PNB Chapter 524: A sudden turn of events
Chapter 524: A sudden turn of events
The husbands were stunned by Fang Xiaoxiao's sudden outburst and were speechless for a moment. They looked at each other, not knowing how to respond.
Seeing this, the mysterious man was secretly delighted, knowing that Fang Xiaoxiao had been moved by his words. He quickly pressed his advantage, saying sincerely, "Miss Fang, don't pay them any mind. I have a sincere heart and truly want to help you rescue Young Master Pei. As long as you trust me, I guarantee I can rescue Young Master Pei safely."
A hint of hesitation flashed in Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes, but thinking of Pei Yan's suffering, she gritted her teeth and said, "Then tell me, what method do you have to save Pei Yan?"
The mysterious man's eyes darted around, and he began to speak eloquently: "Miss Fang, you don't know this, but the affairs of officialdom are incredibly complicated. To rescue Young Master Pei, we need to pull strings at every level. And pulling strings naturally requires money. Don't worry, I have some connections in the capital. As long as you entrust your family fortune to me, I guarantee I can handle this matter perfectly."
Fang Xiaoxiao listened to his words and felt somewhat shaken, but still had a trace of doubt. She asked, "You speak with such certainty, but what evidence do you have to convince me?"
The mysterious man was prepared. He took out some forged documents and tokens from his pocket and said in a serious tone, "Miss Fang, take a look at these. These are all the proofs of my dealings with those powerful people."
Fang Xiaoxiao carefully examined the documents and tokens. Although she still had doubts, her eagerness to save people made her begin to believe in this mysterious person.
Just as Fang Xiaoxiao was hesitating and almost agreed to the mysterious man's request, He Jinnian arrived with a team of people.
"Wait!" He Jinnian shouted, startling everyone present.
Fang Xiaoxiao saw He Jinnian and, as if seeing a lifeline, hurriedly said, "Jinnian, you've come at the right time! Quickly help me make a decision. This person claims he can save Pei Yan. Is it believable?"
He Jinnian glanced at the mysterious man, sneered, and said, "Xiao Xiao, this man is a swindler who has cheated people many times in the capital. His so-called documents and tokens are all forged, specifically designed to deceive kind-hearted people like you who are eager to help others. If I hadn't investigated this, you would have been swindled out of your entire fortune."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao broke out in a cold sweat, realizing that she had almost fallen into a huge scam.
Seeing that things were not going well, the mysterious man turned to run away, but was quickly subdued by He Jinnian's men.
He Jinnian walked up to Fang Xiaoxiao and said earnestly, "Xiaoxiao, don't be impatient. The matter of rescuing Pei Yan needs to be planned carefully. Don't easily trust these swindlers, lest you lose both your money and your lover."
Fang Xiaoxiao looked guilty and said regretfully, "It's all my fault. I was too worried and made a big mistake."
He Jinnian comforted her, "Xiao Xiao lost her judgment because she was too worried about Young Master Pei's safety. But we still need to think of a more comprehensive solution."
The husbands gathered around, and Murong Changqing said with a guilty look, "It's all our fault for not doing our best before, which led to Xiao Xiao taking such a risk. From now on, we will definitely do our best to find a way to rescue Pei Yan."
Ouyang Tuoba also said sincerely, "This time we really did not do well, putting Xiaoxiao in danger. In the future, we will definitely work together to prevent such a thing from happening again."
Long Jinyan nodded heavily and said, "That's right, we can't let Xiaoxiao suffer this fright again. We all need to reflect on this and come up with a practical solution."
He Jinnian looked at everyone and said, "Then let's discuss a plan together to ensure Pei Yan's safe rescue."
So, everyone sat down together and began to discuss a plan to rescue Pei Yan.
He Jinnian spoke first: "As far as I know, the place where Pei Yan is being held is heavily guarded. Not only are there many guards, but the surrounding area is also full of traps and mechanisms. It is definitely not possible to force our way in."
Murong Changqing stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Perhaps we can start with the emperor's close advisors to find out his true thoughts on this matter and see if there is any room for maneuver."
Ouyang Tuoba frowned and suggested, "Why don't we create some public opinion so that everyone in the city knows that Pei Yan is innocent, forcing the Emperor to release Pei Yan under pressure?"
Long Jinyan shook his head and said, "This move is too risky. If we anger the Emperor, not only will we fail to rescue Pei Yan, but we may also make things worse."
Everyone argued back and forth, but no perfect solution could be found that satisfied everyone.
Just when everyone was at a stalemate, Fang Xiaoxiao suddenly had a flash of inspiration and her eyes lit up.
"I've thought of a way..." Fang Xiaoxiao said slowly.
Everyone turned their expectant gazes to her, eager to know what idea she had come up with.
However, before Fang Xiaoxiao could voice her idea, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the door. Immediately afterwards, the First Prince, Pei Zuo, swaggered in, surrounded by a group of arrogant followers.
Pei Zuo wore a magnificent brocade robe embroidered with intricate patterns and a dazzling golden crown, the pearls on which shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight. He held his head high, a haughty, disdainful smile on his face, his eyes filled with arrogant disdain and contempt. He strode into the room as if the place already belonged to him.
He said in a mocking tone, "Hmph, look at you ignorant fools, actually here plotting to save Pei Yan? It's utterly delusional! Pei Yan has committed the heinous crime of treason, a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family. You insignificant scoundrels dare to think you can resolve such a major matter? It's utterly ridiculous!"
