Chapter 318 - 258, Pretend Play Turns Real
"Your Excellency, this subordinate does not believe so."
In the courtyard, Bai Long sat beside a stone table eating a segment of orange, while Chen Ji stood not far away, hands clasped in greeting, his voice firm and unequivocal.
Bai Long spoke with interest: "Why don’t you believe? The Crown Prince’s arrival in Guyuan is precisely to gain leverage over the border army and force them to withdraw support from Prince Fu. Isn’t Prince Fu allowed to strike back? Right after the Crown Prince arrived in Guyuan, Prince Fu sent his confidants to secretly conspire with the significant figures in the border army, aiming to provoke the Crown Prince into making a mistake. It’s nearly an open battle, if at this time I were to side with Prince Fu, wouldn’t that be an act of following a rising star?"
"This subordinate’s disbelief has nothing to do with Prince Fu or the Crown Prince, as I do not understand them, but I do understand you," Chen Ji spoke calmly and deliberately, "Initially, to overthrow the Liu Family, you lurked alone and hidden for seven years, your plans unrevealed. If Your Excellency intended to entrap the Crown Prince of a nation, you would not bring so many people to Guyuan, since having to silence them afterward would be troublesome."
Chen Ji lifted his gaze to meet Bai Long’s eyes: "Moreover, Your ambition lies not in the struggle for succession. You aspire to something greater."
Bai Long remarked nostalgically: "I’ve already told you that hiding one’s talents is the way to survive."
Chen Ji responded humbly, hands clasped: "This subordinate has stayed by Your Excellency’s side because of my wits. If I lose that, I would be of no use."
Bai Long mocked: "Don’t overestimate yourself. I only use you for your family background—the Chen family."
Chen Ji added calmly: "And my master, Yao Qimen’s identity as well."
Bai Long fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Imperial Physician Yao is no longer in the Ning Dynasty. He can’t protect you. Talking to me like this, you’re really courting death."
Chen Ji was well aware of Bai Long’s unpredictable temperament, but as long as tasks were carried out well, Bai Long would not turn against him. In a way, such a person was easier to deal with.