I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 453 Axioms of Right and Wrong
She neither bowed nor rose, her arrogant attitude causing Consort Shu and Consort Chun to frown. However, the two were more composed than Consort Xie, and seeing Chu Liuzheng's confidence, several thoughts had already crossed their minds.

Consort Shu ordered the injured palace servants to be carried out of Yihe Palace. She and Consort Chun found a place to sit down and invited Consort Yu and her servants in as well, so that they could all hear what Chu Liuzheng had to say.

"Those three, under Xie Jieyu's orders, were gossiping behind the artificial hill, saying all sorts of nonsense that caused my mother's old illness to flare up again, and she hasn't woken up yet." Chu Liuzheng pointed to the three palace maids who were crying uncontrollably. "I'm here to seek justice, is that too much to ask?"

Consort Xie said aggrievedly, "You're not here to seek justice, you're clearly here to beat me up. I've never seen these three people before, who knows where you found them to frame me!"

Chu Liuzheng sneered: "Whether it's a frame-up or not, you know best in your heart."

Xie Jieyu was about to retort, but was stopped by Chun Zhaoyi. She looked at Chu Liuzheng, her delicate brows slightly furrowed:
"Chu, even if His Majesty favors you, you cannot act recklessly in the harem. Consort Xie is a third-rank consort personally appointed by His Majesty. You are currently without rank or grade. No matter what the reason, you should not be disrespectful to your superiors, causing a disturbance in Yihe Palace and disrupting the peace of the entire palace."

"Indeed." Consort Shu also abandoned her usual gentle demeanor and spoke in a deep voice, "The palace has its own rules, and matters of the inner palace should be decided by Her Majesty the Empress. You are not allowed to act arbitrarily. Even if today's matter were brought before His Majesty, you would have no right to it. If you are a reasonable person, you should go to Changchun Palace to apologize to Her Majesty the Empress."

[Tsk tsk, Xie Jieyu's level is utterly pathetic compared to these two. They're throwing accusations around and pulling at the Empress—they're working together pretty well.]

"Your Majesties, please calm down," Chu Liuzheng waved his hand. "I have already sent someone to invite His Majesty over. His Majesty will make his own judgment on right and wrong."

[What's the typical smug look on a petty person's face again? It's something like craning their neck, looking down at others with their nose in the air, and then grinning smugly?]

Chu Liuzheng tried to adjust his expression, aiming to infuriate Xie Jieyu.

She can do whatever she wants, whether it's cursing, swearing, or using underhanded tricks, she'll just take it all as entertainment, but she can't lay a hand on her mother.

The thought of Bai Shi still lying in bed made Chu Liuzheng unable to suppress his anger.

Her mother already felt that her situation in the palace was difficult and worried about her day and night. She had finally managed to appease her a little, but Consort Xie had actually caused this trouble for her. If she didn't fight back, who knows what would happen to her in the future.

She came here intentionally to make a big fuss. It would be best if the emperor came and sided with her. If he stood against her, then they would part ways immediately. She would take her mother and younger sister and leave the palace to find a quiet, peaceful place to live her own life and not get involved in all this palace turmoil.

Upon hearing that the emperor was coming, everyone was startled, wondering what Liu Zheng was really up to.
Logically speaking, Chu Liuzheng's men almost demolished Yihe Palace and beat Xie Jieyu into such a terrible state. Even for the sake of the Empress Dowager and the Xie family emperor, they should have given an explanation. They should not have sided with Chu Liuzheng.

Chu Liuzheng actually took the initiative to invite people. Did he really think he was in the right, or had he become arrogant from being spoiled by the emperor these days?

The majority of people favored the latter, and even Consort Shu and Consort Chun felt that even if the emperor came, he would not allow Chu Liuzheng to run rampant in the harem.

The two exchanged a glance, neither of them rushing to have Chu Liuzheng arrested, but decided to wait for the emperor or empress to arrive before making any decisions.

Xiao Jingfan was worried that Chu Liuzheng would be at a disadvantage, so he rushed over as soon as he received the news. Empress Zhong also arrived, and the two happened to meet at the entrance of Zhaoyang Palace.

Empress Zhong was about to pay her respects when Xiao Jingfan strode inside, his back view revealing a hint of urgency.

Empress Zhong paused for a moment, her eyes darted around, and then she followed him inside.

"Your Majesty is here!"

Upon hearing this shout, everyone in the Yihe Hall stood up, knelt down, and bowed, saying, "May Your Majesty be well."

Chu Liuzheng did not kneel, but only curtsied, saying, "May Your Majesty be well."

Everyone turned to look, thinking to themselves, "Does this Chu woman think she's the Empress? She's not even kneeling!"
Just then, another shout rang out.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!" Empress Zhong entered almost immediately after the Emperor. Seeing that Chu Liuzheng did not kneel, she quickly pursed her lips and secretly observed the Emperor's reaction.

As usual, Xiao Jingfan walked over, took Chu Liuzheng's hand, and helped him up before saying to the crowd, "Rise."

Everyone rose and bowed to the Empress, saying, "May Your Majesty the Empress be well."

Empress Zhong did not call everyone to stand up in time, not because she was deliberately putting on airs, but simply because she had distracted Chu Liuzheng.

Of all the women in the hall, only Chu Liuzheng did not bow to her.

Not only did he not bow, but he also acted as if he didn't even see her, the empress, and was pulling and tugging at the emperor like a pair of young lovers who had a quarrel.

As this thought flashed through her mind, Empress Zhong almost thought she was ill. Could the cold-hearted emperor really fall in love with a woman?

Her hands clenched unconsciously, and her voice sounded somewhat stiff: "Get up, everyone."

Everyone stood up.

"Your Majesty, you must do justice for me!" Xie Jieyu finally found someone to complain to. Crying, she threw herself at Xiao Jingfan's feet, raising her tear-streaked face, tears streaming down her cheeks. The bump on her forehead, left untreated, swelled up even more alarmingly.

Xiao Jingfan was slightly surprised and glanced at Chu Liuzheng. "You did this?"

[Am I such a violent person? I didn't lay a finger on her; she bumped into me herself, okay?]

Chu Liuzheng initially wanted to explain, but after thinking about it, he realized that Xie Jieyu bumping into the chair was indeed somewhat related to him. So he nodded to the emperor: "That's right, I was the one who hit her."

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

Unable to see the tension in their eyes, Consort Xie wiped away her tears as she complained, "Your Majesty, look at my face! This vile woman did this to me. She led her men into my palace and beat everyone without a word. I tried to reason with her, but she wouldn't listen and even beat me up too..."

"Isn't this just making things up?" Consort Yu, who had been quietly watching the commotion with her head maid, suddenly spoke up and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, I saw with my own eyes that Consort Xie injured herself, and it has nothing to do with this Chu... Chu... Chu clan."

Mianmian covered her face. She had just told her princess this person's name. How could the princess have forgotten it again?
Xie Jieyu: "..."

I asked you, so just answer!

Seeing her face turn pale and then red, Chu Liuzheng secretly curled his lip.

[Anyone who comes in shouting for violence and arrests to be taken to the Censorate? It's only because my men are capable that they've already been arrested.]

She did come here to cause trouble, but she really didn't intend to hit anyone at first.

Civilized people believe in courtesy before resorting to force; it's inappropriate to start with fighting and killing.

But how could she not retaliate when the people from Yihe Palace were so impolite, not only speaking rudely but also deliberately splashing water on her with something added to it?
This back and forth led to a fight, and as the fight went on... it turned into what it is now.

(End of this chapter)