Some people's matters may never be understood in this lifetime.
Others, perhaps, can understand them in a single moment.
Clearly, Tan Ye was the latter.
But the moment he finally understood was far too late.
Tan Xing turned his head away, refusing to look at Tan Ye.
Song Chaoyu knew that in this young man's heart, the place that once held the image of a sword might have already been utterly shattered upon seeing Tan Ye this time.
Without waiting for Tan Xing to answer, Tan Ye stepped forward and patted Tan Xing's shoulder, "Let's go. I'll take you to the Peach Blossom Land territory."
The so-called Peach Blossom Land territory was, in fact, a hidden sanctuary that the Tan clan had discovered in the swamp years ago.
Some descendants of the Tan clan, unwilling to submit to the Great Yue Dynasty, had secluded themselves in a place akin to a "Peach Blossom Spring" beyond the swamp, cutting off all contact with the outside world for many years.
On the way, Tan Xing couldn't help but ask Tan Ye, "Didn't they say that the clan members in that place were all killed long ago? How can there still be people inside? And a path to get in?"
Tan Ye nodded, leading them into the Mao Mountain. "There are. And there are two paths. One of them is the path they currently use. It's behind the waterfall leading to the mountaintop. The water there is rapid, so ordinary people wouldn't think of it."
Indeed, who would have thought there was a path behind a waterfall?
But Song Chaoyu looked at Tan Ye with confusion, "You said... 'they'? So there are still quite a few people in the Peach Blossom Land territory now?"
Tan Ye sighed, knowing the truth couldn't be hidden any longer, and decided to speak. "That's right, there are still many people in the Peach Blossom Land territory. They've tidied up the Tan family's old grounds and planted many precious herbs there. Those people seem to have dealings with the capital, and there's a cave within that is heavily guarded. I didn't dare to get too close, so I don't know what's in the cave, but it must be something very valuable?"
Song Chaoyu looked at Mu Changxi with some doubt, "Could it be a mine?"
Mu Changxi shook his head, "It shouldn't be. When the imperial court took over Mao Mountain, they surveyed it. The geology of Mao Mountain is unlikely to have such large mine shafts. So it shouldn't be a mine. I'll be able to get a closer look once we arrive."
At the same time, Mu Changxi also turned to ask Tan Ye, "Then the other path, it should be the one you discovered, right?"
"Yes."
Tan Ye led them upstream along the small stream in Mao Mountain. "Everyone thought Mao Mountain was just one large mountain. In fact, they don't know that at the end of this stream, there's another smaller peak. Descending from that peak is a rugged path filled with bushes, which leads to the Peach Blossom Land territory. I should be the only one who knows that path, as that small peak is steep and no one would ever go there."
He followed the stream upwards, prompting Tan Xing to roll his eyes at him. "If no one goes there, how did you end up there?"
Tan Ye paused, his tone tinged with a hint of sorrow. "I found it by accident. When I learned that child wasn't mine, I felt that living in this world was meaningless. So one day, I thought I'd find a beautiful place with clear waters and jump, to die in this Mao Mountain and return to my roots. My life is not worth regretting."
He was talking about the child born to Liu Rumei, wasn't he?
Tan Ye's words made Tan Xing scoff again, "You're truly useless! To think of dying just like that, a person like you is useless in this world!"
"Heh—"
Even when scorned by his own son, Tan Ye didn't seem to mind. "Yes, a person like me is indeed useless!"
The path ahead became increasingly difficult, requiring them to push through dense bushes. It was hardly a path anymore, and even Tan Ye had to feel his way forward. "At that time, I thought if I could reach the highest point of Mao Mountain and leap from there, it might be good. However, it was dark that day, and I didn't see the path clearly. I stumbled upon this place by chance."
Looking at the bushes ahead, where the path was almost invisible, Song Chaoyu felt a flicker of doubt. "If you accidentally came here that day, why do you remember this path so clearly now?"
Tan Xing also realized something was amiss and quickly stopped, grabbing Tan Ye's arm. "You're not lying to us, are you?!"
"Son!"
Tan Ye's eyes were filled with helplessness. The single word "son" seemed to carry all the sorrow of his life. "I haven't been good to you, but you are my son after all! I won't harm you, so rest assured and follow me. When we get there... perhaps you'll understand why I remember this path, and why I always ran towards the Peach Blossom Land territory."
He seemed to have a hidden burden, and Mu Changxi nodded, indicating his willingness to trust Tan Ye.
They followed Tan Ye forward, and Tan Ye continued, "When I reached the mountaintop, I was exhausted. I discovered there was a light at the base of the peak! I looked closely and realized I had taken the wrong path. And below the peak was the Peach Blossom Land territory. Curiosity drove me towards the Peach Blossom Land territory that day. The mountain path was very steep, but I wasn't afraid. I thought, if I fell and died, perhaps that was my fate."
Clearly, Tan Ye did not die that day, and he did indeed reach the Peach Blossom Land territory.
And he discovered that the Peach Blossom Land territory had changed, looking vastly different from before!
As he spoke, Tan Ye's brow furrowed. "That place is now guarded by many people, so we must be careful when we go. We are many, and you are not familiar with the terrain. You must follow me closely, understand?"
But Tan Xing's confusion grew. "Wasn't the Peach Blossom Land territory only known to our Tan clan? Even those who annihilated the Tan clan back then are already dead. How could outsiders have discovered it?"
Mu Changxi's tone suddenly deepened. "I'm afraid it was someone from the Tan clan who led them into the Peach Blossom Land territory. This place, it seems, warrants a thorough investigation!"
"Sigh—"
Tan Ye sighed again, and Song Chaoyu felt a strange sensation. "Tan Ye, do you know someone in the Peach Blossom Land territory?"
Tan Ye paused, then sighed again, "When you get there, you'll naturally know."
Since he was unwilling to speak now, Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi did not press him.
After all, the Peach Blossom Land territory was close at hand. Even if the bushes made the going difficult, it couldn't stop their progress.
Saving the person was the only thought in Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi's minds now.
No matter the cost, they had to save the Imperial Consort!