novelraw Chapter 229: My Skin Is Still Too Thin
Chapter 229: My Skin Is Still Too Thin
The Old Emperor finally waved his hand, simply saying that this matter was not trivial and needed further discussion. He kept the Imperial Censor and the Minister of Rites behind and let the others leave.
Su Juan frowned tightly, [The Old Emperor is so conflicted. If the Imperial Censor babbles on a bit more, I’m afraid he might be influenced by his slanderous words!]
The Imperial Censor in the hall had his temple twitching: What slander! I am wholeheartedly devoted to the court and loyal to Your Majesty. What I say comes from the bottom of my heart and is for Your Majesty’s good!
The Old Emperor frowned slightly. How could I be so easily swayed? If the Imperial Censor’s words are unreasonable, I wouldn’t listen.
[The old thing might still be playing at dying for admonition.]
The Imperial Censor: "..." Would I be the kind of person who would risk their life?!
Other Courtiers nodded repeatedly: Isn’t that right? Indeed, whenever something he said wasn’t listened to, he played at dying for admonition!
So annoying.
Su Juan thought more and more that she couldn’t just sit and wait, [If these people decide to die for admonition, I wouldn’t be able to take it back even with ten mouths!]
[No, I have to think of a way...]
Hearing this, the Imperial Censor subconsciously perked up his ears. Su Juan never had any good ideas, so he had to be on guard.
The Old Emperor was curious, wondering what idea this girl could come up with.
The other Courtiers also looked at Su Juan, wanting to see what she would come up with as the decision-maker was still the Emperor and not the Imperial Censor.
Su Juan was seen coming out of the hall and instead of leaving, she stood outside the hall, lifted her official robe, and with a "bang", knelt directly outside the hall!
The Eunuch was startled and hurried to assist her.
Su Juan, however, in front of everyone, shouted outside the hall, "Please, Grandfather, give justice to those wrongfully killed by the Pei Family back then, and give justice to those demoted and exiled because of the Pei Family!"
"Give the people of the world the truth!"
All the officials outside were shocked... Princess Jinyang is forcing the Emperor to issue an edict.
The Imperial Censor exclaimed in surprise: What is Princess Jinyang up to with this move!?
The Old Emperor: "..." If gentle won’t work, now she resorts to hard tactics?
Am I someone who yields so easily!?
[Walking the path of the Imperial Censor, leaving him nowhere to go]
The Imperial Censor: "..."
Other Courtiers wanted to give Su Juan a thumbs up; only Su Juan could do this.
[Today, I’ll just kneel here, if you have the guts, come and kneel too, let’s see if your old arms and legs can kneel longer, or my twenty-year-young knees.]
The Imperial Censor’s face turned completely black, who wants to kneel with you!
The Old Emperor’s face wasn’t any better, Su Juan’s kneeling wasn’t pressuring the Imperial Censor’s old arms and legs, but rather my life!
The Eunuch hastily went back inside to request instructions, after all, this was His Majesty’s precious girl. If something happens to her from kneeling, their lives as attending eunuchs would be forfeit too.
"Your Majesty, the Princess is kneeling right outside..."
The Old Emperor, with a dark face, shouted sternly, "Let her kneel! I want to see how long she can keep at it!"
These words, Su Juan outside the hall heard loud and clear.
The ministers nearby worried for Su Juan and advised, "Your Highness, don’t upset His Majesty, better get up quickly, kneeling like this isn’t good for your health."
Su Juan, however, remained still, "There’s no need for you gentlemen to persuade me. Today’s matter, I must get an answer from Grandfather."
The Courtiers sighed, what a pointless endeavor.
Meanwhile, inside the hall, the Imperial Censor continued with his previous words, "Your Majesty, I believe, show leniency to the Pei Family, grant more aid to their descendants, and posthumously honor Pei Lianshan and others to showcase Your Majesty’s grace."
The Old Emperor pondered a bit, the Imperial Censor’s words were indeed feasible, give more aid, and posthumously confer a noble title to comfort the Pei Family, rather than disgracing the previous Emperor and diminishing the Imperial Family’s authority.
