Chapter 29: I Never Expected... You Would Turn Out to Be This Kind of Person!

From noon onward, Bai Muge had been sipping wine, but drinking alone always felt somewhat dull. Well… Chen Duolong beside him hardly counted as company.

So, Bai Muge glanced at Chen Duolong, the officials from the Grand Herald’s Office, and Master Liu, the leader of the Tianlong Guild, and gave his orders: “Come with me to the Scarlet Sleeves Hall. Let’s listen to some music.”

In the Scarlet Sleeves Hall, not only was there fine wine, but beautiful women as well. The ambiance and atmosphere far surpassed that of drinking atop the city walls. Moreover, the Scarlet Sleeves Hall of the Great Tang Dynasty was by no means a vulgar brothel. The women there sold only their talents, not their bodies, each one adept in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

However, if one could win the heart of one of those women, that was another matter entirely. After all, no one could stand in the way of mutual affection.

At the same time, this was an excellent opportunity for Master Liu, the head of the capital’s foremost guild, to mingle with the court officials, increasing his sense of honor and loyalty toward the Tianlong Guild and the imperial court alike.

In this way, Bai Muge could feel at ease leaving matters in their hands in the future. What’s more, waiting here for the envoys from Great Zhou to apologize for their earlier behavior was growing tiresome. An entire hour had passed, and still the envoys showed no sign of contrition.

“Sir.”

Before Chen Duolong and the others could respond, one of the city guards, seeing Bai Muge’s intentions and realizing he meant to ignore the envoys outside the city gate, hesitated and stepped forward.

After a long moment of uncertainty, the guard asked, “Sir, what are your orders regarding the envoys from Great Zhou waiting outside the gate?”

Leaving the envoys of another nation standing at the city gates while the chief official responsible for their reception took his party to a pleasure hall was unprecedented in the Tang Dynasty.

The city guard could not fathom Bai Muge’s reasoning and worried inwardly that such a bold move might spark tension between the two nations. In his eyes, offending Great Zhou would only make matters worse for the Tang.

Before Bai Muge could reply, Chen Duolong grinned and said, “Don’t worry. Lord Bai knows exactly what he’s doing—everything is proceeding according to his plan!”

“Indeed!” another official from the Grand Herald’s Office agreed with a laugh. “Lord Bai’s actions are always calculated. You need only follow his commands!”

“Exactly! Even if the sky were to fall, Lord Bai would bear it, and so would we. It’s no concern of yours!” The rest of the officials nodded with cheerful agreement.

To have served as officials for so long, and to be involved in welcoming the Great Zhou envoys, none of them were fools.

[Would Lord Bai dare act thus without the emperor’s backing?]
[This is a matter that could offend an entire nation!]
[Besides, Lord Bai’s plan must have been in place for some time!]

Hearing this, the city guard realized their reasoning was sound.

If Bai Muge had no strategy, would he dare leave the envoys outside, unattended?

“At your command!” The guard immediately clasped his hands in salute.

Satisfied, Chen Duolong approached Bai Muge and whispered, “Sir, shall we head to the Scarlet Sleeves Hall? I’ve heard there’s a new lady there called Miss Yi Ren! She’s said to be a peerless beauty, truly out of this world…” As he spoke, Chen Duolong nearly drooled, his eyes gleaming.

Bai Muge’s mouth twitched as he looked at the lecherous Chen Duolong, speechless. “Master Duolong, I never took you for such a man!”

“You do me wrong, sir!” Chen Duolong replied, unoffended, his tone suddenly righteous. “I’ve already made inquiries for you. This new Miss Yi Ren adores poetry and song. I’ve even prepared verses for you in court, sir. When you visit the Scarlet Sleeves Hall, simply recite them, and that Miss Yi Ren… well, sir, she’ll be yours for the asking!”

Bai Muge fell silent, instantly losing the desire to talk to Chen Duolong any further.

[Is this man missing a screw?]
[I already have Sister Xuan of Poetry. Why would I want a courtesan from Scarlet Sleeves?]
[I, Bai Muge, am not that sort of man!]

Still, after more than two months away from the Scarlet Sleeves Hall, Bai Muge found himself a little curious at Chen Duolong’s words. In any case, sitting here any longer was pointless.

Without another word, Bai Muge clasped his hands behind his back and strode off toward the Scarlet Sleeves Hall. Chen Duolong and the others quickly followed.

…

Outside the city gates of Chang’an, Great Tang.

“Sir, I’m feeling parched… may I have some water?” One of the Great Zhou officials approached Lin Xianrong and spoke weakly, “We’ve run out of wine and water, and there’s no more dry rations…”

Lin Xianrong turned to glare fiercely at him, and the official immediately fell silent. But at that moment, Lin Xianrong’s own stomach betrayed him with a loud growl.

The Great Zhou officials exchanged glances in awkward silence.

Lin Xianrong coughed loudly to cover his embarrassment. “Don’t worry, before long these crude Tang people will come to apologize!”

“But sir, it’s already been so long, and there’s still no sign of movement inside…”

“Silence!” Lin Xianrong snapped, his patience thinning.

The envoys from Great Zhou could only grit their teeth and endure the hunger and cold. Meanwhile, the officials meant to receive them had already reached the Scarlet Sleeves Hall.

“Well, if it isn’t Young Master Bai! Please, come in!” Mistress Wang, the manager of Scarlet Sleeves Hall, hurried forward to welcome Bai Muge as soon as she saw him arrive. “Young Master Bai, it’s been quite some time since your last visit.”

From her words alone, it was clear Bai Muge was a frequent guest here.

“Is there a private room available?” Bai Muge asked.

“There is indeed,” Mistress Wang replied with a broad smile, personally leading Bai Muge and his party inside. She added with a knowing look, “Young Master Bai, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. Soon, our new arrival, Miss Yi Ren, will be performing on stage, seeking to make friends through music and verse. She is truly a rare beauty! Young Master Bai, I’m rooting for you!”

Bai Muge’s mouth twitched in exasperation. “Mistress Wang, just take us to a private room, please.”

“I understand, I understand!” Mistress Wang replied, nodding with a conspiratorial grin.

Before long, Bai Muge and his companions were settled in a spacious private room, with fine wine brought to them.

“Please enjoy, Young Master Bai.”

After the attendant withdrew, Chen Duolong and the others took their seats, eyes scanning eagerly toward the stage.

It wasn’t long before a delicate figure carrying a guqin ascended to the platform. Chen Duolong’s excitement was palpable.

“Sir, look—Miss Yi Ren is taking the stage!” Chen Duolong exclaimed, unable to contain himself.