Gu Zhi, who was listening nearby, seemed to finally understand what Xiao Han was referring to. His eyes flickered as he looked towards Sang Li, his scorching gaze making Sang Li inadvertently glance back at him.
As their eyes met, waves crashed in their hearts.
Gu Zhi curved his lips into a smile. Sister, you will be mine sooner or later.
Xia Miaomiao, who was watching nearby, seemed to figure something out.
Sister Sang Li must have truly fallen in love with Gu Zhi!
...
Although Gu Zhi released Xiao Han and Xia Miaomiao, he did not let the three of them leave Gu Residence. Instead, he arranged accommodation for them in Gu Residence.
Even though they were practically under house arrest, Sang Li was not angry, because she still needed a chance to ask Gu Zhi about the whereabouts of the treasure map.
That night, as Gu Zhi was making arrangements for the crowning ceremony the next day, the guard named Kuli suddenly came to report.
"That's it. Nothing can go wrong with tomorrow's affairs. You guys can leave first!" Gu Zhi dismissed the others.
"Yes!" The few people retreated.
Gu Zhi looked at Kuli. "What's the matter?"
"Young tribal chief, you were right. The man we previously captured - someone came to silence him! Fortunately we were prepared!"
"Then it's time to meet him."
Gu Zhi got up and went with Kuli to the maximum security dungeon.
The captured man's four limbs were chained. His body was covered in blood, and he already seemed to be drawing his last breaths. This was on Gu Zhi's instructions - to save him only when he was on the verge of death after someone tried to kill him.
Hearing the sounds, the man slowly lifted his head. Seeing who the visitors were, he stammered, "Young tribal chief...I was wrong. I'll tell you everything...Please give me a chance..."
Gu Zhi walked over and used a finger to tilt up his chin. He asked indifferently, "Who ordered you to come to Lan City to kill me?"
"It was...Gu Fan..."
"Gu Fan..."
Hearing this name, Gu Zhi did not seem too surprised either. He already had suspicions and just wanted confirmation.
Gu Fan was his cousin, and currently his father's trusted aide. If his uncle had not died of illness back then, the position of tribal chief might have gone to Gu Fan instead.
So, Gu Fan wanted him dead in order to become tribal chief? Or...because of Cai Na?
Gu Zhi left the dungeon and instructed Kuli on some matters before heading to Gu Fan's residence.
Gu Fan was throwing a tantrum in the study. Knowing that the assassin he sent had failed to kill the captive, he felt that things would soon unravel.
Sure enough, someone rushed in to report that the Young Tribal Chief had arrived.
Gu Fan went out to welcome him, not expecting that Gu Zhi had come alone without guards to arrest him.
Gu Fan narrowed his eyes, unsure of Gu Zhi's intentions.
"Young Tribal Chief, it's so late. May I know what business brings you here looking for me?"
"Gu Fan, I won't beat around the bush. In Lan City, why did you send someone to kill me?" Gu Zhi asked directly.
Gu Fan did not expect such a direct question. He smiled. "Young tribal chief, is there some misunderstanding about me?"
"Gu Fan, are you not ashamed that the Cai Family is using you even though you're surnamed Gu?" Gu Zhi said solemnly.
Gu Fan's eyes flickered. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
"You are of the Gu family. How could you join outsiders to plot against the Gu family? Don't you know the Cai Family intends to rebel? Do you think they will give you what you want if you cooperate with them? If my father and I were to die, you would not get away either!"
"How...How is that possible? They promised to marry Cai Na to me!" Gu Fan subconsciously blurted out.
"So...it's because of Cai Na?"
Gu Fan realized there was no more hiding. He admitted openly, "Gu Zhi, I didn't intend to kill you initially, nor did I want the position of tribal chief. But I've liked Cai Na since I was young. Yet Cai Na is the Holy Maiden - she can only marry the future tribal chief!"
Gu Fan's eyes shone with hatred. "Why do you get to become the Young Tribal Chief and even snatch away the girl I like?! Why?!"
Gu Zhi looked at him, his gaze darkening. "But I don't like Cai Na and have no plans to marry her!"
Gu Fan stared at him. "What do you mean? Aren't you getting engaged to her tomorrow?"
"So...you plan to kill me and my father tomorrow?"
"I..."
He didn't actually want things to turn out like this. But Cai Na's father had coerced and enticed him, and his feelings for Cai Na were genuine.
Gu Zhi stepped closer and grabbed his collar. Somewhat exasperated, he said, "Gu Fan, if you want the position of tribal chief, you could have just asked my father. He would have gladly given it to you!"
Gu Fan looked at him in disbelief. "Don't try to fool me!"
"He's not fooling you!" A middle-aged male voice sounded from nearby.
Gu Fan looked up to see Gu Zhi's father, the tribal chief of the Miao ethnicity.
He looked brawny and exuded an aura of authority.
"Gu Fan, you fool!"
"Tri...Tribal chief..." Gu Fan was still rather afraid of the tribal chief.
"You are my elder brother's son! I've always focused on grooming you. I've repeatedly sounded you out on whether you wanted to become the Young Tribal Chief, yet you've rejected it every time!"
Gu Fan was stunned. He had always believed the tribal chief was testing his loyalty, so of course he had declined!
"I've discussed this with Gu Zhi before. He doesn't care about the position of Young Tribal Chief and doesn't like Cai Na either."
The tribal chief looked at Gu Zhi and snorted. "Who knew that after this rascal got his memory back, he would tell me about a girl he fell for out there and that he doesn't want to become the Young Tribal Chief anymore! I never thought highly of him to begin with. I wanted to properly groom you, yet you actually colluded with the Cai Family to kill us. How heartbroken I am!"
Hearing the tribal chief's words, Gu Fan was completely confounded.
His legs gave way and he immediately knelt before the tribal chief. Head lowered in shame, he didn't dare face Gu Zhi and his father.
He had always known the tribal chief treated him well. Yet he still listened to the Cai Family's incitements.
He loved Cai Na too deeply and wanted to marry her badly, which led him to make a grave mistake.
"Second uncle, I was wrong! It was all my fault!" Gu Fan kowtowed to them forcefully.
The tribal chief sighed and walked over to help him up. "Gu Fan, your father's death still pains me too. I've always treated you like my own son. How could you harbour murderous thoughts against your closest kin?"
"Second uncle, I was wrong. I shouldn't have believed the Cai Family. I shouldn't have been provoked by them!"
Gu Fan cried and repented. If not for Gu Zhi and Cai Na's impending engagement driving his anxiety, he wouldn't have been so easily incited.
"Alright, get up now! I definitely won't let the Cai Family off for plotting a rebellion. As for you...reflect on yourself behind closed doors. Don't come out tomorrow."
"Second uncle, second uncle!" Gu Fan quickly grabbed him. "I beg you, please spare Cai Na. She's innocent and knows nothing about this!"
Gu Zhi looked at him. "Don't worry, I've imprisoned Cai Na. Naturally, she'll be released after tomorrow is over."