You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 161 Sacrificing the Pawn to Save the King
Tong Shouliang removed his mask and stared coldly at Fang Chengxu: "Such a small setback and you're already so discouraged? How can you expect to amount to anything by indulging yourself like this?"

Fang Chengxu sobered up completely.

He broke out in a cold sweat and nervously looked around: "There are guards all outside the house! They're waiting for you to walk right into their trap."

Tong Shouliang scoffed, "A few shrimp soldiers and crab generals? I don't even consider them a threat. What are you afraid of?"

Fang Chengxu hesitated for a moment: "I heard about the Battle of the Great Rift Valley back then..."

“It’s true,” Tong Shouliang interrupted Fang Chengxu impatiently, “What else do you want to ask?”

Fang Chengxu's last glimmer of hope vanished, and under Tong Shouliang's lingering pressure, he dared not utter a word.

"No, no more."

Tong Shouliang snorted coldly: "Take me to see Zhao'er."

As he spoke, he pushed open the door and entered Tong Zhao'er's room.

Tong Zhao'er's hair was disheveled, and she was curled up in the corner of the bed with her arms wrapped around herself and her face buried between her knees. She looked lifeless, like a statue.

Tong Shouliang stepped forward, reached out, and gently patted her back.

Tong Zhao'er seemed startled, her body suddenly sprang up, and she shrank back towards the bed, her eyes filled with terror.

Tong Shouliang frowned with heartache and gently coaxed, "Ah Zhao, don't be afraid, it's your father, your father is back."

Tong Zhao'er's unfocused gaze gradually focused, and when she saw Tong Shouliang's face clearly, she immediately burst into tears, crawled forward on her knees, and hugged Tong Shouliang tightly.

"Dad! You've finally come to see your daughter!"

Fang Chengxu whispered a reminder from the side: "Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you."

"So what if I hear it?" Tong Shouliang patted Tong Zhao'er's back lightly. "Since I'm here, I'm not afraid of people finding out."

Fang Chengxu immediately fell silent, quietly retreating to the side, keeping a watchful eye on any movement in the courtyard.

Tong Shouliang whispered words of comfort to Tong Zhao'er, and after a long while, he finally called Fang Chengxu over.

"From now on, I entrust Zhao'er to you."

Fang Chengxu lowered his head: "Where are you going?"

"I want you to send me to jail!"

Fang Chengxu was shocked: "Me?! Father-in-law, you..."

Tong Shouliang said in a deep voice, "I want you to put aside your own family ties for the greater good, capture me, and use me to exchange for your future."

Fang Chengxu immediately refused: "I would never do such a thing as betraying my family for wealth and status."

"Such a woman's view!" Tong Shouliang rebuked, "If I cannot confess my crimes and submit to the law, the Emperor will surely vent his anger on you and give an explanation to the Duke's mansion and the people of the world. You can foresee how miserable your fate will be, and that of Zhao'er's mother."

Moreover, I might not be able to escape this inescapable net.

Since that's the case, it's better to sacrifice the pawn to save the king. Even a centipede with a hundred legs doesn't die easily; as long as I can protect you, with my connections in court, you can still rise to prominence and have a bright future!

Fang Chengxu's heart wavered slightly. It was as if he had been given a new lease on life in a desperate situation.

Tong Shouliang continued, "However, you have to promise me one thing."

"Father-in-law, please speak."

"No matter what Zhao'er becomes in the future, you must treat her well, never leave her for the rest of your life, and never allow anyone to bully her!"

"That is naturally the case."

"I want you to swear!"

Without hesitation, Fang Chengxu raised his right hand high above his head: "I, Fang Chengxu, swear that I will never leave Azhao, treat her well, and take care of her for the rest of my life!"

Tong Zhao'er clutched Tong Shouliang's sleeve tightly: "Father, I don't want it, I only want Father."

Tong Shouliang also felt quite uncomfortable at this moment.

Originally, when he sensed that the situation might turn against him, he was already considering a way out, and even wanted to cultivate Tong Zhao'er as quickly as possible. But when the crisis truly arrived, he realized that the only way out lay with Fang Chengxu.

