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

Chapter 501: Nothing ventured, nothing gained

He Jinnian was about to step in when Fang Xiaoxiao stopped him. Everyone was puzzled. Fang Xiaoxiao said that they shouldn't alert the other party and that she would try to negotiate with them herself.

Fang Xiaoxiao stepped forward alone, and the door in front of her was pushed open. Three or five men with knives were led out by a man who was thin.

Fang Xiao smiled and said that she had just happened to pass by this place.

The man looked her over and said, "Oh, I see," and told her to leave quickly.

Fang Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement, turned to leave, but suddenly stopped and turned back, saying, "Brother, this place looks very eerie. What are you doing here?"

The man's face darkened, and he shouted, "Mind your own business and get out of here!"

Fang Xiaoxiao remained calm and continued, "Brother, don't be angry. I'm just curious. Judging from your outfits, are you perhaps involved in some big business?"

A murderous glint flashed in the man's eyes as he coldly said, "If you don't get out of here, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Fang Xiao chuckled, "Don't be so fierce, maybe I can help."

The man scoffed, "You? What help can a little girl like you be?"

Fang Xiaoxiao stepped forward and said, "Brother, don't underestimate me. I have some connections in this city."

The man hesitated for a moment, then said, "Can you really help?"

Fang Xiao was secretly delighted, but remained outwardly calm: "That depends on what it is."

Just then, a noise came from inside the house. The man's expression changed drastically, and he shouted to the people around him, "Quick, hide the things!"

Fang Xiaoxiao seized the opportunity to say, "Big brother, let me see, maybe you can come up with some ideas."

The man gritted his teeth: "Come in! But if you dare to try anything funny, you'll be sorry!"

Fang Xiaoxiao followed them into the house, where she saw it filled with all sorts of mysterious boxes.

Not far from the gate, He Jinnian and the others watched with concern as Fang Xiaoxiao was led into the courtyard. Pei Yan felt it was too dangerous and stood up to rescue her, as did Ouyang Tuoba.

He Jinnian, however, intervened, saying that his wife must have her own plans.

Pei Yan asked anxiously, "What if something happens to Xiao Xiao? Can you take responsibility?"

Ouyang Tuoba angrily cursed He Jinnian as a good-for-nothing: "You just stand by and watch, what kind of man are you!"

He Jinnian retorted, "Don't be impulsive! Fang Xiao is clever and resourceful; she won't act rashly. If we rush in, we might ruin her plans."

Pei Yan glared at him angrily: "Hmph, all you do is spout nice words! If anything happens to Xiao Xiao, I'll never forgive you!"

He Jinnian also became anxious: "I'm worried about her too, but acting impulsively now will only make things worse!"

He Jinnian thought a lot, especially guessing that the room contained the Wushi San that had been popular in the capital recently. That's why he didn't stop Fang Xiaoxiao from going out alone. He was also afraid that the group would be desperate and act rashly, which would be more dangerous and might even lead to failure.

Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba waited anxiously, while He Jinnian and his men surrounded the entire mansion.

Just then, Fang Xiaoxiao walked out of the courtyard with a smile, accompanied by the man from before.

Fang Xiao smiled and waved to the man, saying, "Brother Li, please don't see me off any further. This was just a small favor from me, nothing to mention. I hope we can cooperate more in the future."

The man called Brother Li replied, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam Fang, to do this for me. I'll reward you handsomely after I've done this."

Fang Xiaoxiao bowed slightly and said, "Brother Li, rest assured, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

After the man turned and went back into the house, Fang Xiaoxiao quickly walked towards He Jinnian and the others.

Pei Yan asked anxiously, "Xiao Xiao, how is she?"

Fang Xiao smiled mysteriously and said, "Don't rush, let's find a safe place to talk first."

The group arrived at a secluded corner.

Fang Xiaoxiao then said, "There's definitely something fishy going on in that house. They asked me to help transport a batch of goods, and I guess it's Wushi Powder."

He Jinnian frowned and said, "So you agreed to their terms? That's too dangerous!"

A determined glint flashed in Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I already have a plan; we can turn the tables on them."

Ouyang Tuoba said, "Don't do anything reckless, this is no joke."

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. As long as we make the right arrangements, we'll definitely be able to wipe them out in one fell swoop."

The group returned to the courtyard, while He Jinnian led his men away. For safety's sake, Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba decided to inquire about the owner of the mansion.

When Fang Xiaoxiao returned to the courtyard, Hongxiu and Li Wan'er greeted her happily. Li Wan'er even handed Fang Xiaoxiao a piece of osmanthus cake and asked her where she had been, as she hadn't seen her all day. She also asked why Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba hadn't returned with her.

Fang Xiaoxiao accepted the pastries and said that the two of them had to go out. Hongxiu then handed Fang Xiaoxiao a cup of tea.

Fang Xiaoxiao took a bite of pastry, drank some tea, and said, "I've run into a lot of trouble today."

Li Wan'er asked curiously, "What trouble is it? Tell us quickly."

Fang Xiaoxiao briefly recounted her experience of going to the mansion.

Li Wan'er exclaimed in surprise, "Oh dear, that's too dangerous! How could you dare to go and negotiate with them alone?"

Fang Xiaoxiao laughed and said, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'm back safe and sound."

Hongxiu asked worriedly, "Miss, what should we do next?"

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Let's wait for Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba to return, see what news they've found out, and then make a plan."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Hongxiu went to open the door, and there was Pei Yan and Ouyang Tuoba back.

As soon as Pei Yan entered, he said, "We found out that the owner of that mansion is a wealthy businessman named Li Fu, who is said to have connections in both the legitimate and criminal worlds."

Ouyang Tuoba continued, "Moreover, Li Fu's whereabouts are mysterious, and very few people have seen his true face."

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned: "It seems this matter is more complicated than we imagined."

Pei Yan stated that Li Fu had a certain kinship with the current Minister of Rites of the imperial court. Because of this relationship, Li Fu had the capital to do business in the capital and expand his business throughout the country.

Fang Xiaoxiao hurriedly asked Li Fu what kind of business he mainly did. Ouyang Tuoba added that he was in the medicinal herb business, and said that more than 30 percent of the medicinal herbs in the country needed to be purchased from Li Fu's store, making him incredibly wealthy.

Fang Xiaoxiao said thoughtfully, "Someone who runs a medicinal herb business is involved with Wushi Powder. There must be more to this than meets the eye."

Li Wan'er said, "Could it be that he's ostensibly in the medicinal herb business, but secretly selling Five-Stone Powder?"

Pei Yan nodded and said, "Very likely. We need to find a way to obtain evidence."

Hongxiu asked, "Then what should we do?"