A carriage brought the three of them back to the inn.
Su Cheng was the first to alight, standing aside to wait for Gu Qianying and Ouyang Qinglin to emerge from the carriage.
Seeing the carriage halt before the inn, Ouyang Qinglin inquired of Gu Qianying, "Qianying, is this your temporary lodging? Is anyone else here? Is Xiao Yihhao safe at the moment?"
Gu Qianying was not annoyed by Ouyang Qinglin's string of questions. She replied with a smile, dispelling his doubts.
"This is our temporary base, where we'll be staying for now. Jiao Long A Mu, Xuan Ling Nu, and Bai Ze are all here. Xiao Yihhao is safe; he's inside the inn, so you can rest assured."
Upon hearing Gu Qianying's explanation, Ouyang Qinglin's worries about Xiao Yihhao's safety subsided. He then suddenly recalled the matter of the imposter mentioned by Murong Yun when they were dealing with him in the dungeon.
He moved closer to Gu Qianying and quietly explained what he knew, "Qianying, when I was imprisoned, I overheard Murong Yun say he hired a perfect double for me at great expense. Have you met that imposter? Where is he now?"
Gu Qianying then informed him of the developments he was unaware of, "I encountered this fake Ouyang Qinglin on the street and brought him back to the inn. Xiao Yihhao doesn't know about the behind-the-scenes machinations and is very attached to the fake you. This imposter Ouyang Qinglin is likely with Xiao Yihhao in the inn right now."
"What?!" Ouyang Qinglin couldn't help but be astonished. This person, who had impersonated him without anyone knowing, had actually fooled many people.
He began to worry again. What if he took advantage of Xiao Yihhao's affection for him and did something to the little one?
Although it was only a simple statement, Gu Qianying, as Ouyang Qinglin's close friend, could feel his various considerations. She quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, besides Xiao Yihhao, Bai Ze is also guarding the fake Ouyang Qinglin. Bai Ze is incredibly skilled in martial arts, so the imposter can't cause any major trouble. Moreover, he's still trying to glean information from us. Since he hasn't gained anything yet, he won't act rashly and reveal himself."
Ouyang Qinglin's hanging heart settled back into place with Gu Qianying's words.
Considering Ouyang Qinglin's recent experiences, Gu Qianying worried he might feel self-reproach for his identity being exploited. She added, "The mastermind behind this imposter has many schemes and has done many wicked deeds. The plan to impersonate you and return to us was likely prepared long ago. Qinglin, please don't feel guilty or regretful about this; we are both pawns in this game."
Gu Qianying's kind words of comfort greatly soothed Ouyang Qinglin's emotions, and he also felt quite ashamed. Not only had he failed to protect Gu Qianying, but he had also caused her to waste her time and energy to save him, only to be comforted by her afterward.
Ouyang Qinglin's inner thoughts were set aside for the moment.
The three of them slowly approached the room where the fake Ouyang Qinglin was, hearing Xiao Yihhao's bursts of laughter from within.
Gu Qianying quietly made a gesture to Ouyang Qinglin. With their years of accumulated tacit understanding, Ouyang Qinglin instantly grasped Gu Qianying's intention. Gu Qianying wanted the real Ouyang Qinglin to hide outside the door and, later, to coordinate with Gu Qianying and the others inside the room to apprehend the fake Ouyang Qinglin.
Gu Qianying and Su Cheng pushed the door open and entered the room. They saw the fake Ouyang Qinglin sitting by the wooden table, laughing and talking while holding Xiao Yihhao. Bai Ze and Jiao Long A Mu stood beside the fake Ouyang Qinglin, closely guarding Xiao Yihhao. A few steps away, Xuan Ling Nu, whom Gu Qianying had dispatched to contact the disciples of the Juesha Sect, had also returned.
Jiao Long A Mu was the first to sense Gu Qianying's presence. He looked up and paid his respects, "Master."
Hearing Jiao Long A Mu greet Gu Qianying, Bai Ze and Xuan Ling Nu also looked over.
Xiao Yihhao also realized that his mother had returned!
He immediately jumped down from the fake Ouyang Qinglin's lap and ran to Gu Qianying.
Xiao Yihhao threw himself into Gu Qianying's arms, hugging her tightly and refusing to let go, saying, "Mother! You're finally back! Your son missed you so much!"
Su Cheng watched the heartwarming scene of Xiao Yihhao acting affectionately with Gu Qianying and couldn't help but smile gently.
Gu Qianying looked down, lifted Xiao Yihhao into her arms, and said as she walked into the room, "Mother missed you too, Xiao Yihhao. Have you been a good boy while Mother was away?"
Xiao Yihhao nodded rapidly, shaking his head up and down. With excitement, he eagerly wanted to tell his mother what he had done during their separation, "Mother! I've been so good! Uncle Ouyang even took me to the market to play. There were so many people on the street, and it was so lively. I ate a very sweet candied hawthorn. I'll take you to eat it next time!"
Gu Qianying agreed to Xiao Yihhao's invitation, "Okay, Xiao Yihhao, remember next time!"
As they chatted, Gu Qianying, holding Xiao Yihhao, returned to the table. Her smile faded slightly as she looked at Ouyang Qinglin.
Gu Qianying put Xiao Yihhao down and let Jiao Long A Mu hold his hand.
Although Xiao Yihhao was reluctant to leave his mother's warm embrace, he obediently took Jiao Long A Mu's hand, waiting for his mother's next move.
Gu Qianying sat down opposite Ouyang Qinglin, picked up the teapot, poured herself a cup of lukewarm tea, took a small sip, and then asked Ouyang Qinglin, "Qinglin, don't you remember you also said you'd buy me candied hawthorn the next time we met? Why didn't you bring one back from the market?"
In truth, the real Ouyang Qinglin had never promised Gu Qianying to buy her candied hawthorn. These words were merely a ruse fabricated by Gu Qianying to fluster the fake Ouyang Qinglin.
The fake Ouyang Qinglin, unaware of the truth, was indeed deceived by Gu Qianying's seemingly innocent words. He put on an apologetic expression and said to Gu Qianying, "I'm sorry, Qianying. I only woke up recently, and my mind is still a bit foggy. It was my fault this time. Next time, I will definitely buy you fresh and delicious candied hawthorn."
Seeing this, Gu Qianying couldn't help but chuckle, "Heh."
However, she didn't want to expose this clown so quickly, so she continued to question him.
"It's alright, Qinglin, I understand. Shall we go to the market later and buy some candied hawthorn and your favorite peanut brittle?"
Gu Qianying mentioned peanut brittle, which the real Ouyang Qinglin would absolutely not eat, wanting to see how the imposter would respond.
Upon hearing Gu Qianying's words, the fake Ouyang Qinglin thought she was giving him an out and quickly agreed, "Okay, let's go for a walk later."
However, Gu Qianying suddenly stood up and slammed the teacup onto the table. Tea splashed out, mirroring the agitated state of the fake Ouyang Qinglin's heart.
"A fake is still a fake. No matter how you pretend, you are not the real Ouyang Qinglin. You even tried to deceive me? Go back and study for a few more years. Just having a good appearance isn't enough!"
Seeing this, the fake Ouyang Qinglin knew that his impersonation of Ouyang Qinglin had been exposed. He immediately got up and rushed towards the room's exit.
However, despite reaching the door with a speed that caught the people in the room off guard, he was apprehended by the real Ouyang Qinglin, who was waiting by the door like a hunter lying in wait.