Chapter 13: We Must Learn from Lord Bai!

“Shixuan is the best,” Bai Muge said with a gentle smile, settling himself on the steps and accepting without hesitation the wine flask handed to him by Li Shixuan. He took two satisfying sips, savoring the taste. The wine was fragrant and mellow, far beyond the ordinary. In its aroma, Bai Muge fancied he detected a hint of romance.

“How is it, Brother Mu? Is it good?” Li Shixuan asked, her eyes sparkling like stars.

“It’s exquisite,” Bai Muge replied with a smile and a nod.

Li Shixuan's joy blossomed instantly, her cheeks tinged with a shy blush. Unable to hold back, she turned away and murmured softly to herself, “As long as Brother Mu likes it…”

Watching this scene, the young Tang Prince beside them felt a surge of jealousy and grumbled, “Bai, damn it, don’t hog it all for yourself! Leave some for me at least!”

Bai Muge rolled his eyes. “Second Brother, don’t you have your own?”

Li Chen, the young Tang Prince, twitched at the corners of his mouth. His younger sister hadn’t prepared a share for him at all. If she had, would he need to fight over Bai Muge’s?

Irritated, he strode over to the steps and sat beside Bai Muge, snatching the wine flask and taking two large gulps before handing it back. Bai Muge was used to this; such things happened often.

“Bai, thanks for today,” the young Tang Prince said, gazing out of the hall with a sigh. “If not for your clever strategy, it would have taken much longer to root out those hidden rebels. The Azure Dragon Gang, secretly supported by the Prince of the Southern Frontier, hasn’t been fully eliminated yet. I still feel uneasy.”

Bai Muge understood his concern. Though the Prince of the Southern Frontier was dead, as long as the Azure Dragon Gang remained, his followers could still cause trouble. It was a poison that threatened not only the young Tang Prince, but Bai Muge and the entire Tang Dynasty as well. Best to remove it as soon as possible.

But today he had just obtained the Golden Threaded Jade Garment and was eager to return home to examine its authenticity, leaving little interest in meddling further.

“Rest assured, Second Brother,” Bai Muge said, sipping his wine with a smile. “Now that the Prince of the Southern Frontier is gone, the Azure Dragon Gang in Chang’an won’t stir up much trouble for now. Just send the army to suppress them.”

“That’s exactly my worry,” the young Tang Prince mused. “Though the Azure Dragon Gang was secretly supported by my royal uncle, others who don’t know might think I’m the one backing the gang. As long as they exist, I won’t sleep easy.”

As he spoke, he slung an arm around Bai Muge’s shoulder, squinting and grinning. “How about asking Hai Dafu, under your father’s command, to help clean up the Azure Dragon Gang in secret?”

Bai Muge’s mouth twitched. So that’s why the young Tang Prince had asked him to stay—he’d had an ulterior motive from the start. Even Hai Dafu was considered his father Bai Zhan’s old subordinate.

Yet, if the Azure Dragon Gang disappeared from the city overnight, it could raise suspicions. The gang’s reputation was well-known in the capital. Once word got out, many would suspect the young Tang Prince’s involvement. Any hidden remnants would become cautious and alert, not acting rashly, leaving behind unknown dangers.

Bai Muge pondered for a while, then proposed, “Second Brother, why don’t we form our own gang to combat the Azure Dragon Gang?”

“What do you mean by that?” the young Tang Prince asked in confusion, turning to Bai Muge.

Li Shixuan, eyes wide with curiosity, also looked at Bai Muge.

Though Li Chen was Emperor of the Tang, he was still inexperienced, unfamiliar with persuading others by reason, and unsure how to conceal his intentions. Bai Muge’s cleverness was thanks to nine years of compulsory education.

“Second Brother, here’s what we should do…” Bai Muge whispered his plan in Li Chen’s ear. After a moment’s pause, Li Chen broke into a grin, clapping Bai Muge’s shoulder with delight. “Bai, let’s do it! I’ll leave the whole matter in your hands. As for our gang’s name… let me think… How about the Heavenly Dragon Gang?”

Isn’t that name basically the same as the Azure Dragon Gang? Bai Muge thought, though he refrained from interrupting the young Tang Prince’s enthusiasm. He might be a bit childish, but it would do.

“So it’s settled, Second Brother!” Bai Muge confirmed.

“It’s settled!” Li Chen nodded with vigor.

Looking out from the Imperial Study, Li Chen’s face was bright with anticipation, as if he could already see the Heavenly Dragon Gang replacing the Azure Dragon Gang as the foremost gang in the capital.

As for the stolen item—the Golden Threaded Jade Garment—the young Tang Prince paid it no mind, simply gifting it to Bai Muge.

After bidding farewell to Li Chen, Bai Muge finally relaxed and left the Imperial Study.

Li Shixuan watched his departing figure, and Li Chen immediately began explaining their scheme to her.

Soon, Li Shixuan was giggling with delight.

Outside the Imperial Study, just as Bai Muge was about to return home, he saw a familiar figure approaching, casting a wary glance behind him as if checking for any messengers from the young Tang Prince. It was none other than Chen Duolong, who had been waiting outside for some time.

“Master Bai,” Chen Duolong greeted him with a sly smile. “I never imagined you’d devise a scheme using embezzlement to lure the enemy. My admiration for you flows like a mighty river—endless and unbroken…”

Can’t he come up with a new compliment? Bai Muge thought. Does he never tire of saying the same thing?

“Duolong, is there something you need?” Bai Muge asked, walking away in annoyance.

“Nothing urgent,” Chen Duolong replied with an awkward laugh, glancing around at the palace guards before leaning in and whispering, “Rest assured, Master, all the silver seized from the house raids has been sent to the treasury. Not a single coin was embezzled by any of us!”

“That’s all?” Bai Muge couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yes!” Chen Duolong nodded solemnly. “Since you are so upright, I must be a model official as well. How could I possibly embezzle anything?”

Bai Muge’s mouth twitched at his earnest expression. You never guessed I actually did embezzle, did you? And the Golden Threaded Jade Garment—Second Brother has already given it to me!

“Duolong, you truly are a peerless official. I am impressed!” Bai Muge said, bowing before taking his leave.

Chen Duolong was left standing there in a daze. But as he recalled Bai Muge’s words, he pondered and finally came to a conclusion.

“So Bai never told His Majesty, but was testing us! From now on, I must learn from Master Bai. Only then can my career advance step by step!”

Having made up his mind, Chen Duolong hurriedly chased after Bai Muge.