Chapter 297 The World Is Like This

After Butler Fan explained the situation last night, he said goodbye and left.

He had only come to say hello.

Last night, the eunuch in flowery clothes made him realize that the two young ladies in front of him were not ordinary people.

Their Hou family acted a little overbearing in Hu Yulou last night, and Butler Fan couldn't help thinking too much, fearing that he would leave a bad impression on the two young ladies, so he came to thank them so politely.

After listening to Butler Fan's narration, the three people looked at each other in surprise.

Originally, except for Princess Yuan An, the three children thought that the haunted things were just rumors.

But with the parties' frank words, even the three children couldn't help but waver.

Because even Princess Ankang, who reads all the books, has never seen detailed records about ghosts in any book.

This reading of all the books is not just an exaggeration. Since the three children can go to Qianxing Pavilion once a month, Princess Ankang's reading volume has increased sharply.

Although she is still mainly studying the content about the North Territory recently, she has also read a lot of popular science content about this world.

Princess Ankang had read a book describing various life forms in the world, but she remembered that there was no description of ghosts in it.

But facing what Butler Fan said about last night, Princess Ankang had to wonder if there was a possibility that ghosts could not be classified as life forms.

"Sister, this is much more interesting than the case assigned to us!"

The three children were still confused, but Princess Yuan'an's eyes were already shining with excitement.

"Ah?"

The three children did not expect that Princess Yuan'an was not afraid of ghosts at all, but was very interested in them.

In fact, Li Xuan and Princess Ankang were also somewhat curious about the origin of this female ghost.

Princess Ankang wanted to make up for her knowledge gap, while Li Xuan felt uneasy.

If there really were ghosts in the world, Li Xuan needed to find out whether he could kill them.

Since he started practicing, he was particularly concerned about whether there was something outside his power system.

After all, that meant trouble that he could not solve.

If it is true that as Butler Fan said, the ghost fire can quietly ignite a person, Li Xuan must consider whether he can prevent such a situation from happening.

Who knows, Princess Ankang and Yu'er may be targeted by ghosts one day.

"Sister, how about we check the matter of this female ghost today?"

"It just so happens that we haven't decided what to do today, right?"

Princess Yuan'an suggested enthusiastically.

Li Xuan clearly saw that the faces of the eunuchs in flowery clothes became ugly.

Immediately, one of them knelt down and persuaded:

"Ladies, the ghost story is illusory."

"Most likely someone is playing tricks behind the scenes."

"The method that Butler Fan mentioned can be done by some masters."

"If you get involved casually, I'm afraid it will cause revenge from that master."

"Please think twice, ladies."

It is his duty, and he has to say these words even if he bites the bullet.

And sure enough, Princess Yuan'an didn't take these words seriously at all.

"Don't forget, we left the palace to investigate the case."

"Now that a murder has happened, how can my sister and I pretend not to know?"

"And maybe this is part of the competition."

Princess Yuan An said this, and the flower-dressed eunuchs could no longer refute it.

Then, Princess Yuan An also smiled and continued:

"Besides, if there is really a master, can he be better than you guys?"

The flower-dressed eunuchs looked at each other and looked bitter.

Facts have proved that Princess Yuan An is not low in emotional intelligence, but she selectively uses her emotional intelligence.

The three little ones were also curious about this case, and now that Princess Yuan An has become the bad guy, they are spared from talking.

Seeing that the flower-dressed eunuch was silent, Princess Yuanan smiled triumphantly, and then said to Princess Ankang:

"Sister, after breakfast, I will go to check the rumors about the female ghost. At noon, shall we meet here?"

Princess Yuanan had already had her own direction of investigation, so she decided it as soon as she opened her mouth.

Seeing that she had an idea, Princess Ankang nodded:

"I'll do it, sister. I'll check other related people. At noon, we will check the clues in hand."

What happened last night aroused the interest of the two.

After they quickly finished breakfast, they split up and left.

Princess Yuanan was a completely different person from when she went to investigate her case yesterday. She was full of energy.

Watching Princess Yuanan leave in a hurry, the three children stood outside Hu Yulou with half of the remaining flower-dressed eunuchs and the eunuchs in charge of recording.

