On the other side, in a dark dungeon of unknown location.
The dungeon was dimly lit by candlelight, damp and gloomy. The person inside lowered his eyebrows, looking listless.
This man, imprisoned deep within the dungeon, was dressed in red, his attire exquisite and meticulously stitched. His black hair was unbound, cascading over his shoulders, with a few strands falling to the floor as he bowed his head.
He was firmly bound by iron chains, unable to move. Fresh blood dripped from his body.
The man's breathing was unstable, as if he had been severely injured.
Looking at his features, he was indistinguishable from the Ouyang Qinglin who had recently been rescued and brought back to the inn.
This was the true Ouyang Qinglin, Gu Qianying's close friend, who had been captured and imprisoned.
He now lowered his eyebrows, his expression solemn, lost in thought.
"Creak—"
With a creaking sound, the chains at the dungeon entrance were unlocked by the guards with a key.
As the chains rattled, the dungeon door also opened, and a tall man entered.
His features bore a seven to eight-tenths resemblance to Su Cheng; he was none other than Prince Murong Yun of Beiling.
Murong Yun slowly approached the exhausted Ouyang Qinglin and burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha, Ouyang Qinglin, so this is your day."
Ouyang Qinglin opened his eyes and watched his actions, his heart unmoved, his expression calm.
Seeing Ouyang Qinglin's composure, Murong Yun felt a twisted sensation.
"I'm telling you, Ouyang Qinglin, stop acting so high and mighty here."
Then Murong Yun smiled sinisterly and leaned down slightly, looking into Ouyang Qinglin's eyes.
"You're not still thinking your good friend Gu Qianying will come to save you, are you? Hahahaha, naive!"
Upon hearing Gu Qianying's name, Ouyang Qinglin reacted and asked Murong Yun.
"What have you done to Gu Qianying?"
Seeing Ouyang Qinglin stirred, Murong Yun's laughter grew even more unbridled!
"Of course, I can't do anything to her. I've just found a substitute to go back in your place."
Ouyang Qinglin's heart stirred, "A substitute? Impersonating me?"
Murong Yun knew Ouyang Qinglin understood him and continued to fan the flames.
"That's right! I spared no expense to find a substitute, and they are absolutely indistinguishable from you."
"Whether it's appearance or build, even their voice and mannerisms are nearly identical."
"And..."
Murong Yun paused, enjoying Ouyang Qinglin's increasingly indignant expression before continuing his malicious speech.
"It's possible that one day, my good substitute will kill your good friend or her son, hahahaha!"
Ouyang Qinglin clenched his fists, trembling with anger, his hair also quivering.
"You will never succeed! Gu Qianying is so intelligent, she'll definitely discover that person is an impostor!"
Murong Yun remained unperturbed, provoking Ouyang Qinglin.
"Even if she finds out, what of it?"
"With you like this now, can you even go back?"
He then recalled Ouyang Qinglin's past actions.
"Moreover, you have now killed members of the Su family, bringing ruin upon their entire household. Can you truly go back now?"
Ouyang Qinglin's sore spot was touched, his eyes reddening.
"No, Gu Qianying is my closest friend. Her feelings for me cannot be negated by your few words."
Seeing Ouyang Qinglin trembling, Murong Yun became even more gleeful.
"Oh, oh, oh, of course, of course. Your close friend Gu Qianying will naturally accept you, a murderer, back as her friend. I truly admire the deep friendship between you."
Such a sarcastic tone further infuriated Ouyang Qinglin.
However, Ouyang Qinglin was powerless to resist and could only gain a verbal advantage.
"Your Highness has never experienced friendship, so you cannot know how sincere deep friendship is."
Yet, Ouyang Qinglin himself felt very guilty internally.
After all, he had killed so many people from the Su family, his hands stained with innocent blood.
Gu Qianying... would she still be willing to accept him as a friend?
It was unlikely.
What's more, as Murong Yun said, with someone impersonating him by Gu Qianying's side, if the disguise was good enough, Ouyang Qinglin's identity might truly belong to that imposter.
This place was so hidden, he would likely be imprisoned and tortured to death here.
However, the turmoil in his heart was not something he could express to others, and he certainly couldn't let Murong Yun mock him.
Ouyang Qinglin maintained his composure outwardly and retorted to Murong Yun.
"Do you think your foolish and ridiculous plan can truly succeed? If Gu Qianying could be so easily deceived by you, why haven't you succeeded by now?"
"You scoundrel!"
Murong Yun, the Prince of Beiling, had indeed been struck at his weak point by Ouyang Qinglin.
Although Murong Yun felt this plan was perfect, he was still somewhat uneasy.
After all, Gu Qianying's intelligence and martial prowess were not lacking, and the people around her were not ordinary individuals.
If this plan were to be exposed, the large sum of money Murong Yun had invested would be all for naught.
Thus, Murong Yun, enraged, grabbed Ouyang Qinglin's fragile neck and applied a slight force.
This was to threaten and oppress Ouyang Qinglin.
"Say that again if you dare! Ouyang Qinglin!"
Facing the threat of death, Ouyang Qinglin showed no fear.
On the contrary, he felt pleased at having successfully angered Murong Yun.
After all, regardless of whether Murong Yun's plan succeeded or failed, his hope of returning was slim.
Upon returning, he would have to bear the lives of the Su family and live with immense guilt.
Rather than wait for a hopeless rescue, rather than suffer the daily torment of his conscience, it was better to die a quick death.
Thus, Ouyang Qinglin continued to retort, increasing his mockery.
"Just a mediocre person, yet you dare to scheme for success? Ridiculous, truly ridiculous!"
He even let out a laugh: "Hahahaha!"
Murong Yun's eyes widened in anger, his heart burning with indignation.
He tightened his grip, gradually constricting Ouyang Qinglin's neck.
"Keep talking, say one more displeasing word, and I'll have you drop dead today!"
However, Ouyang Qinglin, who had already resigned himself to death, paid no heed to Murong Yun's threats and laughed heartily.
Even as his breathing grew difficult, he continued to mock Murong Yun's fragile self-esteem.
As Murong Yun exerted more force, Ouyang Qinglin's face gradually turned red, then purple, and his voice grew weaker.
Just as Ouyang Qinglin was about to close his eyes and await death.
The dungeon door burst open!
Murong Yun released Ouyang Qinglin's neck and looked towards the dungeon entrance.
Ouyang Qinglin gasped for air and also turned his gaze towards the dim dungeon entrance.
Upon clearly seeing the figure and build of the person standing there, he was utterly speechless with shock.
Standing at the dungeon entrance were Gu Qianying and Su Cheng!