freenovelworld Chapter 482: Escape
Chapter 482: Escape
A sense of unease welled up in Fang Xiao's heart, and she said, "Third Sister, we are just ordinary women in this Floating Fragrance Pavilion, and I'm afraid we are not capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility."
Jin Sanniang quickly said, "Girls, don't underestimate yourselves. With your talent and looks, you're sure to win the favor of that important person. Then, our Fuxiang Pavilion will also benefit from it."
Hongxiu said, "Third Sister, we don't want to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy; we just want to live a peaceful life."
Jin Sanniang's face darkened, and she said, "That's not up to you. If we offend that important person, none of us will have a good outcome."
Fang Xiaoxiao and the other two exchanged glances, all understanding that they couldn't refuse.
Back in the house, Li Wan'er said worriedly, "Xiao Xiao, what should we do? I have a feeling this isn't going to be a good thing."
Fang Xiaoxiao comforted her, "Don't worry, Wan'er. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. We'll just play it by ear."
Hongxiu also said, "Yes, we can't just sit here and wait to die. We have to think of a way to deal with it."
Just as the three were racking their brains for a solution, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Fang Xiaoxiao opened the door and saw the little girl she had rescued earlier that day. The small figure stood timidly at the door, holding a steaming osmanthus cake in her hands.
The little girl whispered, "Sister, this is for you. Thank you for saving my life."
Fang Xiaoxiao felt a pang of sorrow, thinking of how this little girl had also been sold to a brothel, her fate so tragic. She quickly took the little girl's hand and led her back to the room.
When Li Wan'er and Hongxiu saw the little girl come in, they were first surprised, and then their faces showed a look of heartache.
Li Wan'er couldn't help but curse, "The people in the Jiaofangsi are all beasts, utterly inhuman, they don't even spare such young children."
Hongxiu also said angrily, "This is truly outrageous!"
The little girl didn't say much; she simply placed the osmanthus cake on the table and turned to leave.
Fang Xiaoxiao quickly grabbed her and said, "Child, don't rush off."
The little girl shook her head and said, "Sister, I have to go back, or I'll get scolded or beaten."
As Fang Xiaoxiao and her two companions watched the little girl's departing figure, they felt even more determined to make those people from the Jiaofangsi (a type of entertainment venue) receive the punishment they deserved.
"We can't sit idly by any longer. We must find a way to expose the crimes of the Jiaofangsi and rescue these innocent people," Fang Xiaoxiao said firmly.
Li Wan'er nodded in agreement: "Xiao Xiao, you're right, but what should we do?"
Hongxiu pondered for a moment and said, "We need to collect evidence, find something to hold against them for breaking the law, and then report them to the authorities."
“But how do we collect this evidence? The people from the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) are definitely heavily guarded,” Li Wan’er said worriedly.
Fang Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, "We can start with those who are being oppressed. If we unite everyone, we will surely find a way."
So, in the days that followed, Fang Xiaoxiao and her two companions secretly contacted other people who had been sold to the brothel, trying to persuade them to rebel together.
However, this was no easy task. Some people had been tortured to the point of losing the courage to resist, while others feared even harsher punishment.
Just when they were feeling somewhat discouraged, an unexpected opportunity arose.
One day, Fang Xiaoxiao overheard Jin Sanniang talking to a mysterious person, which seemed to involve some unspeakable secret transactions.
Fang Xiao was startled and held her breath, listening intently to the conversation between Jin San Niang and the mysterious man.
The mysterious man lowered his voice and said, "Jin San Niang, I will deliver the Five Stone Powder to you on time. You must settle the payment as soon as possible."
Jin Sanniang said with a smile, "Don't worry, as long as the goods are fine, you'll definitely get your money back. It's just that the checks are strict lately, so you'd better be careful."
The mysterious man snorted coldly: "Hmph, you don't trust me to do things? This Five-Stone Powder is of the highest quality. It's just a matter of what price you can sell it for."
Jin San Niang nodded repeatedly: "Of course, there's nothing I can't sell in this Fu Xiang Pavilion."
"However, don't be too greedy. If we're discovered, we're both finished," the mysterious man warned.
Jin Sanniang quickly replied, "I know, I know, I will be careful."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao was both shocked and furious. She never expected that Jin Sanniang would dare to collude with the mysterious person to buy and sell Five-Stone Powder. She knew all too well that this substance was extremely harmful, and if they were allowed to act recklessly, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Fang Xiaoxiao quietly retreated back to her room and told Li Wan'er and Hongxiu what she had overheard.
Li Wan'er stomped her foot in anger: "This Jin San Niang is really audacious! How dare she do such a heinous business!"
Hongxiu said with a solemn expression, "We must find a way to stop them and prevent more people from being harmed."
For the next few days, Fang Xiaoxiao and her two companions went to work and returned to their cottage on time, and everything seemed peaceful. Seeing that they were behaving themselves, Jin Sanniang gradually lowered her guard against them. Even Liu Mei, after her previous lesson, dared not provoke the three of them again.
However, they were unaware that Fang Xiaoxiao had already been secretly investigating the mysterious person Jin Sanniang had been in contact with, and had made some progress.
That evening, back at the cabin, Fang Xiaoxiao solemnly summoned Li Wan'er and Hongxiu together.
Fang Xiaoxiao lowered her voice and said, "I have already found out the identity of that mysterious person."
Li Wan'er and Hongxiu approached nervously, eagerly asking, "Who is it?"
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath: "According to the information I've gathered, the mysterious person who provided Jin Sanniang with the Five-Stone Powder was sent by the steward of a high-ranking official in the imperial court."
"Huh?" Li Wan'er covered her mouth in surprise, "It actually involves high-ranking officials in the imperial court?"
Hongxiu frowned: "This is troublesome. What should we do?"
Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment: "Don't panic. Although the other party has a powerful background, as long as we have solid evidence, we have nothing to fear."
Li Wan'er said worriedly, "But how can we get the evidence? We'll be in danger if we're discovered."
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes were firm: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I plan to investigate further and see if I can find evidence of their deal."
Hongxiu hesitated for a moment: "Xiaoxiao, this is too risky."
Fang Xiaoxiao held their hands: "Don't worry, I'll be careful. Besides, we can't stay trapped here and let them do evil."
Li Wan'er bit her lip: "Then what can Hongxiu and I do?"
Fang Xiaoxiao thought for a moment: "Keep an eye on the other people in Fuxiang Pavilion and see if you can find any useful clues. Also, try to get along well with the other sisters; they might know something too."
“Okay, we understand,” Li Wan’er and Hongxiu nodded in response.
In the days that followed, Fang Xiaoxiao proceeded with her investigation even more cautiously. She seized every opportunity to approach the locations where Jin Sanniang and the mysterious person made contact, attempting to uncover more secrets.
Meanwhile, Li Wan'er and Hongxiu were also secretly gathering information in Fuxiang Pavilion.
Just as they were conducting their investigation with great tension, a sudden turn of events shattered the peace...