"Miss, where are we going now?"

Yu'er pushed Princess Ankang's wheelchair and asked.

"Ah Xuan, what do you think?"

Princess Ankang lowered her head and asked Li Xuan in her arms.

Li Xuan thought about it, then swung his tail and wrote a few names on Princess Ankang's palm.

"Zhao Si, Ayimu, Mama Zhou, Doctor Fang, and Butler Fan."

Originally, there should be another female ghost, but Princess Yuan An has already checked this clue, so there is no need for them to check it again.

It would be best if they could get relevant clues on the way.

Now, there is no need to take the initiative to check.

Looking at the names written by Li Xuan on her palm, Princess Ankang nodded.

"Ayimu, the courtesan of Hu Yulou, disappeared, and Mama Zhou is now under house arrest in Hu Yulou by the Hou family."

"I have already asked Butler Fan once before, but I am afraid that I will not get anything if I ask again."

"At the moment, Zhao Si and Doctor Fang are the most suitable to investigate."

Princess Ankang summarized and had an idea.

"Let's go find Doctor Fang first. I saw him in Hu Yulou before."

At this time, the quick-eyed eunuch in flowery clothes had returned to Hu Yulou to inquire, and soon came back to give an answer:

"Miss, Doctor Fang has returned to his clinic after being questioned by the officials."

"The address of the clinic is here."

The eunuch in flowery clothes presented a hastily written note and handed it to Yu'er who was pushing the wheelchair.

Yu'er unfolded it in front of Princess Ankang and showed her the words on it.

"Okay, let's go here first."

The group went to the address on the note.

In just a moment, they came to an alley not far from Hu Yulou.

Compared with the prosperity of Hua Street, this place seemed much more dilapidated.

And there were many figures hidden in the shadows of the alley.

These people were lying or sitting with numb eyes, like a group of walking corpses. When they saw Princess Ankang and her group breaking into the alley, they turned their cloudy eyes and looked at them curiously.

Li Xuan frowned and looked at these people hiding in the alley.

Due to the tall buildings on both sides, the light in the alley was very dim even during the day.

And there was an unpleasant smell here, which made people feel sick.

The way these people looked at Princess Ankang and Yu'er made Li Xuan very unhappy.

But these guys soon saw the flower-clothed eunuchs in charge of the guard.

Although the flower-clothed eunuchs were no longer wearing the flower-clothed clothes of the palace, but ordinary warrior clothes, they were all tall and burly, and their momentum of practicing martial arts for many years was even colder.

The flower-clothed eunuchs swept their sharp eyes like hawks, and those who hid in the shadows of the alley all turned their eyes away and dared not look again.

Li Xuan did not expect that such a street rat was hidden in the seemingly prosperous Dongshi Flower Street.

The physical condition and expressions of these people were not quite right, and they looked like they had taken an overdose of drugs.

"It seems that there are always shadows behind any prosperity."

Li Xuan looked at these people, wondering how they could be so neither human nor ghost.

At the end of the alley, there were several dilapidated houses.

According to the address he had inquired about before, the inconspicuous house at the end was Doctor Fang's clinic.

However, there was not even a plaque in front of the clinic, and it was unknown how Doctor Fang usually saw patients.

If they had not inquired before, who would have known that this was a clinic?

The eunuch in flowery clothes went forward and knocked on the door, but there was no response after knocking for a long time.

At this time, a door next door opened a crack at some point.

"Who are you?"

An old voice suddenly came, scaring the three little ones.

Behind the crack in the door was a white-haired old woman, her dark skin was a little red from the sun, and her face was full of dense wrinkles.

She opened one eye that was almost unable to open, and looked at Princess Ankang and others vigilantly.

"Old lady, we are here to see Doctor Fang. Isn't he at home?"

The old woman saw Princess Ankang sitting in a wheelchair, and opened the crack of her door a little more, revealing half of her body.

"Doctor Fang went out last night and hasn't come back yet?"

"Are you here to see a doctor?"

"Can I leave a message for Doctor Fang for you?"

The old woman's attitude was obviously much gentler than before.

Even though Princess Ankang was surrounded by the eunuchs in flowery clothes who looked scary, she didn't seem to be as wary of them as she was at the beginning.