[This Imperial Censor, of course, suggests posthumously honoring and granting aid; but the whole family was wrongfully killed, what use is a posthumous title, can it be eaten?]
The Imperial Censor continued, "Your Majesty, the previous Emperor’s dignity cannot be compromised either!"
[Letting the world know that the previous Emperor wrongly judged and caused the death of a meritorious family, now the descendants are tirelessly covering it up, don’t speak of the previous Emperor’s dignity, even the Old Emperor’s dignity, who’s still in power, could be at risk of losing.]
"Your Majesty, the dignity of the Imperial Family is of utmost importance!"
[If the Emperor loses dignity, what dignity is there for the Imperial Family.]
"Even if the people talk, it’s not a big deal..."
[Everyone spitting saliva, spitting you the whole day with your treacherous words.]
The Old Emperor picked up his teacup, using the action of sipping tea to cover the untamable curve on his lips, he couldn’t hold back laughter anymore.
The Minister of Rites beside him was still holding back, though he really wanted to laugh, he couldn’t lose his decorum in the hall; nor lose composure in front of his colleagues.
The Imperial Censor was almost infuriated to death, with someone kneeling outside, yet half a bit of peace couldn’t be found!
At this moment, each of his words was being blocked, unable to even speak half a sentence.
As he walked out of the hall, he fiercely glared at Su Juan, this Princess Jinyang... Women sure are noisy!
Su Juan, upon being glared at, felt innocent [Why are you glaring at me, am I blocking your way by kneeling here?]
[Or perhaps, you want to kneel too?]
The Imperial Censor sped up his pace, afraid that lingering any longer would ignite murderous thoughts.
[Hey, don’t go, stay and kneel together, it’s good to have company.]
The Imperial Censor turned a deaf ear, enduring: Only the mean and women are hard to deal with!
...
After the Imperial Censor left, the Old Emperor summoned the Astronomical Bureau. As the person went in, he dared not stare at Su Juan but muttered in his heart, why is Princess Jinyang kneeling outside?
Could it be a punishment from His Majesty, then will the Crown Princess still be conferred?
Clearly, these worries were unnecessary. Upon meeting the person, the Old Emperor instructed the Astronomical Bureau to choose an auspicious date for the Crown Princess’s conferment ceremony, and also had the Ministry of Rites read up on classics, draft regulations, and compose the Decrees to be sent out to each prefecture and county. Then, he assigned someone to prepare various ceremonial regalia.
With so many miscellaneous tasks, a considerable number of people had to be diverted to the Ministry of Rites from elsewhere, and the Old Emperor told the Minister of Rites to look after this himself, ensuring everything was done meticulously.
Several ministers exiting saw Su Juan still kneeling outside, repeatedly shaking their heads, she’s already being conferred, yet is still kneeling, the Emperor’s mind is really hard to fathom.
Su Juan’s kneeling outside lasted for several hours, and the Old Emperor inside listened to Su Juan’s chattering for several hours.
Her knees may not be tired, but the Old Emperor’s ears were tired of listening.
The palace news spread quickly, and the Empress soon learned about it. But since it was a matter of the previous dynasty, the harem was not to interfere in politics; though pained, she resisted going, instructed the Palace Attendants to send things over, and had someone watch in case of any mishaps, ready to bring Doctor Liang.
The Palace Attendants brought a cushion, a cloak, even tea, and snacks. Because it was the Empress’s instructions, they weren’t afraid of the Emperor finding out.
Su Juan primarily focused on not starving while kneeling, accepting everything sent her way.
She patted her stomach and burped, [So full.]
The Old Emperor: "..."
[I didn’t want to accept it, as it shows my lack of resolve and sincerity...]
The Old Emperor glared angrily: At least you’re aware of it yourself.
[But everyone was just too enthusiastic, my face is still too thin, I’m embarrassed to refuse.]
The Old Emperor laughed in anger, are you saying you have thin skin?
You have thin skin!