The waiter didn't think much of it, just collected the copper coins from the table, tidied up the used items, and cleaned the table before continuing with his work.
Lu Shi tasted the pastries without much interest. He had personally witnessed the young general heading to the second floor, and there was still no movement. He wondered if something had been discovered upstairs.
As he stayed there, even if the young general were in danger, he wouldn't be able to go up immediately.
He had counted carefully. Within this tea house, there were at least a dozen known servants and guards, not to mention those hidden in the shadows. If a fight were to break out, one man fighting against many was difficult, let alone against so many people. He knew he wouldn't be their match.
He felt as if he had personally walked into a tiger's den, experiencing such fear and nervousness.
Since the young general had not yet returned, and without his orders, Lu Shi dared not act rashly.
Following the previous incident, he had become the primary focus of those servants. Their gazes never left him, as if they would throw him out if he dared to cause more trouble.
...
Ling Mohan walked aimlessly on the second floor, constantly trying to evade the sight of others.
Approaching a door, he was about to sneak a peek inside when he heard faint footsteps. He reacted instantly and hid behind a pillar.
He watched as the maids carrying plates entered the rooms one by one. Counting them, over a dozen dishes were delivered.
The person in this room truly had an air of arrogance. A single meal consisted of over a dozen dishes, a scale no different from the emperor's royal meals. It was truly extravagant.
After the maids left, Ling Mohan was planning to sneak closer to see who was inside, to determine if it was Chu Yanxi, whom he had been searching for for days.
The tightly closed door opened from the inside. A figure resembling Chu Yanxi, wearing a bamboo hat, emerged. Following him was Chu Yanxi's personal guard.
Even though Chu Yanxi was quite well disguised, Ling Mohan recognized him at first glance. The man who had just come out of the room wearing a bamboo hat was Chu Yanxi.
The presence of his personal guard further confirmed that this was Chu Yanxi.
However, in this environment, with the constant flow of people on the first floor, if a confrontation were to occur, arresting Chu Yanxi would be considered a heroic deed. But if he were to escape and disrupt the lives of the common people, Ling Mohan would have no face to show.
Yet, if Chu Yanxi was not captured quickly, it would be difficult to find him again. Filled with anxiety, Ling Mohan hesitated. Finally, he decided to follow, thinking that no matter what, he couldn't let him escape for now.
Ling Mohan hid and leaped down from an inconspicuous corner, his gaze following Chu Yanxi's retreating figure. Only after Chu Yanxi had left the tea house did Ling Mohan signal Lu Shi and the others to pursue.
"Someone is following. You change into my clothes and lure them away."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Chu Yanxi took off his outer robe for the guard to wear. He himself quickly hid in the crowd, attempting to conceal his movements using the throng of people. However, he overlooked how sharp Ling Mohan's gaze was, having already taken in his every move.
"Send two people to chase to the east. Lu Shi, you and I will continue the pursuit ahead."
"Yes, Young General."
Ling Mohan's eyes were fixed on Chu Yanxi ahead, his steps quickening in pursuit. Any deviation would lead to complete failure.
Chu Yanxi also noticed that the people chasing him were relentless and he still couldn't shake them off.
With a surge of desperation, he ignored everything else and snatched a horse from a passerby. Disregarding the bustling marketplace, he galloped away, believing that immediate escape was the most crucial thing.
The soldiers Ling Mohan had previously stationed to intercept saw someone galloping towards them and quickly moved to block the path.
Chu Yanxi hadn't expected there to be pursuers here. The meticulousness of the deployment could only belong to Ling Mohan. Could the one chasing him so closely also be Ling Mohan?
A wave of panic washed over him. He had been so well hidden, yet Ling Mohan had still found him.
The situation was critical. His hands reacted before his brain. Chu Yanxi tightened his grip on the reins and used all his strength to charge at the people blocking the exit.
Two soldiers, unable to dodge in time, were both injured by the horse and fell to the ground. Chu Yanxi escaped with such ease.
By the time Ling Mohan arrived, it was too late. Chu Yanxi had escaped.
"Young General, that person ran towards the west."
The injured soldiers, somewhat disheveled, stood up and urgently reported the situation.
"Young General, the west is a cliff."
"Gather all your forces and continue the pursuit. Whether he's alive or dead, we must capture Chu Yanxi."
Too much time and manpower had been spent on capturing Chu Yanxi. This time, he had to be apprehended. If not alive, then dead, but his body must be found. Ling Mohan had no more time to waste.
"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Shi marshaled a隊 of soldiers and pursued Chu Yanxi with all their might.
Chu Yanxi, on his end, had given his all, mustering every ounce of strength to escape, determined to survive.
Reaching the cliff ahead, Chu Yanxi swiftly pulled the reins, preventing himself and the horse from falling into the abyss.
As he was about to find another route to escape, Ling Mohan's forces arrived, surrounding him from all sides. Chu Yanxi was now completely encircled. Unless he had wings, escaping would be impossible.
"Third Prince, you are at your wit's end. Only by surrendering can you save your life!"
"Stop your nonsense. Let Ling Mohan come out to speak with me. You are not qualified to talk to this Prince!"
Even at the brink of death, Chu Yanxi maintained his utmost elegance, showing no trace of panic on his face.
"To maintain such a consistent, hypocritical demeanor at this point is truly admirable, Your Highness!"
Ling Mohan appeared before Chu Yanxi in white attire. Seeing Chu Yanxi's current dishevelled state, a mocking smile curved his lips. Was this the same gentle and refined Third Prince from before, now reduced to such an end?
Had Chu Yanxi not taken the desperate risk of rebellion, he would likely still be that aloof, favored son of heaven.