Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 188: Great-Uncle (Second Update)

Yu Ting pondered for a moment and said to Song Qianfan, "The one to be cautious of right now is still Prince Han. Yan Zheng’s health hasn’t been good lately, and His Majesty has let me take over many matters. I suppose it won’t be long before I can take his position."

Once I take over as the Commander of the Forbidden Army and command the fifty thousand forbidden troops, what is there to fear of Prince Han, even if he holds military power?

Song Qianfan was overjoyed, "Then I must congratulate you in advance, cousin."

In this way, even if that Princess Le’an returns to court, what is there to fear?

Moreover, I have on hand several thousand warhorses and weapons purchased from the Southern Country... Nobody would suspect that the disaster relief fund eventually ended up with me, Song Qianfan, now used to maintain those private soldiers, and will one day help me rise to prominence.

The Ministry of Justice, that bunch of good-for-nothings, could investigate for decades and still find nothing.

Even if the Emperor truly wants to establish a Crown Princess, I must have this world under my control.

Meanwhile, at the Han Prince Mansion.

Upon hearing the news, Prince Han was slightly taken aback, "Is it true?"

The messenger nodded, "Your Highness, His Majesty initially hesitated to appoint an Imperial Brother, but now it seems it was for the Princess. Your Highness should take early precautions..."

Prince Han furrowed his brows and raised his hand, signaling the person not to continue. It was indeed fortunate that Le’an could be found, but in doing so, his years of scheming... might go to waste.

The strategist, however, advised, "Your Highness, if I may speak frankly, as long as the Princess is there, no matter how you and Prince Jing compete, His Majesty’s heart will still favor the Princess. Better not leave things half done, I suggest eliminating her before she returns to court!"

Prince Han turned, eyes filled with rage, and grabbed the strategist by the collar, "That’s my niece!"

His Imperial Brother has always been affectionate with his siblings, and Le’an is his only daughter. If I were to have her killed, how could I ever face him again?

The strategist disagreed, furrowing his brows, eyes flashing with determination, "In my opinion, not only the Princess but also Prince Jing should not be spared."

"If Your Highness is not ruthless, how can you achieve great things?"

Only by killing both the Princess and Prince Jing would no one be able to obstruct Prince Han’s path to supremacy.

Hearing this, Prince Han coldly looked at the strategist before him, realizing he had been raising a wolf by his side.

"Your Highness..."

Prince Han seethed, "Enough! If I hear you say such things again, don’t blame me for being ruthless in light of past loyalty!"

The strategist immediately said, "I’ve spoken too much. I only had Your Highness’s interests at heart. Your Highness values relationships, and since unwilling, I won’t bring it up again."

Prince Han’s expression softened, "I spoke harshly earlier. I know you have always been devoted to my cause."

The strategist bowed respectfully, "No matter, I’ve spoken too much indeed."

A trace of dissatisfaction flashed through his eyes; since ancient times, which emperor hasn’t climbed over the blood of kin to ascend? Even the current emperor ascended the throne by stepping over the Second Prince. Prince Han, being too sentimental, isn’t one to accomplish great deeds.

...

At the Duke Mansion, after Liu Miaoying left, Su Juan changed her attire and went to the front courtyard to find Duke Ping. Upon arrival, Duke Ping was plucking plum blossoms in the garden, with Xie Xun holding a basket underneath, collecting them.

Father and son were bantering as they picked the blossoms.

"A grown man picking plum blossoms, how vulgar."

"Plum blossoms symbolize the noble spirit, standing tall and proud in the snow. You know nothing! All you do is play with swords, take Ah Juan to the brothel, and if you lead her astray, I’ll beat you to death!"

"Go ahead and beat me! Once I’m dead, no one’s left to care for your burial."

"You little brat, how dare you curse your father?"

Su Juan chuckled softly.

The father and son looked over upon hearing her laugh, and Duke Ping quickly grabbed the basket of plum blossoms and walked briskly toward Su Juan, "Girl, look at what I’ve picked, later let the chef make plum blossom cakes for you."

This girl, just like his sister when she was younger, loved sweets.

Su Juan nodded with a smile, "Alright."

Xie Xun shook off the snow on him, "You’re lucky, doing nothing and just waiting to eat, unlike me, accompanying the old man to pick plum blossoms and listening to his rambling."

As he spoke, he cleaned his ear with his pinky finger and deliberately blew on it.

This made Duke Ping huff and glare once more.

He lost interest in looking at his vexing son and turned to Su Juan, "Girl, why come to the front courtyard in such cold weather? Did you have something to discuss with me?"

Usually, when the weather got a bit cold, she wouldn’t want to leave her room. Today was quite rare for her to come to the front courtyard herself.

Su Juan nodded, "There are some matters I wish to discuss with you."

Duke Ping promptly tossed the basket back to Xie Xun, "Take it to the kitchen."

Then he led Su Juan to the closest study and instructed the servants to warm the brazier.

Xie Xun, holding the basket, looked ahead at the scene and then at himself: "???"

You didn’t give me silver, yet you’re ordering me around!

Once inside the study with Duke Ping, Su Juan took a seat, and Duke Ping poured a cup of hot tea, placing it beside her.

He himself didn’t have the habit of drinking tea. In years past during wars at the border, only wine could warm the body in the frigid cold. However, in recent years, with more guests visiting, the study was stocked with some tea.

As Su Juan raised the teacup, she heard him ask, "Girl, do you need help from me?"

Duke Ping surmised that Su Juan needed assistance, otherwise, she would have been by the fire in her room at this time.

Su Juan clutched the teacup, the warmth in her palm making it easier for her to speak, "Yesterday, Miaoying borrowed something from me. Today she came and said it was taken by someone else, and she couldn’t get it back."

Duke Ping smiled, sipping his tea, "Are you asking me to help you retrieve something between you two girls?"

It sounded like the bickering of seven or eight-year-olds asking an elder to help mediate.

Su Juan remained silent.

Duke Ping asked, "What item is it?"

Su Juan replied softly, "A jade pendant, just half a piece."

Duke Ping gripped his teacup tightly, looking sharply at Su Juan.

His reaction confirmed Su Juan’s earlier suspicion; he indeed knew.

Su Juan continued, "She said it was Mr. Liu’s request to borrow it. Last night, Mr. Liu entered the palace, and afterward, the jade pendant couldn’t be returned, saying it was taken by His Majesty."

Duke Ping’s eyes darkened. He hadn’t expected, after erasing most traces related to the jade pendant in the Capital, that Liu Ze would still trace it back to Su Juan so swiftly.

Now the Emperor likely knows; not summoning her immediately probably means he still has doubts.

Back then, he hadn’t thoroughly removed all images and old members of the Su Mansion for the contingency plan of Su Juan reclaiming her heritage. It seems it won’t be long before Liu Ze uncovers everything.

He looked at his grandniece, testing her intent, "You want me to enter the palace to retrieve the jade pendant for you?"