Chapter 26 A Bunch of Fools, Don't Stick Too Close to Me! (Second Update, Please Vote!)

The following noon, Bai Musong appeared at the Office of Rites right on time, just as Prince Tang had instructed him the previous day, prepared to lead the assembled officials to greet the envoys from the Zhou Kingdom.

However, when he caught sight of the chief registrar of the Office of Rites, he couldn’t help the twitch at the corner of his mouth, struck speechless.

For this chief registrar was none other than Chen Duolong!

“Lord Bai, over here!”

Before Bai Musong could utter a word, Chen Duolong was already grinning and beckoning to him, hurrying over in his familiar way. “Heh, Lord Bai, who would’ve thought we’d be working together again!”

Bai Musong could only remain silent.

How many officials had the Tang court dismissed? Even the former Minister of Justice was now reduced to a registrar at the Office of Rites?

Bai Musong hadn’t expected that the old fox, the Prince of Zhen Nan, had managed to infiltrate even this office so thoroughly. Otherwise, the Office of Rites wouldn’t be in such sorry straits.

“Lord Duolong, a pleasure to see you!”

Bai Musong sighed with a wry smile, extending his hand out of courtesy.

But to his surprise, Chen Duolong immediately interpreted the gesture in his own way. With a knowing nod, he slipped two five-hundred-tael silver notes from his sleeve and quietly pressed them into Bai Musong’s palm.

At the same time, gripping Bai Musong’s hand tightly, he gave a sycophantic smile and said, “I hope you’ll look kindly upon me in the future, my lord.”

Bai Musong was dumbfounded.

What kind of twisted logic was this? Did he, Bai Musong, really look like someone desperate for money? Like someone who solicited bribes?

Yet, seeing Bai Musong unmoved, Chen Duolong only grinned wider, and with a conspiratorial wink, said, “Rest assured, my lord, I’ve already instructed a few of them to be prepared.”

With a wave of his hand, several officials stepped forward in unison, each presenting two silver notes with earnest smiles, slipping them into Bai Musong’s hands as if exchanging pleasantries.

Each note was valued at five hundred taels—a considerable sum! And each one wore an expression of utmost propriety.

“We hope you will look after us in the days to come, my lord…”

“This is just a small token of our respect, hardly worthy of mention…”

“Our admiration for you is as boundless as the river, flowing without end…”

Bai Musong could only stare in astonishment.

He knew that serving at the Office of Rites offered some opportunities for profit, but he had not expected this open display of “respect.” Wasn’t this forcing him to accept bribes in broad daylight?

“My lord, just accept it,” Chen Duolong urged, quick to stuff the notes back into Bai Musong’s hand when he hesitated, all the while feigning uprightness. “It’s time for us to depart and greet the Zhou envoys!”

Bai Musong’s mouth twitched.

Fine, you’re the ones forcing this on me! But I can’t accept this money, either!

Silently sighing, he handed the stack of silver notes to Cao Zhengchun behind him. “Old Cao, take this silver to the brothers of the Tianlong Gang. Consider it funds for their operations.”

“Yes, young master.”

After Bai Musong’s correction, both Cao Zhengchun and Hai Dafu no longer addressed him as “Young Lord” but as “young master,” which was more fitting for their status as subordinates of the Bai household and less likely to arouse suspicion.

With the money handed off, Bai Musong finally led the group toward the gates of Chang’an to receive the Zhou envoys.

But this scene, as observed by Chen Duolong and the others, immediately dawned on them with a flash of realization.

So that’s what it was! Lord Bai had asked for the silver notes to secretly support the Tianlong Gang! He was acting on behalf of His Majesty!

So Lord Bai was not the sort to seek bribes after all! We misjudged him!

But since the Tianlong Gang was a faction secretly backed by His Majesty, was what we gave too little? His Majesty must already be aware of this display of loyalty!

With that thought, Chen Duolong set an example by producing another stack of silver notes from his sleeve as they walked. “Lord Bai, I just checked and found a few more silver notes on me—please, do take them as well.”

Without giving Bai Musong a chance to refuse, Chen Duolong pressed the notes into his hand with righteous fervor, feeling much relieved afterwards.

Surely, once His Majesty learned of this, he would commend him! Chen Duolong had always been loyal to the Tang dynasty and His Majesty—heaven and earth could bear witness! Surely, he would be recognized for it!

Having thus strategized, Chen Duolong looked at Bai Musong with even greater admiration.

This, he thought, was the difference between them.

But it didn’t end there.

With Chen Duolong setting the lead, the other officials followed suit, digging out every note they had and passing them to Cao Zhengchun. In moments, Cao Zhengchun’s hands were filled with a hefty stack—no small sum.

Both Cao Zhengchun and Bai Musong were left completely bewildered.

Even Hai Dafu, witnessing the scene, turned to mutter, “Since when did silver notes become so easy to come by? The young master truly lives up to his name—he doesn’t even have to say a word, and money comes pouring in. Remarkable!”

Bai Musong, hearing Hai Dafu’s muttering and seeing the officials’ genuine smiles, could make no sense of their motives.

Could it be… they’re all mad?

The thought made him instantly wary. Best to keep his distance, lest his own intelligence be dragged down—such things could be contagious.

Quickening his pace, Bai Musong tried to put space between himself and the others.

But seeing this, Chen Duolong and the rest only smiled knowingly.

Look, Lord Bai truly takes His Majesty’s orders to heart! There’s still a full hour before the appointed time, and he’s already eager to greet the Zhou envoys! We can’t fall behind—let’s catch up!

Exchanging approving glances, Chen Duolong and the officials hurried after Bai Musong.

Up ahead, Bai Musong, trying to escape their company, saw them closing in and felt his stomach drop.

Damn it, a whole group of fools—don’t follow me so closely!