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

Chapter 511: Bad News Arrives from the Li Residence

Before the morning mist had fully dissipated, Fang Xiaoxiao arrived at the Li residence with Hongxiu. White silk ribbons hung high, paper money fluttered in the air, and the faint sounds of mourning could be heard coming from inside the mansion.

"Miss, are we really going in?" Hongxiu asked, clutching her handkerchief, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Since we're here, we should naturally go in and take a look." Fang Xiaoxiao straightened her plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and stepped across the threshold. She had deliberately chosen this outfit, which was neither too formal nor impolite.

As soon as I entered the front yard, I heard arguing coming from the east wing.

"My father's body is barely cold, and you're already demanding a share of the inheritance?!" Li Chengde, Li Fu's eldest son, spoke with rage. "You're just a second wife; what right do you have to claim everything my father left behind?"

“Chengde, you’re wrong about that.” Madam Li’s voice was still gentle, but with a hint of sharpness. “My husband wrote a contract before he died, stating that I have a share in all the properties in this mansion.”

Fang Xiaoxiao looked in the direction of the sound and saw Li Chengde grabbing Madam Li's wrist, forcing her into a corner. Madam Li's hair was disheveled, and there were still tear stains on her face, but she was still tightly protecting the box in her arms.

"Stop!" Fang Xiaoxiao stepped forward quickly and grabbed Li Chengde's wrist. "Young Master Li, your father has just passed away. What are you doing?"

Li Chengde turned around, and after recognizing the person, he sneered, "So it's Miss Fang. This is a family matter of the Li family; you don't need to concern yourself with it."

“Young Master Li, you are mistaken.” Fang Xiaoxiao subtly tightened her grip, causing Li Chengde to wince in pain and forcing him to release Madam Li. “Madam Li is the widow of Master Li. If word gets out that you are treating her like this, it won’t sound good.”

Li Chengde shook off Fang Xiaoxiao's hand, a sinister glint in his eyes: "Miss Fang, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business. This woman..." He pointed at Madam Li, "...she killed my father!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Madam Li retorted sharply. "Master... he suddenly fell ill..."

"An acute illness?" Li Chengde sneered. "My father has always been in good health. How could he have died bleeding from all seven orifices after taking the pills you gave him?"

Fang Xiao's head jumped. She had long suspected that Li Fu's death was not simple, but she didn't expect it to be related to pills.

“Young Master Li, you can’t say things like that,” Fang Xiaoxiao stepped in front of Madam Li. “The cause of Master Li’s death should be investigated by the authorities. Your aggressive manner only makes people think you…”

"What do you think of me?" Li Chengde narrowed his eyes. "Miss Fang, you've been protecting this woman at every turn. Could it be that you're in cahoots with her?"

Just as Fang Xiaoxiao was about to retort, she suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw several servants running towards her, carrying ropes in their hands.

"Young master, the people have been brought." The head servant said.

Li Chengde grinned maliciously: "Arrest this woman!"

The servants immediately stepped forward to grab Madam Li. Madam Li screamed and hid behind Fang Xiaoxiao.

"I'd like to see who dares!" Fang Xiaoxiao pulled out a handful of silver needles from her sleeve. "Young Master Li, are you going to resort to torture?"

“Miss Fang, I advise you not to meddle in other people’s business,” Li Chengde said ominously, “otherwise…”

"Otherwise what?" A cold voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone turned around and saw Pei Yan appear in the courtyard at some point. He was dressed in a long black robe, his face was pale, but he exuded an air of authority.

"Young Master Pei?" Li Chengde's expression changed. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard that Master Li has passed away, so I came to offer my condolences." Pei Yan walked in slowly, his gaze cold and stern. "I didn't expect to see this scene as soon as I entered. Young Master Li, what are you doing here?"

Cold sweat beaded on Li Chengde's forehead: "This...this is a family matter of our Li family..."

"Family matters?" Pei Yan sneered. "Using vigilante justice to humiliate a widowed mother—this is your Li family's family matter?"

Li Chengde was speechless. Although Pei Yan's identity was currently unknown, his every move exuded an air of nobility, which made Li Chengde dare not act rashly.

"Young Master Li, I advise you to think twice," Pei Yan said calmly. "If word gets out, it won't be good for the Li family's reputation."

Li Chengde's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll give Young Master Pei face today." He glared fiercely at Madam Li. "Let's go!"

The servants followed Li Chengde away, and the courtyard immediately fell silent.

Madam Li breathed a sigh of relief and said to Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan, "Thank you both for saving us."

“Madam, you’re too kind.” Fang Xiaoxiao helped Madam Li sit down. “However, what Young Master Li said just now…”

Madam Li's expression changed, and she instinctively hugged the box in her arms tighter.

Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing doubt in each other's eyes.

Just then, a scream suddenly came from afar: "Fire!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw thick smoke billowing from the east wing.

"That's the master's study!" Madam Li exclaimed and was about to run over there.

"Madam, don't go!" Fang Xiaoxiao quickly grabbed her. "It's too dangerous!"

Pei Yan had already run towards the fire: "I'm going to check it out!"

As Fang Xiaoxiao watched Pei Yan's retreating figure, a sudden sense of foreboding washed over her. This fire was too suspicious.

The fire in the east wing intensified, thick smoke billowing into the sky. Fang Xiaoxiao clutched her handkerchief tightly, watching Pei Yan's figure disappear into the smoke, her heart filled with anxiety.

“Miss, Young Master Pei…” Hongxiu said worriedly from the side.

"He'll be alright." Fang Xiaoxiao tried to remain calm, but her gaze never left the fire. She knew Pei Yan was highly skilled in martial arts, but the fire's occurrence was too strange, making her worry.

A moment later, Pei Yan rushed out of the fire. His robes were blackened and his face was covered in soot.

"How is it?" Fang Xiaoxiao hurriedly stepped forward.

Pei Yan shook his head: "The fire is too big; we can't get in at all. And..." he lowered his voice, "I suspect someone deliberately set the fire."

Fang Xiaoxiao's head sank. She had long suspected that Li Fu's death was suspicious, and that evidence might have been hidden in the study. Now that the study had been burned down, the trail had gone cold.

"It seems we have no choice but to abandon the investigation for now," Fang Xiaoxiao sighed.

Pei Yan nodded: "For now, this is the only way. However, I will continue my investigation in secret and will notify you immediately if I find any clues."

Fang Xiaoxiao looked at him gratefully: "Thank you, Young Master Pei."

Back at Lingxi Pavilion, Fang Xiaoxiao devoted all her energy to running the medicinal cuisine shop. She renovated the shop, added many new utensils, and developed several new dishes.

"Miss, please try this." Hongxiu walked in carrying a steaming bowl of herbal soup. "This is a 'beauty soup' prepared according to your new recipe."

Fang Xiaoxiao took the bowl, took a small sip, and nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, it tastes sweet and has a mild medicinal effect, very suitable for women."

"Shall we start selling this tomorrow?" Hongxiu asked excitedly.