Hearing Pei Zuo's arrogant and domineering words, Murong Changqing, Ouyang Tuoba, and Long Jinyan were instantly ignited with anger. Their fists clenched tightly, their knuckles turning white from the force, and the muscles in their faces trembled slightly with rage. However, faced with Pei Zuo's noble prince status, despite their thousandfold anger and ten thousandfold resentment, they could only suppress their rage, holding it deep in their hearts. They gritted their teeth, their eyes wide open, but dared not utter a word of rebuttal.
Fang Xiaoxiao, however, showed no fear. She straightened her back, like a brave little lion, her gaze fixed firmly and fiercely on Pei Zuo, her eyes burning with fury. She shouted angrily, "Pei Zuo, you shameless scoundrel! What do you want here? You're not welcome here, get out of here right now!"
Hearing Fang Xiaoxiao's angry rebuke, Pei Zuo was not angry at all. Instead, he narrowed his eyes with interest, and a more unrestrained smile appeared on his lips. He laughed wildly, the laughter echoing in the room, full of provocation and insult: "Hahahaha, Fang Xiaoxiao, your fiery temper is quite something. Pei Yan is already a dead man. He has committed such a heinous crime that there is no chance of him surviving. Why do you still cling to him for a dying man? Why not obediently submit to this prince and marry me? As long as you follow this prince, I guarantee you will enjoy all the riches and honors of the world. You can wear gold and silver, choose from the finest silks and satins, and taste the most delicious delicacies."
Fang Xiaoxiao's face flushed crimson with anger, her chest heaving as if it were about to burst. She glared fiercely at Pei Zuo, her eyes blazing with fury. Gritting her teeth, she said, word by word, "Pei Zuo, stop daydreaming! Even if I die, even if I end up on the streets, I will never marry a despicable, shameless, and wicked man like you! Pei Yan is innocent, he has been wronged, and I will do everything in my power to prove his innocence and get him out."
Pei Zuo's face instantly darkened, becoming as gloomy as a sky filled with dark clouds. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He took a sudden step forward, pointed a finger at Fang Xiaoxiao, and said viciously, "Fang Xiaoxiao, don't be so stubborn! It's your honor that I, the prince, have taken a liking to you. If you insist on disobeying me, don't blame me for being ruthless and making sure you and Pei Yan both die without a burial place!"
Fang Xiaoxiao did not back down. Meeting Pei Zuo's fierce gaze, she straightened her back again and said loudly, "Use whatever means you have. If I, Fang Xiaoxiao, am afraid of you, I would not be worthy of being a human being! I am not afraid of your threats, I am not afraid of your power, I only believe in justice and truth!"
The atmosphere inside the room was incredibly tense, like a taut string that could snap at any moment. Everyone held their breath; the air seemed to freeze.
Seeing the situation becoming increasingly tense, He Jinnian, fearing that Fang Xiaoxiao would suffer a loss, quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said in a respectful but not servile tone, "Your Highness, please calm down, maintain your composure, and respect your status. Miss Fang and Young Master Pei Yan are deeply in love, and your forceful coercion is neither reasonable nor justifiable. I hope Your Highness can understand Miss Fang's feelings with compassion."
Pei Zuo snorted coldly, glanced at He Jinnian sideways, and said disdainfully, "He Jinnian, you're just a lowly official, how dare you speak so presumptuously in front of this prince? Have you lost your mind, or are you tired of living?"
He Jinnian remained composed, raising his head with a firm gaze, and said, "This humble official dares not, I am merely speaking the truth. Your Highness, if this matter were to spread, it would likely damage your reputation. I urge Your Highness to reconsider."
Pei Zuo remained silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant. He knew that if his behavior was too arrogant, it would indeed affect his reputation in the court and his image in the eyes of the people.
He glared at the crowd and said, "Fine, I'll give you some time. But remember this: Pei Yan's crimes are irrefutable, and no one can save him! You can all wait to collect his corpse!"
Having said that, Pei Zuo flicked his sleeve, the wide sleeve drawing an arc in the air and stirring up a gust of wind. He turned and strode away with his entourage, leaving behind heavy footsteps and angry yet helpless gazes from the crowd.
After Pei Zuo left, everyone fell into a long silence. The atmosphere in the room was oppressive and heavy, as if a huge rock was pressing on everyone's heart.
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes still shone with a resolute light, a light that shone particularly brightly in this dark moment. She took a deep breath, broke the silence, and said, "No matter what, we cannot give up on saving Pei Yan."
Murong Changqing looked at Fang Xiaoxiao with admiration and helplessness in his eyes. He sighed and said, "This Pei Zuo is so arrogant and domineering, and he has a lot of power and influence. How easy is it for us to fight against him? But in order to save Pei Yan, we have no choice but to fight to the death."
Ouyang Tuoba clenched his fists, veins bulging on his arms, and said through gritted teeth, "If all else fails, I will use all my power in Dayu. Even if it means fighting him to the death, I will not let him succeed!"
Long Jinyan shook his head and said calmly, "We must not act impulsively. Pei Zuo is treacherous and cunning, and we must plan carefully. This matter needs to be discussed in detail, and we need to find his weaknesses in order to have a chance of survival."
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and said, "The idea I just thought of is..."