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

Chapter 499: The Clues End

Seeing the group of people escape, Fang Xiaoxiao and the others were finally able to rest in peace. Just as they returned to their room, Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba knocked on the door.

After Pei Yan entered, he told Fang Xiaoxiao about his investigation of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) with He Jinnian over the past few days. Pei Yan indicated that the Jiaofangsi case was quite significant, involving not only fifth-rank officials but also second-rank ministers.

Ouyang Tuoba added that Jin Sanniang, whom they had captured last time, was just a scapegoat. There was a particularly mysterious person in charge of the entire Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) who was pulling the strings behind the scenes, and that person was also the one who mainly contacted important officials of the court.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned and said, "So, there's more to this than meets the eye."

Pei Yan nodded and said, "That's right. Our investigation has encountered great resistance, and we could be in danger if we're not careful."

Li Wan'er asked in surprise, "What should we do?"

Ouyang Tuoba said, "We are still looking for more evidence in an attempt to find out who the mysterious person is."

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can find clues from the daily behavior and interactions of those officials involved in the case."

Pei Yan said, "We've thought of this method too, but these people are very cautious and it's hard to spot any clues."

At this moment, Hongxiu said, "Could we start with their family members?"

Everyone's eyes lit up, and Fang Xiaoxiao said, "That's a good direction, but we must be careful and not alert the enemy."

Ouyang Tuoba said, "Pei Yan and I will go and investigate again."

Fang Xiaoxiao cautioned, "Be extremely careful."

After the two left, Fang Xiaoxin pondered to herself, feeling that the matter was becoming increasingly complicated.

After Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba left, Hongxiu and Li Wan'er approached her with concern, suggesting they abandon the investigation into the sale of Five-Stone Powder by the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau). They both felt that continuing like this was far too dangerous; they had already experienced many perilous situations, and a slight misstep could lead to assassination.

Fang Xiaoxiao glanced at her two best friends beside her, understanding that they meant well. But she also knew that if those cancerous tumors weren't eradicated, countless innocent women would face tragic fates.

Fang Xiaoxiao told the two women what was on her mind, and they had no choice but to say nothing more.

After a moment of silence, Li Wan'er said, "Xiao Xiao, since you have made up your mind, we sisters will definitely support you with all our might. However, we must be more careful in our actions from now on."

Hongxiu nodded and said, "That's right, Miss, we can't let those villains succeed."

Fang Xiaoxiao held their hands, moved: "With you by my side, I have more confidence."

Just then, a commotion arose outside. Fang Xiaoxiao alertly went to the window to look and saw a group of strangers loitering outside the courtyard.

"This is bad, they're probably after us again." Fang Xiaoxiao's expression turned serious.

Hongxiu immediately grabbed a stick: "What are you afraid of? We'll take them down one by one!"

Fang Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, "We must not be rash. Let's see what they want to do first."

Those people outside the courtyard were shouting, demanding that Fang Xiaoxiao and the others hand over something, or they would break in.

Fang Xiaoxin was puzzled; they had no idea what the other party wanted.

Li Wan'er said, "Could it be that they're deliberately causing trouble?"

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment: "It's possible, but let's not act rashly."

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, a group of soldiers suddenly passed by. Upon seeing this, the strangers hurriedly dispersed.

Fang Xiaoxiao and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

However, they knew that this was only temporary peace, and a greater crisis was yet to come.

The next morning, Fang Xiaoxiao and her two companions decided to go to the burned-down Hongfo Temple to find out what was going on. She thought that Hongfo Temple must be hiding a lot of secrets. Last time, she only went to check it out briefly in order to save Li Renyi's mother.

Li Wan'er and Hongxiu followed her to the location of Hongfo Temple in the south of the city, only to find that Hongfo Temple had become a ruin, no longer possessing its former glory.

However, at this moment, Fang Xiaoxiao noticed a paving stone in the ruins that was a different color from the surrounding ones. Curious, she walked over, squatted down, and gently tapped it. The paving stone made a hollow sound.

"There seems to be something in here," Fang Xiaoxiao said.

Hongxiu and Li Wan'er quickly came over.

Fang Xiao carefully pried open the floor tiles, revealing a hidden compartment.

"Let's see what's inside," Li Wan'er said.

Fang Xiaoxiao reached inside and took out a package. Inside the package was a yellowed ledger and a letter.

Fang Xiaoxiao opened the letter and saw that it read: "If anyone finds this letter, they must reveal the truth to the public. Hongfo Temple has become a tool of evil people, and the mastermind behind it is..." The writing suddenly stopped here.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, opened the ledger, which recorded a series of shady transactions and names.

“It seems this is the evidence against them,” Hongxiu said.

Just then, footsteps suddenly came from all around, and the footsteps grew closer and closer.

"Oh no, someone's coming!" Li Wan'er said nervously.

Fang Xiaoxiao quickly put away the ledger and letter, and said, "Let's hide first."

The three hid behind a collapsed pillar, and then saw a group of men in black approaching.

"Search carefully, we can't let the items fall into other people's hands," said the leader of the men in black.

Fang Xiaoxiao and the other two held their breath, afraid of being discovered.

Suddenly, a mouse scurried past Hongxiu's feet, and Hongxiu couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"Who?" The man in black heard the voice and walked towards them.

Fang Xiaoxiao knew she couldn't avoid it any longer, so she stood up and asked, "Who are you people?"

The leader of the men in black sneered, "Hand over the goods, and we'll spare your lives."

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

The leader of the men in black waved his hand: "Go, search!"

Just then, Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba arrived with He Jinnian. He Jinnian was followed by several soldiers. He waved his hand, and the soldiers rushed up to fight the group of men in black. However, the men in black were extremely skilled, and more than a dozen soldiers were instantly killed by them.

Seeing this, He Jinnian's face darkened, and he drew his sword to join the battle. Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba were not to be outdone, and they also drew their weapons.

Fang Xiaoxiao called out from the side, "Be careful!"

Li Wan'er and Hongxiu watched the battle unfold with bated breath.

He Jinnian and the leader of the men in black were locked in a fierce battle, their swords clashing and fraught with danger. Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba each dealt with several men in black, struggling but managing to hold their own.

Suddenly, the leader of the men in black unleashed a deadly attack, and He Jinnian was unable to dodge in time, resulting in a cut on his arm.

"He Jinnian!" Fang Xiaoxiao exclaimed.