I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 532 Extra 2 times

The next day, Yu Zhui came over to express her gratitude after arranging the tea room duties.

“You shouldn’t be distant from Moxiang either. Moxiang treats you like a younger sister and cares a lot about Zhao Yue. You kept Zhao Yue’s accident a secret from her; she’ll be heartbroken if she finds out.” Chu Liuzheng helped her up. “Even if things get really bad, there’s Chenxing, Siyue, Xiaxiazi, and Xiaoyunzi. More people mean more ideas. Why are you hiding and crying so early in the morning?”

Yu Zhui blushed upon hearing this and stammered, "I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"It's only troublesome things that can't be solved." Chu Liuzheng pulled her to sit down and ordered someone to serve tea.

"Zhao Yue has met the wrong person, it's not her fault. Xiao Yunzi has found her a place to stay and hired a doctor. With people from the Ping Le Marquis's mansion watching over her, the Zou family mother and son won't dare to cause trouble. You can rest assured."

[Those two were practically half-dead from being beaten up by Chenxing and Xiaoyunzi, and they're lying in bed unable to get up. They don't even have the chance to cause trouble.]

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yu Zhui's eyes reddened with emotion. She stood up and knelt before Chu Liuzheng. "What virtue or ability do I have to deserve Your Majesty's favor? Please accept my bow."

If you won't feel at ease accepting it, then I'll accept it.

After Yu Zhui finished bowing, Chu Liuzheng helped her up. "Alright, wipe your tears. I have something I need your advice on."

She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, wiped away her tears with her jade pendant, and said, "Please give your orders, Your Majesty."

Chu Liuzheng smiled and ordered someone to bring Moxiang over.

Soon, Mo Xiang arrived carrying a box of portraits.

The jade pendant asked in confusion, "What's this for?"

Chu Liuzheng and Moxiang exchanged a glance. Moxiang smiled and said, "Her Majesty has selected some officials from among the hundred officials who are of good family background and character, and are of similar age to you. Take a look and if you choose one, Her Majesty will ask His Majesty to grant you a marriage, so that you can have your wish fulfilled."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhui's face turned completely red.

Who tells their daughter to choose like this?

She was caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to decide whether to stay or leave, and the handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to shreds.

Seeing this, Mo Xiang pulled her aside, ordered someone to open the portraits, and held them up one by one for her to see, saying with a smile, "Your life's most important matter should not be taken lightly, so open your eyes wide and choose carefully."

Yu Zhui blushed crimson and lightly slapped Mo Xiang, saying, "You're just making fun of me!"

Chu Liuzheng, always eager for drama, said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you don't choose, I won't take care of you anymore, and don't come begging me later."

"Your Majesty!" Yu Zhui stamped her foot in embarrassment, "How could you..."

If Chu Liuzheng weren't the Empress, she would have already chased after her and attacked her.

It had been a long time since they had seen her so embarrassed. Chu Liuzheng and Moxiang covered their mouths and laughed, just like when the three of them used to live together and tease each other.

In the end, Yu Zhui made her choice. She selected a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Works who was in charge of water conservancy. His name was Su Yu, and he was twenty-six years old and unmarried. His character could withstand the system's investigation, and he also had real skills.

When Chu Liuzheng told Xiao Jingfan about this, Xiao Jingfan looked at her and said, "You certainly know how to choose people."

Chu Liuzheng: "What? Is this Steward Su not good?"

Xiao Jingfan: "I plan to promote him next year, what do you think?"

Chu Liuzheng smiled: "Yu Zhui has excellent taste."

Xiao Jingfan saw through it but didn't say anything.

Chu Liuzheng took the teacup and presented it to him: "When do you plan to issue the decree?"

"I haven't agreed yet." Xiao Jingfan took the tea, took a sip, and glanced at her. "It's a bit unfair for Yu Zhui to be matched with his family background."

The one who felt wronged was not the jade pendant, but Su Yu.

Chu Liuzheng thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you first give a hint to Steward Su and find out his wishes? If he is willing, that's good. If not, the jade pendant can be chosen from someone else."

"This method is feasible," Xiao Jingfan nodded, indicating his agreement.

"You're so kind!" Chu Liuzheng immediately showered him with compliments, hugging him and giving him two kisses. "I'll be waiting for your good news."

Xiao Jingfan, who had only meant to ask casually, was speechless.

That's it.

