Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

That same morning, Bai Yi got up early, washed and dressed, and put on her veil before heading straight out of the Fang residence.

Following her memory, she easily arrived at a cloth shop in the east of the city.

Bai Yi stood in front of the cloth shop, looking at the large plaque above, which read "Qian Sheng Cloth Shop" in large characters.

She walked straight inside.

As soon as she reached the counter, she asked the shop assistant, "Do you have any high-quality white cloth? One chi wide and nine chi long."

The shop assistant was stunned for a moment, then looked up. Seeing a woman wearing a veil, his expression changed: "Yes! But the price isn't cheap, it's three strings and three hundred wen in total. I don't know if you can accept that?"

"Hmm... that's a bit expensive. Would three strings plus seventy-five wen be acceptable?"

The shop assistant's expression flickered, then returned to normal. He smiled and said, "I'll have to ask our manager about that. The cloth is also in the back warehouse, would you like to take a look together?"

"Okay."

The two of them went to the backyard of the cloth shop. The shop assistant led Bai Yi into a厢房, then closed the door and left.

Before long, an old man dressed in luxurious clothes, with a fair complexion and no beard, entered. As soon as he entered, he saw Bai Yi standing with her hands behind her back.

He asked, "May I ask who this姑娘 is...?"

Bai Yi took off her veil, slowly turned her head, and smiled: "Eunuch Qian, long time no see."

Qian Desheng's eyes lit up with surprise, and he quickly knelt down and said: "This old servant! Greets Third Princess!"

"I heard some time ago that you had disappeared. This old servant was anxious and didn't know what to do. I have been sending people to search for you in the Jianjiang Prefecture area, but I couldn't find you. I didn't expect you to be in the capital!"

Bai Yi sighed upon hearing this: "You've worked hard. Get up. I was lucky enough to be rescued on the road, and that's how I made it to the capital."

"How is the situation with the old guard in Jianjiang now?"

Qian Desheng stood up and said dejectedly: "The situation isn't too good. I heard that our secret base in Jianjiang was washed away by a flood due to a celestial phenomenon, causing many newly recruited followers to feel that fate is with Da Jing, so... they have left the sect one after another."

"Many of the elders in the sect also died in the flood, and the Da Jing soldiers have also increased their patrols. The situation is really difficult now."

"So now this old servant has very little contact with Jianjiang...."

Bai Yi smiled bitterly, and Fang Zheng's cheeky smile couldn't help but appear in her mind.

"Your Highness, do you have any instructions for this old servant this time?"

Bai Yi took out the invitation and handed it over: "In three days, there will be a poetry debate on Lake Quzuo. Many dignitaries will gather at that time, and Zhang Chang, the son of the Minister of Revenue, will also be present. Do you have any reliable candidates who can be sent onto the boat?"

"Befriend these people, especially Zhang Chang, it may be of great use in the future."

Qian Desheng pondered for a while and said: "Yes! The Second Young Master of Ning Wang Residence, Shui An'ge, has been in the capital. He is now using the alias Ning Hongyuan and has been moving around the city, befriending many literati and scholars."

"However... he hasn't been to this old servant's place for a long time, so this old servant doesn't know his specific situation."

Qian Desheng showed a worried expression: "Your Highness, you are now the only bloodline of the royal family. During the time you were missing, the people in the sect were in a panic. This old servant was afraid... afraid... But now that you are back, everything is fine. I will immediately send someone to spread the news!"

"There's no need! It's enough for you to know about my news. Reviving Da Qian doesn't need those disloyal and unrighteous people! A mere flood can allow us to rise, the people are ignorant, and the hearts of the people can be used. Let's look for opportunities later."

"How have you been these past few years?"

Qian Desheng sighed: "This old servant has been doing well these years... If the Princess hadn't come here, this old servant would have thought of ending his life like this."

"However, now there is hope for the restoration of Da Qian. Princess, please rest assured that even if this old servant risks his life, he will protect the Princess! This old servant will never forget the late Emperor's legacy!"

Bai Yi couldn't help but be moved: "I thank you on behalf of my father. If my father knew in the afterlife that you were safe and sound, he would be happy."

