After Xiao Jingyun's guidance and instigation, those who returned to the city naturally would not stop there. This was also a means of dividing the enemy.
At this time, Chen Xiaobei had already driven the carriage with Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan further away. Sitting in the carriage were the Lotus Cult Leader and her personal disciple, Jasmine.
Leaving the military camp and heading back, everyone's mood was rather heavy, and no one spoke along the way.
Liu Tie, who was behind everyone, also knew that Chen Xiaobei was in a bad mood, so he naturally didn't speak. Dozens of people walked forward silently, and the atmosphere felt a bit oppressive.
After walking for a while, Chen Xiaobei would turn his head to ask Liu Tie behind him, "Do Yang Zhi and the others have any news?"
However, all he got was Liu Tie shaking his head.
They walked until noon, and when Liu Tie saw that there were no more military camps by the roadside, he immediately came forward and said, "Brother Xiaobei, it's getting late. We need to stop and rest and have a meal."
Although there were no noodle shops or steamed bun stalls by the roadside, fortunately, they had brought some food and provisions when they left in the morning.
At noon, all they needed was a simple warming up.
Although Chen Xiaobei was worried about Cui Hongyu, he couldn't overdo it himself, so he still had to stop and eat.
Just then, Jasmine suddenly came to Chen Xiaobei's side and said in a low voice, "Brother Xiaobei, Master wants to see you."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and followed Jasmine to the carriage. Jasmine stepped forward and lifted the curtain, seeing the Lotus Cult Leader inside looking at him with a smile.
Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists and said, "Senior Sister, what are your orders?"
The Lotus Cult Leader looked at Chen Xiaobei and said, "I heard from Huang Ying that Cui Hongyu is missing and is presumed to have been kidnapped to Jizhou, right?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, but we've searched for many days without finding any trace of him."
The Lotus Cult Leader looked at him and said word by word with seriousness, "Do you know why you can't find her?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "Please guide me, Senior Sister."
"You've been rushing back and forth, searching. I heard you even sent people to search on the way back, not to mention the patrols sent by the Crown Prince.
"If it were you, carrying Cui Hongyu, would you dare to show yourself?"
Hearing the Lotus Cult Leader's words, Chen Xiaobei became thoughtful.
Upon careful consideration, what the Lotus Cult Leader said was true, and it really was the case.
If it were him, seeing wave after wave of people coming and going, he would definitely find a place to hide or even change his location and destination.
"Then, Senior Sister, what do you think?"
"If you ask me, you should tell the Crown Prince to withdraw all these patrols, and you should also have Liu Tie call back all the people who are searching. We'll just send a few people to guard the crossroads tens of miles away."
"The crossroads are accessible in all directions, convenient for going anywhere. Even if he doesn't go to Jizhou and turns elsewhere, he'll most likely turn there."
Hearing the Lotus Cult Leader's words, Chen Xiaobei felt as if a fog had lifted. He immediately turned and found Liu Tie to explain the Lotus Cult Leader's opinion. Liu Tie nodded repeatedly.
"If that's the case, then I'll send a message to Yang Zhi and the others to find an inn and stay there, and stop wandering back and forth."
"Steward Liu, I'll have to trouble you to go and meet His Highness the Crown Prince and ask him to withdraw the patrols." Chen Xiaobei said earnestly.
Liu Tie nodded and cupped his fists.
"Brother Xiaobei, take care. I'll be back soon. I'll catch up to you before dark."
Liu Tie galloped away on his horse. Chen Xiaobei's side then arranged for people to prepare to eat. Although Huang Ying was gentle and considerate to him, Chen Xiaobei still ate this meal without any taste.
Huang Ying also had a worried look on her face. "Brother Xiaobei, if we just stay at the crossroads, wouldn't that be too risky?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "If they are heading for Jizhou, they will definitely pass through there. Senior Sister's view is correct."
Huang Ying nodded. "Then let's trust Senior Sister this time. Come and eat."
Chen Xiaobei mechanically opened his mouth and let Huang Ying feed him a bite.
Just then, Shen Ziyan approached from not far away.
"Ahem."
Shen Ziyan coughed softly, and Huang Ying's face turned red. She hurriedly put down the food in her hand.
Shen Ziyan walked over and sat opposite Huang Ying. "Huang Ying, I just discussed it with Senior Sister. I want to go back with Senior Sister. She has a leg injury and her mobility is inconvenient."
Huang Ying nodded in agreement without thinking. "Okay, okay, you guys should go back quickly. You'll have to work hard to take care of her on the way."
Chen Xiaobei understood. Although he said it to Huang Ying, he was saying it to himself.
After all, Hetou Village was his territory.
Of course, Chen Xiaobei completely agreed with Shen Ziyan's suggestion.
"Senior Sister's leg injury is quite serious and probably won't heal anytime soon. Ziyan, you'll have to take good care of her."
Shen Ziyan nodded, a hint of relief appearing on her face. "Then we'll leave after eating. By the way, Huang Ying, you must take good care of Brother Xiaobei."
After speaking, she stood up and left.
Watching her leave, Huang Ying suddenly pouted her lips in annoyance. "Perfunctory, she didn't even wait for me to finish speaking."
Chen Xiaobei raised his hand and patted Huang Ying's shoulder. "Alright, don't complain anymore. Senior Sister is injured, and no one is in a good mood."
"Eat. After eating, we have to hurry. We must reach the crossroads before dark."
Because there was a carriage in the morning, Chen Xiaobei and the others had only traveled about forty li. For Liu Tie, this distance could be covered in an hour by riding a fast horse back to the military camp.
Upon seeing Liu Rumei, Liu Tie explained Chen Xiaobei's plan. After listening, Liu Rumei frowned deeply.
"Waiting by the trap is too risky. If we miss, although my Great Cang Kingdom is not large, it will be like finding a needle in a haystack to find Cui Hongyu again."
Liu Tie also sighed. "Yes, but Chen Xiaobei's attitude is very firm, and I can't persuade him much."
Liu Rumei nodded. "Since that's the case, then I'll go and meet the Crown Prince and ask him to withdraw the patrols."
Soon, Liu Rumei went to request an audience with Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
Xiao Jingyun seemed to be in a good mood today and smiled, beckoning Liu Rumei to sit down. "Rumei, come and sit down quickly."
Liu Rumei did not sit down. Instead, she bowed and cupped her fists. "Your Highness, Chen Xiaobei sent someone with a message just now, saying that he wants to ask you to withdraw all the patrols!"
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun frowned. "Oh, have Cui Hongyu been found?"
"Not yet, he just said that the constant coming and going of people might alarm the kidnappers, so he wants to wait by the trap."
At these words, Xiao Jingyun suddenly slammed the table. "Good for you, Chen Xiaobei! You ungrateful wretch. I sent people to help you, but you think I'm in the way. Since that's the case, then I'll withdraw them all. I don't want to bother with such matters anymore."