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

Chapter 417: Stop wasting your time here, either gamble or get out.

The boss snorted and crossed his arms: "Stop talking nonsense. Either gamble or get out!"

Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes were firm as she said, "I'll bet, but we have to follow my rules."

The boss curled his lip in disdain: "What rules could a little girl like you possibly have?"

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Let's play a guessing game, one round to decide the winner. If I win, you give us back the money bag. If I lose, you can do whatever you want with it."

The boss rolled his eyes, thinking that this little girl definitely couldn't win, and readily agreed: "Okay, whatever you say!"

Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and slowly walked to the gambling table.

The shopkeeper shook the dice, placed the cup face down on the table, and asked sarcastically, "Big or small?"

Fang Xiaoxiao stared intently at the bowl, her eyes sharp. After a moment of contemplation, she said decisively, "Big!"

The boss smiled smugly, slowly opened the lid, and everyone craned their necks to look.

"Wow! It's huge!" someone nearby couldn't help but exclaim.

The boss's face instantly turned ashen, like a pig's liver.

Fang Xiaoxiao crossed her arms and said, "A bet's a bet, hand over the money pouch!"

The boss, his face grim, reluctantly waved his hand, signaling someone to bring out the money pouch.

Fang Xiaoxiao took the money bag, carefully checked it, and after confirming that everything was correct, she left the gambling den with Li Wan'er and Xiao Hua without looking back.

On the way back, Li Wan'er said to Fang Xiaoxiao with admiration, "Xiaoxiao, you are really amazing! If it weren't for your wit and courage, we probably wouldn't have gotten the money bag back."

Fang Xiaoxiao smiled slightly and said, "You flatter me, Princess. We shouldn't be afraid of such a villain."

Xiao Hua followed closely beside her and said, "Thank you, sisters. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Back home, Li Wan'er took out some silver from her bosom and handed it to Xiao Hua, saying gently, "Xiao Hua, take this silver. Live a good life from now on and don't suffer with your good-for-nothing uncle anymore."

Moved to tears, Xiaohua knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you, Princess, thank you, Sister. I will never forget your great kindness."

Fang Xiaoxiao quickly helped Xiaohua up and said, "Get up, child. Take good care of yourself from now on, and come to us anytime if you have any difficulties."

Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er slept soundly through the night at the inn. The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

A soft, rhythmic knock broke the silence inside the house.

"Who is it?" Fang Xiaoxiao asked as she tidied her slightly messy hair and walked towards the door.

"It's me, Zhu Jinxiu." Zhu Jinxiu's gentle and refined voice came from outside the door.

Fang Xiaoxiao opened the door, and Zhu Jinxiu's handsome face came into view. He bowed slightly, looking guilty, and said, "Miss Fang, Princess, I feel really bad for the fright you caused by what happened earlier."

Fang Xiaoxiao waved her hand gently, a warm smile on her face, and said, "Young Master Zhu, please don't mention it again. Those things are all in the past."

Zhu Jinxiu straightened up, her eyes full of sincerity, and said, "To express my apologies, I would like to invite you two to go boating on the lake today. Would you do me the honor?"

Before Fang Xiaoxiao could answer, Li Wan'er excitedly replied, "Great! I was just thinking of going out for a walk!"

Seeing that the princess was in high spirits, Fang Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded.

Before long, they arrived at the lake. A gentle breeze rippled the water, and a magnificent pleasure boat swayed gently on the shore.

Zhu Jinxiu boarded the ship first, and then gentlemanly extended his hand to help Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er aboard. The ship was already filled with talented men and beautiful women, all dressed smartly and with elegant bearing.

Zhu Jinxiu cleared her throat and said loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Fang Xiao, the young lady who defeated the barbarians at the Huashan Poetry Gathering."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Fang Xiaoxiao, their faces filled with surprise and admiration.

Fang Xiaoxiao remained calm, merely bowing slightly and saying indifferently, "You flatter me, it was just luck."

The cruise ship slowly left the shore and headed towards the center of the lake. The scenery of the lake and mountains was breathtaking.

Zhu Jinxiu enthusiastically suggested, "Such a beautiful day and scenery, why don't we each compose a poem on the theme of mountains and rivers?"

Everyone cheered, but Fang Xiaoxiao frowned slightly and said, "Young Master Zhu, I am not very knowledgeable and really do not want to participate."

At this moment, a young man dressed in a brocade robe and holding a folding fan sneered and said in a sarcastic tone, "Hmph, are you afraid of making a fool of yourself and dare not do it?"

Fang Xiaoxiao looked up at him, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and did not respond.

Zhu Jinxiu quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Miss Fang may be tired from the journey; let's not push her too hard."

The young master, however, persisted, raising his voice and saying, "What talk of 'traveling long distances'? I think it's all talk and no action; he can't actually write any poetry."

Fang Xiaoxiao's face instantly darkened, and a cold smile appeared on her lips as she said, "Since you are so aggressive, then I will make a fool of myself."

She moved gracefully to the bow of the boat, gazed at the distant mountains and waters, paused for a moment, and then recited: "Green mountains faintly visible, waters stretching far and wide, emerald shadows layered, mist drifting. My heart is captivated by the shimmering lake, poetic and picturesque, swaying in the wind."

Upon hearing the poem, everyone was astonished, and a moment later, a burst of enthusiastic applause and praise erupted.

"What a poem! What a poem!"

"Miss Fang is indeed exceptionally talented; she is truly admirable!"

The young master who had previously provoked him turned extremely ugly and stood awkwardly to the side.

Zhu Jinxiu said with a smile, "Miss Fang is truly talented, far surpassing us."

Fang Xiaoxiao nodded slightly and said, "Young Master Zhu, you flatter me. It's just something I made up on the spot, hardly worthy of serious consideration."

The young man blushed deeply and had no choice but to step forward, cup his hands, and say, "Miss Fang, I was blind to your greatness. I hope you will not take offense."

Fang Xiaoxiao snorted and said, "Fine, don't be so arrogant in the future."

The lake tour continued, and everyone was immersed in the wonderful atmosphere.

Suddenly, a few dark clouds drifted into the previously clear sky, and the wind gradually picked up.

"Oh no, it looks like it's going to rain. We need to get to shore quickly," Zhu Jinxiu said.

The boatman rowed faster, but large raindrops still began to fall.

Everyone frantically searched for shelter from the rain.

Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er, under Zhu Jinxiu's care, hid in the cabin.

The rain grew heavier, pattering against the boat's awning.

Li Wan'er said with some worry, "I wonder when this rain will stop."