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

Chapter 498: Trouble at Prince Jing's Mansion

As soon as Fang Xiaoxiao, Li Wan'er, and Hongxiu stepped out, they saw Li Renyi, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, running anxiously toward them.

With tears in his eyes, Li Renyi ran to Fang Xiaoxiao and begged her to come with him to the Prince Jing's residence as soon as possible.

Fang Xiaoxiao was puzzled and hurriedly asked what was wrong. Li Renyi said he would explain as they walked.

On the carriage, Li Renyi first apologized to Li Wan'er. Li Wan'er responded that it was nothing and said that it was a matter of fate. Since they were not destined to be together, she would not force it.

Feeling guilty, Li Renyi turned his gaze to Fang Xiaoxiao.

Fang Xiaoxiao interrupted their conversation and pressed Li Renyi for details about what had happened at the Prince Jing's residence.

Li Renyi then said that his mother, for some reason, went to Hongfo Temple in the south of the city to burn incense the day before yesterday. After returning, she was weak and listless, and has been unconscious since this morning.

He had consulted many doctors at home, but none of them could help him. That's when he thought of Fang Xiaoxiao's excellent medical skills.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned upon hearing Li Renyi's words, pondering the reasons behind them.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of Prince Jing's residence. As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, Prince Jing rushed forward eagerly.

"Renyi, is this the savior you found?" Prince Jing looked at Fang Xiaoxiao with suspicion in his eyes.

Fang Xiaoxiao remained neither humble nor arrogant, and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Highness Prince Jing, I will certainly do my best."

Prince Jing gave a light snort, said nothing more, and led them towards the inner courtyard.

Upon arriving at the lady's room, Fang Xiaoxiao carefully examined her. After a moment, she turned to Li Renyi and Prince Jing, and said with a grave expression, "The lady has indeed been poisoned, and the poison is quite peculiar."

Prince Jing was startled and quickly asked, "Is there a solution?"

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "I need to learn more about the specific situation of Madam at Hongfo Temple."

Li Renyi quickly summoned the maids and attendants who had accompanied his wife to offer incense.

After some questioning, Fang Xiaoxiao discovered that besides the cup of tea she had drunk, the lady had also met a mysterious monk in the temple, who gave her a string of Buddhist prayer beads.

Fang Xiaoxiao picked up the prayer beads and examined them carefully. She smelled the scent on them and began to understand what was going on.

Just then, an old doctor in the manor said, "Young lady, don't speak carelessly. How could these prayer beads be poisonous?"

Fang Xiaoxiao calmly explained, "These prayer beads have been soaked in a special venom. They are odorless at first, but will become toxic over time."

Everyone is doubtful.

Fang Xiaoxiao decided to go to Hongfo Temple again to find the key clue to the antidote. Li Renyi naturally accompanied her.

Upon arriving at Hongfo Temple, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi cautiously explored the area. In a secret room, they discovered a large number of books and medicinal herbs related to poisons.

“It seems there really is something wrong with this Hongfo Temple,” Li Renyi said.

Just then, they heard footsteps outside, and they quickly hid.

It turned out that the abbot of Hongfo Temple and several of his confidants were plotting.

"We absolutely cannot let the matter of Prince Jing's residence be exposed this time, or we'll all be finished," the host said.

Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi exchanged a glance, understanding something in their hearts.

After they left, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Renyi quietly left the secret room.

Back at Prince Jing's residence, Fang Xiaoxiao, based on her discovery at Hongfo Temple, finally concocted the antidote.

After taking the antidote, the lady gradually recovered.

Prince Jing was extremely grateful to Fang Xiaoxiao and hosted a banquet in her honor.

Just as everyone was celebrating, a guard rushed in to report that Hongfo Temple had been burned down and the abbot had disappeared.

Fang Xiao's heart sank; she felt that things were far from over.

Late at night, Li Renyi came to Fang Xiaoxiao's courtyard again, carrying a stack of silver notes. Fang Xiaoxiao learned that it was Prince Jing who had sent him, so she accepted them without hesitation.

Li Renyi glanced at Li Wan'er and Hongxiu, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Fang Xiaoxiao sensed his thoughts and told him to speak frankly.

Li Renyi then told her that he had encountered a very strange person on his way here, who was constantly looking at the courtyard.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned and asked, "What does that person look like?"

Li Renyi recalled: "The man was tall and masked, so his face was not visible, but his eyes had a sinister look about them."

A sense of unease welled up in Fang Xiao's heart, and she said, "Could it be related to the Jing Prince's Mansion?"

Li Renyi said, "That's what I thought too, so I came to tell you as soon as possible."

At this moment, Li Wan'er interjected, "Could they be remnants of Hongfo Temple?"

Hongxiu chimed in, "It's possible. They might not be willing to give up so easily."

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment and said, "No matter what, we must be careful. Li Renyi, when you go back, also keep an eye on the movements of the Prince Jing's residence."

Li Renyi nodded in agreement, gave a few more instructions, and then left.

Fang Xiaoxiao instructed Li Wan'er and Hongxiu to close the courtyard gate tightly, while she herself went inside to think of a solution.

Back inside, Li Wan'er anxiously asked Fang Xiaoxiao what they should do. Hongxiu then made a throat-slitting gesture with her hand, meaning to kill. Fang Xiaoxiao waved her hands repeatedly, indicating that they should wait and see; if they were truly from Hongfo Temple, they would likely make their move tonight.

Li Wan'er said nervously, "Are we just going to wait like this? What if they outnumber us and we're in great danger?"

Fang Xiaoxiao comforted her, "Don't panic, let's prepare first. Find everything in the house that can be used as a weapon and hide it with you."

Hongxiu nodded and began searching the house. Soon she found several sticks and a few short knives.

Fang Xiaoxiao continued, "Wan'er, go and close all the doors and windows, and check for any loopholes. Hongxiu, come with me and set up some traps inside the house."

The two did as instructed.

As night fell, the courtyard fell silent, save for the occasional gust of wind. Fang Xiaoxiao and her two companions huddled inside, barely daring to breathe.

Suddenly, a soft footstep sound came from behind. Fang Xiaoxiao gestured for everyone to be quiet, gripping a stick tightly in her hand.

The footsteps grew closer and stopped in front of the courtyard gate. Then, the gate was gently pushed open.

With a creak, the door opened, and a dark figure darted in.

Fang Xiaoxiao seized the opportunity and pulled the rope of the trap.

"Ah!" The dark figure screamed as it fell into the pit that had been dug beforehand.

Hongxiu immediately rushed out and raised her short knife towards the person in the pit.

"Speak, who are you?" Hongxiu shouted.

The man remained silent.

At that moment, several more dark figures rushed into the courtyard.

Fang Xiaoxiao also joined the battle, engaging in a fierce fight with the shadowy figures.

After a fierce battle, the shadowy figures were gradually overwhelmed and tried to escape.

Fang Xiaoxiao was not about to let them off easily and gave chase.

Finally, they caught one of them in a corner.

"Tell me, were you sent by the Hongfo Temple?" Fang Xiaoxiao asked angrily.

The man hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

Fang Xiaoxiao snorted coldly: "Go back and tell your master not to have any more funny ideas, or I will definitely not let him off!"

The man scrambled away and fled.