The Eastern Palace was vast. It took Zhao Yan a full three days to catalog every area in need of repair. By now, Chén Dōngpíng had become desensitized to the process; he spent his days trailing behind Zhao Yan with a small booklet, dutifully recording notes and occasionally offering a word of praise for Zhao Yan’s superb drafting skills.
Zhao Yan felt embarrassed listening to the compliments. In truth, his technique was merely average. If Chén Dōngpíng had ever seen the works of Master Painter Lei, he would realize that Zhao Yan’s skills were nothing more than a minor trick—a drop in the ocean, really.
"Sir, the Crown Prince asked me to give this to you," Shùnzǐ said, stealthily slipping a piece of paper into Zhao Yan’s palm. He had become quite proficient at this routine over the past three days. Having never looked at the contents, he did not know what the Crown Prince had written, but he was filled with admiration for Zhao Yan. To think that a man who had only met the Crown Prince a few times could earn his trust so quickly. It had taken Shùnzǐ several years to achieve the same.
Chapter 520