Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 193: Distant Relatives (Third Update)
Minister Mei looked at Su Juan with a stern face, his brows tightly knit, unsure of what she was about to say.
The Old Emperor even wanted to cross his legs and watch the drama unfold.
Su Juan spoke loudly, "On that day in He County of Xu State, I encountered County Magistrate Dong. In Xu State’s most perilous situation, this man colluded with villains, seeking wealth and harming lives, treating the lives of many as nothing. During his tenure, he also accepted bribes and is currently in the Ministry of Justice Prison."
The courtiers nodded repeatedly, especially those from the Ministry of Justice, as they knew about this person, who had been escorted back from Xu State earlier.
Su Juan said, "On that day, when this County Magistrate Dong was in He County, he claimed to have a patron in the Capital who was promoting him, and that he would surely rise up high next year."
The courtiers were shocked. They looked at each other, wondering who this patron was.
Minister Mei subconsciously felt a pang of unease in his heart. Could it possibly be related to him?
But upon careful thought, he didn’t know anyone named Dong, so it couldn’t be him.
The Old Emperor’s gaze gradually turned cold and stern.
Su Juan then looked towards Minister Mei and then to the Old Emperor above, "Your Majesty, it was only recently upon returning to the Capital that I discovered that this County Magistrate Dong is actually a distant relative of Minister Mei of the Ministry of Personnel!"
Shock swept through the court!
How could Minister Mei have such a corrupt distant relative!?
This man Mei He’s is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel; could something be amiss here...
Minister Mei was immediately flustered, "You’re talking nonsense!"
"Your Majesty, this old minister does not have any distant relatives named Dong. I don’t know any County Magistrate Dong from He County!"
This was clearly Su Juan spouting nonsense, slandering him!
Looking at the frantic Minister Mei, Su Juan feigned surprise, "Minister Mei didn’t know? That County Magistrate Dong is the maternal family brother of your brother’s wife’s sister’s husband’s second concubine!"
Upon hearing this, the court fell into silence.
That distant relative... was surely stretched a bit far.
Su Juan leisurely watched him, [Who hasn’t opened their mouth yet, just you yap all day long.]
Mei He’s face turned red and green, wanting to curse.
"May Your Majesty see clearly, this old minister truly does not know any county magistrate named Dong, what Vice Minister Su said might just be a coincidence."
"Oh, I see, so it really is a coincidence," Su Juan did not hurry to refute, as indeed this County Magistrate Dong was just a coincidence, but in other matters, the evidence was conclusive.
Originally, the position of Minister of War was still vacant, and the matters of the Six Ministries could not be rushed, but Mei He hastily bumped into the muzzle himself, so he could only blame himself.
...
That day after the court session dispersed, the Emperor privately summoned Duke Ping and the Chief Secretary.
The Old Emperor chose not to pursue a matter hidden by Duke Ping, as his relationship with the Empress had improved recently due to discussions about Su Juan, and he feared it might displease the Empress.
"I summoned you two today because I want the Zongzheng Temple to add Su Juan to the imperial family genealogy. After spring arrives, I will issue an edict to appoint her as the Crown Princess. What do you think?"
He had been mulling over this matter for some days and had sought advice from the Ministry of Rites, where Minister Wu also thought it natural for Princess Le’an’s descendants to be included in the imperial genealogy.
The dealings with Zongzheng Temple there would indeed require numerous formalities.
Hence, he sought the two for discussion.
The Chief Secretary slightly hesitated, understanding the Emperor’s eagerness to recognize his granddaughter, but it seemed too rushed.
Duke Ping remained silent for a long time, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes you should first summon Su Juan and explain everything to her. As for the rest... establishing a title first and then discussing the appointment as Crown Princess is not too late."
Currently, rumors about Princess Le’an are spreading vaguely within the court, not specifying who it was. Suddenly declaring the elevation of a Crown Princess would surely meet with opposition, which would not be advantageous for Su Juan.
The Chief Secretary agreed, stating that this matter should proceed step by step, first recognizing her ancestry and entering her onto the genealogy, not to be rushed.
Upon their comments, the Old Emperor also found some sense in it.
Duke Ping said in a deep voice, "Perhaps Your Majesty should summon Su Juan first?"
From what he understood, since the Emperor learned about Su Juan’s identity, he had yet to privately summon her. As a supreme figure, could it be he feared anything?
The Old Emperor coughed twice, "You two deliberate, and tomorrow I will summon Zongzheng Temple."
"Yes."
The two exchanged glances and then withdrew.
Afterwards, the Old Emperor still did not send anyone to summon Su Juan, feeling that at this age, suddenly having a granddaughter emerge left him unsure of how to acknowledge her.
He had been troubled by this matter these past days, thinking he should first handle what was on the surface.
When the world knows, and both of them are aware, there would be no need to trouble over the acknowledgment.
At that moment, Su Juan was with the Empress and was summoned right after the court session by people from the Empress’ side.
For the first time, grandmother and granddaughter spoke openly, and the Empress’ eyes reddened, "I heard Xu State is perilous, with many rioters and bandits. Were you hurt anywhere?"
Su Juan shook her head with a smile, "Replying to the Empress, no. Xie Xun also went with me, and he is very skilled."
"Xun’er has followed many Martial Arts Masters from a young age, and his skills are indeed good."
The Empress pulled Su Juan to sit beside her, "Yet you still call me Empress. Now that you know your background, I’ve always hoped you’d call me Grand Empress Dowager."
Su Juan slightly hesitated, "Grand Empress Dowager."
Upon hearing this, the Empress choked and wept, while a nanny beside her hurried to hand her a handkerchief.
Su Juan, having had no kin, was all alone. Now she had both an uncle and a grandmother. Though calling her grandmother still felt a bit awkward, always somewhat shy.
But watching the Empress like this, a strange sadness welled up inside her.
Through tears, the Empress smiled, "Last night, your grandfather came to me and said that after consulting with the Ministry of Rites, he would summon Zongzheng Temple to acknowledge your ancestry, and he discussed with me your title."
"Grand Empress Dowager thought all night, feeling ’Fushou’ was nice, wishing you well-being and longevity, while your grandfather preferred ’Jinyang,’ expressing nobility and his attention. What do you think?"
Su Juan was slightly stunned, one title thought of by the Empress, hoping for her wellness, while the Emperor’s choice showed nobility and his regard.
She smiled, "Granddaughter thinks both are fine, listening to Grand Empress Dowager and Grandfather."
The Empress smiled too, "You balance things carefully."
"Well, you have already achieved something in the court, listening to your grandfather is definitely right."
Let those in the court see, especially those with ulterior motives, they too should consider carefully.
Su Juan’s eyes curved in a smile, "I’ll just follow Grand Empress Dowager."
The Empress lovingly touched her face, "You’ve lost weight; you had more flesh on your face before going to Xu State."
Su Juan laughed, "Being thinner looks better."
The nanny beside them laughed, "The little heir was already good-looking. Now the Empress looks at her and feels pained seeing her thinner."
"Empress, I was thinking to instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare some nourishing soup for the little heir."
The Empress nodded, "You’re considerate; go ahead."
After the nanny left, the Empress patted the back of Su Juan’s hand, "Stay in the palace tonight. Earlier, I had someone prepare a side hall. Have a good conversation with your grandfather during dinner, and don’t be distant."
In the court, one cannot do without protection.
Su Juan naturally understood the Empress’ meaning, feeling warmed at heart, "Granddaughter understands."
