Chapter 70: Making a Bet

The people in the pit panicked completely; seeing the fierce beasts slowly walking toward them, the roaring almost shook the entire beast pit.

The leading few men hurriedly shielded the old, weak, women, and children in front, shouting urgently: "Quick! Climb up the ladder at the pit's edge! Quick!!"

Who would have thought that, just as their words fell, the beast slaves on the edge of the deep pit suddenly pulled away the ladder placed at the pit's edge.

Perhaps the shouts of those few men enraged the two tigers, which instantly lunged at the crowd.

Ah!!!

The pit bottom's terrified shriek.

On the edge of the deep pit came an excited, stimulating shriek.

Already unable to tell who was who, some noble ladies attending the banquet covered their eyes and trembled, afraid to look again.

The few men in the pit despairingly closed their eyes, yet also grew ruthless, trying to hinder the tigers' attack on the crowd behind them, but their strength was vastly unequal.

Shrieks came; a man's head was smashed by a tiger's paw.

The bloody scent instantly assailed them, further stimulating the two beasts, which tore apart the man already dead in front of them into pieces.

Some of the Southern Qi nobles watching had already vomited.

From the pit came the sharp, desperate cries of a child; the mother holding the child was hysterical, kneeling to kowtow and beg mercy from the Southern Qi nobles watching nearby.

The thudding kowtows struck Gu Jiu Ling's body one after another; she suddenly rose to her feet.

"Third Prince, how about Aunt Wang and I make a bet?"

Xiao Yin tried to pull Gu Jiu Ling, but she pressed his hand down firmly with a reverse grip, and lightly stroked the back of his hand in passing.

Xiao Wei never imagined this scene could fail to frighten Gu Jiu Ling; she actually stood up and wanted to bet with him—what kind of trick is this?

He gave a faint smile and also stood up: "Aunt Wang, what do you mean by this?"

"Don't you think this performance is wonderful to watch?"

Gu Jiu Ling clenched her fists tightly; she really wanted to punch that beast's face, but she still had to endure.

She turned her face and glanced at Crown Prince Xiao Ting, saying: "I'll bet with the Third Prince; I ask the Crown Prince to serve as witness."

Xiao Ting's gaze at Gu Jiu Ling was somewhat complex; this woman stood there neither arrogant nor humble, her brows and eyes calm and grand, which made his heart itch.

But now it's obvious Xiao Wei is setting a trap for Xiao Yin, aiming to put him to death; unexpectedly Gu Jiu Ling stepped forward—is she protecting Xiao Yin?

His heart immediately felt uneasy; he spoke lightly: "Aunt Wang, what do you want me to witness?"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled slowly: "Since we've all come today to have fun, let's find a bigger source of fun."

"I'll bet with the Third Prince; if I lose, I'll give him 100,000 taels of silver as stake."

"If I win, the Third Prince will give me these slaves; I'm a woman from a humble household, not like your noble families with many attendants."

As soon as Gu Jiu Ling finished speaking, everyone stared dumbfounded—what could compare to this situation?

Xiao Wei let out a cold laugh: "Oh, could Aunt Wang be trying to save these Fufeng people?"

He looked at Xiao Yin, smiling with ill intent.

Gu Jiu Ling said: "No, what's the point of saving a bunch of rebels? I just think it's fun; I also want to play with a few Fufeng slaves."

Xiao Wei said coldly: "What if I don't agree to the bet?"

He had painstakingly set up this scheme, creating such a grand spectacle, to make him lower his flags and quiet his drums; you think Gu Jiu Ling has great prestige, and I'll give you that face?

Unexpectedly Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "Old Three, don't be so hasty; listen to Aunt Wang finish her words."

"Aunt Wang has never seen such a magnificent big tiger; I also want to go down and play with it!"

"If the tiger eats me, I'll give you 100,000 taels, and my lord the Prince won't pursue it!"