"Old lady, I'm not here to see a doctor."

"Last night, Doctor Fang saved my cat."

"I came here to thank him."

Princess Ankang picked up Li Xuan in her arms, and Li Xuan also cooperated with a delicate meow.

"Is that so."

It can be clearly seen that the old woman's eyes softened a little after seeing Li Xuan.

"Doctor Fang may be back soon, you guys wait at the door."

"Or, you can come back later."

"I will tell Doctor Fang about your visit."

The old woman said as she was about to close the door again.

Princess Ankang's eyes flashed, and then she smiled sweetly and asked the old woman:

"Old lady, can we borrow your place to rest?"

"We are a little tired after coming all the way here."

The old woman looked back at them, and then loosened her hand to close the door.

"It's up to you. Anyway, if you want to come in, I can't stop you."

"Uh..."

Princess Ankang's expression froze immediately, not knowing what to do.

This made them seem like they were breaking into a private house.

At this time, the old woman's voice came from behind the door again:

"Come in."

With these words, Princess Ankang breathed a sigh of relief, and then ordered the flower-clothed eunuchs:

"Others stay outside the door, and one person will accompany us in."

The flower-clothed eunuchs nodded and immediately set up control nearby.

The flower-clothed eunuch who was pretending to be Li Xuan last night followed them into the old woman's yard.

Li Xuan then realized that this flowery eunuch was actually a team leader.

After entering the door, they found that the yard was not small.

However, the weeds in the yard were overgrown, and it was obvious that it had not been properly taken care of for a long time.

There were three low houses surrounding the yard, which was a good layout facing north and south.

Moreover, this area was a little far from the Flower Street, and those tall buildings could not block the sunlight here.

Just across an alley, they came from the bustling Flower Street to such a seemingly dilapidated farmyard.

"I didn't expect there was such a place in the East Market."

Li Xuan thought that the East Market, where every inch of land was worth a lot of money, was full of "tall buildings", but he didn't expect there was such a place that looked like a village.

"This is more like a slum than Baoningfang."

There was a mossy stone table in the yard, and there were several broken stone chairs next to it.

Fortunately, Princess Ankang prepared chairs herself, otherwise she really couldn't find a place to sit.

The old woman took out a kettle and a few rough bowls, put them on the stone table, and said, "Do as you please."

Then, the old woman sat aside and did needlework as if no one was around.

Yu'er stepped forward and picked up the kettle. She first poured a bowl of water for the old woman, and then poured another bowl in front of Princess Ankang.

The old woman couldn't help but raise her eyes and looked at Yu'er and Princess Ankang who was holding Li Xuan, then quickly retracted her gaze and continued to be busy with her needlework.

"Are you familiar with Doctor Fang?"

"Just neighbors."

The old woman didn't seem to have any intention of talking, and answered briefly.

Li Xuan couldn't help but smile slightly. It seemed that it would be difficult for Princess Ankang to find out something today.

"Old lady, what do you think of Madam Fang?"

"Very good."

"How good is Doctor Fang's medical skills?"

"Not bad."

"Did you know that Hu Yulou caught fire last night?"

"Oh."

"I heard that there are ghosts on Huajie Street. Aren't you afraid of living here?"

"No."

"..."

After repeating this for more than a dozen rounds, the old woman's answers became more and more concise, and in the end she just hummed and hawed in response to Princess Ankang's questions.

Princess Ankang was deeply shocked and felt that she was not suitable for investigating a case.

But this was not Princess Ankang's fault.

She lived in the deep palace for many years, and the person she dealt with the most was Yu'er.

Now that she had left the palace and met all kinds of people, her social experience could not support her to get the answers she wanted from others.

Don't think it's so easy for the officials to interrogate, but in fact there are skills.

The most important point is to know people.

You have to see who the other person is before you can get the information you want from him.

Even though the officials are from the government, they will encounter all kinds of people who don't tell the truth when they are interrogating, and they will inevitably use coercion and inducement.

Although Princess Ankang is talented, her level in this area is still too low, and she can't get the answer she wants from the old woman.

Princess Ankang was frustrated one after another not long after she started, and she couldn't help feeling a little discouraged.