He pulled out a book of approved memorials and ordered Zhou Yuande to summon Su Yu to the emperor's presence. That night, the emperor arrived at Changchun Palace, bringing bad news.

"Unwilling?" Chu Liuzheng was somewhat surprised. "Why are you unwilling?"

Xiao Jingfan took the hot towel and wiped his hands, saying, "Minister Su already has someone she likes."

[When was this? I checked the system a few days ago and it wasn't there yet!]

Chu Liuzheng quickly searched through the system and, after seeing who Su Yu's beloved was, her eyes widened in surprise.

[Funny! Su Yu is actually in love with the Eldest Princess!]

Xiao Jingfan: ! !
Chu Liuzheng took a shallow breath and said to the emperor, "Since Lord Su already has someone he likes, it is indeed not appropriate to force him. Let Yuzhui choose someone else."

[The jade pendant and the eldest princess bear absolutely no resemblance whatsoever in appearance, figure, or temperament. If Su Yu prefers the eldest princess's type, he most likely wouldn't like the jade pendant's. It would be better to find someone else for the jade pendant who has no one in her heart.]

She secretly planned to have the jade pendant selected again in a couple of days, and this time she would definitely choose a safe one.

Xiao Jingfan was thinking that he would have Mingxia sound out his sister's opinion another day. If his sister was also interested in Su Yu, he would keep him around to see. If not, he would send him to serve as an official outside the capital. Otherwise, he would be another Qin Lang.

A few days later, Chu Liuzheng found an opportunity to summon Yu Zhui to select a new person.

Upon learning that Su Yu already had someone he liked, Yu Zhui was somewhat disappointed, but she quickly recovered.

She chose people based on their looks anyway, so if Su Yu wasn't suitable, she would just find someone else. In any case, she trusted that Chu Liuzheng wouldn't harm her.

The second time, she chose a censor named Lin from the Ministry of Rites, a seventh-rank official, who was twenty-five years old. Because his parents had passed away one after another and he was observing three years of mourning, his fiancée couldn't wait, so the two families broke off the engagement, and they have not been engaged since.

Chu Liuzheng checked the system first to make sure that this Lin Jishizhong had no sweetheart and no messy female confidantes before going to find the emperor.

Xiao Jingfan readily agreed, immediately giving Chu Liuzheng the illusion that he had made a bad choice.

It's like bargaining at a market. If the vendor agrees to the price right away, you've definitely overcharged and lost out.

Since the messages in the system are inanimate, just to be on the safe side, Chu Liuzheng asked, "Is there anything wrong with this Lin, the censor?"

Xiao Jingfan shook his head and looked at her: "Why do you ask that?"

Chu Liuzheng spoke frankly: "You agreed too readily just now, as if you had gotten rid of a big problem."

Xiao Jingfan: "..."

He said helplessly, "There is nothing wrong with it. I will summon him in a moment and let you see the real person."

That would be great!

Chu Liuzheng smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Half an hour later, Lin, the censor, arrived, looking extremely nervous and apprehensive.

Chu Liuzheng took a look at him under the pretext of delivering soup to the emperor. He was quite a fine young man, fair-skinned but not weak, more spirited than in the portrait, and a good match for the jade pendant.

She winked at Xiao Jingfan discreetly; he was the one.

Xiao Jingfan nodded slightly.

Chu Liuzheng left with his men. Lin, the Imperial Censor, dared not look at the Empress, who was said to be the reincarnation of the Phoenix Maiden. Just as he was wondering why the Emperor had summoned him, he heard the Emperor say that he was to arrange a marriage for him.

Lin, the censor, was flattered and surprised. When he heard that the person he was to marry was a female official working in the tea room of the Wenhua Hall, he immediately agreed without any objection.

Having finally accomplished the task entrusted to him by his wife, Xiao Jingfan was overjoyed and rewarded him with a set of writing implements, telling him to go back and wait for news.

Lin, the censor, was so happy he was practically floating on air when he bumped right into a palace maid who was bringing him tea.

"Oh dear." Looking at her skirt, which was now soaked with tea, Yu Zhui said with annoyance, "How do you walk like that?"

She looked up and froze.

Isn't this the gentleman in the painting?

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going and accidentally bumped into you, young lady." For some reason, Lin felt his heart beating a little fast, and he hurriedly clasped his hands in a salute, "Please don't take offense, young lady."

(End of this chapter)