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

Chapter 344: This is a sleeping potion I concocted myself.

In a blacksmith's shop, Fang Xiaoxiao found the blacksmith. The blacksmith looked at her and shook his head helplessly: "Miss Fang, all the good stuff in my blacksmith's shop has been looted by bandits. There's really nothing I can do to help you."

Fang Xiaoxiao did not give up. She earnestly said, "Master, even some scraps or suggestions on how to forge weapons would be helpful."

The blacksmith thought for a moment, then rummaged through a corner and pulled out a few scraps of iron: "These scraps might be able to be polished into some simple hidden weapons. Miss Fang, why don't you take them and give them a try?"

Fang Xiaoxiao was moved to tears: "Thank you, Master. We will always remember your help."

In a general store, the shopkeeper secretly slipped Fang Xiaoxiao some powder: "Miss Fang, this is a sleeping potion I made myself. It might be useful to you."

Fang Xiaoxiao took the powder, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Thank you so much, shop owner."

As time went on, Fang Xiaoxiao and her team collected more and more tools and weapons, and the support of the people strengthened their resolve.

But they also knew that this was only the first step, and a difficult and dangerous battle awaited them.

One day, while Fang Xiaoxiao and her companions were searching in an abandoned mansion, they suddenly heard the footsteps of bandits outside.

"Oh no, hide quickly!" Fang Xiaoxiao whispered.

The group quickly hid behind a pile of junk, not daring to breathe. The bandits circled the courtyard, found nothing amiss, and left cursing under their breath.

After the bandits had gone far away, Fang Xiaoxiao and the others came out of their hiding place. They looked at each other, their hearts filled with tension and relief.

"We need to speed things up; we can't keep taking these risks," Fang Xiaoxiao said.

His companions nodded in agreement and continued their intense search.

After several days of effort, they finally collected enough rope, daggers, clubs, and some simple concealed weapons. Meanwhile, the unsung support of the people also warmed and encouraged them greatly.

"With these, our rescue plan has a much better chance of success." Fang Xiaoxiao looked at her abundant harvest, her heart filled with anticipation.

But she also knew that the real challenges were yet to come, and they had to be fully prepared for the fierce battles to come.

Fang Xiaoxiao and her companions, dressed in dark clothes, moved stealthily toward the prefectural government office, like ghosts in the night.

Fang Xiaoxiao walked at the front of the group, her steps light and cautious, trying not to make a sound with each step.

Her heartbeat was exceptionally clear in the silence, a mixture of tension and anticipation.

His companions followed closely behind, each of them breathing very softly, as if afraid of disturbing the sleeping darkness.

They walked along the narrow alley, the tall, gloomy houses on either side seeming like silent giants watching their every move.

A gentle breeze blew by, causing the hem of my clothes to flutter slightly and making a soft rustling sound that seemed particularly jarring in the quiet night.

Fang Xiaoxiao couldn't help but shiver, gripped the dagger in her hand tightly, and observed her surroundings more vigilantly.

As they approached the prefectural government office, they could see the flickering torches carried by the patrolling bandits in the distance.

Fang Xiaoxiao immediately gestured for everyone to stop.

The group quickly hid in a dark corner, their bodies pressed against the wall, their heartbeats seemingly echoing in the narrow space.

Fang Xiaoxiao poked half her head out, observing the bandits' patrol patterns.

The bandits strolled along lazily, chatting idly, their weapons dangling casually in their hands.

She waited patiently until the bandits disappeared into the distance, then gently waved and led her companions onward.

They used the shadows cast by houses and trees to move about as nimbly as cats.

I carefully avoided making any noise as I passed each corner and crossed each threshold.

One of his companions accidentally kicked a stone, and the sound of the stone rolling seemed particularly abrupt in the silence.

Everyone's hearts jumped into their throats, watching the patrolling bandits' reaction with bated breath.

Fortunately, the bandits seemed unaware and continued to travel further and further along their original route.

Finally, they arrived at the side gate of the prefectural government office.

The door was tightly shut, as if guarding a secret hidden within.

A companion skilled in lock picking stepped forward, took out a small set of tools from his pocket, and in the dim light, his fingers deftly manipulated the lock cylinder, fine beads of sweat gradually appearing on his forehead.

Fang Xiaoxiao and her companions watched his movements nervously, while remaining alert to any sounds around them.

Time seemed to stand still, and every second seemed so long.

Finally, with a soft "click," the lock was successfully opened. Her companion breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Fang Xiaoxiao.

Fang Xiaoxiao gently pushed open the door, and the hinges made a slight creaking sound, which was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Her heart suddenly raced, fearing the sound would attract the attention of the bandits.

However, after a while, the surroundings remained quiet, without any unusual movement.

The group cautiously crept into the government office, the stone slabs beneath their feet making a soft creaking sound, as if telling the story of the office's former majesty.

Fang Xiaoxiao gestured for everyone to slow down and walk as close to the wall as possible.

The flowers and plants in the yard were shadowy in the darkness, like ghosts hiding countless secrets.

Suddenly, a night cat darted across the roof above them, startling one of their companions so much that he almost screamed.

Fang Xiaoxiao quickly reached out and covered his mouth, giving him a stern look to signal him to be quiet.

They paused for a moment in the darkness, and only continued moving forward after making sure they were not being noticed.

After passing through a corridor, they arrived at the corner of a room. Fang Xiaoxiao peeked out and saw two bandits sitting and dozing at the doorway not far away.

She gestured to her companions, signaling them to go around the area. They quietly circled around from the other side of the house, each step fraught with danger.

Just as they were about to pass, one of the bandits suddenly rolled over and mumbled a few words. The group immediately stopped, not daring to breathe. Fortunately, the bandit simply changed position and went back to sleep.

After a nerve-wracking infiltration, they finally succeeded in penetrating deep into the government office. However, unknown dangers and arduous tasks still awaited them.

However, as they crept forward, fate seemed intent on adding more twists and turns to their journey.