I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 471 Looks well-behaved
Chu Liuzheng watched his movements and saw that he was pressing quite seriously, so he smiled and hooked his finger, "These things can be done by the palace servants. You've been reviewing memorials all day, aren't you tired?"

"It's acceptable." Xiao Jingfan took her hand, kissed it, and continued massaging her with his eyes lowered.

Chu Liuzheng glanced around the hall and, seeing that no one else was there, picked up the round fan beside him, stood up slightly, and used it to shield himself.

A soft touch landed on his cheek, and Xiao Jingfan's eyes widened slightly.

The candlelight on the table suddenly flickered, illuminating a pair of shadowy figures standing close together.

*
The dinner at Wanshou Palace was easier than Chu Liuzheng had imagined. Although the Empress Dowager still didn't like her much, she didn't deliberately make things difficult for her, allowing her to eat a peaceful meal.

To be honest, the food at Wanshou Palace is really delicious.

If it's still just a meal-only gathering, Chu Liuzheng wouldn't mind coming over for a free meal often.

The two walked back hand in hand, a cool night breeze carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms.

Inside the Wanshou Palace, the Empress Dowager was chatting with Zhao Mama.

Zhao Mama sat on the footstool and gently massaged the Empress Dowager's legs. "This old servant finds that Chu Shi quiet and well-behaved, quite different from the rumors."

"Well-behaved?" The Empress Dowager scoffed. "She only appears well-behaved on the surface." To be able to drift off into a daze while sitting next to her and the Emperor is incredibly audacious.

“Being so pampered by His Majesty, it's not easy to appear obedient,” said Granny Zhao. “Since you don't like her, why did you help her in the Imperial Garden incident?”

"I'm not doing this for her sake," the Empress Dowager said, pursing her lips. "My son likes her, and if she's not good to him, it will surely upset him."

"You still care about His Majesty." Granny Zhao smiled. "His Majesty brought her here today because he appreciates your kindness."

The Empress Dowager was pleased to hear this and a smile appeared on her face. She asked, "Have you prepared the things I asked you to prepare?"

Granny Zhao nodded: "Everything has been prepared."

"Send it to the Empress tomorrow." The Empress Dowager's face showed a hint of coldness.

Granny Zhao massaged her legs, saying, "You always worry about the younger generation. You must take care of yourself."

"I'm afraid someone might not tell me to take care of myself." The Empress Dowager sneered. "Right under my nose, she instigated Yu'er to fight with that Chu woman, which made my son dislike her and assigned my brother a hard job, while the Duke of Zhong's mansion reaped the benefits."

“In the past, I thought she was just young and ignorant when she did those things, so I turned a blind eye. But she thinks I was really blind. If I don’t teach her a lesson, she will continue to instigate Yu’er to take the lead for her.”

"Why did you get so upset while we were talking?" Granny Zhao quickly ordered someone to bring over some calming tea. "In the end, you still care about Consort Jieyu."

The Empress Dowager neither agreed nor disagreed.

She is also a daughter of the Xie family; how could she not have any selfish motives?

Inside the Yihe Palace, Consort Xie, who had been counting down the days to reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors, suddenly sneezed loudly.

She wiped her nose with a silk handkerchief and said angrily, "It must be that little bitch surnamed Chu cursing me."

“Your Majesty, please lower your voice.” Liuli glanced outside. “If these words reach His Majesty’s ears, you will be punished again.”

"Punish me if you will." Consort Xie was full of grievances and couldn't hold back her anger. "His Majesty was bewitched by that little slut. I'm the one who got beaten and punished. It's so unfair! Once I can get out, I'll definitely go to the Empress Dowager and complain about that little slut!"

"Your Highness." Liuli wanted to cover her mouth but didn't dare, and gently advised, "There are many people in the harem who see that Chu family as a thorn in their side, why do you..." Before she could finish speaking, a little palace maid came in to report, "Your Highness, the Empress has sent Aunt Qiuhui to deliver something to you."

These days, besides Consort Shu, only the Empress still cares about her.

Xie Jieyu said, "Please come in."

Qiu Sui entered carrying a food box and curtsied to Consort Xie, saying, "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."

"Get up." Xie Jieyu said, glancing at the food box in her hand. Qiu Sui smiled and handed the food box to Liuli. "The Imperial Kitchen made taro and pumpkin pastries. Her Majesty the Empress knew you liked them, so she specially instructed me to bring them to you while they were still hot."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Consort Xie ordered someone to find a seat for Qiu Sui.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Qiu Sui sat down and looked at Xie Jieyu with concern. "This servant noticed that Your Highness seems to have lost some weight. Please take care of yourself."

Xie Jieyu snorted and pouted, "Take care or not, it doesn't matter anyway. Nobody cares."

These words were full of resentment.

"Your Majesty, please don't say such things. Her Majesty the Empress thinks of you every day." Qiu Sui spoke gently. "Her Majesty the Empress knows that you have been wronged, but His Majesty is biased towards that Chu family, so Her Majesty the Empress cannot say much. In fact, to tell you the truth, my lady has also suffered quite a bit of injustice from that Chu family."

A look of indignation appeared on her face, prompting Xie Jieyu to ask curiously, "That little...Chu Shi actually dared to provoke Her Majesty the Empress?"

"Sigh." Akiho sighed softly and recounted in a low voice what had happened that day by the lake in the Imperial Garden.

In fact, this matter had already spread in private, but Xie Jieyu was in seclusion in the palace reflecting on her actions and did not know about it. Others, out of respect for the Empress's authority, would not go around talking about it. So when she heard Qiu Sui say this, Xie Jieyu was so surprised that her mouth opened slightly.

That little bitch dared to lay a hand on the Empress's people in front of everyone! Who gave her the guts? Even with the Empress Dowager backing her up, she wouldn't dare to be so arrogant!
"His Majesty didn't punish her?"

Qiu Sui shook her head, "Not only was she not punished, but she was not even spoken to harshly. She even issued a decree granting that Chu Shi would not have to be formal when walking in the palace in the future."

Xie Jieyu suddenly felt that compared to the Empress's treatment, the Emperor was treating her better, and her mood strangely improved a little. She picked up her tea and took a sip, ignoring Qiu Sui's words.

Seeing her expression, Qiu Sui suddenly changed the subject: "It is said that the Empress Dowager is also very satisfied with that Chu woman."

Xie Jieyu didn't believe it: "How could the Empress Dowager like her?" The Empress Dowager hates such a little vixen the most.

"Your Majesty, you are unaware of the truth. Tonight, His Majesty took that Chu woman to Wanshou Palace for dinner, and the Empress Dowager..." Qiu Sui embellished the information she had gathered, which infuriated Xie Jieyu.

That little bitch not only stole her cousin, but she's trying to steal her own aunt too?
She clenched her fists tightly, her anger surging in her chest, not even noticing when Qiu Sui left.

After Liuli returned from seeing Qiu Sui off, she dismissed all the palace servants in the hall. Turning around, she saw Xie Jieyu still leaning against the soft pillows, lost in thought, her face looking very pale. She couldn't help but call out worriedly, "Your Highness?"

"We can't let that little bitch get away with it."

Liuli: "Huh?"

"Come here." Xie Jieyu finished her cold tea and beckoned to her, whispering a few words in her ear. Her eyes, reflecting the bright candlelight, seemed somewhat cold.

Upon hearing her words, Liuli turned pale with shock and said urgently, "Your Majesty, please don't be impulsive. You are a member of the Xie family. The Empress Dowager would never show favoritism to an outsider, you..."

(End of this chapter)