Song Baige said, "You're not entirely muddleheaded. But from what I know of the Complete-Understanding Duke, he wouldn't fear anyone. He's sending you back to the capital not because you're unsuited to staying in Far-Reaching City, but because you're better suited to the Divine Capital."
Li Qingxian said, "Tell me about the situation in the Divine Capital so I can prepare."
"That one's grave illness is very likely real, because some of his measures have suddenly become a little rushed. For example, ordering people to speed up construction of the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, ordering the Dingnan Prince to wipe out the Ten-Mountain Linked Strongholds, and... yet he didn't severely punish the Prince of Chu. He merely confined him for three months, after which everything returned to normal."
As Song Baige spoke, he watched Li Qingxian's eyes.
"Old Zhao really does love shoving me into a fire pit."
Li Qingxian sighed.
Song Baige shrugged and said, "Aren't I in that fire pit too?"
Li Qingxian suddenly chuckled. "True. Now that you're here, even Uncle Song has been put over the flames."
"That's why that old... why the Complete-Understanding Duke is such a seasoned schemer. After my father heard about it, he sat there for a full quarter of an hour before letting out a long sigh."
"Tell me, what exactly does Chief Minister Zhao want me to do?"
Song Baige curled his lip. "Who knows what he's plotting? Do you know what he sent you to Far-Reaching City to do?"
Li Qingxian shook his head.
"There you go. An old fox like him is far too formidable. We can't outplay him, so we might as well take what comes. Luckily, he thinks highly of you and knew to send me. If he'd sent someone else, who knows how they'd torment you?"
Li