Chapter Eight: Eternal Legacy

“This…”

Li Chengqian smiled awkwardly, his face flushing slightly.

He began, “In my Eastern Palace, there is a handsome attendant…”

Perhaps truly drunk, Li Chengqian unreservedly revealed to Zhao Mu, in vivid detail, how he had used Chengxin to his advantage and even composed love poems for him.

Zhao Mu set down his wine cup, but the corner of his mouth twitched in shock at the news, and subtly shifted his body away, creating some distance from the crown prince.

Though the man claimed it was merely to provoke Emperor Li Shimin without any real substance, who could tell if he and Chengxin were really involved?

Moreover, their story would be forever etched in history!

Zhao Mu shifted further aside.

This time, Li Chengqian noticed and blushed deeply on the spot.

“Brother Zhao, what do you mean by this?” The drunken crown prince was clearly displeased.

He pointed at Zhao Mu, who was a full three meters away, and questioned, “Do you really think I favor…”

“Your Highness, be careful with your words!”

Zhao Mu lost patience and slammed his wine cup heavily on the table, loudly warning him.

The shattering of the cup startled the geishas into silence, and even the musicians paused their playing.

The entire room flickered as the curtains swayed violently in the candlelight.

Li Chengqian was stunned.

Everyone else was even more dumbfounded, staring at Zhao Mu before regaining their composure.

They hurriedly withdrew, leaving only the embarrassed crown prince and the glaring Zhao Mu behind.

Li Chengqian’s heart raced with fear, sobering him somewhat.

Zhao Mu, however, scowled at him without sympathy.

After all, in the premier room of the palace, it wasn’t just the two of them but seven or eight geishas and several musicians as well.

Previously, they had spoken quietly about scandalous matters while close, but now Zhao Mu’s agitation was obvious.

If others overheard, the entire city of Chang’an would be abuzz the next day!

The atmosphere in the room turned uneasy.

Fortunately, both were wise men and tacitly agreed to drop the topic.

Once calm was restored, Li Chengqian changed the subject.

“Brother Zhao, thanks to your guidance today, my ever-anxious heart has finally found some peace.”

Zhao Mu replied seriously, “Your Highness, rest assured.

As I mentioned before, the Emperor is at the peak of his reign; you only need to patiently cultivate your power.”

“Start with minor matters that don’t attract attention, build a solid foundation—never think of leaping to the top in one step!”

Li Chengqian pondered briefly, then shook his head. “Upon reflection, I have a concern.”

“Brother Zhao, you may not know, but Chang’an is filled with my father’s spies; even my own Eastern Palace is watched by countless eyes day and night.”

“If I begin recruiting supporters now, reports will surely reach the Emperor’s desk… wouldn’t I be walking into a trap?”

“Ah, Your Highness, you misunderstand!” Zhao Mu waved his hand with a smile and asked, “Do you think this must be hidden from the Emperor?”

Li Chengqian’s expression darkened, his voice lowering. “As the crown prince, how could I dare let my father know I am secretly building a faction?”

Seeing his fearful demeanor, Zhao Mu rolled his eyes and teased, “As if the Emperor wouldn’t know if you didn’t say anything! It’s quite possible our conversation today has already been reported to him.”

“What? This is terrible!” Li Chengqian was frightened, his face as pale as death.

He glanced suspiciously around, urgently asking, “Brother Zhao, what should I do?”

“Enough!” Zhao Mu said irritably. “Your Highness, calm down. Even if the Emperor knows, what then? Perhaps he’ll see you in a new light after hearing today’s talk!”

“Really?” Li Chengqian was stunned, looking at Zhao Mu’s confident ease with a hint of admiration. Brother Zhao was truly bold, even inspiring some envy.

“Drop the ‘maybe’,” Zhao Mu said casually. “Think carefully—why has the Emperor always been so strict with you, to the point you feel no closeness at all?”

Li Chengqian’s face darkened as he fell into deep thought.

Unable to stand his hesitation, Zhao Mu bluntly explained, “As heir apparent, you are trapped by rules and restrictions, never daring to overstep. Without the responsibility expected of a crown prince, the Emperor naturally grows displeased.”

Li Chengqian’s pupils contracted sharply as he recalled a recent awkward moment in the Zihuan Hall.

When Prince Wei presented his newly compiled geography records to the Emperor, Li Chengqian had to bow his head in silence.

Suddenly everything became clear!

Indeed, Qingque was just as Brother Zhao said—unbound by constraints, freely displaying his talents before the Emperor, earning great favor.

He had always felt burdened by his title as crown prince, fearing one misstep, and so held back, never considering he could do the same as Qingque.

With a mindset focused only on not failing, how could he avoid seeming incompetent?

Realizing this, Li Chengqian suddenly understood.

The Emperor fears not that he is gathering strength, but that he has no strength at all—that he is powerless!

Li Chengqian suddenly grasped Zhao Mu’s wrist tightly, his voice earnest. “I understand now. As you say, Brother Zhao, I ask for your help!”

Uh…

Zhao Mu shivered all over at Li Chengqian’s intense gaze and firm grip on his wrist.

“Alright… alright!” Zhao Mu bowed and used this chance to free himself, suppressing the disgust rising in his heart.

“Since Your Highness understands what must be done, I have a plan to offer. If it succeeds, it will surely make the Emperor view you with new respect!”

“Oh?” Li Chengqian’s eyes sparkled eagerly as he clasped his hands, imploring, “Please do not hesitate to share!”

A strange light flickered in Zhao Mu’s eyes as he dipped his finger in wine and traced a winding, twisting line on the table.

Li Chengqian moved his lips, hesitant to speak.

“Your Highness, look here.” Zhao Mu pulled him close and pointed to the table. “This is the trade route from Chang’an to the border. Every year, caravans from the Western Regions pass through sixteen tax checkpoints before entering the capital.”