There was a small stand on the street where people could try their hand at throwing hoops. The blue cloth, washed so many times it had faded, displayed various cloth-made toys like little tigers, rabbits, and dogs. Taller items included clay figurines and porcelain vases, while at the back were more valuable items like gold and silver ingots, bracelets, and hairpins. Chi Ying had seen such stalls in the capital before, but due to Changsun Tai's strict upbringing, she and Lingfang were never allowed to play freely on the streets, leaving her yearning for years without ever trying.
Chi Ying, eager to give it a go, said, "Let's play that. I've wanted to try it since I was little." Bo Mu'er glanced over but wasn't particularly interested. However, noticing a jade shop behind the stall, he decided to agree and followed her over.
The vendor wore hundreds of bamboo rings on his left arm and shouted loudly, "Come see! Gold and jewels, antiques and toys, whatever you win is yours, no cheating! Ten copper coins for one ring, cheap! Don't you want to test your skills?"
Chi Ying squeezed through the crowd happily, and Bo Mu'er bought her ten rings, asking, "Is this enough?"
"Enough, enough," Chi Ying replied, taking them. Seeing him retreat to the outer edge, she asked, "Aren't you going to try?"
Bo Mu'er lifted Xiao Cuiyan higher, "Too crowded here, it's not good for the child. I'll wait outside for you."
Chi Ying wasn't worried about him taking Xiao Cuiyan away and nodded, playing enthusiastically. Bo Mu'er, seeing her attention diverted, entered the jade shop with Xiao Cuiyan, intending to buy a longevity lock for her.
At that moment, Cui Yi rode ahead into Juxia Pass, asking everyone if they had seen a man from the Busha tribe carrying a woman with a child. Unfortunately, such families were common, and no one paid special attention. Despite his efforts, he found no leads.
Cao Qian arrived shortly after and found Cui Yi wandering aimlessly around town. He approached and said, "Your Highness, we found no traces of Lady and the Busha leader from Selun River to Juxia Pass. With guards watching the exit routes, they couldn't have escaped."
Cui Yi grunted, suspiciously scanning the surroundings, feeling that Chi Ying must be nearby. Indeed, she was close by, enjoying the hoop-throwing game.
"Your Highness, perhaps you should sit down for some tea and rest. I'll inform the governor of Gan Prefecture to search the city thoroughly?" Cao Qian suggested.
Cui Yi licked his lips, genuinely thirsty but shook his head, "No, if we send troops to search, Chi Ying might think I'm hunting her down and hide even more. Water flask."
Cao Qian handed him the water flask from his saddle, and Cui Yi drank deeply, wiping his face. Just as he prepared to continue searching, he spotted a tall young man emerging from the jade shop, dressed similarly to the Busha guards and holding a child. Recognizing Xiao Cuiyan, Cui Yi rushed over, shouting, "Stop!"
Bo Mu'er didn't realize it was directed at him and was only a few steps down the stairs when Cui Yi reached him, demanding angrily, "Give me Yan!"
Reflexively protecting the child, Bo Mu'er glared at the stranger, noting his armor, imposing figure, and fierce expression. He sneered, "Who are you? Do you plan to snatch a child in broad daylight?"
Cui Yi's eyes blazed, "Where is Chi Ying? Return my daughter, you despicable opportunist!"
Upon hearing Chi Ying's name, Bo Mu'er understood who he was but felt insulted by being labeled an adulterer. Such a distrustful and aggressive person didn't deserve someone as gentle as Chi Ying. He retorted, "Return her? This is my daughter."
Cui Yi exploded with anger, "Nonsense! Yan is clearly my daughter. How dare you claim her as yours! Are you tired of living?"
His loud voice and menacing demeanor frightened Xiao Cuiyan, who began to cry and burrowed into Bo Mu'er's arms. Bo Mu'er provocatively raised his chin, "You scared my daughter."
Cui Yi was furious, nearly wanting to punch him but was restrained by Cao Qian, "Your Highness, don't act rashly! If you hurt the princess, how will we find Lady? She hasn't been located yet."
"Bo Mu'er! Where are you—Eh? General Cao... Your Highness!" Chi Ying emerged from the crowd, shocked to see them confronting each other on the steps.
Cui Yi, overjoyed, momentarily forgot about Bo Mu'er and embraced Chi Ying, "Chi Ying!"
Chi Ying, equally surprised and happy, buried her face in his chest, sobbing, "Your Highness... I'm sorry!"
Cui Yi held her tightly, stammering, "As long as you're safe, everything else can wait. Let's go home, let's go home first."
Cao Qian gave Bo Mu'er a mocking glance, questioning whose daughter Xiao Cuiyan really was. Bo Mu'er ignored him, soothing Xiao Cuiyan.
As the excitement subsided, Chi Ying remembered something important, wiped her tears, and introduced them, "Your Highness, this is Bo Mu'er, our savior and the leader of the Busha tribe. Bo Mu'er, this is the father of Yan, His Highness, and this is General Cao, His Highness' trusted aide."
