I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 465 This child is teachable
"I'll talk to you later," Chu Liuzheng said. "I know what's going on in my life. Just focus on doing your own thing and don't let anyone with ulterior motives lead you by the nose."

Chu Shangming nodded: "You've been smart since you were little, I'll listen to you."

“It’s not just about listening to me; you should use your brain more.” Chu Liuzheng said helplessly, “Brother, there are so many twists and turns in officialdom. You should think carefully about what others say to you and consider their motives. Otherwise, how will you deal with them?”

Chu Shangming accepted the instruction: "Good."

Chu Liuzheng looked at him and felt that he looked stupid no matter how she looked at him, and she was very worried about him.

She thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "You can learn from Young Master Pei and Young Master Yan. They were both carefully raised by their families. Young Master Pei is steady and composed, while Young Master Yan is lively and unconventional. Ask Young Master Pei about serious matters, and ask Young Master Yan about less important ones."

Chu Shangming felt it necessary to defend his friend, saying, "Brother Yan is an upright person."

Chu Liuzheng: "...That's not the point, just know what I mean."

Chu Shangming seemed to understand but not quite, but he ultimately made up his mind to follow King Xiao.

The brother and sister talked for a while longer, and seeing that it was almost time, Chu Liuzheng gave them one last piece of advice: "When you're out and about, don't make friends with people you don't know anything about."

She was really afraid that her brother would send her to prison because of the friends he made.

Chu Shangming readily agreed, as he was very willing to do whatever his younger sister said.

Chu Liuzheng then summoned Chenxing and Siyue in.

The two already knew that Chu Liuzheng was not alone in the hall, so they were not surprised to see Chu Shangming.

Chu Liuzheng gave a brief introduction to both sides. After the three exchanged greetings, Chu Shangming opened the door and went out.

Chu Liuzheng changed his clothes and came out. He didn't see anyone, so he didn't ask. He led Chenxing and Siyue outside.

In the courtyard, Xiao Jingfan, who had been driven to the brink of disappearing by Prince Xiao's demands for funds, finally brought everyone back. He immediately took Chu Liuzheng and left without looking back.

In his haste, Chu Liuzheng turned back and waved to King Xiao.

King Xiao smiled and shook his head, then ordered someone to bring Chu Shangming over.

He stared at the young man before him, whose demeanor was now vastly different from before, and asked, "Have you thought it through?"

"Yes." Chu Shangming bowed deeply, "I am willing to follow Your Highness through fire and water."

*
The night was as dark as ink, and the early autumn night already carried a hint of coolness.

On the quiet palace path, Chu Liuzheng shook the hand that was being held, "Your Majesty, I just went to the back hall to see my elder brother."

Xiao Jingfan: "Mm."

His tone was not at all surprised.

[Tsk, the tyrant found out after all. Good thing I didn't hide it from him. Given his suspicious nature, keeping it from him would have only led to trouble; who knows what it might have sparked in the end.]

Chu Liuzheng silently recited the phrase "treat each other with honesty" a few times, and for reasons unknown, she asked, "Don't you think this is against the rules?"

Xiao Jingfan glanced at her and said, "Since you told me on your own initiative, it is in accordance with the rules."

Chu Liuzheng blinked.

[Isn't this the same idea as "leniency for confession, severity for resistance"?]

She thought for a moment, cleared her throat, and solemnly complained, "Your Majesty, my brother has been framed, and I am not happy."

Xiao Jingfan looked at her: "You want me to stand up for your elder brother?"

Chu Liuzheng: "Is that not allowed?"

"Okay." Xiao Jingfan squeezed the hand he was holding in his palm, a hint of a smile in his cold voice.

[Oh my god, my ears are melting! This tyrant is such a golden thigh, he's always giving in to my every whim!]

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Liuzheng said, lightly scratching his palm with her finger. When Xiao Jingfan looked over, she looked completely innocent, as if she wasn't the one who was teasing him.

