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

Chapter 395: Why do you look like this?

Seeing the magistrate's panicked appearance, He Jinnian was full of suspicion and asked with a furrowed brow, "Magistrate, why do you look like this?"

The magistrate kept wiping the large beads of sweat from his forehead, and said with a fearful expression, "Qingfeng Village is an extremely dangerous bandit stronghold. It has been a tough nut to crack for many years! Our government has organized troops to encircle and suppress it many times, but each time we have returned empty-handed and have been unable to wipe it out at all."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao narrowed her beautiful eyes and thought to herself: This Qingfeng Village is so difficult to deal with, there must be something fishy going on, and it may be intricately connected with the government.

After the magistrate finished speaking, Fang Xiaoxiao gave a slight bow and then hurriedly took her leave with He Jinnian.

He Jinnian looked bewildered, following closely behind Fang Xiaoxiao, and kept asking, "They're leaving already? What happened?"

Fang Xiaoxiao slowed her pace, looked around, and after confirming that no one was around, leaned close to He Jinnian's ear and whispered, "I suspect that Qingfeng Village may be colluding with the government."

Upon hearing this, He Jinnian's eyes widened in shock, and his voice involuntarily rose a few decibels: "What? Who could be colluding with Qingfeng Village?"

Fang Xiaoxiao bit her lip lightly, shook her head slightly, and replied with a solemn expression, "I have no clue at the moment either."

Just then, Fang Xiaoxiao returned to Lingxi Pavilion with He Jinnian. Pei Yan had just stepped through the door in high spirits when his beaming smile froze the moment he saw Fang Xiaoxiao and He Jinnian talking with their heads down. His eyes turned cold, filled with jealousy, and he snorted coldly, saying sarcastically, "Oh, you're having a good chat!"

Fang Xiaoxiao felt a surge of annoyance at Pei Yan's sarcastic expression. Her pretty face darkened slightly, and she said coquettishly, "Pei Yan, what are you doing? Speak properly!"

Pei Yan, however, still crossed his arms, head held high, eyes filled with disdain, and snorted coldly: "What's wrong with me? You two are having such a close conversation, can't I even say a few words?"

He Jinnian looked completely bewildered, oblivious to Pei Yan's jealousy, and replied with a smile, "Brother Pei, you're overthinking it. We're just discussing serious matters." As he spoke, he unconsciously moved closer to Fang Xiaoxiao.

Fang Xiao sighed inwardly, glared at Pei Yan, and then turned her attention back to He Jinnian, asking, "Young Master He, tell me quickly, why do you think it's related to that Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in the inner city?"

He Jinnian's expression was serious, his gaze firm, and he said in a low voice, "My lady, you don't know this. A few days ago, I was drinking in a tavern in the city when I inadvertently saw the confidant of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel having a secret conversation with a mysterious person in a dark alley. The moonlight was dim at the time, but by the dim light coming from the tavern, I could see that the mysterious person's figure and attire were somewhat similar to the chieftain of Qingfeng Village that I had heard of."

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt, and asked, "I'm afraid it's difficult to draw a conclusion based on this alone?"

He Jinnian nodded slightly and continued, "Of course, it's not just that. Later, after making many inquiries, I discovered that this Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was quite secretive in his daily conduct and had dealings with some evil forces in the martial arts world. There must be something fishy about why Qingfeng Village has not been wiped out for so many years."

Just then, a lithe subordinate rushed over, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands and said, "Young master, I have made a new discovery."

He Jinnian's expression hardened, and he asked urgently, "Speak quickly!"

The subordinate took a breath and said, "I've found out that the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel has been frequently in contact with some unfamiliar faces recently, and his whereabouts are extremely secretive. Moreover, according to reliable sources, there seem to be letters between him and Qingfeng Village hidden in his residence."

A hint of surprise flashed in He Jinnian's eyes. He exchanged a glance with Fang Xiaoxiao and said, "It seems this matter is becoming increasingly complicated."

Pei Yan, who was listening from the side, also became serious. He stopped being sarcastic and said, "If that's really the case, then this Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is truly audacious."

Fang Xiaoxiao bit her lip lightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "So what should we do next?"

He Jinnian's gaze was firm, and he clenched his fists, saying, "I plan to first send someone to keep a close eye on the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel's every move, and look for an opportunity to sneak into his residence to investigate those letters."

Upon hearing He Jinnian's words, Pei Yan's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands excitedly, saying loudly, "Brother Jinnian's idea is absolutely brilliant! I will definitely support it with all my might!" His face was filled with excitement, as if he could already see the dawn of success.

Fang Xiaoxiao frowned as she looked at Pei Yan's loud and boisterous manner, feeling a surge of annoyance. She said irritably, "Pei Yan, can you be quiet for a while? Stop making a scene here!" Her eyes were filled with disdain and anger, and her pretty face looked particularly lively because of her anger.

Upon hearing Fang Xiaoxiao's rebuke, Pei Yan's lips trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes. He said aggrievedly, "Xiaoxiao, I'm doing this all for us. How can you say such a thing to me?" As he spoke, he tried to tug at Fang Xiaoxiao's sleeve, looking just like a wronged child.

Fang Xiaoxiao flung his hand away and shouted angrily, "Don't give me that! Don't I know you?"

Seeing this, Pei Yan became even more persistent, stepping forward to hug Fang Xiaoxiao's arm and pleading, "Xiaoxiao, I really know I was wrong, so please don't be angry with me anymore."

Fang Xiaoxiao struggled to break free and shouted, "Pei Yan, let go of me!"

Pei Yan not only refused to let go, but hugged her even tighter, saying pitifully, "I won't let go unless you forgive me."

Fang Xiaoxiao was both angry and helpless. She gritted her teeth and said, "Pei Yan, you've really opened my eyes today. How could you become so shameless!"

Pei Yan blinked and said innocently, "I was just trying to get your attention."

Fang Xiao stomped her foot angrily and said, "You're only making me hate you more!"

Pei Yan's face turned pale instantly, and he said in a trembling voice, "Xiao Xiao, I... I really don't want you to hate me."

Looking at his pitiful appearance, Fang Xiaoxiao's anger subsided a little. She sighed and said, "Alright, alright, stop making a scene."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan immediately smiled and said, "I knew Xiao Xiao was the best."

Fang Xiaoxiao made a move to leave, and Pei Yan seemed to wake from a dream, instantly abandoning his disgustingly coquettish manner and reverting to his usual aloof and arrogant demeanor. He said urgently, "Xiaoxiao, wait, I have indeed found out a lot of key information about Qingfeng Village that is unknown to others."

Fang Xiaoxiao stopped in her tracks, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes, but still with a touch of doubt. She turned around, sat down again, and said, "Oh? Then tell me quickly."

Pei Yan, however, remained unhurried, cleared his throat lightly, and said leisurely, "My throat is terribly dry right now." He tilted his head slightly, looking completely at ease.