Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 181: As Long as It’s for the People

Late at night, Su Juan climbed up to the attic, leaned against the railing, felt the biting cold night wind, and gazed at the scene below. Large red lanterns were hung high; in two days, it would be New Year’s Eve, and another year would have passed.

"What are you thinking about?" A familiar voice sounded from behind.

Su Juan turned to see Yu Zhong walking over.

Yu Zhong followed her gaze and looked down. The scene was peaceful, and the laughter of children could be heard, "When we first arrived, Xu State was full of deserted civilians, food prices were exorbitant, and while the wealthy merchants drank and feasted, the common people died on the streets from cold and hunger."

Su Juan sighed, "Yes, seeing it then made me realize that the peace we see now wasn’t easily achieved."

[If the Southern Country were to wage war someday, the people of Xu State would suffer first again...]

Yu Zhong was silent for a while before saying, "You and Heir Xie are not just ordinary friends, are you?"

Su Juan was slightly startled, turning to look at him.

Yu Zhong continued, "Xie Xun is loyal to his friends, but when it comes to you, it’s different from with Miss Liu. It’s more like how one treats family, always openly and covertly protecting you, afraid that something might happen to you in Xu State."

The time spent in Xu State wasn’t short, and after interacting with Xie Xun and Su Juan, that feeling grew stronger.

Su Juan smiled, "As expected of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, your observations are meticulous. I wonder what else Mr. Yu, who is experienced in handling cases, has guessed?"

Yu Zhong placed his hand on the railing, his gaze fixed on Su Juan, "In the generation of Lord Duke Ping, besides him, there is one illegitimate son and two daughters. The second master of the Xie Family died on the battlefield early on, unmarried."

"Among the two daughters, one married into Huai State and passed away a few years ago, leaving only one son."

"And the other one is the current Empress."

"Throughout the court and among the populace, there’s advice to the Emperor to appoint an Imperial Brother due to the lack of an heir, but only a few old ministers in the court know that the Emperor and Empress once had a daughter. She was born when the Empress left the palace to nurse, and because of an assassination by the Tao Family, she was lost. The Princess’s jade dishware is still in the Zongzheng Temple."

Su Juan chuckled and looked at him, "But I am only nineteen this year, and even after the new year, I will only be twenty. If the Princess were still alive, she would be in her thirties, almost forty."

Yu Zhong replied, "The age of the Princess matches that of your deceased birth mother, Li Ruohua."

Su Juan looked directly at Yu Zhong, knowing he was clever but didn’t expect him to be so insightful just by noticing Xie Xun’s unusual actions.

"Just because of this, to speculate that my birth mother was the Princess back then is too hasty. If this were spoken of, no one would believe it."

Yu Zhong stared at Su Juan for a long time, "You resemble the Empress in appearance by about sixty to seventy percent."

What he didn’t say was that her eyebrows and eyes looked remarkably like the current Emperor’s.

Over the past few years, those in court only paid attention to Su Juan herself, afraid of secrets leaking out, seldom speaking with her, let alone facing and examining her appearance.

This year, Su Juan had matured, and the more you looked at her, the more she resembled the Emperor and Empress, even somewhat like Lord Ping.

This further confirmed his suspicions.

If one coincidence is a coincidence, then many coincidences together only point to the truth.

Su Juan squinted her eyes and leaned back against the railing, "Aren’t your Ministry of Justice cases based on evidence? Does Mr. Yu already have proof in hand?"

"I don’t have it, but Lord Ping undoubtedly does." Yu Zhong’s tone was very certain, as Duke Ping must have long confirmed her identity; otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Xie Xun escort her all the way.

Su Juan didn’t continue to dwell on this matter with him, just watched the people of Xu State below and asked him, "Yu Zhong, who do you favor more, Prince Han or Prince Jing?"

Seeing Su Juan’s serious demeanor, Yu Zhong pondered for a moment and answered truthfully, "Prince Han is overly righteous, and for this reason, he cannot discern loyalty and treachery well in forging alliances and employing people within the court."

Su Juan nodded in agreement. A good general isn’t necessarily a good ruler.

Yu Zhong continued, "Prince Jing is kind-hearted and overly biased in his conduct, indecisive in facing challenges, easily swayed."

The implication was clear: in his view, although these two Princes are loyal vassals, neither is suited to be a sovereign.

Perhaps it is due to understanding the personalities of these two that the Emperor has yet to appoint an Imperial Brother.

Su Juan unexpectedly asked, "Then, how about me, compared to Prince Han and Prince Jing?"

Yu Zhong remained silent for a while, simply looking at her.

Xie Xun’s voice suddenly rang out, "You guys are indeed here!"

He came running up with Liu Miaoying and Liu Xuan, smiling cheerfully, "They said they couldn’t find you, and I guessed you’d definitely be here!"

In recent months, he often saw Su Juan coming here, saying she could better see the entirety of Xu State from here.

With the conversation interrupted, the two did not mention the previous topic again.

Liu Xuan glanced at Su Juan, having something he wanted to say privately but felt it wasn’t the right time. Liu Miaoying noticed this, pulled up some matters, saying she wanted to check out the rice shop before leaving, and dragged Xie Xun away. Yu Zhong, ever observant, guessed Liu Xuan had something to say to Su Juan and sensibly followed along.

After the others left, Liu Xuan said to Su Juan, "You did well this time. The Emperor and the court officials all praised you highly."

Su Juan only replied, "I haven’t done much; just what little I could."

Most actions were carried out by Prefect Zeng; she had no real power, only providing strategies on the side.

The two leaned against the railing, gazing at Xu State’s night view, already infused with New Year’s atmosphere. Liu Xuan believed the joyful laughter of Xu State’s people was largely due to Su Juan’s efforts.

The more Su Juan looked at the hard-earned peaceful Xu State now, "If only they could always be like this."

Understanding the concern in Su Juan’s words, but when she left the Capital City then, she wasn’t like this, Liu Xuan gently asked her, "Why can’t they?"

Su Juan didn’t answer because she knew if something happened to the Old Emperor, the absence of leadership would cause internal strife, the Southern Country would start a war, attacking Da Jin. If the world fell into chaos, it would be the common people who suffer.

Sometimes, knowing too much makes it hard to live in the moment.

"If I had real power, perhaps we could do more for them."

Liu Xuan’s hand on the railing slightly tightened, "You can do it."

Su Juan turned her face towards Liu Xuan, "Would you help me?"

Meeting her gaze, Liu Xuan gently nodded, "As long as it’s for the common people of the world."

Su Juan felt warmth in her heart and suddenly shouted outside the railing, "I, Su Juan, hereby vow today to set my heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the legacy of the past sages, and to create peace for all generations!"

"May the mountains and rivers remain intact, protecting the common people of the world. Even when my temples are frosted with age, I wish only for a clear conscience!"

Liu Xuan watched her, a slight smile on his face, "May the years pass and together we last."

Below the attic, the three who hadn’t gone far were stunned.

Xie Xun: "?"

We gave you space to say some private words, and you ended up spouting lofty ambitions?!