two live or die depends on how much you're willing to offer, understand?"

Qian Desheng's eyes revealed surprise, followed by disdain: "This humble one has heard quite a bit about Lord Fang's deeds."

"This humble one originally thought you were an upright official dedicated to the country and its people, but I didn't expect you to be so disgraceful in private."

Fang Zheng Yi smiled: "If I were an upright official... how would you survive?"

Then, with his hands behind his back, he looked up and sighed: "Of course, this official is dedicated to the country and its people, taking money is only right and proper!"

"With an annual salary of forty-five taels of silver from the court, how can I possibly support such a large family?"

"Are only those corrupt officials who exploit the common people entitled to enjoy life, while someone like me should live in poverty?"

"Heh heh, even Heaven with eyes couldn't bear to watch that."

"But Heaven is blind, so I can only take matters into my own hands and grab what I can!"

Qian Desheng shook his head and smiled wryly.

"Alright! I agree to your terms!"

"But I must see Bai Yi before we can continue negotiations, otherwise you might as well just kill me!"

"Bai Yi... she is a princess, isn't she? Otherwise, besides royal blood, what makes her worth so much to you?"

Qian Desheng tightly shut his mouth, refusing to speak.

Fang Zheng Yi didn't mind, it seemed his guess wasn't far off.

However, he admired this old eunuch quite a bit.

Even with the country destroyed and his family ruined, he still risked his life to protect Bai Yi.

Loyalty is a virtue.

Fang Zheng Yi stood up: "Alright! This official agrees to let you see her. You better start thinking about how much money you can offer. This official doesn't care for petty cash!"

"Zhou Tie, let's go!"

With that, he led Zhou Tie out the door.

Once outside, Fang Zheng Yi said to Zhou Tie: "You go back to the training ground and accompany Zhang Biao. Arrange for a few people to keep watch at Qian Sheng Cloth Shop."

"I think there are at least five people living inside. If you catch anyone, bring them back together!"

Zhou Tie agreed and turned to leave.

Fang Zheng Yi went straight back to his study.

Sitting at his desk, he pulled out the dagger he carried with him, playing with it repeatedly in his hand.

Thinking back to Bai Yi, her performance in the manor during the past year had been quite good.

She got along well with everyone, but who would have thought she had such a special identity.

Fortunately, she was discovered in time, preventing a major disaster.

With Qian Desheng captured, the grass has already been disturbed.

If there are other accomplices, they most likely won't try to assassinate the Emperor again.

Not a big problem!

He'll interrogate both of them together when he gets back tonight. Won't he be able to squeeze information out of them then?

After thinking it over carefully and deciding there were no problems, Fang Zheng Yi got up and left his study.

He turned and walked to Bai Yi's door.

Xiao Tao had already been inside, perhaps she left in a hurry and didn't lock it.

Fang Zheng Yi casually pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Xiao Tao came in a hurry, maybe she didn't find some key things, it's best to look carefully again.

As soon as he entered the room, a fragrant scent wafted into Fang Zheng Yi's nose.

Fang Zheng Yi looked at the desk. Besides the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, there was also an incense burner on the desk.

The incense burning inside was obviously very high-grade. Even after burning out, it could still maintain such a lasting fragrance, it certainly wasn't cheap.

A monthly income of three taels of silver... and she can still burn such luxurious incense.

It's clear that Bai Yi's pursuit of life is still quite exquisite. Even as a maid, she still thinks about improving her quality of life.

Fang Zheng Yi curled his lips in disdain.

A young lady's body, a maid's fate!

Then he searched around again.

Nothing was found on or under the bed.

Walking to the cabinet, he opened it. A faint fragrance wafted out, inside were twenty or so colorful clothes.

Next to them were items such as bodices and other underwear.

White ones, pink ones, green ones... quite a few styles!

Fang Zheng Yi took a deep breath... No, this is too lewd, it doesn't suit my status!

He closed the cabinet and continued searching.

Until he found the dressing table, on which was placed a dressing case. He opened it and looked inside.

Inside were a few pieces of jewelry.

Fang Zheng Yi pinched the ring from the box and examined it carefully.

This... should be the ring he gave to Bai Yi before.

He didn't expect her to still keep it.

This thing is practically trash in the manor, the warehouse has a large pile of them!

He turned around again, but there were no gains!

Fang Zheng Yi stood in place, thinking carefully.

Important evidence might be hidden in the bodice! Search again!

He had a good reason ready, and just as his sinful hand was about to reach towards the cabinet, Xiao Tao's call came from outside the door.

Fang Zheng Yi quickly retracted his hand, with a light and breezy expression, and strode out of the room.

Xiao Tao hurried to meet him: "Young master, what are you doing here?"

"Inspecting evidence! What's wrong?"

"Xiao Bai... Xiao Bai has run away! The two guards following her were knocked unconscious." Xiao Tao's face was full of worry.

Fang Zheng Yi was stunned for a moment: "Don't worry, come with me, tell me slowly."

With that, he took Xiao Tao to the main hall.

He poured her a cup of tea and handed it over.

Xiao Tao took a sip of tea to catch her breath: "The two guards should have been knocked unconscious on their way home. The people from the Military Affairs Office discovered it and are investigating, as for who took Xiao Bai away, they said they didn't see clearly."

"However, I have already arranged for people to stake out at the city gates as soon as possible, and I have also notified the people from the Military Affairs Office, they shouldn't be able to leave the capital!"

Fang Zheng Yi nodded in satisfaction, Xiao Tao's reaction was still very fast.

Now he's not too worried about Xiao Bai's escape.

Now that she knows she's been exposed, she'll never try to assassinate him again.

When the Emperor travels, he is fully armed. According to his arrangements, there are at least over a hundred guards around the Emperor on the training ground.

No matter how inexperienced Xiao Bai is, she wouldn't do such a stupid thing.

"That's good, as long as she hasn't left the capital, it's all a small matter. Let's give her an ambush!" Fang Zheng Yi sneered: "However, let's put Xiao Bai's matter aside for now, and talk about how to punish you!"

He glanced at Xiao Tao and said: "Xiao Bai is such a big problem, and you didn't notice anything after being by her side for a year, what should we do!"

"Who could have thought of that! Young master, I'm wronged!" Xiao Tao began to pretend to wipe away tears. "Five days! Give me five days! I'll catch her back, okay?"

"No, you won't have any pocket money this year."

"Okay... I don't want it."

"You can't take the rings from the vault either!"

Fang Zheng Yi looked at her tangled expression and said seriously: "Three days! I'll give you three days! You must find her before the Emperor leaves the palace, otherwise you'll be in for a world of hurt!"

......