I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 463: Pei Zuo and Li Wan'er's Deal

With the princess as a hostage, the steward faced Pei Yan and the others' attack with impunity, a smug and sinister smile on his face.

"If any of you dare to take a step forward, I will kill the princess immediately!" the steward threatened viciously.

Pei Yan and the others were hesitant to act rashly, so they could only stay close to the steward, looking for an opportunity.

Just as the stalemate reached its climax, a group of men in black suddenly appeared like ghosts. Each of them was agile and highly skilled in martial arts, and they launched a fierce attack on the group as soon as they appeared.

Instantly, the entire scene was plunged into extreme danger.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Fang Xiaoxiao shouted loudly for her personal guards to protect the prince while anxiously thinking of a way to rescue the princess.

The guards quickly surrounded the prince, forming a tight defensive line.

The men in black, however, paid no attention to Pei Yan and his companions; their only target seemed to be the princess. Their attacks were ruthless, relentlessly pressing forward, attempting to break through Pei Yan and his group's defenses and reach the steward and the princess.

"Who exactly are you people?" Pei Yan roared, struggling to resist the attacks from the men in black.

However, the man in black completely ignored his questions and continued his relentless attack.

Fang Xiaoxiao's mind raced, her eyes fixed on the steward and the princess, searching for any possible flaw.

At this moment, seeing that it was difficult to break through the defense line quickly, the group of men in black suddenly changed their strategy. They stopped fighting with the others and instead concentrated their forces to capture the princess.

Several men in black rushed toward the steward and the princess, exchanging a quick glance with the steward.

The steward understood immediately and, taking advantage of the moment when everyone was entangled with the other men in black, pushed the princess toward them.

"Oh no, they're going to take the princess away!" Fang Xiaoxiao exclaimed.

Pei Yan tried to rush over to stop them, but was held tightly by several men in black and unable to break free.

After catching the princess, the man in black quickly retreated into the distance.

"Quick, after them!" Fang Xiao shouted.

The group quickly shook off their enemies and chased after the man in black who had fled.

However, the man in black moved swiftly and soon disappeared from everyone's sight.

"Damn it! They got away!" Pei Yan angrily pounded the ground.

Fang Xiaoxiao's face was pale, her heart filled with self-blame and worry: "It's all my fault, I didn't protect the princess well."

The prince approached, his expression grave: "We must find the princess, alive or dead!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, determined to rescue the princess.

Amidst this chaotic situation, Fang Xiaoxiao tried her best to calm herself down and think about her next course of action.

"These men in black appeared so suddenly and with such a clear objective; it must have been premeditated," Fang Xiaoxiao analyzed.

Pei Yan also said, "That's right, and there seems to be some kind of tacit understanding between them and the butler. There must be a bigger conspiracy behind this."

Fang Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth: "No matter what, let's search the area first and see if we can find any clues."

The group began to search the surrounding area carefully.

Suddenly, one of the guards found a piece of black cloth under a tree, which looked like the clothes of the man in black.

“This might be a clue they left behind,” the guard said.

Fang Xiaoxiao took the fabric and examined it carefully: "This fabric has a special texture and is not an ordinary thing. Perhaps we can find some clues through it."

Just as everyone was preparing to continue searching for more clues, a commotion arose in the distance.

"Go and see what's going on," the prince said.

The crowd walked toward the direction from which the sound came, and saw a group of people gathered together, discussing the matter.

"What happened?" Pei Yan asked.

A local resident said, "Just now, a group of men in black led a woman and hurriedly ran past, seemingly heading towards the outskirts of the city."

Fang Xiao's heart tightened: "It must be the princess, we must chase after her!"

Without delay, everyone immediately set off for the outskirts of the city.

In a secluded spot outside the city, a group of men in black escorted Princess Li Wan'er to their master. This man was Pei Zuo, dressed in night clothes, his face hidden in shadow, making him difficult to see clearly.

Princess Li Wan'er stared in terror at the mysterious figure before her, her voice trembling as she asked, "Who are you? Why did you capture me?"

Pei Zuo sneered, his voice cold and ruthless: "Princess, don't worry, I won't hurt you. We just want to make a deal with you."

Li Wan'er was filled with fear and anger. She bit her lip and did not answer.

Pei Zuo seemed completely unconcerned about the princess's silence and continued, "The terms of the deal are simple: after you return, Princess, please help steal the formula for creating the plague virus from Fang Xiaoxiao."

Li Wan'er's eyes widened, and she shouted angrily, "Don't even think about it! I would never do such a heinous thing!"

Pei Zuo raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of threat: "Princess, this is not up to you. If you don't agree, you may never be able to return to the Prince's Mansion."

Li Wan'er stubbornly turned her head away, no longer looking at Pei Zuo.

Pei Zuo slowly approached the princess and whispered in her ear, "Princess, you should think this through. As long as you get the prescription and hand it over to me, you will not only be able to return safely, but you will also receive unexpected benefits."

Li Wan'er glared fiercely at Pei Zuo: "You despicable scoundrel, I would rather die than agree to this!"

Pei Zuo's face darkened: "Princess, don't refuse a polite offer only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Do you think you still have a choice?"

Tears welled up in Li Wan'er's eyes, but she still said firmly, "Don't even dream about it. I, Miss Fang Xiao, will never let you succeed!"

Pei Zuo laughed heartily: "Princess, you are really naive. Fang Xiao can protect you for a while, but not forever. As long as you behave, everything will be fine."

Li Wan'er took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down: "Why do you want that formula? What bad things do you plan to do with it?"

Pei Zuo sneered, "That's not something the princess should worry about. You just need to do as I say."

Li Wan'er bit her lip, secretly pondering how to get out of her current predicament.

Just then, a man in black rushed over and whispered a few words in Pei Zuo's ear.

Pei Zuo's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Princess, I'll give you some more time to consider. Remember, your time is running out."

After saying that, Pei Zuo turned and left, leaving Li Wan'er standing there, her heart filled with helplessness and fear.

After an unknown amount of time, a commotion arose in the distance. A glimmer of hope ignited in Li Wan'er's heart—could it be Fang Xiaoxiao and the others coming to rescue her?

As the sound drew closer, Li Wan'er's heart pounded faster and faster.

However, instead of the saviors she had been expecting, she was met with a group of unfamiliar faces.

"Is this the princess?" one of them asked.

“Yes, it’s her,” the man in black replied.

"Take her away!" At that command, several of his men walked towards Li Wan'er.

Li Wan'er struggled desperately: "Who are you? Let me go!"

But her resistance was futile, and she was soon taken away by these people.