The Villain Princess survived the Imperial Riot

Adrian Hesse suspected that the princess and the general had already reached an agreement in private, and these words were meant for him!

Could it be that the rumors of Fran's dismemberment were true, and that the princess really wanted to bring Fran under the rule of the Southern Council?

"The Tingson family, huh, nothing but imperial rats! General, over the years, the court has frequently received lawsuits against those rats. Their lackeys have wantonly annexed land, plundered merchants, and coerced local lords. The Governor's Office has collected no fewer than a thousand pieces of evidence, but the recent chaos has stymied their efforts!"

Adrian Hesse spoke at the right moment, filled with indignation.

Freeman Ant took a deep look at his colleagues, then looked at the princess.

I have no objection to you going against the Tingsen family, but if you collect evidence of their crimes today, can you impeach his military generals to the emperor tomorrow?

Lorraine is the second largest noble in the empire after Heberus. Even if he breaks the law, he has the confidence to negotiate with the emperor. Although Fuman Ant is a complete noble, he does not have the courage to disobey the emperor's order on his own.

"Thank you, Governor." Freeman Ant smiled friendlyly, with a cold look in his eyes. He planned to collect some evidence against the fat man after returning.

"As long as the Tinson family doesn't hinder the development of Yunling, this princess won't bother with them over Noel Tinson's affairs," Hestia said. "That's it, General. Someone will go to the military headquarters to discuss the security of Lorraine Bank."

"Your will."

"Also," Hestia nodded, feeling her efforts to win over her were beginning to pay off. "There's going to be a conference at Cloud Court Villa in a week. Three hundred and seventy-one foreign guests have already confirmed their participation. So how could such a grand event be complete without the General?"

"Your Highness, I cannot refuse your kindness. It just so happens that I also want to see the demeanor of those heretics." After being gentle for a day, Freeman Ant finally revealed his true face, with a cruel look flashing in his emerald green eyes.

"They may or may not be loyal to the Empire in the future, but Imperial etiquette must be upheld. General, please keep this in mind."

Hestia reminded him. Fuman Ant's profile indicated he was at the Mastery Realm, but his portrait from ten years ago showed him as middle-aged. There was no guarantee he hadn't advanced further. A high knight at the Perfect Illumination Realm, the princess was worried he'd single-handedly slaughter all the guests.

"clear."

……

Oleander Public Baths, Leyden Island.

The flower-shaped fountain in the center of the bathtub sprayed hot water, and steam diffused upward along the ground. The men only wore a bath towel, floating or swimming, feeling contented.

Alain Pierre leaned against the stone couch outside the bathroom, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with three other muscular men. A red metal-shelled hookah sat between them. The aroma of tobacco, honey, and apple filled his lungs. The snake-like pipe twisted, the tip of the cigarette held in the man's mouth, as if in a deep kiss with his lover.

This is the home turf of the Black Sea Baron. After appeasing the rebels from the Yunling Mountains, he has replaced Sir Glenn and the Black Hand Guild to become the man who has the final say on all matters at Coral Dock, and he can be said to have absolute power.

This rebel group from the mountains were genuine bandits, once directed by the Blade of Change to incite unrest near Cloudtop. Unlike Pierre's former squad, Ella's, these men had no deep hatred for the Empire; they were typical opportunists and criminals. Now pardoned, they finally lived a life of luxury, enjoying the company of the Black Sea Baron.

The few surviving Blade Officers were the foundation of Pierre's initial foothold in Windmoor Harbor. Born from impoverished and remote areas, despite being called Blade Officers, their realm and mystical attainments were far inferior to those of the Asuka and Brilliant factions. The strongest of the Blade Officers, Finn, was only at the Peeping Mystery realm, on par with Captain Ella of Pierre's squad. With no background or foundation, he was known for his bravery and ruthlessness, but when defeated, he resorted to the tactic of a servile servant.

Therefore, even though Pierre was only an apprentice of swordsmanship, it did not take him much effort to control the remnants of the rebel party. Money and beauty were his secret weapons to win people's hearts.

"Lord Bai Hai," Pierre took a puff of his water pipe and said leisurely to a young man sitting opposite him, "I took great pains to acquire this place. Are you satisfied with it?"

Gross stared at him with disgust and demanded, "You were once a member of Free Will! You've completely betrayed the belief in spreading freedom and liberating suffering. Selling out your friends for personal gain is one thing, but you possess so much wealth and could clearly be helping more impoverished and destitute, yet you only pursue your own pleasure, even disregarding the law by lending money at high interest rates... With such a profit-seeking mindset, are you worthy of Her Royal Highness's cultivation of you?"

