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

Chapter 244: Liu Miaoying (This Life)

"Didn’t she have some entanglement with the Princely Heir from Prince Jing Mansion..."

"What nonsense are you all talking about? Song Qianfan is already married, why are you bringing Miss Liu into this!"

"Who in the entire Capital City doesn’t know these two were quite fond of each other? In the past, the Princely Heir gave Miss Liu all sorts of gifts... What are you, eavesdropping on us like this?"

Su Juan leaned against the railing, looking down below the pavilion. The men discussing earlier were now shoving a young man, seemingly having a dispute over the matter.

She raised her eyebrows slightly, "Who is this young man? I haven’t seen him before. Miaoqing, he was speaking up for you just now, do you know him?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Miaoying stood up and followed Su Juan’s gaze. The young man looked unfamiliar; she hadn’t seen him before.

Su Juan clicked her tongue inwardly, [Several people ganging up on one, truly disgraceful.]

Liu Miaoying furrowed her brows and was about to go down to help the young man.

But Su Juan grabbed her, "They’re all male; it’s not appropriate for you to go over."

Even if she helped the young man, he might be mocked later for being shielded by a woman.

Liu Miaoying suddenly realized it was indeed inappropriate.

The two of them immediately looked towards Xie Xun, who was half-reclined on a long bench drinking wine beside them.

Xie Xun had a bewildered expression: "?" Why are you looking at me? I’m not suitable either!

[See an injustice and draw a sword to help, what a reputation! Which girl outside wouldn’t be enamored by you, Heir Xie?]

Xie Xun coughed lightly, got up and put down the wine jug, patted the dust off his clothes, and waved his fan, "Alright, then. I’ll go and take a stroll down."

It’s mainly to see an injustice and draw a sword to help, not for any good name or girl involved.

As soon as Xie Xun went down, with a round of scolding, those troubling the young man immediately dispersed, afraid to provoke Duke Ping Mansion.

The young man’s face showed embarrassment, "Thank you, Heir, for helping me."

Xie Xun waved his hand, "I didn’t intend to help you. It’s just that the two girls upstairs couldn’t, so I was sent down."

The young man, upon hearing, raised his eyes and glimpsed the girl in a water-green dress on the pavilion above, half of her beautiful face, and as if noticing him, she turned to look.

He quickly turned his head away, avoiding her gaze, with ears turning red.

Seeing him like this, Xie Xun didn’t find it surprising. Speaking up for Liu Miaoying surely meant he viewed her differently, but there were too many in the Capital who viewed her differently, more than ten fingers could count.

...

Originally believing it impossible to enter public service, Su Juan’s special circumstances allowed even the Emperor to make exceptions for her, enabling Liu Miaoying to take a position in the Ministry of Revenue. Though advancing wasn’t easy, it was at least a good start.

Yu Ting returned to the Capital, as such a newly prominent Court figure sought to propose marriage to the Liu Family, a desirable match that many families hoped for.

"I decided a long time ago to marry you. They say a good wife is the virtuous one; you have always been the most virtuous woman in my heart and will be the best wife, the best mother for our children."

Liu Miaoying had never thought, in her life, she’d one day be unexpectedly detained by a man, calling her virtuous.

Plus, she never felt ’virtuous’ was a compliment for a woman.

Planning to gently decline, to preserve mutual dignity.

But Yu Ting’s words thoroughly annoyed her, "Even though you work in the Ministry of Revenue, ultimately you’re just a Small Sixth Rank, constantly showing your face outside is of no benefit to your future marriage. Why not marry me, so I can rise higher and you can maintain dignity?"

At this time, Liu Miaoying realized that most men were like Yu Ting, inherently looking down on women, seeing their wives as mere appendages.

She didn’t give Yu Ting much face and secretly determined to achieve something on the Court, to let those who looked down on women know that all things in this world are not exclusively male endeavors, women can achieve too.

She, Liu Miaoying, would absolutely not marry, but if she were to seek a husband, it would be someone who truly respected women from the heart.

Men like Yu Ting and Song Qianfan were absolutely out of the question.

...

The man on the portrait looked quite handsome, vaguely familiar to Liu Miaoying, as if she’d seen him before, just couldn’t quite recall.

Listening to Su Juan teasing on the side, she silently stored the portrait, planning to later have someone inquire about this young master from the Mu Family.

Cai Yi: "Your Highness, that’s the son of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, doesn’t like leaving the mansion. It’s said he likes gardening and attended poetry gatherings a few times, seemed not to enjoy them, and hasn’t been seen attending since, quite a quiet personality."

Liu Miaoying paused slightly, a poetry gathering?

Perhaps they met at a poetry gathering before; back before her entry into the Court, she frequented Jing Garden, attending every poetry gathering in the Capital.

Returning to the mansion, she handed the portrait to her maid to inquire about this young master from the Mu Family. After several days, only a little was learnt.

This young master is shy, doesn’t like going out. It’s said that a few years back, he occasionally attended poetry gatherings, hasn’t left the mansion in recent years.

According to the household staff, this young master’s personality is quite agreeable, treating the servants with respect, never being harsh, with no undue behavior towards the maids nor any scandals of affairs.

The maid was hesitant, unsure whether she should continue.

Liu Miaoying: "What’s the matter? Speak up if you have something to say."

The maid hesitated for a moment, "Miss, the maid heard from others, it’s spread by those gentlemen at the poetry gatherings, saying this young master Mu attended poetry gatherings... all to see you."

"They say this young master Mu had some thoughts about you..."

So later, as Miss became busy with Court affairs and stopped attending poetry gatherings, the young master also ceased attending.

The maid, afraid the lady might be displeased, hastily added, "Miss, these are just rumors, heard from a few people, seemed to have had a falling out with that young master Mu before, can’t be taken seriously."

Yet Liu Miaoying vaguely remembered, "Spread some news outside, saying I’m recently going to Jing Garden."

The maid was momentarily puzzled, "Yes, Miss."

...

At the Jing Garden poetry gathering, Liu Miaoying arrived early and waited a long time, with many approaching to converse.

The Liu Family’s search for a groomed husband had long been widely spread in the Capital; the Crown Princess ruled, and now Liu Miaoying held a Third Rank official position, building a good rapport with the Crown Princess. In the future, her ascent was unforeseeable, even being a matrilocal husband was worth fierce competition.

Liu Miaoying was entangled with these people until Liu Xuan appeared, allowing her to extricate herself.

She waited long without seeing that young master Mu, until she was about to leave, suddenly glimpsing afar, a young man sitting quietly, blocked by many people, not conversing with others, nor seeking paper and ink to write poetry, just sitting there.

The young man bore a strong resemblance to the portrait, the portrait looking somewhat youthful, appearing more spirited in person.

It was indeed the young master from the Mu Family, Mu Huai.

Liu Miaoying walked towards him and immediately those around started speaking; Mu Huai avoided eye contact, seemingly about to leave.

She abruptly called out to him, "Who are you? I don’t believe I’ve seen you before."