Chapter 35 Visiting the Bookshop

Chapter 35: Visiting the Bookshop

Su Zheng rephrased his question to get Luo Yunchen's take on it.

Luo Yunchen gave a knowing smile and said, "Because the fight for power has never been about individuals going at it, but factions duking it out.

If the hidden faction went and killed the leaders of the two visible factions from the start,

then those two factions would turn into rabid dogs, going after the hidden faction nonstop.

Even if they beat the mad dogs, they'd take a huge hit—basically mutual destruction.

As long as the hidden faction's leader has half a brain, they wouldn't go for the kill first.

Instead, they'd find a way to cripple them first, break their claws and fangs, and turn them into toothless alley cats.

Whether their leaders live or die, what's it to them?"

Su Zheng said he got the point.

This high-society stuff really wasn't his thing; he'd rather go grab a bite to eat.

The system gave Su Zheng a heads-up.

The Fifth Prince, Su Cheng, still couldn't get any solid info from the inner palace.

The guys watching Heir Luo came up empty too.

Su Cheng got antsy and already went after Luo Yunchen's money, trying to cut off his cash flow.

If he still came up with nothing, he'd go after Luo Yunchen's people outside the palace.

On their day off, Su Zheng and Luo Yunchen, along with Guard Xu Mo, dressed in plain clothes and slipped out of the palace.

Su Zheng and Luo Yunchen ducked into a quiet alley to change into regular clothes.

One in a crisp white robe, elegant; the other in a sleek black one, striking—black and white, a perfect match.

Luo Yunchen smiled, thinking he'd figured it'd be ages before he got to wear these clothes with Su Zheng again!

Back when Su Zheng ordered him new clothes, he'd made sure to get a black robe made, copying the style of Su Zheng's few seldom-worn outfits.

Before they left the palace, Luo Yunchen suggested Su Zheng grab the white robe, and he got the black one ready.

The look when they put them on was exactly what he'd wanted.

Both were ridiculously good-looking, so to keep a low profile, they kept their outfits simple and low-key.

They barely wore any accessories, and even though the fabric was top-notch, the style was plain and understated.

But their killer vibe made anyone who noticed them instantly peg them as either noble heirs or rich kids.

Walking down the street, they didn't draw too much attention or get hassled for looking cheap.

Xu Mo, dressed like a servant, trailed behind them, paying for stuff and carrying their haul.

Su Zheng strolled along, buying and snacking as he went.

Naturally, most of what he bought was food.

Every snack stand Su Zheng passed got lucky with a big order.

While buying grub for himself, Su Zheng made sure to grab some for Luo Yunchen too.

If he tasted something and liked it, he'd pack an extra serving to go.

Su Zheng didn't usually share food with anyone; Luo Yunchen was the exception.

So Su Zheng totally forgot about Xu Mo.

It wasn't until their hands were full and they passed stuff to Xu Mo to hold

that Su Zheng seemed to recall something, glanced at Xu Mo, and said, "Guard Xu, if you're hungry, go buy your own food with your own cash; no need to ask me. But one thing: don't touch my food."

Xu Mo felt a chill down his neck, shot a look at his master, then quickly bowed his head and said firmly, "I'm not hungry, sir. I swear I won't touch your stuff!"

He groaned inside, What did I miss that pissed off the master?!

Why did the master give me a death glare?!

What's the deal?!

Su Zheng didn't catch Luo Yunchen's expression change. Hearing Xu Mo's reply, he just nodded and dropped it.

The street was pretty wide; stalls lined both sides with shoppers browsing, and the middle was big enough for two carriages to go side by side.

Su Zheng and the gang had been shopping all morning, covering a bit more than half the street.

Up ahead on the left corner was a bookshop.

Su Zheng figured he'd almost read all the storybooks in the Eastern Palace, so he might as well grab some more to bring back.

With that in mind, Su Zheng called out to Luo Yunchen, "Chen Di, there's a bookshop up ahead. Wanna check it out?"

Luo Yunchen naturally didn't say no, nodding and saying, "Sure, Brother A Zheng."

They went inside the bookshop; it was small but packed with stuff.

Maybe it felt cramped because there was just so much in there.

The shop had two floors; Su Zheng noticed a wooden staircase going up and wondered what was upstairs.

Right then, the shop was almost empty, just the shopkeeper at the counter clicking an abacus and an assistant dusting the shelves.

The moment Su Zheng and Luo Yunchen walked in, the shopkeeper looked up and knew right away they weren't regular folks.

He told the assistant to keep at it, came out from behind the counter, and greeted them himself: "What can I get you two gents? Don't let the small space fool you—it's modest but has it all. Whether you need brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, books, scrolls, or famous calligraphy and paintings, just name it, and I promise you won't leave empty-handed."

Su Zheng glanced around and indeed saw not only brushes, ink, paper, and books but also many calligraphy works and paintings.

However, Su Zheng didn't know how to appreciate them, so he nodded and said, "Go about your business; we'll just look around first."

Then he said to Luo Yunchen, "Chen Di, take a look and see if there's anything you like. If you find something, your brother will buy it for you as a gift."

Luo Yunchen smiled and replied, "Thank you, Brother A Zheng. I won't hold back then."

"Alright."

The shopkeeper, seeing they didn’t want to be bothered, didn’t get annoyed or impatient and stepped back to give them room.

He let them look around while keeping an eye on them, ready to jump in and recommend something if needed.

Su Zheng walked around and found there weren’t many storybooks—just two or three copies of each book.

Su Zheng glanced at the wooden staircase and asked the shopkeeper, “Hey boss, what’s upstairs? Do you sell books up there too?”

The shopkeeper stepped forward and replied, “Sir, our second floor has authentic calligraphy and paintings from famous masters. Do either of you have a favorite artist you like?”

Luo Yunchen had wandered over at some point and, seeing Su Zheng wasn’t interested in these paintings, spoke up and asked, “Do you have any pieces by the Old Angler?”

“Of course we do! Would you like to go upstairs and take a look yourself, sir?”

Luo Yunchen looked at Su Zheng.

Su Zheng waved his hand. “You go ahead. I won’t go up.”

Luo Yunchen had no choice but to tell the shopkeeper, “Lead the way.”

Before leaving, he gave Xu Mo, who was waiting by the door, a look.

Xu Mo nodded right away, getting the message—he’d make sure to protect the Crown Prince.

The shopkeeper led Luo Yunchen upstairs, and Su Zheng beckoned to the shop assistant.

When the assistant came over, Su Zheng picked up two storybooks and gestured with his chin toward the bookshelf, asking, “Are these the only three types of storybooks in your shop? Do you have any others?”

“Sir, these three are the only new popular storybooks out right now, and they’re the bestsellers—the most popular!”