Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 104: Why Does This Name Seem So Familiar?
Duke Ping was left speechless as Marquis Ping’s remarks were irrefutable; Su Juan was indeed in a perilous position where everyone was against her.
He pulled Marquis Ping back into his seat, "Brother Liu, don’t be hasty. Isn’t there anything we can’t discuss properly?"
Marquis Ping snorted, looking at Duke Ping with a face almost saying, "Let’s see what story you’ll come up with."
"Think about it, Su Juan’s popularity at court isn’t as bad as you think. She already has the emperor’s favor, and if the emperor finds out about her lineage, his only descendant, how much more would he cherish her?"
"Consider this too, doesn’t Minister Mo Youqian of the Ministry of Revenue value her quite a bit?"
Marquis Ping retorted, "That’s because he received Su Juan’s recommendation back when he was still an Assistant Minister!"
Duke Ping replied, "No matter the reason, the fact is that he values Su Juan. Also, hasn’t the Chief Secretary always been courteous to her?"
Marquis Ping laughed, "Isn’t that because his daughter has a good relationship with her?"
He then questioned Duke Ping, "Think about it, hasn’t she offended all the other Chief of Staffs except the Ministry of Revenue?"
"Even if everything you said is part of your future plans, I want to help, but her inability to hide her emotions will inevitably lead to disaster for everyone!"
If it were anyone else, he would have agreed to it immediately.
But once Su Juan is involved, it becomes a complicated matter, with one wrong move leading to dire consequences for all involved.
Duke Ping immediately assured him, "Brother Liu, don’t worry. I will not reveal her identity to the public in the short term, and naturally, that child will not expose herself. I won’t let her know about your Liu Family matters, so your family will not be exposed either."
"Moreover, think about it, if the emperor truly intended to select a successor from the imperial family, why hasn’t he decided for over a decade?"
Is it not because he holds onto the hope of finding his daughter?
Marquis Ping understood now; Duke Ping wanted his Liu Family to secretly assist. If the emperor showed intent to groom her, they could support the Crown Princess to ascend the throne; if not, they could maintain the status quo for their safety.
He sighed helplessly, "Why cling to this? It might be better for her to remain a minor official. Even if she resigns, the Su Family is wealthy and can provide her a comfortable life. If not, the Xie Family will protect her. Why wade into such troubled waters?"
Why force Su Juan down that path, where life and death are uncertain, only to regret it later?
Hearing this, Duke Ping sighed, "I think the same way. If I had known it was Su Juan, I wouldn’t have pursued the matter. But the emperor is already investigating, and Su Juan’s lineage will inevitably be exposed..."
"Brother Liu, you know this child’s character and that she means no harm. Can I really watch my grandniece be forced into a dead end?"
Marquis Ping hesitated; despite this truth, getting involved in factional struggles was fraught with danger. If he were alone, there would be no concern, but his Liu Family had many members...
Seeing Marquis Ping hesitating, Duke Ping attempted to sway him, "Brother Liu, think about your sons and those nephews with their talents and ambitions. Yet, for the past decade, they’ve dared not officially enter service; even those who have are sent away, hesitant and fearful. And why is that?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"Isn’t it because the selection of the Crown Prince remains undecided, fearing they will be drawn into the struggles of Prince Han or Prince Heng, implicating the entire Liu Family?"
Duke Ping’s voice grew more impassioned, "Can you really bear to see these young men with grand ambitions be unable to express them?"
Duke Ping’s words struck Marquis Ping at his softest spot, reminding him of those nephews in his clan. The rivalry between Prince Han and Prince Heng had lasted for many years, delaying them for just as long.
His son, who was ready for service three years ago, spends every day in places like Jing Garden.
If delayed again this year, that would be three more years wasted, despite their evident talents. How long should they continue to be stalled?
Especially in past years, the Liu Family tried to remain neutral for self-preservation, but in truth, it offended both sides, neither gaining favor with Prince Han nor with Prince Jing.
After all, the Liu Family is unlike the Xie Family, without an Empress to hold the fort, nor military power to protect them. Regardless of whether it is Prince Han or Prince Jing ascends to the throne, if they then target the Liu Family, how can the younger generation have a future? What if they encounter a narrow-minded king; even self-preservation would be difficult.
Is the path to carving out another way through this turmoil, or is it to gamble that the future king will be magnanimous?
"Brother Xie, I understand your intentions, but this matter is of great significance. Please allow me to return home to consider for a few days before giving a response."
With discussions reaching this point, Duke Ping could not press further, "I await Brother Liu’s reply."
The two in the study were unaware that Xie Xun was outside, having heard it all. Supporting Su Juan was expected, but the attempt to draw in Marquis Ping was unforeseen.
After all, the Liu Family has always remained neutral, siding with no one; the Xie Family wouldn’t easily involve themselves without Su Juan.
Especially since Su Juan... she is truly difficult to support.
It’s not that she’s without capability; she is indeed clever, clearly evidenced by her importance in the Ministry of Revenue. Still, her issue with expressing her thoughts outwardly is her greatest flaw.
...
At this moment, Su Juan was unaware that Duke Ping was already making plans for her. She was at the Liu Mansion, listening to Liu Miaoying talk about the Central Justice Department with the Chief Secretary.
Every three years, the court appoints Central Examination Officers to various places to grade talents, divided into nine ranks; the Ministry of Personnel eventually assigns positions based on these ranks, with the review focusing heavily on family background and conduct.
In recent years, due to ongoing disputes between Prince Han and Prince Heng, there have been many controversies in the evaluations, with much emphasis on family background, leading individuals from humble origins, despite their achievements, to only be placed in Low Rank.
Su Juan furrowed her brows, "So, to avoid this kind of malpractice, the selection of Central Examination Officers is crucial, requiring integrity and impartiality, with the skills to assess the scholars of the world, and the rank must not be low."
The Chief Secretary nodded, "Indeed, and their background, family connections, past acquaintances, and marital relations should also be considered, as any slight entanglement could influence the final evaluation."
Liu Miaoying immediately understood, "So then, selecting a Central Examination Officer is indeed challenging, besides one Central Officer, there are also eighteen deputy positions."
Seeing how curious the two were, the Chief Secretary elaborated, "His Majesty has decided for Marquis Wu Yuan to serve as the Central Examination Officer, and the other eighteen deputy officers have been gradually selected."
[Marquis Wu Yuan? Why does that name sound so familiar?]
The Chief Secretary glanced at Su Juan; how could it not be familiar?
His grandson with a limp, due to Su Juan’s frenzy at the morning court, has had to copy scriptures for a whole year to bless that deceased son of the Li Family, and he’s still copying.
Su Juan thought for a while but couldn’t recall seeing this man at the assembly.
Liu Miaoying asked, "Father, is it the Marquis Wu Yuan who was accused by Mr. Li after his son died, involving the Bian Family and resulting in the punishment of all three families?"
This incident caused significant controversy in the capital, creating quite a stir.
With Liu Miaoying’s reminder, Su Juan suddenly remembered, [Ah, so it was him!]
[I remember this case, Mr. Li’s son had his eye injured by Marquis Wu Yuan, and was later paralyzed by a galloping Bian Family boy on the way home, and ended up committing suicide before the imperial physician arrived.]
[To think all three families were punished, Minister Lou of the Ministry of Justice is truly daring; it’s quite fascinating!]
"..." The Chief Secretary realized that Su Juan simply does as she pleases in the moment, having little regard for the consequences or the lives of others.
