A Staged Performance

The things keeping Su Qing busy...

Naturally, there was nothing else but preparing how to save the couple. Saving them was not difficult; the challenge lay in saving them while simultaneously making them 'die.' At the very least, they had to remain in a 'dead' state until Chaoyan finished her pilgrimage to obtain the scriptures.

Because of this, Su Qing was somewhat busy. Achieving both goals at once required quite a bit of work.

Time passed quickly...

In the blink of an eye, another month had gone by. Under Su Qing’s subtle manipulation, Chen Anshan’s fate had shifted from certain death to being exiled to a remote region.

Indeed, Su Qing’s plan was to wait until they left Chang'an City before making her move. Chen Anshan had to 'die,' but it didn't necessarily have to be by execution. After all, a public beheading was far too difficult to fake. Furthermore, she couldn't let the husband and wife die together—one dying before the other would only lead to more complications. Thus, Su Qing simply pulled some strings to have his sentence commuted to exile.

This result brought joy to the Chen family for a long time. Although he was no longer a high-ranking official, he was still alive. For them, this was the best possible outcome.

On this day...

Chen Anshan was set to depart, intending to leave the turbulent Chang'an City behind. Before leaving, the Chen family came to bid Su Qing farewell.

"I never thought... that we would be parting like this," Chen Anshan sighed. "Thank you for looking after us all these years, young lady."

"It wasn't much... just neighbors helping each other out," Su Qing shook her head. "However, you were lucky not to be killed this time. In the future, remember that some things can be said, while others... must never be spoken."

Chen Anshan nodded. "I know... Sigh, I can only say that the current Emperor is truly... sigh."

Chen Anshan wanted to say more, but he eventually closed his mouth. Having suffered once, how could he speak recklessly again? Even if they weren't in the imperial court right now.

Su Qing shook her head slightly. "We cannot say anything about the Emperor's affairs. Once you reach Zhuo County, just focus on being a good official. Perhaps there will be a chance for a promotion in the future."

"I no longer hope for promotions; being a minor official is enough," Chen Anshan said, shaking his head. "Well then, we shall take our leave! Chaoyan, say goodbye to your godmother!"

Chen Chaoyan hugged Su Qing reluctantly. "Godmother... goodbye."

Su Qing rubbed her small face and nodded. "Mhm. We shall meet again if fate allows."

As she spoke, Su Qing looked up at Luo Zijuan. She could see that Luo Zijuan’s gaze was complicated. She smiled faintly and said, "You too, may we meet again."

Luo Zijuan nodded and formally bid Su Qing farewell.

Soon, the Chen family departed. Once they were gone, Su Qing performed a hand seal and vanished from the courtyard.

Inside the carriage as the Chen family left, Luo Zijuan leaned against her husband’s shoulder. "Do you... feel that this time..."

"I know... of course I know. She must have done something, right? After all, even the man who held a grudge against me pleaded with the Emperor for mercy. If they hadn't pleaded together... I'm afraid I wouldn't have escaped death."

Chen Anshan spoke to himself as he watched his daughter’s sleeping face.

"Sigh... I suppose that's how it is," Luo Zijuan said softly. "As long as you are fine, it's the best outcome."

Luo Zijuan actually knew that Su Qing had originally refused to help. She knew what the old servant had done; the servant couldn't have kept it entirely from her. Although she claimed not to blame Su Qing for not helping, understanding that Su Qing might lack the ability, it was impossible not to feel some resentment when she first heard of the refusal.

Humans are selfish, after all. No matter how much she denied it, she couldn't ignore the fact that she had shared similar thoughts with the old servant. However, the current result left her feeling conflicted. She let out a long sigh and buried those thoughts in her heart. If there was ever a chance to see Su Qing again, she would apologize and thank her properly.

Chen Anshan nodded and patted his wife’s thigh. "You’ve worked hard these past few days. Get some... rest."

Luo Zijuan sighed, nodded, and leaned against Chen Anshan to sleep.

Time flowed slowly. Before long, the family had traveled dozens of miles away from Chang'an City. With nothing to do in the carriage, it was quite boring. Unknowingly, Chen Anshan fell into a deep sleep. The time spent in prison had been truly wretched, so he slept very soundly.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage suddenly lurched to a violent stop. This sudden braking woke all three of them instantly, nearly throwing Chaoyan against the carriage wall.

Chen Anshan opened his eyes blearily and rubbed his head. He heard a commotion outside, a cacophony of voices shouting. He quickly pulled back the curtain to look out.

Outside, the carriage was surrounded by a group of bandits.

"Father... what's happening?" Chen Chaoyan had been woken up as well, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

Chen Anshan didn't answer. He signaled his wife to hold their daughter tight, then stepped out, intending to negotiate with the bandits. He knew he would have to lose some wealth this time, but losing money was better than a catastrophe. He wanted to solve the problem with gold.

However, the moment he stepped out, he heard the bandit leader roar, "Stop talking! Kill them all! We can't let them live to report this to the officials!"

With that, the bandits attacked. Chen Anshan had no choice but to order the driver to flee. No matter what, they had to escape first.

Unfortunately, there was no chance. The driver had already been shot dead by an arrow at some point.

Soon, the scene turned into chaos.

Su Qing stood in the sky, watching it all indifferently. In her eyes, nothing was actually happening. There was only a carriage stopped in the middle of the road and a few fainted guards on the ground. Everything Chen Anshan and the others were experiencing was an illusion—Su Qing’s illusion.

"Although it's just a low-level illusion, it's enough to deal with mortals," Su Qing sighed softly, then performed a hand seal. She began forging the scene and adding some 'injuries' to everyone. A play must be convincing, and a performance must be thorough.

Once the stage was set, Su Qing continued to manipulate the plot within the illusion. She transformed into one of the guards and, riding an 'injured' white horse, carried Chaoyan toward the nunnery outside Chang'an City.

