Chapter 174: The One Who Laughs Is the Current Emperor

According to what Madam Ma Tianqiong said, this member of her Heavenly Law Organization was right here before her very eyes. Taking this path with Baili Xian truly proved worthwhile! Every member would inevitably know a few others, and at this rate, it wouldn't be long before all sixteen members were gathered.

Just imagining all the members assembled and reclaiming the power of the Heavenly Law Organization made her feel a little thrill of excitement! Even though nothing was certain yet, Liu Ling'er was already daydreaming.

Seeing the corners of Liu Ling'er's mouth upturned as if she were secretly smiling, Baili Xian asked with some puzzlement, "Ling'er, is General Hu's story that funny? Look at how happy it's made you."

Oh no! Liu Ling'er's mind went blank for a second before she instantly snapped back to reality. What General Hu had told was a rather tragic imperial secret, yet she had been so carried away by the discovery of a member that she let her guard down. Baili Xian would surely think she was gloating over someone else's misfortune!

Her mind raced. It had to be said that a clever young lady like Liu Ling'er possessed plenty of quick wit. Without the slightest panic, she replied, "I was indeed smiling, but I wasn't laughing at the Wise King or General Hu. I was laughing at the current Emperor."

Huguigui asked in confusion, "Everything is fine, so why would the Princess Consort laugh at the current Emperor? I'm afraid you've laughed at the wrong person!"

Liu Ling'er shook her head. "If I could even get the target of my mockery wrong, then this brain of mine would have grown in vain. The Emperor believes his actions are completely flawless, yet he has no idea that he lives in constant terror day and night. If his conscience weren't guilty, why go to such extreme lengths to strip the Wise King of his military power? If he felt secure in his heart, why scheme to take General Hu's life? I'm merely laughing at a pathetic man—a pathetic man who only knows how to deceive himself."

Baili Xian felt a little better inside. Now that he understood why his second brother was so eager to eliminate him, a sense of desolation washed over him, yet he could also understand his second brother's feelings to some extent.

An ordinary Second Prince had suddenly become the son of the Imperial Uncle. Although they shared blood, the brothers around him were not born of the same mother. That was probably why he had become so terrifying. No wonder he wanted to seize the crown prince's position; no wonder he wanted to murder the late Emperor; no wonder he kept plotting to strip away his own power.

Baili Xian cupped his hands toward Huguigui. "Thank you so much today, General Hu. If you hadn't revealed these secrets, I would likely have remained completely in the dark, and I would never have understood why my second brother holds such hostility toward his own family. It would be best for this imperial edict to remain with the General for now, and I must ask you to trouble yourself with the matters that follow."

Huguigui accepted the imperial edict and stopped the Wise King from bowing further. "Ah, you are doing this old minister a grave injustice. Serving the Wise King is my unshirkable duty."

It was already noon by the time they emerged from the secret chamber. Huguigui said, "Wise King, I intend to have my son follow behind you and serve by your side. Just treat him as a menial bodyguard to give him some experience out in the world, lest he remain here with me and ultimately achieve nothing, wasting his entire life."

Liu Ling'er glanced at Huli, whose expression was less than pleasant, and immediately chimed in, "The requirements for the Wise King's personal bodyguards are quite high. I'm afraid the young general is hardly qualified for that. However, serving as a lowly errand boy wouldn't be bad at all. With our Wise King here, even a piece of scrap wood can be molded into a successful and renowned figure."

Liu Ling'er was deliberately teasing Huli. Who told him to try and rob her earlier, and even force her to smell that wretched incense? Otherwise, she wouldn't have ended up in that embarrassing situation where Baili Xian caught her drooling in her sleep. More importantly, she had known Huli since childhood, and who knew how many humiliating memories he still held onto? If he were treated too respectfully, he might run his mouth off, leaving her constantly worried about being caught off guard and embarrassed.

"Splendid, splendid!" At this moment, Huguigui acted like a salesman trying to push a product. As long as Baili Xian was willing to take his son along, suffering a little hardship or fatigue was nothing at all! Once that was agreed upon, everything else would be easy to handle.

