Chapter 37: Lord Dolong, What Is the Meaning of This?

At this moment, Bai Muge couldn’t help but feel somewhat bewildered.

He had absolutely no idea what was going on with what Prince Li Chen had just said. Why would Li Chen speak this way? What exactly had he done?

As far as he was concerned, all he’d done was refuse entry to the envoys from Great Zhou, then spent the afternoon at Red Sleeve Court with Chen Duolong and the other officials from the Office of Protocol, listening to music. Aside from that, Bai Muge hadn’t done a thing!

So how had he ended up taking care of the hidden dangers in the city for the prince? The members of the Heavenly Dragon Gang hadn’t even eradicated the rebels entirely yet...

Yet, seeing Bai Muge’s dazed expression from atop the dragon throne, the young Prince of Tang simply gave a knowing smile. Rising from his seat, he walked up to Bai Muge and patted him on the shoulder.

It was only then that the prince spoke with satisfaction, “I knew it—Old Bai, with you handling this, I could set my mind at ease! Today, you successfully captured the leader of the Sun and Moon Cult, I’ve already heard about it. You’re a true brother! As long as you’ve caught someone from the Sun and Moon Cult, then the power of the Southern Suppression King is basically eradicated. This great merit—I’ll make a note of it for you. Once the matter with the Great Zhou envoys is settled, I’ll reward you handsomely. You won’t lose out!”

Bai Muge: “???”

The Sun and Moon Cult was actually the force of the Southern Suppression King? He truly hadn’t known that!

But listening to the prince speak, the only people he’d captured today were Shangguan Yiran and her servant. Shangguan Yiran was actually the leader of the Sun and Moon Cult?

Bai Muge himself could hardly believe it. Had he really, just like that, wiped out the Southern Suppression King’s most powerful hidden force?

“Second Brother, forget about the merit and all that.” Once he regained his wits, Bai Muge shook his head, speechless. “Just don’t make me handle things like this again in the future, and that’s enough for me…”

Truthfully, Bai Muge’s original plan was to take it easy as a pampered heir after the Southern Suppression King was dealt with. With the prince’s protection, he could strut about the entire Tang Empire without a care in the world. He could check in at his post every day, then spend long nights chatting about life and ideals with his dear Shixuan—what could be better than that?

Who would want to live a life full of danger?

But reality had developed completely contrary to his intentions. The course of his life had entirely derailed…

Yet, hearing Bai Muge’s complaints, the young prince simply chuckled. “Old Bai, you’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you! Since we’re brothers, we share blessings and hardships alike!”

Bai Muge: “…”

[You sure make it sound nice!]

“Second Brother, you’re already the Emperor of Tang now,” Bai Muge reminded him helplessly.

“What’s that? Old Bai, you want some tea?” Before Bai Muge could finish, the prince cut him off with a look of confusion, then immediately waved to the eunuch, “Bring tea!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The eunuch hurried off to prepare it.

Watching all this, Bai Muge was left speechless.

[This guy’s skills at changing the subject are only getting better!]

Yet the prince simply sat back down with a pleased air, enjoying Bai Muge’s exasperated look.

“Old Bai!” he called. Then, as if to himself, “You have no idea how long I’ve been searching for a member of the Sun and Moon Cult with no success. I never imagined that the moment you took over, you’d find one straight away. So, the location of the Sun and Moon Cult’s main base will have to rely on you as well.”

“…” Bai Muge.

Glancing at the prince, Bai Muge instantly lost all desire to continue the conversation. It was best to leave as quickly as possible—before the prince could assign him yet another troublesome errand.

“Second Brother, I’ll be off now!” Bai Muge said, turning to go.

The prince grinned, “Old Bai, not staying for tea? It’ll be here in a moment.”

Bai Muge paused, turning to look at him.

“You’re right,” he said after a moment’s thought. “Since the tea isn’t here yet, why don’t we spar a bit, Second Brother?”

“…” The prince’s lips twitched, and he hurriedly waved him off, “Go on, then! I won’t keep you!”

[Who the hell wants to spar with you!]

[Old Bai, you despicable scoundrel!]

[Damn it, my ribs still hurt from your last sneak attack!]

Seeing this, Bai Muge finally grinned, turned, and left the imperial study.

Outside the imperial study.

Chen Duolong and the others, seeing Bai Muge come out smiling, glanced at him and returned his smile.

“Sir, shall we head straight back to the residence?” Chen Duolong hurried to catch up and ask.

Bai Muge thought for a moment, then replied, “Let’s each return to our own homes.”

“Understood, sir.” Catching his meaning, Chen Duolong and the other officials watched Bai Muge depart.

Only after Bai Muge had gone did a satisfied smile appear on Chen Duolong’s face.

“Director Duolong, what are you smiling about?” one of the Office of Protocol officials asked curiously as they walked out of the palace.

Chen Duolong smiled faintly. “Didn’t you notice Lord Bai’s face just now when he left the imperial study? He was all smiles.”

“We saw it…” the officials nodded in unison.

Chen Duolong said nothing more, merely smiling.

The other officials fell into thoughtful silence.

After a moment, one of them exclaimed, “I understand now!”

“Let’s hear it,” Chen Duolong turned to him.

The official said with excitement, “Just now, Lord Bai reported the secret letter to His Majesty, but that must have been a ruse! These Great Zhou envoys are obviously here to break off the engagement! Then Lord Bai must have told His Majesty that he plans to teach them a lesson tonight, and His Majesty has already agreed. At the same time, Lord Bai’s actions have earned His Majesty’s praise!”

Chen Duolong glanced at the official and shook his head. “That’s only part of it. Clearly, you haven’t grasped the deeper meaning behind Lord Bai’s smile.”

“???” The officials were puzzled.

Seeing this, Chen Duolong continued, “Why do you think I asked Lord Bai whether we should return to the residence?”

“Director Duolong, why?” someone asked, confused.

Chen Duolong replied with a smile, “It was a hint, of course! Lord Bai’s hints are always unfathomable, not easily understood by ordinary people. Others might think he was simply telling us to go home, but in truth, he was signaling that we shouldn’t go home tonight—instead, we should go outside the city to escort the Great Zhou envoys into the Sifang Pavilion. Then, we’ll have the city guards disguise themselves as members of the Sun and Moon Cult and attempt an assassination!”

After hearing Chen Duolong’s explanation, the officials finally came to their senses.

“So that’s it! Lord Bai’s intentions are truly thorough!”

“Yes, if those envoys were robbed by ‘bandits’ right outside the city gates, it would be obvious who was behind it!”

“That’s right. But if they were attacked in the Sifang Pavilion, no one could be sure!”

“All right, Director Duolong, we’ll follow your lead!”

One by one, the officials of the Office of Protocol nodded and smiled, following Chen Duolong to the city gates.