Before long, the 'unconscious' Chaoyan slowly woke up. Seeing the 'injured' Su Qing, she began to wail loudly. Her crying lasted for a long time, and even Su Qing found it pitiable.

Su Qing sighed helplessly in her heart. I'm sorry, but this is all I can do. Your parents must die once.

Did Su Qing regret it? Naturally, she didn't. Once she chose to do these things, regret was not an option. She only felt somewhat sorry for Chaoyan. If she had stopped after saving the parents, none of this would have followed. But Su Qing knew this girl had a mission. Even if she didn't act, someone else would have 'sent her parents away.' And when that time came, whether they would truly be sent away or 'saved' like this was hard to say. The Bodhisattvas might not kill, but they certainly knew how to 'deliver' souls! Even without doing it themselves, they had many ways.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, Su Qing had arrived at the nunnery on horseback with Chaoyan. Covered in blood, Su Qing carried Chaoyan and knocked on the gates of the nunnery. Soon, someone came to open the door.

Next came the final act of the 'death' scene. Su Qing’s blood-stained hand rubbed Chaoyan’s head before she 'died' right in front of the girl. The performance was flawless, and the scene indeed left a massive impact on the young girl.

After whispering an apology in her heart, Su Qing used a technique to leave a fake body there. Her true self went to find Guanyin Bodhisattva.

"You have worked hard, little friend," Guanyin Bodhisattva said with a smile upon seeing Su Qing. She had naturally calculated this play long ago and had been watching from a distance.

"It wasn't hard... but I'll leave the girl to you now, Senior. Please look after her."

"That is only natural. Even without your request, I would take special care of her."

"Also..."

"Hehe, you hope she can practice as a laywoman like me, right?"

"Yes."

"Rest assured, that is no problem," Guanyin Bodhisattva said with a graceful smile.

Hearing this, Su Qing felt relieved. She nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Senior. I have some loose ends to tie up, so I'll take my leave."

"Mhm, go ahead," Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded, letting Su Qing leave.

In truth, Guanyin knew everything. She didn't think Su Qing had done anything wrong. In fact, she felt this was already a very good outcome.

Su Qing’s cleanup was not difficult. It was just a matter of deciding where those people should go after they woke up and what they should experience. Su Qing had calculated all of this long ago. Thus, the processing was very swift.

Before long, Su Qing had finished handling everything. At the same time, she cut off any possibility of the couple finding Chaoyan immediately after they recovered.

"Sigh, as expected, being the 'villain' isn't easy."

After finishing everything, Su Qing was exhausted. But she also felt a sense of relief. She stretched and headed back to her home in Chang'an. Once this matter settled down, it would be time for her to return to the Changbai Mountains to spend time with her family.

Su Qing returned to the courtyard. Yudie, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately rushed forward.

"Mother, is everything settled?"

"I'm back, so naturally, everything is settled."

"Sigh, it's a pity Chaoyan has to become a nun now."

"Are you pitying her for becoming a nun, or are you pitying yourself for losing a playmate?"

"Both! Don't you think it will be boring now that that auntie has left, Mother?"

"Me? I'm used to it," Su Qing smiled helplessly and rubbed Yudie’s head. "In a few days, accompany me back to the Changbai Mountains for a while. It's time to go back again this year."

"Okay, okay! I was just about to ask you about that!" Yudie said beamingly. "Right, Mother, dinner is ready. Let's go eat! If we wait any longer, it'll get cold!"

Su Qing laughed and pinched her small face, then followed her to dinner.

Days passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was a new year. After some time had passed, Chaoyan had settled into the nunnery and officially joined their ranks. Although Guanyin Bodhisattva did not restrict Chaoyan’s movements, Chaoyan had not left the nunnery or sought out Su Qing since then.

It wasn't until the height of summer that year that Chaoyan left the nunnery for the first time. She came to find Su Qing, accompanied by Guanyin Bodhisattva.

In the courtyard, Su Qing poured a cup of tea for Guanyin and then began chatting with Chaoyan. During their conversation, Su Qing learned that Chaoyan was no longer called Chaoyan; she had been given a new Dharma name: Xuanqing. Su Qing didn't ask about the meaning behind the name.

She only said to Chaoyan, "No matter what your Dharma name is, I will still call you Chen Chaoyan. Do not forget your original name from the mortal world. That name was given to you by your parents, regardless of anything else."

Hearing this, Chen Chaoyan fell silent for a moment before tears unknowingly began to flow. She nodded and said, "I know... Godmother."

Logically, once one enters the Buddhist path, they should sever all ties with the mortal world. Even if they saw their parents, they shouldn't call them parents but rather 'benefactors.' However, despite these words clearly violating the rules, Guanyin Bodhisattva merely sat to the side with a faint smile, saying nothing. It was as if she didn't care at all.

Su Qing glanced at her but said nothing more, continuing to chat with Chen Chaoyan. Guanyin didn't mind either, calmly sipping her tea. Looking at Chaoyan, who was once again showing the temperament of a child, she revealed a heartfelt smile.

A child should act like a child, even if she had entered the Buddhist path. If she lost her spirit, then everything would be meaningless. This was also why she had brought the child to see Su Qing. She knew that the one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it. Although Su Qing couldn't tell her the truth of what happened, seeing Su Qing—the person she was closest to—would help her recover more of her old vitality.

As for Guanyin, she sincerely treated the child as her disciple and was cultivating her as such. It was just a pity that this child couldn't follow her to the Purple Bamboo Grove to practice. She had more things to accomplish.

The master and disciple stayed at Su Qing’s place until very late. Chaoyan thoroughly relaxed with Su Qing. Even when it was time to leave, she was still quite reluctant.