Qian Desheng's eyes immediately welled up with tears: "This old servant is greatly honored! But... Your Highness, where are you currently residing? If it's inconvenient, why not come to this old servant's place first? This old servant still has some money on hand."

Bai Yi shook her head: "There's no need. I don't know if you've heard of Fang Zheng. I'm currently in the Fang residence, and he's the one who saved me."

Qian Desheng hesitated for a moment: "I wonder if there is a woman named Xiao Tao in the Fang residence?"

"Hmm? Yes! Have you met her?" Bai Yi asked curiously.

Qian Desheng's old face suddenly wrinkled into a chrysanthemum, and he said painfully: "That little girl is so hateful! She came to the cloth shop to buy cloth a few days ago, and the cloth that cost two taels of silver was cut down to one tael!"

"At that time, she was calculating the bill for this old servant, and it was so convoluted. I was dizzy at the time! Finally, after she left, this old servant calculated again and found that I had lost a string of money! Bah! Bad luck!"

Bai Yi: "......"

"Don't worry about her. Fang Zheng is very important. Emperor Jing values him highly. I want to stay by his side and see if there are any suitable opportunities....."

Qian Desheng immediately panicked before Bai Yi could finish speaking: "Princess, you can't! How can you personally assassinate Emperor Jing? That's too dangerous!"

"No! How could I possibly go myself? If I fail in one strike, it will increase Emperor Jing's vigilance, and it will be difficult to strike again next time."

"If there is a suitable opportunity, I will notify you!"

"By the way, there is one more thing! Not far from the northern capital, there is a small county called Taoyuan County. Send a few capable men into the city to investigate! Make sure these people are cautious and hide in Taoyuan County first. There is no need to report in real time."

"This old servant understands..."

....................................

Imperial Study

Liu Jin was kneeling on the ground, vividly describing to Emperor Jing what happened in the Zhan Shi residence during the day.

Emperor Jing said in surprise: "Are you saying that Fang Zheng angered Yan Guo'an and made him leave this morning?"

Liu Jin honestly said: "Yes, at that time, Master Fang answered Master Yan one by one with reason and evidence. Master Yan became angry and reprimanded Master Fang as a filthy person."

"Later, when he couldn't argue anymore, he left in a fit of anger! He said that he would no longer meet Master Fang in the future, and the two would teach separately! If Master Fang is present, he will not be!"

Emperor Jing continued to ask: "What happened later? What did Fang Zheng say after Yan Guo'an left?"

Liu Jin hesitated: "Yes... After Master Yan left, there was not much time left before lunch. Master Fang chatted with the Crown Prince for a while."

"He told a story about a barbarian sword immortal... it seems to be called something like Tie Dan Bo Te... This servant didn't understand it either. During that time, the Crown Prince always looked at this servant, and this servant didn't dare to get too close."

"After that, the Crown Prince and Master Fang went to have lunch. Master Fang kept telling the Crown Prince that the food in the Zhan Shi residence was unpalatable, and said that he wanted to eat roasted whole beef..... That's mostly it..."

Emperor Jing waved his hand with a smile: "Alright, you may leave. Report again tomorrow!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Liu Jin left, Emperor Jing turned to look at Guo Tianyang: "Well, what do you think of Fang Zheng's performance?"

Guo Tianyang bowed: "This old servant doesn't understand these things, but Master Fang is very good at winning people's hearts. Even an old man like Zhan Shi Yan was played around by him."

Emperor Jing said with satisfaction: "Not bad... Yan Guo'an is good, but he is rigid and doesn't know how to adapt. Fang Zheng, a newcomer, actually manipulated him in the palm of his hand. This has exceeded my expectations."

"I hope the Crown Prince can learn more from these two. The two complementing each other is just right."

If you want to learn this, this old servant can also do it! Why bother looking for him!?

Guo Tianyang chuckled: "Although Master Fang's move was to win people's hearts, this old servant really feels a little warm in his heart. After so many years in the palace, this is the first time someone has spoken up for the eunuchs in the palace."

Emperor Jing looked at Guo Tianyang in surprise and smiled: "Good... It seems that Fang Zheng is really not simple, he has even influenced the people around me!"

"This old servant is ashamed...."

......