"If I kill your two tigers, I'll take the slaves—how about that? Care to bet?"

Ah!

The people around suddenly sucked in a breath, unable even to shout, utterly terrified.

"Gu Jiu Ling! Are you crazy?" Xiao Yin stood up, grabbed Gu Jiu Ling's hand, and was about to leave.

Xiao Ting's face turned pale; she actually went to such lengths for Xiao Yin, that good-for-nothing—does she not care for her own life?

Even the ruthless Xiao Wei froze there, feeling Gu Jiu Ling might be spouting nonsense.

Immediately a flicker of excitement and cruelty crossed his eyes—this is truly excellent.

With Xiao Yin's wife and children involved, who believes he can still sit still?

Xiao Wei's lip curled slightly into a cruel smile: "Hahaha…… Aunt Wang truly is a heroine among women!"

"Since Aunt Wang wants to play, bring the ladder!"

"You dare!" Xiao Yin suddenly drew his waist sword and charged at Xiao Wei; he could no longer bear it.

He simply could not endure it!

Ling Feng stood behind him, eyes red; they had plotted for seven years, not wanting this situation to break their defenses.

Once the Prince's sword in his hand cuts toward Xiao Wei, tomorrow will be the extermination of the entire Rui Wangfu.

But he cannot stop it; he cannot stop it!

When the Prince walked out of Qi Sha Gu, it was the people of the Fufeng tribe who brought these defeated remnants into the stronghold to feed and care for them; he cannot stop it!

Damn it! May they all not live!

Ling Feng drew his sword; suddenly a large group of black-clad men rushed out from behind Xiao Wei, each holding a bow and arrow with poisoned tips, raising them toward the Rui Wangfu guards on Ling Feng's side.

The other guests were already frightened pale; today's meal… this… this is a head‑chopping feast!

"Prince! Prince, sit down first! Listen to me!" Gu Jiu Ling did not want it to come to swords drawn, but she knew that if Xiao Yin took this step today, it would be eternal ruin.

She tightly grasped Xiao Yin's cold, hard arm: "Prince! Xiao Yin! Xiao Yin! Calm down!"

"I remember—I have a medicine, a kind that restrains fierce beasts; listen to me! Put your sword away!"

Xiao Yin's whole body was tense; he didn't know why, seeing her step forward for him almost drove him mad, his mind utterly confused.

He now only wants to kill!

After the tragedy in Qi Sha Gu, his overwhelming murderous intent has been held back for a full seven years!

Xiao Yin!

Gu Jiu Ling didn't expect Xiao Yin's body to be stretched so tight, like a bow, unable to relax.

She suddenly rose onto her tiptoes and placed a kiss on the corner of Xiao Yin's lips.

Everyone stared dumbfounded; in front of the crowd, the Princess Consort of Rui had no shame!

Crown Prince Xiao Ting's eyes flashed, a trace of pain and jealousy passing through his gaze.

Xiao Yin, caught off guard by this woman kissing him in front of so many people, instantly let out a breath, his shimmering peach‑blossom eyes fixed on Gu Jiu Ling, his expression wavering.

Prince! I'm a person who cherishes life! Will you trust me this once? I won't die! Trust me!!

You're not fit to act now; no matter how you step forward, it's wrong. I have to handle it! Trust me!

Xiao Yin stared at her intently, slowly raising his hand to brush her cheek, yet it trembled slightly.

From the start, she was the most insignificant pawn by his side; now she's become the meat of his heart, hurting even when prodded.

Gu Jiu Ling! he closed his eyes, If you cause any mishap, as long as I, this Prince, can leave here alive today, everyone will be buried with you!

Gu Jiu Ling's heart trembled fiercely—how ruthless!

But it sounds weird.

Wait for me! Prince, I'll safeguard your loyalty today! Wait for me!

Gu Jiu Ling turned and walked toward the ladder that had been placed back at the edge of the beast pit.