I'm already a concubine, who wants to fight with you?

Chapter 186 Fire

On the Hongyan Tower, the emperor was chatting and laughing with his civil and military ministers.

Not knowing how Pei Yuan came up, the emperor asked with concern, "I heard that Pei Yuan is sick and bedridden?"

All the ministers heard about this to some extent, and their eyes were filled with contempt and disdain.

Poor Marquis Anyuan, at his old age and with all the vicissitudes of life, had to endure the mocking gazes of the crowd and step out to answer on behalf of his fake grandson.

"This boy was traumatized by his father's incident, and he has fallen into depravity and failed to live up to the expectations of His Majesty. I apologize to His Majesty on his behalf."

After saying this, the old and frail Marquis Anyuan knelt down and kowtowed respectfully.

The emperor asked, "My dear minister, what are you doing?"

He frowned and shouted to the eunuchs, "Why don't you help the old marquis up?"

Marquis Anyuan stood up with the help of the eunuchs. He had just thanked the emperor for his grace when he heard the emperor asking about Pei Yuan's condition.

An Yuanhou said that he just had some problems with his throat, couldn't speak, and was in poor spirits.

However, people are actually able to walk, and as long as they are treated, they should be able to recover after a few days.

The emperor then felt relieved and instructed that if there was any need, he could send a letter to invite the imperial physician at any time, and if he was short of any medicinal materials, he could also tell the inner court.

Marquis Anyuan expressed his gratitude again.

The ministers had different expressions. Some felt that the emperor was so kind to the Pei family that he even cared so much about an unemployed playboy.

There were also those who knew the inside story, understood that the emperor had ulterior motives, and felt grief for the emperor, but they did not dare to express it.

When the time came, fireworks were set off at the gates of each city. The magnificent and grand scene showed the prosperity of the country and the peace and prosperity of the people.

Most people gathered on the long street, but they didn't know when the fire started in the inn.

This place is secluded, and it is windy tonight. There are many combustible materials near the pavilion, and the fire broke out in an instant.

By the time the innkeepers discovered the fire, it was too late to put it out.

There was a raging fire in the backyard, thick smoke filled the air, and the noisy running sounds outside also woke up Xie Fei.

She felt weak all over, blood was still flowing from her forehead, and she was choked by the thick smoke so much that she couldn't even open her eyes.

But people’s desire to survive is so strong, not to mention that she had died once and finally had a chance to start over, so naturally she cherished her life more than anyone else.

She crawled on the ground using her hands and feet, flames passed over her head and scorching waves of fire spread from all directions.

The entire inn was surrounded by fire, and the wooden beams and pillars became fuel for the fire. Even the common people came to help put out the fire, but it was just a drop in the bucket and was of no use.

Outside, the women in the marquis's mansion were extremely anxious.

Madam Zheng and Madam Zhu supported the old lady and kept shouting that it was the blessing of gods and Buddhas. Fortunately, the old lady with difficulty walking was not inside.

The mistress of the third house, Pang Yizhi, asked the servants to count the number of people to see if there was anyone in the inn who had not escaped.

Pei Hongluo looked around and his face suddenly changed: "Oh no, where is Sister Xie? Is she on the long street or back to the inn to rest?"

Madam Zheng hurriedly shouted, "Where is the servant who serves Mrs. Xie?"

Two maids came out in a hurry, knelt down and said in panic: "We followed Miss Xie back to the inn. Miss Xie said she wanted to rest in the room and asked us to watch the fireworks, so, so..."

"This is so disgraceful. I will deal with you unruly people after the matter is settled!" Mrs. Zheng's eyes flashed with ferocity, and she ordered the servants to step up their efforts to put out the fire.

Ji Miaoxuan looked at the inn which had already burned to the top. The fire was like a soaring dragon, coiled on the roof and overlooking the people who were fighting the fire.

The fire came so strangely that everyone else ran out, except Xie Fei who was trapped inside.

She looked calmly at Xiao Shirong outside the crowd. Xiao Shirong had a smile on his face and was looking at the raging fire leisurely.

Feeling Ji Miaoxuan's gaze, Mother Wen whispered, "Madam, I'm afraid the old lady has seen something." Xiao Shirong didn't care, "So what?"

Her aunt, because of the relationship between her mother and her former lover, would never let a girl from the Xiao family lose her reputation.

The fire-fighting troops and the people from the water shop were trying to put out the fire, but they were still powerless to stop the fire.

Madam Zheng called the leader of the Submarine Fire Army and asked if they could go in and rescue people.

The fire-hitting soldier was covered in black smoke, his face was blackened, and he knelt down and said, "Madam, please understand, this fire is too big. Even if we go in to save people, it will only leave a few more bodies!"

Madam Zheng's voice trembled, "This, this fire can't be put out?"

"The fire started at the tower where the eternal lanterns are placed. There are incense oil and wine there. Once the fire starts, it will be impossible to control it!" The fire-snatching soldiers were sweating all over due to the high temperature and looked extremely pitiful.

Although Madam Zheng was angry and sad, she saw that the Qianhuo Army had already tried their best, so how could she force them to go in and rescue people?

She was just feeling grief-stricken, and the old lady patted the back of her hand and said expressionlessly: "Everyone has their own destiny. If Xie is destined to die here, what's the point of forcing it?"

On the side, Madam Zhu wanted to say something but didn't dare to open her mouth.

Pei Hongluo brought the equipment of the submarine army, including water bladders, water bags, "fire hoses" made of bamboo, etc., which were scattered all over the ground in a mess.

Mrs. Zhu's heart skipped a beat when she saw this. "You, you, you're not going in to save people, are you?"

Pei Hongluo looked at the raging fire, her heart pounding. It seemed as if the inn was about to burn down, and she would only be able to barbecue if she went in.

"I haven't asked Sister Xie yet how the mirror was made!" Pei Hongluo burst into tears, helpless in front of the fire-fighting equipment.

Madam Zhu held her tightly, fearing that this stupid girl would rush in and die.

Even though she felt sorry for Xie Fei, she would never joke about her daughter's safety.

From the beginning to the end, Xiao Shirong stayed out of it and even had some expectations.

The fire was already so big, whether Xie Fei was burned to death or rescued by her lover, she would die.

But her lover was not on the street, and after seeing the fire and the crowd, he did not dare to go in to save people?
Yes, the fire was too fierce, and no man would risk his life to save an ugly woman of low status and plain appearance.

For a moment, Xiao Shirong didn't know whether it would be more satisfying for Xie Fei to be burned to death, or to be in disgrace, which would make her feel more comfortable.

At this moment, a purple figure appeared from the crowd like a ghost and snatched the fireproof item from Pei Hongluo's hand.

Before anyone could see who he was, he had already wrapped himself in fire-retardant cowhide and rushed into the fire without looking back.

Everyone was stunned, even the Qianhuo Army was at a loss, and asked who was not afraid of death.

Pei Hongluo stared at her mother blankly, "Qian, a member of the Qianhuo Army?"

Madam Zhu shook her head. "Looking at his attire, he doesn't look like a kind-hearted young man from some family."

But if you go in rashly, you might just lose your life.

Only, Xiao Shirong's sneer froze at the corner of his mouth.

There is no doubt that it must be Xie Fei's mistress.

But how can we dare to go in when the fire is so big?

She frowned and winked at Wen's mother.

Mother Wen understood and hinted to the maids to remember to spread the rumors later.

As long as the two people inside escape from the fire, there will be a trial of chastity waiting for them, which can also skin this pair of dogs and bitches!

(End of this chapter)