Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 105: Life After Divorce is Truly Different
The Chief Secretary nodded to his daughter, ignoring Su Juan’s words.
"The Marquis Wu Yuan Mansion is simple, with just the grandfather and grandson living there, and is not known to have dealings with any relatives or friends. They are even less familiar with Prince Han, for the old age keeps them nourished at home."
Su Juan immediately understood, [So, it’s impossible for Prince Han to recommend such a person to serve as a Central Examination Officer. This can only be the wish of the Old Emperor, and given the current court situation, Marquis Wu Yuan is indeed the most suitable candidate.]
[As for the other eighteen deputy officials, most have various interests entangled, and it seems it’s not just about party struggles.]
The Chief Secretary didn’t expect that a young girl like Su Juan could see through things so clearly, and he admired her even more.
Liu Miaoying couldn’t help but re-evaluate Su Juan, as she had never realized that Su Juan could analyze the court situation so clearly. Miaoying was usually lazy, just wanting to finish her official duties and return home to rest, but now she had started to show interest in the Central Assessment matters.
Looking at the hour, she was likely asleep by now on a normal day.
Ever since the divorce, she is indeed different, devoting all her attention to the imperial affairs.
For some reason, seeing Su Juan’s change made Liu Miaoying feel somewhat gratified.
...
As Su Juan and Duke Ping were worried, both Prince Han and Song Qianfan had indeed made a move.
Among the eighteen deputy officials, many have privately associated with Prince Han.
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel repeatedly assured Song Qianfan that arrangements had been made, and when it came time to grant official appointments, he would seek to promote the Prince Jing Mansion’s staff.
Meanwhile, Marquis Ping, back at home, seemed distracted, unable to concentrate even during meals, his mind preoccupied with what Duke Ping had discussed.
The Marchioness Ping saw her husband was preoccupied but didn’t ask, for she didn’t understand court matters anyway, and just continued serving him food.
It was Liu Xuan who noticed Marquis Ping’s preoccupations and followed him to the study after dinner to discuss affairs.
"Father, regarding your concerns, can I share the burden with you?"
Marquis Ping looked at his son before him and sighed slightly, "Today, Duke Ping invited me to the mansion to discuss matters, intending to rope me into the party struggles."
Liu Xuan was slightly taken aback, "But the Duke Mansion has always maintained neutrality between Prince Heng and Prince Han, and has never been associated with Prince Jing, let alone assisted him. Could it be..."
Marquis Ping nodded slightly, "But the Princess is deceased, and the one found is the late Princess’s daughter."
Liu Xuan was surprised. With Prince Heng losing power, he originally thought it would now be a situation between Prince Han and Prince Jing. Unexpectedly, at this moment, the Duke Mansion had found the Emperor’s child who had been lost outside.
"Father is hesitating?"
Marquis Ping nodded, "After all, the girl was lost outside and took a different surname. Even if she changes back to share the Emperor’s surname, it will inevitably be criticized and questioned... Besides, our Liu Family has always refrained from participating in these."
Party struggles are perilous; a single misstep could lead to endless mistakes.
Liu Xuan realized that his father’s greatest concern was for the entire Liu Family.
Indeed, even if that girl was lost outside, she is the legitimate offspring of the current Emperor, the only descendant, bound to be recognized. Moreover, Da Jin isn’t without precedents of a Crown Princess; the previous Emperor was a woman, and the current Emperor often laments the political achievements of the previous Emperor.
In the current Emperor’s eyes, there’s no difference whether someone is male or female.
"Why does Father still hesitate?" Liu Xuan asked. If he was worried about the Liu Family, refusal would suffice, for the Lord is not one to force others.
Marquis Ping sighed, "Though our Liu Family seems still thriving, in truth, it’s not as it used to be. Years ago, we offended Prince Han, and later Prince Jing’s Princely Heir; no matter which of the two gains the world in the future, it would not benefit our Liu Family. If they hold grudges, our family might struggle even to protect itself."
Furthermore, at the court, he already finds it difficult to tread carefully. Even if the monarch didn’t hold grudges, once this Marquis Ping leaves the court, the Liu Family may face reduced stipends and degraded titles.
These concerns, even if unsaid by Marquis Ping, Liu Xuan knew.
The Liu Family’s current state appears prosperous but is in fact entirely supported by the Marquis Ping’s former glory.
If they don’t seek a way out of the present circumstances, there may not be another century for the Liu Family.
Liu Xuan had already made up his mind, "Has Father met the girl? How is her character?"
Marquis Ping thought of Su Juan and felt his head swell, "She is a good girl, capable, intelligent, with an excellent character, unforgiving of evil, though somewhat talkative and unable to keep things to herself, a trait that in the officialdom, makes it easy to offend others."
"Hearing Father’s words, the girl has excellent character and talent. If she could be as virtuous as the previous Emperor, it might be worth a try."
"Actually, if striving for the throne, as long as her character is upright, even if she offends people, what is there to fear?"
"Moreover, being the future Crown Prince, others traditionally admire her, why should it be the Crown Prince who fears the officials?"
In that case, such officials could not be truly loyal.
Since it’s a gamble anyway, why not try this amidst the chaos rather than gamble on Prince Han’s or Prince Jing’s magnanimity?
Marquis Ping was slightly taken aback, yes, his son was right; until now, those whom Su Juan offended were, in fact, corrupt and deceitful people—either dismissed or degraded and demoted out of the capital; even Prince Heng finds it difficult to return to Jin.
Like the Chief Secretary, Duke Ping, Minister Mo, even himself – all upright individuals, got along harmoniously with her without needing to guess her intentions.
Even the Minister of Rites, whose granddaughter had a dispute with Su Juan, did not take it out on her. Su Juan later remained respectful to him, praising him several times during the early morning court when the Minister of Rites impeached others, showing her broad-mindedness.
Someone with such a straightforward mind, assisted by virtuous people, could they not be more reliable than the deep-thinking Prince Han or Prince Jing?
With Liu Xuan’s analysis, most of Marquis Ping’s initial concerns were dispelled. Looking at his son before him, he increasingly felt these three years had delayed his progress.
He patted Liu Xuan’s shoulder, "For this Central Justice Department Evaluation, I have high expectations for you, hoping you too in the coming year will serve the court, and we, father and son, will uphold the Liu Family’s prestige."
Liu Xuan was slightly startled, a usually gentle and calm visage now showing a hint of surprise, "Does Father mean... if I secure a position in this evaluation, you want me to enter officialdom?"
Marquis Ping nodded, "You’re right, in a chaotic situation, no one can truly ensure their safety, so instead of counting on the future Emperor’s broad-heartedness and mercy, why not try entering the game?"
Our Liu Family, cannot bear being trapped in this situation, hesitant and fearful, for another decade, would be too shameful.
Marquis Ping pondered for a moment and advised a few words, "Do not visit Jing Garden recently. Instead, interact more with Xie Xun, Su Juan, and Miss Liu."
Liu Xuan nodded, "I understand."
Xie Xun, of course, requires no mention; the Chief Secretary is highly favored by the Emperor. As for Su Juan, not to mention, during the incident at Tianyun Mountain, it was evident that the Emperor was highly indulgent and tolerant of her; he also wished to build a closer relationship.
Even though a decision had been made, Marquis Ping still asked Liu Xuan, "Party struggles are perilous; inevitably, you will face the forces of Prince Jing and Prince Han. Are you afraid?"
Still bearing his usual gentle and poised demeanor, yet now a righteous aura was present as Liu Xuan replied, "As long as I remain righteous and serve the court, assisting the Emperor’s offspring, what should I fear?"
