I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 298 Rounding

【Why did I fall asleep? 】

Chu Liuzheng tried hard to swallow back a yawn, turned his head and looked around, and asked, "Eunuch Zhou, where is His Majesty?"

Zhou Yuande thought to himself, "How dare you ask? The master is awake and you're still sleeping. Is this how a close attendant behaves?"
He glanced at Chu Liuzheng sideways and said, "His Majesty is naturally in the Wenhua Hall. Now that you've woken up, Miss, hurry back and wash up. I have to go to the Wanshou Palace. His Majesty can't be without someone."

[Weren't there supposed to be spot checks? Has the tyrant changed his mind again?]

Chu Liuzheng instructed someone to tidy up the chessboard and then quickly returned to the side room of the rear hall.

As soon as the curtain was lifted, Xia Qiaoru was seen sitting blankly on the bed, staring at the box of ointment in her hand.

"Qiaoru," Chu Liuzheng called as he entered the room, puzzled, "Why didn't you go to the tea room?"

Hearing the voice, Xia Qiaoru turned around abruptly and asked in surprise, "Why are you back?"

Chu Liuzheng found it strange. Of course she would come back if she lived here, otherwise where would she go?

"I'm back to wash up." She covered her mouth and yawned. "I spent the whole night playing chess according to the chess manual, and I'm really sleepy. Could you find me some peppermint oil so I can put some on to refresh myself?"

"Play chess?" Xia Qiaoru blinked, her tone rising slightly, sounding somewhat puzzled.

Didn't they say that Liu Zheng slept in the bedroom?

Why is it just playing chess?

Chu Liuzheng was so sleepy that he didn't notice anything amiss. He washed his face with cold water and opened the wardrobe to get his clothes.

I slept face down for so long, and this outfit I'm wearing is so wrinkled, I can't wear it anymore.

To my surprise, I casually picked up the set that she had cut off a large piece of herself, and I immediately felt like I was losing out, practically paying to go to work for free.

She thought she would take it to Moxiang later and see if it could be repaired so she could continue wearing it.

She quickly changed her clothes and sat down in front of the mirror to do her makeup.

Xia Qiaoru got up, took some peppermint oil, applied it to her fingertips, and gently massaged it onto her temples.

The air was filled with the refreshing scent of mint. Chu Liuzheng leaned back against her and casually asked, "What were you thinking about in the room just now?"

Xia Qiaoru's voice was gentle and soft: "I'm wondering whether I should wait for you to come back to change the medicine or send it to your bedchamber."

"Of course, I'll wait for you to return," Chu Liuzheng said with his eyes closed. "According to the rules, without His Majesty's permission, one is not allowed to enter or leave the inner palace at will."

"Yes, you mentioned it before, and I remember it all." Xia Qiaoru smiled. "That's why I'm holding the medicine and waiting for you to come back." She thought she wouldn't be able to wait any longer.

Remembering Zhou Yuande's instructions, Chu Liuzheng didn't dare to delay for too long. After quickly changing the ointment on his neck, he pulled Xia Qiaoru and hurried towards Wenhua Hall.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, a meeting was being held. Chu Liuzheng stood at the door listening for a while, but feeling it wasn't the right time to go in, he went to the tea room with Xia Qiaoru.

In the tea room, Chen Xing had just finished telling a joke when Mo Xiang laughed so hard her stomach hurt and tears welled up in her eyes.

Upon seeing Chu Liuzheng and Xia Qiaoru arrive, the two hurriedly invited them to sit down.

"Sister Liuzheng!" Chenxing skillfully jumped onto Chu Liuzheng and affectionately clung to her arm.

Chu Liuzheng was used to it. She sat down with the human-shaped pendant on her arm and handed the bundle she was carrying to Moxiang: "My skirt is torn. Could you please take a look and see if it can be mended?"

Mo Xiang opened the bundle and took out the skirt. She frowned as soon as she saw the tear: "Who cut it like this for you?"

"I cut it myself." Chu Liuzheng gently rubbed Chen Xing's cheek as she leaned closer and coaxed, "Good girl."

Upon hearing that she had cut it herself, Mo Xiang knew there must be more to the story, but since Chu Liuzheng hadn't gone into details, she didn't press for an explanation. She held the hem of the skirt in both hands and examined it carefully, saying, "Your skirt is plain. If I had the same fabric, I could try it on, and I shouldn't be able to tell the difference."

There was indeed still some cloth left. Chu Liuzheng poured a bowl of tea for Moxiang with great enthusiasm, showering her with compliments as if they were free, praising Moxiang as if she were the Weaver Girl from heaven.

