Chapter 35: Are You Seriously Here to Joke Around, Hai Daifu?

“Damn it, could it be that Li Chen… tricked me before?” Now, hearing what Lin Xianrong had said, and recalling the secret letter Li Chen once showed him, Bai Mugé couldn’t help but feel a surge of doubt.

Li Chen probably had no reason to deceive me, he thought. Then again, who knows? What if the princess of the Great Zhou is as beautiful as Miss Ruhua herself? If that’s the case… hahahaha…

He mused over this for a while, barely able to stifle his laughter, almost snorting out loud.

Sorry, Second Brother, I’m really not gloating! I swear I’m not laughing at you on purpose!

Regaining his composure, he glanced at Lin Xianrong, whose eyes burned with anticipation below the city wall, and asked pensively, “Weren’t you ordered to come to Great Tang to break off the engagement?”

At this, Chen Duolong and the officials from the Ministry of Rites beside him all paled with shock.

What? The envoys from Great Zhou are here to break off the engagement? How could that be? Weren’t they supposed to come to finalize the betrothal?

A flurry of exchanged glances passed between Chen Duolong and the officials. Now, at last, they began to understand why Bai Mugé had refused to let the Zhou envoys into the capital at noon. Clearly, the Little Prince of Tang had never told them the true reason for the Zhou delegation’s visit—only Bai Mugé was in the know.

So that’s the truth! These Zhou people are utterly outrageous—do they think we Tang people are fools to be toyed with? Our wise and valiant emperor hasn’t even rejected their offer, and they want to call it off?

“My lord, I’m starting to feel the urge to punch someone!” Chen Duolong and the other officials shook their fists, their eyes gleaming with icy fury as they hurled curses at the Zhou envoys. For one country to break off an engagement with another was tantamount to a brazen insult—a slap in the face. As Tang officials and sons of Tang, this was a humiliation they could not swallow.

If Chen Duolong’s words were considered mild, the Tang soldiers guarding the city were even more incensed; weapons in hand, they glared at the Zhou envoys below, itching to charge down and slaughter them all.

Seeing this, Bai Mugé raised his hand, signaling the agitated crowd to calm themselves.

“Don’t be rash—the wise man wins with words, not fists,” he admonished, sweeping his gaze over the restless company. “Our Great Tang has always been a land of propriety. If we lose our temper in front of these men, it would only tarnish our nation’s reputation.”

To storm down now and beat the Zhou envoys would be excessive. After all, the Tang was still in the process of rebuilding and couldn’t afford war. Who knew whether Zhou spies remained hidden in the city, even after Shangguan Yiren had been apprehended?

Yet when these words reached the ears of the city’s soldiers, they nodded in instant understanding, grinning broadly.

“My lord is absolutely right!” they chorused, all smiles. “Our Great Tang is a land of propriety—how could we resort to violence so lightly?”

“Precisely!” the other soldiers echoed.

Bai Mugé stared, baffled.

How do these guards change their tune so quickly? Are they even Tang men anymore?

Chen Duolong and the other officials saw the once-enraged soldiers grinning slyly, and after a moment’s thought, the truth dawned on them.

So that’s it! Lord Bai’s speech was merely a smokescreen. In reality, he’s already signaled the guards in secret! Soon, Lord Bai will find an excuse to leave, and the city guards will pose as bandits to strike at the Zhou envoys. Lord Bai’s hint is truly ingenious!

The officials all broke into knowing smiles. Even the looks they now cast at the Zhou envoys below took on a peculiar warmth.

These Zhou men are ideal targets for a “bandit” raid tonight! When the time comes, Great Tang can seize the chance to extort—cough, to turn the tables on them!

“My lord, you are truly magnanimous—my respect for you grows ever deeper!” Chen Duolong exclaimed, giving Bai Mugé a thumbs-up and nodding vigorously. “As Tang men, we would never stoop to violence or disgrace our nation’s honor!”

Bai Mugé was utterly confounded.

What kind of madness has seized Chen Duolong now?

He realized it wasn’t just Chen Duolong—every official and soldier present was smiling after his speech. That was highly unusual.

At that moment, Lin Xianrong and the Zhou envoys below heard Bai Mugé’s question and subsequent remarks, and a shiver ran through each of them.

As expected, our plot for this mission has already been uncovered! The Sun and Moon Sect must have leaked the news to the Tang—it’s infuriating!

But with the matter already broached, Lin Xianrong could not withdraw his words now—otherwise, their ruse would be exposed, and Tang might use this as an excuse to invade Zhou. In Lin Xianrong’s eyes, the Tang, now free of internal strife, were no longer adversaries the Zhou could match.

With this in mind, Lin Xianrong’s demeanor softened considerably.

“My lord jests,” he replied with a genial bow. “Our Great Zhou has always enjoyed cordial relations with Tang—how could we possibly break off the engagement? You must have been misled by slanderous tongues! I carry with me a personal letter from His Majesty of Zhou himself. If you doubt our intentions, you may send someone out to verify the letter’s authenticity.”

Having said this, Lin Xianrong allowed himself a breath of relief.

Thank heavens His Majesty had prepared for both outcomes before we set out! Otherwise, today’s mission would have ended in disaster.

Hearing this, Bai Mugé fell into thought. At his side, Hai Dafu quickly volunteered, “Master, allow this old servant to fetch it.”

“Very well,” Bai Mugé agreed with a nod.

The next moment, Hai Dafu leaped from the city wall, took the letter from Lin Xianrong, and prepared to return. But halfway up, there was a loud thud—he slipped and tumbled back to the ground.

Climbing to his feet, Hai Dafu looked up at Bai Mugé, calling out awkwardly, “Master, would you be so kind as to open the gate? This old servant… has cramped his foot…”

Bai Mugé’s mouth twitched.

Are you here to make a fool of yourself, Hai Dafu?

With a helpless sigh, Bai Mugé glanced at Cao Zhengchun, who nodded and deftly hauled Hai Dafu back up to the wall.

Only then did Bai Mugé receive the letter and open it.