I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 477 I'll swindle you to death

[Heh, Consort Xie is quite good at finding people. It turns out Xiao Xuanzi knows Xiao Yuzi, and it's because of Xiao Yuzi that Xiao Xuanzi got a job in the Imperial Kitchen. I exposed Xiao Yuzi for embezzling Chen Shouping's things, which led to Xiao Yuzi's death...]

【No, get the facts straight, okay? It's obvious that Xiao Yuzi poisoned me first to try and make money off Xixia. I can't just stand there and take it, can I? And I even have the nerve to avenge Xiao Yuzi? Bah!】

[If you dare to close this case so hastily, Eunuch Zhou, I'll... I'll... burn your whisk to ashes!]

Chu Liuzheng clenched his fist secretly.

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

That's pathetic.

He put the approved memorial aside, raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, and began to ponder the matter of Chu Liuzheng's sudden assassination attempt.

In his memory, although Xie Jieyu was stupid and loved to talk, she was only capable of doing some underhanded tricks and wouldn't dare to carry out an open assassination.

But she did it.

Perhaps it was because of the incident where Chu Liuzheng led people to provoke him and then locked him up in solitary confinement.

But... there's a point of doubt.

If Xie Jieyu harbored resentment towards Chu Liuzheng because of his confinement and wanted to get rid of him, how could she, with her limited shrewdness, have waited until now to take action?
Xiao Jingfan tapped his long, slender fingers lightly on the table for a moment, then called out, "Xiao Anzi."

Xiao Anzi immediately took the order and entered, bowing and saying, "Please give your orders, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jingfan said, "Go and find out who has visited Xie Jieyu during these days of self-reflection."

"This servant obeys." Xiao Anzi withdrew.

[Oh dear, the tyrant's mind works faster than the Duke of Zhou's! Consort Xie has indeed been used as a tool.]

Chu Liuzheng silently gave the emperor a thumbs up, and sighed inwardly.

[The Empress is so boring. She's always hiding behind the scenes, instigating others to go against me. Does she think she can't be brought down just because she's keeping it quiet? Before, I couldn't afford to offend her, but now I'm all I need to do. Who's afraid of who?]

[Since you dislike me so much, come and confront me head-on! I've got a book of incriminating evidence; I'll bluff my way out of you!]

[Let me start with the mystery of a missing prince, telling you the story of how you conspired with the Duke of Zhong's mansion to kill the tyrant's first prince. Next, I'll tell you about your lingering affections, how you admired Prince Cheng and secretly informed him. Then, I'll tell you about the four missing palace maids, how you subtly murdered the tyrant's close attendants and your ambitious attempt to replace them with your own people. And then…]

Xiao Jingfan: ? ? !

Please don't come again!!

He hasn't even figured out the first one yet, how come so many more have popped up?
Chu Liuzheng mentally rattled off a whole bunch of things, making himself feel good.

[Hmm... When we have a formal confrontation, I'll put the matter of the Empress instigating Consort Dou to kill the tyrant's wet nurse before the four palace maids, as well as the screen that supposedly prevents concubines from having children, the bright and poisonous silks that the Empress gave me, and...]

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Chu Liuzheng, who was sorting things out in his mind, suddenly noticed that the emperor's face was dark, two veins were bulging on the back of his hand, and he was crumpling the memorials.

"It's nothing." Xiao Jingfan snapped out of his daze, suppressing countless questions and surging anger as he continued reviewing the memorials.

Chu Liuzheng couldn't help but feel that something was off about him, and she couldn't help but glance at the memorial in the emperor's hand.

[Where has another disaster struck? Or has a corrupt official emerged?]

Thinking of this, she quickly searched through the system.

[Eh? The tyrant is reading a report of good news. Little Flower Girl has discovered a gold mine in Shisong County and specially submitted a report to the tyrant to announce the good news.]

[Finding gold is a joyous occasion, so why does the tyrant look like he wants to devour someone alive? Little Flower didn't embezzle any.]

After thinking for a moment, she got up and walked over, gently pressing her fingers on Xiao Jingfan's head with moderate pressure, and asked softly, "Does your head hurt again?"

Xiao Jingfan did have a headache, but it was a different kind of headache. He had always thought that the Empress managed the harem very well, and he never imagined that she had done so many things behind his back. The feeling of being deceived was not pleasant.

He took Chu Liuzheng's hand, pulled her into his arms, hugged her tightly, and buried his face in her neck.

The delicate jasmine scent is comforting.

Chu Liuzheng blinked, raised his hand to wrap around Chu Liuzheng's shoulder and back, and gently patted him.

Is the tyrant getting too excited about discovering a gold mine?

It doesn't seem like it.

[Is he/she just tired?]

Thinking of this, she turned to look at the emperor's profile and found that the little bit of weight she had gained seemed to have disappeared again.

She couldn't help but hug him tighter.

[He's probably exhausted. There were so many urgent memorials today, all mentally taxing matters. He has to summon ministers for a meeting this afternoon, and might have to stay up late tonight. With this workload, it's no wonder the tyrant, who's also a poor eater, is losing weight.]

Hmm... I think I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare something to nourish the tyrant's brain. They say you are what you eat, so how about we have them make him some spicy pig brain soup?

Why do I suddenly crave hot pot?

How about we have hot pot for lunch? We can get some fresh beef and lamb, and even pig brains can be cooked in it, along with shrimp, fish balls...

Hearing his thoughts, Chu Liuzheng headed straight for the hot pot ingredients. Xiao Jingfan reluctantly let go of her, tucked a stray lock of hair behind Chu Liuzheng's ear, and asked, "What would you like for lunch?"

"Hot pot," Chu Liuzheng blurted out.

Xiao Jingfan: "Do you want beef slices, mutton slices, fresh shrimp, fish balls, tripe, and pig brains?"

"Mmm." Chu Liuzheng nodded, and it seemed like he heard teeth grinding, but upon closer listening, it was gone.

By the way, what did I come here for again?

The person, whose attention was completely drawn to the hot pot, thought for a moment and finally remembered their original intention. They raised their hand, cupped the emperor's handsome face, and patted it, "Shall we go for a walk?"

The tyrant is exhausted. Let's take him out for a walk to clear his head, then I'll go to the imperial kitchen to order food, and the tyrant can go back to the Wenhua Hall to work. We can have hot pot together for lunch. Perfect!

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

Not refusing is tantamount to agreeing. Knowing this well, Chu Liuzheng pulled the emperor out for a walk, and when they reached the vicinity of the imperial kitchen, he decisively parted ways with the emperor and urged him to go back to work.

Watching Chu Liuzheng's departing figure, Xiao Jingfan began to reflect on whether he had been too indulgent towards this woman.

In the imperial kitchen, palace servants came and went. Chu Liuzheng was choosing ingredients for hot pot when she suddenly heard someone call her. She turned around and saw Shao Liyi and the head palace maid, Luzhu.

【Beautiful Princess!】

She entrusted the important task of selecting the vegetables to Siyue and walked over with Chenxing.

The four walked to a secluded spot, and Shao Liyi spoke softly: "I heard that a eunuch named Xiao Xuanzi was trying to harm you. Were you hurt?"

"No." Chu Liuzheng shook his head, looking at her. "You came here specifically for me?"

"Yes." Shao Liyi nodded. "Since you live in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it's not convenient for me to visit you."

To be precise, it was the emperor who sent someone to warn her.

But she always remembered that when no one in the palace was willing to help her, only Chu Liuzheng helped her, and she wanted to see with her own eyes whether Chu Liuzheng was alright.

Now that I've seen it, I feel at ease.

(End of this chapter)