Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 113: Quit Pretending to Be Some Big Shot
Prince Han didn’t bother with pleasantries. "Shen Ruhui is indeed in my mansion. Previously, he was taken hostage, and I saved him conveniently. For his safety, I kindly settled him in my mansion. How could it be called imprisonment?"
He looked at these young ones amusingly, thinking they had some tactics, but they just foolishly charged in to question, thinking that would win them over. How naïve.
Liu Xuan wasn’t surprised by Prince Han’s words. "In that case, I hope Your Highness will let Shen Ruhui leave with us."
Su Juan blinked, [Wow, the old man sure knows how to spin words. Got it, tomorrow I’ll find someone to beat you up first, and then I’ll pretend to pass by and take you away under the guise of rescuing you, kindly settling you at my place.]
[Everyone knows what you’re up to, stop pretending to be a big bad wolf.]
Prince Han: "..." I wasn’t pretending!
Xie Xun looked at Su Juan, one sentence from her could match dozens from Liu Xuan. Compared to her, Liu Xuan was nothing.
Prince Han acted as though he hadn’t heard Su Juan’s words. "Why should I give up someone I saved? You come and go as you please, treating my mansion as if it were nothing?"
His tone was slightly angry, showing clear displeasure as the atmosphere suddenly turned serious.
[Nobody wanted to come here in the first place.]
Xie Xun nearly laughed out loud, covering his mouth with a fan to hide his amusement.
[It’s such a dump; if it weren’t for the name saying it’s the Han Prince Mansion, I’d think I wandered into some rundown courtyard.]
Prince Han’s expression changed instantly: "..."
You think I don’t want to improve it? Do I have the money for that!?
Liu Miaoying coughed slightly, trying to interrupt Su Juan’s words.
Back then, Prince Heng was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue and repeatedly suppressed Prince Han’s people. Prince Han frequently used his salary to subsidize his soldiers, so he was known to be poor, a fact well known in the court. Considering the current state of his mansion, it was already quite good.
Standing by, Liu Xuan took the lead to ask, "May I ask what it would take for Your Highness to let us take the person away?"
Prince Han took a sip of tea, suppressing his anger towards Su Juan, "If you want to take him, you need to offer something in exchange, right?"
Several people frowned slightly, knowing what Prince Han desired; it was evident without being stated.
Even if he couldn’t use Shen Ruhui to suppress Prince Jing, he wouldn’t let him go easily.
But what Prince Han wanted, they couldn’t and didn’t dare to give.
[Why beat around the bush? Just say you want us to help you seize the world. It’s a matter of one sentence, yet you beat around the bush endlessly.]
Xie Xun’s temple twitched slightly, is this really a matter of beating around the bush?
Now, Prince Han wanted them to choose sides. Among those present, Liu Miaoying was backed by the Mansion of the Minister of the Secretariat, Liu Xuan by the Earl Ping Mansion, and himself by Duke Ping Mansion.
Moreover, once the evaluations by the Central Justice Department were over, Liu Xuan would inevitably enter politics; Prince Han wanted loyal officials from the Liu family.
Such ambition, to think one Shen Ruhui could bind so many people.
Seeing none of them speaking, Prince Han smiled, "If you find it difficult, I can make some concessions."
As he spoke, his gaze fixed on Liu Xuan, "If you, Liu dear nephew, can promise to enter politics and serve me, you can take the person away."
If he couldn’t use Shen Ruhui to bring down Prince Jing, at least he could restrain the Liu family.
Everyone’s gaze immediately focused on Liu Xuan.
At this time, Su Juan finally understood why, despite his talents, Liu Xuan hadn’t entered politics sooner.
Facing multiple solicitations, Marquis Ping could still hold his ground, but if this younger generation of the Liu family entered the court as an official, how would they respond to such pulls?
Liu Xuan’s thin lips were tightly pressed; from stepping into Prince Han’s Mansion, he had anticipated this scenario.
"So, Your Highness would indeed release him?"
Prince Han: "Of course, everyone says Earl Ping has a good son with especially good character, never breaking his word. A promise from Liu Xuan is worth more than gold."
[You old fox, the man hasn’t even entered politics yet, and you’re already eyeing him?]
[How can you truly win people over by merely using threats to make them submit?]
[You’re nothing like the resolute warrior you once were, devoted to protecting the land.]
Su Juan was very disappointed.
[If you wish to contend for the world, it’s understandable to recruit capable people, but you don’t even know how to genuinely win people over. How can such tactics truly convince people to serve you?]
Prince Han scoffed. What do you know, little girl? To seize the world, these methods are necessary.
Recalling past events, his heart felt desolate.
Soldiers fought with flesh and blood on the border, while the court failed to even send winter clothes to the army in time, and medicines were embezzled by corrupt officials.
Others thought the brutality of war was why soldiers died, unaware of how many froze to death, unable to heal, succumbing to untreated injuries.
No one exposed Prince Heng’s deeds back then.
With such court atmosphere, how can there be peace?
If I don’t contend, how can I answer to the soldiers on the border?
Su Juan sighed, [No wonder that in the end, not only did you fail against your rivals, but your whole family perished.]
Prince Han’s expression stiffened, and the expressions of Xie Xun and Liu Miaoying turned more subtle.
Song Qianfan was indeed so ruthless...
It was the first time Prince Han heard things related to himself from Su Juan. Though he was prepared for such a downfall, hearing her words still sent a tremor through his heart.
He didn’t want his son to know about these plans, hoping that if he failed, his son might escape the repercussions.
But as Su Juan pointed out, if he were truly to fail, not a single person under Prince Han Mansion would be spared.
"It seems you’re unwilling, Liu dear nephew."
Prince Han’s eyes turned dark, "No matter, if you’re unwilling, perhaps someone else will do."
As he said this, everyone looked toward Prince Han, only to see him looking at Su Juan.
Su Juan: "?" [What for?]
"As long as you serve me, I can release him now."
Liu Xuan frowned, standing up to shield Su Juan, "Your Highness, this matter doesn’t concern her. Please do not involve innocent people."
Xie Xun and Liu Miaoying weren’t surprised by this.
Su Juan’s abilities had even attracted the emperor’s attention. Song Qianfan had tried to kill her multiple times precisely because she knew of worldly affairs and could predict the future, often disrupting his major plans.
Sooner or later, Prince Han would have the urge to recruit her. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Su Juan blinked and looked at Prince Han, "Your Highness, I’m just a small Sixth Rank Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue."
Prince Han laughed, "Vice Director is being modest. With the emperor valuing you so highly, a promotion is only a matter of time."
Presently, people in the court deeply trusted her words, and if he could have her serve him, one Su Juan would surpass ten Earl Ping Mansions.
Everyone immediately looked towards Su Juan.
Liu Xuan’s thin lips were tightly pressed; his face was visibly displeased, "Why does Your Highness make things so difficult? As I said earlier, I am willing to..."
But Su Juan suddenly interrupted, "Alright."
Everyone present immediately turned their gaze to Su Juan, with Liu Xuan and Xie Xun looking surprised.
She merely curved her lips slightly, "To serve Your Highness would be my honor. Should I truly be promoted in the future, I certainly won’t forget today’s words."
