I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 450 Grace
Zhou Yuande, who was standing nearby, turned his head to listen.

Oh my, His Majesty's words really show that he regards Lady Chu as his mother-in-law. Miss Chu is truly resourceful.

Chu Liuzheng was unaware of Zhou Yuande's admiration for her, but she was not a blockhead, and she was somewhat moved by Xiao Jingfan's words.

[Tsk, this tyrant keeps bombarding me with sweet talk; I'll be corrupted sooner or later.]

She sat comfortably next to the emperor, forgetting that there were two other people in the hall who were unaware of the situation.

Chu Yuxin was alright; being young and naive, she only felt that the emperor treated her older sister well. But Chu Qin, being more experienced, stared wide-eyed, with only one thought in his mind: Good heavens, the emperor has taken a liking to my eldest daughter!
He immediately understood why his wife had suddenly fallen ill and fainted; he wished he could faint too!
Just before he fainted, an imperial decree brought him back to his senses.

The emperor actually bestowed upon him a large mansion, complete with stewards, maids, servants, attendants, cooks, and guards, as well as three hundred acres of fertile land and a considerable amount of gold and silver jewelry.

Chu Qin suddenly felt like he was dreaming, and couldn't help but pinch his thigh hard.

Hiss—it hurts!

He jolted awake – it wasn't a dream!
That's true. At most, he would dream of finding money on the street. What kind of dream could be so wonderful as to have a mansion, fertile land, and gold and silver treasures fall from the sky?
Chu Liuzheng was also surprised and reached out to touch the emperor's forehead.

[The tyrant is being unusually generous today; could he be running a fever?]

Xiao Jingfan grabbed her hand with a dark expression and squeezed it in his palm.

Does this woman even know what the word "emperor" means?
The whole world belongs to me, so I can afford to reward you with such a small amount.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Chu Yuxin was the quickest to accept it, her little face flushed with excitement.

We have a big house to live in now, and lots and lots of land. We'll never have to worry about not having enough to eat again! When my sister leaves the palace, she'll have a huge dowry!

Chu Qin hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude. When the palace servants helped him up, he felt as if his feet were floating and the world was not quite real.

Chu Yuxin brought him water and fanned him thoughtfully. In her little head, she was already planning what her belongings were, making sure she didn't leave anything behind when she moved!

Chu Liuzheng couldn't care less about her father for the moment; she was whispering to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I'm worried that my mother isn't used to living in the palace. Could you let Xin'er stay in the palace to keep her company?"

Xin'er will be of marriageable age in a few years. Let her broaden her horizons in the palace and see more good things, so she won't be tricked by a rich kid with a bowl of spicy hot pot when she grows up.

Yellow hair? Spicy hot pot?

Xiao Jingfan didn't understand, but that didn't stop him from glancing at the person beside him. What did that mean? What benefit would I get?
Chu Liuzheng blinked. "What benefits do you want?"
Xiao Jingfan: Think about it yourself.

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

He's still that stingy tyrant.

*
Xiao Jingfan eventually agreed.

The Imperial Household Department cleaned out the Qingliang Palace, and Bai Shi and Chu Yuxin moved in. Chu Liuzheng, who also tried to move in, was intercepted by the Emperor halfway, and the move failed.

Since waking up, Lady Bai had been depressed. Chu Liuzheng spent all his days with her, and it took him three whole days to convince Lady Bai that she was indeed doing well in the palace and that the emperor was treating her very well.

Mr. Bai felt relieved, and his condition improved somewhat.

That day, Chu Yuxin took her for a walk in the Imperial Garden, where they happened to run into the Empress, who had just finished her postpartum confinement, enjoying the scenery with the little prince in the octagonal pavilion.

The palace attendants reminded Bai Shi and Chu Yuxin to step forward and pay their respects.

During this time, the two of them also learned some of the palace rules.

Lady Bai stepped forward and curtsied: "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."

