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

Chapter 411: My Jade Pendant is Gone

Just then, a commotion arose not far ahead. They looked in the direction of the sound and saw the three barbarians from the poetry gathering arguing heatedly with someone.

"My jade pendant is gone! It must have been stolen by some blind fool!" The leader of the barbarians glared with eyes like copper bells, waving his thick arms and shouting loudly.

His two companions also looked angry and kept cursing.

Fang Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat when she saw this. Recalling the three mysterious men in black in the room last night, a thought flashed through her mind: Could there be some connection between the two?

The barbarians were arguing fiercely when they turned around and saw Fang Xiaoxiao and the princess. A look of surprise flashed across the face of the leading barbarian, and then he strode towards them.

He stood in front of Fang Xiaoxiao, looking down at her, and said in a gruff voice, "Hmph, it's you again?"

Fang Xiaoxiao met his gaze without fear and calmly said, "Perhaps I can help you find your jade pendant."

Upon hearing this, the barbarian's eyes widened in disbelief, and he asked urgently, "What did you say?"

Without wasting any words, Fang Xiaoxiao turned and walked towards the inn. Seeing this, the barbarian quickly followed.

Upon reaching the room door, Fang Xiaoxiao pushed it open and pointed to the three men in black tied up on the ground, saying, "Take a look and see if they stole your jade pendant."

The barbarian rushed into the room, scrutinizing the man in black. His expression shifted from anger to surprise.

Fang Xiaoxiao took out the jade pendant from her bosom, waved it in front of the barbarian, and said, "Is this the one you lost?"

The barbarian snatched the jade pendant, his eyes filled with joy, and hurriedly thanked her, saying, "Thank you, young lady, thank you, young lady!"

Fang Xiaoxiao crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Don't thank me yet. You need to explain to me what your relationship is with these three men in black."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across the barbarian's face. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Young lady, to be honest, these three are our men. But we really didn't know they would do such a petty theft."

Fang Xiaoxiao snorted coldly, staring sharply at the barbarians, and said, "Then why did they steal the jade pendant? And why did they break into our room in the middle of the night?"

The barbarian scratched his head and said, "This...this is all a misunderstanding. We came here to find an ancestral treasure, and this jade pendant is the key to unlocking it. These three fools thought they could find the treasure by stealing the jade pendant, but..."

Fang Xiaoxiao interrupted him and questioned, "Then why did you come to us when you were looking for treasure?"

The barbarian quickly waved his hand and said, "Miss, this is really a misunderstanding. They must have come to the wrong place. We have no ill intentions towards you or the princess."

The princess couldn't help but say, "Hmph, even if it's a misunderstanding, you've gone too far! If it weren't for Fang Xiaoxiao's quick thinking, we would probably be in grave danger."

The barbarian looked ashamed, bowed deeply, and said, "It's our fault for causing you two so much trouble. We are truly sorry."

Fang Xiaoxiao looked at the barbarians and said, "I'll let it go this time, but I hope you will act openly and honestly in the future and stop doing these sneaky things."

The barbarian nodded repeatedly, assuring her, "Don't worry, young lady, there will absolutely not be a next time."

After saying this, the barbarian hurriedly left with three men in black.

Fang Xiaoxiao and the princess stood there, watching their departing figures, but the doubts in their hearts were not completely resolved.

"Xiao Xiao, do you think they are telling the truth?" The princess turned her head and asked with a puzzled look.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "Princess, this matter is probably not that simple. Their story is full of loopholes. If the jade pendant is so important, how could it be easily stolen by their subordinates? And why are they searching for treasure so furtively?"

The princess said worriedly, "Could they have some other conspiracy?"

Fang Xiaoxiao comforted her, "Princess, don't be afraid. No matter what their schemes are, I will protect you. Let's observe for a while and see what they do next."

As the two were talking, a dark shadow suddenly swept past them from behind. Fang Xiaoxiao turned around alertly, but saw nothing.

"Princess, be careful!" Fang Xiaoxiao shielded the princess behind her, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

The princess grabbed Fang Xiaoxiao's arm tightly, her voice trembling as she asked, "Xiaoxiao, what's going on?"

Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and said, "Princess, perhaps I was too nervous and had a hallucination. But let's hurry back to the inn."

The two quickened their pace toward the inn, their hearts pounding with anxiety the entire way.

Back in their inn room, Fang Xiaoxiao and the princess sat on chairs, their hearts still pounding.

"Xiao Xiao, I have a feeling things won't end so easily," the princess said worriedly.

Fang Xiaoxiao's gaze was firm as she said, "Princess, no matter what, I will not let you get hurt."

However, unbeknownst to them, a far greater crisis was quietly approaching...

Fang Xiaoxiao and the princess hurried back to the inn. Before they even stepped into their room, they saw a familiar figure standing in the inn's lobby. It was the white-robed man they had met at the poetry gathering. Today, he was still wearing a snow-white robe, his posture upright and his demeanor refined.

Fang Xiaoxiao and the princess stepped forward. The man in white smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am Zhu Jinxiu, and I greet you two young ladies."

The princess nodded slightly, while Fang Xiaoxiao looked him up and down, secretly guessing his purpose.

Zhu Jinxiu's gaze fell on the princess, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes. She then said, "It is truly fate that we meet here today. I would like to invite you both to watch the Junxi Opera. What do you think?"

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned and asked, "Junxi? What kind of opera is that? I've never heard of it before."

Zhu Jinxiu smiled slightly and patiently explained, "Junxi is a unique opera form in our Junxian County. It integrates elements of singing, dancing, storytelling, and martial arts. The performance style is rich and diverse, and the plot is full of ups and downs and wonderful performances."

Fang Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment after hearing this, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Zhu, but the princess and I have just gone through some things and are exhausted. I'm afraid we don't have the mood to watch the play."

The princess, however, was very interested as she listened. She tugged at Fang Xiaoxiao's sleeve and said, "Xiaoxiao, this opera sounds very interesting. Let's go and take a look."

Fang Xiaoxiao glanced at the princess helplessly and said, "Princess, we should rest first."

The princess shook her head and said, "Xiao Xiao, it's a rare opportunity, let's go."

Seeing that the princess insisted, Fang Xiaoxiao could not refuse any longer and said, "Alright then, since the princess wants to go, we will go together."