Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 69 - 68: Su Juan Goes Berserk
The old Emperor felt a headache coming on. At such a critical time, Su Juan seemed unconcerned about the magnitude of the issue—punishing one family was already perplexing enough, let alone three families.
The courtiers debated heatedly. The civil servants expressed: The Li Family is grieving over the loss of a son; how could they be punished?
The military officers commented: Marquis Wu Yuan has only one sole grandson!
The relatives of the royal family stated: Even the Concubine’s brother took his baton punishment at the first instance—fifty strokes in all. An ordinary person could die from thirty strokes, and though he’s not dead, he’s nearly lost half his life.
The Minister of the Ministry of Justice snorted coldly; after all, young girls will be young girls. Look at what nonsense they’re spouting.
Su Juan thought to herself, entirely disregarding the consequences, speaking as if in a frenzy, [Marquis Wu Yuan deserves severe punishment. His grandson bullied for so long, mocked daily as a cripple, an orphan without parents. He, as a grandfather, was completely unaware and failed to take good care of his grandson. Had he solved it earlier and protected him, would the grandson have needed to retaliate in sorrow, injuring the Li Family’s son’s eye? He should be punished!]
The crowd fell silent, fearing Su Vice Director had gone mad.
[The Bian Family elders should also be severely punished. Allowing their young son to ride a horse in the marketplace at such a young age—didn’t they know there might be blind people who’d get hit? How dare they give him a horse! Even if the Bian Family’s son didn’t understand the dangers of horseback riding, shouldn’t the elders know? They should be punished!]
The old Emperor was at a loss, realizing the madness was true.
[The Li Family should be punished even more! Your son’s a son, but is Marquis Wu Yuan’s grandson not a grandson? Was it acceptable to ridicule and humiliate him daily? Even if his parents died serving the country, their sacrifice was noble—whereas your parents being alive is no different from them being dead!]
The military officers became indignant, those words were well spoken!
If they, as battle-hardened warriors, were to die on the battlefield, leaving behind family, and then be humiliated— it would be an injustice they could never rest in peace over.
[Marquis Wu Yuan, in his venerable old age, with impressive battle achievements, raising a pitiful lame grandson, never accepted a bit of favor or compassion from the heavens, yet he’s humiliated daily by your son who does nothing but drink and visit brothels. How dare the Li Family do that!]
How indeed!
[Li, enjoying the peace from others’ hard-fought victories, yet allowing his son to humiliate those who conquered lands—such disgrace upon national heroes, should it not be heavily punished?]
Indeed, it should!
[The grandfather-grandson pair with broad hearts didn’t want to involve authorities; if it weren’t for that, just injuring his eye is already lenient!]
That’s right, lenient!
[Even if it’s true he took his own life in shame, had he lived and the ever observant old Emperor found out, wouldn’t he have received fifty lashes first!] 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Yes, indeed!
The suddenly spotlighted old Emperor: "???"
Originally gridlocked in disagreement, the courtiers now became inflamed by Su Juan: punishment is due, for the Li Family’s son’s suicide only made it easy for him.
If even a child can humiliate those who’ve forged the country, won’t it chill the hearts of all the warriors across the land!?
Prince Jing wiped sweat from his brow—this daughter-in-law certainly had a sharp tongue; it was fortunate he had never mistreated her; otherwise, she might’ve talked him into an early departure one day.
How on earth did the Su Family raise such a formidable presence?
[The old Emperor is kind-hearted; if it were me, I’d already have the Li Family’s son’s body exhumed and flogged fifty times, as a warning to the world!]
Su Juan’s passionate rhetoric left no one untouched among the civil and military officials, all chanting together: indeed, even flogging the corpse wouldn’t be excessive!
Now, those who initially spoke for the Li Family, dared not make a sound.
Those who advocated for the Bian Family also quieted; it was now a dispute purely between Marquis Wu Yuan’s household and the Li Family, better to remain silent when required.
Those who supported Marquis Wu Yuan, some were left in tears by the young girl’s words, feeling both aggrieved and moved.
At last, someone understands how hard it is for us soldiers who risked our lives on the battlefield!
Someone sincerely remarked to Prince Jing, "Prince, you’ve indeed gained a good daughter-in-law!"
Prince Jing wiped his brow again, "Yes, indeed..."
If she were his daughter, he’d be delighted, but she’s the wife of his disappointing son, so how could he be happy about it?
She was like a venerable Buddha placed by the old Emperor in Prince Jing Mansion—neither to be scolded nor offended, rather to be served with good food and drink.
At times, he even wondered if Su Juan might be an illegitimate child of the old Emperor, raised incognito in his mansion, why else would she be so troublesome yet so protected by the old Emperor.
Yet upon further thought, it seemed absurd, for if it were true, wouldn’t his childless imperial brother keep and spoil her in the palace rather than leaving her to endure grievance in Prince Jing Mansion?
At this moment, the crowd erupted in fervor, unanimously petitioning the old Emperor to punish all three families, vindicating fairness and justice.
The old Emperor looked at the unprecedented consensus among the courtiers, feeling conflicted yet gratified.
His partiality lay with Marquis Wu Yuan, but still, they were all his subjects; he couldn’t be utterly biased. The Minister of Justice, being too timid, consistently petitioned him for a middle ground, leaving him thoroughly vexed.
Although Su Juan seemed somewhat deranged, her words hit the mark, albeit coarse, yet grounded in truth.
The Minister of the Ministry of Justice was stunned—punish all three families?
Perhaps it’s not impossible...
Though this young girl’s words were crude, the reasoning was solid.
Punish the three families collectively, leaving no one unpunished; if any dissatisfaction remains, continue the punishment until satisfaction is achieved. If necessary, commence with your son’s fifty lashes first.
The civil servants advocating for the Li Family couldn’t muster a single word; Su Vice Director’s relentless rhetoric brought even the notion of flogging the corpse, who can counter such verbal prowess?
The old Emperor felt relieved—it had to be Su Juan.
I’ve truly found a treasure.
From afar came a quip: [The old Emperor always plays the nice guy, leaving the Minister of Justice as the bad guy; so unfair.]
The Minister of Justice in tears.
The old Emperor remained silent: "..." The young girl wouldn’t stop complaining for a day, ready to turn the world upside down.
...
After court, several military generals, who previously never engaged with Su Juan, approached with concern, "Vice Director, we’ve heard the Princely Heir is embroiled in litigation; is all well?"
Su Juan dismissed it with a wave, "All is well."
[Song Qianfan is impressive, stirring up an issue that drew so much concern?]
[Who’s concerned about him, old man? It’s you they’re concerned about. This young girl, so sharp-tongued—how come this hasn’t crossed your mind?]
Su Juan courteously expressed gratitude towards her colleagues’ concern, "This humble servant thanks her colleagues on behalf of the Princely Heir, no significant issue, no need for worry."
Only then did the several generals leave together.
At this moment, a maidservant from the Empress hurried over, wearing a smile and showing respect, "Lord Su, the Empress has prepared a meal and invites you to join her."
Individuals pricked their ears, having long heard of the Empress’s fondness for the Vice Director, now even inviting him to a meal.
This Vice Director is truly fortunate!
Only to see Su Juan lightly cough, "Unfortunately, I caught a cold yesterday; today, I’m afraid I cannot accompany the Empress for a meal. Could I trouble the young lady to convey my apologies to the Empress, and I’ll make amends another day?"
Saying that, she hurriedly left, fearing to be called back.
The crowd: A cold? You walk almost as if flying.
No matter how grand the fortune, this girl’s mouth can chatter the luck away.
