Chapter 373: Chapter 373: Are They All Dead?
Accompanied by Qingmei and four guards, Bai Zhi’er took a carriage to Fanjin Alley.
But at the entrance of the alley, they saw it was surrounded by government officers.
The townspeople gathered nearby, whispering and sighing—
"How tragic, I’ve heard they haven’t found any survivors yet."
"They must have all been burned to death. The fire started in the middle of the night, everyone was asleep, and by the time they reacted, it was too late."
"Oh, how could this happen? It’s so strange, such a good place, how did it catch fire?"
"Exactly, there were six families in Fanjin Alley, how many people would that be?"
A trace of shock appeared on Bai Zhi’er’s small face.
She stepped forward with her small feet.
Perhaps Prime Minister Wen had given prior instructions.
As soon as the officials saw the little figure arriving anxiously by carriage.
They immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess."
They opened a path, and Bai Zhi’er quickly trotted inside.
Prime Minister Wen was standing with his back to her, in front of the woman’s door from yesterday, giving instructions for the aftermath to two officials.
Bai Zhi’er walked over and heard Prime Minister Wen sighing.
He said, "If people burned to death, there should be bones. If even the bones were completely incinerated, then truly nothing is left. Such a pity, just one step away..."
Bai Zhi’er’s voice carried sadness: "Uncle Prime Minister?"
Prime Minister Wen turned around and, seeing the little one had arrived, his eyes also showed deep sorrow.
"You may leave now. As I instructed, clean up the surroundings thoroughly, and if you can find out how the fire started, all the better."
After instructing the officials, Prime Minister Wen walked up to Bai Zhi’er, clasping his hands and bowing, his voice deep and sorrowful.
"Your Highness, I failed in my duty, that woman and the gambler Yang Xiazi likely perished in the fire."
"Yesterday, it was my oversight. I didn’t foresee that when we went to the government to investigate, we already startled the snake."
"It must be that Master Wei didn’t want his deeds to be exposed, so he sent someone to silence them overnight."
Sadness appeared on Bai Zhi’er’s small face.
Her large, dark eyes were filled with grief.
She said nothing.
Walking with her small feet, she moved to the door, charred black by the fire.
She stood there quietly, just watching.
Yesterday, that aunt had pressed against the door, refusing them entry.
Today, everything had turned to ashes.
What kind of fire could reduce this place to ruins?
Did those people die awake, or in their sleep?
Did they suffer the torment of being consumed by flames?
All these moments coalesced into a deep sorrow that filled Bai Zhi’er’s young heart.
She wanted to have compassion for the people, but this time she had failed.
Bai Zhi’er’s big eyes were red, her long eyelashes drooping, looking pitiful and desolate.
Seeing her like this, Prime Minister Wen could not bear to continue.
Yet, the matter still needed to be reported.
He stepped forward and sighed, "Your Highness, the pharmacy we visited, the old doctor and his family are also missing."
"I sent people to investigate. Yesterday afternoon, a group of people went to their home and took away the old doctor, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson."
"To this day, I have not found any trace of them."
"Seeing that Fanjin Alley has been burned, it seems they too are..." Prime Minister Wen paused, his voice heavy with pain, "unlikely to have survived."
Moments ago, Bai Zhi’er had held back from crying.
Hearing this, tears fell from her eyes.
She bit her lower lip with her small white teeth.
Prime Minister Wen tried to comfort her.
But Bai Zhi’er couldn’t hear it.
She blamed herself.
Why didn’t she think more thoroughly, more comprehensively?