Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 103 - 102: How Can One Assist This Woman!?
Seeing Liu Xuan, Su Juan recalled the matter of the Central Justice Department’s ranking. The newly appointed Central Examination Officer would evaluate the scholars of the world, determine the rankings for people from various regions, and finally submit them to the Ministry of Personnel, which would appoint officials based on the scholars’ rankings and official positions.
In the past, this was when Song Qianfan seized the opportunity to cultivate a group of trusted followers, especially since Minister Mei of the Ministry of Personnel was his ally.
Although Minister Mei might not have the courage, if Song Qianfan used some means to force him, it’s hard to say, so precautions must be taken.
However... whether in terms of family background, character, or talent, Liu Xuan is undeniably outstanding, so why hasn’t he entered officialdom?
...
As the spring hunt ended, everyone returned to the capital.
Su Juan was the first to seek out Liu Miaoying to ask her about the Central Justice Department’s ranking, considering the Chief Secretary had been at the center for years, and his daughter should know something.
Unexpectedly, the Chief Secretary was also there; seeing Su Juan bring it up, he took the opportunity to explain it to the two of them.
At this moment, in the Duke Ping Mansion, Marquis Ping was being pulled into the study for a secret conversation by Duke Ping.
"What does the Central Justice Department’s scholar ranking have to do with you and me?" Marquis Ping asked incredulously, sipping his tea and looking at his old friend.
In the past, candidates for the Central Examination Officer were hotly contested by Prince Han and Prince Heng, and those selected, to serve their respective masters’ interests, privately fostered corrupt practices.
This year, with Prince Heng absent, the new appointment for the Central Examination Officer is likely a recommendation from Prince Han, signaling yet another change in the court’s power dynamics.
But the Duke Ping Mansion has always been neutral, not involving itself in such matters.
Duke Ping pursed his thin lips tightly. "Both you and I are in the court, and for now, we can protect ourselves. Once the Crown Prince is chosen, what will become of the Xie Family and Liu Family?"
Involved as we are, how can we not find a way out?
Hearing the seriousness in Duke Ping’s tone, Marquis Ping stopped smiling and said, "Brother Xie, have you considered this well, be it Prince Han or Prince Jing? Once we choose a side, a bloodbath is inevitable."
Although Prince Han currently holds the advantage, Your Majesty has always favored Prince Jing, who shares the same mother. It’s hard to predict who will ultimately prevail.
In such a scenario, remaining neutral is actually the safest strategy.
He really couldn’t understand why his always-neutral old friend suddenly had the urge to choose sides. Factional struggles are extremely brutal; Father Prince Heng was so splendid in the past, amassing wealth from all over the world, living in extravagance, but now he’s exiled to desolate lands, and it’s unlikely he’ll ever return to the capital.
Those associated with Prince Heng either lost their positions and titles or their lives.
Recalling the events when His Majesty fought for the throne in the past... the then-commander of the Dingbei Army, Pei Lianshan, was also splendid, but eventually ended up with the entire clan executed due to factional struggles. Remembering this still sends shivers down one’s spine.
Duke Ping understood the implication in Marquis Ping’s words, but now, he had to consider Su Juan’s future.
The current scene is chaotic; Prince Han holds significant military power, and Prince Jing has the support of the Yu Family. Would they stand by and watch the position about to fall into someone else’s hands?
Su Juan’s true identity could not be hidden forever. She would inevitably be drawn into factional struggles, with no one in the court to support her except himself, and even if she had the Emperor’s favor, what use would it be?
If something were to happen to the Emperor, whether Prince Han or Prince Jing ascends, they would not spare Su Juan.
Should the Emperor truly intend to groom Su Juan for the throne, there will undoubtedly be those who use her lineage as a reason to rebel.
Therefore, for the sake of his grandniece, the Xie Family needs to start making plans and cultivating a group of loyal officials, ensuring she can be protected amidst the chaos, regardless of whether she ultimately assumes responsibility for the realm.
Looking at the old friend he’s known for decades, Duke Ping shared the news that the Emperor’s offspring had been found.
Marquis Ping was stunned, "Is this true!?"
This is big news!
If the Emperor has heirs, is there any need to choose the Crown Prince from the Imperial Family?
Duke Ping nodded solemnly, "Be it the lineage or appearance, even the Empress’s token has been verified, there’s no mistake."
Marquis Ping naturally believed him, "In that case, why not inform His Majesty and the world of such good news?"
Such that Prince Han and Prince Jing would no longer need to fight?
Duke Ping sighed, "I won’t hide it from you. The Princess has passed away. What I found is the Princess’s living daughter."
Marquis Ping immediately understood why his always-neutral old friend would behave in such a way.
Da Jin is not without precedents for a Crown Princess, but with the Princess gone, the little princess’s identity would inevitably be questioned, and revealing her identity now would only bring deathly danger.
If in the future, the Emperor wished to establish a Crown Princess, would those who have engaged in factional struggles for so long willingly submit?
The Emperor is already advanced in years. Should anything happen... the little princess’s life would be at risk.
Thus, whether out of a desire to support the little princess or to protect his grandniece’s life, the Xie Family can no longer conduct itself as before.
At this moment, Marquis Ping’s mind was clear as a mirror. Today, Duke Ping didn’t come to confide in him but to express his feelings.
He sighed, "You and I have been friends for decades; the ties between our families are inseparable. But you owe me to tell me where the little princess is now, and if she is safe?"
It is essential to find people to secretly protect her first.
Duke Ping was silent for a long time, unsure of how to respond.
Seeing this, Marquis Ping thought he was distrusting him, and immediately his eyes glared over his blown-up cheeks, "Is it possible you don’t even trust me?"
Then why seek me out today!?
Duke Ping quickly explained, "No, no, Brother Liu, please don’t misunderstand. It’s mainly because the child’s identity... it’s truly difficult to speak of."
Marquis Ping: "?"
His expression turned displeased, feeling Duke Ping did not trust him. "What is so difficult to speak of?"
Seeing this, Duke Ping sighed, "This girl is someone you are also familiar with."
Marquis Ping’s eyes turned from skepticism to shock, "Could it be someone from my household!?"
Is it one of the maids from my estate?!
Duke Ping couldn’t let him continue guessing, so he confided truthfully, "This girl is Su Juan."
Marquis Ping let out a breath of relief, patting his chest, "That’s good, that’s good... it’s not one of my houehold staff."
He thought to himself, how could his Earl Mansion have such a grand... wait!?
He looked at Duke Ping in disbelief, "Are you talking about... the one I know?"
Duke Ping nodded, "The one currently serving as a Junior Sixth Rank Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue."
The next moment, Marquis Ping got up to leave, but Duke Ping quickly blocked him and began to forge their friendship, "Brother Liu! You and I are life-and-death friends!"
Marquis Ping wiped his tears, "Given that you and I are life-and-death friends, how can you harm me!"
Duke Ping: "How did I harm you..."
"Su Juan is a person who cannot hold back her thoughts!"
"Asking me to assist her, you might as well have me and my entire family crash into the palace walls and die!"
"Her true identity still undisclosed, she has already offended so many ministers. The day at Tianyun Mountain, even with His Majesty there, someone still wanted to kill her; you know this in your heart!"
Unable to interject, Duke Ping could only nod continuously in agreement with him.
Marquis Ping asked furiously, "Brother Xie, I’m asking you, how can this girl be assisted!?"
