vstars Chapter 490: Fire Breaks Out at the Prince's Mansion
Chapter 490: Fire Breaks Out at the Prince's Mansion
Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment: "It's not impossible, but further investigation is needed."
Just then, a servant rushed over: "Something terrible has happened! People from the palace have arrived!"
Everyone was shocked.
A short while later, an eunuch led several guards into the back hall.
The eunuch said in a high-pitched voice, "Having heard that Prince Rong is unwell, His Majesty has specially sent me to visit him."
Fang Xiaoxiao and the others bowed.
The father-in-law glanced at Fang Xiaoxiao and asked, "And who is this?"
Li Wan'er said, "This is my good friend, Fang Xiaoxiao. She was the one who treated my father just now."
The father-in-law nodded: "I will report the situation to His Majesty truthfully."
After saying this, the eunuch went to the prince's room, took a look, and then left with his men.
Fang Xiaoxiao felt that her father-in-law's arrival was suspicious.
“The timing of these people from the palace’s arrival is too perfect,” Hongxiu said.
Fang Xiaoxiao pondered, "It seems that the Prince's poisoning is inextricably linked to the Imperial Palace."
Li Wan'er asked worriedly, "Then what should we do?"
Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Don't act rashly yet, let's see how things go first."
However, things didn't give them much time to wait. That night, the Prince's mansion suddenly caught fire, and the flames were fierce.
Fang Xiaoxiao and the others were all awakened and rushed out to check. After some effort, the fire was finally extinguished. Fortunately, the fire started in a woodshed in a side courtyard, which had long been abandoned. Fortunately, no one was injured, so it was a false alarm.
Fang Xiaoxiao and the other two were exhausted, and it was already broad daylight. Before leaving, Fang Xiaoxiao gave the old lady a lot of pills to detoxify the prince. Fang Xiaoxiao planned to go back to her own hut to rest first, and Li Wan'er followed closely behind. The old lady did not stop her.
Inside the courtyard, Fang Xiaoxiao ate osmanthus cake, thinking about what had happened at the Prince's mansion the day before. Hongxiu suddenly spoke up, "Could it be related to the Imperial Music Bureau?"
Her reminder immediately connected the dots for Fang Xiaoxiao. First, the prince had been poisoned; then he was summoned to the palace; then the three of them were inexplicably kidnapped and sold into the brothel; and then they discovered the Five-Stone Powder. All of these events were interconnected.
Fang Xiaoxiao slammed her hand on the table and said, "I guess the general didn't come suddenly, but was already waiting outside. Seeing that Jin Sanniang was no match for us, he took her away."
Li Wan'er asked in surprise, "Could it be that someone is manipulating all of this behind the scenes?"
Fang Xiaoxiao frowned: "Very likely, and the person behind it is very powerful and has a meticulous plan."
Hongxiu asked worriedly, "What should we do then?"
Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment: "We can't just sit here and wait to die. We must take the initiative and find out who's behind this."
At this moment, there was a knock on the door.
Fang Xiaoxiao asked warily, "Who?"
"It's me, Pei Yan." Pei Yan's voice came from outside the door.
Fang Xiaoxiao opened the door, and Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba walked in.
“We just returned from an investigation in the suburbs and heard about the Prince’s Mansion,” Pei Yan said.
Fang Xiaoxiao told them her speculation.
Ouyang Tuoba said, "In that case, the conspiracy behind this is probably more complicated than we imagined."
Pei Yan nodded: "We must find evidence as soon as possible and bring the mastermind behind this to justice."
Fang Xiaoxiao said, "I think we can start with Wushisan and investigate its origin and distribution."
Everyone thought it was a good idea and decided to split up and take action.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er went to investigate the relationship between the Jiaofangsi and Wushisan, while Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba went to look for other clues.
However, what they didn't know was that danger was closing in step by step.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er encountered Jin Sanniang at the Jiaofangsi. When Jin Sanniang saw them, a sinister glint flashed in her eyes.
"You still dare to come?" Jin Sanniang sneered.
Fang Xiaoxiao said, "We're here to find out the truth."
Jin Sanniang snorted: "The truth? You'll never know."
As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a group of thugs surrounded her.
Just as they were about to be captured by Jin San Niang's men, Madam Lin, the mastermind behind Fu Xiang Pavilion, appeared. Madam Lin coldly shouted, "Stop!"
A sly smile flashed in Jin San Niang's eyes, and Fang Xiao and the other two thought they were saved.
Madam Lin told Jin San Niang to get lost. Jin San Niang glared at Fang Xiao Xiao and the others resentfully before turning and leaving.
Fang Xiaoxiao then stepped forward to greet Madam Lin. Madam Lin gave off a very friendly feeling and said, "I told you not to come to the Jiaofangsi again."
Fang Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled, "Madam Lin, what exactly is going on? Why won't you let us come again?"
Madam Lin sighed, "The waters here are too deep for you to wade through."
Li Wan'er said urgently, "But we must find out the truth; we can't just let it go like this."
Madam Lin frowned slightly: "Some things are not something you can find out just by trying to investigate them."
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at Madam Lin and said firmly, "Madam Lin, we are already involved and cannot extricate ourselves. Moreover, we are not afraid of danger, we only want the truth."
Madam Lin was silent for a moment, then said, "Fine, since you are so insistent, I will tell you some things. But remember, the more you know, the greater the danger."
Fang Xiaoxiao and the other two nodded.
Madam Lin slowly said, "The Jiaofangsi (a type of entertainment venue) is involved in the power struggles among the court officials and some unspeakable secret transactions. Wushi San (a type of powder) is just the tip of the iceberg."
Fang Xiaoxiao asked in surprise, "Could it be that the prince's matter is also related to this?"
Madam Lin nodded: "That's right. Prince Rong was killed because he touched their interests."
Li Wan'er said angrily, "These people are simply lawless!"
Madam Lin continued, "Moreover, their influence is everywhere, and they have many informants. Your every move is under their surveillance."
Fang Xiaoxiao asked, "Then why are you helping us, Madam Lin?"
A hint of helplessness appeared in Mrs. Lin's eyes: "I also have my reasons. I don't want to see innocent people get hurt anymore."
Just then, a maidservant rushed over and whispered a few words in Madam Lin's ear.
Madam Lin's expression changed drastically: "Oh no, someone's coming! You all need to leave quickly!"
Fang Xiaoxiao and her two companions didn't have time to ask any more questions and quickly left.
As soon as they stepped out of the brothel, they realized they were being followed.
Fang Xiaoxiao said in a low voice, "Don't turn around, quicken your pace."
The three turned into a small alley, trying to shake off their pursuers.
However, the pursuers were relentless.
Just then, the mysterious man reappeared. He led the three of them through several turns, finally shaking them off in a small alley.
Fang Xiaoxiao wanted to ask the mysterious person his name, but he turned and left, disappearing into the night.
Fang Xiaoxiao sighed helplessly: "This person always appears and disappears like a ghost."
Li Wan'er said, "No matter what, we owe him again this time."
Hongxiu nodded: "I just don't know why he always helps us."
The three of them talked as they walked back.
Back in the courtyard, Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba were already waiting for them.
Pei Yan asked eagerly, "How is it? What did you find?"
Fang Xiaoxiao told them about her experience at the Jiaofangsi (a type of entertainment venue).
Ouyang Tuoba frowned: "It seems this matter is more complicated than we imagined."
Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Madam Lin said that this involves the struggle and secret transactions of powerful officials in the court, but she didn't explain the specifics."
Pei Yan pondered for a moment: "We must find evidence as soon as possible in order to uncover this conspiracy."
Just then, there was a noise outside.