I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 457 The Domineering CEO's Declaration
“Naturally, this is something that worries Madam Chu.” Xiao Jingfan pressed her head into his arms. “Now, go to sleep peacefully.”

What can an emperor like you talk to my mother about?

Chu Liuzheng was filled with questions and kept guessing, unable to fall asleep with his eyes wide open.

Xiao Jingfan held the person in his arms and slowly fell asleep amidst his own quiet murmurs.

He discovered that as long as Chu Liuzheng didn't scream and yell in his mind, the mental chants actually helped him fall asleep.

Chu Liuzheng had a lot of random thoughts. Perhaps it was the sandalwood incense that was too calming, or perhaps it was the even breathing around her ears. After tossing and turning for half the night, she finally felt sleepy, buried her face in Xiao Jingfan's chest, and closed her eyes to fall asleep.

The following day, after the court session ended, Xiao Jingfan changed out of his court robes and went straight to Qingliang Palace.

Chu Liuzheng followed closely behind, and then... he was locked out of the room.

Chu Yuxin was also locked out.

The two sisters: ? ? ?

"Sister, what does His Majesty want to say to Mother?"

Chu Liuzheng shook his head. "I don't know."

Seeing this, Chu Yuxin pressed her ear against the door to listen, muttering softly, "I can't hear anything."

[If someone is speaking inside the inner sanctum, it would be a miracle if they could be heard at the door.]

Chu Liuzheng patted her little head and asked Chenxing to take her to play in the Imperial Garden, while he stood guard at the gate, pacing back and forth, worried that the emperor's imperial might be too overwhelming and might frighten Bai Shi.

What exactly does the tyrant want to say to my mother?

She quietly opened the system, intending to rush in and save the day if anything went wrong.

The tyrant said to my mother... Huh???

She silently shut down the system and banged her head against the pillar twice.

【Aaaaaah!!!】

Inside her chest, her heart pounded faster and faster, and her earlobes gradually turned pink.

[What kind of ridiculously embarrassing CEO-style dialogue is this?! No wonder my mother can't rest easy!!]

[Shut up, you tyrant!!]

She dared not listen to what the emperor said, and she couldn't even imagine what her mother's expression would be if she heard it.

I just want to crawl into a hole and disappear!

A moment later, the palace doors opened, and the emperor, dressed in black, walked out and gracefully came to Chu Liuzheng's side, looking at her face.

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

What are you looking at? You're interrupting my enjoyment of the exquisite carvings on the pillars!

"Ahem." Xiao Jingfan cleared his throat.

Chu Liuzheng remained motionless, facing the pillar, only glancing at him out of the corner of his eye.

Xiao Jingfan looked at her bright red ears and smiled slightly. "Madam Chu is resting."

"Oh." Chu Liuzheng continued facing the pillar.

Xiao Jingfan: "Aren't you going to ask what I said to Lady Chu?"

Chu Liuzheng: "What did you say?"

Xiao Jingfan: I'll tell you later.

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

[Tch, you're still keeping us in suspense. I already knew!]

Xiao Jingfan reached out and took her hand, which was hanging by her side, and led her towards the Wenhua Hall. His Majesty the Emperor still had to rush back to review memorials.

The heat on Chu Liuzheng's ears hadn't subsided yet, so he obediently followed him away.

She had no desire to go in and face Bai Shi after hearing those words; she'd better hide for now.

From that day on, Bai's condition improved day by day. According to Qin Shu's judgment, three more acupuncture treatments would be enough to eradicate the root of the disease. After that, with proper tonics to recuperate, Bai would no longer experience dizziness.

Chu Liuzheng had mixed feelings.

Damn it, all her long-winded talk couldn't compare to the tyrant's simple and blunt CEO declaration. What kind of logic is that?
If she had known... well, she never expected the emperor to make such a promise in front of Bai Shi, it was practically a wedding vow.

Xiao Jingfan specially gifted two cartloads of tonics to be sent to the Chu residence in the north of the city.

