"By rights, that Ouyang Qinglin is your close friend, and entrusting young Yi Hao to him should have been reassuring. Yet, Qianying, you instructed Bai Ze and Xuan Ling Nu to guard the entrance..."
Su Cheng articulated the reason behind his suspicions.
Gu Qianying nodded in agreement, "Precisely because of this concern, I had them guard the entrance to protect young Yi Hao's safety."
Having spoken, Gu Qianying picked up her teacup and took a sip.
"The reasons for my suspicion are twofold: firstly, upon waking, he had no memory of prior events; secondly, this Ouyang Qinglin, despite his amnesia, knew about Meng Qinghua and Duan Xifeng. This person is a fake."
Su Cheng pondered for a moment, recalling the events that transpired in the inn after Ouyang Qinglin regained consciousness. Indeed, this detail was present.
At this moment, the Flood Dragon A Mu entered the small hut.
He looked at Gu Qianying, bowed his head in a gesture of respect, intending to convey what he had just learned.
"Master, your subordinate has made a discovery."
Gu Qianying put down her teacup and sat up straight.
"Tell me."
Uncharacteristically, Flood Dragon A Mu did not immediately obey Gu Qianying's command but subtly turned his head to look at Su Cheng, who was seated beside her.
Seeing this action, Gu Qianying understood his hesitation, "It's alright, speak directly. He is one of us."
Upon hearing this, Su Cheng felt a surge of emotion. He had been accepted by Qianying...
Flood Dragon A Mu, hearing this, suppressed his surprise, "Your subordinate understands." He then began to elaborate.
"Your subordinate went to the place where we encountered Ouyang Qinglin today. After tracing his steps and inquiring with several people, I learned that he emerged from a merchant household. This family's surname is Yan, and they reside just two streets away. Master, shall we continue the investigation?"
Gu Qianying and Su Cheng listened to Flood Dragon A Mu's account.
"As expected, Qianying, your guess was right. He is not the real Ouyang Qinglin."
Gu Qianying nodded, "Yes, there were too many inconsistencies. I should have realized it sooner."
"In that case, what should we do next?"
Su Cheng was eager to know Gu Qianying's next course of action.
Gu Qianying looked past Su Cheng towards the door, at the pale blue sky.
As she pondered.
Flood Dragon A Mu and Su Cheng remained silent, both waiting for Gu Qianying to speak again.
"Yes, very well, A Mu, no need for further investigation. I will meet this Yan family myself."
"Yes, Master."
"Qianying, you intend to investigate this fake Ouyang Qinglin first?"
Su Cheng discerned Gu Qianying's thoughts.
"Yes, that's right. Since this person was instructed by someone else, it implies that the person behind him knows Ouyang Qinglin's whereabouts. This means... the purpose of this person approaching us is certainly not what it seems at present."
Gu Qianying stood up, about to leave with Flood Dragon A Mu, and said to Su Cheng as she turned, "You go back and rest. I'll be back soon, don't worry."
Su Cheng was unwilling to be sidelined like this. He worried about Qianying's safety, "Qianying, I said when I woke up that I would accompany you no matter what you do from now on. My life is yours. Don't leave me behind."
Gu Qianying paused, then smiled slightly and readily agreed.
The three of them left the small thatched hut and quietly returned to the inn along the same path.
As they were about to leave through the front door of the inn, they were called out to.
"Mother!"
Gu Qianying stopped upon hearing her son Xiao Yi Hao's voice and turned back.
Ouyang Qinglin was walking towards them, holding Xiao Yi Hao's hand.
Seeing Gu Qianying's posture, Xiao Yi Hao's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
"Mother, are you leaving again? Can you take Yi Hao with you?"
Xiao Yi Hao released Ouyang Qinglin's hand and ran to Gu Qianying, reaching out his small hand to firmly grasp her clothes.
Ouyang Qinglin, his hand now empty as Xiao Yi Hao let go, smiled and asked Gu Qianying,
"Xiao Yi Hao insisted on coming to find you, so I brought the little one along. Qianying, where are you going on this trip? Do you need my help?"
