Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!

The Old Emperor, overwhelmed by annoyance, directly left the rear hall, leaving Su Juan kneeling outside.

He took a walk around the Imperial Garden and then headed straight to the Empress Palace, thinking to himself that it had been quite some time since he last visited the Empress Palace for tea.

Recently, he had been quite busy, but after the New Year, when the Crown Princess is officially appointed, many affairs could be entrusted to that girl, and he could then enjoy some leisure time. However, that girl is quite stubborn, always needing a resolution to whatever she sets her mind on.

But when the Old Emperor arrived at the Empress Palace, he was stopped directly by the nanny.

"Your Majesty, the Empress is not feeling well and has just gone to bed. She has instructed not to see anyone. Perhaps Your Majesty could come at another hour?"

The nanny used to be more tactful in her speech, but over the years, having refused many times, she had gotten used to it. Perhaps it was because His Majesty was well aware of the reasons and did not want to displease the Empress.

The Old Emperor’s temple throbbed. Not feeling well, yet able to instruct the underlings to send a mat to Su Juan?

Already asleep and yet able to instruct palace attendants to send refreshments to Su Juan?

I may pretend to be ignorant, but I’m not truly so!

Clearly, the Empress is blaming me, because Su Juan is kneeling outside the hall and implicating me.

This Su Juan, she insisted on kneeling, but it’s me, the Emperor, who ends up feeling uncomfortable. She enjoys food and drink, yet I can’t even get a cup of tea at the Empress’. She’s really making trouble for me!

...

Su Juan continued to kneel until the sky began to darken. Duke Ping was summoned to the palace and, upon seeing Su Juan kneeling there, sighed deeply, "You, oh you!"

So clever in usual matters, how could she rely only on the tactic of self-injury at this moment?

Su Juan, however, felt that although the tactic of self-injury was basic, at this time, it was not suitable to use little tricks. Besides, using the tactic of self-injury appropriately could win people’s hearts.

Duke Ping hurried into the hall, staying for nearly half an hour, before emerging with a Holy Decree in hand, standing in front of Su Juan, "Why don’t you quickly help Her Highness up?"

The nearby eunuchs hurriedly stepped forward to assist.

Su Juan immediately took the Holy Decree to examine it, then smiled, "The Old Emperor really can, he didn’t listen to those silly words of the Imperial Censor."

Inside the hall, the Old Emperor snorted coldly, and thought, I am not truly ignorant, do I need you all to worry about what I should do?

Today, it can be said that this girl was given a taste of suffering.

Duke Ping sighed, and who would have thought that the sensational case from years ago, which no one dared mention, would now be turned over through the efforts of a young girl? Tomorrow, the Holy Decree will proclaim to the world, letting all know the innocence of the Dingbei Army in those days.

The people of the world will also know the mistake of the late Emperor.

This Holy Decree from His Majesty was truly not easy, yet this girl managed to request it.

The next day, the Old Emperor indeed issued a decree, clearing decades of injustices against the Pei Family. The Dingbei Army of those years did not commit treason, Song Qianhang was released without guilt, the Pei family name was restored, Pei Lianshan was posthumously given the title of Marquis of First Rank, and the Pei Mansion was returned.

The Old Emperor also decreed that Duke Ping would handle this matter, issuing documents to all states and counties, compensating and comforting those who were implicated due to the incident those years ago.

The court and the public were shocked, and the news spread throughout the Capital City.

When Prince Han learned of this, Song Jingwen was by his side, and the expression on his face was evidently a bit surprised.

"She really did it."

Song Jingwen remarked, "I heard she kneeled in the palace for a whole day yesterday, and only then did His Majesty issue the decree. She was supported out of the palace and couldn’t even walk."

Prince Han said nothing more, but in his heart, he made a decision to request to return to the border after the New Year.

...

After coming out of the Ministry of Justice Prison, Song Qianhang did not return to the Prince Jing Mansion. Instead, he reverted to the surname Pei and used his original name, Pei Yu’an.

