Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 217: The Simple Birthday Banquet

Su Juan was truly indulging herself at this moment, feeling the thrill of disregarding others’ lives. It was exhilarating.

Who knew how much she had suffered since discovering these old folks could hear her inner thoughts, afraid of losing control and thinking of some indescribable things.

She couldn’t be bothered to see their reactions, squinting her eyes: [Today is truly refreshing.]

Old Emperor: "..."

I am not refreshed.

All the court ministers: We are not refreshed either.

After the morning court session ended, Scholar Yuan from the Hanlin Academy caught up with Su Juan, "Your Highness, are you in a bad mood today?"

Su Juan raised her eyebrow, glancing at him sideways, "No, I am in a splendid mood."

[Seeing those old folks displeased makes me pleased, not to mention how happy I am inside, so how could I be in a bad mood?]

Scholar Yuan secretly gave Su Juan a thumbs up in his mind. Just now in the court session, he saw the adults with gloomy faces, glaring at Princess Jinyang as she left, as if they wanted to devour someone. Indeed, the words of Her Highness today were so dense that he suddenly thought back to that time when Su Juan was still a Vice Director, standing at the end with him.

At that moment, Su Juan continued, "In a few days, it’s my birthday, and I’m planning to hold a birthday banquet. Would you like to come to my mansion and join the fun?"

Scholar Yuan’s eyes lit up, "Your Highness’s fun is something I must attend!"

He realized that every time Su Juan hosted an event, it was the most interesting, albeit rare, so not a single one should be missed.

Upon returning to the mansion, Duke Ping came, and he hadn’t even sat down yet when he explained his purpose to Su Juan, "You should pack up today and move back to my mansion."

He was truly worried, fearing that Su Juan might go too far and provoke resentment. Those with a harsh heart could use ruthless means.

After all, this Princess Mansion is not his mansion, unaware of how many spies from outsiders have infiltrated. The Duke Mansion mostly consisted of those with signed life contracts, making it safer.

Only under his watchful eye could he feel at ease.

Su Juan naturally knew he was worried about her, but at the moment, it was a crucial time. She needed to expose her every move to everyone to truly make those behind relax their guard, revealing their flaws.

"Uncle Duke, my Princess Mansion is quite fine, I’m hosting a birthday in a couple of days, so I won’t be going back to live."

Duke Ping frowned, "A birthday banquet?"

Why is she planning a birthday banquet now? 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

In previous years, when he wanted to organize one for her, she always said not to celebrate her birthday, just to eat a bowl of longevity noodles, as she really didn’t like lively events.

Why does she like it now?

"If you plan on throwing a birthday, I will arrange several people to assist you."

Su Juan waved her hand repeatedly, "No need, I’m just going to do it casually, keep everything simple."

[Having a meal, there won’t be many people coming anyway.]

After all, she was no longer the Princess Jinyang in the limelight and highly favored. Now, having a dozen people attend the banquet would be quite good.

...

Upon finding out Su Juan was having a birthday banquet, the Empress declared that it should be held in the palace, so everyone could witness it, and no one could dare to insult her granddaughter.

Su Juan, however, stated that everything should be kept simple, too much publicity was bad, and it could easily invite trouble.

The Empress looked at Su Juan, feeling extremely distressed. This girl was too sensible, surely because she was reprimanded and grounded recently, she is now scared.

That night, the Emperor thought, since the Empress must be in a good mood after meeting Su Juan, he might as well join for a meal.

Yet he went with enthusiasm, only to be stopped outside the hall, and the nursemaid was helpless, "Your Majesty, the Empress met the young princess today and learned about her recent grievances. She is truly pained and cannot see Your Majesty today, please return."

Old Emperor: "???"

What is the Empress distressed about?

What grievances did that girl suffer?

I’ve been scolded to such an extent and I’m not complaining, but she is?

Is there no justice in the world?

The nursemaid kept the Emperor from entering, making the old Emperor angry, and he couldn’t scold because she was an old hand by the Empress’s side. If he scolded or punished her, he might not see the Empress again for several years.

This grievance, he could only forcefully endure.

Hearing that Su Juan planned a birthday, the eunuch inquired if the Emperor would like to arrange a birthday gift.

The old Emperor’s face darkened, "Arrange what?"

"How dare she have one?!"

The eunuch paused slightly, not mentioning it again.

The words were clearly heard by the palace attendants present.

...

On the day of Su Juan’s birthday, indeed, not many people came. Including Liu Miaoying, Liu Xuan, and Xie Xun, there were only about a dozen people.

When Scholar Yuan from the Hanlin Academy arrived and saw just a few people, he was dumbfounded. What’s the situation, just a few people for the birthday banquet?

Wasn’t it supposed to be fun? Where was the fun in this?

Only three tables were set in the hall, whose birthday banquet was this bare, and she was a princess no less, has Princess Jinyang truly lost favor?

Mei Ying came late, and upon seeing the sparse hall with just three tables and a few people, she sneered disdainfully, feeling pity that Su Juan was still a princess, yet so poor, unlike her own birthday banquets.

If not for her father wanting her to come and spy, she wouldn’t have come for anything, attending such a shabby banquet was truly beneath her status.

Never would she have thought that Su Juan had fallen to such an extent now.

Scholar Yuan could hardly bear to look, inquiring delicately, "Your Highness, when are the others arriving?"

Su Juan smiled, "They’ve all arrived, just these people."

[Sent out over a hundred invitations, and only you guys came, good thing there’s enough seats.]

Scholar Yuan: "..."

This conversation drew everyone’s attention, all turned to look.

Su Juan sighed, "I donated my private property to the national treasury earlier, and now the banquet can only be simple."

[Had I known, I wouldn’t have donated that much, ended up empty-handed, can’t even throw a proper birthday banquet, sigh.]

Scholar Yuan suddenly realized, indeed, Her Highness was noble! The Emperor was truly unkind, this was his own granddaughter, no matter any mistakes, how could he treat her like this?!

Xie Xun: "..." Did you donate it all?

You didn’t donate a single one of those valuable shops.

Su Juan spoke, somewhat apologetically looking at the guests before her, "The banquet is simple, please bear with it."

Her eyes flickered, [Since they came, it shows they’re not those who follow the wind, so they shouldn’t leave midway, right?]

The dozen people present said in chorus, "Your Highness, you’ve spoken too highly."

Though they looked down on this banquet, they couldn’t bear the reputation of being sycophants!

Many who didn’t believe Princess Jinyang had really fallen from favor now truly believed it, noticing that even the Minister of Revenue who was normally good with Su Juan didn’t come. It appeared Princess Jinyang was out of hope.

Before long, the Emperor is indeed likely to choose another from the Imperial Family to adopt.

It was a waste of effort over the past half year to get on good terms with this Princess Jinyang, truly a pity.

In retrospect, one should look at which family member is more likely to be adopted, and it would be well to prepare that relationship in advance.