"The young master just visited our harem and took two packs of osmanthus cake, then he left through the back door," the shopkeeper said. "I wondered why this kid didnāt use the front door and insisted on going from the back to the front. Now that I think about it, perhaps your master left on his own."
Hearing this, Yang Chuxia and Ye Ziāan exchanged glances.
Suddenly, Lele said, "Dad, it might really be that way. When we got off the carriage at noon, my brother asked how many miles weād traveled in the morning. He might have chased after the army. Remember, my brother always wanted to stay in Liao City."
At that moment, a guard came in and said, "Master, weāre missing a horse."
"That little rascal!" Ye Ziāan gritted his teeth in anger, thinking that once he found the little brat, heād definitely give him a good beating.
Yang Chuxia thought for a moment, then said, "You all go back to the Capital City first, Iāll go after him. Letās not have him get taken away by someone."
Ye Ziāan nodded; this was the only thing to do now.
Yesterday, they met with Baili Yan, instructing him to quickly return to the Capital City. With the army outside, itās crucial to prepare enough supplies in the rear. Without Ye Ziāan overseeing things in the Capital City, Baili Yan feared someone might tamper with the supplies.
Thatās why he couldnāt afford any delay, and Yangyang knew this too, which is why he dared to sneak off.
"Alright, let Ye Liu take a few people to go with you. Be safe on the road."
"Okay." Yang Chuxia stepped forward and hugged Lele, "Be good and go back to the Capital with your dad. Once I find your brother, Iāll return."
"Okay, Mom, be safe, and when you find him, make sure to teach him a lesson. Heās too daring, being so little yet daring to take a horse."
Yang Chuxia smiled, "I know, your brother indeed needs a lesson."
Once they agreed, they didnāt delay. Yang Chuxia and Ye Liu headed west to pursue, while Ye Ziāan took Lele north.
Meanwhile, the little rascal Yangyang was riding along with such bravado and cheer, planning to catch up with the army.
On the way, those also on horseback were startled to see a child standing steadily on horseback with an arrogant expression, nearly falling off in surprise.
Everyone thought, how come this kidās horseback stance is so stylish!
Yangyang noticed the gazing eyes but felt even more smug for it.
He realized his parents would surely notice his absence and could guess where he was headed, likely sending someone after him, so he deliberately took back roads.
"Strange, we should have caught up by now after all this time," Yang Chuxia said, pulling on the reins and pausing at an intersection.
"Madam, could the young master have taken a detour?"
"Thatās possible." Yang Chuxia nodded, "This kid has been out for a year, mostly taking small paths, he surely figured weād come after him."
Indeed, running wild for a year has made him adventurous.
Who knows to what places that venomous old monster took him, giving him such nerve and proficiency in slipping away so skillfully. Heās probably done this many times over the year.
"The army shouldnāt be far now, letās take the small path too."
Yang Chuxia turned the horseās head and pursued again.
At this moment, Yangyang was only about ten miles from the army. Feeling tired, he laid on the horseās back, eating the cake, "This townās osmanthus cake is quite nice, tasty."
"But compared to that, meat is still better, that roast suckling pig is downright delicious," Yangyang murmured to himself, then suddenly froze on the horseās back.
"Whatās that sound? Horse hooves?"