Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 211: Borrowed Authority

After Imperial Censor Chen was dragged away, Su Juan ordered people to tidy up, and soon the hall returned to its original state, neat and clean, as if nothing had happened, as if everything that just transpired was just an illusion.

However, many present were quite shocked, especially Mei Ying, whose face turned white as she gripped her handkerchief tightly, her legs trembling in fear.

For merely cursing Su Juan a few times, he was punished with forty strokes by the Emperor, a full forty strokes, even if by chance he survived, he would be paralyzed on one side, his life ruined.

Thinking of the words she had spoken in the palace that day, she suddenly looked at Liu Miaoying, afraid that Liu Miaoying would reveal what she had said that day.

Feeling someone looking at her, Liu Miaoying gazed back, and at the moment their eyes met, Mei Ying turned her head guiltily.

Xie Xun, on the side, curiously followed her gaze and saw Mei Ying, muttering, "I didn’t hear that Su Juan had any dealings with the Mei family, why did she invite her in?"

This Mei family has quite a relationship with Prince Jing Mansion, she surely doesn’t intend to woo them, right?

After all, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Liu Miaoying’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, if it’s not to woo Mei He, then is Juan planning to target him?

The Old Emperor sat at the main table with the Empress, and those below were respectful and humble, especially the merchants, who were terrified, never imagining that by holding the Su Mansion’s invitation, aiming to establish a relationship with the Princess, they would end up facing the Emperor.

He truly is a ruler of the nation, his demeanor is extraordinary.

Su Juan sat beside the Empress, who consoled her a few words, feeling that today’s events had wronged her granddaughter.

If she lived in the palace, under her protection, such a thing wouldn’t have happened.

The Emperor glanced around, his eyes darkening slightly, "You are now a princess, you must establish your own residence, and solve any problems you encounter on your own."

Chen, the Imperial Censor, obviously timed it accurately for when the Emperor would come, waiting for the Emperor to clean up and resolve it for her.

Su Juan smiled in response, "Grandfather says so, and your granddaughter remembers it."

The Old Emperor nodded slightly, satisfied.

[Am I foolish? That’s the Imperial Censor, how can I, a mere Fourth Rank, fight them?]

The courtiers lamented, being of such young age yet already Fourth Rank, even though Imperial Censor Chen is Third Rank, he can’t compare.

[I wouldn’t have borrowed your Emperor’s might, feigning the tiger’s awe!]

Someone coughed lightly, indeed, Princess Jinyang is candid, speaking so frankly of using strategic advantage.

The Old Emperor wasn’t angry, it’s actually a good thing that she has this level of calculation.

Seeing the Emperor not upset, everyone present was trembling, grateful they hadn’t offended Su Juan, otherwise, if there were autumn accounts, there’d be no escape.

Now with Imperial Censor Chen as precedent, who would dare speak a word of gossip about Princess Jinyang?

Cai Yi glanced at Su Juan several times, drinking quietly, knowing how to leverage power and influence is wise.

These Imperial Censors, reliant on the Emperor’s tolerance of advisors to the nation and the unwritten rule not to kill speech officials, act freely, impeaching and advising, ever since Su Juan was titled Princess Jinyang, the rumors of her impure imperial blood have increased, mostly initiated by these Imperial Censors.

She naturally knows that directly confronting the Imperial Censors in court would bring no benefit, so she uses the Emperor’s influence to suppress, punishing one as a warning to others.

The Emperor’s favor can be given to anyone and can be withdrawn at any time, now with Imperial Censor Chen as a bloody example, people under heaven should understand Princess Jinyang’s significance in the Emperor’s heart, who would dare follow suit?

...

The next day, Chen, the Imperial Censor, received forty strokes at the Meridian Gate, he managed to survive forty strokes only to succumb days later as his condition worsened.

The Old Emperor took the opportunity to punish several who wagged their tongues alongside Imperial Censor Chen.

The news spread like wildfire, throughout the Capital everyone knew that Imperial Censor Chen, who disrespected the Princess, was beaten to death, by order of the Emperor, those who had spoken similarly shivered with fear, lest they be dragged off, meeting Imperial Censor Chen’s fate, not daring even to leave their doors.

Quite a few officials claimed ’illness,’ and retreated to recuperate.

The Emperor seized the chance to give control of the patrol camp defending the Capital to Su Juan, she was well-versed in court matters, yet hadn’t much engaged with military affairs.

As Duke Ping said, to establish a Crown Princess and persuade all courtiers, the precedent events mustn’t be missing.

He said gravely, "If you don’t understand anything, consult Duke Ping, he understands these well."

Su Juan did not expect the Old Emperor would let her take over these so quickly, much faster than she anticipated, "Your granddaughter understands."

Upon learning this news, Prince Han once again sent a message to Song Qianhang, but this time, he waited until noon passed and didn’t see anyone.

Strategist: "Prince, this Song Qianhang and Princess Jinyang are closely tied, perhaps he won’t be swayed by the Prince."

"Now, the control of the patrol camp in the Capital is handed to her, the Emperor evidently intends to title the Crown Princess, the Prince should plan early."

Currently, Princess Jinyang’s prominence is growing, according to his estimation, at most a year, at least a few months, the matter of establishing the Crown Princess will be finalized.

Prince Han naturally understood the strategist’s meaning, "Sir, what do you think I should do next?"

Strategist: "I believe the Prince could exploit Song Qianhang’s background, uncover the Pei Family’s rebellion, as Princess Jinyang is closely tied to him, she would surely speak for him, thus you could dampen her prominence."

And take the chance to pin a charge of harboring traitors on Prince Jing, achieving dual goals.

Prince Han’s gaze darkened, his tone icy, "Unsuitable!"

The strategist’s expression was displeased, "Prince, to accomplish major undertakings, one mustn’t be soft-hearted."

In his view, Prince Han holds significant military power, can rally several courtiers, by charging Princess Jinyang and Prince Jing with colluding with traitors, taking the opportunity to aim at the palace, changing dynasties wouldn’t be hard!

Yet Prince Han was repeatedly soft-hearted, considering this and that, missing so many opportunities.

Since time immemorial, which reigning monarch didn’t ascend the dragon throne stepping on bones?

The strategist urged, wanting Prince Han to make this decision.

Prince Han’s lips pursed tightly, contemplating a while, he still waved his hand, saying, "Unsuitable."

"Jinyang is my Imperial Brother’s only granddaughter, and Prince Jing is both my royal brother, I know sir’s intention is for my sake, but they both are my kin, how could I do such a thing to harm my own family?"

Moreover, Pei Lianshan is a brother I grew up with, now he has but one son alive, his actions that day were meant to restrain Jinyang, he had no intention to harm the son of an old friend.

He never believed the charge of Pei Family’s rebellion, how could he use Pei Family’s injustice to calculate this!

Thus how am I different from those people?

Upon hearing this, the strategist’s gaze dimmed, realizing Prince Han indeed wasn’t the one to achieve great things.

"I respect the Prince’s sentiments, Zizhan is here today, there’s actually another matter."