Although she believed Zhang Hui's words, the news was still quite shocking.

But Liu Yingying quickly calmed down. Since Zhang Hui had this news, it must not be unfounded.

Why not listen to what her sworn brother has to say?

Zhang Hui: "My sworn brother said that this group of human traffickers travels back and forth to the capital from various places every year, bringing back many pretty-looking children each time and then sending them to a village outside the city."

“I specifically asked my sworn brother to inquire about it. Yesterday, my sworn brother came to tell me that he learned that the estate originally belonged to the Yong’an Marquis’s mansion.”

"What? Is that really true?" Liu Yingying's expression changed slightly, and she asked again.

"If those children were kidnapped from various places by human traffickers ordered by the Marquis of Yong'an's mansion, what would the mansion need so many young children for?"

It certainly won't be that these children are arranged to work in the Marquis's mansion when they grow up.

Not to mention that doing so is quite a hassle, and how many years will it take for those children to grow up? Why would the Marquis's mansion waste so much money to raise a bunch of children?

So, they must have some other purpose in capturing these children…

"Yingying, what are you thinking about?" Zhang Hui looked at her with a worried expression.

Liu Yingying suddenly remembered a rumor she had seen in unofficial historical records.

Some wealthy and powerful families not only frequented prostitutes, but also had a penchant for effeminate boys…

“Hui Niang…” Liu Yingying looked at Zhang Hui, hesitating to speak.

Zhang Hui was also very upset. "Yingying, just say what you want to say. Looking back on this journey, I can accept whatever the outcome may be!"

Liu Yingying gently grasped her hand, "Huiniang, don't worry too much. Try to think positively. Now that we have a clue about Gou'er, we should continue searching along this lead..."

"I have a request..."

"What? You said it?"

"I want to meet your sworn brother!"

Zhang Hui thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll go back and tell my sworn brother. If he agrees, I'll come back to you."

Liu Yingying took out another twenty taels of silver and stuffed it into her hand, saying, "Take this; you'll need money for many more things in the future."

Zhang Hui was startled and quickly returned the silver; "No, what are you doing?"

Liu Yingying, however, did not allow her to refuse, "Huiniang, your sworn brother is, after all, a member of a gang. If we need their help now, we can't just ask for it for nothing, don't you think?"

That is indeed the case.

Zhang Hui nodded. "Hmm, what you said makes sense. I'll accept the money then, and I'll pay you back when I've saved up enough."

In a courtyard on the outskirts of the capital, the vermilion windows were half-open, and a gentle breeze carrying a cool breeze blew in.

The pale-faced woman lying on the bed suddenly began to cough violently.

"Cough, cough!"

"Hua Yue, you're awake!"

When Wufeng came in with the medicine and saw this scene, he quickly put the medicine on the table and went to close the window.

That day, after they fought with Liu Yingying, Hua Yue was injured by her, with a hidden weapon hitting her right in the heart.

If Hua Yue hadn't had an unusual constitution, with her heart positioned slightly off-center, the hidden weapon that day would have been enough to kill her!

But even though he survived, he suffered greatly.

After closing the doors and windows, Wufeng quickly walked to the bedside and carefully helped her lean against him.

"Here, drink your medicine first..."

But Hua Yue only managed to drink a sip before spitting it out, followed by another violent coughing fit.

"Cough! Cough!"

"It's too bitter!"

Although Hua Yue is a ruthless killer, she is afraid of taking medicine.

Wu Feng was at a loss for what to do with her, and could only gently coax her, "Your injuries this time are very serious. If you don't take good care of yourself, your lost strength may be difficult to recover!"

"What?" Upon hearing this, Hua Yue's face turned as if struck by lightning.

She tried to circulate her internal energy and found that her current internal strength was less than one-tenth of what it used to be.

"How could this be... how could this happen?"

Wu Feng's heart suddenly clenched. "I know you might not be able to accept this right now, but although you escaped death this time, your heart meridian has been severely damaged..."

"No! This can't be true!" Hua Yue said through gritted teeth, her emotions running high. "It's all that bitch's fault! If she hadn't interfered, I wouldn't be in this situation!"

"Wu Feng, I must kill her with my own hands!"

"Okay, but you have to drink your medicine first!"

Hua Yue took the medicine and went to sleep. Wu Feng stood in her room for a long time.

Their original target was only Xue Ye, but now not only have they failed to get close to their target, they have also suffered heavy losses!

Hua Yue's body won't recover so quickly, and they can't wait that long before making their move.

It seems he'll have to think of another way...

At night, a light rain began to fall in the capital.

Outside Liu Yingying's room, a figure flashed by quickly, and a cloud of white smoke blew in through the door and window.

The man waited outside for a while before quietly pushing open the door.

Arriving at Liu Yingying's bedside, and seeing that the person on the bed was not moving, he began to rummage through drawers and cabinets looking for things.

After all the few pieces of luggage in the closet were turned over, they still couldn't find any letters or anything like that.

The god was getting a little anxious.

"How could there not be..."

Just then, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine as a clear, cold female voice came from behind him.

Is this what you're looking for?

He was forced to turn his head and saw the woman holding a yellowed letter in her hand.

That's right, this is it!

He reached out to grab it, but a cold, long sword was pressed against his neck.

Liu Yingying had anticipated that someone would try to steal the letter from her, which is why she had Xue Ye lie in ambush in the room tonight.

From the moment this person stepped into the room, he had already fallen into a trap.

Knowing he couldn't escape, the man felt a surge of panic.

An oil lamp was lit inside the room, and the man was bound hand and foot with a rag stuffed in his mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue and committing suicide.

Liu Yingying and Hao Xia sat upright in the chair; "Tell me, who sent you?"

"What, you won't tell me?"

"Mmm..." The man's face was contorted with rage, and he struggled violently for a moment, but to no avail.

"Xiao Ye, sprinkle this poison on him. In less than fifteen minutes, he'll also watch helplessly as his body festers and oozes pus, dying..."

"Tsk, but it's just that it takes a long time. He'll have to endure seven days and seven nights of torture before he can finally be free!"

"Okay!" Xue Ye caught the small porcelain bottle that Liu Yingying threw to him and was about to pour it on the man.

The man was so frightened that his eyes widened in horror. If his mouth hadn't been gagged, he probably would have cursed her as a "poisonous woman"!

"Wait a minute!" Liu Yingying spoke again, and the man breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm giving you one last chance. If you obediently tell me who ordered you to do this, I'll let you go. How about it?"

"Mmm..." The man nodded frantically.

He's not Deadpool, why would he risk his life for a letter?

Xue Ye removed the gag from his mouth.

The man, panting heavily, said, "It's Gu Tao, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lord Gu!"