Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 185: Winning Over Liu Miaoying

As Su Juan spoke, the jade pendant in Liu Miaoying’s hand almost slipped, and she nearly knocked over the teacup beside her.

She stared at Su Juan in a daze, even doubting whether she had misheard, but the words "Crown Princess" were indeed uttered by Su Juan.

Supporting Ah Juan...

She had never imagined that one day, the words "Crown Princess" would come from Su Juan’s mouth, especially since just a couple of years ago, she was still contemplating supporting Prince Han.

At this moment, she even suspected that Su Juan was joking with her, but her expression was more serious than ever, proving that every word she had just spoken was not a joke.

She indeed had the ambition to vie for the throne, yet when did it begin? Clearly, at the start, she had found attending the court bothersome and only wished to lie down every day.

The transformation during this period was truly immense.

Observing Liu Miaoying’s reaction, Su Juan was not surprised, for this revelation was as astonishing as Xie Xun suddenly claiming to be the Old Emperor’s son and aspiring to become the Crown Prince.

"Miaoying, His Majesty has no intention of establishing an Imperial Brother, and Song Qianfan is eying the throne covetously, perhaps even plotting a rebellion. Since a choice must be made among the Imperial Family, why can’t that person be me?"

"We both witnessed the tragedy in Xu State. If we had power, perhaps we could have prevented many tragedies. We both worry and desire change, and now there’s an opportunity to grasp power, so why not seize it?"

Liu Miaoying tightly pursed her lips. Ah Juan’s words were correct; whether Prince Han or Prince Jing ascends the throne, the Liu Family is destined to be suppressed. By then, even her father would find it difficult to maintain his position in court, let alone a woman like herself.

If Su Juan restores her identity, the court will undoubtedly develop a new dynamic, which could be a chance for the Liu Family.

Feeling her determination wavering, Su Juan gently clasped Liu Miaoying’s hand, "Miaoying, neither of us wants to be trapped in the deep palace. I understand the burdens you bear, and you know the kind of person I am."

"You once lent me a hand to enter the court, knowing you have grand ambitions. Today, I ask you, would you be willing to help me?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Su Juan gazed intently at Liu Miaoying. If possible, she didn’t want to pressure Miaoying, but she needed help by her side.

She pondered that relying solely on herself was the only way to control everything, as neither Prince Han nor the Heir of Prince Han, or even Prince Yong, could be trusted.

And only by restoring her identity could she enter the Emperor’s sights, rally court officials to her cause, and secure the position of Princely Heir with real power.

Liu Miaoying, clutching the jade pendant, was held by Su Juan. She wanted to agree to her but felt it shouldn’t be so impulsive and needed further contemplation, at least until Ah Juan’s identity was confirmed.

She placed her other hand over Su Juan’s, "Ah Juan, please allow me more time to think. This is no small matter, and I cannot give you an answer now, but I assure you I’ll respond once my father has confirmed everything."

Su Juan smiled, "Alright."

After seeing Liu Miaoying off, Shen Ruhui stepped out from the inner chamber, frowning slightly, "Aren’t you afraid she’ll take the jade pendant and not return it?"

That pendant was currently the only item that could prove Su Juan’s identity.

Su Juan smiled with her lips pressed together, "I understand her. Even if Mr. Liu intends to keep it, she’ll find ways to return it to me."

Saying this, she turned to Shen Ruhui, "And you, what have you considered?"

Last night, she had approached Shen Ruhui with her intentions, arranging for him to listen to her conversation with Miaoying today, so he could understand more clearly.

"The path I must tread now is even more difficult than before. If you choose to back out at this time, I will not make it hard for you."

Shen Ruhui looked resolved, "Since the lady is honest and sincere, I, Shen, shall not disappoint."

At this moment, he finally understood that Liu Xuan’s words were all rooted in Su Juan’s identity. Undoubtedly, if there’s anyone in this world who could help him, it was Su Juan standing before him.

...

Leaving Duke Mansion with the jade pendant, Liu Miaoying walked with a heaviness in her steps.

The Chief Secretary had been waiting at the mansion, anxiously sending someone out every half hour to check if his daughter had returned.

Last night, he had someone investigate Su Juan’s background, aligning with former findings, that she indeed lost her birth mother, and her father was that merchant surnamed Su.

Yet, he never imagined that during the investigation, they had overlooked that Su Juan’s birth mother was actually the key!

After much effort today, he had finally procured an image of Li Ruohua. Fortunately, many individuals in the capital had admired her back then, resulting in the preservation of some paintings of talented scholars and fair maidens.

Upon seeing the painting, Li Ruohua bore a striking resemblance to Su Juan, sharing about seven or eight similar features. It was evident they were mother and daughter. Moreover, she bore a remarkable resemblance to the Emperor and Empress, especially her eyes in the painting, which were extremely similar to the present Majesty’s.

Excitedly, the Chief Secretary couldn’t sit still; it was inexplicable how he hadn’t noticed before. In fact, Su Juan already resembled the Empress, and her eyes also very much like His Majesty’s!

He could imagine how delighted His Majesty would be upon knowing this, and how shocking it would be when the entire court and commonality discovered it.

Learning that Liu Miaoying had returned, he hurriedly walked outside. Upon seeing his daughter, he quickened his pace, "How did it go!?"

Liu Miaoying nodded, "I obtained the item. Please, Father, come to the study; I have some questions to ask you."

"Alright, let us go to Father’s study."

The Chief Secretary, impatient to confirm Su Juan’s identity, urged Liu Miaoying to quickly present the item once in the study. When the jade pendant appeared, he carefully cradled it in his hands, examining it with such excitement that his heart nearly leapt out of his chest!

He griped the jade pendant tightly, not planning to return it to his daughter.

"My dear girl, having just returned from Xu State, you should rest well in the mansion today. Father has suddenly remembered some matters that require visiting the palace immediately."

Saying this, he tucked the jade pendant and painting into his sleeve, proceeding to leave!

Liu Miaoying, however, called out to him from behind, "Is Father’s friend His Majesty?"

The Chief Secretary halted his steps, looking blankly at his daughter, "How do you know?"

Liu Miaoying pressed her lips together slightly, "This jade pendant is the only thing Ah Juan’s birth mother left her. She bears such a resemblance to the Empress, and given how Duke Ping and the Empress treated her, she naturally can deduce some things, only Duke Ping seems unwilling to let others know of her lineage."

The Chief Secretary frowned deeply, realizing that old Duke Ping had certainly known from the start yet let him search in vain—he’d settle the score with him later!

Clutching her sleeve, Liu Miaoying inquired, "Father, have you considered that once Ah Juan’s identity is restored, whether His Majesty would establish an Imperial Brother... or a Crown Princess?"

"If an Imperial Brother is established, how will Ah Juan position herself then?"

The Chief Secretary furrowed his brows tightly, solemnly telling his daughter, "You and I are subjects. As subjects, we must fulfill our duties, and seeking out Imperial Family bloodlines for His Majesty is a subject’s responsibility."

Understanding his daughter’s concerns about Su Juan’s situation, he knew that since Su Juan was a blood of His Majesty, she shouldn’t remain in the civilian world.