Gu Jiu did not struggle, continuing to munch on the steamed buns in the sack, figuring she should wait until she had regained some strength before trying to escape.
She was carried for a while, then set down on the ground.
The old woman said to someone, "Watch her while I report to the Master."
Soon, the sound of footsteps approached, and someone pulled off the sack.
Gu Jiu had finished the steamed buns and felt revived, so she pretended to be unconscious with her eyes closed.
The old woman said, "Master, this is the young lady. She must have been starving and was frightened just now, which caused her to faint."
Someone used a damp cloth to wipe her face, then took a few breaths and said, "What a beauty!"
Gu Jiu felt eyes staring at her face. After a moment, a man's voice said, "Very good. Clean her up and buy a wedding dress for her to change into. Granny Wang has done well, go to the account room for your reward when the task is done."
"Yes!" The old woman's voice was clearly pleased.
Change into a wedding dress? Why a wedding dress? Gu Jiu was quite curious.
Someone lifted her up, seemingly taking her to another room, and soon the sound of water could be heard.
Gu Jiu continued feigning unconsciousness. Having someone assist her with bathing was truly wonderful; it had been a long time since she had properly bathed, at most just quickly wiping herself down in the forest when no one was around, as she was too dirty to show herself in public.
In any case, her current body was like a washboard, no different front or back, and not her own, so she did not feel shy.
"Oh my, this young lady has such tender skin and a lovely face. She looks like a child from a wealthy family. I wonder how she ended up wandering outside, could it be that she escaped from kidnappers?" the old woman said.
A younger voice chimed in, "It's very possible. Look at her pretty features, she's a good match for the Eldest Young Master."
A good match for the Eldest Young Master? Gu Jiu recalled the white veil hung outside the main gate and wondered if... they had found her a young groom? But the key question was, was he even alive?
The two women bathed her very thoroughly, even carefully washing her hair.
After the bath, Gu Jiu was placed on a soft bed and covered with a blanket, with someone helping to dry her hair.
Then one person left the room, leaving only the sound of faint breathing.
The bed was soft and comfortable, and the relaxed Gu Jiu felt sleepy.
Just as she had started dozing off, someone entered. It was the old woman's voice again, "Not awake yet? The clothes are here, let's dress her."
The young woman responded, and the two began dressing Gu Jiu.
As the old woman fussed over Gu Jiu, she said, "It's better that she's unconscious, saves the fuss. The time has come, let's take her to the memorial hall."
Gu Jiu thought to herself, dressed in a wedding dress and carried to the memorial hall, they really did intend for her to be buried alive with the deceased! Her era had long abandoned the practice of human sacrifices at funerals; even the ashes of the dead were rarely preserved. Who still cared about having company underground? She had only learned of such customs from ancient stories and never expected to encounter it firsthand.
As they moved, she heard more and more crying. When the crying grew louder, she caught the intense scent of incense and candles.
A man's voice called out in a long drawl, "The bride has arrived, prepare for the burial..."
Gu Jiu was a little curious - were they going to put her in a coffin alive? Or kill her first? Either way, she would not just let them have their way.
Xie Zhan stood in the memorial hall. Today was the day of the burial ceremony for the Eldest Young Master Li, his schoolmate and good friend. He had come to send his friend off on his final journey.
Suddenly, he noticed two servants carrying in a young lady dressed in a wedding dress. He had overheard the servants discussing how they had found someone suitable to match the Eldest Young Master, so this must be her.
Xie Zhan paid it no mind and was about to turn away when something occurred to him. He took another look at the young lady.
He recalled the young lady he had encountered in the alley, who had a small mole of cinnabar under the corner of her right eye. This young lady also had one.
Could it be...?
Xie Zhan frowned and strode over, saying, "Wait a moment!"
He leaned in to check her breathing and was relieved to find she was still alive.
He was most displeased and confronted Master Li, the father of the deceased, "Is this the young lady I brought? What have you done to her? Master Li, do you intend to have her buried alive with Zi Qian?"
Gu Jiu, still pretending to be unconscious, recognized the beautiful youth's voice. The weight that had been pressing on her heart finally lifted. If this handsome young man had been a deceiver, it would have been a true waste of Heaven's favor.
It seemed the old woman had taken the initiative to capture her in order to please her master.
She continued feigning unconsciousness, waiting for her chance.