"Look, our passionate young people haven't woken up from their dreams yet, hahahahahaha——"

Pierre laughed out loud, and several strong men beside him also laughed unrestrainedly. On the bank of the pool, the elegant, handsome and well-mannered men also joined in the laughter.

Immediately, Pierre's eyes turned cold, his pupils brown, like a rattlesnake in the sand. "Everyone here is a distinguished and distinguished person. Your Excellency, please don't be so depressing. What do you mean by profiteering? I lent money to those seriously injured and disabled people to save their lives and medical treatment, so that they could still eat freshly baked bread and avoid being evicted by their landlords and sleeping rough. I restored order at the docks and upheld the dignity of justice!"

"Those people and their families will still end up on endless interest payments."

"This is a mutual agreement! I let them live, so they have hope!" Pierre sighed and shook his head. "My Lord, my Lord, why do you sympathize with those shameless bastards?"

"What did you say? Bastard?" Gross suspected he had heard it wrong.

"Lord, do you know why the people at the dock respect and love me?"

"Why?"

"Because I'm a noble, because I have wealth! That's why I can become respectable and noble, and I have the money to help those in need! But at the same time, how do they repay me, repay the kindness of Her Royal Highness?" Pierre argued confidently, "They steal, they rob, they slander respectable gentlemen and ladies, and take advantage of the chaos to break into the homes of kind people and commit violence! Haven't you noticed that most of those who commit crimes are the poor people you pity and sympathize with?"

"..."

"My Lord, you helped those poor people, but what happened? Did they thank you?"

"What they have..."

"Oh, so their way of thanking you is to assassinate you six times in four months?"

"Those are my colleagues from Free Will. They thought I had betrayed them..."

"You sympathize with the rebels? Sympathize with those lawless criminals?!" Pierre narrowed his eyes. "It's them who incited those poor people, incited them to rebellion, incited them to commit evil. It's precisely because they have strayed from the path of good that they remain trapped in the quagmire of poverty and continue on the path of evil! You can't save everyone, Lille. Some people are born to die."

"..."

Seeing Gros Lier trembling with his fists clenched, Pierre said with a sense of superiority, "By the way, Lord, what did you say you wanted to ask me for?"

"Lundy Dole, he borrowed money from you. I came here hoping you still have a shred of conscience..."

"It is only natural to pay your debts," Pierre said with a smile. "I'm sorry, sir, but business is business."

"One million six hundred thousand francs! You set up a casino to trick him into mortgaging the White Sea Fishing Company's boats!"

One million six hundred thousand francs, equivalent to approximately 1,300 gold guilders at the current exchange rate. Gros Riel had little property; he had originally contracted the White Sea Fisheries Company with the money bestowed upon him by the princess.

Later, the turmoil subsided and everything started to recover. He expanded the company and opened a fish processing plant. His cash was exhausted. If he allowed the situation to deteriorate, he might not even be able to pay the next interest payment.

"I am sorry, sir, that I did not know that," said Pierre innocently. "You have chosen an unsuitable manager."

"You fucking..."

Gross stood up and rushed towards Pierre, but was kicked back to his seat by Finn without any hesitation.

"Hehehe, Finn, what are you doing? This is an Imperial Baron personally appointed by Her Royal Highness the Princess! How many times have I emphasized this: etiquette, etiquette! This is the most basic quality of being a noble!"

Pierre taught him earnestly, and Finn listened with a laugh.

Although the Black Sea Baron's realm is low, his realm of peeping into the secret blade cultivator is not enough to make up for the gap in secular status, which is why he is willing to be driven.

In the past few months, the rebels who were summoned to the pacification court have helped the Black Sea Baron to block more than a dozen assassination attempts, causing the assassins who were less skilled to lose their heads.

"If you're really short of money, I have connections," Pierre said, picking at his nails.

"What kind of connection?"

"I heard you're still entangled with some of the rebels. Their heads must still be worth quite a bit of money," Pierre said with a laugh. "My Lord, you have a mountain of gold right before your eyes. Why are you turning a blind eye to it?"

"Pierre!" Gros glared at his opponent. He climbed down the stone steps and turned to walk out. "Remember what you did today. I will report this to the princess!"

