I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 521 One-to-One
Chu Liuzheng raised an eyebrow, put down his chopsticks, and said, "You two, just say what you have to say."

Upon hearing this, Siyue waved her hand, dismissing all the palace servants, leaving only her and Chenxing.

The two sat down on either side of Chu Liuzheng, their four eyes looking at her with concern. "Sister, are you alright?"

Chu Liuzheng asked in confusion, "What could possibly be wrong with me?"

"His Majesty must be going to Maohua Palace on important business." Chenxing raised her hand to assure the emperor, "His Majesty only has eyes for my sister, so she doesn't need to worry."

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

She wasn't worried at all, was she?

She said, "I told you before that you shouldn't accept a man who can be stolen away from you, have you forgotten?"

The two said in unison, "We haven't forgotten."

"It's good that you haven't forgotten." Chu Liuzheng invited the two to have dinner with her.

Compared to the reserved demeanor of Mo Xiang and the others, Si Yue and Chen Xing were always at ease in front of her. The three of them chatted and laughed, enjoying their meal to the fullest.

After the meal, Chu Liuzheng, on a whim, pulled the two of them outside to practice a set of health-preserving boxing to aid digestion.

After a set of punches, my clothes were soaked with sweat. The summer evening breeze made the sweat stick to my body, making it very uncomfortable.

Chenxing instructed someone to prepare hot water.

With the moon high in the sky, Chu Liuzheng finished his bath, did some simple skincare, lay down on the bed, and drifted off to sleep.

In the fourth month, they blew out the candles in the palace and quietly withdrew outside.

Hearing the door close, Chenxing, who was sitting on the stone steps by the door, turned around and asked, "Asleep?"

"Mm." Mitsuki nodded and plopped down on the stone steps.

Chen Xing stepped on the flickering candlelight beside her and whispered, "My lord, you're worrying too much. My sister is very easygoing and doesn't care at all."

"I still care." Mitsuki looked up at the moon, her voice soft. "My sister likes to lie down after meals. When have you ever seen her finish a whole set of punches?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xing pouted and forcefully stepped on the candlelight that was swaying at her feet.

When the imperial carriage stopped at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it was already past midnight. The bedchamber was pitch black, completely unlike the scene Xiao Jingfan had imagined of someone unable to sleep and waiting for him to return.

He stared at the dark bedroom for a while, then went to wash up and change his clothes before getting into bed, still damp from the sweat.

Half-asleep, Chu Liuzheng sensed a noise beside him and rolled over, skillfully pulling open his thin, soft nightgown. His soft hands moved from his chest muscles to his abdominal muscles, as if to confirm, and he asked indistinctly, "Is your hair dry?"

"Mmm." Xiao Jingfan hugged the person and coaxed softly, "Go to sleep."

"Mmm." Chu Liuzheng buried her face in his chest, surrounded by sandalwood incense, and fell into a deep sleep without any worries.

Xiao Jingfan lowered his head and kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes and falling asleep.

The next day, Chu Liuzheng, who was awakened by the noise of the emperor getting up to attend court and wanted to go back to sleep but could not fall back asleep, received a report that Consort Chun had arrived.

It's only six o'clock, don't they need to get their beauty sleep?

"Please come in, I'll be there shortly." She yawned, and was helped by palace servants to wash and dress. She also drank a cup of refreshing tea before going to greet the guest.

The moment she saw Consort Chun, she instantly sobered up.

【Wow~ Beauty! 】

Consort Chun wore a peacock blue palace gown today, embroidered with gold peonies, its light shimmering with every movement. Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with pearls and jade, especially a peacock hairpin with dangling pearls that sparkled in the candlelight. Her makeup was exquisite and flawless, her features were like a painting, and her entire demeanor was graceful and dignified, like a peony in full bloom.

Looking at Chu Liuzheng herself, for the sake of comfort, her cloud-like black hair was loosely tied up with a hairband, and she wore no jewelry. Although her clothes were made of rare and fine material, their plain color made them seem to have little presence in the face of her bright attire.

[Tsk tsk, clothes really do make the man (or woman). Since they're dressed so elegantly, shouldn't I go back and dress up a bit to show respect?]

