Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 121: Truly a Good Omen (Second Update)
At this moment, the wine pot was already empty, and no one dared to refill Ah Juan’s cup, so Bai Ziling could only sip tea.
Ah Juan sighed and chatted lazily with Bai Ziling. Looking at Bai Ziling, she suddenly recalled, "Ah! Bai Ziling is the grandson of Marquis Wu Yuan!"
Bai Ziling: "?" Didn’t I just tell her that?
Everyone immediately looked at Ah Juan. Just a few drinks and the Vice Director was already this drunk?
"Marquis Wu Yuan is currently the Central Examination Officer responsible for evaluating talents across the land. I must get closer to Bai Ziling!"
The assembly was shocked. Although that was the case, you can’t just say it like that!
Some were curious, wondering why she wanted to get closer to him—did the Vice Director have a scholar she wanted to recommend?
Bai Ziling blinked his bright eyes. Haven’t we always been close?
The Old Emperor was suspicious. What was going on with Ah Juan lately? She was visiting the Han Prince Mansion, secretly gathering talents, and now trying to connect with Marquis Wu Yuan?
There were only a few scholars she knew, whom could she be recommending?
"Maybe she could put in a good word for the old wastrel Xie Xun!"
Xie Xun: "??!"
Old wastrel?!
I am in my prime, who are you calling old?!
Someone nearly laughed out loud, thinking the Vice Director was going to recommend someone, but it turned out to be Duke Ping’s son.
This is not merely about saying a few good words; he’s spent his days wandering the brothels, and even if Ah Juan praised him to the skies, it wouldn’t blind anyone to the truth.
The Emperor shook his head repeatedly, thinking she had some grand ambition, but it was actually for the sake of her drinking buddy.
The Empress recalled how Ah Juan previously boosted Xie Xun with exaggerated praise—did this girl intend to do the same again?
Duke Ping felt gratified, not yet knowing his own son’s story, but already focusing on his family. Indeed, members of the Xie Family never stray in their loyalties.
Marquis Wu Yuan instinctively glanced at the Xie Family’s young man, who was leaning there drinking, certainly attractive, but could ranking merit really be based on looks?
No, no, it was inappropriate indeed.
Liu Miaoying felt a sense of relief, glad that Ah Juan had always been straightforward. If it were someone else saying such things, it would have been a different matter entirely.
Bai Ziling wanted to divert Ah Juan’s current thoughts, "Su Sister, why was that lord just taken away?"
Ah Juan was determined to get close to Bai Ziling, and since he was talking to her now, she painstakingly explained, "That’s Minister Lou from the Ministry of Justice. He presented to Prince Han what was bribed to him, and Prince Han then offered it to Your Majesty. Now it’s exposed, and His Majesty wants to investigate the Ministry of Justice thoroughly!"
Bai Ziling was surprised, "Did that lord make such a big mistake?"
Ah Juan nodded, "Yes, the matter involves a massacre of thirty-eight people. Once it’s clarified, Lord Lou will definitely lose his position."
"Thirty-eight people, this isn’t a trivial case. Not to mention the Old Emperor wouldn’t let him off, even his rivals will seize the opportunity to kick him when he’s down."
Someone snorted, insinuating that pushing someone when they’re down shouldn’t be said like that. If Minister Lou hadn’t accepted such gifts, there wouldn’t be any opportunity for his downfall.
Who else could he blame if he couldn’t resist himself?
A full thirty-eight people; it’s audacious of him to dare accept such gifts.
"He clearly knew the gift was unspeakable. If Prince Heng hadn’t lost power, and the potential for Prince Han to ascend wasn’t so promising, eager to curry favor with Prince Han, would he have offered the gift now?"
Suddenly, all eyes turned to Prince Han, even the Old Emperor glared at him through narrowed eyes. Potentials of ascension?
Prince Han looked troubled; talk about Lou Shiye and leave the prince out of it, why drag me into it?
"Since the gift was for a future tyrant, alas, it’s now meaningless."
Such words left everyone astonished, hearing the phrase "future tyrant" from Ah Juan’s mouth again; they all perked up their ears, eager to know more.
Ah Juan remembered the Blood Coral; after the Han Prince family’s demise, Lou Shiye offered it to the tyrant to save himself.
If not for Prince Heng’s downfall, with Prince Han clearly ahead in the succession, how could this old fox have brought out the gift?
Now that he’s presented it, he only trapped himself, truly his comeuppance.
"After all, the Old Emperor isn’t a tyrant. How could he overlook such matters, unlike him..."
At this moment, Song Qianfan stepped forward with a gift, raising his voice and interrupting Ah Juan’s thoughts.
"Your Majesty, I too have a gift for you, wishing Your Majesty the longevity of the Eastern Seas, eternal life with Heaven!"
As the gift was presented, everyone turned their gaze, no longer paying attention to whatever Ah Juan was pondering.
Ah Juan also looked over, seeing the palace attendants pushing a massive object into the hall, covered with a drape—it resembled a cage. What was Song Qianfan up to this time?
"I knew it; this rascal has been too quiet lately, indeed up to some mischief!"
Xie Xun raised an eyebrow; whenever Song Qianfan was mentioned, Ah Juan never missed a chance to rant.
Bai Ziling curiously gazed over, having previously heard about this Prince Jing, notorious for his especially bad behavior towards Ah Juan; he wanted to see what kind of person could incur such dislike from her.
He stared for a while, finally catching Song Qianfan in profile. The man was pale, but didn’t seem very impressive.
He would hate whoever Ah Juan disliked.
Song Qianfan had reached a point where unless matters concerned him directly, he essentially ignored whatever Ah Juan said.
When his congratulatory gift was finally presented, as the drape was lifted, it captured all eyes—a pure white deer, exuding spirit and energy.
"Your Majesty, this Immortal Deer was accidentally found by a friend of mine in the woods. As ancient texts record, ’when a king is filial, a white deer appears; when a king is wise and benevolent, it also manifests.’"
The Minister of the Ministry of Personnel immediately knelt down, proclaiming loudly, "Your Majesty, the Yao Guang Powder forming a deer, this is an auspicious omen!"
"The appearance of the Immortal Deer signifies Your Majesty’s wisdom and the prosperity of the land!"
All the ministers then rose to their knees. The White Deer had always been an emblem of good fortune in Da Jin, rarely seen. The fact that Prince Jing acquired one showed the extent of his efforts.
Ah Juan fixed her eyes on the so-called Immortal Deer, "The White Deer has always been a symbol of fortune in Da Jin. Song Qianfan brought this White Deer, successfully flattering the Old Emperor."
Though he found the White Deer quite delightful initially, the Old Emperor’s mood waned significantly.
He quickly withdrew the smile from his face, looking at the deer, thinking to himself, "Is my ego so easily flattered?"
"Indeed, an Immortal Deer signifies national prosperity and is a good omen. Prince Jing’s heir has shown thoughtfulness, reward him."
Although it was also a reward, compared to the earlier ones given to Song Qianhang, the Emperor’s tone was noticeably subdued this time.
Song Qianfan suppressed his displeasure, gratefully acknowledging the honor.
Ah Juan found it amusing, "I’m amused; I thought the Old Emperor would adore this Immortal Deer. After all, it’s an auspicious symbol. Who wouldn’t love it? It turns out to be just this reaction; Song Qianfan must be fuming."
