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

Chapter 495: Saving the Villain

Fang Xiao and her group finally caught their breath and found an inn to stay in. Inside the room, Li Wan'er was still somewhat dazed. Hongxiu, who was beside her, nudged her and asked worriedly, "Wan'er, what's wrong?"

Li Wan'er then came to her senses and said, "I was wondering if Jin San Niang would die."

At this moment, Fang Xiao, who had bought a lot of pastries from outside, said with a smile, "I shouldn't die, at least not so quickly."

Li Wan'er frowned: "But, that scene was just too..."

Fang Xiaoxiao walked to the table, put down the pastries, and said, "She has committed many evils, and this is the punishment she deserves. Even if she doesn't die, she should suffer enough."

Hongxiu said, "That's true, but the scene was indeed a bit scary."

Fang Xiaoxiao sat down and poured herself a glass of water: "We can't be soft-hearted. If we didn't have some tricks up our sleeves, we would be the ones suffering now."

Pei Yan also entered the room and said, "Fang Xiaoxiao is right. We should not have any pity for evil people."

Ouyang Tuoba followed him in and nodded, saying, "However, after this ordeal, Jin Sanniang will probably not dare to provoke us so easily again."

Fang Xiaoxiao took a bite of the pastry: "But we can't let our guard down. We don't know what kind of forces are behind her."

Everyone fell silent, pondering their next move.

After a while, Pei Yan said, "We need to find out the conspiracy behind this as soon as possible. We can't stay on the defensive forever."

Fang Xiaoxiao agreed: "That's right, we have to take the initiative. But we have limited clues right now, so we need to think about where to start."

Ouyang Tuoba said, "Perhaps we can start by investigating the relationship between Jin Sanniang and those mysterious people."

Hongxiu said, "But we don't even know the identities of those mysterious people."

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment: "We can ask around in this town, maybe we can find some clues."

The group decided to rest for the night and begin their investigation in the town the next day.

The next morning, Fang Xiaoxiao and the others split up and took action.

At the town market, Fang Xiaoxiao overheard some rumors about a nearby mountain stronghold. It was said that the bandits from that stronghold frequently harassed the surrounding villages with cruel methods.

A thought suddenly struck her: this might be related to their affairs.

Back at the inn, Fang Xiaoxiao told the others about her discovery.

Pei Yan said, "Could it be that Jin San Niang is colluding with this mountain stronghold?"

Ouyang Tuoba analyzed, "It's not impossible; perhaps they are plotting something together."

Li Wan'er asked worriedly, "Then what should we do?"

A determined glint flashed in Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes: "Go and investigate the mountain stronghold."

Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba headed to the mountain stronghold, while Fang Xiaoxiao, Li Wan'er, and Hongxiu stayed at the inn to rest. Over the next few days, Fang Xiaoxiao took Li Wan'er and Hongxiu for a stroll around the town, and she also bought a lot of medicinal herbs, which were important materials for making poisons and bone-softening powder.

The next morning, Fang Xiaoxiao, as usual, took Li Wan'er and Hongxiu to the pharmacy to buy medicine. However, as soon as she reached the shop entrance, she saw a large crowd gathered there. From inside, she heard shouts of vandalism and insults: "If you old man can't heal my brother's injuries, I'll tear down your Fushoutang today!"

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned and pushed her way through the crowd. She saw a burly man grabbing an old man by the collar, the medicine cabinet next to him smashed to pieces, and medicinal herbs scattered all over the floor.

"Stop!" Fang Xiaoxiao shouted.

The burly man turned his head, looked Fang Xiaoxiao up and down, and sneered, "Where did this little brat come from, daring to meddle in other people's business?"

Those around them shook their heads and whispered, "This little girl is probably in trouble."

Fang Xiaoxiao remained unmoved and said, "The key to healing is to treat the symptoms. If you're being unreasonable, even a god couldn't cure your brother's illness."

The burly man glared angrily: "What do you know, you little brat? My brother has been seeing a doctor here for days, and he hasn't gotten any better. What else could it be but this old man's incompetence?"

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Let me take a look at your brother's illness; maybe I can help."

The burly man snorted, "You? Don't brag. What skills could a little girl like you possibly have?"

Li Wan'er said from the side, "My Xiao Xiao is a skilled doctor, she might really be able to cure him."

The burly man said disdainfully, "Stop talking nonsense. If you keep babbling, I'll take care of you all."

Fang Xiaoxiao stepped forward: "How do you know I can't do it if you don't let me try?"

At this moment, someone in the crowd said, "This little girl is too arrogant and will definitely suffer."

Another person chimed in, "That's right, this big man looks fierce and menacing, yet she still dares to approach him."

Fang Xiaoxiao ignored the crowd's discussions and went straight to the bedside to check the patient's symptoms.

"Well? Little girl, have you figured it out yet?" the burly man mocked.

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "His illness is caused by poisoning, not an ordinary ailment."

The burly man was taken aback: "Poisoned? Don't talk nonsense."

Fang Xiaoxiao explained, "Look at his dark complexion and erratic pulse; these are all signs of poisoning."

The burly man asked with a hint of doubt, "Then can you cure it?"

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "I can give it a try, but it will take some time to prepare the medicinal herbs."

The burly man hesitated for a moment: "Fine, I'll give you a chance. If you can't cure it, you'll be sorry."

Fang Xiaoxiao turned to the old man and said, "Sir, could you please prepare some medicinal herbs for me?"

The old man nodded and began searching through the messy medicine cabinet.

Fang Xiaoxiao was thinking about treatment options.

Soon, the medicinal herbs were ready, and Fang Xiaoxiao began to prepare and decoct the medicine.

Everyone stood by and watched, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

After the medicine was prepared, Fang Xiaoxiao fed it to the patient.

Time passed second by second, but the patient showed no signs of improvement.

The burly man grew impatient again: "Little girl, are you even capable?"

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "The medicine hasn't taken effect yet, let's wait a little longer."

Just as everyone was getting impatient, the patient suddenly coughed a few times and slowly opened his eyes.

The burly man was overjoyed: "Brother, you're awake!"

The patient said weakly, "I feel much better."

The burly man immediately made a 180-degree turn in his attitude towards Fang Xiaoxiao: "Miss, I'm so sorry, I was too rash just now."

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Don't be so impulsive in the future. Treating illness requires time and patience."

Everyone was impressed by Fang Xiaoxiao and praised her excellent medical skills.

Fang Xiaoxiao left the pharmacy with Li Wan'er and Hongxiu, continuing their journey through the town. However, unbeknownst to them, this act of kindness would bring them unexpected trouble.