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

Chapter 389: Hurry up, all of you!

Inside the sealed room, the light was dim and faint, and the air was filled with a suffocating stench of decay.

A group of fallen women huddled together, their faces filled with fear and despair.

Some were dressed in once-glamorous but now tattered silks and satins, their eyes vacant, suggesting they must have once been pampered ladies from wealthy families; others wore coarse linen clothes, patched all over, their hair disheveled, their faces haggard, looking withered and emaciated.

The monk stood before the group of trembling women, his face devoid of any pity; his fierce gaze seemed to be scrutinizing a flock of lambs awaiting slaughter.

He crossed his arms, coldly surveying the dozen or so people, then gritted his teeth and ordered his men, "Hurry up and take them all away! Anyone who dawdles will be in big trouble!"

Inside the guest room outside the secret room, Fang Xiaoxiao felt as if she had been abruptly pulled from her dream by an invisible hand. She sat up abruptly, her forehead covered with fine beads of sweat that shimmered like glistening pearls in the dim candlelight.

Her chest heaved violently, and her breathing was as rapid as leaves in a storm.

Pei Yan was startled awake by her sudden movement. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and asked with concern and a hint of doubt, "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Fang Xiaoxiao gasped for breath, her eyes filled with lingering fear, and said in a trembling voice, "I dreamt that many women were locked in a secret room. The situation was terrifying. The women's cries and pleas for help seemed to echo in my ears."

Pei Yan looked surprised upon hearing this and comforted him, "It's just a dream, don't worry about it too much. Maybe it's because you've been too tired and stressed these past few days."

Just then, a sudden commotion outside the courtyard broke the tranquility of the night. The two exchanged a glance, seeing the same confusion and worry in each other's eyes.

They tiptoed into the courtyard, where they saw many figures emerging from the artificial hill. Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes widened as she looked closely and saw many women with their hands bound by thick ropes being roughly dragged out by a group of fierce-looking men. Some of the women were sobbing softly, while others remained silent in despair.

Upon seeing this, Pei Yan was instantly enraged. His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white. He was about to rush forward to help when Fang Xiaoxiao swiftly stopped him.

"Don't act rashly. We don't know their background yet. Taking action rashly will only alert them and put us in danger. Let's observe the situation first," Fang Xiaoxiao said urgently in a low voice, her eyes revealing calmness and caution.

In the dim moonlight, a familiar figure appeared before everyone—it was the monk. The monk's figure appeared particularly sinister in the moonlight; he walked ahead arrogantly, shouting incessantly.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, the monk abruptly stopped. His half-closed eyes widened instantly, and he turned his head to look back warily. His sharp gaze swept around like that of a hawk, as if trying to pull out the spying eyes from the darkness.

Pei Yan and Fang Xiao felt a sudden chill, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Pei Yan's body tensed instantly, his muscles hardening like stone, while Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes widened in terror.

With lightning speed, like two agile cats, they quickly and silently slipped into the shadows, their breathing deliberately suppressed to an extremely faint whisper, as if afraid of making the slightest sound.

The monk stood still, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping back and forth in the darkness. After a long while, he frowned slightly and signaled to his men to continue leading the group away.

But he turned around and slowly walked towards Fang Xiaoxiao's residence, each step seemingly carrying a heavy burden.

"Knock, knock, knock!" A rapid and forceful knocking sounded suddenly, and the monk's hoarse voice called out loudly from outside the door: "Esteemed benefactors, are you well?"

Inside the room, Fang Xiaoxiao's heart leaped into her throat, her face turned deathly pale, and her panicked eyes darted around.

But in just a moment, she forced herself to calm down, took a deep breath, and deliberately replied in a lazy and somewhat impatient voice, "Master, we're fine, we've gone to sleep, don't disturb us."

The monk stood silently outside the door for a moment, seemingly assessing the situation inside. After waiting a while, he felt relieved, and the footsteps gradually faded away.

Once Fang Xiaoxiao was sure the monk had left, she breathed a long sigh of relief, gently patted her chest, and said with lingering fear, "That was really close. I was almost discovered. It scared me to death."

Pei Yan nodded repeatedly, his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat, and his eyes still held the lingering fear.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, pondered for a moment, then her eyes became firm and resolute as she said, "We can't stay here any longer. We must leave immediately and travel tonight."

Pei Yan agreed without hesitation, his face full of determination.

The two hurriedly left the dilapidated temple, the cold moonlight shining on them and casting long shadows.

Fang Xiaoxiao stopped and turned around, her expression serious as she gestured to Pei Yan: "Go find someone to help me. I'll head to the capital first. Let's keep in touch."

Pei Yan nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with trust and determination.

And so, the two parted ways under the moonlight. Fang Xiaoxiao walked alone with firm steps toward the capital city, her figure gradually disappearing into the night.

After many hardships, Fang Xiaoxiao finally stepped into the familiar Lingxi Pavilion outside the city of Kyoto.

Lingxi Pavilion was still bustling with activity at this time, with people coming and going.

When He Jinnian saw her from afar, his face instantly lit up with a delighted smile. He rushed over to greet her and asked anxiously, "Xiao Xiao, where have you been all this time? We were so worried about you."

His eyes were fixed on Fang Xiaoxiao, his gaze full of concern.

Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes darted around, avoiding his gaze. She made up an excuse, saying, "Oh, I just went on a casual trip, saw some scenery, nothing special."

As she spoke, she fiddled with her hair, trying to hide her guilty conscience.

Although everyone was a little confused, they didn't pay much attention and continued with their own work.

At this seemingly ordinary moment, Li Renyi suddenly rushed in like a gust of wind, looking flustered and terrified.

He suddenly lunged at Fang Xiaoxiao, grabbing her sleeve tightly, his voice trembling with sobs as he pleaded, "Xiaoxiao, please, you must save me!"

Fang Xiaoxiao was startled by his sudden action, her brows furrowed, and she asked with a puzzled look, "Li Renyi, what's wrong with you? Don't panic, tell me slowly."

Li Renyi was so anxious that tears welled up in his eyes. He said in a sob, "My family is forcing me to marry Princess Li Wan'er, but I have no feelings for her and I don't want to marry her at all. Xiao Xiao, you have a lot of ideas. You must help me think of a way to get rid of this marriage."

Fang Xiaoxiao helplessly spread her hands and said, "I still have a bunch of troubles to deal with right now. Let's talk about it after I finish these things."

Afterwards, Fang Xiaoxiao pulled He Jinnian to a relatively quiet corner. Her face was solemn as she lowered her voice and recounted in detail her experiences at the dilapidated temple outside the city. As He Jinnian listened, his expression grew increasingly serious, his brows furrowed, and his eyes revealed a resolute determination.

"This matter is of utmost importance and cannot be delayed. I am from the Judicial Commissioner, and I will go to the yamen to summon the necessary personnel immediately." After saying this, He Jinnian turned to leave.