Chapter 306: Miss, you need to hurry and go!

Gu Xixi stepped out of the carriage.

Jiang Mingyuan blocked her path, lowering his voice nervously, "Didn't we just agree you wouldn't come out? What are you doing?"

An Qinghe continued to face the thugs with a dagger in hand, occasionally glancing back anxiously.

Gu Xixi smiled and locked eyes with Jiang Mingyuan, "My legs have gone numb from sitting too long; I just want to get down and walk a bit."

She said that and then jumped straight down from the carriage.

Seeing this young lady actually deliver herself to them, the thugs couldn't help but let out smug laughter.

As Gu Xixi stepped forward, she looked in turn at Jiang Mingyuan and An Qinghe; in that instant, her gaze seemed to hold a deeper meaning.

Jiang Mingyuan startled, then quickly thought, "Could it be that Miss Xixi has another trick up her sleeve?"

Facing the thugs, Gu Xixi was not afraid; instead, she smiled and said, "Aren't you supposed to take me to see your master? Then let's go."

An Qinghe's eyes were nearly bursting; his hot temper prevented him from catching Gu Xixi's hint.

Hearing Gu Xixi say she would go with them, he anxiously leapt from the carriage and rushed forward.

But at that moment Jiang Mingyuan reached out and firmly grabbed An Qinghe, "Wait, don't act rashly."

An Qinghe struggled, "Let go of me! Xixi is sacrificing herself to protect us; if we just stand by and watch, we're not worthy of being men!"

Jiang Mingyuan still firmly held An Qinghe, "Can't you let me finish speaking?"

An Qinghe glared fiercely at Jiang Mingyuan, "If you're cowardly, stand at the back or go your own way! Anyway, I could never abandon Xixi! Even if they outnumber us, if we truly fight to the death, I might not lose to them!!"

Jiang Mingyuan sighed, seeing Gu Xixi talking with the thugs, no one noticed this side.

He leaned close to An Qinghe and whispered, "Do you think Miss Xixi is the type who would surrender without even trying, and even actively sell herself out?"

An Qinghe was taken aback by those words and couldn't help but frown in thought.

"That doesn't seem right."

"And she's still smiling at these villains?"

An Qinghe recalled that when the local Gu clan members had surrounded and pressured them in Huachi Du Cun, Gu Xixi's attitude had been extremely firm, with no intention of yielding.

Gu Daye and Gu Erye, being her elders, she had shown no mercy in returning their blows.

Moreover, these thugs before her have no connection to her; how could she possibly greet them with a smiling face?!

An Qinghe furrowed his brow and slowly turned his head to meet Jiang Mingyuan's eyes.

Jiang Mingyuan gave a slight nod, "Although I don't know exactly what Xixi plans to do, we still need to coordinate well with her."

He whispered a few words into An Qinghe's ear, and An Qinghe nodded repeatedly.

"Alright, let's make preparations on both fronts."

Ahead, Gu Xixi laughed and said, "What do you few think of me compared to this young lady?"

The thugs lecherously shifted their gaze back and forth between the two young ladies.

Someone chuckled, "Both are quite spirited; anyway, our master loves beauty, so bringing back another will only please him more."

"Being too greedy won't do," Gu Xixi said, "It's better that I take this young lady's place and go with you."

Saying that, she actually stepped forward on her own initiative.

The white-clad woman regained her composure; although frightened, she gathered her courage and said, "Miss, thank you for your kind rescue, but I cannot let you sacrifice yourself for me."

"You're from out of town; you don't know that Pan Yuanwai is lustful and vicious, keeping over a dozen concubines and daily abducting village girls—often a girl enters his manor and her corpse is carried out at night."

"You must absolutely not go with them!"

One thug glared, "You shameless hag! The master taking a liking to you is his favor, giving you face—yet you dare to slander him!"

Gu Xixi glanced back at the white-clad woman and smiled, "It's fine. I'm willing."

She said that and continued walking forward, moving quickly.

The thugs laughed triumphantly and followed Gu Xixi for a stretch.

Suddenly the leader of the thugs sensed something off—even if this girl were a fool, her behavior seems overly eager.

They have helped their master abduct so many girls, yet this is the first time a girl has walked ahead on her own.

The thug leader raised his hand, calling for everyone to halt and not move forward.

Gu Xixi stopped ahead, turned to face them with a half-smile, and said, "Why aren't you moving?"

The thug leader stared at Gu Xixi, "Just who are you? Wanting to see our master—what's your scheme?!"

Gu Xixi blinked innocently, "Anyway, I'm already in your hands; I might as well cooperate, curry favor with your master, so I can enjoy good food and drink later, and besides, I can save my companions and elder brother."

"Otherwise, ending up like this young lady—family destroyed and life lost—would be too tragic."

The thug leader was half‑believing, half‑doubting, "Are you telling the truth?"

Gu Xixi replied, "Given the situation, what would I gain by lying to you?"

At that moment the sun was setting westward and a mountain evening breeze rose.

The moment had come; Gu Xixi silently pulled the stopper from the medicine bottle in her palm.

Just as she was about to act, the white‑clad woman suddenly rushed over and shoved Gu Xixi hard, "Miss, you need to run!"

Gu Xixi stared, stunned by the sudden turn of events!

The thug leader barked, "Seize her! Neither of these women is getting away!"

The white‑clad woman had her arms twisted by two thugs, yet she kept shouting for Gu Xixi to flee.

"Hold on!" Gu Xixi said displeasedly, "I already said I'd go with you—why must you bring in another woman to compete for favor?"

The thug leader frowned, "What do you mean?"

Gu Xixi said solemnly, "Whatever I do, I want to be the only one!"

"So I'd like to know a bit more about your master—what does he like? If you help me win his favor, I'll become his concubine and will certainly not mistreat you."

"Such a win‑win—why not stake your bets on me?"

The white‑clad woman stared at Gu Xixi in surprise, then turned her head to the other side, looking disdainful of being associated with her.

The evil servants, however, as soon as they heard there was benefit, completely dispelled their doubts.

"Miss, you're so clever, far more sensible than that dead girl!"

"Should we, the servants, call you 'Gu madam' in advance?"

Gu Xixi smiled, waved her hand, signaling everyone to come closer to speak.

The evil servants gathered before her into a semi‑arc.

"The master sometimes likes gorgeous beauty, sometimes likes pure innocence; with your looks, pretending to be pure is most suitable."

The evil servant leader was teaching Gu Xixi how to win favor when suddenly a black mist filled the air before them.

He had no defense, instinctively took a deep breath, and immediately felt his throat as if being choked.

He struggled to look at his companions nearby, but his vision was a blur, with double images shaking.

As the saying goes, the first time is raw, the second time is practiced.

This time Gu Xixi didn't even make a motion to lay down a mat; the medicinal powder was simply scattered out.

Only saw her cover her mouth and nose with her sleeve, retreat quickly, and shout, "You two, attack!"

Earlier, saying all that nonsense was to buy time. When the wind rises, I'll also gather all the evil servants.

Using it this way uses less medicine and has good effect.

After all, this time we're out for a long time, so we need to use it sparingly.

Next, it just depends on cooperation.