Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 84 - 83: Disputes Over Storybooks
That day, Su Juan didn’t return to the Su Mansion but ran off to the Duke Ping Mansion.
While having a meal, Xie Xun was laughing hysterically, "Are you saying that Liu Miaoying is reading that type of novel, and it’s even about the two of you?"
The Duke Ping beside him was confused, what kind of novel?
He really wanted to know, but felt embarrassed to ask, afraid of appearing ignorant in front of his son and becoming a laughingstock to the sly kid.
Seeing Xie Xun laughing so hard that his chopsticks almost fell to the ground, the corner of Su Juan’s forehead twitched, "Your laughter is disturbing my sight."
[I shouldn’t have told Xie Xun, too hasty.]
Xie Xun reluctantly suppressed his laughter, "Someday, bring that novel over and let me see it too, I’m quite curious."
After all, that was Liu Miaoying, the number one talented woman in the Capital City, such a serious person, now serving as an official in the court, yet she reads that kind of novel, and the protagonist is herself, really can’t judge a book by its cover.
He’s really curious about how good the novel is to catch even Liu Miaoying’s interest.
Su Juan really couldn’t understand why Liu Miaoying would read such a thing; just thinking about the few lines she saw earlier, she found it unimaginable.
[Aren’t historical people supposed to be reserved? Could those few lines possibly come from a historical person’s pen?]
Duke Ping was even more curious, what few lines?
Which few lines?
[She even read for so long, still reading while talking to me, without blushing or her heart skipping a beat, how does she do it?]
[She even said it was the hottest novel in the Capital City lately.]
Su Juan pressed her forehead; now all she could think about were those few lines, describing the scene at the bath so vividly, just thinking about it made her ears burn.
The curiosity of Duke Ping was piqued by the succession of remarks from the two, so that very night, he ordered someone to find the hot-selling novels in the Capital City and buy them for a look.
The guards acted quickly, bringing back three books immediately.
That night, Duke Ping in the study, filled with curiosity, started reading; little did he know, the more he read, the more absorbed he became, forgetting the hour, staying up all night, yawning continuously on the way to court.
...
The next day in court, Duke Ping still had that novel on his mind, utterly unexpected, that someone in the Capital City could craft such brilliant tales about two women.
Especially, insert oneself a little into it, and it becomes even more wonderful, not knowing when the next volume will come out.
Meanwhile, Su Juan was still thinking about the novel matter, such novels should be strictly banned!
Just then, Minister Wu of the Ministry of Rites stepped forward, "Your Majesty! This old official has something to report!"
Upon his stepping out, every military and civil officer in the court could not help but tighten his heart in apprehension.
Su Juan shook her head repeatedly, [Who knows who Minister Wu is going to impeach today.]
The multitude of ministers sighed, indeed, who knows who will be impeached today.
[Whoever gets impeached is bound to be unlucky.]
Exactly!
The Old Emperor at this point wanted to end court already, but out came Minister Wu, he sighed, "Minister Wu, what do you have to report?"
Minister Wu took several books out of his sleeve and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, recently the air in the Capital City has not been proper, this old official had people investigate and found it’s related to some widely spread novels recently, so specifically bought some back, and found the content extremely shameful!"
Hearing Minister Wu mention the novels, many officials sighed in relief, fortunately, it had nothing to do with them.
But curiosity struck, they too read novels; recently many were circulating the Capital, which novel was Minister Wu referring to, was it that exaggerated?
Those close to Minister Wu curiously glanced at it, upon seeing, were stunned, it was exactly the few books they were joyfully reading.
The Old Emperor squinted, "What novel?"
He knew, after all, quite a few concubines in the harem liked reading, often sending people outside to buy them back to read; were they so intriguing?
Minister Wu held up the novel in his hand high, waiting for the Eunuch to come and take it, "It’s a wicked book named ’The Sensational Tale of Twin Beauties’!"
[The Sensational Tale of Twin Beauties?!]
Ministers went crazy: Minister Wu is really not being nice!
If it’s banned, what are they going to read!?
Before the Old Emperor got the novel, he heard Minister Wu shouting loudly, "Your Majesty! Such readings should be strictly banned!"
The sound echoed throughout the Golden Hall, hard to believe coming from someone nearly seventy, just like what Su Juan said, why resign, at least still could work another twenty years.
Su Juan was thrilled, [Minister Wu is right! Such things distorting the atmosphere in the Capital should definitely be banned!]
Ministers panicked at once, Duke Ping being the most anxious, "Your Majesty, this old minister believes what Minister Wu said is a bit severe."
[Not severe at all! My dear Lord, what nonsense are you spouting, such things should all be found and burned to ashes!]
Su Juan was evidently anxious.
The Old Emperor got curious, a novel that could make the girl this anxious, what exactly was written in it.
After the Eunuch brought the novel over, he flipped through it, quickly skimmed a few pages, it told the story of a daughter of a wealthy businessman marrying into a Prince Mansion, and after several contacts with her husband’s beloved who she couldn’t have, they became "confidants", with plenty of those vivid depictions.
"Ahem—Ahem." The Old Emperor closed the novel, set it aside.
At this moment, Minister Mo also chimed in agreeing with Duke Ping, "Your Majesty, the trend of popular novels in the Capital has always been a huge number, it’s the livelihood for many common people, if rashly banned, it might harm the very foundation of our nation, might be unwise."
The Ministry of Revenue manages the nation’s wealth, Minister Mo’s words indeed carried weight.
Other courtiers one after another agreed, "Your Majesty, this old minister agrees!"
"Your Majesty, this humble servant agrees!"
Su Juan was itching to curse out loud, [You talk nonsense! A few lousy books could harm the nation’s foundation?]
[I’m also from the Ministry of Revenue, how dare you lie through your teeth with open eyes!
Duke Ping lightly cleared his throat, "Your Majesty, I think what the Minister of Revenue said makes sense, if rashly banned, it might also hurt the hearts of the people."
[Old man, because it’s not written about you, you are talking without pain in your waist!]
Someone couldn’t hold it back, almost bursting into laughter.
Look how anxiously the Vice Director cursed out the Duke over a novel.
The Old Emperor felt quite pleased, see, who hasn’t been cursed a few times by Su Juan this girl?
He felt incredibly balanced inside.
Curse, curse a few more times, hearing it made his heart truly delighted.
Minister Wu of the Ministry of Rites didn’t expect so many obstructions, apparently, the trend had affected even the imperial court, unchecked might indeed harm the very foundation of the nation, this couldn’t be allowed.
"Your Majesty, in this old minister’s opinion, money is insignificant, if not strictly banned, the atmosphere in the Capital over time will truly harm the nation’s foundation!"
Su Juan nodded eagerly, [Minister Wu speaks so justly!]
[Old Emperor, you must think this over, what a good minister!]
Ministers were angry: You talk nonsense!
[Old Minister, you must listen, quickly ban these novels, burn them all.]
Duke Ping was anxious inside.
[You hand this matter to me, I surely will handle it neatly for you.]
The Old Emperor squinted, wasn’t it just a few novels, see how anxious the girl was getting... wasn’t it just a matter of banning books?
Oh, but I won’t, see how anxious you get.
