Chapter Thirty-Three: Father and Son in Negotiation

"The Great Tang is newly established, and even the national treasury holds little silver."

Li Jiancheng could only offer this explanation. "Therefore, there is not much silver in the Crown Prince's residence that can be moved. However, since you are the eldest grandson, your mother and I have discussed it, and we can scrape some together for you."

"How much?"

Li Chengche took a sip from his teacup, his expression unreadable. "If it's too little, I'm afraid it won't be enough, will it?"

"Chengche, is that any way to speak so bluntly?"

Li Jiancheng's face darkened instantly, looking extremely displeased. His hands, hidden within his sleeves, were clenched into fists. Had he not been in a position of needing a favor, he would have surely exploded in rage.

"Then pray tell, how should I have said it?"

Seeing this, Li Chengche raised an eyebrow and asked without hesitation, "If I recall correctly, as far back as my memory goes, Father has never once visited Mother, has he? Even on her birthday, you never went to see her."

"Whenever there was a problem, she could only speak to me, only consult with me! Back then, I was powerless; I could only watch her weep in silence."

"I would like to ask, Your Highness the Crown Prince, where were you at those times?"

At these words, Li Jiancheng was rendered speechless. After all, regarding the Lady Xu, aside from his initial desire, he currently held no affection for her whatsoever. Even though they resided within the same Eastern Palace, he had never visited her once.

"Since Father needs my help, I have one condition."

To his surprise, his son spoke up again.

"Speak. As long as it is within my power, just name it," Li Jiancheng said without hesitation. "Go on."

"My condition is simple. After I am married, it will be inconvenient for me to remain in the Eastern Palace." Li Chengche looked at his cheap father and spoke straightforwardly. "So, I hope that Your Highness will grant me a plot of land so that I may find a place to build a residence."

"That is simple enough." Li Jiancheng replied without a moment's hesitation, "Very well, there is a piece of land outside Chang'an. Tomorrow, you may take some men to look at it. If it suits you, that land is yours."

"Then I thank you, Father."

Watching his father agree without the slightest hesitation, Li Chengche felt a wave of helplessness. If the man had even considered it for a moment, he might have felt slightly better.

"Since that is settled, then regarding the construction of the palace..."

"I will go fetch it tomorrow and bring you thirty thousand coins." Li Jiancheng was about to speak, but Li Chengche interrupted him and turned to leave the Crown Prince's quarters.

Early the next morning, he took Qin Gou'er with him outside the city. The primary reason he had asked Li Jiancheng for land was to have a place to hide those horses. For him, having so many horses without a place to conceal them would be a genuine nuisance.

"Your Highness," Qin Gou'er asked from behind him, "what exactly are we looking for out here? Shouldn't we find a place to stay first?"

"Naturally, I am looking for a new residence." Li Chengche stretched, indifferent. "After I am married, I certainly cannot remain in the Eastern Palace. Is it not a good idea to find a place in advance?"

"So we are moving into a new home?" Qin Gou'er grew interested, unable to help himself. "Will we be living here, Your Highness? It seems a bit too desolate."

"I don't particularly like places that are too bustling, either." Li Chengche specifically wanted a desolate place; if it were too prosperous, he would never be able to hide his horses.

"I don't think that's necessarily true," Qin Gou'er chuckled. "If Your Highness likes quiet, why do you spend your days running to the Zuihua Pavilion?"

"Hmm?" Li Chengche raised an eyebrow, a flicker of coldness in his eyes.

"Your Highness, I was just babbling nonsense. Please, don't take it to heart." Seeing the look in his master's eyes, Qin Gou'er shivered and spoke quickly.

"Enough, I have no intention of causing you trouble." Li Chengche waved him off dismissively. "Do you have any reliable friends you know well?"

"Your Highness, what do you mean by that?" Qin Gou'er was momentarily taken aback, looking puzzled.

"Are you a blockhead?" Li Chengche rolled his eyes, complaining, "Once I move out, don't I need to recruit a new batch of palace attendants?"

After all, to say nothing of other things, the people in the Eastern Palace were essentially eyes and ears for the Zheng clan. If he stayed there, trouble was bound to arise.

"So that's what you meant, Your Highness." Qin Gou'er became excited. "I won't lie to you, Your Highness; I have a very close childhood friend who is currently in the south of the city! If you trust me, I can take you to see him. He is very formidable."

"Oh?" Li Chengche grew interested, arching an eyebrow. "How formidable is he? You aren't just boasting, are you?"

"Your Highness, I would never lie to you." Qin Gou'er raised his hand, swearing solemnly. "That guy has practiced martial arts since he was a child; his skill is absolutely incomparable to ordinary men. Even the generals on the battlefield might not be his match."

"Then what is he doing in the south of the city?" Li Chengche asked curiously. "From the sound of it, did he never think of serving the country? With such martial prowess, he surely could have made something of himself."

"He had to take care of his ailing mother back then, so he gave up the idea of joining the army." A look of regret crossed Qin Gou'er's face as he continued, "His mother passed away last year, and now he works as a porter at the docks in the south of the city."

"A filial son, then." Li Chengche was intrigued. For one, he needed manpower; to protect himself, he needed a few trusted men. Moreover, he needed someone to watch over all those horses.

"Let's go. Take me to see him." He said immediately, "If he truly has some ability, I will take him in. Then you two brothers can have each other's company."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Qin Gou'er was thrilled; it was clear the lad was genuinely happy.

The two boarded a carriage and headed toward the south of the city. When they arrived, the docks were a hive of activity. A large number of laborers were gathered there, transporting money and grain to Yijun County. In two months' time, the Emperor was to visit the imperial villa there to escape the summer heat. It was the common folk who suffered, as for them, it was thankless, back-breaking labor.