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

Chapter 462: The Princess Was Taken Away

Fang Xiaoxiao stared at the alley where the two had disappeared, making up her mind to follow them and find out what was going on. Her intuition told her that the two's appearance was suspicious, and it was very likely that the butler had deliberately let them out to lure her in. But even so, she was unwilling to let go of this possible clue.

She had just lifted her foot to step into the alley when a figure suddenly appeared and blocked her way.

"My lady, wait a moment," Pei Yan's voice came.

Fang Xiaoxiao felt relieved when she saw that it was Pei Yan, and quickly told him about the conversation she had just overheard between the two.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan frowned and calmly analyzed, "My lady, this matter is probably not that simple. In my opinion, if those two were indeed sent by the steward, there should be an ambush in this alley."

Fang Xiaoxiao bit her lip and said, "Even so, we can't let this opportunity pass. Maybe we can find some clues from their ambush and uncover the conspiracy behind it all."

Pei Yan looked at Fang Xiaoxiao's determined eyes and nodded: "My wife is very brave. In that case, let's risk our lives and explore this den of dragons and tigers."

The two cautiously entered the alley. A damp, rotten smell permeated the alley, and the surrounding silence was unsettling.

"Watch out!" Pei Yan suddenly grabbed Fang Xiaoxiao as a hidden arrow flew over their heads.

"There really was an ambush!" Fang Xiaoxiao said in a low voice.

Before they finished speaking, a group of men in black rushed out from the shadows and surrounded them.

"Who are you people?" Pei Yan shouted.

The man in black did not answer, but instead brandished his weapon and attacked.

Pei Yan and Fang Xiao stood back to back, engaging in a fierce battle with the men in black.

Pei Yan was highly skilled in martial arts, his moves were fierce, and each move was enough to repel several men in black. Fang Xiaoxiao was not to be outdone, nimbly dodging the attacks and waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

However, as the number of men in black increased, they gradually became overwhelmed.

"This can't go on," Pei Yan said.

Fang Xiaoxiao, panting heavily, asked, "Then what should we do?"

Pei Yan's eyes flashed: "Let's rush deeper into the alley, maybe we can find a way out."

So the two fought their way out and ran deeper into the alley.

The man in black was hot on their heels.

As they ran, they came to a dead end.

"Oh no!" Fang Xiaoxiao's expression changed.

Pei Yan looked around and suddenly noticed a small hole in the wall.

"Wife, quick, let's crawl out from here," Pei Yan said.

Fang Xiaoxiao didn't hesitate and was the first to slip out. Pei Yan followed closely behind.

As soon as they crawled out of the hole, they found themselves in an unfamiliar courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet, without a single person in sight.

"Where is this?" Fang Xiaoxiao asked in confusion.

Pei Yan shook his head: "I don't know, but let's find a place to hide first."

The two hid in an abandoned woodshed, not daring to breathe.

After a while, the sound of footsteps of men in black could be heard outside.

"They're catching up." Fang Xiaoxiao nervously gripped Pei Yan's hand.

Pei Yan gently patted her hand, signaling her not to be afraid.

The footsteps grew closer, and just when they thought they were about to be discovered, a shout suddenly rang out.

"It's water! It's water!"

The footsteps of the men in black suddenly became chaotic, and they all ran in the direction from which the sound came.

Pei Yan and Fang Xiaoxiao took the opportunity to escape from the courtyard.

"This was really close," Fang Xiao said cautiously, still shaken.

Pei Yan said, "But we didn't come away empty-handed. Those men in black were clearly prepared, which further confirms our suspicion that the person behind them is trying their best to cover something up."

Fang Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement: "We need to go back quickly and tell the prince about this."

The two hurried back to the Prince's Mansion, preparing to face even more severe challenges ahead.

Upon learning of Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan's ordeal, the prince was enraged and finally decided to take the initiative to eliminate the steward and his entourage.

"These villains dare to act so recklessly in my residence! I will make them pay the price!" the prince said angrily.

Fang Xiaoxiao stood aside, her expression serious: "Your Highness, we must be careful in this operation. The steward is cunning and likely already has some precautions."

Pei Yan nodded in agreement: "Yes, Your Highness, we must proceed with caution."

The prince waved his hand dismissively: "No need for further words, my mind is made up. Men, come with me to arrest the steward!"

So, the prince led a squad of personal guards, accompanied by Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan, and headed straight for the steward's residence in a menacing manner.

However, when they rushed into the butler's room, they found it empty and there was no trace of the butler.

"What happened? Where are they?" The prince stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan looked around the room and found that everything seemed to be in good order, not like they had fled in a hurry.

"Not good!" Fang Xiaoxiao and Pei Yan exchanged a glance and thought to themselves at the same time.

"Quickly go to the princess's room and check!" Fang Xiaoxiao said anxiously.

The two of them, without bothering to explain to the prince, ran towards the princess's room.

When they pushed open the door to the princess's room, their hearts sank to the bottom. The room was in disarray, and the princess was nowhere to be seen.

"Princess!" Fang Xiaoxiao called out anxiously.

Pei Yan's face was gloomy, and his fists were clenched tightly: "It seems we've fallen for the steward's diversionary tactic."

Fang Xiaoxiao said remorsefully, "It's all my fault. I never thought the housekeeper would be so cruel."

Pei Yan comforted him, "Now is not the time to blame ourselves. We must find the princess's whereabouts as soon as possible."

At this moment, the prince also rushed over upon hearing the news. When he saw the scene in the princess's room, he was so angry that he trembled all over.

"Damn steward! If anything happens to the princess, I will tear him to pieces!" the prince roared.

Fang Xiaoxiao calmed down and began to analyze: "Your Highness, the steward kidnapped the princess, he must be trying to use her to blackmail us. We must find their hiding place as soon as possible."

Pei Yan also said, "Yes, let's search the mansion carefully first, maybe we can find some clues."

So, everyone began a thorough search of the Prince's mansion.

Fang Xiaoxiao didn't miss a single corner; she carefully examined every suspicious trace. Suddenly, she found a jade pendant on the floor beside the bed.

"This is the princess's jade pendant!" Fang Xiaoxiao said with delight.

Pei Yan took the jade pendant and examined it carefully: "It seems that the princess was taken away here. Let's continue searching in this direction."

Following the clues, they arrived at the backyard of the Prince's mansion. There was a deserted garden in the backyard, rarely visited by anyone.

"Everyone be careful!" Pei Yan warned.

The group cautiously entered the garden, when suddenly they heard a sinister laugh.

"Hahaha, you've finally arrived," came the butler's voice.

Fang Xiaoxiao and the others looked in the direction of the sound and saw the steward holding the princess hostage in a pavilion.

"Steward, release the princess at once!" the prince roared.

The steward sneered, "Release the princess? Sure, as long as you agree to my conditions."

Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Don't even think about it! You've committed such a crime, you'll never have a good end."

The butler's face twisted in a grimace: "Then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Just then, taking advantage of the steward's inattention, Pei Yan leaped towards the pavilion.

A fierce battle ensued...