Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 126: Do Older People Not Bathe?

Under Su Juan’s gaze, the Minister of War said, "I have a distant nephew, about thirty years old. How about I host a meeting for you two today?"

Su Juan smiled, "Minister Nie, I appreciate your kindness, but my heart is entirely devoted to my duties, with no interest in romantic affairs. Thank you for your concern."

[Hilarious, your distant nephew? What for? Am I supposed to be interested in someone as old and unwashed as you?]

Someone laughed out loud.

The Old Emperor was also laughing, leaving the nearby eunuch baffled.

The Minister of War didn’t really mean to matchmake Su Juan; he was just looking for an opportunity to humiliate her. His nephew was a dullard, after all. Who would want a woman who has been through a divorce?

But Su Juan wasn’t playing along, so his subsequent words got stuck in his throat, and he could only force out a single sentence.

"Although my nephew is older and a bit dim-witted, since you’ve already been divorced once, Vice Director, heed my advice and don’t be so choosy."

The Minister of War’s words sounded sincere, as if he genuinely cared for Su Juan.

Su Juan laughed to death, "Even though I am divorced, it doesn’t mean I need to settle for an old man."

[Seems like the Minister of War hasn’t bathed for so long that the dirt has piled up like a wall on his face; a nephew in his thirties, who are you trying to embarrass?]

[Do you think everyone is like your wife, who would look favorably upon you?]

Su Juan’s words once again infuriated the Minister of War.

"Su Juan, don’t be ungrateful. My nephew is excellent in many ways. How is he unworthy of you?"

He couldn’t believe it. Su Juan, a divorced woman, should feel lucky to have anyone interested, yet she’s being picky?

Seeing the Minister of War’s face turn dark with anger, Su Juan felt baffled, [Why is the Minister of War so temperamental? All I did was speak the truth. Is it really that serious to warrant such a reaction?]

She sighed softly, "It’s my fault for being ungrateful. Such good fortune should remain with Minister Nie. Unfortunately, I cannot accept it."

[Oh well, if your nephew is so good, why don’t you keep him for yourself? Anyway, your wife doesn’t want you, so living with your nephew shouldn’t be a problem, right?]

The Minister of War’s head throbbed with anger, yet he was powerless against Su Juan. She was under the Emperor’s protection, and even the bravest wouldn’t dare do anything to her.

The onlookers shook their heads repeatedly. Why did the Minister of War bother to humiliate himself like this? By now, he should’ve learned how sharp Su Juan’s tongue can be.

No one has ever benefited from a verbal spar with her.

Just then, someone from the Empress Palace came again, inviting Su Juan for a meal.

Su Juan, lively and energetic, couldn’t decline and had to follow them.

Compared to her last visit, Su Juan noticed that the food was even more sumptuous, almost all her favorites, clearly prepared in advance.

Seeing her arrival, the Empress’s eyes gleamed with joy, her gaze becoming affectionate. "Come, sit down and see if there’s anything you like."

Su Juan’s eyes were complex, looking at the dozen or so dishes, several of which she often enjoyed at the Duke Mansion. Do all people with the surname Xie share similar tastes?

Or were these dishes prepared based on prior inquiry?

Su Juan slightly smiled, "These are all dishes I love. Thank you, Empress, for your thoughtful arrangements."

[Someone might think they’ve copied the entire menu from the Duke Mansion.]

The Empress’s eyes softened as she looked at the young lady in front of her. Her appearance was so endearing, and if one looked closely, they could see she resembled the Empress in her youth to a great extent, which is why she felt a connection upon meeting her.

As Su Juan ate, she occasionally glanced up, meeting the Empress’s gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, finding the emotions in the Empress’s eyes too complex to comprehend.

The Empress gazed steadily at Su Juan, as if afraid she might disappear.

Su Juan was startled, did the Empress find out?

Impossible, impossible... If the Empress discovered it, she would have said so already.

This meal left Su Juan a bit distracted until the Empress said, "Being in this palace alone is quite dull. Summoning you, am I delaying your affairs?"

Su Juan’s heart finally settled, [So the Empress is simply lonely and wants someone to talk to her.]

[See, I thought so, it was quite alarming.]

She curved her lips into a smile, "Not at all, it is my honor to keep Your Majesty company and chat."

"Have you adapted well to the Ministry of Revenue?"

"Quite well."

The Empress smiled, "If your mother knew she had such an accomplished daughter, she would surely be proud."

Su Juan nodded, "Perhaps."

The Empress continued the conversation, trying to learn more about Su Juan and her mother. "What sort of person was your mother?"

The attendant beside them seemed a bit worried, fearing the question might be too direct.

Su Juan didn’t think much of it, squinting her beautiful eyes as she tried to recall. After a long pause, she slowly answered, "She was a woman of a hard fate."

The Empress was taken aback, "Why do you say that?"

Looking at the dignified Empress before her, Su Juan’s heart softened, and she recounted the details of her biological mother one by one.

She thought, even if the Empress couldn’t acknowledge her daughter, at least she would know about her daughter’s life.

Su Juan’s biological mother was an extraordinary woman, excelling in everything she did. She could make a business flourish and was a master at managing the household, unlike the other women in the capital at the time.

Despite not having spent much time together, Su Juan always felt she was like a phoenix soaring in the sky, owning her realm, flying freely, instead of being trapped in the Su Mansion’s courtyard, embroiled in schemes with other women.

From Su Juan’s words, the Empress could easily sense her awe and regret for her mother.

Suddenly, the Empress asked, "And your father? Why haven’t you ever mentioned him?"

When Old Master Su was mentioned, Su Juan’s expression changed, though her smile remained curved, "Not someone worth mentioning."

[Talking about such a heartless man only sullies your ears.]

"Then let’s not mention him." Seeing Su Juan’s reluctance, the Empress understood everything. The daughter married the wrong person, ruining her life.

Looking at Su Juan, the Empress recalled the Emperor’s decree to marry and felt worried, fearing her granddaughter might end up like her daughter, marrying the wrong person.

"Minister Su, don’t be overly concerned about your divorce. If someone truly loves you, they won’t mind your past. If they’re not the right person, you can’t force it."

Su Juan blinked, [I wasn’t worried, was I? When did I worry?]

The Empress paused and then softly continued, "In truth, a woman’s life doesn’t solely revolve around marriage. Having a husband and children is wonderful... but not having them is equally fine."

Su Juan paused slightly, [So the Empress regrets marrying the Old Emperor?]

At this moment, outside the hall, the Old Emperor, upon learning that the Empress prepared a feast for Su Juan, had hurried over. Hearing the conversation, he froze, his hand clenched tight beneath his dragon robe.

Did the Empress... truly regret it?