Just as Xu Can and his servant were about to be completely surrounded, the “cooked duck” was about to fly away.

Qiao Xin made a decisive call: “Xu Can, grab my hand!”

Xu Can instinctively grabbed Qiao Xin’s outstretched hand.

The next moment, his whole body was suddenly lifted, soaring into the air.

Qiao Xin, holding onto him, skillfully stepped on people’s heads, taking just a few strides to break through the encirclement.

“Run!” she shouted, sprinting wildly towards the tavern.

Outside, Qiao Yunqing had already grasped the whole situation.

Instead of following Qiao Xin as she charged through the crowd towards the town, he turned back to the ox cart. “Xu Can has been identified—someone recognized him from a bounty poster. Mother, take him ahead first; it’s not convenient for us to meet up now. We’ll regroup at the tavern.”

“Alright!”

Jingan Town wasn’t big.

The distance from the town gate to Jingtai Grand Tavern was only a few hundred meters.

Qiao Xin, dragging Xu Can along, dashed through the bustling streets.

Behind them, a large crowd howled and chased furiously, drawing the attention of many bystanders.

Unfamiliar with the town’s layout, Qiao Xin tugged Xu Can and said, “Point the way!”

With a mouth full of dust and missing a shoe from being jostled, Xu Can couldn’t speak.

He used his free hand to point forward. In sight was an imposing three-story building with an ancient, elegant façade.

Two stone Pixiu stood guard at the entrance.

The main doors were wide open, revealing a bored shopkeeper and a diligent child scrubbing tables inside.

Surprisingly, despite its upscale appearance, the place was deserted.

Wasn’t this supposed to be the best tavern in Jingan Town?

Qiao Xin shot Xu Can a skeptical glance but still dragged him inside.

For the past two days, the Yang family had shut down the tavern to assist Lord Xiaoyao in his search efforts.

Though some within the Yang family found Lord Xiaoyao’s actions overbearing and dictatorial, none dared to speak out—who would dare provoke a man who wouldn’t rest until he found his son?

Shopkeeper Zhao was idly counting the wine jars, lamenting that business would be terrible today.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the entrance, and two figures appeared in the tavern hall.

He rubbed his eyes and took a closer look.

That young man—wasn’t he the very person they had been searching for, the young heir? Beside him stood a sharp-eyed woman.

In an instant, Shopkeeper Zhao sprang up, his aches and fatigue vanishing.

His wrinkled face broke into a wide grin.

Finally!

The one they had been desperately searching for had returned on his own. The old master was saved!

He quickly trotted over, beaming. “Oh my goodness, young master, you’re finally here! Everyone was worried sick looking for you! We feared something had happened to you. But now that you’re back safe and sound, this is wonderful! I’ll send someone immediately to inform Lord Xiaoyao so he can breathe easy. Please, sit and have some tea to calm yourself!”

Xu Can brushed back his messy hair, his usual arrogance returning in an instant.

He lifted his chin and cast a sideways glance. “Hah! I have my own luck; what could possibly happen to me?”

“No rush. First, go deal with those people outside, then send someone to the town gate to remove the bounty posters. Also, find three ox carts—on them, you’ll find wild boars and a black bear. And bring out a feast!”

“Got it!” Shopkeeper Zhao agreed without hesitation.

But as he glanced at the large crowd gathered outside the tavern, all shouting and clamoring, he hesitated.

Unsure of the situation, he decided to check first.

“Wait! Don’t make it difficult for them. Those people saw the bounty poster and came to claim the reward. Give each of them one tael of silver to send them away. If anyone refuses to leave, let the authorities handle it.”

They would have to choose—money or their lives. If they wanted the reward, they needed to be alive to spend it.

Only after Shopkeeper Zhao left did Xu Can finally relax.

He poured himself a cup of tea, downed it, and then poured another for Qiao Xin, handing it to her. “Don’t worry, I won’t short you a single coin from the promised one thousand taels.”

Qiao Xin replied, “Then hurry up! I’m on a tight schedule.”

She just wanted to take the money and move away as soon as possible.

She had no interest in the dirty dealings of the wealthy families in Fufeng Town.

As for the favor owed to Lord Xiaoyao—such things weren’t easily repaid. It was better to keep things simple and settle accounts in full.

Xu Can was about to say something when a familiar voice rang out from the street, accompanied by the sound of galloping horses.

“Make way! Make way!”

Chaos erupted as people scrambled to the sides.

Then, Qiao Xin saw a shimmering golden figure approach, riding a tall horse with an imposing presence.

Draped in an exquisitely tailored golden robe, his neck adorned with a string of rare gemstones, and his waist and fingers embellished with more jewels, the man looked like a walking treasure trove.

His grand stature and prominent belly made him resemble a living, breathing Maitreya Buddha.

Yet, despite his ostentatious appearance, Qiao Xin sensed something familiar about him—something of her own kind.

Perhaps this was merely the persona Lord Xiaoyao wanted the world to see.

“Where is my son, Can’er I’ve come to take you home!”

Lord Xiaoyao’s chubby face was filled with urgency.

He had rushed here so quickly that he was slightly out of breath.

Now, pulling his horse to a stop, he gazed sharply over the crowd.

Wherever his eyes landed, people instinctively backed away, lowering their heads.

It was the aura of a true ruler—one that commanded respect and fear.

Meanwhile, Xu Can was practically bouncing with excitement like a delighted puppy that had just found a juicy bone.

He waved wildly at Qiao Xin. “Hahaha! See? My dad really came for me!”

“Yeah, yeah, now don’t forget the real business here!”

Lord Xiaoyao had already stepped into the tavern, his eyes locked onto his mischievous son.

No missing arms or legs—good.

Excellent. This little brat was safe. Now he could afford to give him a good beating!

His iron palm was raised high—only to land gently on Xu Can’s back. “You rascal! You never let anyone have a moment’s peace!”

Xu Can, being the sly fox he was, immediately twisted himself into a pitiful shape. “Father! I almost didn’t make it! If not for Auntie Qiao’s help…”

Qiao Xin had already slipped away when the crowd started flooding into the tavern.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the three Qiao brothers being led towards the back door, so she followed them.

Meanwhile, Shopkeeper Zhao was stunned upon seeing the sheer amount of wild animals—far more than he had expected.

He had thought there would be just one bear and a boar, but there were actually four boars!

This was a massive haul.

Fortunately, tomorrow was the Old Madam’s birthday banquet.

With the young heir safely returned, the feast could proceed as planned.

Even more impressive was that the hides of the boars and the bear were all perfectly intact. Which skilled hunter had managed such a feat?

As a businessman, Shopkeeper Zhao instinctively appraised the goods. “These are excellent, but you must understand, Jingan Town is small. So much wild animals at once—it’ll take days to sell. If they don’t sell quickly…”

“You fool! How dare you nitpick at my goods?”

Xu Can kicked him aside and, hands on his hips, complained to his father, “See, Father? They don’t respect me at all! Imagine how they treat me behind my back!”

Lord Xiaoyao stroked his beard and chuckled. “Hmph. Looks like I need to teach them a lesson.”