"Brother Yang, since that's the case, let's head back. There's nothing else to do here."
Yang Chun nodded. "Yes, it's time for us to prepare our departure."
After speaking, he glanced at Liu Rumei. Since Yang Chun had decided to leave, Liu Rumei naturally couldn't object. Moreover, Chen Xiaobei was already eager to return.
Seeing that everyone had made up their minds, Old Steward Liu Kaicai smiled and said, "Miss, I shall take my leave then. I'll go back and inform the Young Master." With that, he turned and left in a hurry, returning to the Liu manor.
Upon hearing that Liu Rumei was leaving, Liu Yuanwen let out a long sigh. "Ah, what must come will come. Right, go to the dungeon and bring that scoundrel out."
Liu Kai nodded and went to the side room in the backyard, opening the dungeon door. He walked in, holding a torch, and was immediately met by a foul stench.
This place was originally used by Liu Xiangnan to imprison disobedient servants.
Of course, Liu Xiangnan was a kind man, and the dungeon was not used often. Now, it was proving useful for Chen Ermao.
Hearing someone enter, Chen Ermao was ecstatic. He immediately stood up and shook the wooden bars in front of him vigorously.
"Someone, quickly! Someone let me out, let me out!"
Liu Kai approached Chen Ermao, holding the torch high.
Chen Ermao's hair was disheveled, and his body was filthy. Due to his age, his beard had grown to over two inches long, making him look somewhat like a monkey from the mountains.
Seeing Liu Kai examining him with the torch, Chen Ermao suddenly had a premonition of doom, and his voice trembled with fear.
"Old man, please don't kill me, don't kill me. I haven't gotten married yet, I don't want to die, I don't want to die."
Liu Kai chuckled. "Don't worry, you won't die. I'm here to tell you some good news: you'll soon be going to Hetou Village with my young lady."
"What? Go back to Hetou Village? I don't want to go back, I don't want to go back!" Chen Ermao waved his hands frantically.
Liu Kai didn't reply, turning to leave.
As he walked, he said slowly, "This is your own fault for not seizing the opportunity. If that's the case, you can fend for yourself here."
Hearing this, Chen Ermao panicked. He quickly shook the wooden bars and shouted loudly, "Old man, come back! I'm willing to go back, I'm willing to go back!"
"Good, you agreed to it yourself." With that, Liu Kai sauntered back and opened the wooden bars.
Seeing this, Chen Ermao was overjoyed and made a dash for the exit. However, Liu Kai struck him directly on the back of the neck with his palm, knocking him unconscious.
"Young people are too impulsive."
It took Liu Rumei, Chen Xiaobei, and the others quite some time to pack up. After all, Emperor Xiao Jingyun had sent many gifts. Chen Xiaobei wanted to leave some for the Liu family, but Liu Rumei insisted on taking everything.
It wasn't that Liu Rumei was stingy. She felt that no one knew how long her elder brother could stay in the capital. Keeping such imperial gifts might attract unwanted rumors.
Especially now that her family was already on shaky ground, any further missteps could be disastrous.
Chen Xiaobei naturally supported her decision. Liu Yuanwen didn't care about such trivial things anyway.
While they were busy, Liu Kai led a carriage and entered directly through the back door. He cupped his fists towards Chen Xiaobei.
"Son-in-law, as you are departing, the Young Master wishes to present you with a generous gift."
Chen Xiaobei smiled, glancing at the carriage behind Liu Kai.
"It's already this late, and you're still joking with me, old sir. No need for generous gifts, please let my elder brother keep them."
Liu Kai waved his hand with a smile.
"No, this generous gift, you must accept it. Please, son-in-law, take a look."
As he said this, he stepped forward and lifted the curtain of the covered carriage.
Chen Ermao was positioned with his feet facing outward and his face inward, so Chen Xiaobei only saw a pair of feet.
"There's another person? Chen Xiaobei was puzzled and looked at Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei knew exactly what was going on. She had almost taken this person away last time, and now her elder brother had finally remembered.
However, since Liu Kai had called it a great gift, it would spoil the surprise if she revealed it prematurely.
So, she smiled and made a gesture without speaking. Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to step forward.
When Chen Xiaobei reached him, Liu Kai grabbed Chen Ermao by the leg and pulled him out halfway.
Upon seeing Chen Ermao's appearance, with his messy hair and beard almost tangled with his hair, Chen Xiaobei was startled.
"Old sir, what kind of monster is this?"
Liu Kai laughed heartily and beckoned to a Liu family servant nearby. Someone brought over a basin of water, and Liu Kai unceremoniously poured it directly onto Chen Ermao's head.
Chen Ermao jolted and sat up abruptly.
The sudden bright light outside made him uncomfortable. He covered his eyes with his hands and cried out, "Where is this? Where is this? My eyes hurt so much!"
Hearing the voice, which was so familiar, Chen Xiaobei's heart stirred. He leaned closer and took a good look, exclaiming, "You're Chen Ermao?"
Hearing his name called out, Chen Ermao flinched in fear. However, unable to open his eyes, he tentatively asked, "Hey, who are you? You sound familiar."
Chen Xiaobei's anger flared upon hearing the confirmation. He pointed at Chen Ermao and sternly rebuked, "Ermao, do you still remember that you almost caused my family's ruin, me, Chen Xiaobei?"
At these words, Chen Ermao trembled with fear. His worst fears had come true. He was terrified of returning to Hetou Village, and now he had run into Chen Xiaobei so quickly.
Perhaps due to his long confinement, Chen Ermao had lost his usual arrogance and had become meek and subservient. "Brother Xiaobei, I was wrong. It was all my fault. You are magnanimous, overlooking my mistakes."
"Overlooking your mistakes? You almost killed Hongyu, and you wanted to sell Qiao'er to the Zhao family as a sacrificial golden boy and jade girl. Look at the things you've done, how can I forgive you?"
As Chen Xiaobei was speaking with righteous indignation, Yang Chun walked up, gently patted his shoulder, and then gestured to the side.
Chen Xiaobei understood what he meant. He followed Yang Chun, walking about twenty feet away, and finally stopped beside a large tree.
"Brother Yang, you don't need to persuade me. I know what you're going to say!" Chen Xiaobei stated directly.
Yang Chun, however, waved his hand. "Brother Xiaobei, you're mistaken. This time, I'm truly not here to persuade you. But you must also know that this is the capital. The Liu family has kindly handed this person over to you; you must not let them down."
Chen Xiaobei instantly understood. He let out a long sigh and smiled. "Brother is right. I was acting impulsively. I will take this scoundrel back to Hetou Village and execute him publicly."