The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Gu Zhanghua stamped his feet and beat his chest, wiping away the tears that he couldn't even cry out.

"It's not that I wanted to! I was kidnapped by that group and forced to marry a man and enter the bridal chamber! I really want to die!"

At this point, Gu Zhanghua was filled with grief and continued:

"I never imagined that such a beautiful place as Jiaoyang Valley would be reduced to a den of bandits! The name Yanwangzhai truly lives up to its reputation! I've come all this way in vain, hoping to negotiate with their leader about surrendering! Good deeds are truly unrewarded! Lady, where can I go to seek justice?"

The woman looked at Gu Zhanghua and asked, "Recruit? Do you have the ability to do that?"

Gu Zhanghua hurriedly bowed to the woman again.

"I forgot to mention that I am the Fifth Prince, Gu Zhanghua. I was just canonized as the Virtuous King by my father. Who would have thought that tonight in Yanwangzhai, I almost, almost... lost my innocence!"

The woman looked at Gu Zhanghua's remorseful face, suddenly coughed lightly, and what she said surprised Gu Zhanghua.

The woman said, "Your Highness, you misunderstood. Not all of those people were from Jiaoyang Valley..."

Gu Zhanghua almost bit his tongue.

"Ah? Not all of them? Lady, why don't I understand what you mean?"

The woman rubbed her eyebrows.

"Some people, like the ones who dragged you to the wedding, and the bride... they were all invited by the boss to perform! Today is the boss's birthday, and they're just having some fun."

Gu Zhanghua was stunned.

"Performing an opera? How did the lady know about this?"

The woman said seriously, "Because I was also a distinguished guest invited by the boss. I just saw that they were making such an outrageous noise, and I was afraid that His Highness would be frightened to death, so I came to their rescue."

Gu Zhanghua was still confused.

"Then why did they take me up the mountain and force me to get married?"

The woman rubbed her chin.

"Ignorance is the best. There's also a saying that goes 'Ignorance is bliss.' Maybe they couldn't find a decent groom on the mountain, so they chose you!"

“But I later revealed my identity…”

"The show must be finished, otherwise how will they get paid? Your Highness, isn't that right?"

Gu Zhanghua thought about it, but couldn't figure it out at all. However, when he looked at the clear and pure eyes of the woman in front of him, he believed what she said without a doubt.

The woman continued, "They're really being ridiculous. I promise you, I'll report the whole story to the boss. He won't let them off! He'll definitely give you justice!"

Gu Zhanghua bowed deeply again: "Thank you very much, benefactor."

The woman waved her hand.

"You're welcome! Since His Royal Highness the Wise King came to Jiaoyang Valley with the intention of recruiting them, the boss and I are old friends. I know they were framed as the Hell King's Camp because of the boss's role as the Evil Slayer. But at the time, the plague was rampant, and so many people were waiting for money to save their lives. The boss had no choice! The empty reputation of a sword and the lives of hundreds of ordinary people, I think even if she knew the consequences, she would still have become the Evil Slayer. Even now, she has no regrets!"

Gu Zhanghua nodded slightly: "I see!"

The woman continued, "How about this? When I return, I will persuade the headmaster on your behalf to agree to your proposal to recruit them. I hope your Highness will be patient and not rush to wipe them out, lest innocent people be harmed. Just wait for good news after we return to the capital!"

Gu Zhanghua nodded: "That would be great, I'm so grateful!"

As Gu Zhanghua spoke, he took off a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to the woman.

"No matter what, I owe you a favor this time. I hope you will accept this jade pendant. If you need anything in the future, Zhang Hua will definitely risk his life to help you!"

The woman thought about it, took the jade pendant, and there was a smile in her voice.

"Alright, I'll take it. Think about it, you're so timid, even less courageous than a mouse. You might really be scared to death by them!"

Gu Zhanghua awkwardly dug the ground with his toes and stammered.

"I, I'm not a coward...it's just that they're making too much noise..."

"Okay, I'm leaving now. Be careful on your way!"

After the woman finished speaking, she turned around decisively, used her lightness skills, and soon disappeared.

Only then did the servant catch up, panting heavily. He looked around and asked, "Where is the heroine who just saved us?"

