Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 27 - 26: Courtly Gossip

The next day, before dawn, Su Juan was shaken awake by Dongdong. She stood groggily, letting Dongdong manipulate her into her official attire, which fit somewhat loose on her, not quite the right size.

After all, the existing official attire was tailored for men’s figures, and since the Emperor demanded her immediate attendance at court, the palace eunuchs could only deliver a set that barely fit her.

Dongdong seemed more energetic than usual, more excited than usual. She shook Su Juan, "Master, open your eyes quickly. It’s nearly the third watch; you need to leave."

On a usual day, at this hour, the Prince and the Young Master would have already had breakfast and be on their way to the palace in the carriage.

Su Juan rubbed her eyes, barely opening them to see that it was still dark outside, muttering curses.

She thought 8 AM in modern times was bad enough. But coming to ancient times, she had to get up at 3 AM for court—this was worse than 8 AM!

Dongdong stuffed two buns into Su Juan’s hands, pulling and pushing her into the carriage while reminding her, "Master, remember to eat the buns while they’re warm. They’ll taste bad when cold!"

It was already autumn; if the buns sat for a while, they’d turn cold and hard.

Luckily, they lived close to the palace; getting up at the third watch was just about right. If they lived further away, she’d have to get up even earlier.

On the carriage, Su Juan drowsily fell asleep again.

When someone woke her up, many officials were already walking into the palace. She tugged at her official attire, yawned, clutched her buns, and got off the carriage while muttering curses.

Song Qianfan, disliking walking with her, felt embarrassed and left earlier. Only Prince Jing waited for her.

A group of people waited outside the hall. It was already the seventh segment of the third watch when Su Juan started to nibble on a bun. The hall doors opened wide.

Prince Jing consoled her, "It’s your first time attending court; it’s normal not to be used to it. You’ll get used to it; no need to worry."

Su Juan nodded like a little chick, "Daughter-in-law understands."

She then lowered her head, followed the crowd into the hall, and found a corner to nibble on her buns quietly.

Among the officials present, she had the lowest rank, while the others were all fourth rank or higher. Naturally, she stood at the back, her small frame completely blocked by those in front. Su Juan was quite satisfied with this.

[These buns are so hard, and there’s no side dish to go with them, sigh!]

[Am I going to be this miserable every day from now on?]

[Getting up at 3 AM to attend court hungry, gnawing on these hard buns that are hard to swallow?]

Su Juan began to miss the delicious food from Prince Jing’s mansion, like the roast duck legs and meat buns that Song Qianhang brought her...

As she thought about it, her mouth almost watered, but when she looked down, she only had a hard bun left.

[Forget it, I better eat it. Who knows when the old Emperor will finish today; I can’t afford to stay hungry.]

The officials in the hall could hear this, and several looked at her disdainfully, especially Song Qianfan, who was full of contempt. This woman was about to attend court and was still eating; it was truly indecent!

"See? Women aren’t suited to be officials. What is this!?"

"But it was the Emperor himself who decreed it..."

The fair scholar from the Hanlin Academy in front of Su Juan discreetly pulled a large biscuit from his wide sleeve and handed it to her, "If Vice Director doesn’t mind, try my sesame seed cake. It might be cold, but it should still taste okay."

Su Juan’s eyes lit up and she took it immediately, "Thank you, Brother Yuan."

Feeling a bit bad about taking the bun without offering anything in return, she handed her remaining bun to the Hanlin Academy Scholar, "I won’t take it for free, let’s trade with this bun."

The Hanlin Academy Scholar accepted it with a smile, a bit surprised that she knew his surname was Yuan.

Su Juan, having gotten the sesame seed cake, took a big bite right away. [Unexpectedly, Scholar Yuan is a decent person, handing over his filling cake to me so generously.]

Song Qianfan glanced at her disdainfully. As if Prince Jing’s mansion was lacking food or clothing for her, and just a sesame seed cake could win her over.

The Hanlin Academy Scholar felt a bit guilty. He had purposefully bought the extra biscuits, planning ahead in case today’s court debut for Su Juan would require it.

It was rumored that this Vice Director Su was formidable; Vice Minister Du fell to his current state because of her handiwork.

Everyone in the Capital City knew about Young Master Lian’s peculiar hobbies, and now Miss Shen was like a rat crossing the street, with everyone wanting to chase her away.

How many family secrets did she know thoroughly?

He thought, maybe a bun could earn some favor from Su Juan...

In the next second, Su Juan sighed, [This Scholar Yuan is quite nice but a bit too soft and unable to take charge. His family quarrels day and night while he takes refuge in the study, a man lacking in responsibility.]

Those around pricked up their ears immediately, good heavens!

So Scholar Yuan spent nights in the guest room. No wonder he always complained about backaches; people thought his wife was tiring him out at night and envied his great fortune!

Everyone shook their heads; they couldn’t handle such a blessing.

Hanlin Academy Scholar: "???"

For a moment, he felt he’d have done better to feed that biscuit to a dog than let it end up in Su Juan’s stomach.

"Scholar Yuan, how is your family doing recently? Not that I’m saying anything, but harmony at home is paramount; you can’t be careless."

The Cabinet Scholar gave a sympathetic look but was secretly laughing.

The Hanlin Academy Scholar gritted his teeth, "Thanks for Mr. Wang’s concern; everything is fine."

Su Juan listened keenly, took a bite of the big biscuit, and glanced at the person talking to the Hanlin Academy Scholar, [Oh, turned out to be Mr. Wang from the cabinet...]

The mentioned Mr. Wang was unaware danger was approaching him.

Others had already pricked up their ears long before.

Su Juan didn’t disappoint.

[And dare you talk about Scholar Yuan. At least his character is upright, while your own family is a mess, inviting every kind of relative and friend to live at your home without even spending a bit more silver to hire servants for housekeeping.]

[Your wife does all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry, while you keep a mistress at Chunxiang Building, coming home to scold and beat your wife when things don’t go your way. Such a stingy, scumbag, horrible man!]

[Truly on par with Song Qianfan!]

The Cabinet Scholar’s face turned all shades of green and white.

Song Qianfan’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, cursing Scholar Wang was one thing; dragging him into it was unnecessary!

At this moment, no one paid Song Qianfan any mind; they were shocked. Mr. Wang always put on a generous and hospitable front, who knew he’d be such a character in private—beating his wife and visiting Chunxiang Building!

The Hanlin Academy Scholar suddenly felt balanced and at ease.

[But this scumbag got what he deserved. His wife likely already ran off with their two-year-old son, following that close friend of Mr. Wang who always stayed over at their house.]

Su Juan’s words indeed stirred waves!

All the officials pricked up their ears, maintaining silence as not to miss the latest scandal!

The Cabinet Scholar’s heart skipped a beat, almost fainting.

Nonsense!

His wife was always virtuous and obedient!

His friend grew up with him, as close as brothers!

How could they put a green hat on him?

[Tsk tsk, you keep inviting him over for drinks, not knowing you love drinking, while he loves your wife!]