Chu Yuxin followed suit with a curtsy: "This commoner greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings." Empress Zhong had exhausted her strength giving birth to the young prince, and during these two months of recuperation, she had truly followed the doctor's orders, focusing solely on her health and paying no attention to anything outside the palace. It was only yesterday that she learned that the Emperor had actually snatched Chu Liuzheng back from leaving the palace, placed her in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and had bestowed upon her exclusive favor ever since.

Moreover, Chu Liuzheng's mother and sister now also live in the palace.

These two in front of me must be them.

Empress Zhong calmly observed the two of them, her tone still relatively gentle, "Get up."

Bai Shi and Chu Yuxin rose and, reminded by the palace attendants, excused themselves so as not to disturb the Empress's enjoyment of the scenery.

Qiu Sui glanced at the two figures as they walked away, then stepped forward to massage the Empress's shoulders and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Chu family has been incredibly arrogant these days. They even dare to ignore the Empress Dowager's summons."

"What do you want to say?" Empress Zhong took a sip of tea and looked up at her.

Qiu Sui said, "Since returning to the palace, His Majesty has not set foot in the inner palace for more than two months because of her, which has already caused resentment in the inner palace. I heard that there have been many impeachments in the court. It is no exaggeration to call her a bewitching concubine. You have just given birth to a prince for His Majesty. If you make a suggestion, His Majesty will definitely listen."

She was simply dissatisfied with Chu Liuzheng's behavior. It was one thing for the other concubines, but her own lady was the head of the six palaces. She had been in confinement during her postpartum period and it was inconvenient for her, but now that she was out of confinement, Chu Liuzheng should have come to pay his respects as soon as possible.

Two days have passed and there hasn't been a single person in sight. They have no respect for our Ladyship. She should be taught a lesson!
Empress Zhong gently placed the teacup on the table and said in a calm tone, "Slap yourself."

Qiu Sui was stunned for a moment, then quickly raised her hand and slapped herself.

Everyone else fell silent instantly, except for the swaddled baby held by the wet nurse who occasionally let out babbling sounds.

The morning breeze was quite cool, making the books on the table rustle.

Qiu Sui's face flushed red. Empress Zhong raised her hand to the page of the book and asked, "Where is the mistake?"

Qiu Sui pursed her lips and lowered her head, saying, "This servant does not know, please enlighten me, Your Highness."

"His Majesty doesn't even listen to the Empress Dowager's advice, so why would he listen to me?" Empress Zhong's voice turned cold. "Just because I gave birth to a prince?"

That's exactly what Akiho thought.

His own youngest son is the first prince born to His Majesty, holding the title of eldest son of the legitimate wife. With the power of the Duke of Zhong's mansion, he will undoubtedly become the crown prince in the future.

What does Chu Liuzheng have? How can he compare to his own mistress?

In His Majesty's heart, his own concubine should hold a greater place.

She also wanted her mistress to use Chu Liuzheng to establish her authority, and then naturally take back the power to oversee the six palaces.

Seeing her expression, Empress Zhong felt somewhat disappointed.

Giving birth to a prince was just the beginning; anyone could have one. Now, she's become complacent and lost her vigilance, knowing that even the best hand can be lost.

Besides, so what if Chu Liuzheng is favored now?

Flowers don't bloom for a hundred days, and men are all fickle and heartless, especially emperors. Chu Liuzheng will fall out of favor sooner or later, while she will always be empress as long as she doesn't make any mistakes. Why waste time arguing with a palace maid who hasn't even been promoted yet when the emperor is in a good mood?
There's still a long way to go, and she's not in a rush.

"Go back." Empress Zhong stood up, and Qiu Sui stepped forward to help her. Empress Zhong waved her hand, pointed to a palace maid, and said to her, "Come back when you've figured things out."

Qiu Sui's face turned pale. "Your Majesty, this servant..."

Empress Zhong gave her no chance to explain and left with her entourage.

Soon only Qiu Sui remained in the pavilion, her shadow stretched long by the sunlight, casting a slanted reflection on the artificial hill like a slender bamboo.

(End of this chapter)