Xiao Jingfan glanced at them, and Zhou Yuande and the others immediately retreated, looking down at the ground as if silver had suddenly sprouted from the moonlit ground. Chu Liuzheng felt a tightening around his waist, his back pressed against the cold wall, and then two warm lips covered his.

"Well."

She subconsciously raised her hand and wrapped it around Xiao Jingfan's neck, tilting her head back to meet his embrace amidst the familiar sandalwood scent.

His hot breaths were muffled between his lips and teeth. Xiao Jingfan held the person in his arms tighter and tighter, his large hand gently squeezing the back of Chu Liuzheng's neck. His urgent kisses gradually became gentle and tender.

When they parted, their noses were close together, both of them seemingly reluctant to part.

[The tyrant's kissing skills have improved by leaps and bounds!]

Chu Liuzheng was panting, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears, and her cheeks flushed pink, making her more beautiful than the moonlight tonight.

Xiao Jingfan glanced at her once and then grasped her slender waist again, only to be stopped by a fair hand.

"Let's go back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation first." Chu Liuzheng tried hard not to look down, feeling that if he kissed her again, something bad would happen.

Xiao Jingfan stared at her, his voice low and husky: "Kiss me first."

Chu Liuzheng: "Go back."

Xiao Jingfan removed her hand and kissed her rosy lips again, silencing Chu Liuzheng's resistance.

Chu Liuzheng gave it a symbolic push, but if he couldn't push it away, he would just go with the flow.

Beauty is truly alluring; no wonder she couldn't resist.

After another effort, the bed curtains finally quieted down.

Before Chu Liuzheng fell asleep, he had only one thought: they must sleep in separate beds!
"No." Xiao Jingfan decisively rejected this unreasonable request, carefully finished the last stroke, turned Chu Liuzheng's head so she could look in the mirror, and asked, "How is it?"

The person in the mirror had a pair of delicate, arched eyebrows that looked as if they had been molded onto the surface. After practicing for so many days, His Majesty the Emperor had finally mastered the art of drawing eyebrows.

That child is teachable.

"Excellent." Chu Liuzheng did not hold back his praise, and before he could apply lip rouge, he leaned over and kissed the emperor's face twice.

[Wow, now I don't have to wear makeup and remove it anymore! Hooray! Hooray!]

Xiao Jingfan was speechless. So this woman was so excited not because his eyebrows were drawn well, but because she wouldn't have to bother with them anymore? He hadn't practiced for that long, had he?

If Chu Liuzheng knew what he was thinking, he would definitely make Siyue show him the empty goose fat ointment box.

After finishing her makeup, Chu Liuzheng prepared to change her clothes, but the emperor was still standing there. She asked in confusion, "His Highness Prince Xiao is leaving the capital today. Didn't you plan to see him off in person?"

"I'll give it to you." Xiao Jingfan casually picked up a face powder box and fiddled with it. "I'll wait for you to come with me."

Chu Liuzheng blinked.

[Does the tyrant mean I can also leave the palace?]

Xiao Jingfan put the face powder box back on the dressing table and looked up at her: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get dressed, don't be late."

"Oh, okay." Chu Liuzheng agreed and went behind the screen to change her clothes. Halfway through, she suddenly ran out and hugged the emperor, then ran back inside.

It was like a gust of wind, leaving the servants in the hall stunned.

Xiao Jingfan coughed lightly, "Go do your own thing." A smile played on his lips, impossible to suppress.

Eunuch Zhou led his men to check the prepared items one last time, feeling extremely gratified.

Chu Liuzheng quickly changed into his outdoor clothes and took the emperor's hand, saying, "Your Majesty, let's go have breakfast."

[Hehe, out of the palace! Out of the palace! Out of the palace!]

"Let's go out to eat." Xiao Jingfan grabbed her hand and held it in his palm. "I heard that Yunhezhai's crab roe buns are good. Let's go try them."

(End of this chapter)