Gu Qianying gently shook her head. She certainly couldn't let the Ouyang Qinglin, whose allegiance was unknown, know her true destination. Thus, she said, "It's nothing, just accompanying Su Cheng on some business."
Then, she said no more, lowering her head to coax Xiao Yi Hao, stroking the little one's hair.
"Be good, Yi Hao. Mother won't leave you. Go play with Uncle Ouyang for a while, Mother will be back soon."
Hearing his mother's words, Xiao Yi Hao knew she wouldn't be taking him along again.
He could only tug at her clothes and sway them slightly in a childish plea, then obediently let go, pouting, "Okay... Mother, come back quickly. Xiao Yi Hao will miss Mother very much."
Gu Qianying patted his head and promised, "Mother will be back quickly."
Then, she gently pushed Xiao Yi Hao towards Ouyang Qinglin, "Qinglin, I'll have to trouble you to play with Xiao Yi Hao for a while longer. However, you've only recently woken up, so don't indulge him too much and tire yourself out."
Ouyang Qinglin, holding Xiao Yi Hao's hand, also smiled, "I understand, Qianying, take care."
Watching the two figures walk back into the room hand in hand, Gu Qianying silently recited a spell to summon Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze.
"Master, what are your orders?"
The two immediately appeared, awaiting Gu Qianying's command.
"Remain at the inn and protect Xiao Yi Hao with all your might. Ensure he does not come to any harm."
Xuan Ling Nu and Bai Ze, as Gu Qianying's loyal subordinates, now understood her concerns. After receiving their orders, they immediately proceeded into the inn.
Having arranged for personnel, Gu Qianying turned back to Su Cheng and Flood Dragon A Mu and said, "Let's go, we mustn't delay."
The three of them quickly headed towards the residence of the Yan family merchant, which was connected to Ouyang Qinglin.
Upon reaching the entrance, Flood Dragon A Mu stepped forward to knock and announce their intention to visit.
It was indeed opportune, as both Master and Madam Yan were at home.
Without waiting long, a servant came to lead them, inviting the three to the main hall.
Seated in the place of honor in the main hall were a man and a woman, Master and Madam Yan.
Master Yan wore a deep blue robe with auspicious cloud patterns at the hem. His semi-white hair was tightly bound by a jade crown. His round face featured bright eyes, exuding a friendly yet shrewd demeanor. A jade thumb ring adorned his thumb.
Madam Yan sat beside her husband, also in a deep blue dress with a green outer robe. Her hair was styled, her face like a jade hibiscus, her brows like slender willows, her eyes like apricots, and her nose like fine jade. A few wrinkles were visible, and her expression was gentle. A mole was present on the right side of her mouth.
Master and Madam Yan greeted the three upon their arrival, inviting them to be seated and ordering servants to serve tea.
Master Yan spoke first, "May I ask why you young friends have graced our humble abode?"
Seeing this, Gu Qianying directly stated their purpose, "Master Yan, we have come to inquire if a young man named Ouyang Qinglin was lodging at the Yan residence some time ago. He is quite tall and slender."
Upon hearing this, Master Yan exchanged a look with his wife, inquiring with his eyes.
He then turned to answer Gu Qianying, "My wife and I do not know who the Ouyang Qinglin you mentioned is."
Gu Qianying and the other two found this strange. Ouyang Qinglin had indeed stayed here; how could Master and Madam Yan not know?
They continued to inquire, "Please think carefully again. To our knowledge, Ouyang Qinglin stayed at your esteemed residence for several days."
Madam Yan furrowed her brows in thought for a moment, then suddenly recalled, "Master, do you remember the person that Zhu Zhu rescued?"
Master Yan, reminded, also remembered.
"Everyone, our eldest daughter has always been kind and compassionate. Some time ago, she rescued a mute man from the street. Perhaps this person is the Ouyang Qinglin you are inquiring about."
Upon hearing that there was a lead, the three relaxed their brows and expressed their hope to meet the Yan family's eldest daughter.
Although Master and Madam Yan did not know the identities of the three, their attire and demeanor indicated that Gu Qianying and her companions were not people to be easily offended. Therefore, they complied with their request.
"Please wait a moment, young friends. I will have a servant fetch my daughter Zhu Zhu."