Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 194: What Damn Warmth

When the Empress sent someone to invite the Emperor for a meal, the Old Emperor was discussing matters with several courtiers.

Seeing that there were still court officials around, the messenger, a trusted palace attendant of the Empress, stated, "Your Majesty, the young mistress is presently accompanying the Empress, and the Empress especially sent this servant to inquire whether Your Majesty would like to dine together this evening."

Upon hearing this, the Old Emperor couldn’t conceal his smile, "Go back and tell the Empress that I will come over a little later."

The courtiers exchanged glances. It seemed the matter of Princess Le’an was not a mere rumor, for now this princess was indeed accompanying the Empress in the palace.

One senior courtier mustered the courage to ask, "Your Majesty, is it Princess Le’an?"

The Old Emperor chuckled, "It’s not Le’an, Le’an passed away a few years ago. This is my own granddaughter, and I’ve been pondering her title these past days."

The courtiers were taken aback. Princess Le’an had already...

One of them reacted swiftly, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on finding your imperial grandson. It is indeed a matter for rejoicing."

The others quickly chimed in agreement.

The Old Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the assembled courtiers, "Since you’re all here, help me deliberate on a title. What do you think of ’Jin Yang’?"

The courtiers understood the significance of "Jin Yang" and replied with smiles, "Minister believes it is excellent." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

One of the courtiers, who was on good terms with Prince Han, truly did not anticipate that while Princess Le’an had died, there was a new imperial grandson. Judging by this situation, the Emperor held this imperial grandson in high regard.

After leaving the palace, he would need to quickly visit the Han Prince Mansion.

Minister Mei of the Ministry of Personnel was extremely anxious; how had an imperial grandson suddenly appeared, with the title of Jin Yang? If this continued, it would be intolerable.

...

The news of the imperial grandson spread to the residences of all sizes throughout the Capital.

Prince Han’s expression darkened. Since Le’an was dead, as long as a few words were spoken against her status as an imperial grandson at the Zongzheng Temple, naturally she would have no chance at the Crown Prince position. Reassured thusly, he could relax.

"Send a message to the Prince Jing Mansion, to my second nephew there, stating that I invite him to meet at East Moon Building tomorrow at noon to discuss urgent matters."

"Yes."

At the same time, Song Qianfan at the Prince Jing Mansion also received the news. Furious, he gritted his teeth. The Old Emperor was about to bestow the title of Jin Yang on that imperial grandson, clearly intending to establish a Crown Princess.

He couldn’t remain passive.

Once the Crown Princess was established, it would all be too late.

...

That night, the Old Emperor made his way to the Empress’s quarters. Before entering, he could already hear laughter, proving Su Juan was indeed good at amusing others, even lifting his mood.

He quickly stepped into the hall, greeting in a loud voice, "I haven’t even entered yet and I already hear your laughter; I thought perhaps I’d come to the wrong place."

Su Juan stood up together with the Empress.

The Empress smiled, "How could it be the wrong place?"

She patted Su Juan’s hand, "Juan’er, quickly greet your grandfather."

Su Juan performed a deep ceremonial bow to the Old Emperor, "Granddaughter greets grandfather."

This formal gesture surprised the Emperor, who was unaccustomed to it, so he gently supported Su Juan, chuckling awkwardly, "We’re family; no need for such formalities."

Su Juan blinked, [Then why didn’t you say so earlier.]

The Old Emperor was speechless: "..."

Recently they had been sovereign and minister; now they were grandfather and granddaughter, quite a significant shift.

Knowing it was Su Juan earlier, he had imagined a tearful and touching reunion scene of grandfather and granddaughter. After realizing it was Su Juan, all he could think of was her cheekily calling him old thing, making any sentimentality impossible.

The three sat down to dine. The Empress occasionally inquired about various matters concerning Su Juan, while the Emperor remained silent, akin to a decorative vase, failing to utter a single word for a long while.

The Empress couldn’t resist giving the Emperor a nudge and clearing her throat, signaling with her eyes for him to speak.

Your granddaughter is right in front of you, yet you don’t even know to say a few words. Sitting there solemnly as if at court, who are you trying to intimidate?

Finally, the Emperor glanced at Su Juan, thought for a while, and still didn’t know what to say. At last, he managed to squeeze out, "Is the meal to your liking?"

Su Juan responded obediently, "It’s to my liking."

The Emperor uttered an "Mm," "Then eat more."

Su Juan: "Mm."

The Empress: "..."

Nearby, the elderly maid could hardly suppress her laughter at the scene.

At this, the Old Emperor thought of something to say, "You’re not getting any younger, consider your marriage. If there’s someone you fancy, just let me know."

Su Juan fell silent, and the mood turned somewhat heavy.

The Empress was visibly displeased; she wanted the Emperor to speak to foster the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter, not to press for marriage.

The Old Emperor continued nonetheless, "I heard you have a good relationship with that Yu Zhong from the Ministry of Justice at the Dali Temple, and actually, I find Liu Xuan quite good too."

Su Juan forced a couple of awkward laughs, "Mm, yes, they are quite good."

Inside, she couldn’t help but think, [Who is spreading nonsense, where have these rumors spread to!]

[A dignified monarch actually banters along with others.]

The Old Emperor immediately put on a stern face. What rumors? Was it not you always praising Yu Zhong wherever you went?

The whole court is a witness; would I fabricate things?

[That marriage bestowed earlier was already absurd, and now you’re trying to matchmake irresponsibly again?]

The Old Emperor: What irresponsible matchmaking! Am I not doing it for your own good?

Grandfather and granddaughter glared at each other, neither intending to yield.

Seeing this, the Empress had to intervene by shifting the conversation, "Your Majesty, what title did you mention last night again?"

The Old Emperor huffed impatiently, "Jin Yang, I’ll summon the Zongzheng Temple tomorrow and issue the decree soon thereafter."

With that, he sternly looked at Su Juan, "Once the decree is issued, you’ll move into the palace. What talk is there of a young lady wandering with Xie Xun and Song Er around the brothel all day?"

Su Juan smiled sweetly, "This humble servant feels more at ease residing at the Duke Mansion, so I won’t be moving."

[What brothel, it’s Baihua Building, Baihua Building, okay! It’s just a place for listening to operas, nothing indecent, and it even welcomes female patrons, alright!]

[Look at your ignorance, yet you’re a monarch, aren’t you.]

The Old Emperor immediately fumed, "You dare defy my words?"

What’s so good about living in that impoverished, shabby place known as the Duke Mansion, how could it compare to the palace?

Su Juan: "I dare not disobey Your Majesty’s words."

The Old Emperor frowned, "Then you’ll move into the palace."

Su Juan: "No."

Both of them were stubborn, prompting the Empress beside them to frown, "Why argue?"

The moment the Empress spoke, the hall fell into silence.

The elderly maid watched on perceptively; they had been somewhat restrained earlier but now bickering, they seemed more like a family.

The Empress spoke in a measured tone, "Your Majesty, Juan’er is of an age and given the desire to live outside, let us bestow a residence."

The Old Emperor immediately adjusted his stance, "The Empress speaks rightly; by this age, it is indeed proper to establish a household outside."

Su Juan smiled sweetly, "Granddaughter thanks grandfather for the gracious gift."

[Tsk, such a quick change of face.]

The Old Emperor cast her a glance, silently scoffing, Do I change faces more quickly than you?

In other families, grandparents and grandchildren enjoy family bliss.

At my advanced age, having a granddaughter appear out of nowhere, seems more a debt collector than anything else.

As for tenderness... tenderness my foot!