Especially since Tong Zhao'er's mental state is deteriorating. If she were to betray her own family for the greater good, she wouldn't be able to withstand the gossip and criticism from the world.

Otherwise, he would not feel at ease entrusting Tong Zhao'er to Fang Chengxu.

Seeing Fang Chengxu swear without hesitation, Tong Shouliang took out a seal from his pocket and handed it to Tong Zhao'er:
"Before the incident, I deposited a sum of money in Hengtong Silver Shop, enough for your future expenses and maintenance. This is a token."

I hope that Fang Chengxu can buy a house in Fucheng and send your mother and sister back to the countryside. I don't want them to appear in front of Zhao'er again.

Fang Chengxu readily agreed.

"You must remember your vow and treat Zhao'er and her mother well. Otherwise, even if I die, Fang Chengxu can take your life with ease. Do you understand?"

Fang Chengxu nodded: "I'll remember. Father-in-law, please rest assured, I will bring my mother-in-law here and take care of her as my own mother."

"Now I can rest assured." Tong Shouliang stood up, patted Tong Zhao'er's head, and said earnestly, "Father is sorry for you, Zhao'er. Now I have given my life to ensure your peace for the rest of your life. I hope you can stop holding a grudge against your father. Try to think more positively about everything and stop being so depressed."

Tong Zhao'er sobbed uncontrollably: "I don't blame you. Go away, go far away, and don't let Liang Jiang find you."

The father and daughter were reluctant to part, facing a separation that felt like death.

A sudden commotion arose outside the house.

Fang Chengxu was taken aback and was about to go out to check the situation when Tong Shouliang stopped him.

"No need to look anymore. Liang Jiang must have found out where I am and brought people after me. They're here much faster than I expected."

Tong Shouliang glanced calmly out the window, then, holding his daughter, whispered something in her ear.

Tong Zhao'er was taken aback: "Really?"

Tong Shouliang smiled and said, "When have I ever lied to you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he used his palm as a knife and slashed at the back of Tong Zhao'er's neck.

Tong Zhao'er's vision went black, and she fainted.

Tong Shouliang straightened up with a wry smile. Cheng Xu said calmly, "Let's not delay, let's get started."

In the brief moment of hesitation, Liang Jiang's guards had already surrounded the entire house.

Before the order to break down the door was given, the door to the Tong residence opened from the inside.

Fang Chengxu held a sword to Tong Shouliang's neck and walked out of the Tong residence step by step.

Liang Jiang looked on with surprise, somewhat taken aback.

Fang Chengxu's hand holding the sword trembled slightly: "Tong Shouliang colluded with Xiliang, framed the Duke of Liang, and massacred soldiers. His crimes are heinous."

"I, Fang Chengxu, am a citizen of Chang'an and a descendant of a renowned general. I would never harbor a criminal or collude with him. I have now apprehended the traitor Tong and brought him to justice, to be handed over to the Princess."

Liang Jiang dismounted and looked warily at Tong and Fang, worried that they might have some kind of conspiracy.

Then he waved his hand, ordering the guards behind him to step forward with chains: "Take them down!"

The guards stepped forward and successfully chained Tong Shouliang up.

Tong Shouliang did not resist: "I never thought that I, Tong Shouliang, who have enjoyed a lifetime of glory, would be defeated by a mere young girl like you. If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have been so soft-hearted back then, and should have eliminated the threat earlier!"

Liang Jiang stared coldly at him: "General Tong, are you saying such harsh words to remind me that I should take you as a warning and eliminate you completely, leaving no trace?"

Tong Shouliang was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "You wouldn't! Just because you, Liang Jiang, are a disciple of the Sage of Literature of Yuhua Mountain, you wouldn't kill innocent people. Otherwise, you would be expelled from the sect like Baili Shouyue."

Liang Jiang sneered, "I can't, but that doesn't mean my junior uncle can't. Don't forget how you went to great lengths to frame him the other day."

A look of horror suddenly flashed in Tong Shouliang's eyes, and he pursed his lips: "Who said I framed him?"

He may not fear Liang Jiang, but he cannot help but be wary of Baili Shouyue.

This person is ruthless and merciless, always seeking revenge against enemies without hesitation.

(End of this chapter)