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

Chapter 327: Talk is cheap!

"Steward, it's absolutely true! Miss Hua caught a cold outside and is quite ill. We went through a lot of trouble to bring her back, hoping that she could receive treatment at the manor as soon as possible."

The old butler squinted and spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Oh ho, you talk a good game! Who can vouch for you? Who can prove you're not just spouting nonsense?"

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, and said anxiously.

"Steward, think about this carefully. If we really had any bad intentions, why didn't we hide Miss Hua or even harm her? Why would we go to the gate of the mansion to deliver her here? Wouldn't that be like walking into a trap?"

The old butler was taken aback when he heard this, and his expression softened slightly, but his mouth remained as hard as a rock as he shouted.

"Hmph, who knows what kind of crooked scheme you two are plotting! Don't think you can fool me with a few sweet words!"

After saying those words, the old butler turned and left angrily, his footsteps echoing in the empty warehouse. Then, with a loud bang, the warehouse door was slammed shut, raising a cloud of dust.

At this moment, Pei Yan's face was filled with confusion and anger. He stared wide-eyed and shouted urgently at Fang Xiaoxiao.

"Xiao Xiao, what exactly happened?! We clearly saved Hua Ruyan out of kindness, so why don't we get to the bottom of this with that stubborn old man? Why should we suffer this injustice in this godforsaken place!"

Fang Xiaoxiao turned her head, her expression solemn, a hint of doubt in her eyes. She lowered her voice and whispered.

"Pei Yan, don't worry. I did intend to explain things clearly to that old butler at first."

But think about it, Hua Ruyan was just leaving Dounan County for a trip, how could she have so coincidentally run into bandits? Upon closer examination, this whole affair is truly suspicious.”

Fang Xiaoxiao paused for a moment, then continued.

"Besides, look at the old butler's reaction. We hadn't even exchanged a few words when he assumed we were bad people and didn't give us a chance to explain. Isn't that too arbitrary?"

I was thinking that maybe the old steward and those bandits had some kind of shady connection.

Perhaps the Hua family has offended someone, and someone has bribed bandits to harm Hua Ruyan. This old steward might be an inside agent within the family.

Or perhaps this old steward has some ulterior motive, wanting to use the bandits to get rid of Hua Ruyan so he can seize some benefit from the Hua family. In short, things are probably very complicated here!

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan frowned even more deeply and asked with concern.

"So what do we do now?"

Fang Xiaoxiao bit her lip and said firmly.

"Let's hold back for now and see how things go."

Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan finally managed to untie the tight ropes binding them in the corner.

They were breathing heavily when they huddled together, lowered their voices, and began to secretly discuss how to find evidence that the old steward was colluding with the bandits.

As daylight quietly passed, Fang Xiaoxiao and her companion stayed obediently in the dimly lit room, sometimes whispering to each other, sometimes lost in thought, carefully planning each step of their subsequent actions.

As night fell like a black silk ribbon over the entire Hua Mansion, all was silent.

Pei Yan was dressed in a black night suit, his movements as agile as a black panther in the dark.

He moved silently through the corridors, courtyards, and corners of the Hua residence, his eyes always fixed on the old steward's every move.

As he passed by Hua Ruyan's room, he suddenly remembered the task Fang Xiaoxiao had solemnly entrusted to him—to deliver specially formulated pills for treating colds to Hua Ruyan.

He hesitated for a moment, then gently pushed open the carved door and carefully went inside.

Inside the room, Hua Ruyan was leaning against the bed, her cloud-like hair casually draped over her shoulders. Although her face was still slightly pale, it could not hide her natural beauty.

The moment she saw Pei Yan, her big, watery eyes lit up like a dazzling star suddenly appearing in the night sky.

Pei Yan walked to the bedside, her movements so gentle as if she were afraid of disturbing the quiet night.

He took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket, poured out a round pill, and handed it to Hua Ruyan. His voice was as gentle and deep as a mountain spring.

"Miss Hua, these are pills that Fang Xiaoxiao carefully prepared for you. They will definitely have a miraculous effect on your cold. Please take them."

Hua Ruyan reached out her slender hand to take the pill, but her gaze never left Pei Yan's face.

In the dim candlelight, Pei Yan's sculpted features appeared even more handsome, with his sword-like eyebrows slanting upwards and his starry eyes deep and bright.

She felt her heart suddenly race, and a shy blush, like the sunset on the horizon, slowly crept onto her cheeks.

Hua Ruyan parted her lips slightly, her voice as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song.

"Thank you, Young Master Pei."

Pei Yan nodded slightly, a faint smile on his lips, and said.

"Miss Hua, you're too kind. Please rest well. I'll take my leave now." With that, he turned to leave, his tall and slender figure gradually disappearing into the distance in the candlelight.

Hua Ruyan gazed longingly in the direction he had left, her feelings growing wildly like spring vines.

Pei Yan returned to the cottage with a heart full of turmoil. As soon as he saw Fang Xiaoxiao, he felt like he had found someone to confide in, and he poured out his experience in Hua Ruyan's room in one breath.

Originally, Pei Yan had a plan in mind: if she told Fang Xiaoxiao, Fang Xiaoxiao would definitely be a little jealous and throw a tantrum, so she could take the opportunity to coax her.

To his surprise, as soon as he finished speaking, Fang Xiaoxiao did not do as he expected. Instead, she crossed her arms and laughed loudly, the laughter echoing in the small room.

"Oh my, our young master Pei!"

Fang Xiaoxiao said with a smile.

"He thinks he's so great, just one trip and he's already captivated that young lady's heart!"

Her bright eyes curved into crescents, full of teasing.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan's face flushed red instantly, and he hurriedly waved his hand.

"Xiao Xiao, don't talk nonsense, I really don't have that intention!"

Fang Xiaoxiao, however, was not going to let him off the hook. She moved closer to him and tilted her head as she spoke.

"Hmph, you don't have those thoughts? Who would believe that! Look at you, you're probably secretly pleased with yourself!"

Pei Yan was speechless, and stammered in rebuttal.

"I...I really didn't! You...you're framing me!"

Fang Xiaoxiao laughed even harder and pointed at Pei Yan.

"Hey, look at you, you're so tongue-tied, you still won't admit it!"