Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!-Chapter 197: Am I Really Your Flesh and Blood?

Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Am I Really Your Flesh and Blood?

That day, the news about Princess Jinyang spread throughout the Capital City, revealing that the Imperial Granddaughter was actually the daughter of the Su Family, the most prominent merchant family in the Capital. Even the best-selling storybooks wouldn’t dare to write such a tale.

When the Su Family learned about this, Old Master Su was so excited he almost fainted. He had suspected it before but could never confirm it.

Who could have imagined that Li Ruohua was actually the daughter of the current Emperor and Empress?

With this daughter, the Su Family was now related to the Imperial Family!

Old Master Su immediately ordered a lavish meal to be prepared, instructed the servants to clean Su Juan’s courtyard thoroughly and replace the bedding with new ones, then sent people to the Duke Mansion to deliver the message, inviting Su Juan to come back for a meal.

Seeing her husband lost in his dreams, Madam Su bluntly shattered his illusion of royal connection, "Wake up, the one related to the Imperial Family is your daughter, not the Su Family. You never call her back usually, and now you’re eager to invite her over, do you really think she’s stupid? Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"

Back when Su Juan got divorced, her husband felt humiliated and didn’t even want to send anyone to fetch her. Later, when Su Juan was still favored by the Emperor, he became close to this daughter and let her stay at the Duke Mansion.

He didn’t bother to gather any information even during a trip to Xu State, nor did he think of inviting her home for a meal during New Year.

Now, recognized by the Imperial Family, he eagerly wants to invite her home for a meal, truly unafraid of being ridiculed in the Capital, assuming his daughter still comes whenever he calls.

Old Master Su dismissed it, "No matter what, she is a daughter of the Su Family, whom I raised, never lacking in food or clothing. Now that she’s wealthy, does she not even acknowledge her father?"

Not to mention now that she’s a princess, even if one day she becomes the Emperor, she’s still his flesh and blood!

Madam Su’s eyes changed as she looked at her arrogant husband, unable to understand what she ever saw in him.

When she first met him, he wasn’t like this; he was considerate and attentive, even concerned about her during meals, providing extra clothing. Now, he seemed to have become a different person.

"I’ve asked around, and the Emperor personally instructed for Su Juan to change her surname to Song. She will soon no longer bear the Su surname."

Anyone could guess the Emperor’s intention was clearly to separate Su Juan from the Su Family.

Fortunately, they weren’t implicated in the Su Family’s past matters; it’s a blessing not to be punished, yet he still wants to be involved.

Old Master Su snorted, "Even if she changes her surname, it doesn’t change the fact that I am her father."

Madam Su couldn’t be bothered to say anything more to him.

...

At the East Moon Building, Prince Han waited for two full teacups’ worth of time before Song Qianhang arrived.

He never imagined that the Imperial Granddaughter would turn out to be Su Juan. Thinking back, many past events couldn’t be separated from her, and now she appeared again, but is it possible there are so many coincidences in this world?

When Song Qianhang sat down, he neither drank the tea nor exchanged pleasantries, "I wonder why Uncle has summoned me today?"

Prince Han said in a deep voice, "Today the Emperor has conferred a title upon Su Juan. You are now in the Zongzheng Temple handling all matters. I want to propose a mutually beneficial deal with you."

Song Qianhang’s eyes slightly darkened, vaguely guessing that he was sought out today likely because of the matter regarding Su Juan’s surname change and entry into the Imperial Family registry, probably wanting him to tamper with it.

"Uncle has found the wrong person. I have no deals to make. Recently, I have a lot of official duties at the Zongzheng Temple, so I won’t accompany Uncle for tea."

Saying this, he stood up to leave.

But just as he stood to turn away, Prince Han’s voice sounded, "Aren’t you interested to know about matters concerning your own origin?"

Song Qianhang’s footsteps halted, furrowing his brows, and turned to him, asking coldly, "What do you mean by that?"

Prince Han stood up and poured another cup of hot tea, signaling with his eyes for him to sit and listen.

Seeing Song Qianhang standing there, he added with a smile, "Do you really think your surname is Song and you’re really Prince Jing’s son?"

Song Qianhang thought it was just Prince Han trying to sow discord and manipulate him — how could he not feel if he truly wasn’t Father’s biological son?

Yet, on the other hand, he couldn’t help but recall how Father and Mother Consort treated him differently from his older brother; throughout his life, he has been treated with leniency, almost politely.

After a psychological struggle, he turned around and came back to sit down, picked up the tea in front of him, and drank it all in one go, looking at Prince Han, "Now can you tell me?"

Prince Han: "Your original surname is Pei. If I’m not mistaken, you should be the son of Pei Qian, the former commander of the Dingbei Army. When the Pei Family encountered trouble, they took you and raised you..."

Song Qianhang, however, interrupted with a grim face, "Impossible! The Pei Family was executed for treason back then. You’re talking nonsense."

How could he possibly be a member of the Pei Family?

Prince Han only laughed in response, "I had quite a good relationship with Pei Qian back then. When the Pei Family met with trouble, Lady Pei was pregnant. The physician had mentioned that she was carrying twins, a fact known only to a few, but the Ministry of Justice records noted that Lady Pei gave birth to only one child in prison, and it happened that the Prince Jing Mansion welcomed a son at the same time."

"This case back then was overseen by your Prince Jing brother. Do you think it’s merely a coincidence?"

Song Qianhang’s face showed some oddity, but he insisted, "Impossible, you’re lying."

Prince Han’s lips faintly curved, "Whether I’m lying or not, you can go back and ask yourself."

"However, the Prince Jing Mansion harboring a traitor for over twenty years — what do you think the consequences would be?"

The implicit threat was obvious. Under his sleeve, Song Qianhang’s fist was clenched tightly, "What do you want?"

Prince Han’s tone was calm, "I merely want you to add a few strokes in the matter of Princess Jinyang’s entry into the family registry, to prevent her from adopting the surname Song."

As long as the Zongzheng Temple determines at this time that Su Juan’s heritage is unclear and questionable, her status as Imperial Granddaughter could never become that of Crown Princess.

"As long as you handle this matter well, I won’t say a word about your origins."

Knowing that Song Qianhang had dealings with Su Juan, Prince Han was clear that he likely wouldn’t harm her.

But this matter is merely to make her princess status questionable; she can still work in the Ministry of Revenue as an Assistant Minister, and could even be promoted in the future. A surname is of little consequence.

Conversely, if Song Qianhang cannot accomplish this, then he shouldn’t blame his Uncle for being ruthless.

Song Qianhang’s eyes were dark, taking a long time before responding to Prince Han.

That day, upon returning to the Prince Jing Mansion, he was distracted, pacing outside Prince Jing’s study for quite a while. After much internal struggle, he knocked on the door.

"Father."

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing put down the pen in his hand and smiled, "Why have you come? The Zongzheng Temple must be quite busy these days."

The matter of Su Juan being conferred as Princess Jinyang alone was already enough to keep him busy for quite some time.

He had always felt that child looked familiar, little realizing that after going in circles, she is family.

Song Qianhang’s gaze fixed on Prince Jing before him, having to admit that his older brother bore a striking resemblance to Father and Mother Consort, whereas he did not resemble them at all...

His mind echoed with the words Prince Han spoke earlier in the day.

His palm was cold, "Father, am I your biological son?"