Chapter 22: Is This an Indirect Confession? (First Update—Please Vote!)

The capital city bustled with life along its flourishing streets. The vendors' boisterous cries, the endless streams of passersby—everywhere reflected the Tang Dynasty’s prosperity. Not even the turmoil stirred up by the Prince of Zhen’nan, who had taken the reins of power, could dim the city’s brilliance.

Bai Muge and his companions made their way home. For Li Shixuan, it was her first time outside the palace in her life. Everything she saw filled her with wonder, as though today’s daring escape had opened the gates to an entirely new world.

Before long, she was drawn to a troupe of acrobats performing in a narrow street.

“Muge, look, there’s an acrobat show over there!” she exclaimed, lifting her hands in excitement. “Let’s go have a look, shall we?”

As if afraid she’d trouble Bai Muge for no reason, her excitement was soon replaced by a timid gesture—she raised her slender, alabaster index finger and gazed at him with her enchanting, pleading eyes. “Muge, I’ll just watch for a little while. Just a little…”

“Alright,” Bai Muge responded with a gentle chuckle, ruffling her hair with affection. “If you want to see it, we’ll go have a look.”

She really was such a sweet and sensible girl.

Since Li Shixuan wished to watch, he saw no reason to refuse. Besides, the matters concerning the Tianlong Gang had already been entrusted to Old Liu, whom Bai Muge trusted completely. Not only would Liu remain loyal, but he’d likely manage the gang well. Even if remnants of the Qinglong Gang tried to strike again, with Cao Zhengchun and Hai Dafu at his side, Bai Muge had little to fear.

“Thank you, Muge!” Li Shixuan flashed him a grateful smile before taking his hand and weaving through the crowd toward the heart of the performance.

Cao Zhengchun and Hai Dafu followed closely behind, just ahead of Lady-in-Waiting Ling’er, all wary of potential assassins. The threat from the Qinglong Gang was real—after all, there had been an incident at the Fragrant Pavilion, though Bai Muge had deftly resolved the crisis. Even if it had been a misunderstanding, Cao Zhengchun would not allow such an accident to occur a second time on his watch.

The crowd at the acrobat show was packed tightly, forming a solid inner circle. Those watching the performance felt someone pushing from behind and nearly cursed aloud—“Who’s shoving me? Tired of living, are you?” But when they turned and saw Bai Muge, the crowd immediately made way, offering space with deference.

Only then did Bai Muge and his group reach the inner circle.

“Thank you, everyone,” Bai Muge and Li Shixuan said in unison, smiling in gratitude.

“Heh, Young Master Bai, you’re too kind…”

“Of course, of course…”

The citizens smiled in reply; it was rare to see someone as courteous as Bai Muge. Besides, he was not a man to be trifled with.

Turning away from the crowd, Bai Muge followed Li Shixuan’s gaze to the acrobats. Aside from fire breathing, the main act seemed to be the breaking of stones on the chest. Bai Muge lost interest at once—such crude tricks were good enough to amuse commoners, nothing more.

Yet to his surprise, Li Shixuan was utterly enraptured by the fire breathing. She clenched her fists with excitement, pointing at the performer. “Muge, look! That man can actually breathe fire!”

Bai Muge’s face twitched in mild embarrassment. Fire breathing? What was so astonishing about that? He’d grown weary of such acts.

Another burst of flame drew cheers and applause from the crowd, thrilling Li Shixuan even more.

But just then, the fire-breather’s act ended abruptly. A male performer stepped forward with a smile, motioned for his assistant to bring out a black box, and announced, “Next is our most thrilling act—The Human Transformation!”

Bai Muge wondered if he’d misheard. The Human Transformation? Since when had Tang Dynasty acrobats mastered such a “complex” routine?

His doubts were quickly drowned out by the crowd’s delighted exclamations and Li Shixuan’s excitement.

The performer raised his hand, quieting the audience. “Would anyone like to try this thrilling act themselves?” he asked with a smile.

Several young men in the crowd waved their hands eagerly, hoping to participate. Li Shixuan felt both eager and curious, but she remained calm, not volunteering—her sense of safety prevailed. She didn’t want to trouble Bai Muge further; simply coming to watch the show was enough risk for one day.

“Ding ding ding! This friend here!” the performer suddenly declared, pointing not at the eager men, but at Li Shixuan. With practiced courtesy, he extended his hand in invitation. “Miss, would you like to experience The Human Transformation yourself?”

Instantly, all eyes turned to Bai Muge and Li Shixuan, many of them filled with envy.

What a rare opportunity it was to experience The Human Transformation firsthand! This young lady was truly fortunate!

Yet, standing at the very front of the crowd, Bai Muge and Li Shixuan were both bewildered.

Li Shixuan blinked and turned to Bai Muge with a smile. “Let’s go home, Muge.”

“Don’t you want to try it?” Bai Muge asked.

“No,” she replied, shaking her head with a gentle smile. “As long as I have you by my side, that’s the best experience I could ever wish for. Everything else is just a novelty.”

For a moment, Bai Muge was at a loss for words. Was that an indirect confession?

He smiled and took her hand, leading her out of the crowd and back toward the palace.

The onlookers watched in disbelief. Such a rare opportunity, and Young Master Bai simply walked away? That girl must be timid indeed…

But among the group of young men who had tried to volunteer, and among the acrobats themselves, several faces twisted with barely suppressed anger.

They hadn’t expected Bai Muge to see through their perfect plan! It seemed their scheme to kidnap the princess under the guise of an acrobat show had failed—they’d need a new strategy.

They were not ready to give up just yet.