Chapter Fifteen: Coo Coo Coo

“Cluck, cluck, cluck. Do you think you’re a clucking chicken?”

Zhao Mu suddenly sprang up, glaring furiously at Li Chengqian. “I know you’re the Crown Prince! But even if you are the Crown Prince, you can’t just keep people from sleeping, can you? Last night I stayed late working with you until almost dawn! How can you come making a fuss again so early in the morning?”

“Truly worthy of the royal family—more exhausting than even the capitalists!”

“Capitalists?” Li Chengqian looked puzzled, not understanding. It was the first time someone had spoken to him with such hostility, leaving him a bit stunned.

Now Zhao Mu had completely calmed down. Earlier, caught in the morning grumpiness, he had lost his composure and spoken whatever came to mind. But where did capitalists even come into this?

Having lived a past life as a laborer, Zhao Mu still possessed some ability to regulate his emotions.

He naturally spoke to ease the awkwardness. “Alright, tell me, Your Highness. How did you demonstrate your great power at court today?”

Since there was no chance of going back to sleep, Zhao Mu got out of bed, put on his shoes, and poured himself a cup of chilled tea to sip at the table.

Li Chengqian came back to his senses and eagerly began, “Brother Zhao, you didn’t see it!”

“Today I…”

Li Chengqian spoke at length, detailing every incident that occurred in the court that day.

He had expected Zhao Mu to be ecstatic after hearing the account, but instead Zhao Mu merely nodded and poured him another cup of cold tea.

“Hmm, not bad. Your Highness has truly achieved your wish this time.”

“With my respects to Your Highness,” Zhao Mu said perfunctorily, giving a weak bow before sitting down again, silent.

“Brother Zhao, aren’t you happy?” Li Chengqian found it hard to believe.

With Zhao’s assistance, he had achieved a great victory in the court, nearly sending his younger brother, the King of Wei, to the frontier! Such an accomplishment should have earned praises and requests for rewards.

Why then did Zhao appear so indifferent, even unhappy?

Could it be because he wasn’t credited in court for his strategic contributions?

No, that couldn’t be it. Didn’t Zhao say last night not to mention him and even painstakingly found sources and justifications for those strategies?

Forget it, he wouldn’t think on it anymore.

Li Chengqian was thoroughly puzzled.

Seeing Zhao so listless and uninterested, he continued, “Brother Zhao, today, because of your strategic contributions, Father has granted me the authority to personally recruit ten officials for the Eastern Palace!”

“I think that with your great talent, Brother Zhao, staying here isn’t the best option.”

“Why not take this opportunity to come to my Eastern Palace and serve…”

Before Li Chengqian could finish, Zhao shook his head to interrupt.

“No, no, no. I won’t go. Serving at court is too dull.”

“Besides, serving you nobles means living in constant fear of making a misstep that costs you your head.”

“I’d rather enjoy this carefree life in the earthly paradise!”

“No matter what you say, I’m not going!”

Zhao shook his head like a rattle.

If he wanted to be an official, he would have volunteered long ago. With his skills, how could he not land a position?

Having been reborn, he finally escaped being a beast of burden for capitalists.

Why should he now serve as a mere groom or footman to princes and nobles?

Life was good as it was—drinking fine wine every day, accompanied by beauties. Wasn’t that far better?

If he had known that offering counsel to this young man would lead to such trouble, he wouldn’t have bothered playing along!

Zhao gave a disdainful glance at the hopeful Li Chengqian.

In truth, his thoughts were quite simple.

Reborn, he sought freedom and ease, to live as comfortably as possible.

That was why he had created this earthly paradise in bustling Chang’an, a secret known only to himself, purely for enjoyment.

Though some troubles had arisen later, which he could have solved easily on his own, he happened to run into Li Chengqian wandering the city.

This young man, kind-hearted and confident in his status, stood up for Zhao and helped him solve the problems, leading to their acquaintance.

Zhao was a free spirit, combined with his laid-back nature from the future.

Their interactions even earned Li Chengqian’s admiration and friendship.

But… sigh, what a mess this all turned out to be!

Zhao regretted his foolish talk last night and giving strategies to this young prince.

Li Chengqian had known of Zhao’s carefree disposition all along; otherwise, he wouldn’t have approached the matter so diplomatically.

Seeing Zhao refuse, he couldn’t help but feel uncertain.

“Brother Zhao… although you explained these strategies to me in full detail last night, you know that putting them into practice requires adjustments.”

“I can’t just follow them rigidly. I still hope Brother Zhao will come to the Eastern Palace to assist me.”

“I promise, you can set whatever terms you want. Whatever I can do, I will. And what I cannot, I will petition Father on your behalf for imperial grace!”

Li Chengqian spoke earnestly, his face resolute.

To be honest, Zhao Mu was somewhat moved by the sincerity.

This was the Tang Dynasty, a feudal empire!

For the Crown Prince of the realm to treat a mere merchant without official status with such respect—it was touching indeed.

Yet… Zhao still refused.

“Your Highness, I must decline your offer to serve in the Eastern Palace.”

Li Chengqian was about to persuade him again but was cut off.

“But Your Highness may visit me often.”

“I will always be honest and forthcoming with you.”

“After all, you are my only friend here in Chang’an.”

“If you ever face difficulty, this friend will surely stand by your side.”

“Of course, I might occasionally come to visit you at the Eastern Palace, and I hope the palace gates won’t be too high for me.”

“I’m just a humble merchant, after all. If I’m not even allowed in…”

“Impossible!” Li Chengqian shook his head repeatedly. “If Brother Zhao comes to the Eastern Palace, I will throw open the main gates and welcome you with open arms!”

“Too kind… too kind!” Zhao said with a smile.

Though Li Chengqian had failed to recruit Zhao, he felt a little sad.

But he read between the lines and realized Zhao would still support him. That was enough!

Having such a talented brother occasionally offer advice was a blessing from heaven.

He dared not ask for more, lest he anger Zhao and lose their friendship—that would be a great loss indeed.

Li Chengqian reached into his sleeve and solemnly handed Zhao a jade pendant.

“Brother Zhao, this is my personal jade pendant, a gift from the former Emperor. All the ministers and officials of Chang’an recognize it.”

“If anyone dares cause trouble for you, show them this, and it will surely dispel misfortune and resolve conflicts!”