Cui Yi eyed Bo Mu'er with disdain, recalling Sang Duo's malicious words and the recent confrontation, filled with resentment and no gratitude. Bo Mu'er, however, acted as if Cui Yi didn't exist, asking Chi Ying, "Did you finish? What did you win?"
"Nothing, just for fun," Chi Ying showed her empty hands.
Cui Yi raised an eyebrow, "What did you throw?"
Bo Mu'er handed Xiao Cuiyan back to her, "Whatever you want, I'll win it for you."
Cui Yi instantly flared up again, "It's my turn now! Get out of the way! I'll do it myself!"
They both pushed through the crowd, determined to outdo each other. Chi Ying stood outside, exasperated, "Remember to pay!"
Men, none are immune to competition, for fame, wealth, power, women.
Men, everywhere is a battlefield, in business, court, palace… every corner of the street.
"Move aside!" Cui Yi shoved his way through, causing complaints but finally reached the stall. Picking up a rag doll, he asked the vendor, "How much for this?"
Bo Mu'er scoffed, telling the vendor, "Give me ten rings."
The vendor counted the rings for him while explaining to Cui Yi, "Sir, these aren't for sale. You throw the rings to win prizes. Ten coins per ring. Want to try?"
Still confused, Cui Yi watched Bo Mu'er effortlessly win a five-tael silver ingot, drawing cheers from the crowd. Instantly understanding, he demanded, "Give me ten rings!"
The vendor handed him the rings, and Cui Yi imitated Bo Mu'er, winning another silver ingot. The vendor's face turned green; these precise throws meant losing his most valuable items. Bo Mu'er smirked, tossing two rings simultaneously, winning two vases amidst applause.
Cui Yi snorted dismissively, "Show-off." Taking three rings, he threw them, landing on a bracelet, brush washer, and bronze goblet. Cheers erupted again. Bo Mu'er frowned, using all seven rings in one swift motion, winning almost all the valuable items.
Cui Yi gritted his teeth, reaching for more rings but realized he needed more. Turning to the vendor, he ordered, "Ten more rings!"
The vendor cried, "Mercy, sir! I've lost all my valuables. I can't afford to lose more!"
Impatient, Cui Yi snapped, "Enough talk! Give them to me!"
Chi Ying, finally squeezing through with Xiao Cuiyan, heard his tone and intervened, "Please, this is a small business. Let's go."
Reluctantly, Cui Yi agreed, planning to deal with Bo Mu'er later. They left, Chi Ying paying 100 coins. The vendor thanked her profusely, "Lady, you are truly kind! Good fortune awaits you!"
Bo Mu'er picked up a cloth rabbit for Xiao Cuiyan, who giggled happily. The vendor bowed, "Take anything you need, please come again!"
Outside, Cui Yi ignored Bo Mu'er, instructing Cao Qian, "Rent a carriage, we're leaving."
Chi Ying hesitated, "So soon? It's getting dark. Why don't we eat together? We should thank Sang Duo and Bo Mu'er for their care. It would be rude to leave without saying goodbye."
Cao Qian returned with the carriage, and Cui Yi, seeing Bo Mu'er amusing Xiao Cuiyan, scowled, "Not appropriate to leave like this? Or do you not want to go? I've been searching for you for three months, rushing here upon hearing news. Not to watch you flirt with another man!"
"What!" Bo Mu'er exploded.
Chi Ying quickly explained, "Not like that. Your Highness misunderstands, he's just a friend."
Cui Yi jealously retorted, "Just a friend? When I went to the Busha tribe, they told me you were preparing to marry their leader. Is this untrue?"
Chi Ying gasped, "Who said that? I never said such things!"
Bo Mu'er sneered, "Even if true, if you hadn't shown up, Chi Ying would stay with us. Even Yan would consider me her father, not you."
"Bo Mu'er!" Chi Ying raised her voice, shocked, "How can you say that? You promised to part as friends!"
Bo Mu'er unrepentant, "I changed my mind. A hot-tempered man like you doesn't deserve her. I can do better. Come with me, I'll take care of you both."
Cui Yi roared, "Never! Chi Ying is my lawfully wedded wife. She's not yours to take. Chi Ying, come here!"
Bo Mu'er snapped, "Are you calling a dog?" As Chi Ying moved, he grabbed her arm, "Don't go!"
Chi Ying wrenched free, "Stop it! I won't remarry. Yan has only one father. Your kindness will be repaid, but not with marriage!"
Cui Yi smiled victoriously, "Heard that?"
Chi Ying glared, "Your Highness, don't push it. If not for Bo Mu'er, we'd be dead. Don't forget that!"
Both men fell silent, exchanging hostile glances.
Cao Qian announced, "Carriage ready, shall we depart?" Chi Ying looked pleadingly at Cui Yi, who reluctantly agreed, "Tomorrow then. Let's eat first."