Chapter 11: What Really Happened?

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Within the city of Chang’an, the residence of the last rebel official.

In the main hall.

“My lord, I have recorded all the assets seized during the house searches. Please review them.” The registrar smiled as he handed the compiled inventory list to Bai Muge.

Throughout the campaign of confiscations, each time the tally was complete, the registrar would immediately present the list to Bai Muge. If anything out of the ordinary was found, it too would be brought to Bai Muge’s attention.

Yet, to everyone’s disappointment, aside from the golden robe taken from the Southern Guardian Prince’s manor during the first search, Bai Muge had never claimed anything else. This left the registrar, Chen Duolong, and the guards frustrated; they could not seize any opportunity to curry favor with Bai Muge through gifts.

All of this was clear to everyone, and disappointment lingered in their hearts.

“Very well.”

Bai Muge accepted the list, glanced at it indifferently, and passed it to Chen Duolong at his side. “Lord Duolong, please verify it.”

Upon seeing this, Chen Duolong instantly understood—Bai Muge had no interest in these so-called gifts and no intention of keeping any for himself. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so dismissive.

“As you command, my lord,” Chen Duolong replied, smiling as he carefully reviewed the inventory. Once satisfied there were no errors, he returned it to the registrar.

After a full afternoon’s toil, the “house-clearing enterprise” was complete. The rebels to be punished were dealt with according to Great Tang law; those who needed to be eradicated were immediately executed.

“Lord Bai, now that the confiscations are complete, shall we return to the palace and report to His Majesty?” Chen Duolong suggested.

“Let’s go and report back,” Bai Muge nodded, leading everyone toward the imperial palace.

“Yes, my lord.”

Chen Duolong gathered the guards, who carried the seized treasures and followed.

Yet halfway to the palace, Bai Muge and his party encountered the deputy registrar and others, freshly exited from the palace.

“Our humble respects to you, my lord.” The deputy registrar and the guards saluted Bai Muge with deep reverence.

They had only just left the imperial study. Upon seeing Bai Muge again, their minds involuntarily recalled what the young King Tang had said moments before: Bai Muge, with a small ruse, had cunningly drawn out the remnants of the Southern Guardian Prince’s faction. Flattering words tumbled forth.

“Lord Bai, you truly are a sage!”

“Indeed! With but a subtle stratagem, you ensnared all the remnants of the Southern Guardian Prince. Such a feat puts us all to shame.”

“We once misjudged you, my lord, thinking ill of a noble man. We beg your forgiveness for our past folly.”

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“Lord Bai, His Majesty awaits you in the imperial study. We will take our leave so as not to disturb you,” the deputy registrar and the guards said with deference, bowing deeply before turning to depart.

For a moment, Bai Muge was left utterly perplexed.

What on earth is going on?

Confusion clouded Bai Muge’s mind.

Chen Duolong and the others were equally bewildered, not understanding what had transpired. But one thing was certain—

Bai Muge had achieved another great merit.

Otherwise, why would the deputy registrar and the guards be so eager to flatter him and apologize in person?

Though none knew what exactly had happened, now was the time to seize the moment and offer their own words of praise.

Those who hoped to climb the ranks alongside Bai Muge had to be astute and ready to flatter at the right moment.

“Congratulations on your new accomplishment, Lord Bai!”

“My admiration for you flows like an endless river…”

“Enough!” Bai Muge interrupted their sycophancy with a wave, exasperated. “Let’s enter the palace and report.”

“Understood, my lord.” Chen Duolong grinned. “You’ve always preferred modesty, and I, your humble servant, understand.”

“We understand as well,” the guards echoed.

After all, though Bai Muge had only taken a golden robe for himself, those who followed him had benefited greatly. They knew how to play their part—and flattery never hurt.

Bai Muge fell silent.

You all understand? What do I understand?! The truth is, I still have no idea what happened…

With a resigned sigh, Bai Muge led the group toward the imperial study.

…

At that very moment, in the imperial study.

Only after everyone had left did Princess Li Shixuan finally drop her angry expression, no longer wishing to bicker with Prince Tang, Li Chen. Yet the displeasure on her face was still evident.

“Ahem, little sister…” Unable to bear it, Prince Tang Li Chen turned to apologize. “Earlier, I didn’t mean to scold you. I only did so to ensure those rebels would take the bait and not disrupt Old Bai’s carefully laid plans. I apologize—it was my error. Please don’t stay angry with me, will you?”

From childhood, Li Chen had always doted on his sister, Li Shixuan. Especially in these past two years, after their parents passed and the Southern Guardian Prince seized regency, it had been Li Shixuan and Bai Muge who stood by his side.

Thus, Prince Tang now felt a pang of regret. He had deliberately scolded Li Shixuan harshly in front of everyone—would she be so upset that she’d refuse to speak with him from now on?

Yet, at the mention of “Old Bai,” Li Shixuan’s mood brightened instantly.

“All right, for Brother Mu’s sake, I’ll let it go,” she said with a gentle huff, a smile finally gracing her lovely cheeks.

Relieved, Prince Tang felt the weight lift from his heart.

“Your Majesty.”

Before long, an attendant entered to report, “Lord Bai has returned from the house searches and awaits outside the study.”

Li Shixuan’s almond-shaped eyes sparkled as she eagerly glanced toward the door.

“Admit them!” Prince Tang commanded without hesitation.

“At once, Your Majesty.” The eunuch’s shrill voice rang out, “Summon Lord Bai and Lord Chen!”

Only then did Bai Muge, Chen Duolong, and their company enter the study.

“Your humble servants greet Your Majesty,” they said, bowing low.

“Rise.”

Prince Tang glanced at Li Shixuan, who was all smiles at his side, his own mood lifted.

“Old Bai—cough—Beloved Minister Bai, today you have rendered yet another great service to me. Speak, what reward do you desire? Anything I possess, anything within my power, I shall grant you!”

“???”

Bai Muge looked up blankly at the beaming Prince Tang upon the dragon throne, then at Li Shixuan’s adoring gaze at his side, his mind awash with confusion.

Can anyone tell me what on earth just happened?