Chapter 36: How Come Even I Didn't Know? (Please Vote!)

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The contents of the secret letter were carefully scanned by Bai Muge, and he found them to be almost identical to what Lin Xianrong had just said—not a single detail differed. The only exception was that, when Bai Muge had been chosen to serve as the chief host for this delegation, Prince Li Chen had told him outright that the envoys from Great Zhou were coming to break off the engagement. Previously, the confidential memorial he had seen was also written in black and white.

"It seems this information might have been uncovered by spies planted in Great Zhou!" Bai Muge mused inwardly. "Though it's also possible that's not the case." Li Chen had, after all, discussed with him whether or not to place spies in Great Zhou, but Bai Muge hadn't paid much attention at the time. Now, it seemed likely that the prince's spies were doing their job quite well.

Yet Lin Xianrong, the chief envoy from Great Zhou, was adamant that their mission was to confirm the engagement.

[Between the two of them, someone must be lying deliberately!]

[And the likelihood that the Great Zhou delegation is lying is obviously much higher!]

After pondering for a moment, Bai Muge tucked the secret letter away. With a scrutinizing look at Lin Xianrong below the city walls, Bai Muge finally turned around with deliberate leisure. "Since that's the case, you all shall wait here for now."

With these words, Bai Muge left the city wall and went straight to the palace to seek out the young prince.

After all, it was still unclear whether the handwriting on the letter belonged to the Zhou emperor or was merely part of a ‘secondary plan’ they had prepared. Bai Muge had to verify whether the information truly came from Tang’s spies.

Seeing this, Chen Duolong and the others departed with knowing smiles.

"My lord, tonight is indeed an auspicious night!"

"Master Duolong is right—my lord, the moon is shrouded in darkness, truly a night of howling wind and black skies!"

"My lord, your wisdom and foresight are unmatched! Such a fine night is perfect for taking bold action!"

"Hahaha, even if they suspect something, they dare not be certain it's us!"

Chen Duolong and the officials of the Court of Reception followed Bai Muge, showering him with flattery as they left.

Walking ahead, Bai Muge thought: [These fools, have they all lost their minds?]

[‘A night of howling wind and black skies’? Should I finish the saying for you—‘the perfect time for murder’?]

Bai Muge could not be bothered to respond to this group and headed straight for the palace.

Shangguan Yiren was taken away and guarded by Master Liu.

Still, seeing that Bai Muge’s expression remained unchanged and he proceeded directly to the palace, Chen Duolong and the others were all the more impressed.

[This is why His Majesty trusts him so deeply!]

[Indeed, Lord Bai always anticipates the enemy’s moves!]

[He’d just instructed the soldiers to act cautiously in secret, and now, at the earliest opportunity, he reports everything to His Majesty!]

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[We are truly outmatched…]

With such self-reflection in their hearts, Chen Duolong and the others did not disperse but followed Bai Muge into the palace.

They were now convinced they had grasped Bai Muge’s intentions. Otherwise, he would not have left under such a pretext. Was this not in line with the hints he’d given to the city’s soldiers earlier?

...

In the capital of Great Tang, atop the city gate.

The guards watched Bai Muge leave, and with Chen Duolong and the others gone as well, broad smiles blossomed across their faces.

[Brothers, get ready. Our lord has found his excuse to leave!]

[Understood!]

[Hmph! These shameless Zhou scoundrels—tonight, let them experience Tang’s ‘hospitality’!]

[Ha ha ha…]

The soldiers exchanged meaningful glances and, as if nothing unusual had happened, extinguished their torches.

At the same time, the lead guards began changing out of their uniforms.

Below the city wall, Lin Xianrong and his men looked instantly crestfallen.

He had thought that his ‘definitive’ explanation, coupled with the carefully prepared secret letter, would gain Bai Muge’s trust.

Yet, after acknowledging him, Bai Muge simply left them with a single remark, ordered the torches to be put out, and turned away.

It was obvious he did not believe them!

And tonight, if Bai Muge did not order the gates open, the envoys from Great Zhou would have to spend the night outside the city…

“Hiss… My lord…” One of the Zhou officials shrank into his cloak, shivering as he asked tentatively, “Will we… will we be allowed into the city tonight?”

Lin Xianrong glanced at the official, too weary even to scold him. With a helpless sigh, he replied, “It seems unlikely. Let us light a fire and keep waiting…”

“Understood, my lord…”

The Zhou envoys, hearing this, realized there was little hope of entering the city tonight. Thankfully, they still had tinder with them.

Soon, a faint glow illuminated the faces of the Zhou delegation as they all huddled together for warmth.

None of them knew that a long-planned ‘bandit robbery’ was already looming in the shadows…

...

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The imperial palace of Tang, Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The imperial study.

“Old Bai?”

The young prince, busy perusing memorials and awaiting Bai Muge’s return, frowned instinctively upon hearing the eunuch announce his arrival.

“Why is Old Bai coming to report so late?” he wondered, sensing something amiss. He ordered the eunuch, “Let him in!”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the eunuch replied, and soon Bai Muge appeared before Li Chen.

As for Chen Duolong and the other reception officials, they waited outside the imperial study.

“Old Bai, how is the situation?” the prince asked at once.

He was anxious to know whether the matter of breaking the engagement could be resolved satisfactorily. If the envoys from Great Zhou sensed anything amiss, Tang could face an invasion—and with so much to handle, the prince was already overwhelmed.

Bai Muge, after a brief pause, took out the secret letter and approached the prince. “Second Brother, this is the secret letter from the Zhou envoys.”

“???” The young prince was taken aback.

A secret letter? Weren’t they here to break off the engagement? Why would there be a secret letter?

After a moment’s hesitation, the prince examined the letter, then shook his head with a frown. “This letter is a forgery!”

He was all too familiar with such tricks. Besides, he trusted his spies far more than any letter.

After all, these spies had been secretly left to him by the late emperor, and they had always been loyal and never erred.

Without further explanation, Bai Muge understood the matter of the spies.

“In that case, things are much simpler.” Bai Muge breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Second Brother, I didn’t let them into the city. If you send someone to sweep the city tonight, they won’t notice anything amiss.”

But the young prince only grinned and gave Bai Muge a friendly punch. “No need—you’ve already taken care of it for me. Don’t try to fool me.”

Bai Muge: “???”

When did I supposedly handle everything for you? How come I’m the only one who doesn’t know?