Chapter 9: Looking Down on Others

When it came time to reward merits and achievements, the highest honor naturally belonged to Chen Mu. The entire court was jubilant, declaring that Chen Mu was a celestial immortal descended to aid Great Xia in expanding its territories.

As for the wager made during the march, Chen Mu found Zhang Chong and explained that it was merely to prove the effectiveness of his invention, never intending for Zhang Chong to actually retire from service. Zhang Chong, who had been anxious for several days over the matter, finally relaxed, and no longer harbored any disregard for Chen Mu. To invent such a miraculous device and possess such mature judgment at a young age—he admitted he was no match for Chen Mu.

Upon hearing of Chen Mu’s triumphant return, Chen Ya was overjoyed. After court was dismissed, she pulled Chen Mu into the rear garden.

“Brother, look,” Chen Ya said, holding up the small crossbow Chen Mu had made for her last time. She aimed at the straw target, eager to show off her progress from recent practice.

Chen Mu stood by, nodding quietly to himself. It was true; after a few days apart, Chen Ya’s skills had improved noticeably—her shots were ever more precise.

“Brother, am I impressive?” Chen Ya turned and beamed at him.

But as she turned, her aim faltered and her finger accidentally pressed the trigger. The last bolt in the repeating crossbow flew with a whistle, skimming the straw target and shooting off into the distance, grazing a patch of flowers.

“Ouch! Who’s so careless?” A eunuch stood up from the flowerbed, cursing and tugging at his trousers.

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow. To relieve himself in the imperial garden? This eunuch certainly had nerve.

But since today was meant for enjoying time with Chen Ya, there was no need to let a trivial matter spoil their mood.

“Hey! Give me back my bolt!” Chen Ya, still exhilarated, had no interest in quarreling with a lowly eunuch.

“Well, you’re bold! Your thing tore my clothes, and you dare order me around?” The eunuch, puffed up with arrogance, strode over. “Whose servants are you two? Loafing about in broad daylight, flirting here—where’s your sense of propriety?”

Chen Mu glanced down at himself and Chen Ya, quickly realizing the situation. To avoid attracting attention from the nosy palace attendants, Chen Ya had insisted they wear plain, inconspicuous clothes and brought no other servants. Clearly, the eunuch failed to recognize the crown prince and second princess, and mistook them for ordinary palace workers.

“What are you saying!” Chen Ya, unused to such treatment, was about to flare up, but Chen Mu stopped her.

“And whose subordinate are you?” Chen Mu asked the eunuch in return. “Do you really not know who we are?”

The eunuch relied on his long tenure in the palace, and seeing Chen Mu and Chen Ya so young, assumed his own rank was higher. He grew more dismissive of them.

“Why should I know you? But you—don’t recognize Lord Chang San? Blind fools!”

Chen Mu searched his memory and vaguely recalled Chang San’s status. He was a eunuch from Consort Min’s chambers. Since Consort Min considered herself above others and disliked Chen Mu and Chen Ya due to her lack of heirs, there was little interaction between them, and her servants never learned the faces of the prince and princess.

Chang San, shrill and abrasive, showed Chen Mu the torn sleeve where the bolt had cut through.

“You ruined my clothes! Who manages you? I’ll dock your wages this month!”

Chen Mu decided to leave it at that, not wishing to waste more time with the eunuch.

“I am the crown prince, Chen Mu. I doubt you have the authority to dock my wages.”

Unexpectedly, Chang San scoffed.

“You’re the crown prince? Then I’m the retired emperor!”

Chen Mu chuckled in disbelief. The dignified crown prince was being mistaken for a menial worker, and even explanations seemed futile.

Chen Ya was not willing to tolerate it.

“You were sneaking in the flowerbeds just now—I didn’t accuse you of stealing from the garden, and yet you want me to compensate for your clothes!”

“You cheeky little brat! Do you want a beating?” Chang San raised his hand, threatening to strike, but Chen Mu grabbed him firmly.

“You want the supervisor? Fine!” Chen Mu’s tone suddenly turned icy.

He had initially regarded the matter as a joke, but the eunuch dared to raise his hand against Chen Ya—something Chen Mu could not accept.

He named a eunuch who always attended the crown prince.

Chang San was startled by Chen Mu’s sudden coldness, withdrew his hand, and spat angrily on the ground.

“Fine! You two stay right here. I’ll fetch him and see how he deals with you blind fools!”

With that, he turned on his heel and left. Chen Ya stamped her foot in frustration.

“Brother, how can there be people in the palace who don’t recognize us?”

Chen Mu helplessly flicked her nose.

“Isn’t it your fault? Afraid of the eunuchs’ chatter, you insisted on these clothes. How could these people, who judge by appearance, recognize us?”

Soon, Chang San returned with the other eunuch.

“Look,” Chang San said, now deferential and speaking softly, “they…”

The other eunuch was listening absentmindedly, but as he rounded the corner, his focus shifted to Chen Mu.

“Your Highness!” He hurried forward to bow, leaving Chang San standing stupefied behind him. “You made it hard for us to find you! Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Second Princess! Chang San! Why are you still standing there? Come pay your respects!”

“I…”

“We don’t need Lord Chang’s respects,” Chen Mu said coldly. “He wanted you to ‘deal with us’.”

“He wants me to compensate for his clothes!” Chen Ya said indignantly.

The other eunuch broke out in cold sweat, while Chang San’s legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground.

“Your Highness, Second Princess…” Chang San crawled to Chen Mu’s feet, knocking his head to the floor repeatedly. “It was my mistake—I am at fault! Please spare me!”

“My sister asked you to fetch her bolt earlier. Did you not hear?” Chen Mu stepped back and asked coolly.

“I understand! I understand!”

Chang San, without daring to stand, crawled like a dog to the flowerbed, hurriedly retrieved the bolt, and handed it to Chen Ya.

But Chen Ya was not so easily placated.

“I don’t want it! Who knows what you were doing in the flowerbed just now!”