Gu Zaili chased after the Duke of Xiangxi, spending several days trying to persuade him. The old duke’s attitude softened slightly, although he understood and appreciated Gu Zaili’s insightful and courageous words. However, when it came to his own interests, anyone would have to think twice.
According to Gu Zaili, Ji Lan was unfit for the throne, having harmed his own siblings and altered the imperial edict for personal gain. Yet, the land of Xiangxi was fertile, and its people were kind-hearted. Living in such a peaceful and idyllic place, what could be wrong with that?
Moreover, his ancestors had married into the royal family. Although the family’s status had grown more prestigious over the generations, their blood ties to the royal family had become increasingly distant.
Why get involved in this treacherous affair?
These were the old duke’s initial thoughts. However, after being persuaded by Gu Zaili for several days, his thoughts began to waver. At this critical moment, an imperial decree arrived, ordering the execution of traitors.
At night, as the old duke’s entourage hurried through a checkpoint, they were suddenly stopped. The soldiers called them “traitors” and said they were to be killed without mercy.
The old duke’s face changed repeatedly.
Gu Zaili, who had been sleeping in the carriage, was awakened and jumped out, stunned at the sight of the surrounding soldiers. Had something happened to her father in the distant capital?
The old duke tried to explain, but the soldiers gave no chance. Arrows rained down. The horses panicked, and servants were lost.
The old duke realized that fleeing would confirm the charge of rebellion. Yet, with so many arrows flying, there was no chance to explain. He didn’t want to die in vain.
As they fled, Gu Zaili said with a grim expression, “I’ve implicated the duke’s family.”
The old duke, riding his horse, looked back at the pursuing soldiers and waved his hand, saying, “It’s come to this. We need to get away first.”
Gu Zaili spurred her horse, her mind filled with worry. If nothing had happened in the capital, why would the emperor send a message to intercept them overnight? Amid the chaos and pursuit, she forced herself to stay calm, reminding herself that her father had weathered many storms and would have been prepared. Everyone would be fine.
An arrow whistled towards her.
“Watch out!” Rong Yuanyou leaped from his horse, landing on Gu Zaili’s horse and pushing her down to protect her.
The arrow grazed his arm, tearing his sleeve and leaving a shallow cut.
Gu Zaili glanced at the wound on Rong Yuanyou’s arm, quickly grabbed a bow hanging from the saddle, nocked an arrow, and fired. Three arrows flew in quick succession, narrowly missing Rong Yuanyou’s face. He watched in awe as Gu Zaili squinted one eye to aim.
Gu Zaili looked at Rong Yuanyou and said, “Get back on your own horse. Two people on one horse won’t get us far.”
“Oh, oh…” Rong Yuanyou stammered, moving his gaze awkwardly away.
He turned sideways, grabbed the reins of the horse he had been riding, and mounted it. Back on his own horse, he suddenly felt a sense of loss.
Ahead, Madam Rong turned back, looking at Gu Zaili in slight surprise, and asked, “Miss Gu, your archery skills are quite impressive. Have you been practicing for a few years?”
“Hyah!” Gu Zaili spurred her horse and caught up, replying, “I learned horseback archery from my father since I was young.”
The Duke of Xiangxi, protected by his bodyguards, watched Gu Zaili in silence for a moment before bursting into laughter, saying, “Young lady, didn’t you want to borrow troops from me? Fine, if you become my granddaughter-in-law, I’ll lend you the troops.”
Gu Zaili was stunned.
Rong Yuanyou was also taken aback but quickly reacted, saying urgently, “Grandfather, please don’t say that!”
Gu Zaili smiled brightly and said spiritedly, “Old Duke, before tonight, I went to great lengths to persuade you. After tonight, His Majesty has already deemed you a traitor. You’re already on this treacherous path. I no longer need to beg you to lend me troops.”
The old duke laughed heartily, pointing at Gu Zaili and shaking his head, saying no more as he continued forward.
Madam Rong said, “Father was just joking. Don’t take it to heart.”
Rong Yuanyou’s father sighed and said with a smile, “Yuanyou, the whole family has tried every means to get you a wife. Can’t you put in some effort and bring a wife home yourself?”
Rong Yuanyou’s face stiffened with embarrassment.
Moments later, he rode closer to Gu Zaili and said frankly, “Don’t worry. If you don’t want to marry me, no one will force you. Don’t take Grandfather and Father’s words seriously. They often joke like this.”
“Don’t worry. If I don’t want to marry, no one can force me,” Gu Zaili said, glancing at Rong Yuanyou. She thought the Rong family was quite amusing. Even in such a dire situation with arrows flying, they still had the mood to joke.
Riding in the wind, the cold air slapped her face, keeping her mind unusually clear.
Gu Zaili stopped thinking about the Rong family and began to worry about the situation in the capital.
Was her father okay? Had the Tao family and her younger brother encountered danger again after suffering last winter?
Had Wen Jingshan’s whereabouts been exposed? With her frail health, was she in danger? If Wen Jingshan was exposed, what about her sister? Could she have been implicated as well?
Could the unreliable Ji Zhao protect her sister?
No, he couldn’t. He was still asleep.
Gu Jianli leaned against Ji Wujing, unable to sleep due to the pain and harsh conditions, and her worries. She recognized the urgency in Changfeng’s footsteps as he entered, immediately opening her eyes and sitting up.
“What’s wrong?” Gu Jianli asked.
