Feng Ziyi did not know about transmigration, nor did she know Lu Qingwan's true identity. However, that person had already said so much, and she was not stupid. How could she not detect any clues?
However, even after understanding the implied meaning of that person's words, Feng Ziyi's first reaction was not to question Lu Qingwan's identity.
Instead, she worried that after Ying Yi and Li Qing interrogated those people, more unfavorable news about Lu Qingwan would be revealed.
Si Fengwu also expressed some concern, "Li Qing and Ying Yi will naturally be fine, but there are indeed quite a few of these people, and they may not all be willing to return to their original world.
Why not let them stay here for now? I'll set up a formation to seal this place. After the interrogation, we'll kill those who need to be killed and send away those who need to be sent away. Let's just not let them come ashore."
Both Si Fengwu and Feng Ziyi were speaking to Lu Qingwan, but the person in question was completely out of sorts at the moment. After both of them had finished speaking, she was still lost in her own little world and had not realized what others were saying.
Si Fengwu waved his hand in front of her eyes, worriedly asking, "A'wan, are you alright?"
Lu Qingwan said blankly, "I always thought that my transmigration, and the space laboratory that came with it, were accidents..."
The impact of that person's words was too great, so much so that she forgot to keep the existence of the space laboratory a secret from Feng Ziyi.
But in reality, there was no longer any need to hide it. The real Lu Qingwan of this time and space had no grandfather, nor any partner.
Feng Ziyi was not foolish. When she heard what that person said, she had already made some guesses. At this moment, she wisely chose to remain silent.
Si Fengwu, regardless of whether Feng Ziyi would be suspicious after knowing this, hugged Lu Qingwan tightly. "Listen to me. Don't think about anything now. Go and ask everything you want to ask. The answer is right in front of you. Don't torment yourself with such useless speculation. No matter what, I'm still here with you. You're not alone, so don't be afraid."
His voice always had a way of calming Lu Qingwan down quickly. She nuzzled in his arms, composed herself, and stepped back. She then stepped forward, signaled the two guards to retreat, and led that person to a deserted corner.
Si Fengwu did not follow. He maintained a distance, quietly keeping watch for her.
At this time, Feng Ziyi finally revealed her question, "This Lu Qingwan is not that Lu Qingwan, is she?"
Seeing Si Fengwu's vigilant gaze, she added, "You don't need to try to hide anything from me. This might seem absurd to others, but to us, it's actually quite normal. The Empress Qinghuang, revered as the ancestor by the Reincarnation Hall, was a transmigrator, and so is our师母 (Shimu - Master's wife or female teacher). We've seen no less than eighty or ninety transmigrators over the years. Whether she is a transmigrator or not, I'm not particularly concerned. I just want to know, when did she transmigrate here?"
In other words, Feng Ziyi didn't care who Lu Qingwan actually was. She just wanted to confirm whether the affection and efforts she and her fellow disciples of the Reincarnation Hall had given were to the wrong person.
Si Fengwu understood Feng Ziyi's meaning. Without hesitation, he said, "I cannot tell you too much about the specifics. However, from the very beginning, the Lu Qingwan you saw was her. Moreover, I believe that her actions over the years are enough to compensate for mere differences in identity. After all, if you were in her shoes, would you tell such important matters to a group of people whose stance is always uncertain? Right?"
Lu Qingwan inherited the position of Saintess of the Reincarnation Hall as the daughter of Liu Hanyan. From the beginning, it seemed as if she was merely holding this position for Liu Hanyan. It was as if everyone was waiting for Liu Hanyan to return and reclaim her rightful place. It wasn't until Qi Shuying impersonated Liu Hanyan and committed a series of actions detrimental to the Reincarnation Hall that the people of the Reincarnation Hall truly regarded Lu Qingwan as the genuine Saintess. Yet, they still tried to make Lu Qingwan yield, worried that this daughter would hurt Liu Hanyan's feelings. Even before coming to the Phantom Night Sea, no one had told her that Liu Hanyan had two sons and two daughters besides her.
Given all this, Lu Qingwan had only hidden her identity as a transmigrator. If she were truly the original Lu Qingwan, then those people from the Reincarnation Hall and Liu Hanyan would owe Lu Qingwan a debt that could never be repaid, even if they were to die eight hundred times. Lu Qingwan had always felt that by holding the identity of the Saintess of the Reincarnation Hall, she was taking advantage of others and remained silent even when subjected to moral blackmail.
But how could Si Fengwu tolerate these people bullying Lu Qingwan at will? As it turned out, Feng Ziyi's slight hint of questioning was immediately shut down by him.
All of Feng Ziyi's unspoken words were lodged in her throat. After much deliberation, she still said, "I'm very sorry. Although what you said is true, I cannot hide this matter from my Master. I will report this to my Master later. If he doesn't mind, I won't say anything more. In the Reincarnation Hall, he is ultimately the one who calls the shots."
"There's no need." As soon as Feng Ziyi finished speaking, Lu Qingwan interjected. "The identity of the Saintess of the Reincarnation Hall has always been a chicken's rib to me. Since Liu Hanyan no longer acknowledges me as her daughter, the position of Saintess should naturally no longer fall to me. When I return this time, I will return the Blood Crow Token and bring Xiao Yuan'er back to Zhongzhou. As for the medicinal codex of Empress Qinghuang, I will also return it. As for what I have already learned, there is nothing I can do about that. If you are unwilling, you can consider it as payment for the prince training your army."
After speaking, she walked to Si Fengwu's side. "On the way back, pick up Xiao Yuan'er. We left him for several years; he must be cursing us in private!"
Si Fengwu did not understand why Lu Qingwan had suddenly made such a decision, but he had always been compliant with Lu Qingwan. Upon hearing this, he agreed without hesitation, "I'll do as you say."
Feng Ziyi hesitated for a moment and did not have time to say anything before Lu Qingwan said seriously, "Liu Hanyan's soul has returned to its rightful place. She should be in the Southern Qi imperial palace now. If you wish, you can welcome her back. However, please give me a little time to take Xiao Yuan'er away. I don't want any further interaction with her."
Before Feng Ziyi could respond, Wen Jiting and Wu Ying arrived. Sensing that the atmosphere was unusual, Wen Jiting hesitated to speak. Wu Ying, however, directly stated, "Master, our brothers have intercepted Nangong Che and his two sons at sea. We are unsure how to deal with them."
Feng Ziyi's gaze then fell upon Lu Qingwan. She smiled slightly, "After all, he is the Crown Prince of Martial Valour of Southern Qi. We mustn't be disrespectful. Have people escort them ashore with care, provide them with fine clothes and silks, good wine and food, and have the court arrange an escort with drums and gongs to send them back to Southern Qi. Say that the Prince rescued them inadvertently during the pacification of the rebellion and returned them to Southern Qi free of charge."
Feng Ziyi looked at Lu Qingwan in astonishment, "Send him back to Southern Qi? You're sending him to his death!"