Huh? The Tyrant Cries After My Inner Thoughts Were Exposed!

Chapter 236: You Also Want to See Xie Xun

The Old Emperor had just issued the Holy Decree when Duke Ping hurriedly sent someone to Huai State, hoping to bring Xie Xun back. However, the messenger reported back that Xie Xun was no longer at the Huai State Camp; he had already gone to the border with Shi Yuan.

In less than a few months, the Minister of Revenue began to complain, "Your Majesty, this war has started, and we don’t know when it will end. Within a year, the national treasury is afraid to be exhausted again."

But if we were to raise taxes across the regions at this time, it would inevitably stir public discontent. Most of the people don’t understand matters of war; they would only blame the Court for starting wars for no reason.

The Old Emperor was also worried. This is indeed a dilemma. Throughout history, it’s the people who suffer most during wars. But there’s no choice; we can’t let the soldiers, who are on the edge of survival, suffer.

Recently, the palaces have begun to cut expenses, which can count for a little.

The Minister of Ministry of Industry was restless. His waterway was about to be completed and couldn’t be interrupted at this moment!

He kept saying the war shouldn’t be fought.

At this moment, Su Juan spoke up, "Gentlemen, do not worry; I still have some private property and shops, which are quite profitable."

As Su Juan spoke, she felt a pang of jealousy. Although she had prepared for the war from the start, it was still hard to let it all go.

Minister Mo’s eyes immediately lit up when he heard this. This Xiao Su had donated a lot before, and now she still has private property!?

The Old Emperor asked, "Jinyang, are you planning to donate your private property again?"

Su Juan nodded, "I only hope to contribute a small part to the Court."

The Old Emperor was silent. Even so, how much could it be?

The other courtiers also thought that even if Princess Jinyang donated the entire Su Family, it might not sustain for long. War is not a simple matter, with food, herbs, and winter clothes and armor, these are not small amounts.

Everyone fell into worry and contemplation.

The next day, when Su Juan once again delivered the prepared account book to the Old Emperor, the Old Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise!

He looked at Su Juan incredulously. This was even more than before. How much private property could this girl have hidden? Does the Su Family earn so much from doing business?

As this Emperor, I’m utterly broke, but a merchant has enough wealth to rival several national treasuries...

The Old Emperor thought about it and only felt sadder. If that’s the case, why be an Emperor at all? It would be better to go into business.

His heart complicated, he handed over the account book to the eunuch, who then forwarded it to Minister Mo of the Ministry of Revenue. Minister Mo, upon seeing the account book, nearly jumped in surprise.

Money, it’s all money!

This Xiao Su is practically a money tree; shake it twice and money pours out endlessly...

And she donates it all without hesitation; no wonder she is the Crown Princess!

If it were someone else, with so much private property in hand, who would easily give it away? At any rate, I certainly couldn’t bear it.

Thinking this way, Minister Mo was filled with admiration for Su Juan, "Your Highness is truly noble!"

...

The news of Princess Jinyang donating her private property once again stirred excitement in the Capital. Upon learning that there was no need to increase taxes, the people were overjoyed.

However, many also questioned how Princess Jinyang had amassed so much private property, fearing that over the years, she had embezzled a lot from the Ministry of Revenue...

Some exclaimed that the Su Family was indeed the wealthiest merchant, truly rich!

Old Master Su had once narrowly escaped death at the city wall and was now too scared to leave his home. He no longer dared to flaunt himself as the birth father of Princess Jinyang. Every day, he guarded his money tightly without concern for outside affairs.

Su Lingling had returned to the Su Mansion several times, initially wanting to share the good news of her husband’s promotion. Influenced by Xin Zhang, she wanted to persuade her father to donate some money to the Court, but Old Master Su refused to part with even a penny.

Madam Su didn’t blame him; she feared her husband would clutch this wealth until death. He no longer managed outside businesses, leaving her, a woman, to handle them.

When the Holy Decree arrived at the Su Family, the people of the Capital came to watch the excitement, only to learn that the Su Family had gained the title of Imperial Merchant, the first in a hundred years.

Those in the know understood that the title of Imperial Merchant was exchanged with more than half of the Su Mansion.

Old Master Su, now terrified of death, only wanted to hold onto his wealth. He didn’t care at all about the title of Imperial Merchant, and he had no desire to recognize Su Juan, this "wastrel" daughter of his.

Upon learning that Su Juan had donated a lot of private property again, Old Master Su didn’t even accept the Holy Decree. He spat blood from anger and fainted in the mansion, repeating "Injustice" with every breath.

But Madam Su was delighted; now with the title of Imperial Merchant, the outside business could flourish, her son-in-law could gain reverence, and affairs in the Court could proceed smoothly.

Indeed, clinging to Su Juan’s coattails was the right choice.

In her younger days, she thought Li Ruohua was capable; who would’ve thought her daughter would be even more capable now.

The news of Old Master Su fainting from blood loss spread widely, and everyone said he had a great daughter who did great deeds for the Court and the people, a person of immense good.

Shen Ruhui specifically came to tell Su Juan the rumors in the town, teasing her with a smile, "Now, you probably can’t return to the Su Mansion."

The pair were playing chess; Su Juan hadn’t been skilled at chess, but Shen Ruhui often studied chess books, and after a few years of studying with him, her chess skills had improved considerably.

Su Juan replied coolly, "I never intended to return."

Although Li Ruohua was not killed by him, she died because of him.

If it hadn’t been for his schemes, Li Ruohua wouldn’t have married him in the first place, and once married, she was confined to the courtyard under the pretense of nurturing a fetus and was kept from her business before marriage, later using their daughter as leverage to control Li Ruohua’s business entirely.

Others said motherhood made her strong, but Su Juan had always felt that if Li Ruohua hadn’t saved the man she was betrothed to, if she hadn’t married, if she hadn’t later had a daughter, she would’ve had a better life.

Her daughter became her weakness, and the unmasked Old Master Su used her mercilessly, leading to her eventual demise of depression and frustration.

Su Juan lifted her gaze toward Shen Ruhui, "So, will you enter the service next, or will you continue to hide in this courtyard with me?"

The Pei Family’s case had been long settled, and the innocent involved had long been given justice, including Mr. Shen of those years. Now, if Shen Ruhui wished to enter service, she could recommend him to the Old Emperor, and with his abilities, obtaining a position wouldn’t be difficult.

Shen Ruhui smiled and shook his head, "I haven’t decided yet."

He once wanted to enter service but found it as hard as scaling the heavens. Now, with the opportunity before him, he’s hesitating.

"In a few days, you have to escort the grain to the border?"

Su Juan nodded, "Yes, it’s almost winter, and the border has been fighting for almost half a year. Although we’ve received one or two victory reports, Uncle Gong is still worried about Xie Xun; I’ll visit him."

Shen Ruhui laughed, "The Xie Family indeed produces noteworthy individuals."

He heard that Xie Xun had now become Shi Yuan’s deputy general, frequently achieving military success and bringing no disgrace to Duke Ping Mansion.

Su Juan smiled, "He is indeed a born military genius, just never had the chance before."

Some people are ordinary simply because they never have the right opportunity. Once they seize it, they soar to great heights. She thought Xie Xun was just such a person.

Shen Ruhui suddenly asked, "May I accompany you to the border this time?"

Su Juan was a bit surprised, "You also want to see Xie Xun?"

Are these two so deeply connected now?