“I saw torches. The Imperial Guards searching the mountain are not far from here. We can’t stay here any longer. We need to leave immediately!” Changfeng said as he woke everyone in the cave.
No one had been sleeping deeply. Even the two children, Ji Xinglan and Ji Xinglou, were not in deep sleep. When Changfeng and Gu Jianli spoke, everyone woke up.
Before going to sleep, everything was already packed, so there was no need to repack. In just a moment, everyone exited the cave and hurried deeper into the mountain.
The night passed, and it was the darkest time just before dawn. There were no stars or moon in the sky, and everyone trudged along the rugged mountain path.
The untrodden paths were covered in dense underbrush, making it difficult to navigate. To remain hidden, Changfeng, who led the way, avoided clearing the path too obviously with his sword. At the rear, Changlin did his best to cover their tracks.
Gu Jianli let out a small sound as she lost her footing, tripping over a dry vine. Luckily, she was caught by Yuanshun and didn’t fall.
“Mommy!” Ji Xinglan’s lips trembled, almost crying. Her eyes were red, but she didn’t dare cry. She knew now that her mother had lied to her; this wasn’t a game of hide and seek. She couldn’t cry, couldn’t cause trouble for the adults. She buried her face in Jixia’s embrace, holding back her tears.
Not long after, Yuanping cried out as she genuinely lost her footing and fell. She was carrying Ji Xinglou and twisted her body to protect him, preventing him from getting hurt.
Yuan’an quickly took Ji Xinglou from her arms.
“Yuanping, are you hurt?” Gu Jianli asked anxiously.
“My ankle hurts a bit…” Yuanping said, rubbing her ankle as she stood up. “It’s fine, just a bump, no fractures or sprains. Madam, don’t worry. We need to keep moving!”
After nearly half an hour, Changfeng stood atop a tall tree, surveying the pursuing forces, and his heart sank. Their pursuers were well-trained Imperial Guards, while their group consisted mostly of women and children. It was only a matter of time before they were caught.
He informed Gu Jianli of the situation.
Gu Jianli glanced at Ji Wujing on Changsheng’s back, thought for a moment, and said, “In our current situation, if we are caught, none of us will survive. It’s better if we split up.”
When they left the mansion, some disciples of the Xuanjing Sect and other household servants had already fled in different directions. Now, Gu Jianli decided to split their group further into three.
She instructed Nanny Lin and Jixia to take care of Ji Xinglan and sent Changsheng with them.
She had Lizi and Xiaohe look after Wen Jingshan, with Changlin assigned to protect them.
The remaining people were Changfeng, carrying Ji Wujing, Yuanping, Yuan’an, who would take care of Ji Xinglou, and Yuanshun supporting Gu Jianli. Ideally, these remaining people would also split into two groups, but there were not enough men for protection.
“Mommy…” Ji Xinglan’s eyes were red as she tried to hold back her tears.
Gu Jianli gently hugged her and comforted her, “Lanlan, be good. Remember what I told you. There’s nothing to fear. Wait for one dawn, then another dawn, and the game will be over.”
Ji Xinglan nodded vigorously, obediently staying quiet and nestled in Jixia’s arms.
As they ventured deeper into the mountains, the path became more challenging. The old snow made the way slippery, and the cold wind was piercing. Gu Jianli held onto Ji Wujing’s wrist as they trudged along, not knowing how long they had walked. When she finally looked up, she realized it was dawn.
It was the nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Just one more day to endure.
Although she knew that the Imperial Guards were numerous and that no matter how powerful an individual was, they could not defeat an entire army, she still felt that everything would be fine once Ji Wujing woke up, that they would be safe.
At noon, the group stopped briefly to drink some water and eat some dried food. When they were about to set off again, Yuanping did not move. She squeezed her ankle and, choking back tears, said, “Madam, I don’t think I can walk any further…”
Gu Jianli opened her mouth but suddenly felt at a loss for words.
Yuanping’s eyes filled with tears as she tried to smile and said, “I was able to push myself to keep going just now, but now that I’m sitting here, I can’t get up and continue. Madam, don’t worry about me. I’ll separate and go my own way, like Sister Jixia and the others.”
Gu Jianli hesitated for a moment, then hardened her heart and decided, “Alright, we’ll split up. Yuan’an, are you willing to stay with Yuanping? In this desolate mountain, we can’t leave anyone alone.”
“But the young master still needs…” Yuanping stammered.
Gu Jianli interrupted her, “There’s still me and Yuanshun, don’t worry. It’s decided.”
“Thank you, Madam!” Yuan’an wiped away her tears.
Yuan’an and Yuanping had grown up together, and just a moment ago, Yuan’an had been genuinely worried that Yuanping would be left behind as an expendable. Being able to stay with Yuanping made Yuan’an happy, even if it meant facing death together with her good sister.
Gu Jianli squatted down to pick up Ji Xinglou. Ji Xinglou pushed her hand away, saying arrogantly, “I don’t need you to carry me. I can walk by myself!”
Knowing that Ji Xinglou was strong, Gu Jianli didn’t insist but said, “Alright, but you have to let me hold your hand. And later, either I or Yuanshun will carry you, and you mustn’t throw a tantrum.”
Ji Xinglou reluctantly handed his hand to Gu Jianli.
He then took big strides forward, glancing sideways at Gu Jianli holding his hand.
Hey guys! How’s everyone doing? I just uploaded 12 new chapters for this book. Enjoy the binge! 🥹💖