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

Chapter 398: Then no money is needed.

The village chief quickly smiled and joked, "Oh dear, please don't be offended, I was referring to a month's accommodation fee."

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "That's fine, but we're only staying one night."

The village chief quickly nodded and replied, "If it's just for one night, then there's no need for money. Please feel free to stay, esteemed guests."

After saying that, he led Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan towards their lodgings. Along the way, Pei Yan kept wondering, and quietly asked, "Xiaoxiao, what are you really planning to do?"

Fang Xiaoxiao's gaze was firm, and she replied in a low voice, "Let's see how things go first, maybe we can find some clues."

Just then, a crow cawed a few times on a branch, its sound echoing through the quiet village with an eerie quality.

At this moment, a burly man who looked like the leader of a bald monk stood up and strode towards Fang Xiaoxiao. A fake smile appeared on his greasy face as he squinted and asked, "Female benefactor, would you be willing to listen to this humble monk preach to you?"

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, a hint of disgust in her eyes, and replied without hesitation, "We are atheists and have no interest in this sermon!"

The village chief, who was anxiously wringing his hands, quickly interjected with a fawning smile, saying, "My esteemed guest, it's alright to listen, it's alright to listen!"

Fang Xiaoxiao pondered to herself, her eyes darting around. After thinking for a moment, she decided to observe the situation first and nodded slightly, no longer refusing.

Night fell, and the stars twinkled in the sky. Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan, led by the village chief, arrived at the home of a Wang family in the east of the village. This family had two unmarried daughters.

When the eldest daughter of the Wang family saw Fang Xiaoxiao's beautiful face, a flash of jealousy instantly appeared in her eyes, and her face turned ashen.

Especially when she saw the handsome and dashing Pei Yan next to Fang Xiaoxiao, she was so angry that she gritted her teeth, as if a ball of anger was burning in her heart.

During the meal, Wang's eldest daughter pouted and said sarcastically, "Our family is dirt poor and we don't have anything good to offer you two. Please don't be offended." After saying that, she glared at Fang Xiaoxiao.

Fang Xiaoxiao was incredibly clever and saw through the other person's thoughts at a glance. She sneered inwardly, but still wore a faint smile on her face and said, "It's alright, I'm not picky about food. I'm content as long as I have something to eat."

The second daughter of the Wang family was much more lively and cheerful. Upon seeing Fang Xiaoxiao, she chattered away like a joyful little bird. Full of curiosity, she asked, "Sister, where are you from? Where did you come from, and where are you going?"

Fang Xiaoxiao's gaze softened as she said softly, "I come from Changle County in Jiangnan. I'm heading to the capital to find a job."

Upon hearing this, Wang's second daughter's eyes lit up like stars, and she said longingly, "The capital city must be an incredibly prosperous and wonderful place. Sister, could you take me with you?"

Upon hearing this, the eldest daughter of the Wang family slammed her hand on the table, glared fiercely at her younger sister, and said angrily, "Where are you going? Just stay at home and behave yourself. In a few days, we're going to Qingfeng Mountain with the monks to cultivate!"

Fang Xiaoxin's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly pondered: the relationship between the eldest daughter of the Wang family and the monks is probably not simple.

Just then, a sudden gust of wind swept in from outside the window, making the window creak and groan as if it were telling some secret.

Upon hearing this, Wang's second daughter burst into tears, sobbing, "I don't want to go, I'm scared."

Wang's eldest daughter instantly glared angrily and shouted, raising her voice, "Not going? If we don't go, where will the money come from to treat our parents' illnesses!"

The second daughter of the Wang family had eyes as red as a rabbit's, and tears rolled down her cheeks like broken beads as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Fang Xiaoxiao's doubts deepened, and she asked softly, "What exactly is going on?"

Wang's eldest daughter looked distressed and sighed heavily, saying, "Alas, our family is dirt poor, where would we get any money? My parents are both seriously ill and bedridden. Those bald monks said that as long as we go to Qingfeng Mountain to cultivate for thirty days, they will give us five taels of silver to buy medicine to treat our parents."

Fang Xiaoxiao then suddenly realized why so many villagers had listened attentively to the bald monks' sermons during the day.

Pei Yan gritted his teeth in anger and muttered under his breath, "These monks are truly treacherous and cunning!"

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned slightly, her gaze firm, and said, "Don't act rashly yet, let's see how things go first."

After dinner, Wang's eldest daughter said coldly, "It's too late, I don't have time to deal with you."

Wang's second daughter hurriedly said, "Sister, let me arrange for Miss Fang Xiao and Brother Pei Yan to rest."

Just as Wang's eldest daughter was about to visit her parents, she heard a violent cough coming from the room.

Fang Xiaoxiao immediately stood up and said sincerely, "I know a little about medicine, let me help you see what's wrong."

Wang's eldest daughter looked suspicious and tightly guarded the door, saying, "We don't need outside help; we can manage on our own."

Wang's second daughter was extremely anxious and grabbed her sister's arm, pleading, "Sister, please let Miss Fang Xiao take a look. What if she can cure Father and Mother's illness?"

Fang Xiaoxiao's gaze was firm; she was determined to help take a look.

After much hesitation, Wang's eldest daughter finally agreed reluctantly, saying, "Alright then, but please don't make it worse."

Just then, the moon outside was obscured by a thick cloud, making the atmosphere inside the room even more oppressive and gloomy.

Fang Xiaoxiao entered the room and carefully examined the patient. She first took the patient's pulse, then examined the patient's tongue coating and pupils. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that the patient's condition was quite strange. The patient's pulse was weak and feeble, yet it did not seem to be caused by a common illness.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, staring intently at the patient, examining him carefully for a long time. Her gaze was focused and sharp, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on her forehead.

Finally, as if she had discovered some earth-shattering secret, her expression turned extremely solemn, and she slowly said, "This is not an illness, but poisoning!"

Seeing this, the eldest daughter of the Wang family curled her lip, her face full of disdain, and snorted coldly: "Hmph, I think you are just a liar who only knows how to talk big. You've been pretending for so long, but you can't cure anything!" She crossed her arms, her eyes full of suspicion and contempt.

Wang's second daughter quickly waved her hand and said anxiously, "Sister, no, I believe in Miss Fang Xiao."

Fang Xiaoxiao's expression was serious. Ignoring the sarcasm from the eldest daughter of the Wang family, she pressed on, "When did your parents fall ill?"

Upon hearing this, Wang's eldest daughter's eyes widened instantly, and she roared angrily, "What does when someone gets sick have to do with treating patients? You don't know anything, what's the use of asking these nonsense questions!" Her voice was sharp and piercing, and the muscles on her face trembled slightly with anger.

Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and patiently explained, "This is crucial to finding the cause of the illness, so please tell me the truth."

Wang's second daughter tugged at her sister's sleeve and whispered, "Sister, please tell Miss Fang Xiao. Maybe it can really save our parents."

Wang's eldest daughter glared at Fang Xiaoxiao and muttered reluctantly, "About half a month ago."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao pondered to herself: Half a month ago? Wasn't that when the bald monks came to the village to preach? Could there be some connection between them?

At this moment, the candlelight in the room suddenly flickered a few times, its faint light swaying uncertainly in the darkness, making the atmosphere even more tense and eerie.