I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 517 The Worst Person in the World

"This servant understands." Yan Hui was well aware of her mistress's intentions towards the princess, and once again realized that she had been bewitched. How could she have thought that the Duke of Ying's mansion had sent these bracelets for her mistress's benefit?
"Get up." Consort Shu waved her hand and called her up, then turned to look out the window. "Father is anxious, but I cannot be hasty. I must have other methods. Let me think about it some more."

His voice was low and soft, as if he were speaking to Yan Hui, or perhaps talking to himself.

After being cooped up in the house for two days, Chu Liuzheng couldn't stay idle any longer and took his men for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.

Flowers bloom in profusion, and exotic plants vie for attention. Every step reveals a new vista, making it a feast for the eyes.

"People should get out and about more often." With a gentle wave of his fan, Chu Liuzheng walked along the path through the flowers and noticed that the jasmine plants that had lost all their leaves a few days ago had been replanted and were now thriving, with buds blooming like stars and a rich fragrance.

She was just about to ask someone to cut some branches to make bracelets when she suddenly heard footsteps ahead.

Princess Huirong, dressed in a light pink dress, appeared at the end of the path, her matching hair ribbon fluttering in the wind. She ran while looking back, her thin face full of tension.

The little princess was running so fast that she wasn't looking where she was going and bumped into Chu Liuzheng. She was startled and cried out "Ah!" as she looked up.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Chu Liuzheng bent down to help her steady herself.

"It doesn't hurt." Princess Huirong shook her head. Hearing someone call her, she hurriedly hid behind Chu Liuzheng, grabbing her skirt with one hand and pressing the other to her lips. Her neck and shoulders shrank up, and her childish voice was full of tension, "Don't tell anyone I'm here."

As soon as she finished speaking, a group of palace servants, led by Yan Hui, caught up with her. When they saw Chu Liuzheng there, they were taken aback and stepped forward to bow, saying, "Greetings, Miss."

"Get up." Chu Liuzheng waved his hand and stepped aside. "The princess is here."

Princess Huirong, caught off guard and exposed: !
The little girl stared wide-eyed at Chu Liuzheng with her fists clenched and her head tilted back, her eyes filled with accusation.

Chu Liuzheng shrugged. "I didn't promise to keep it a secret for you."

Princess Huirong: ! !

She was so angry at being caught that she had to go back and take her medicine. She stomped her feet and pointed her little finger at Chu Liuzheng: "You're bad! You bad woman!"

"You're stupid, you silly child." Chu Liuzheng bent down to look her in the eye. "Who told you to trust a bad woman like me so easily? If I were you, I would keep running and hide behind the flowers and trees or behind the rockery."

Princess Huirong: !!!
For the first time since birth, someone had dared to call her stupid to her face. She was so angry her eyes reddened, and she pouted, saying, "You're mean!"

Chu Liuzheng calmly retorted, "You're stupid."

Princess Huirong: "You're bad, you're bad, you're the worst!"

Chu Liuzheng: "You're stupid, you're stupid, you're the stupidest."

Princess Huirong: "You are the worst person in the world!"

Chu Liuzheng: "You're the dumbest person in the world."

Princess Huirong, who was still young and had a limited vocabulary of insults: "..."

The little princess had never encountered such a vicious and petty adult, and immediately burst into tears.

"Princess." Yan Hui hugged the person back with heartache, her eyes filled with a hint of reproach as she looked at Chu Liuzheng.

How old are you? Why are you still arguing with a child?
Chu Liuzheng blinked. "Are you dissatisfied with me?"

"This servant dares not." Yan Hui lowered her eyes, picked up the princess, and led her entourage to take their leave.

Princess Huirong leaned on Yan Hui's shoulder, staring at Chu Liuzheng with teary eyes, and waved her little fist, "I hate you, you bad woman."

Chu Liuzheng grinned.

Hey, teasing kids is more fun than looking at flowers.

News travels fastest in the palace. By the time Chu Liuzheng arrived at the Wenhua Hall, the news that she had scolded Princess Huirong until she cried had already reached the emperor's ears.