Doctor Fang was also late, and the atmosphere in the yard began to become a little silent and awkward.

"Hmph, it seems that my grandpa meow has to do it himself!"

Li Xuan stood up and kissed Princess Ankang's pouting mouth.

She has been shut up by the old woman now, and Li Xuan has to comfort her.

After being kissed, Princess Ankang touched Li Xuan, and then she felt better.

After comforting Princess Ankang, Li Xuan jumped out of her arms.

Li Xuan walked in a cat-like manner, slowly approaching the old woman, and then pretended to accidentally brush the old woman's rough hands with his tail.

The old woman paused while sewing, and when she looked up, she saw Li Xuan looking at her out of the corner of her eye.

Li Xuan looked away, meowed tenderly, and then pointed his butt at the old woman, pretending to leave.

The old woman looked away and was about to continue her work, but her hand itched again.

It turned out that Li Xuan took advantage of her inattention and attacked again.

This time his body was closer, and the old woman could touch Li Xuan with just a stretch of her hand.

The old woman couldn't control herself after all, and she reached out and touched Li Xuan's head.

Li Xuan pretended to be unable to defeat the old woman and was touched helplessly.

"What a annoying little darling."

The old woman said the longest sentence since they entered the yard, and Princess Ankang was almost moved to tears.

The old woman touched more and more smoothly, and she completely put down the needlework in her hands.

Li Xuan also acted like a spoiled child, rolling around and doing everything he could to make the wrinkles on the old woman's face bloom like chrysanthemums.

Princess Ankang and Yu'er looked at each other and saw the smile in each other's eyes.

Li Xuan made the old woman happy, so her mouth naturally loosened.

After stroking Li Xuan for a while, the old woman sighed and said to Princess Ankang:

"Little girl, you want to ask about the haunted things on Flower Street, right?"

Princess Ankang asked a lot of questions before, and the haunted things were just one of them.

But Princess Ankang was not stupid, and nodded immediately:

"Old woman, do you know anything?"

The other party may only want to answer this question now, or only know this matter.

But no matter what, it is better to follow the old woman's words now.

"There are always many girls dying on this Flower Street, not to mention every day, but every month."

"It is not impossible that one or two girls with great resentment will turn into evil spirits."

"Little girl, don't you think so?"

The old woman stroked Li Xuan's hair and said without raising her head.

Princess Ankang frowned when she heard this.

"Why are there always people dying on Flower Street? Doesn't the government care?"

Princess Ankang thought that there might be a serial murder case on Flower Street.

The old woman shook her head and laughed when she heard this.

At the first glance after she opened the door, she saw that Princess Ankang was a child who didn't care about worldly things.

And this further confirmed her guess.

"Little girl, do you know what kind of business is done on this Flower Street?"

Princess Ankang blushed slightly, but still nodded.

But the old woman shook her head:

"No, you don't know."

"The guests paid for the girls for one night, and that night the girls were the guests' property."

"It's good to meet gentle guests."

"But the problem is that there are still those rude guests."

"Every month, girls on the flower street are killed by guests."

"The desire of the human race is like a bottomless abyss, and it can never be satisfied."

The old woman sighed and continued:

"Doctor Fang has to collect a few corpses for the brothels on the flower street every month. When Doctor Fang comes back, you can also ask him."

"So, it's reasonable that this flower street is haunted."

Princess Ankang felt a little uncomfortable after hearing this, and asked the same question again in confusion:

"What about the government? Don't they care?"

The old woman couldn't help but look at Princess Ankang again.

In their place, they haven't seen such a simple child for a long time.

"For brothels, girls are just commodities for sale."

"If the commodities are damaged, you have to pay for them."

"Depending on the contract and the value, the amount of compensation will be different."

"I have lived for so many years, and I have never heard of anyone being convicted and imprisoned for killing a girl in a brothel."

Princess Ankang wanted to say something else, but the old woman interrupted her first.

"Little girl, do you know how much tax the brothels on Hua Street can pay every year?"

Hearing this, Princess Ankang opened her mouth, but did not make a sound after all.

"Everything in this world is about profit."

At this point, the old woman had lost the will to continue.

