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

As he spoke, he shook his head and sighed, his facial expressions exaggerated. His eyes were wide open and his mouth was slightly agape, as if he were the one who cared most about this matter. But in reality, his gaze kept scanning back and forth between Fang Xiaoxiao and the people around him, as if he was observing everyone's reactions.

When he said the words "lost his head," the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible sneer, a smile full of threat and schadenfreude.

His hands were behind his back, and he kept rubbing his fingers together. This was a habitual action he took when he was feeling smug. At this moment, he was probably plotting how to use this incident to achieve his own goals.

Fang Xiaoxiao looked at Pei Changqing's strange behavior and couldn't help but feel a sense of suspicion.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, looked coldly at Pei Changqing, and said, "Second Prince, the matter has not been investigated clearly yet, and you are so certain that there is a problem with the medicinal food in the store. Isn't that a bit too hasty?"

Furthermore, you seem uninterested in the details of the matter, yet you're quick to jump to conclusions. Why is that?

When Fang Xiaoxiao asked him this, Pei Changqing's face showed a hint of panic, but he quickly regained his composure and chuckled twice, saying, "Miss Fang, you misunderstand. I was just concerned about you. Seeing so many people poisoned, I was anxious and couldn't help but say something without thinking."

As he spoke, he looked at the poisoned people with feigned concern, his face showing a pained expression, but there was no trace of sadness in his eyes. He was just secretly observing Fang Xiaoxiao's reaction.

Fang Xiaoxiao noticed that Pei Changqing's behavior was very strange and became secretly on guard, but the most urgent task at hand was to find out what kind of poison these people had been given so that she could treat the symptoms.

Just as she was about to bend down again to check the symptoms of the poisoned person, a series of noisy footsteps came from the entrance of Lingxi Pavilion.

The eldest prince, Pei Zuo, strode in, dressed in a black robe with python patterns and a jade pendant hanging from his waist. Each step was large and hurried, revealing his eagerness and arrogance. Behind him followed a group of guards, each with a cold expression, holding weapons, and exuding a menacing aura.

What's even more striking is that the prefect himself followed behind him with trepidation, his forehead covered in sweat, which he would occasionally wipe away.

Upon entering Lingxi Pavilion, Pei Zuo didn't even glance at the chaotic scene inside, nor did he stop Fang Xiaoxiao's ongoing inspection. Without a word, he waved his hand and loudly ordered, "Take control of the entire Lingxi Pavilion! No one is allowed to enter or leave!"

His voice echoed in the hall, filled with unquestionable authority, startling the surrounding diners into retreating, making the already chaotic hall even noisier.

Pei Zuo led the group toward Fang Xiaoxiao and her companions, his eyes revealing an arrogant condescension, as if everyone here was nothing more than ants in his eyes.

He walked up to Fang Xiaoxiao, tilted his head slightly, his nostrils flaring upwards, and said in a contemptuous tone, "Hmph, Fang Xiaoxiao, you really have a lot of nerve, daring to cause a death in the capital!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao's focused expression froze instantly, her eyes widening in disbelief and astonishment.

Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she was too shocked to speak. Her brows furrowed tightly, forming a deep "川" shape, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead from surprise and anger.

Her body trembled slightly involuntarily, and the handkerchief she had prepared to use to examine the poisoned person slipped from her hand.

She subconsciously took a small step back, as if wanting to get further away from Pei Zuo's unreasonable accusations.

Anger flashed in her eyes as she stared directly at Pei Zuo, thinking to herself, "How could Pei Zuo suddenly appear like this, and act so indiscriminately? It's utterly absurd!"

However, Pei Zuo didn't give her a chance and directly turned to the prefect, ordering, "What are you all standing there for? Arrest all these people and bring them back to the yamen for strict interrogation!"

The prefect nodded and bowed hastily, replying, "Yes, yes, yes, I will take care of it immediately."

Upon hearing that they were going to arrest someone, Zhou Wenjian and his accomplices were stunned. They looked at each other, their faces filled with surprise and panic.

Zhou Wenjian instinctively stepped in front of Fang Xiaoxiao, his voice trembling as he said, "What right do you have to arrest us? We didn't do anything!"

Pei Zuo sneered and said disdainfully, "On what grounds? Because someone died in this Lingxi Pavilion, and you are the culprits!"

Lingxi Pavilion instantly descended into even greater chaos, with diners shouting their dissatisfaction and guards starting to drive the crowd away, attempting to surround and take Fang Xiaoxiao and her companions away.

Looking at the chaotic scene before her, Fang Xiaoxiao felt both angry and helpless. She knew that Pei Zuo was deliberately trying to cause trouble, but she didn't know how to deal with the situation.

Just as Pei Zuo ordered Fang Xiaoxiao and the others to be arrested, Pei Changqing stepped forward with a seemingly gentle smile on his face, raised his hands slightly, and made a gesture of persuasion, saying, "Brother, this matter may just be an accident. In my opinion, perhaps Lingxi Pavilion has been framed."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the chaotic Lingxi Pavilion.

Upon hearing Pei Changqing's words, Pei Zuo's already gloomy expression instantly turned even more unpleasant.

He turned his head, his eyes filled with disgust and disdain, and glared fiercely at Pei Changqing as if he were looking at something repulsive.

His lips curled into a mocking sneer, and he snorted heavily through his nostrils, saying, "Hmph, you, a mere illegitimate son, dare to point fingers at me? What right do you have to speak here?" Pei Zuo's voice was sharp and piercing, each word like a blade stabbing straight at Pei Changqing.

Upon hearing this, Pei Changqing's smile froze instantly, his face turning pale and then red. His hands clenched involuntarily, his knuckles turning white from the force, and a hint of barely concealed anger and resentment flashed in his eyes.

However, this fleeting emotion was short-lived; the next second, he quickly adopted a submissive and timid demeanor.

He lowered his head slightly, his face full of humble smiles and his eyes full of flattery. He bowed repeatedly to Pei Zuo and apologized, "Brother is right. I shouldn't have spoken out of turn. I hope you won't be angry." His voice trembled slightly, with a hint of fear, as if he was really frightened by Pei Zuo's imposing presence.

Pei Zuo didn't even bother to look at Pei Changqing again. He turned around and strode towards Fang Xiaoxiao and the others.

His steps were firm and powerful, each step seemingly striking the hearts of the crowd, conveying his strength and domineering presence.

He walked up to Fang Xiaoxiao, looked down at her, and had a smug look on his face.

He slowly took out a letter from his pocket, held it up in his hand, shook it vigorously, and said loudly, "I have received a report from someone that the Lingxi Pavilion deliberately poisoned and harmed the people, and now the evidence is conclusive."

"Guards! Arrest everyone from Lingxi Pavilion!"

His voice echoed within the Lingxi Pavilion, filled with unquestionable authority. Upon hearing the order, the surrounding guards immediately swarmed forward, surrounding Fang Xiaoxiao, Zhou Wenjian, and the others.