Chu Qin and his son Chu Shangming were still living in the general store and had not yet moved into the large house in the north of the city. Chu Qin planned to move after Bai Shi recovered from her illness and left the palace, so that the family could reunite and share the joy together.

Chu Shangming, however, had no time for that. Since returning from Mengzhou, the Prince Xiao had given him many more tasks, keeping him so busy that he was constantly on the go, often sleeping at the Ministry of Revenue and not even having time to go home.

I heard from King Xiao that he will be going on a long trip in a few days, and these are all preparations for the trip.

Yan Chengtong had had enough of the hardships of traveling far from home and had asked Prince Xiao for permission to resign countless times, but each time the prince refused. So he simply skipped work, which made him a target of Prince Rui.

Because of his help in getting Chu Liuzheng out of the palace, Prince Rui was severely scolded by his elder brother. In a fit of anger, he ran away from the palace and wandered around the city every day. The embroidered handkerchiefs and purses he received could last for several years, and he was very popular.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingfan summoned Feng Jing for questioning. After Feng Jing repeatedly assured him that Prince Rui's health was no longer a problem and that he needed to exercise, he decisively handed over the task of enforcing the ban on brothels to his idle younger brother.

Imperial Censor Wang was overjoyed; now he had someone to back him up. He visited Prince Rui's residence every day, and Prince Rui's leisurely days were over.

The Imperial Censor Wang was too noisy, and since he couldn't be kicked out, Prince Rui could only go to a teahouse to find some peace and quiet.

Young Master Yan, who skipped work to resume his life of leisure, unexpectedly ran into Prince Rui. The two, both only interested in being rich and idle, hit it off immediately, offering each other advice, and then… Yan Chengtong was tricked by Prince Rui.

When Prince Xiao personally packed him up and took him away, Yan Chengtong was filled with grief and indignation, howling like a wolf, almost ready to rush up and bite Prince Rui.

Prince Rui, who had tricked someone, was in a good mood. He could continue listening to Imperial Censor Wang's ramblings and, incidentally, do some favors for his elder brother, the Emperor.

Of course, these things have nothing to do with the grocery store or Chu Qin.

He ran the grocery store alone, longing for his wife, daughter, and son to come home every day. If it weren't for Xiao Wu often coming over to drink with him and relieve his boredom, he probably would have turned into a stone longing for home by now.

While everyone was busy with their own things, the young prince was brought back to the palace.

The four-year-old boy, nicknamed Tang Ge'er, is very well cared for. He's a chubby little dumpling with the best features of his parents—big eyes, a small nose, and a small mouth. Wrapped in red brocade, he looks especially adorable and sweet.

As soon as Tang Ge'er returned, he was sent to the Wenhua Hall. Since the emperor was summoning ministers, he was first sent to a side hall to be looked after by Chu Liuzheng.

The child was crying from hunger, so Chu Liuzheng quickly had someone heat up a pot of goat milk and watched him drink it while resting his chin on his hands.

This child wasn't shy at all. He didn't cry or make a fuss in front of a group of strangers; he was surprisingly well-behaved.

Chu Liuzheng touched the child's chubby cheek with the back of his finger, feeling as if he were touching soft tofu, and dared not use any force.

Tang Ge'er grinned at her, his eyes clear and bright, like a spring.

[With parents who want to rebel, I wonder what this tyrannical uncle will do with this child. He was brought back with such difficulty, surely he can be spared, right?]

[Yin Lanci is a master of Gu poison. Although this doll looks normal, it would be best to examine it.]

She instructed, "Chenxing, go and invite Doctor Feng here."

Chen Xing responded and went out, while Chu Liuzheng opened the system and started searching.

[They say even tigers don't eat their cubs, so surely Yin Lanci wouldn't be so heartless as to conduct some kind of bizarre Gu worm experiment on his own son?]

Hmm... it's been a while, I need to scroll back a bit.

[Sugar Bro, Sugar Bro, Sugar Bro... It should start from here, and then...]

(End of this chapter)