Princess Ankang was silent for a long time before she said faintly:

"Old woman, I was in Hu Yulou yesterday, and it seemed that there were more than just girls there."

Hearing this, the old woman laughed and choked herself, and hurriedly drank the bowl of water in front of her.

She then wiped her tears and said:

"Yes, yes..."

"Now, everything can be sold."

"If someone buys, someone will sell."

"Hahaha..."

The old woman laughed non-stop, full of sarcasm, and no one knew who she was laughing at.

Princess Ankang looked at the old woman's smile, but she always felt uncomfortable.

At this time, the sound of a door moving outside the yard was heard.

The old woman stopped laughing, pushed Li Xuan's butt, and said to Princess Ankang:

"Doctor Fang is back, go find him."

Princess Ankang nodded tactfully and hugged Li Xuan back into her arms.

"Old lady, thank you for disturbing us today."

"We'll visit you next time."

As a result, the old woman waved her hand in disdain and said:

"If you know it's disturbing, don't come again."

Princess Ankang gritted her teeth, kept smiling, and said stubbornly:

"Old lady, we will definitely come again!"

The old woman shook her head and whispered softly:

"The little girl is quite stubborn."

The old woman's voice happened to be heard by Princess Ankang, and the veins on her forehead jumped.

Princess Ankang, who has such a good temper, could be angered like this. The old woman's skills are also not bad.

After saying goodbye to the old woman and coming out of the yard, they just saw Doctor Fang who had removed the door panel and opened the door for business.

Doctor Fang suddenly saw so many people coming out of the yard next door, and immediately frowned.

But when he saw Li Xuan in Princess Ankang's arms, his frown relaxed again.

"Hey, it's you."

Doctor Fang didn't recognize the others, but he recognized Li Xuan.

At this time, Princess Ankang calmed down the anger she had suffered from the old woman, and then smiled and said to Doctor Fang:

"Doctor Fang, we heard that you saved Ah Xuan last night, and we came here to thank you."

"No, no, it's just a small favor."

Doctor Fang waved his hand quickly, and seeing that the group of people had no intention of leaving, he had to say:

"Why don't you come in and sit down?"

Doctor Fang was just being polite, after all, his clinic was very small, and there was no room for so many people.

But the next moment, Princess Ankang nodded happily and said:

"Then we won't be polite!"

Doctor Fang didn't expect the girl in the wheelchair to be so impolite, but he had already said it, so he had to accept it.

"Well, my humble house is shabby, so I can't welcome you. Please forgive me."

After that, Doctor Fang walked in first.

Yu'er pushed Princess Ankang into the house.

The threshold of Doctor Fang's house was worn flat, so the wheelchair was pushed in.

But his house is much smaller than the yard next door.

The place in front used as a clinic is very cramped.

After Yu'er pushed Princess Ankang in, there was no room for more people.

The leader of the flowery eunuchs could only stand one foot inside the house and one foot outside the house.

There was a table and two chairs inside. It was estimated that only one patient could come in each time for treatment, which was very private.

There were two medicine cabinets on both sides of the room, occupying most of the small space. As soon as they entered, they could smell a strong smell of medicinal materials.

As soon as they entered the room, a meowing sound was heard in the room.

Princess Ankang and Yu'er looked at Li Xuan, who looked innocent.

"Hey, this is obviously not my voice, okay?"

"This is far from my voice."

Li Xuan thought dissatisfiedly.

At this moment, a dirty cat walked out from behind the house.

This cat looked a little bigger than Li Xuan, but the whole cat looked like it had rolled on the ground for several times, covered in dust, and looked like it had escaped from the fire in Hu Yulou last night, looking smoky and burning.

But then they took a closer look and found that this was the color of the cat's fur.

"What an ugly tortoise shell!"

Li Xuan couldn't help but exclaimed.

Thanks to Wang Ergou from Next Door Village, Tianshi Ai Shuoxiao, Zhongyong Qie Laotie, Naibai De Zi, and Ge Wen for their support.

Thanks to all the book friends for their monthly ticket support.

This plot is a link between the first and second volumes, so it may be a little longer, but it will be over soon.

I will try to finish it within this week, and then officially start the content of the second volume.

Good night, everyone, see you tomorrow~