I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 482 Another Price

"Hmm." Chu Liuzheng nodded. "I'm a little worried because Doctor Feng hasn't sent any messages."

[By the way, I'd like to ask Lord Jiang to deal with Pingxuan, who is far away in Western Xia, lest the Flower Butterfly actually gets hold of the fake imperial edict and does something about it.]

Hearing his thoughts, a dark glint flashed in Xiao Jingfan's eyes. He lowered his head and kissed the top of the head of the person in his arms, and whispered, "Princess Consort Cheng said she burned the imperial edict. Do you think this is believable?"

[That's believable; it was already burned.]

Chu Liuzheng lazily reminded him, "Your Majesty, the women of the inner palace should not interfere in politics."

Why do I always have to answer questions that she shouldn't have to answer?
Xiao Jingfan said, "You can."

【Fuck! 】

Chu Liuzheng was startled upon hearing this, and his eyes widened slightly.

Absolutely not! Who would be so foolish as to work overtime with a tyrant if they could have a leisurely life?

She refused firmly, and her reasons were perfectly valid.

Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that the officials of the previous dynasty will all run to the Fengtian Hall and hang themselves by doing this?
Cherish those loyal and devoted servants who serve you with utmost dedication!
Xiao Jingfan didn't take it to heart: "Just don't let them know."

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

Xiao Jingfan lowered his head and kissed her on the cheek. "It's settled then."

Whenever he was extremely busy, there was always someone leisurely eating and drinking by his side. Over time, even an emperor would feel resentful.

If we're going to be busy, we'll be busy together.

Chu Liuzheng turned to look at him: "Working is paid for separately."

Don't expect to get something for nothing!

Xiao Jingfan thought for a moment and asked, "Is one island enough?"

Chu Liuzheng was stunned. Island island island? ??

Xiao Jingfan said, "Near Silver Sand Island there is an island called Moonlit Island. When the moon is shining, the entire island is shrouded in silver mist, like a fairyland. Legend has it that every time there is a full moon, the silver mist on the island will attract mermaids to sing. Fishermen have found the remains of mermaids on the island."

Chu Liuzheng exclaimed in surprise, "Are there really merfolk?"

“There are legends about it. I saw the remains of a mermaid when I was young, and they certainly don’t look like human bones.” Xiao Jingfan pinched her earlobe. “Once the pirates on Wangyue Island are wiped out, I will take you to Yuelu Island for a few days. If you are satisfied, Yuelu Island will be yours.”

“Okay!” Chu Liuzheng blurted out.

Xiao Jingfan chuckled softly, the candlelight reflecting in his eyes like shattered stars. "You promised this yourself."

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

Oh dear, it seems I've sold myself for an island.

*
The following day, Chu Liuzheng, who had sold himself for an island, started working. His job was to help the emperor review memorials.

Of course, these weren't important memorials concerning national affairs, but rather those casual reports from people trying to get close to the emperor, offering to send him various local specialties, and reports praising their achievements for trivial matters. They were all extremely long, and each one, if picked out, was a moving tale of the deep bond between the emperor and his subjects, giving Chu Liuzheng goosebumps.

She checked the system to verify the facts while issuing her approval.

Instead of wasting time flattering the tyrant, can't you at least fix the irrigation canal? Can't you do something practical for the people? You're just holding a position without doing anything, dishonest and insincere—get back to fixing the canal!

Want to send oranges to the tyrant? Sure, send something sweet instead!

[The local gentry donated funds to build an academy, but women are not allowed to attend. Your place of teaching and nurturing is engaging in gender discrimination! Even academies in the capital don't have rules against female students; you're the exception. Quickly change the rules! As long as you can afford the tuition, both men and women can attend!]

[Sending beauties to a tyrant? Wow, four stunning beauties with different charms! Being an emperor must be so great! I'll take them all… uh, wait a minute, it's not like I'm taking concubines, why would I take them all! Using beauty to curry favor with the emperor, reprimand!]

