On the way back, Ouyang Ye stood on a jade elephant carriage, patting her chest and letting out a sigh. "When that hateful woman Bi Lan suddenly popped up at the rear mountain saying Old Jiu was fake, it really gave me a fright. Sister Handong, how did she see through that Old Jiu was an imposter?"
Compared to Ouyang Ye, Han Dong appeared much calmer. She responded, "She doesn't actually know. She was probably just suspicious. What she did just now was merely trying to bluff us."
"Suspicious?" Ouyang Ye frowned as she asked, "Why would she suddenly suspect Old Jiu is fake for no reason? When Sister Ling'er impersonated him, she didn't slip up at all. This is Old Jiu's first time impersonating him, and he hasn't slipped up either. Why would she suspect him?"
"A person who turned to ashes three years ago suddenly comes back to life. Anyone would be suspicious."
"Oh, I forgot about that. But as long as we don't slip up, let them be suspicious all they want. They even had the nerve to talk about finding evidence? What evidence? That guy Gu Qingfeng has no parents, no one even knows where he popped out from. Let them search all they want. They can search to their heart's content."
Han Dong said quietly, "What worries me now is the anniversary celebration."
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye also remembered that Bi Lan seemed to have mentioned something about the so-called anniversary celebration when they were leaving, and from her tone, it sounded like there would be some big move then.
"Sister Handong, don't worry. No matter how much they stir things up then, we're not afraid. I've already spoken with Senior Ziyang and those other old-timers. Sister Fei'er and Sister Shuiyun will help us too. And there's Old Man Huode—he's the closest to Gu Qingfeng. The old man himself said if we need help, just ask. If something really happens then, we can just have the old man come over and vouch for Old Jiu. Who's afraid of whom?"
"That's secondary... What truly worries me is the Immortal Manor."
Han Dong had always known that if the Second Elder didn't have the Immortal Manor backing her behind the scenes, she would never dare to openly contend for the palace master position again and again like this.
"The Immortal Manor wouldn't openly support the Second Elder, would they?"
"The Immortal Manor doesn't need to support her openly. Supporting her from behind the scenes is enough."
Ouyang Ye thought carefully. This was indeed a headache. She also knew that if the Second Elder didn't have the Immortal Manor's backing, Han Dong definitely wouldn't be as isolated and helpless as she was now. It was precisely because many people knew the Second Elder had the Immortal Manor's support behind her that those old friends of Daozun Feiyan who originally had the ability to help had to hold back because of the Immortal Manor.
"How about... I send a letter to Sister Su Hua to see if she has time?"
"No!"
"Sister Su Hua dotes on me a lot, and she's a very good person. If she knows you're in trouble, she'll definitely help."
"Yeye, I've also met Su Hua Fairy once and even received guidance from her. Naturally, I know what kind of person Su Hua Fairy is. If possible, I'd also hope Su Hua Fairy could help me, but... After all, Su Hua and I are merely acquaintances. How could I trouble her? And... most importantly." Han Dong sighed. "This is, after all, a matter of our Yao Yue Palace. If an outsider intervenes, it will only invite criticism. Moreover, Su Hua Fairy is a renowned fairy throughout the world. If she were criticized because she helped me, I would blame myself for life."
Hearing Han Dong say this, Ouyang Ye realized she had thought the problem too simply.
"Yeye, during this time, you stay at the manor and focus on cultivation. Don't worry about other matters for now."
"Sister Handong, what about you?"
"I want to leave for a few days and go to the Peach Blossom Secret Realm."
"Why are you going to the Peach Blossom Secret Realm?"
"I want to try to find a few of our Yao Yue Palace's founding ancestors."
"Ah? You're still going! You've been so many times and never found them... I don't think there's any need to go."
Ouyang Ye had heard Han Dong say before that if they could find a few of Yao Yue Palace's founding ancestors, there might still be room to salvage the situation. Unfortunately, after Lady Zhuyue mysteriously disappeared, Yao Yue Palace's founding ancestors also left the palace. Over the years, there had been rumors that Yao Yue Palace's ancestors were living in seclusion in the Peach Blossom Secret Realm. For this reason, Han Dong had searched many times but never had any results.
"And the Peach Blossom Secret Realm just experienced chaos recently. It's very dangerous inside..."
"It's precisely because the Peach Blossom Secret Realm experienced chaos not long ago that I must go again. When the secret realm's laws are in chaos, the cave dwellings that rely on those laws become unstable. If our Yao Yue Palace's founding ancestors are truly living in seclusion in the Peach Blossom Secret Realm, we should be able to find them this time."
"Then how about... I accompany..." Ouyang Ye originally wanted to say she would accompany Han Dong, but the words stuck in her throat. Because she knew the Peach Blossom Secret Realm had just experienced chaos, and her own strength was still very weak. If she went along, not only would she be unable to help Han Dong, she might even hold her back.
"Good sister, I appreciate your kindness. Be good, stay at the manor and focus on cultivation during this time. I'll be back soon. And..." Han Dong glanced again at Gu Qingfeng, who was sleeping soundly inside the carriage. "And during this time, you must protect the Young Lord. Since the people of Yao Yue Palace are already suspicious, they will definitely try every means to test the Young Lord's identity. You must be careful."
"Don't worry. They don't even know where we live. Besides, the manor is covered with so many formations. Even if they had three times the courage, they wouldn't dare barge in."
"Yeye, this concerns both of your safety. You must not be careless."
"I know. This guy Old Jiu is so important. I promise you, as long as I, Ouyang Ye, am here, no one will lay a finger on him."
"Silly girl, I'm telling you to be careful not because the Young Lord is important to us. After all, he gave you the priceless Cloud-Color Sword, and now he's impersonating Young Lord Chiyan. To you and me, this is an immense favor. We cannot treat him poorly, nor can we implicate him."
"Don't worry, I know!"
"And you must be careful yourself too."
"Alright, Sister Handong, when did you become so naggy? I'm not a child. Besides, with my current strength plus the protection of the Great Nature, who could possibly kill this young lady!"
Indeed.
Han Dong clearly knew that Ouyang Ye possessed the mysterious protection of the Great Nature. She had personally witnessed the terror of that Great Nature and knew that with the Great Nature's protection, it would be very difficult for ordinary people to harm Ouyang Ye.
Even so, she was still very worried. After all, there is always someone better, and skies beyond skies. She didn't want Ouyang Ye to encounter any accidents or suffer any harm.
The sun set in the west, dusk gradually deepening.
After returning to the manor, Han Dong did not leave immediately. Instead, she carefully inspected the manor's formations once more. Only after repeatedly confirming they were operating normally did she finally leave late at night. Before leaving, she specifically met with Aunt Xue, informing her of her plan to go to the Peach Blossom Secret Realm. Only with Aunt Xue present did she dare leave Ouyang Ye alone at the manor.