Chapter 12: Stop Pretending, I’ve Already Seen Through Your Intentions!

At this moment, Bai Muge's mind was somewhat muddled, unable to make sense of what the young Tang King had just said.

“What on earth is going on here?!” Bai Muge couldn’t help but roar inwardly.

Yet behind him, Chen Duolong and the assembled guards, upon witnessing this scene, all beamed with delight, wearing an expression of “just as expected.”

“We were right to flatter Lord Bai!”

“Absolutely!”

“Lord Bai risked his life to rid His Majesty of the rebel, the Prince of Southern Town. And besides, the two of them have been close since childhood. Surely, Lord Bai is now the one His Majesty trusts most!”

“Such generous rewards from His Majesty to Lord Bai are only natural!”

Although they didn’t know precisely when Bai Muge had accomplished another great feat for the young Tang King, they were certain the King’s words would not be mistaken—

—Bai Muge must have achieved yet another merit!

Otherwise, the young Tang King would not have spoken so.

Especially at such a critical moment, as officials accompanying Bai Muge on the task of confiscating property, Chen Duolong dared not steal Bai Muge’s thunder.

After all, aside from being loyal to the young Tang King, he also needed to draw close to Bai Muge.

That way, as Minister of Justice, he’d stand a better chance at promotion and wealth…

Now was not the time to compete for credit.

“Your Majesty,”

Chen Duolong promptly regained his composure and bowed solemnly toward the dragon throne, his mind turning swiftly. “This great accomplishment was possible only thanks to Your Majesty’s wise decision and Lord Bai’s resourcefulness!”

“Indeed, Your Majesty,”

The reporting officer, seeing Chen Duolong’s words, quickly echoed, “Without Your Majesty’s guidance and Lord Bai’s clever strategy, we... would hardly have imagined such a brilliant plan!”

The other guards joined in, eager to offer their own praises.

Though they didn’t know the details, from what the deputy reporting officer had hinted at earlier, they could surmise that another great merit was at hand!

Now was the perfect time to flatter, and they couldn't go wrong.

Sure enough.

Hearing Chen Duolong, the reporting officer, and others shamelessly sing his praises, Li Chen, the young Tang King, felt a stirring in his heart.

[Being flattered truly feels delightful…]

But as the Son of Heaven of the Great Tang, he showed no sign of pleasure on his face, instead maintaining a rather serious demeanor.

He raised his hand slightly, cutting off their flattery.

Then, seeing Bai Muge still standing silent and dazed, Li Chen couldn’t help but speak again:

“Beloved Bai, if not for your daring plan—posing as a corrupt official to lure the enemy—I would never have been able to so easily capture the remnants under the Prince of Southern Town’s command.

Don’t pretend anymore; I’ve seen through your intentions. No matter what, today’s reward must be accepted!

Tell me, what do you want?”

As he spoke, Li Chen deliberately gave Bai Muge a meaningful look, glancing toward Li Shixuan.

It was obvious that the young Tang King wanted to seize this opportunity to please Li Shixuan as well.

Yet Bai Muge’s reaction was a beat slow; he looked at the King in confusion and asked, “Your Majesty, when did I enact a plan to lure the enemy through corruption?”

“Still pretending!”

The young Tang King put on a stern face, rose from his throne, and walked to Bai Muge’s side. “Just now, Lord Li confessed everything.

Had you not, in the process of confiscating property, purposely feigned corruption and openly took a golden robe, how could those hidden rebels have taken the bait?

Fortunately, you devised this plan; otherwise, I would have struggled to root them all out!”

After explaining the reason, the young Tang King raised his brows and smiled at Bai Muge.

The two had been close since childhood—how could he not know Bai Muge’s nature?

The more Bai Muge denied it, the more true it must be!

After all, Bai Muge had always acted with caution.

Bai Muge: “……”

At last, he understood why the young Tang King believed he’d achieved another great feat.

Only, what he never expected was—

He’d actually “really” embezzled a golden robe, yet because of this, the young Tang King had managed to catch the remnants of the Prince of Southern Town’s household.

[These poor souls are truly unlucky…]

Bai Muge silently mourned for them for three seconds.

“Your Majesty flatters me. It is my duty to serve Your Majesty,” Bai Muge replied with a gentle smile, “This is only what I ought to do.”

The young Tang King glanced over at Li Shixuan by the throne.

Seeing Li Shixuan smiling brightly, neither angry nor fixing him with her captivating gaze, Li Chen finally relaxed.

[With so many people present, it’s best to wait until they’ve left before discussing further.]

He mused silently, then looked to Chen Duolong and the others, and waved his hand: “You have all worked hard; please withdraw. Beloved Bai, stay.”

“Uh… Yes, Your Majesty.”

Chen Duolong and the others finally realized, somewhat flustered, and bowed out.

Yet they were all deeply anxious inside.

After leaving the Imperial Study, everyone glanced back repeatedly, eager to know what Bai Muge and the young Tang King would discuss in private.

Outside the Imperial Study.

“Lord Duolong…”

The reporting officer hesitated, stopping in his tracks, his face full of worry as he drew near Chen Duolong and whispered:

“Before, Lord Bai took a golden robe from the Prince of Southern Town’s residence, but who would have thought it was all part of a plot to lure the enemy.

But we actually took silver during the confiscation.

If His Majesty learns of this, our lives…”

He dared not finish the sentence.

Everyone knew the consequences of deceiving the Emperor, especially as court officials.

Chen Duolong’s heart was also in turmoil.

“Don’t panic just yet.”

He forced himself to think calmly, then mused, “Perhaps Lord Bai is testing our loyalty; I trust he won’t report this to His Majesty.

Since Lord Bai acted to deceive the hidden rebels and catch them all, we must not keep the silver for ourselves.”

“What should we do then?” the reporting officer asked.

Chen Duolong smiled, “No rush. Gather all the confiscated silver and send it to the national treasury, filling in the gaps on the reporting list.

I’ll wait outside the Imperial Study and see if His Majesty sends word.”

“I understand,” the reporting officer replied quickly. The group went around the corner, taking all the embezzled silver to the treasury.

Chen Duolong remained outside the Imperial Study.

Inside, Bai Muge was oblivious to the inner struggle Chen Duolong and the others had gone through before deciding to abandon their ill-gotten gains.

Now, with the study empty, Li Shixuan stepped forward with a prepared wine jug, her smile revealing two charming dimples.

“Brother Mu, here, have a sip to warm yourself.”