Master Li said impatiently, "Fourth Master Xie, you and Zi Qian were schoolmates and good friends. Since Zi Qian unfortunately passed away so young, you can't bear to see him alone underground, can you? This young lady is just a beggar girl with no one to take care of her, it's better for her to keep Zi Qian company."
"Master Li, I only brought this pitiful young lady to your residence seeking a bit of food for her. I did not intend for her to lose her life because of it. Moreover, she is alive. Master, do you truly intend to bury a living person?" Xie Zhan protested.
Master Li grew impatient and scolded him harshly, "Xie Zhan, you were Zi Qian's best friend. Today, I invited you to send him off, nothing more. It's best you don't meddle in other matters!"
So his name was Xie Zhan, Gu Jiu thought. It had quite a nice ring to it. She surreptitiously opened her eyes. At the moment, she was still being carried, with the slender figure of the youth shielding her.
Xie Zhan's expression also darkened, "Uncle Li, she is a living human being. Zi Qian was well-versed in the teachings of the sages; even in the underworld, he would know and never agree to you doing such a thing."
"Enough!" Master Li raged, pointing at Xie Zhan as he berated him, "I don't need you lecturing me. Mind your own business and get out!"
Xie Zhan's voice grew even colder, like the ringing of ice striking jade, "To bury someone alive, Master Li, even the high officials in the Imperial Court dare not do such a thing. The Imperial Family has never resorted to human sacrifice..."
"Enough, enough!" Master Li angrily cut him off. "Don't preach to me about righteousness..."
"Ahem," Gu Jiu raised a hand. "This Master Li, shouldn't you ask for my opinion before marrying me off to a dead person?"
Her carriers, originally watching the commotion, were startled by her voice. They flinched, nearly dropping her, giving her a chance to break free. She stood on the ground.
Xie Zhan glanced at her, then stepped forward to shield her behind him.
Master Li glared coldly at them both, completely ignoring Gu Jiu and no longer reasoning with Xie Zhan. He barked orders at the servants, "What are you all gawking at? Don't just stand there, get her in the coffin! If we miss the auspicious time, none of you will live!"
The servants on both sides responded and surged forward. Xie Zhan pulled Gu Jiu behind him. His entire demeanor changed, becoming exceptionally fierce, like a drawn sword with a chilling, piercing aura.
Xie Zhan said coldly with a stern expression, "The Great Jin's Legal Code states that human traffickers shall be executed by strangulation, and the buyers exiled three thousand miles away. Burying someone alive is murder, and murderers shall be executed in turn. Does Master Li intend to test the law himself?"
Gu Jiu, physically weak, stumbled from being pulled behind him.
Wow, the handsome young master was kind-hearted and displayed an imposing aura. What a dreamboat!
Master Li scoffed coldly, ignoring Xie Zhan, and directly ordered the servants, "Seize him!"
Immediately, the servants rushed forward. Some reached for Xie Zhan, while others extended their claws toward Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu gripped her hairpin, prepared to use her familiar trick again. But then she saw Xie Zhan pull her against him with one arm while kicking out with his foot. The servant in front let out a miserable cry as he was sent flying out the door.
Then, using both his hands and feet, Xie Zhan struck out with punches and kicks. In no time, the room was filled with groaning servants lying on the floor. Gu Jiu had no chance to lend a hand.
Gu Jiu's mouth fell open in astonishment. Oh my, he was a martial arts master - fierce yet handsome!
Master Li watched as his servants fell like paper figures, growing red-faced and breathing heavily in utter frustration. He shouted furiously toward the door, "Guards! Guards! Where are all my men?"
Xie Zhan paid no heed. He tucked Gu Jiu under his arm and strode out.
Gu Jiu felt suffocated and her stomach churned when Xie Zhan squeezed her, and she nearly vomited the little food she had managed to eat.
Weakly, she suggested to Xie Zhan, "Elder Brother, I think it would be better if you carried me on your back."
Xie Zhan ignored her, snorting. Her life was almost gone, yet she still wanted comfort.
Master Li roared repeatedly, "Stop them, stop them quickly!"
In the courtyard, servants came running from all directions, wielding long sticks, carrying poles, and even hoes, surrounding them.
Xie Zhan tucked his robe into his waist with one hand, then snatched the long stick from the leading servant, swinging it and leaving a trail of afterimages as he struck left and right, cutting a path through Master Li's servants' encirclement.
Master Li bellowed from behind, "Useless, useless, all useless!"