"Let's go! Shishu, let me tell you, this trip was worth it!"

"You're almost dead, is it worth it? Your Highness, are you awake now?"

"Shishu, I've learned a lesson. Sometimes seeing something isn't always believing it! Just listen to me and I'll explain it to you slowly..."

In the dense forest not far away, the woman who had quickly turned back watched the two people walk away quietly, then took off her veil and let out a long breath.

Under the moonlight, Zhao Xuan's pretty face revealed a hint of coldness. She punched the tree trunk and cursed, "Damn Hao Xiong!"

At this moment, there was a panic in the Jiaoyangyu Hall.

Everyone was hurriedly taking down the big red lanterns and restoring everything to its original state.

Hao Xiong, who was still wearing a bright red wedding dress, grabbed Dong Tian with some fear. Dong Tian was holding a lantern in his hand and looked at Hao Xiong impatiently.

"Why are you pulling me? I'm busy!"

Hao Xiong really felt guilty.

"Did you just see that? My sister gave me that terrifying look. It gave me the creeps! Do you think she'd beat me up?"

Dongtian sneered, "Then who do you blame? No matter how I try to persuade you, you won't listen! You insist on killing first and asking for permission later! In my opinion, beating you up is the least you can get!"

While the two were talking, Zhao Xuan strode into the hall. A big man saw Zhao Xuan coming in, shrank his neck, hugged a bench, and was about to run away.

Zhao Xuan stepped on the bench and the big man fell to the ground with a thud.

Zhao Xuan put her feet on a stool, rested her elbows on her thighs, supported her chin, and glanced at everyone. Everyone immediately fell silent and lowered their heads, not daring to meet Zhao Xuan's gaze.

Zhao Xuan's eyes finally fell on Hao Xiong, and Hao Xiong immediately smiled at Zhao Xuan innocently.

Zhao Xuan snorted coldly, "You! Don't play dumb! Tell me, what's going on with all this wedding ceremony and bridal chamber? I'm giving you a chance to explain!"

Hao Xiong hurried to Zhao Xuan, grabbed her arm and shook it.

Zhao Xuan pulled out her arm.

"Being coquettish won't work! If you don't tell me the truth today, get out of Jiaoyang Valley!"

"It's unfair, sister!"

Seeing that Zhao Xuan was really angry, Hao Xiong knelt down in front of her.

"Sister! Listen to my explanation! I really wanted to find a good husband for you! That's why I risked my life! I disguised myself as a woman and almost succeeded!

Zhao Xuan poked Hao Xiong's forehead hard.

"You're right? Do I need you to find me a husband? Are you my father or my mother?"

Hao Xiong stiffened his neck.

"Neither, but I am your brother! Sister! I accept the punishment, but for your happiness, I will not change my original intention! No matter how hard or tiring it is, I will never regret it! Look at our Fugui's wife, she is only seventeen this year and already has two children, and Wang Xiaocao just turned eighteen and is about to give birth, but what about you, sister? You are twenty-one this year, how can you marry someone without even a husband?"

Zhao Xuan blurted out: "Who is twenty-one? I only just turned twenty-one this year..."

Zhao Xuan suddenly stopped talking.

Hao Xiong looked at Zhao Xuan doubtfully: "Sister, aren't you twenty-one?"

Zhao Xuan quickly said, "Yes! I'm twenty-one, so what?"

Zhao Xuan was filled with regret. She thought she shouldn't have teased Hao Xiong. When she left Heyan Village to venture out into the world, she had just turned sixteen, but Hao Xiong was already nineteen. To become the eldest, she lied and claimed she was nineteen too, and was even born a moment earlier than Hao Xiong! This was how she tricked Hao Xiong into accepting her as his sister!

Now, this lied age has become a reason for Hao Xiong to arrange a marriage for me!

Zhao Xuan pounded her head with her fist in frustration, then heard Hao Xiong continue:

"Sister! What do you mean by 'so what'?! You can't compete with a grown man like me. You should get married sooner rather than later! Besides, the virtuous prince is one of the most popular men in our Xia country. He's considered a golden son-in-law by many people!"