"Wait a moment." Mo Xiang pinched her cheek. "If you really want to thank me, the Imperial Kitchen will send over some snacks later. You can take them to the Emperor for me."

Chu Liuzheng blinked: "What kind of snacks wouldn't even your older sister dare to send?"

"It was the Empress Dowager who ordered Doctor Feng to prescribe this medicine to help His Majesty improve his health. It's very bitter." Chen Xing rested her chin on her shoulder. "Originally, it would have been enough to just grind it into powder and brew it, but I don't know who the Empress Dowager heard it from, but she insisted that the Imperial Kitchen make it into a dessert, saying that His Majesty would be more willing to eat it if it looked nicer."

Chu Liuzheng remained silent. [Anything bitter is like carving flowers on dung to a tyrant; he wouldn't even look at it, let alone eat it.]

Chen Xing said, "The Empress Dowager also forbids the addition of sugar, saying it will affect the efficacy of the medicine. According to the eunuch who tasted the food, the dessert tastes like medicine and is difficult to swallow. But the Empress Dowager ordered that no matter what method is used, His Majesty must at least eat half a plate, otherwise we will be held responsible."

Chu Liuzheng asked, "How big is the plate?"

“It’s this big.” Chen Xing gestured with his hand to show her.

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

She decisively took the skirt back and calmly said, "I won't trouble you, sister. I can manage on my own..."

"With your skills, don't waste the food." Jasmine snatched back the skirt and said with a smile, "I'll leave the task of delivering the snacks to you."

Chu Liuzheng: T^T
Seeing her distressed expression, Xia Qiaoru said, "How about I go and deliver it?"

The three of them stared at her. Xia Qiaoru looked completely bewildered and stammered, "N-no, is that not allowed?"

“His Majesty will smash plates,” Chen Xing patted her. “It’s terrifying.”

Mo Xiang and Chu Liuzheng nodded in agreement.

Xia Qiaoru: "..."

"I'll do it," Chu Liuzheng said, rubbing his face. "You guys prepare the candied fruit and sweet tea, and I'll take them over together."

Chen Xing immediately pulled Xia Qiaoru to prepare, while Mo Xiang carefully examined Chu Liuzheng's ripped skirt.

Chu Liuzheng spoke with her for a while, and then, after the imperial kitchen delivered the snacks, he carried them all on a tray to the main hall.

The two ministers who had come to discuss matters had already left. Chu Liuzheng glanced at the emperor and saw that he seemed to be in a good mood.

She placed the snacks, sweet tea, and candied fruit on the table.

Xiao Jingfan hadn't eaten much for breakfast and was indeed hungry, but the large plate of pastries beside him, though shaped like plum blossoms, was a dark green that looked unappetizing.

The imperial kitchen is getting less and less competent!
He frowned and ordered, "Withdraw."

Chu Liuzheng knew he would react this way, and gently advised, "Your Majesty, these are snacks specially ordered by the Empress Dowager to be made by the Imperial Kitchen. They are good for your health, so please try a piece."

She poured a cup of sweet tea from the pot: "I had someone prepare sweet tea and candied fruit; it should taste quite good when eaten together."

Seeing her so confident, Xiao Jingfan pushed the plate towards her: "Here, have some."

Chu Liuzheng, who also disliked bitter medicine: "..."

She reached out, picked up a piece, took a small bite, and swallowed it quickly before she could even taste it.

"How is it?" Xiao Jingfan stared at her expression.

Chu Liuzheng nodded against his conscience: "Delicious."

Xiao Jingfan asked suspiciously, "Really?"

Chu Liuzheng nodded in agreement.

Anyway, everyone has different tastes, so this isn't exactly deceiving the emperor. She'll just trick the tyrant into eating it first.

No matter how much or how little you eat, even if you only take a bite, rounding it up, it's still considered like you've eaten half a plate.

She was already calculating her own plans, and seeing that Xiao Jingfan's expression had softened slightly, she quickly pressed her advantage: "Your Majesty, do not disappoint the Empress Dowager's loving heart."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingfan hesitated for a moment, but still reached out and took a piece. Under Chu Liuzheng's expectant gaze, he reluctantly took a bite.

Just then, Xiao Anzi rushed into the hall to report.

Someone struck the Dengwen Drum, wanting to file a petition with the emperor.

I suddenly don't want to write chapter titles anymore. I never know what to choose. Will not having chapter titles affect your reading experience? I'd like to ask for your opinions. If no one has any objections, then I'll just do what I feel like! ^v^