Just as Chu Liuzheng was struggling with whether to use this as an excuse to go out, Consort Chun Zhao was also sizing her up. As she looked at her, a hint of mockery flashed across her beautiful eyes.

It wasn't directed at Chu Liuzheng, but at herself. She had always believed that no man in the world was unmoved by beauty, so every time she met the emperor, she would dress up as best she could, hoping that the emperor's gaze would linger on her for a little longer.

But now that she sees Chu Liuzheng, she understands that those who are truly favored don't need these things; they just need to be themselves.

"Sit down and talk." Chu Liuzheng didn't know why Consort Chun had come to see him. He thought that since she came so early and was so well-dressed, she probably hadn't had breakfast like him. So he ordered someone to bring him food. How could they talk business on an empty stomach?

Her calm attitude, seemingly without any resentment or hostility towards her, surprised Consort Chun.

Didn't Lady Chu mind at all that the Emperor stayed at Maohua Palace until late last night?

Seeing Chu Liuzheng sit down on his own, Consort Chun also sat down opposite him at the round table. She watched as palace servants filed in and a table was set with various breakfast dishes.

Perhaps due to the excessive exertion from boxing last night, Chu Liuzheng was truly hungry. She called out to Chun Zhaoyi and began to eat, with Siyue serving her food.

They actually started eating like that?
Consort Chun had never been alone with Chu Liuzheng before. In all her years in the palace, this was the first time she had encountered such a situation, and she was momentarily stunned.

Seeing that Chu Liuzheng was focused on eating and really didn't intend to pay attention to her, Consort Chun had no choice but to give Qingyi a wink, and Qingyi also stepped forward to serve her food.

For a moment, only the faint clinking of bowls and chopsticks could be heard in the hall.

After the meal, the palace servants came forward to remove the food and dishes, and the two drank tea to cleanse their palates.

A wisp of smoke drifted from the lotus-shaped incense burner on the table, and the delicate jasmine fragrance gradually masked the lingering aroma of the food.

Chu Liuzheng gently placed the white porcelain teacup on the table, looked at the beauty opposite him, and went straight to the point: "You've come so early, I wonder what business Your Highness has with me?"

Consort Chun glanced at the incense burner on the table and answered irrelevantly, "Is this how you usually interact with His Majesty?"

Chu Liuzheng: ?

"What kind?"

Is something wrong?

Seeing the blank look in her eyes, Consort Chun seemed to have thought of something, and smiled self-deprecatingly, "I came only to please His Majesty."

Chu Liuzheng blurted out reflexively, "You're sick too?"

"Yes." Consort Chun Zhao nodded, her pearl earring swaying gently on her cheek. "After being ill for several years, it's time to find a good medicine."

[Wow, what did the tyrant and Consort Chun talk about last night? Consort Chun actually agreed to leave the palace voluntarily!]

Chu Liuzheng stared at the beauty opposite him for a moment, then said, "If you are determined to go, I will make arrangements as soon as possible."

"Thank you." Consort Chun Zhao took a sip of tea. "Furthermore, I have another request."

Chu Liuzheng: "Hmm?"

Consort Chun said, "The journey to the imperial palace is long and I will be lonely. I would like to ask Consort Dou to accompany me so that we can talk and keep each other company on the way."

Chu Liuzheng: "..."

[Fun Frog! What benefits did the tyrant promise Consort Chun that made her willing to take on one person at a time?]

She said, "We should ask Consort Dou's opinion first..."

"Why ask her?" Consort Chun frowned slightly as she stared at Chu Liuzheng. "The Phoenix Seal is in your hands. She's just a minor noblewoman. She has no choice but to agree."

Chu Liuzheng: "Isn't this inappropriate?"

At least ask them if they're willing before making a decision.

"Hypocritical!" Consort Chun snorted, disdainful of Chu Liuzheng's pretentious act. "I will personally persuade her; you just need to prepare the carriage."

Chu Liuzheng had no doubt about Consort Chun's fighting ability and silently lit a candle for Consort Dou in his heart.

May your enemy rest in peace~

(End of this chapter)