On the road, they happened to run into Lele.
"Why are you up and still here?" Ye Ziāan frowned slightly.
"Dad!" Lele took a step forward, grabbed Ye Ziāanās hand, and said, "I heard from Uncle Ye Er that someone is searching for an escapee and theyāve already searched our mansion, so I came out to have a look."
Upon hearing this, Ye Ziāan frowned even more, looked at the servant behind him, and then walked a few steps faster with Lele, "Did you send Ye Er out on an errand?"
"Yes, he just came back."
"Was he injured?"
"No, he wasnāt." After a pause, Lele added, "But when he came back, he was being watched. They thought he was in cahoots with the fugitive."
"Thatās good, but tell him to be careful next time."
"Got it, Dad."
Ye Ziāan thought to himself that he didnāt know what his son had been doing outside, but the boy was too independent, and he couldnāt ask too much.
However, whatever he does, he canāt do without money. Thinking about it, he asked, "Do you need money?"
"Do you have money?" Lele looked at him curiously. Their family was wealthiest thanks to his mother; all the money his father had came from her.
And the money she gave was always predetermined, so how much could he possibly have?
Perhaps his sonās meaning was too obvious, Ye Ziāan felt a bit embarrassed, then stiffened his neck and said, "Your mother has some, I will ask her for it."
"Letās forget it then." Lele sighed and said, "Having you ask her for money is not as good as me asking her myself. Maybe seeing how cool I am, she might give me a little more."
"Hey, you brat, who taught you to talk like that, even know how to retort now." Ye Ziāan chided him with a playful slap.
As they chatted, they reached the front yard, where a team of the Imperial Army, holding torches, was standing.
"I greet Prince An, we are here under the emperorās orders to search for Prince Ning, the fugitive. I hope Prince An will not obstruct us in performing our duties."
The newcomer immediately stated their purpose upon seeing Ye Ziāan and Lele, straightforward and efficient.
"Of course, I will comply with the emperorās orders, but please search the front yard first. The harem is full of women; it would be inconvenient."
"Rest assured, Prince An, we will not disturb the women in the harem at all." The speaker was a squad leader of the Imperial Army, an honest person, who suggested, "When we search the harem, Prince An can send someone to supervise."
"That would be great! Thank you!"
Lele never intended to stop the other party, but he felt the necessary things had to be said, lest they think they could just come and search Prince Anās Mansion as they pleased.
If something got accidentally damaged, who knew how distressed his mother would be.
"Young as he is, Prince An remains so composed. Lord Ye is blessed indeed." The squad leader made a direct compliment, then led his men to search the different areas.
By the time they reached the harem, Yang Chuxia had already gathered the children, along with Yunyun and others, in the main courtyard.
Very soon, the search of Prince Anās Mansion was completed, and the Imperial Army departed.
"Didnāt find him?" Just as the Imperial Army left the mansion, outside the gate, they ran into Prince Le, who rode with a team of men.
"No, Your Highness,"
Upon hearing this, Prince Le closed his eyes momentarily, then looked up at the starry sky and murmured, "Want to challenge me?"
"If not found here, then search elsewhere."
"Understood."
Inside Prince Anās Mansion, after the search was over, everyone went to sleep. Yang Chuxia and Ye Ziāan shut the door, and Ye Ziāan went to check on Prince Ning. He had woken up but was still babbling nonsensically, repeatedly saying, "Iām guilty, Iām guilty."