Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 226: She Never Lets People Down

Su Juan was nearly driven mad by busyness lately. If it weren’t for Yu Zhong’s help, she probably wouldn’t even have time to enter the palace to dine with the Empress.

But the Old Emperor insisted on giving her more tasks.

Previously, he himself had already released all the people from Prince Jing Mansion without any charges. Now he wanted her to take responsibility for Princess Jing—how could things be done like this?

The Old Emperor looked at her, remaining silent for a moment, "Is there a difficulty?"

Su Juan smiled, "No, no difficulty."

She kept a smiling face but inwardly she was gritting her teeth: [Don’t you know yourself if there’s a difficulty?]

[You pardoned them yourself, now you want me to be the bad guy, who does that to their own granddaughter?]

The Old Emperor sneered inwardly, how much has this young girl done to wrong me for you to argue?

"Do a good job, don’t let me down."

"Granddaughter will definitely do a good job."

The Old Emperor glanced around, sensing the palace was unusually quiet; indeed, it was time for some joyous event.

"Recently, I’ve discussed with the Ministry of Rites that once you’re done with your current tasks, we’ll submit the procedures for enfeoffed you as Crown Princess. Many in court think highly of you, so do your work well and don’t be anxious."

"If there are any matters you can’t decide for yourself, consult Cai Yi."

Su Juan nodded, "Granddaughter understands."

She thought to herself: [Time flies indeed. I remember when I was still pitiful in Prince Jing Mansion, and now I’m about to become Crown Princess.]

Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn’t help but feel worried. If she could, she truly didn’t want her granddaughter to be trapped within this Imperial City, but now there was no other choice.

After the meal, the Emperor and Su Juan left the Empress Palace. On the way, the Old Emperor said again, "You’re not too young now, it’s time to seriously consider marriage. I’ve been thinking that once you are enfeoffed as Crown Princess, we’ll hold a poetry meeting in the palace and select two suitable candidates among those of appropriate age in the Capital."

While speaking, he observed Su Juan, wanting to see her reaction. After all, the future Imperial Consort could not be chosen carelessly, they must possess good character.

Next to him, Su Juan’s temple throbbed, she immediately refused, "Grandfather, there’s no rush for this. There are many more important matters in court to address now, let’s talk about it later."

She could only dream that, as an avowed bachelorette, the Old Emperor would now want her to take on an Imperial Consort—two, no less?!

In her mind, Su Juan couldn’t help but conjure some unspeakable scenarios... such fortune is truly not something everyone can handle.

But the Old Emperor frowned tightly, assuming Su Juan had someone she loved, "This matter can’t be delayed. I’ll choose someone with an appropriate family background and talent for you. If you have someone else you like, you can accept them too." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Saying this, he waved his sleeve and led his people away without giving Su Juan any chance to refuse.

The Old Emperor’s temper was fully displayed at that moment.

What Imperial Consort...

Su Juan’s head was pounding, she shook her head to rid herself of all those jumbled thoughts. Right now, the most important thing was to solve Song Qianfan’s case first. After Song Qianfan’s incident, Yan Zizhan fled from the Capital City, intending to go to the Southern Country, but the people she arranged caught him in an ambush.

Yet, despite all this time, nothing had been extracted from him during interrogation.

This man was just left there, shrouded in mystery, unreadable.

Su Juan thought, the critical thing was to clarify the Pei Family’s case and restore their innocence.

The evidence regarding the Pei Family’s case might indeed be in Prince Han’s hands, and it seemed she needed to visit the Han Prince Mansion.

...

The next day, Su Juan went with Yu Zhong to the Han Prince Mansion. They waited a long time but didn’t see Prince Han; in the end, it was Song Jingwen who came to meet them.

Song Jingwen placed a stack of letters and a piece of bloodstained cloth, long written upon, on the table, "These are what Father asked me to hand over, saying they are what you wanted."

Yu Zhong picked up the items and looked at Su Juan, not in a hurry to check the letters.

Su Juan frowned slightly, as she came this time intending to see Prince Han. Back then, Pei Lianshan and Prince Han were close friends; perhaps he knew more about this matter.

But since Song Qianfan’s rebellion, Prince Han had been claiming illness, not attending court, and refusing to see anyone.

"Please ask the Princely Heir to convey that I’d like to see him."

Song Jingwen sighed, "As I said earlier, Father is truly unwell and doesn’t want to see anyone."

Yu Zhong, knowing Su Juan’s intent was to hasten the clarification of the Pei Family case, noted that she had visited many others recently and had already made some headway. Still, if Prince Han didn’t want to meet, she couldn’t force him.

"Your Highness, perhaps we should come another day," Yu Zhong suggested.

After all, standing here deadlocked was a waste of time, and there were still many other matters to address.

Su Juan sighed softly, "Very well."

Since they already had the letters, it was best to return and see how they might help the case, then seek him out later.

This old case was truly exhausting to investigate. Luckily, Yu Zhong didn’t find it troublesome, running about with her every day.

...

After they left, Song Jingwen went to see Prince Han, who was watering flowers in the backyard, "Father, they’re already gone."

Prince Han nodded, "Hmm."

Song Jingwen wanted to leave but couldn’t help but ask about what had happened, "Father has always regarded General Pei as a close friend, why not go out to meet Princess Jinyang and people from the Ministry of Justice now?"

With the Pei Family case being reinvestigated, wasn’t this what Father had always longed for?

Prince Han paused his watering, setting down the wooden ladle he was holding, "What do you think of Su Juan?"

Song Jingwen pondered, "I have interacted with her before; her intentions are pure, she is solely committed to the court. She handled the Xu State affair excellently, and the people of Xu State praise her without exception. Now she has also dealt with Song Qianfan and the Yu Family’s treason, the people in the Capital City speak highly of her."

Prince Han replied, "If she is truly intent on investigating the Pei Family case, she will naturally exonerate them. If she is not sincerely investigating, it will be futile even if I see her."

There are many individuals like Song Qianfan; one act of treason implicates countless people, including innocent ones, all for personal gain.

Song Jingwen frowned, "Is Father suggesting she is taking on this matter for personal merit and merely making a show of it?"

Prince Han did not answer directly, "If she genuinely wants to overturn the Pei Family case and ascends to the throne one day, she would indeed be a good ruler."

But if she merely wanted to use the Pei Family case to build some prestige, it would indeed be disappointing.

Song Jingwen understood, Father wanted to see Su Juan’s sincerity and capability.

After all, such a case was once decided by the late Emperor, overturning it would mean challenging the previous verdict, proving that the late Emperor’s suspicion led to the execution of Pei Lianshan’s entire clan—what a potent and tragic Chapter in history, and Su Juan would have to endure much criticism because of it.

"I understand, Father."

Prince Han sighed, hoping, she is not one to disappoint.