Chapter Two: Turmoil Within the Palace

The next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, the side hall of the Eastern Palace was already filled with attendants who had lit incense and were waiting.

Li Chengche leaned half against the couch, having a young attendant tie up his hair.

The attendant was quite young but sharp-witted; after helping him arrange his clothes neatly, he bent down and whispered, “Your Highness, today you should pay your respects to the Crown Princess.”

At these words, Li Chengche’s eyelashes trembled slightly, a flash of impatience crossing his eyes.

The Crown Princess Zheng was nominally his mother’s consort but bore no blood relation to him.

His own poor birth mother had been nothing more than a palace maid who served at banquets and was sent away after losing favor.

If she hadn’t been pregnant that one night, she might never have gained a title or status.

As for this Zheng, she came from the prestigious Northern noble family of Xingyang Zheng, whose arrogance was boundless. Just because of his position as the eldest son, she had schemed against him more than once behind the scenes.

Since he could remember, Li Chengche understood that this main consort harbored no maternal affection for him—only disdain and suspicion.

Yet, no matter how much he resented it, he had to go.

Now the Grandson Heir, if he dared to skip paying respects to the Crown Princess, she would seize on it to slander him, and he would undoubtedly be reprimanded by his father.

Thinking this, Li Chengche raised his hand to rub his brow, masking the shadow of gloom in his eyes, and said lazily, “Let’s go.”

At the same time, outside the Crown Princess’s chamber in the Eastern Palace, palace maids and eunuchs were already waiting in the corridor.

When Li Chengche arrived from afar, the young eunuch guarding the door quickly bowed and called out, “Grandson Heir’s Highness,” before running inside to inform.

Inside the chamber, a beaded curtain hung down, and the brazier burned brightly.

There sat Zheng, poised on a carved couch, dressed in a blue satin palace gown, adorned with delicate pearls and jade near her temples, her expression both stern and cold.

Li Chengche walked in slowly, respectfully kneeling with a deep bow, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, “Your son pays respects to Mother Consort.”

“How did the Grandson Heir rest last night?”

Zheng raised her hand with a faint, mocking smile.

There was a certain sarcastic undertone in her voice that Li Chengche could not miss.

He looked up and saw her fingers playing with a white jade, gold-inlaid scented pouch.

The tassel’s color was pale, almost identical to the one worn on the waist of the woman who had been on his couch the previous night.

A cold sneer flickered in Li Chengche’s heart, but his face remained obedient and gentle: “Thanks to Mother Consort’s blessing, your son rested very well.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng’s lips curled into a half-smile that was neither kind nor cruel, instantly chilling the atmosphere in the room.

After a moment, she spoke as if casually, “I heard someone came to you asking about the vacancy in the Left Guard?”

As Zheng’s words fell, a chill ran down Li Chengche’s spine.

Indeed, there was no secrecy within the Eastern Palace.

But he didn’t rush to deny it; instead, he smiled lightly, feigning the innocence of a boy unfamiliar with the world: “Mother Consort, rest assured, I have not promised anything.”

“However… that person is a distant relative from my birth mother’s side. It would be impolite to refuse.”

His words were flawless, neatly clearing himself of any direct involvement.

Zheng snorted coldly, rolling the scented pouch between her fingers before tossing it back into the tray. “Your birth mother?”

“Hmph… if it weren’t for your father’s regard for that bloodline, you wouldn’t even have the face to stand here in the Eastern Palace.”

Her words were sharp and cutting, causing the palace maids and eunuchs standing by to immediately lower their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.

“Yes, Mother Consort’s reprimand is well-founded.”

Li Chengche’s smile remained unchanged as he bowed his head in acknowledgment.

Regardless of what she said, he had already accepted payment, so he had to follow through.

Otherwise, who would dare come to him again? How would he make any profit?

This bone-deep obedience made Zheng hesitate for a moment, feeling that this little bastard was playing some hidden game.

As the two were locked in this tense standoff, footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

Then a young eunuch called out sharply, “The Crown Prince has arrived—”

Upon hearing the arrival of Li Jiancheng, Zheng’s face immediately tightened, and she quickly rose. Li Chengche followed suit, kneeling in greeting.

As the door curtain was lifted, Li Jiancheng strode in, wearing a dark blue court robe. Though streaks of white had begun to appear at his temples, it only made his sharp features more imposing.

“Enough, all of you rise.”

Li Jiancheng waved his hand, his gaze flicking between wife and son. Noticing the subtle tension, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s this about? Did someone say something unpleasant?”

Upon hearing this, Zheng forced a pained smile and stepped closer, her tone laced with sarcasm: “Your Highness, the Grandson Heir has grown up. Now he knows how to curry favor with outsiders.”

“Last night, a woman was sent to his couch, and now he’s asking for an appointment on someone’s behalf. Doesn’t this worry me?”

At the end, she sighed deeply, as if truly concerned like a worried mother.

Li Jiancheng frowned, looking at Li Chengche with displeasure. “Is that so?”

Seeing this, Li Chengche stopped pretending and simply bowed, speaking plainly: “Father, I did have someone brought into the palace.”

“That person is a distant relative on my mother’s side. I thought that vacancy in the Left Guard had been open for a long time with no one to fill it.”

“He’s cautious and diligent and has served faithfully for several years. If he can take the position, it will put the court at ease in selecting personnel.”

His words were without flaw, naming “your man” and also specifying “from Mother Consort’s distant branch.”

Even if Zheng wanted to stop it, she had to think twice.

After a moment’s thought, Li Jiancheng, though somewhat displeased, nodded: “The Left Guard’s position isn’t critical, but it is close protection for the palace.”

“Since you’ve requested it, I will have the Secretariat draft the decree.”

He then gave Li Chengche a meaningful look, his tone tinged with scrutiny: “Chengche, if you truly want to lighten your father’s burdens, you don’t have to play such petty games.”

“You’re not a child anymore. It’s time to have your own ideas.”

It was just a minor official post; there was no need to be so concerned, especially since this person was from their own branch. Approving it was no big deal.

Zheng’s face stiffened at this, trying to speak again but was silenced by Li Jiancheng’s raised hand: “Enough. Don’t say more.”

Li Chengche quickly bowed his head, masking a faint smile in his eyes: “Your son will remember Father’s teachings.”

No need to say more. This small favor was merely a formality for Li Jiancheng.

Zheng, however, was furious but dared not show it in front of Li Jiancheng, swallowing her anger.

“The time is not early. Your son pays respects to Father and Mother.”

“Today’s studies are heavy, so I won’t trouble you long.”

Li Chengche bowed respectfully and then cheerfully left the chamber.