Huli's face instantly turned as pale as a vegetable. Hearing Liu Ling'er's words followed by his old man's two enthusiastic endorsements, his face twisted into the expression of a bitter melon, and the entire world suddenly felt exceptionally dim and gray.

Huguigui glared at Huli. "What's with that funeral face? Don't you know that following the Wise King is your supreme honor? Don't you see that it's almost noon? Why aren't you going to prepare lunch yet? Do you still think you're some high-and-mighty senior general? From now on, remember to keep your wits about you and learn to read the room at all times."

Watching Huguigui lecture Huli, Liu Ling'er secretly found it hilarious. She held in her laughter until her stomach began to ache slightly, though she knew she was in a public place and couldn't abandon her decorum. Otherwise, she would definitely have been clutching her stomach and laughing without any sense of direction by now.

Turning her head toward Baili Xian, she said, "Wise King, could you please go back to the room first? I have some matters to discuss with General Hu, alright?"

Fearing that Baili Xian might refuse, she grabbed his arm and began acting spoiled. Baili Xian felt goosebumps rise all over his skin at her tone, and he muttered under his breath, "What kind of business requires me to clear out?"

Though somewhat displeased, Baili Xian still wanted to give Liu Ling'er face, so he turned directly and walked back into the room. Huguigui asked with suspicion, "If my niece has anything to say, just speak. Could it be regarding your father?"

He would never have guessed in a millionth of a year that this niece of his was actually his Sovereign Master—in other words, that he was merely one of her many subordinates. Seizing upon the topic Huguigui had raised, Liu Ling'er lowered her voice and said, "General Hu, you actually guessed right. It is about my father, but since it concerns his dignity, it wasn't convenient to discuss it in front of the Wise King. I just wanted to chat with Uncle Hu about some family matters."

"That sounds good. Come, let's sit down and talk slowly." Having someone bring in tea, the two of them sat down by the table, sipping tea while they talked.

Liu Ling'er asked, "Uncle Hu, where is your wife? I remember my aunt was so good to me when I was little, often taking me out to play!"

Huguigui sighed. "Ah, your aunt lacked fortune and passed away the year before last, leaving me all alone. If only she could have seen the little doll she used to hold grow up like this, she would have been overjoyed."

"Oh! It's all my fault for stirring up Uncle Hu's sorrow." Huguigui waved his hand. "My niece has good intentions. Knowing that you miss her so much would surely bring your aunt great comfort. Let's not speak of this; tell me about your father instead. How has he been lately?"

Thinking of her convenient father, Liu Ling'er smiled and said, "Father is doing very well. Since you are deep in these mountains, you might not know. He has been quite fortunate; a princess of Western Wei married him. If Uncle Hu won't laugh at me, I'll be able to call myself an elder sister before long."

"Really? Heaven has finally opened its eyes and let him see the light! If I ever run into him again, I am definitely going to share a good drink with him." Huguigui was genuinely happy, his beard twitching as his whole face broke into a wide smile.

"I wonder if Uncle Hu knows a married couple named Ma Tianqiong and Mei Long?" Liu Ling'er had laid down so much groundwork precisely for this upcoming question. As soon as these words left her mouth, Huguigui's ecstatic expression instantly froze into one of utter shock.

Stammering, Huguigui blurted out, "Ma Tianqiong, Mei Long... He, she, you know them? How are those two children doing?"

Liu Ling'er nodded. "Naturally, I know the proprietors of the Ma Family Morning Tea Shop, and we share a deep bond. In fact, it was they who mentioned the General to me. Descendants of the founding Empress Ma—who would ever dare to give them a hard time?"

"That's good, that's good! I wonder what those two children said to me through you?" Hearing news of old acquaintances from Liu Ling'er's lips, Huguigui naturally wanted to inquire further.

"That couple asked me that if I ever had the chance to see the General, I should ask him one question: If the Sovereign Master commands you to act, will you still obey?"

Before the sentence was even finished, upon hearing the words "Sovereign Master," Huguigui's face registered a degree of shock beyond all measure, and his emotions instantly surged with intense excitement.