Zhao Xuan looked up at Hao Xiong, her eyes speechless. Hao Xiong was counting on his fingers, and he was still talking confidently:

"He's handsome, noble, kind, simple, virtuous, and completely inexperienced. He's a perfect match for you, sister. We're a match made in heaven and rare on earth! And most importantly, our Jiaoyang Valley has been branded as the Hell King's Village by those bastards hired by the Tiandao League. We're in danger of being wiped out by the government at any moment. Having a brother-in-law like Xianwang as a shield is the best strategy! Don't you agree, sister?"

Zhao Xuan suddenly stood up, pointed at her nose and asked Hao Xiong.

"Are you scolding me or scolding me or scolding me? He is handsome and I am ugly? He is of noble status and I am of low status? He is kind and simple and I am just a gangster? We complement each other? You can't believe you can come up with such a thing! Besides, you think that making the virtuous king your brother-in-law can serve as a shield?"

When Zhao Xuan said this, she laughed in anger and kicked Hao Xiong to the ground.

"Bullshit! Absolutely utter nonsense! I'm not even saying you're brainless, you're just completely brainwashed! You're right, Jiaoyang Valley is indeed in a precarious situation right now, and the Kingdom of Yue has now determined that the people who robbed their caravan are ours. If it weren't for the years of discord between Xia and Yue, we would have been wiped out by a joint force long ago. How could we still be alive today?! Now, instead of being prepared for danger, you're deliberately provoking the virtuous king. Have you considered the consequences? There's no need to wait for the government to intervene. If the virtuous king, humiliated by this, leads his troops to suppress us, how could we possibly survive?"

Hao Xiong said aggrievedly, "I didn't mean to humiliate him... I calculated the time and knew you should be back, sister. I wanted to wait for you to come back and marry him myself... but I was afraid that if it took too long, something might happen... That's why... I really didn't expect such a good thing that day! The virtuous king actually walked into the trap right under my nose! It would be a shame not to capture him and bring him back..."

Zhao Xuan raised her hand and patted Hao Xiong's head hard.

"You're still talking?! You're still talking! Now that things have come to this, I want to ask you, if the virtuous king really brings his troops to encircle and suppress us, what should we do?!"

Upon hearing this, Hao Xiong's face turned pale and he was speechless. The big guys beside him also looked terrified.

Zhao Xuan sighed, then took out the jade pendant from her arms and showed it to everyone.

"Luckily, I noticed something was amiss as soon as I got back. After asking the patrolmen, I realized you were putting on a good show! Luckily, I was quick-witted and acted like a hero saving the damsel in distress. I also comforted him with kind words and smoothed things over for you! Now the virtuous king considers me his savior. This is the token of his love, his personal jade pendant! No matter what, I'll have some wiggle room in the future!"

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Hao Xiong was a little bit unbelievable.

"Sister, did you really deceive the virtuous king with just a few words? This virtuous king is really a bit stupid..."

Zhao Xuan was so angry that she shouted, "I'm telling the truth! The absolute truth!"

Zhao Xuan knew very well at this moment that she had never believed in any wise king. She always believed in her childhood friend, Xiao Wu. Since he had promised to wait for her news, he would definitely wait and would definitely give Jiaoyang Valley a chance to surrender.

Zhao Xuan calmed down, pulled Hao Xiong up from the ground, pressed Hao Xiong's shoulders with both hands, and said earnestly:

"Hao Xiong, I'm telling you, the fate of Jiaoyang Valley, and your sister's and my happiness, are all firmly in our own hands! Believe me, I will definitely come up with a good solution to resolve Jiaoyang Valley's predicament!"

Hao Xiong hung his head.

"Sister...I...I know I was wrong!"

Only then did Zhao Xuan look at everyone and waved her hand.

"Alright, we've been busy all night, let's all go back and rest early. Hao Xiong, you should go back too."

Just as Hao Xiong was about to turn around and walk out dejectedly, he saw Qiuju running into the hall in a hurry and grabbing Hao Xiong.

"Something terrible is happening! Quick! Follow me!"

Hao Xiong touched his head in confusion.

"what happened again?"

Qiu Ju stamped her feet and said, "Oh! That girl you rescued a few days ago is gone!"