I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 424 Retribution Came Too Quickly
A few days later, under Feng Jing's care, Prince Rui's health improved, and he could walk steadily for half an hour without anyone's help.

Countless letters have arrived from the capital, all with the same theme: Your Majesty's birthday is approaching, please return quickly to take charge of the overall situation!
After reading the secret letter, Xiao Jingfan instructed Zhou Yuande: "Pass down the order to pack our belongings and set off for the capital in two days."

Two days later, the team set off.

On the swaying carriage, Chu Liuzheng held a pill up to his eyes to examine it closely. "Are you sure that after taking this, I'll just fall asleep and there won't be any other side effects?"

“I’ve said it a million times, it’s just a nap.” Feng Jing put his hands in his pockets and glanced at her sideways. “If you don’t want to take it, you don’t have to. As a friend, I’ll give you a discount on that pill.”

Life-saving medicine must be incredibly expensive; paying for it is out of the question. Chu Liuzheng decisively tossed the pill into his mouth, lay down, pulled up the cool blanket, and settled into a comfortable sleeping position. "When His Majesty asks, you know what to say, right?"

"I know." Feng Jing leaned back in the carriage and yawned. "Just tell them you had a headache and asked me for medicine, but you accidentally ingested poison and will be unconscious for a few days. It won't kill you."

Hearing Feng Jing recall every word perfectly, Chu Liuzheng closed his eyes with peace of mind and soon fell into a deep sleep.

She thought she would still be halfway there when she opened her eyes again, but she never expected to have slept all the way to the imperial palace in the capital. When she opened her eyes, a bunch of people surrounded her bedside, all of them familiar faces.

Mo Xiang, Xia Qiaoru, Xiao Xiazi, Feng Jing, Qin Shu, and even Eunuch Zhou were there.

"Thank goodness, you're finally awake." Feng Jing had two large dark circles under his eyes, his eyebrows drooped, his face was haggard, and his gaze toward Chu Liuzheng was quite resentful.

Chu Liuzheng felt weak and sore all over, as if she had run a marathon; even moving a finger was difficult. She opened her mouth and asked, "What's wrong with me?"

“You’ve been asleep for ten whole days,” Feng Jing said. “If you don’t wake up soon, I’m going to lose my head.”

"Serves you right!" Qin Shu packed her medicine box, glaring at him sideways. "Who told you to give Miss Chu medicine indiscriminately?"

"I promise there won't be a next time." Feng Jing raised his hands in surrender, looking miserable. "I never expected it to turn out like this."

According to his estimate, Chu Liuzheng would only sleep for three or four days at most before waking up. He wondered what had happened that made him sleep for so long.

"Who cares about you?" Qin Shu rolled her eyes, picked up her medicine chest, and left. She still had to go to Changchun Palace to check on the Empress's pulse; she was extremely busy.

Feng Jing wanted to chase after him to explain, but he couldn't just leave Chu Liuzheng alone, so he could only pout and stay to examine Chu Liuzheng.

Everyone watched with concern, only putting their minds at ease after Feng Jing said everything was normal.

Mo Xiang helped Chu Liuzheng up, gave her two pillows to lean against, and poked her forehead in annoyance: "You, how come you've become so careless since you left the palace? You can't just take medicine like that!"

Chu Liuzheng felt guilty and laughed awkwardly twice, begging for forgiveness repeatedly. It was only with great difficulty that Moxiang let her go.

When Zhou Yuande saw that she had woken up and seemed to be alright, he hurried to report to the emperor.

Feng Jing, thinking of Qin Shu, also left.

Xiazi smiled and said, "I can rest assured now that you've woken up. Xiaoyunzi was also worried about your safety. I'll go back and tell him that I'll come to visit you later."

"Okay." Chu Liuzheng watched him leave. Xia Qiaoru closed the door and brought over some tea. "Have a couple of sips to soothe your throat."

Chu Liuzheng took it and drank it slowly.

Neither Mo Xiang nor Xia Qiaoru spoke, their eyes fixed on her, leaving Chu Liuzheng utterly bewildered. "Why are you both staring at me like that?"

Jasmine coughed lightly and looked at Xia Qiaoru. "You should ask."

Chu Liuzheng asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Xia Qiaoru cleared her throat, then deliberately went to the window and door to check. Seeing no one was around, she returned and asked in a low voice, "We heard from Chenxing that His Majesty wants to make you a concubine. Is that true?" Chu Liuzheng: "..."

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

Chenxing, that big mouth!
"It's fake," she said calmly. "It's all a rumor, nothing of the sort!"

Jasmine asked suspiciously, "Really?"

Chu Liuzheng nodded vigorously, "It's really just a rumor, nothing of the sort. Don't listen to Chen Xing's nonsense."

It was fake. Xia Qiaoru was secretly anxious. She had been away from the palace for several months and there had been no one else around, so how come she still didn't even have a formal title? What would become of Liu Zheng in the future?

Just then, an announcement came from outside: "His Majesty has arrived!"

The three were startled. Chu Liuzheng quickly had the two help him off the bed, and knelt down to pay his respects, saying, "Your Majesty, may you be well."

"Rise." Xiao Jingfan quickly took a few steps, bent down to pick up the person, and gently placed them back on the bed. "I told you not to kneel all the time. Lie down properly."

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

Oh open!

The retribution for lying came too quickly; now there's no way to clear one's name even if one jumps into the Yellow River.

She kept her neck stiff, not daring to look at Mo Xiang and Xia Qiaoru's expressions.

Seeing that the emperor's eyes were glued to Chu Liuzheng after entering the room, completely oblivious to everyone else, Mo Xiang and Xia Qiaoru exchanged a glance, a hint of relief in their eyes. The two tacitly withdrew outside, closing the door behind them.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, slanting across the screen and casting a soft golden hue over Xiao Jingfan's hard features.

Chu Liuzheng felt very uncomfortable under his gaze, his eyes darting around the room, unsure where to look.

Why did the tyrant arrive so quickly? He'd only been away from the palace for months; shouldn't he be incredibly busy?

"I was in the Hall of Mental Cultivation when I heard you had woken up, so I came to see you." Xiao Jingfan sat on the edge of the bed, a look of fatigue on his brow. "How are you feeling? Is there anything wrong?"

Chu Liuzheng shook her head: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am perfectly fine."

Xiao Jingfan carefully examined her and, seeing that she appeared unharmed except for her pale complexion, felt relieved. He then sighed softly, his tone helpless: "Even a three-year-old knows that medicine shouldn't be taken indiscriminately, let alone poison. What were you thinking?"

Of course, I'm thinking of good things.

【It's all your fault! If you hadn't caused all this trouble, would I have wanted to take poison and rest for a few days?】

[Besides, do you think the medicine to save Prince Rui fell from the sky? If I hadn't been prepared, Prince Rui would have been reporting to the King of Hell long ago, how could he be so lively and energetic now?]

Chu Liuzheng rolled her eyes inwardly, but said obediently, "It was my mistake. I won't do it again."

"I did not blame you." Seeing her like this, Xiao Jingfan pinched the bridge of his nose and softened his tone. "You have been in a coma and I am very worried. I am even thinking about you when I am dealing with state affairs."

Chu Liuzheng had no way to respond to this, but seeing that the emperor was waiting for her to say something, she could only reluctantly say, "It is all my fault, Your Majesty. Please punish me."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingfan suddenly felt a surge of anger.

He rushed over as soon as he got the news. Couldn't this woman say something else to him? Why does she always manage to make him angry?
(End of this chapter)