Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 216: This Girl Must Be Crazy

In less than two days, the rumor that Princess Jinyang was a traitor grew increasingly rampant in the Capital City and even spread to areas beyond. The Old Emperor, because she was his only granddaughter, couldn’t bear to punish her and put her under house arrest.

Song Qianfan arranged for some people to spread such rumors in the marketplaces everywhere, intending to create the image of the Old Emperor becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Princess Jinyang.

The once highly favored Princess Jinyang now was brought up in conversations with an air of perplexity—how such a good princess could involve herself with traitors.

Within the court, some even began advising the Old Emperor to select a suitable candidate from the Imperial Family for adoption, with the most active being the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

It seemed the Old Emperor was also showing signs of yielding.

On this day, Song Qianfan had just secretly returned to the mansion from a hidden camp on the outskirts of the Capital City where his private soldiers were stationed. He saw Yan Zizhan and laughed heartily, praising, "Zizhan, you truly did not let me down, well done, well done indeed!"

"Now, not only the Capital City but even Huai State knows that the current Emperor and Princess Jinyang are not on good terms and that someone from the Imperial Family is to be chosen for adoption."

As long as the news spreads, when the time is ripe, and Yan Zheng the Emperor and others are diverted, they could join forces with Yu Ting to take over the Imperial City. At that time, they could use the pretext of quelling Princess Jinyang’s rebellion and their own rescue mission to invite troops, thereby taking the country into their hands.

Everyone would know that this country belongs to him, Song Qianfan.

Song Qianfan laughed with such pride as if he already saw himself occupying the Imperial City and ascending to the throne.

Yan Zizhan did not expect the news to spread so quickly; it seemed Song Qianfan indeed had some capable people under him.

"Princely Heir, next month is the autumn hunt, Yan Zheng will accompany the party. I believe that’s a good time to deploy troops."

Song Qianfan nodded, "I also think so. In a couple of days, I will invite Yu Ting over to discuss this at the mansion."

He had a fierce look in his eyes, thinking that once he conquered the country, he would make people like Su Juan unable to live or die in peace.

Yan Zizhan looked at him, secretly sneering, thinking that the day this fool ascended the throne would be the day he destroyed the country.

Controlling such a fool was truly effortless.

...

The situation regarding the Prince Jing Mansion harboring traitors never reached a conclusion. The Prince Mansion was still open for anyone to come and go, but Prince Jing remained inside contemplating his mistakes, waiting for punishment.

Song Qianhang had been dismissed from his position and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice Prison. Liu Miaoying and others had gone to see him and said some words about helping him out of trouble.

Upon learning of Su Juan’s house arrest, he felt guilty. If he hadn’t begged her to speak on his behalf that day, she wouldn’t have been burdened by him.

Su Juan, on the other hand, was eating and drinking well in the mansion. Liu Miaoying noticed that she had gained weight again, her face had become even chubbier, the soft, fleshy cheeks made people want to reach out and pinch them.

Surprisingly, Prince Han went to the palace once and upon returning, he was also put under house arrest in the mansion, and the entire Han Prince Mansion was guarded by the Forbidden Army, allowing no one in or out.

Rumors were rampant, and when Liu Xuan brought the news, Su Juan was astonished.

"I heard he went to the palace to plead with the Emperor on behalf of the Pei Family. It seems he had a blood-soaked book of Pei Lianshan’s grievances from those years and wanted the Emperor to re-investigate the old case. Enraged, His Majesty confined him in the Prince Mansion, ordering him to reflect on his mistakes."

Su Juan furrowed her brow, a blood-soaked book?

She hadn’t expected Prince Han to have such a blood-soaked book in his possession, but it made sense.

With this, both Princess Jinyang and Prince Han had lost power, and both princes in the Capital City were under house arrest. If anyone wanted to stir trouble now, it would be the perfect opportunity.

Su Juan was planning to lie low for a few more days, but the Old Emperor couldn’t stand it any longer. The Minister of Revenue complained to him daily, as if without Su Juan, the Ministry of Revenue would fall into chaos, even though no one knew what use this Chief of Staff had!

With a handwritten decree, he lifted Su Juan’s ’house arrest’ and ordered her back to court.

The next day, when Su Juan returned to court, many of those who had previously flattered her were now avoiding her, afraid of getting implicated with the traitors.

She stifled a yawn, not dressing as neatly as before, even applying powder on her face to appear more haggard.

Su Juan thought that if she had to put on a show, she shouldn’t miss out on these little details. She needed to make everyone in the shadows truly believe that Princess Jinyang had fallen from grace, so she planned to argue with her dear Grandfather during court, ’infuriating’ him into going to the Imperial Hospital.

Upon seeing Su Juan, the Minister of Revenue and some of her close colleagues gathered around her, "Your Highness has endured a lot these days, looking quite haggard."

Su Juan’s voice was weak and feeble, her smile strained, "Perhaps I haven’t been resting well. Lately, I’ve had a poor appetite and haven’t been able to eat much."

Scholar Yuan from the Hanlin Academy showed concern, "Your Highness must take care of your health. I heard you were injured before. How are you now?"

Su Juan gratefully looked at him, "All better now."

However, some other officials nearby were puzzled and muttered, "Does Her Highness look haggard?"

"Her complexion is fairer, but she seems to have gained a lot of weight. She must not have been eating poorly at all... how could her appetite be bad?"

Su Juan: [...] At least, keep a distance when you say that!

Liu Miaoying helped smooth things over, "I visited Her Highness a couple of days ago. It seems she is taking some medicine for her health. The doctor said that this medicine tends to cause girls to gain some weight."

The group suddenly understood, "I see, I was wondering why Her Highness seems so much plumper after not seeing her for a while. It’s because of the medicine."

"Yes, yes, I thought it was from eating too much."

Su Juan quietly gave Liu Miaoying a thumbs-up, well done.

During the morning court, with numerous state affairs, technically, as an Assistant Minister who had just returned to court, Su Juan shouldn’t have had much to say, but no matter what topic was presented, she managed to interject with a few words, leaving others speechless.

Ministry of Justice: "Your Majesty, Song Qianhang has been in the Ministry of Justice Prison for some time now. We’re unsure how to deal with him, and I beseech Your Majesty for guidance."

[Just release him already! What kind of guidance do you need? He hasn’t committed any crimes, yet you keep detaining him, just because he’s the son of a former rival, tsk.]

Ministry of Justice: "..."

Ministry of War: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War building has been in disrepair for a long time. We request Your Majesty to issue an order for its renovation."

[If you need money, just say so! Why speak in such flowery terms? The Old Emperor is so stingy, do you think fancy words will get you more silver?]

Ministry of War: "..."

Ministry of Industry: "Your Majesty, documentation from Xu State has arrived, unclear as it seems to involve favoritism. I believe we should promptly send someone to investigate, oversee local government and farmer projects, to avoid major mistakes."

[Xu State is governed well, documentation has never been lacking, yet you immediately call for oversight. Can’t you ask if you don’t understand? You’re always sending people to wield authority, the whole court knows your Ministry of Industry is idle and just wants to use fieldwork as an excuse for leisure, as if no one knows.]

The face of the Minister of the Ministry of Industry turned red: Nonsense!

The Old Emperor coughed lightly, indicating Su Juan should ease up, to not go too far.

However, Su Juan didn’t stop and aimed her words at the Old Emperor, [Cough, cough, feeling displeased? Just say it! All day long, you sit there with an air of arrogance, expecting others to guess your thoughts. If you’re capable, come down already!]

The Old Emperor: "..." This girl must be mad.

The entire court: She truly is mad.