Huang Ying pointed to Chen Sanqiu and the other two, "Brother Liu Tie, please take these three scoundrels back and hand them over to Brother Xiao Bei for handling."
Liu Tie nodded and gestured behind him. Someone stepped forward, tied up the three securely, and then threw them into a carriage.
The group, now a large procession, turned back to find Chen Xiao Bei.
Huang Ying and her companions had traveled thirty li, so it would take half an hour to run back.
When Chen Xiao Bei received the news that Cui Hongyu had been found, he was overjoyed. He leaped onto his horse and rushed forward with the messenger.
Before leaving, he did not forget to say to the Liu family members beside him, "Quickly prepare a banquet for me."
After the news spread, those remaining at the crossroads cheered repeatedly.
However, after the cheers, everyone was dumbfounded. They had only brought a small amount of food when they left the military camp. Preparing a banquet was impossible.
They had no choice but to set their sights on the steamed bun shop opposite.
The elderly couple who ran the steamed bun shop looked bewildered and said to these people, "Esteemed sirs, we are just a steamed bun shop, where can we prepare a banquet for you?"
"No dishes, but you must have wine. Some wine would be fine too," the man was still unwilling to give up.
"No, we don't have wine either," the old couple were even more confused. Sudan Novel Network.
Fortunately, the guards who stayed behind were also smart. Someone quickly rode a fast horse towards Jizhou.
What wouldn't they have in Jizhou? If they were quick, they could be back by nightfall.
Chen Xiao Bei rode his horse twenty li at full speed and saw several fast horses in the distance, coming towards them like arrows. Leading the way was Huang Ying, followed by Cui Hongyu, and behind Cui Hongyu were Liu Ce and a few others.
Seeing them, Chen Xiao Bei instinctively slowed down.
Cui Hongyu, on the other hand, whipped her horse harder twice upon seeing Chen Xiao Bei.
Seeing they had run close enough, Chen Xiao Bei reined in his warhorse and, before it even stopped, hastily leaped off.
Cui Hongyu also dismounted, and the two embraced tightly, forgetting everything, letting their tears flow freely.
Huang Ying stopped there, hesitating, unsure if she should join them.
Chen Xiao Bei held Cui Hongyu, gently kissed away her tears, and whispered in her ear, "You've suffered."
Cui Hongyu shook her head, "No suffering, no suffering. Seeing you makes everything worthwhile."
Suddenly, she seemed to recall something and turned to look at Huang Ying behind her.
"It was Huang Ying who saved me."
Chen Xiao Bei then came to his senses. Huang Ying was still on her horse not far away. He waved to her.
Huang Ying, with a delighted expression, dismounted and, in a few quick steps, came to them. The three embraced tightly.
At this moment, Chen Xiao Bei felt endless happiness. His two most important women were in his arms; this was a feeling of security.
In the distance, Liu Tie watched all this with envy. He had grown up in Liu Xiang Nan's household and had seen firsthand the jealous rivalry and bitter struggles among the various consorts.
But looking at Chen Xiao Bei's two wives, who treated each other with respect and were as close as sisters, this was how a family should be.
Meanwhile, in Jizhou City, a festive atmosphere prevailed. The common people could finally walk freely in the streets.
The long-suppressed excitement was released. At noon, various restaurants in the city were packed.
The Jizhou Prefecture was even more lively, with Xiao Jingyun hosting a banquet for his generals.
Liu Rumei was naturally among them. As everyone was happily drinking, Xiao Qing walked over and whispered into Liu Rumei's ear, "Miss, news has arrived from the front that Cui Hongyu has been found and has asked Chen Xiao Bei to prepare a banquet. Our people have returned to you for help."
Liu Rumei heard this and felt a surge of joy.
Seizing an opportunity, she immediately stood up and said to Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, good news has come from the front. Chen Xiao Bei has finally found Cui Hongyu."
"Oh, wonderful, that's great." Xiao Jingyun's face could not hide his joy. He raised his wine cup and said to everyone, "Let us drink to Brother Xiao Bei."
However, after drinking, Xiao Jingyun immediately changed the subject, which left Liu Rumei feeling a little disappointed. Although, in a way, for the Crown Prince to drink a toast to Chen Xiao Bei for finding Cui Hongyu was a great honor and favor.
But Chen Xiao Bei had rendered great service to the Crown Prince; was this all the acknowledgment he would receive?
Yet, this was a celebration banquet, and with so many people present, Liu Rumei naturally could not say much. She quietly rose and withdrew from the hall.
"Xiao Qing, it's not far from here. Tell the messenger to have Chen Xiao Bei bring Miss Hongyu back tonight. I want to celebrate properly with him."
At this time, Chen Xiao Bei, with Cui Hongyu, had returned to the crossroads. Although there was no banquet as anticipated, steamed buns would suffice. They would let Cui Hongyu have a good meal first.
Eating the fragrant meat buns, Cui Hongyu was filled with mixed emotions. She looked at Chen Xiao Bei and said, "I thought I would never see you again."
Chen Xiao Bei looked at Huang Ying and said emotionally, "It's all thanks to Miss Huang Ying and Miss Zi Yan. They judged that you had come to Jizhou, pursued you, and sent word to me. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unpredictable."
Cui Hongyu looked at Huang Ying and was about to speak when Huang Ying waved her hand directly, "Alright, Sister, there's no need to be so formal with me."
"Come, eat your buns, eat your buns."
After eating a few more buns, Huang Ying pointed to Chen Sanqiu and the others and asked, "Brother Xiao Bei, what should we do with these scoundrels? Should we have them beheaded?"
Chen Xiao Bei nodded, "They should be executed, but we must take them back to Hetou Village and explain everything to everyone."
"I'll talk to Brother Liu Tie about it later. We'll head back soon."
Chen Xiao Bei conveyed this idea to Liu Tie, who readily agreed. What was there to linger in this wilderness for? Since they had to return to Hetou Village sooner or later, it was better to go back sooner.
After eating their fill, Liu Tie arranged for people to return the tents to Jizhou City. At the same time, Chen Sanqiu, Liu Erbao, and the other two were tied securely, placed on horseback, and they hurried towards Hetou Village.
When the messenger sent by Liu Rumei arrived at the crossroads, Chen Xiao Bei and his group were already far away.
The messenger pursued them for another twenty li and finally caught up with Chen Xiao Bei and his party.
Upon hearing that they were invited back to Jizhou City, Chen Xiao Bei shook his head like a rattle drum.
"No, no, this is too much trouble. Please tell Miss Liu that I appreciate her kindness, but we'll talk about it next time."
The messenger looked to Liu Tie for help, but Liu Tie said the same thing, "We are in a hurry to return to Hetou Village and won't be attending the banquet. Please tell the Miss. Also, tell the Miss that once matters in Jizhou City are resolved, she should return to the capital as soon as possible."
After speaking, Liu Tie quickly moved forward with Chen Xiao Bei.
At sunset, Liu Rumei received the reply. Hearing that Chen Xiao Bei was not coming, she felt a sense of loss.