Chapter 95
“But you locked Cai Na up. Won’t her father send people to look for her?” Sang Li asked.
“According to our Miao ethnicity’s customs, during betrothal, I have to appear hand-in-hand with the holy maiden, so she would have come to the Gu residence ahead of time to prepare. Cai Na often stayed at the Gu residence before too, so her father won’t be suspicious these couple of days. I’ve also controlled the few handmaidens she brought,” Gu Zhi looked at her, “Sister, don’t worry about these things. Just come with me tomorrow morning.”
Sang Li paused for a moment, then nodded, “Alright.”
“Oh right, where’s the silver bell bracelet I left you?” Gu Zhi suddenly asked.
“Oh, here.” Sang Li took out the bell bracelet from her waist and handed it to Gu Zhi, “Returning it to you.”
Gu Zhi took the bracelet, but he pulled Sang Li’s hand over and carefully put the bracelet on her wrist.
“Remember, you must wear it properly on your wrist in the future. It will protect you.” Gu Zhi said.
Looking at Gu Zhi’s serious expression, Sang Li was moved once again.
...
The next day was Gu Zhi’s 20th birthday as well as the day of his betrothal.
Gu residence was filled with festive decorations and joy.
The Miao ethnicity’s betrothal ceremony was different from Lan City’s.
They held the betrothal ceremony outdoors. The venue was huge and had been decorated for many days and nights. A tall stage was erected with lanterns, red silk banners, flute music, and drums.
Commoners were not allowed entry. Almost all who came were Miao people of high status.
Not far away, a man in dark blue Miao attire sat with a kindly smile on his face.
He slightly turned his head and casually said to the man beside him, “Is Gu Fan’s side ready?”
“Cai Elder, he sent people to report everything is ready.”
The man smiled as he looked towards the stage. “After today, I’ll be this Miao tribe’s chieftain!” Just then, Gu Zhi appeared leading a young woman through the main gate.
Sang Li wore all red, with lots of silver ornaments on her body and head. She had a red veil covering her face, leaving only her eyes visible.
The sounds of flutes, drums, gongs, and cheers filled the lively scene.
Gu Zhi unintentionally glanced at Sang Li, his eyes brimming with unrestrained joy.
He was betrothed with his sister!
Only when the two stepped onto the stage did the chieftain stand up from his seat with a smiling face.
He looked at the people below and loudly announced, “Today is my son Gu Zhi’s 20th birthday, and also the day he gets betrothed to this young lady! I hope he will honor today’s betrothal agreement in the future and become a responsible, capable husband!”
Next, someone brought over a flower sash. Sang Li personally tied it around Gu Zhi’s waist.
Gu Zhi had told her yesterday this was their betrothal custom. The woman had to gift the man a flower sash and tie it on him herself.
Watching Sang Li tie the sash for him, Gu Zhi’s eyes brimmed with laughter. He deliberately moved closer to her ear and whispered, “Sister, you’re my woman from now on...”
When a woman ties a sash on a man, it means the woman will marry no one but him. It was the token of their betrothal.
“Gu Zhi, I’m just playing make-believe with you,” Sang Li whispered.
Gu Zhi smiled. “Sister, we can make believe into reality.”
Sitting below, Cai Elder found the chieftain’s words very odd. What did he mean by ‘this young lady’?
After Sang Li finished tying Gu Zhi’s sash, he said, “Chieftain, I have a few words to say to my daughter too!”
The chieftain narrowed his eyes at him. “Cai Elder, no rush. You can talk to your daughter after the next part is done!”
The chieftain clapped his hands. Suddenly guards poured in from outside, surrounding everyone inside. Cai Elder immediately stood up, his expression gloomy. “Chieftain, what is the meaning of this?”
“Cai Elder, the people you arranged outside have been controlled by us. Don’t think about escaping today!”
Cai Elder looked at the chieftain sinisterly. Then he suddenly laughed. “Hahaha, Chieftain, what joke are you playing on me? What people did I arrange? My daughter is betrothed to the young tribal chief. We’ll become in-laws soon. Why are you saying this?”
“Your daughter...doesn’t qualify to be betrothed to me!” Gu Zhi’s voice rang out.
Cai Elder was stunned. He reflexively looked at Sang Li. “What do you mean?”
The chieftain ignored him. “Men, seize Cai Elder and his people!” The guards moved forward and fought with Cai Elder’s men.
Suddenly, countless arrows shot in from afar, injuring many of the chieftain’s men!
Seeing this, Gu Zhi immediately shielded Sang Li in his arms. “Sister, be careful!”
“Father, first let the guards protect you and leave!” Gu Zhi yelled at his father.
He didn’t expect Cai Elder to arrange archers. He was negligent.
The scene descended into chaos. A group of people escorted Cai Elder out with great difficulty. Only two capable martial artists were left by his side. The rest had been killed.
“I’m furious! Gu Fan actually dared to betray me! I must shred him into ten thousand pieces!” Cai Elder’s twisted his face in anger. “Luckily I kept hidden archers that no one knew of!”
“Elder, let’s go quickly! They also suffered heavy losses this time. As long as we stay in the green mountains, we don’t have to worry about running out of firewood!”
Just as the three prepared to leave, a black shadow suddenly flashed before them, blocking their path.
“Who are you? Get lost!” The two guards shielded Cai Elder.
“Your killer!” The shadow wielded a longsword, killing the two guards in just two strikes!
Cai Elder suddenly realized this person’s martial arts were extremely strong. Facing absolute force, the Gu poison he excelled at had no chance to be used. He didn’t even have a chance to get near him!
Cai Elder immediately turned and fled. The shadow flung his sword. It spun around Cai Elder’s neck once before flying back.
Cai Elder was so frightened his legs went soft. He reflexively touched his neck.
It was still attached to his head...
...
On the other side, when Gu Zhi shielded Sang Li to flee, he was still shot in the back by an arrow.
Just then, Gu Fan arrived with a group of people and immediately went to capture the archers.
“Gu Zhi, how are you?” Sang Li hurriedly supported him, anxiously losing her composure.
Gu Fan rushed over to check Gu Zhi’s wound. “Gu Zhi, let me see your injury!”
Gu Fan immediately tore open his back clothing to look at the arrow’s position and depth. He found it wasn't deeply embedded and didn't hit any vital points, only injuring the back muscles.
“It looks like...” Gu Fan was about to say it didn’t seem serious, but suddenly noticed Gu Zhi hinting at him with his eyes.
Gu Fan instantly froze. It seemed he understood something. Gu Zhi had intentionally gotten himself shot!
He quickly adjusted his emotions and looked sternly at Sang Li. “Miss, Gu Zhi’s wound is extremely, extremely serious. At best...he’ll die with his eyes open... At worst...he’ll die completely dismembered!”