"Uncle, Iâm really amazing," Yangyang went forward and tugged at Baili Yan, "Anyway, I want to go to Liao City with you. My dad wouldnât let me, so I snuck out on my own. I want to follow Granduncle to witness the battlefield clashes. When I grow up, Iâll join the army, protect the Great Zhou, and drive away all those invaders."
For some reason, hearing this childish talk made Baili Yan inexplicably feel his eyes moistening.
Looking at the immature yet stubborn little face, he seemed to see a spirited young general many years later.
"You have such ambition, Uncle is very pleased, but youâre too young now." He patted the little head gently and warmly said, "Uncle will arrange for someone to send you back to the Capital City. When youâve grown up, I promise you that Iâll definitely let you join the army."
"No, Uncle," Yangyangâs little face fell, "I went through so much trouble to sneak out. If I canât go to Liao City with you and have to go back to the Capital City in disgrace, my dad will definitely scold me. Wouldnât that be a loss then?"
"Hey, you little rascal, disobeying because youâre itching for a spanking, huh."
The gathered soldiers were extremely surprised to see the Emperor speaking so kindly to this child.
Whose child is this? He sounds rather cheeky, but the Emperorâs tone is clearly affectionate.
Probably even when speaking with the princes, itâs not this warm.
Some high-ranking officers knew that this should be the young master from the house of Marquis Changning. Only the houses of Marquis Wuâan and Marquis Changning would dare to call the Emperor uncle, but Marquis Wuâan isnât even married yet.
"Your Majesty, Marchioness Changning requests an audience!"
Upon hearing this, Yangyang immediately dived into the soldiers, "Uncle, just say you havenât seen me, okay."
"Hey, this kid!!"
As he spoke, Yang Chuxia had already been led over, and seeing Yangyang wasnât by Baili Yanâs side, she knew the little rascal had hidden himself.
"Your Majesty!"
She bowed to Baili Yan, who waved his hand at her and pointed around at the military tents.
Yang Chuxia understood; the rascal had actually dived into a tent to avoid her.
"Ye Haoyang, if you donât come out, Mommy will get angry."
Baili Yan watched this mother-son battle with interest.
The little rascal still didnât come out.
"Come out, and Mommy will go to Liao City with you. If you donât come out, unless you can manage to stay hidden, youâll be in trouble when I find you."
Yangyang hid behind a military tent, sneakily watching Yang Chuxia and pondering in his heart whether Mommy was bluffing.
"Iâll say it one more time, Iâll count to three. If you donât come out, youâll have to wander outside on your own, and you wonât be allowed back into the house when you return to the Capital City. One, two..."
Three hadnât been called out yet when Yangyang angrily stomped out,
"Oh Mother, how can you do this?" Yangyang pouted, "How can you not let me in the house? Wouldnât I be so pitiful then?"
"Rascal, you have the nerve not to come out, huh?" Yang Chuxia reached over and pinched his little ear, "Getting bold, brave enough to run off alone?"
"Dear Mother, let go, let go, it hurts..." Yangyang tilted his little head and quickly said, "Mother, have some mercy, Iâm a grown man now. With so many people watching, how am I supposed to face them if you twist me like this?"
Yang Chuxia couldnât help but laugh. Even at this time, he was worried about his dignity.
She laughed and scolded, "You little rascal!"
Baili Yan also shook his head with amusement, "Now that your mother is here, are you following her or me?"
"Iâll stick with my mom first, and then Iâll follow Uncle once we get to Liao City."
"That works too."