Xie Xun and others threw a banquet at a restaurant in his honor, and Liu Miaoying and Liu Xuan both attended, yet Su Juan was notably absent.

Seeing Pei Yu’an frequently look outside, clearly waiting for someone, Xie Xun took a few sips of wine and said, "Su Juan has recently been busy taking over many matters. Given that after the New Year she will be formally appointed, and it’s already the end of the year, she probably won’t come today."

The implication was for Pei Yu’an to stop waiting.

Suddenly, Liu Miaoying spoke up, "I heard that at the end of the year, His Majesty is hosting a poetry gathering in the palace to choose a spouse for her?"

Xie Xun nodded repeatedly, taking a great interest, "Yes, the old man has been introducing her to sons of noble families these days, talking about their talents or who is more handsome. Recently, she has been avoiding him."

Liu Miaoying laughed, "It seems this time, she won’t be able to avoid it."

Xie Xun: "Indeed, I am also curious, who will it finally be..."

The speaker may have spoken without intent, but the listener took it to heart.

Liu Xuan said nothing, but his hand slightly tightened around his wine glass.

Opposite him, Pei Yu’an’s eyes darkened.

Liu Miaoying observed the two of them inconspicuously, with intentions in their minds, yet making choices was difficult.

...

That day, Su Juan indeed did not go to the restaurant. After her busy schedule, she only wanted to lie down back home. Just as she instructed that she wouldn’t receive visitors today, Yu Zhong came looking for her.

Su Juan thought he had something urgent and asked to meet in the front hall.

Before the tea was even served, Yu Zhong spoke frankly about the reason for his visit, "I heard His Majesty intends to choose a suitable husband for Her Highness from those of age in the Capital?"

Su Juan paused slightly and looked at Yu Zhong, recalling what Shen Ruhui mentioned that day...

[Surely not... he can’t be here to recommend himself as a consort, can he!?]

Yu Zhong heard this, and in a gentle voice said, "I am aware that Her Highness is not inclined to choose a husband, having more important matters unfulfilled. But this husband will have to be chosen eventually, and delaying will not help."

"Why not choose me?"

Su Juan was silent.

Yu Zhong continued, "We get along reasonably well."

Su Juan: "But there is no affection."

Fearing that Yu Zhong might pursue this too zealously and go astray, she patiently advised, "You already have such achievements, be patient for a few more years and success is inevitable. Why worry about the future for your Yu family?"

Yu Zhong originally came to seek Su Juan’s intention. If she agreed, he would then reveal his feelings to the Emperor. If she was unwilling, he couldn’t force it upon her.

"It seems Your Highness is rejecting me."

Su Juan solemnly said, "You should marry a wife who shares mutual understanding, rather than treating marriage as a business to calculate gains and losses."

At this point, Yu Zhong understood clearly in his heart.

He stood up, bowed to Su Juan, "I understand, regarding today’s matter..."

Su Juan smiled, "Mr. Yu’s prospects are bright, I’ll just pretend you never visited today."

Yu Zhong felt slightly disappointed but did not mention it further, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Clearly, Su Juan had no interest in him, and matters of affection indeed could not be forced.

...

After Yu Zhong left, Shen Ruhui came by and happened to see Yu Zhong on the way out. When entering, he saw Su Juan sitting in the hall, looking distressed, and understood, "It seems Mr. Yu has just come to pour out his heart to Your Highness?"

Su Juan rubbed her forehead, "I advised him against it."

Shen Ruhui: "Why bother? Eventually, you must settle on an Imperial Consort, and Mr. Yu’s character is outstanding, his family background not too illustrious, so you wouldn’t have to worry about being constrained, he truly is an excellent choice."

Su Juan glanced at him, "It’s precisely because he is so excellent that I cannot harm him for my own sake."

Shen Ruhui stared at Su Juan for a long time, unable to resist teasing, "If it were Liu Xuan who came today, would Your Highness advise him away too?"

Su Juan remained silent for a long time, so long that Shen Ruhui thought she wouldn’t respond.

"He won’t come."