"The little princess is innocent and naive; I'm teaching her the wickedness of the human heart." Chu Liuzheng scooped a spoonful of peeled pomegranate seeds into his mouth, resolutely refusing to admit that he had only wanted to tease the child on a whim.

Helpless, Xiao Jingfan ordered someone to send some trinkets to Zhaoyang Palace to appease Princess Huirong. In the afternoon, Consort Shu sent Yan Hui to invite Chu Liuzheng to Zhaoyang Palace for a visit.

Chen Xing was about to refuse as usual, but to her surprise, Chu Liuzheng agreed. After tidying herself up, she followed Yan Hui to Zhaoyang Palace.

On the way, Yan Hui suddenly stopped at the fork in the road and turned to the side, saying, "Miss, please come this way. Her Majesty is waiting for you at Bilan Pavilion."

Chu Liuzheng looked at her. "Weren't we in Zhaoyang Palace?"

Yan Hui lowered her head and replied, "Miss is the reincarnation of a phoenix maiden, of noble status. This morning, the princess was rude to you and offended you. Her Majesty was uneasy and specially set up a small banquet at Bilan Pavilion to apologize to you on behalf of the princess."

“Children speak without thinking, how could I hold a grudge against the princess?” Chu Liuzheng looked at the sky. “I suddenly don’t want to go anymore. Chenxing, Siyue, let’s go back.”

Seeing Chu Liuzheng turn to leave with his men, Yan Hui hurriedly said, "Wait, young lady, please stay."

Chu Liuzheng turned to look at him: "Is there anything else?"

Yan Hui curtsied and said, "Your Majesty sincerely invites you; please do me the honor of having a chat."

"Hmm." Chu Liuzheng looked at her and smiled. "What if I don't do you the honor?"

Yan Hui: "..."

Why is this guy surnamed Chu so stubborn and difficult to deal with?
Just then, a sulky little figure came running from afar, past Yan Hui, grabbed Chu Liuzheng's skirt and shook it, whispering, "I was wrong."

Chu Liuzheng raised an eyebrow in surprise, squatted down to look at the little princess, and asked, "You're not going to call me a bad woman anymore?"

“My mother said it’s wrong to curse people so casually,” Princess Huirong pouted and muttered. “I apologize to you.”

Chu Liuzheng reached out and pinched her cheek. "What if I don't accept your apology?"

"You!" Princess Huirong's eyes widened, and she stood there stunned, never expecting that Chu Liuzheng would refuse.

She even apologized on her own initiative!
They actually refused to accept it!!

The little princess is so angry! So angry!! So angry!!

Ugh, I'm such a bad auntie.

Seeing tears welling up in Princess Huirong's eyes, Chu Liuzheng coughed lightly and said magnanimously, "Alright, I accept your apology and won't hold it against you."

The little princess who was about to cry: "..."

This is a strange woman!

"Your mother is waiting for you. Come with me." Princess Huirong grabbed Chu Liuzheng's hand and led him towards Bilan Pavilion.

Chu Liuzheng did not resist and let the little girl lead him. Chen Xing and the others followed.

Seeing this, Yan Hui breathed a sigh of relief, gave the eunuch behind her a wink, and waited for the eunuch to leave before following him.

Bilan Pavilion is a three-story building built by the Imperial Household Department at the behest of the late emperor. The first floor is used to display calligraphy and paintings, the second floor is used to entertain guests, and the third floor is used to place beds for rest.

When the late emperor was alive, he would come to the second floor to sit on rainy days, either brewing tea and listening to the rain, or playing the zither by the window, and sometimes he would summon his concubines to accompany him.

Since the late emperor passed away, few people have come here, and there are even rumors of it being haunted.

Chu Liuzheng had been here twice before and found the place to be quiet and undisturbed, perfect for taking a nap.

She took Princess Huirong's small hand and went up to the second floor. She parted the beaded curtain and went inside, but she did not see Consort Shu.

Princess Huirong exclaimed "Huh?" and turned her little head to look around. "Where is Mother?"

(End of this chapter)