"No thanks, Lord. Today's purchase is free. Welcome to come again next time!"

After that, cheerful laughter broke out in the bathroom again, and the scene became lively again.

Pierre lay on the cushions of the stone bed, smoking his water pipe comfortably.

Now he had it all: money, power, fame. Besides the bureaucrats of the Governor's Office, the guests at the bathhouse also included talented and respected writers and musicians. Four months ago, these people wouldn't even look at him, but now, with just a little money, he could have them shamelessly compile epics for him.

This is the pinnacle of life.

With an expression of enjoyment, Pierre fell into a deep sleep.

The bathroom was filled with smoke, and he didn't know how long it had been. When he opened his eyes again, the whole bathroom was suddenly empty, and he was the only one left.

"What time is it..." He rubbed his head and sat up, "Finn! Anderson! Ganz! Damn, a bunch of rubbish..."

He looked around and vaguely saw a yellow robe swaying in the corner of his eye.

yellow?

Pierre suddenly turned around and saw a huge figure behind him. The huge figure seemed to be hidden under a brilliant golden robe, holding a dazzling golden staff inlaid with gems, and a sacred and authoritative aura rose with the steam.

But when he blinked again, all the glory disappeared, and only a middle-aged man in a golden robe with a gentle face sat beside him.

"Are you enjoying the life of an aristocrat?" the middle-aged man asked with a smile.

"It's you, sir..." Pierre shuddered, and in the warm bathroom, he suddenly trembled all over.

"Don't be afraid, Alan, you're doing great."

"I, I followed your orders and betrayed you..."

"This is not betrayal," said the middle-aged man in the golden robe. "Ella has been incited to hatred by the changes. Their actions have already betrayed Fran, and they are not hesitant to turn Fran into a living hell."

"Yes, yes, yes! You are right, sir!" Pierre nodded repeatedly, fearing that his life would be questioned, and changed the subject, "Sir, that Gros Lier, he seems to still have a connection with free will."

"He wavers from side to side, unable to see himself clearly. The Imperial Princess keeps him around to attract more freedom fighters and capture them all in one fell swoop." The middle-aged man in the golden robe shook his head. "But he is insignificant. The people of Fei Niao have no interest in him. Those assassinations were probably orchestrated by the Imperial Princess."

"Yes……"

"The life of aristocrats is comfortable." The middle-aged man in the golden robe picked up the hookah on the table and played with it, sighing again.

"Sir, I'm only doing this to gain the princess's trust..."

"Pierre, your wit and decisiveness made me choose you, but don't forget that you are a Frantian. The Frantian throne must be wielded by the Frantians," the golden-robed middle-aged man said with a smile. "The Frantians are the subjects and children of King Fran. Now that you are a noble, you must shoulder the responsibilities of a noble."

"Yes..." Pierre trembled.

"I will teach you the secret techniques and help you reach greater heights. Perhaps one day, you will become the Earl or Duke of the Black Sea. But you must stand with the people of Frank. Otherwise, it won't be me who will be disappointed, but the vast majority of Frank people."

Pierre's fear turned into joy: "I will definitely follow your instructions!"

"Empire Princess..."

"Did you spread the recent rumors about the assassination of the princess, sir?"

"No," the golden-robed middle-aged man shook his head. "That young dragon's tactics are very strange and unpredictable, but judging by the results in Yunling, her style is leaning towards 'Lorraine'. This is a good thing. No one wants an emperor like Lorraine Herbos." The golden-robed middle-aged man smiled and said, "The empire will eventually collapse, sooner or later. Before that, Fran cannot break with the empire and become its sacrificial victim."

"Yes……"

Pierre began to tremble again.

Is this something he can listen to?

"If there's a chance, I'll meet the princess. If not, forget it." The middle-aged man in the golden robe said, "Remember, you're from France, Pierre."

"Sir, if someone really wants to assassinate the princess..." Pierre asked cautiously. His wealth and status depended entirely on the princess. If the princess died, wouldn't he, a rootless duckweed, be devoured alive?

As for the gentleman in front of me...

The mild-looking middle-aged man is more sinister than the young dragon.

"Ah, those flying birds! He's just performing the final ceremony for the path he firmly believes in." The middle-aged man in the golden robe looked at the crystal patch on the ceiling and sighed, "But that ceremony will eventually turn into a funeral. After all, I'm also doing this for the well-being of millions of Fran people..."

Volume 92: Bird in a Cage: . She Likes Her