[Another one sending local produce to the tyrant, a handful of snow? No, is your snow made of gold? Sending a handful of snow from a thousand miles away is a waste of manpower and resources, what a waste! He has to be scolded!] Chu Liuzheng was writing furiously with his head down, while Xiao Jingfan was listening with amusement.

He was happy, but Zhou Yuande was not so happy.

Since ancient times, the imperial harem has been forbidden from interfering in politics. If this matter gets out, wouldn't the imperial court be thrown into chaos?
Whether the previous dynasty was overthrown or not is unknown, but the Imperial Medical Academy and Changchun Palace almost did.

Because Prince Cheng, who was being treated at the Imperial Hospital, ran away and broke into Changchun Palace, knocking down the Empress, the little prince was so frightened that he cried loudly and could not be soothed no matter what he did.

After hearing the eunuch's report, Chu Liuzheng immediately pulled the emperor to watch the spectacle... no, to check on the empress.

Chaos reigned in Changchun Palace. Prince Cheng was being held by four eunuchs, his eyes fixed blankly ahead, his expression vacant, muttering repeatedly, "Beauty, beauty, Lan'er..."

Empress Zhong's maiden name was Wenlan.

After leaving the Imperial Hospital, Prince Cheng went straight to Changchun Palace and even called the Empress by her maiden name... Everyone in Changchun Palace wished they were deaf.

A faint smell of blood lingered in the hall as Imperial Physician Li directed Qiu Sui to treat the wounds on Empress Zhong's face.

When Prince Cheng stormed into Changchun Palace, Empress Zhong was taking a walk in the garden with the young prince. She was caught off guard and was tackled. Prince Cheng bit her right cheek and neck.

Her face was lacerated and bleeding, and her neck was covered in teeth marks. If the palace servants hadn't pulled her away, Empress Zhong would have also been bleeding from her neck.

Qiu Sui was heartbroken and cursed Prince Cheng in her heart.

Empress Zhong tilted her head slightly, enduring the pain as she asked, "How is Yan'er?"

"The little prince is not injured, just a little frightened," Qiu Sui said softly. "The wet nurse has already calmed him down."

"That's good," said Empress Zhong. "Send two capable people to escort Yan'er to the Wanshou Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager."

How could a child who is not even a year old understand what greeting is?
Qiu Sui glanced at her master, then went out to give instructions.

Empress Zhong looked in the mirror and saw a large patch of gauze on her face.

"Imperial Physician Li, will this injury on my face leave a scar?"

Physician Li cupped his hands and said, "Your humble servant will do his utmost."

Not receiving any assurance, Empress Zhong frowned slightly, but then she thought that Chu Liuzheng's hand injury was so severe that it didn't leave a scar, and since her face only had a small wound, it should be fine.

So she didn't make things difficult for Physician Li. Just as she was about to send someone to escort him out, she suddenly heard a loud shout from outside, "His Majesty has arrived!"

It came so quickly.

Whether she was more pleased or surprised, Empress Zhong tidied her hair in front of the mirror, then got up to go out to greet them.

"Bless your Majesty."

"Get up, all of you." Xiao Jingfan waved his hand, glanced at Prince Cheng who was being held down by four eunuchs, then at the Empress with injuries on her face, and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

"It's freezing outside, Your Majesty, please come inside to speak." Empress Zhong stepped aside and invited the emperor into the hall.

"Bring him in," Xiao Jingfan ordered, pulling Chu Liuzheng into the hall.

In the instant they brushed past each other, Chu Liuzheng saw the gauze on the Empress's neck.

[Good heavens, Prince Cheng is biting pretty hard! Is he treating the Empress like a dish? The Imperial Hospital isn't starving him either.]

Chu Liuzheng didn't understand why Prince Cheng, who had never shown any tendency to hurt anyone and only called out "beauty," would bite the Empress, but that didn't stop her from watching the spectacle with great interest.

Hehe, the most interesting thing is seeing enemies in a fight.

(End of this chapter)