Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 123: Safeguarding a Century of Peace for Da Jin (Fourth Update)
Today’s actions by Song Qianfan have made the Emperor more wary of him.
The Hidden Guard has been continuously reporting Song Qianfan’s every move to the Emperor. Previously, he was secretly colluding with the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and other court officials and cultivating Death Warriors. Now, he’s closely associating with the Vice Commander of the Forbidden Army, Yu Ting.
The Emperor’s gaze darkened, and he snorted coldly, "He surely has the nerve, daring to win over even the newly appointed Vice Commander of the Forbidden Army by my side."
Yan Zheng had been in charge of the Forbidden Army for many years. Now that Yu Ting held the position of Vice Commander, Song Qianfan was not the only one who wanted to win him over. But at least Prince Han wasn’t so blatant about it.
Trying to win over Yu Ting, could it be that Song Qianfan is contemplating rebellion?!
"Keep a close watch on Prince Jing’s heir. Report immediately if there’s the slightest disturbance."
"Understood."
...
Back at Duke Ping Mansion, Su Juan went to see Shen Ruhui. In the yard, Xie Xun refused to leave, fanning himself as he watched the two.
"You’re quite generous; the pastries given by the Empress, you let him eat them directly."
With these words, Shen Ruhui, holding the pastries, didn’t know whether to eat them or put them back. He thought they were just ordinary pastries and never expected them to be a gift from the Empress.
He looked at Su Juan with suspicion, wondering about Su Juan’s true identity that could earn such favor from the Emperor and Empress.
Su Juan herself ate the pastries, waving her hand, "Eat, don’t mind him. He doesn’t know what he’s eaten today, acting all odd."
Since coming out of the palace, he had been acting strangely.
Only then did Shen Ruhui feel relieved to eat the pastries, "Thank you, Miss Su."
Su Juan then brought up an important matter, "How much do you know about the current situation in the court?"
[Before using Shen Ruhui, it’s best to first see how well he understands the current court situation.]
After all, all I know is that he has excellent gossip-gathering abilities.
Shen Ruhui paused, not expecting Su Juan to suddenly ask these questions, but after thinking deeply, considering her current position in the court, it was normal to be concerned.
Upon hearing this, Xie Xun stopped fanning himself and sat down beside them.
Shen Ruhui spoke softly, "What I know is limited. Over the past ten years, Prince Heng’s influence in the court was at its peak, most favored by the Emperor. It wasn’t until Prince Han returned to the court that the situation changed. Back then, among the Six Ministries, the Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of Personnel were all Prince Heng’s guests."
"With the Ministry of Revenue holding all the money, Prince Heng won over many court officials. It is rumored that a batch of medicinal supplies and cotton clothes meant for the border were embezzled by Prince Heng, resulting in severe casualties among the border soldiers. After Prince Han returned, he frequently reported Prince Heng, but without solid evidence, he couldn’t do much to him."
Su Juan had some recollection of this, [It seems from that time, Prince Han started showing interest in seizing the Crown Prince position.]
[So, he became disheartened, holding grievances for those wronged soldiers, and thus developed the desire to seize the throne.]
Su Juan sighed, "Soldiers dying because of court struggles is the most heartbreaking thing throughout dynasties."
Shen Ruhui nodded, "Prince Jing has never shown any desire for the Crown Prince position, but since he shares the same father with His Majesty, he is the one most favored by the Emperor. However, he seems uninterested in the struggle for succession, never competing with Princes Heng or Han. Yet someone doesn’t think that way."
Before Shen Ruhui could name the person, both Su Juan and Xie Xun knew it was Song Qianfan.
"Prince Jing’s heir has intentions for the Crown Prince position, secretly aligning with the court officials for years, all in the name of Prince Jing Mansion. Even if Prince Jing has no desire for the throne, his son has pushed him onto this path."
Su Juan sighed, [Song Qianfan certainly knows how to bring trouble to his father.]
[However, how did Shen Ruhui know all these things even though he has been writing novels all these years?]
Seemingly noticing Su Juan’s confusion, Shen Ruhui smiled and explained, "Although I’m not in the court, there are many city rumors I know."
"Besides, what’s never lacking in Capital City is information brokers. News is abundant, and as long as you have silver, you can find out anything."
Su Juan was well aware of this, considering that she once ran an intelligence agency that specialized in collecting dirt and secrets on the imperial relatives and courtiers, inserting people into various mansions and selling the gathered information for profit.
Xie Xun’s eyes lit up, slightly raising his chin, "Do you know which family in Capital City is the wealthiest?"
Shen Ruhui smiled without replying.
Su Juan looked at Xie Xun, shook her head, and had nothing to say.
[Look at you, like you’re afraid no one knows your family is the richest.]
Xie Xun squinted, signaling Shen Ruhui to continue.
Shen Ruhui took a sip of tea and continued, "Currently, Prince Heng is defeated, stripped of his princely title, relocated back to his fiefdom, and forbidden to enter Capital City without an edict. His hopes for succession are dashed. Prince Han seems to be the most powerful but doesn’t have the Emperor’s favor. Prince Jing is favored but has no desire for succession. Previously, Prince Jing’s heir could barely compete with Prince Han, but now he has no means to win support."
He chuckled, "Who the world will belong to remains a puzzle."
Su Juan smiled, "In your opinion, in whose hands would the world find peace?"
Xie Xun also looked at Shen Ruhui. From his perspective, with Prince Han being too bloodthirsty and Prince Jing having a troublesome son, neither seemed suitable.
Shen Ruhui: "The ruler of the people should naturally prioritize the people. In my humble opinion, none of these three are suitable."
Su Juan was surprised, "So absolute?"
[Shen Ruhui really has a keen eye!]
Shen Ruhui nodded, "Although Prince Jing is kind-hearted, he is not interested in ruling. Moreover, even when his heir misbehaves, he never intervenes to discipline."
Su Juan laughed, "Maybe he simply can’t manage it?"
[After all, some inherently bad seeds can’t be disciplined.
She’s seen three times in different situations; Song Qianfan has never had good conduct, and Prince Jing got killed twice.
Shen Ruhui nodded, "Prince Han is bloodthirsty. Although he appears to be striving for the throne, it’s actually for his suffering soldiers. While he cherishes his soldiers, he lacks a heart for the common people."
He recalled a battle where he could have stayed to protect the city’s people but chose to pursue the remaining enemy forces, abandoning the city. Though he won the battle, many women and children perished in the city. There was much criticism at the time, claiming Prince Han was power-hungry.
Su Juan touched her brow, "In your view, none of them are suitable to be the Crown Prince."
[It really is complicated.]
Shen Ruhui smiled, "Among the Imperial Family, there will always be someone virtuous and capable, with a heart for the people."
Beside him, Xie Xun subconsciously looked at Su Juan. In fact, Su Juan, who is now so concerned with these matters, not only can skillfully identify and employ talented individuals, discern loyal and treacherous courtiers but also possesses compassion. She is the most suitable person.
But for now, she seems unaware of it.
Su Juan’s eyes curved into a smile, and without avoiding Xie Xun, she said to Shen Ruhui, "Mr. Shen is indeed no ordinary person. To be honest, with such court situations, there can’t be any innocent bystanders. I intend to support an Imperial relative to resolve this crisis, protecting Da Jin for a hundred years of peace."
"I know your identity—when the great endeavor succeeds, I shall fully assist you. May I ask if you are willing to assist me?"
Shen Ruhui was stunned.
It wasn’t the words from the mouth of a junior sixth-ranked official of the Ministry of Revenue that surprised him but the astonishment that a young lady had such ambition.
