Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 140: Su Juan’s Probe

Just when the courtiers thought Su Juan was out of his mind today, the Right Imperial Censor stepped forward and loudly exclaimed, "Your Majesty! This old official has an important matter to report!"

The Old Emperor, who had been flattered by Su Juan’s excessive praise to the point of getting goosebumps, suddenly felt as if a savior had arrived. He coughed deeply, "What do you have to report?"

"This old official accuses Minister Li Ren of the Ministry of Rites of misconduct, unrighteousness, holding a position of impartiality yet seeking personal gain, and accepting bribes!"

Su Juan interjected suitably, [Disrupting the evaluation of scholars nationwide, disturbing the order of the Da Jin court, this is a serious offense and must be thoroughly investigated!]

[Among the eighteen deputy officials, there are several who colluded with him! They all need to be investigated!]

Several people cast suspicious glances at Su Juan, wondering since when this Vice Director had started caring about such court affairs.

The Old Emperor’s face turned somber, his eyes filled with anger, thinking these scoundrels are truly audacious!

He immediately ordered Marquis Ping to assist the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel in thoroughly investigating the matter, to ascertain how many corrupt officials there were and verify them all.

This issue involved many, as numerous families of both civil and military officials had scholars awaiting appointments, and some could not enter the court due to their low rank.

Li Ren’s case was like a tear; anyone who probed further would only widen it, exposing those hidden behind it.

Prince Han’s gaze was inscrutable, thinking Li Ren was truly foolish beyond measure!

Minister Mei of the Ministry of Personnel was sweating profusely, wondering how this could have happened...

All the way home from court, his steps were unsteady, nearly falling several times, before stumbling into a carriage, "To Prince Jing Mansion! Quickly!"

Meanwhile, Su Juan practically fled from the Golden Hall, moving at a rapid pace until she settled into the carriage, her tense heart finally relaxing as she patted her chest, thinking how terrifying it had been, truly terrifying.

Why could these people hear what she was thinking? Was there a problem with the system?!

Su Juan slumped in the carriage, her eyes filled with despair, wondering just how many people could hear her thoughts. Surely not everyone could hear, right?

That couldn’t be possible, otherwise, she wouldn’t have only just found out.

Damn! This round is ruined, just restart it. There’s no hope for this life.

...

By this time, Minister Mei had already rushed to Prince Jing Mansion, hastily locating Song Qianfan, who was coincidentally with Yu Ting.

"His Majesty has assigned Marquis Ping to investigate this matter—this man is impervious to influence..."

"Princely Heir, what are we to do now?!"

He was sweating with anxiety, knowing that if the investigation reached him, his tenure as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel would certainly be over.

Yu Ting knitted his brows, looking at Song Qianfan, "Didn’t you assure me that everything was arranged and no issues would arise?"

Song Qianfan’s expression was grim, "I truly did arrange everything..."

Yu Ting rebuked, "I told you repeatedly to be cautious when appointing people, look at that Li Ren! And now look at what has happened!"

Song Qianfan was thoroughly frustrated, realizing that just because of Li Ren, for a mere concubine, the whole situation had been utterly ruined!

Now that the Emperor wanted a thorough investigation, it was impossible to completely extricate themselves.

Minister Mei of the Ministry of Personnel was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, looking at the two in front of him, "Princely Heir, Vice Commander Yu, you must save me!"

Yu Ting’s eyes were cold, "What’s the rush?"

"At this point, the only way to prevent being investigated is to make sure the matter is completely resolved."

Upon hearing this, Song Qianfan suddenly clenched his fists, "I will arrange for someone to handle it."

Although Su Juan, protected in secret, couldn’t be killed, eliminating a few court officials was more than feasible.

Yu Ting looked at him, repeatedly urging, "This matter must be handled cleanly, without leaving a trace."

"I understand." Song Qianfan was filled with a murderous intent.

Minister Mei shivered; those men were colleagues in the court, people he saw every day.... To just kill them like that?

Seeing Song Qianfan’s ruthless demeanor, he was filled with fear.

That night, the men dispatched by Song Qianfan returned one after another to report, having succeeded in killing three of the four targets. The last one never returned home and could not be found anywhere.

Meanwhile, Su Juan was dining with Duke Ping, with Xie Xun sitting to the side, feeling somewhat nervous, afraid of revealing any slip-ups.

He had no idea Su Juan had already confirmed that her thoughts were being overheard.

It would be fine if anyone else discovered it, but it couldn’t be revealed from him, Young Master Xie, or it would be too humiliating. What if the Old Emperor questioned him later?

Even his head was not hard enough to withstand that interrogation.

Upon returning, Su Juan locked herself in her room all afternoon with a reckless abandon, deciding to tough it out from here on.

Though the leakage of her thoughts was frightening, no one around her had mentioned it, not even the Old Emperor, who had remained silent, suggesting that everyone had their concerns.

Perhaps she could use this to her advantage...

But to utilize this point effectively, she first needed to figure out who could hear her thoughts and who could not.

During the meal at Duke Mansion, as Su Juan ate, she held random thoughts in her mind, constantly observing the reactions of the three people before her. She saw Duke Ping reaching for the last piece of pork knuckle on the plate, and Su Juan timely sighed:

[Sigh, I really want to eat this last piece of pork knuckle...]

Seeing Duke Ping’s chopsticks about to touch the pork knuckle, they abruptly changed direction and picked up some greens instead.

Su Juan raised an eyebrow, thinking Duke Ping could hear her.

[Lord Duke is too kind!]

The next second, Xie Xun picked up the pork knuckle and put it into his mouth, eating it eagerly, earning a glare from Duke Ping.

Su Juan: "..." She actually wanted to eat that piece of pork knuckle.

[This Xie Xun, really asking for a beating.]

Xie Xun, under the old man’s gaze, sighed inwardly, thinking there was no way around it. If he didn’t do this, wouldn’t everything be exposed?

Su Juan looked at Shen Ruhui, [Upon closer look, Shen Ruhui is actually quite handsome, no worse than Xie Xun.]

Xie Xun: Rubbish! Young Master I am number one in the world!

Duke Ping paused with his chopsticks, glancing at his grandniece, his mouth twitching. Really... could she really be interested?

Shen Ruhui continued to eat calmly, showing no reaction at all.

Su Juan further mused, [Look at that tender face, someday when he’s drunk, stealing a kiss would be enough in this life.]

With a "clatter," one of Duke Ping’s chopsticks fell.

His old face stiffened, forcing a laugh, "I couldn’t hold it properly..."

A servant hurriedly stepped forward to give him a new pair.

Su Juan chuckled, her gaze still fixed on Shen Ruhui, who remained calm, not even raising an eyelid, which meant he couldn’t hear her.

None of the servants at Xie Mansion could hear either.

But Xie Xun....

Su Juan smiled cheerfully at Xie Xun, [You’re acting well.]

Xie Xun buried his head, pretending to be deaf, finding this meal extremely difficult to endure!