Su Juan's confidence was utterly shattered; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't change the eventual outcome of chaos across the land.
At this moment, she had lost all her initial enthusiasm, lying in bed like a salted fish, feeling hopeless about returning home.
Whatever, let it be. After all, the system has already kicked the bucket. Being a salted fish here isn't too bad; at least there's no overtime, and no worries about food and drink.
At most, I'll stash some money, secretly run away, hide in the deep mountains, and live a carefree life like the ancients.
Doesn't living anywhere count as living?
Isn't that better than 'working hard on tasks every day, constantly worrying about your own life'?
...
The next morning, Su Juan took the tea from the maid and offered it to her mother-in-law—Princess Jing to show respect.
"Daughter-in-law greets Mother Consort."
Princess Jing smiled contentedly, examining Su Juan, who looked well-behaved and sensible. She took the teacup, drank a sip, and then pulled Su Juan to sit beside her.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
Su Juan smiled shyly, lowered her gaze, pretending to be bashful, "Mother Consort, your daughter-in-law slept very well."
Princess Jing was pleased. Although this marriage was forcibly bestowed by the Emperor to the Prince Jing Mansion, at least this daughter-in-law seemed obedient and sensible, and her looks were not inferior to Liu Miaoying.
"Were you tired last night?" Princess Jing asked with a smile, testing.
Su Juan shyly shook her head, "Daughter-in-law is not tired."
[What's there to be tired about? Song Qianfan is totally incapable; there's nothing to be tired about!]
Princess Jing was thunderstruck, her gaze falling on the daughter-in-law in front of her who hadn't opened her mouth, "?!"
The daughter-in-law was gazing at her obediently.
The... the son is incapable?!
Princess Jing's hand holding Su Juan's stiffened, and the next second, a puzzled Su Juan called out, "Mother Consort?"
[What's the matter with Mother Consort? Could it be that she knows Father has hidden private money under the couch in the study, planning to sneak out for a drink tonight, so she's in a bad mood now?]
Princess Jing's face darkened, her husband always claimed to discuss matters with colleagues every night, but returned reeking of alcohol, always saying a colleague invited him, and he couldn't refuse.
Yet her husband clearly had no good relations at court; where did so many colleagues come from to invite him to dinner?
So he had hidden money, gone out drinking, and still lied about a colleague's invitation!
Furious but unable to show it, Princess Jing gave Su Juan several reminders to be cautious today in the palace, to speak less and do less to avoid mistakes.
Su Juan memorized everything, softly replied, "Your daughter-in-law will definitely speak less."
Su Juan is introverted and has always been uncommunicative.
Never having been praised so directly before, Princess Jing blushed, smiling, "You child, I liked you at first sight, such an earnest one."
Having said that, she hurriedly got up, heading towards Prince Jing's study, and upon checking, indeed found the private money her husband had hidden under the couch in the study!
…
At this time, Su Juan and Song Qianfan entered the palace to thank the Emperor.
When they saw the Emperor, Prince Jing was also present.
Su Juan quietly raised her head, sneaking a glance out of the corner of her eye.
Prior to this, she had been too busy dealing with proper matters to carefully observe these familiar faces, but now upon close inspection, she discovered the old Emperor and Prince Jing actually looked very similar, with distinguished features and charisma.
[It's said that when the old Emperor was young, he captivated countless young women in the Capital City, many young ladies eagerly entering the palace for banquets just to get a glimpse of the Emperor...]
The Emperor's gaze fell on Su Juan, squinting slightly, how dare she stare so brazenly at the Emperor's face?
"Heir Consort, come forward."
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, slightly straightening his back, but since you're looking, allow you to come closer to look, for I am a wise ruler!
Prince Jing's expression remained unchanged.
Song Qianfan glanced at Su Juan, inwardly sneering: sycophant.
Su Juan meekly went forward, and being closer, she observed him more carefully, internally sighing, [What a pity, he's already in his sixties, not only wrinkled but also graying.]
The Emperor's smile gradually faded: "..."
Prince Jing stayed calm, but a chill flashed across Song Qianfan's face beside him.
Su Juan couldn't keep her thoughts to herself, she's digging her own grave.
[Already so old, how does he have the energy for the selection?!]
[That poor Su Meiren he particularly likes, only just eighteen, and at his age...how can he still manage?]
[In comparison, Prince Jing looks better, showing no signs of aging at all.]
Veins popped on the Emperor's forehead, how utterly audacious of this Heir Consort!
Meeting the Emperor's gaze, Prince Jing bent forward, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
The matter of 'Su Juan possessing a Divine Artifact, able to discern all affairs under heaven' was discovered months ago during the seventieth birthday banquet of the old lady in Xing'an Prefecture's Marquis Mansion, when the Emperor, on a whim, attended the banquet.
Su Juan, a close friend of the Marquis Mansion's cousin, naturally attended the banquet.
That was also the first time Su Juan's inner voice leaked, leading the Emperor to discover that a eunuch beside him was abusing his position for personal gain, eventually uncovering two or three corrupt officials, with a huge amount of involved silver taels.
Since then, more secret matters exposed by her were heard, but under the Emperor's directive, no one dared to reveal this matter.
Over the past months, they've identified some patterns: not everyone can hear Su Juan's inner voice, seemingly only those of prominent family backgrounds, or with ties to the Royal Family, or blood-related to Su Juan can hear it, while servants, palace maids, eunuchs, guards absolutely cannot hear it.
Over the years, the Emperor had delayed choosing a Crown Prince due to his advancing age, inciting some people to harbor ulterior motives.
He also wanted to use Su Juan to discern whether his supposedly loyal ministers were truly loyal or deceitful, thus gifting a marriage to Prince Jing Mansion, having Prince Jing act as a spy.
This brother, he trusted greatly, believing he harbored no treasonous intents.
But these months had passed with no further substantial revelations from Su Juan.
The Emperor's brow furrowed, a flicker of murderous intent in his eyes; this woman constantly prying into others' secrets was a threat that couldn't be allowed to stay.
Observant, Song Qianfan already noticed the Emperor's murderous intent.
[Though aged, his acceptance of remonstrance, employment of talents, shows he is a monarch devoted to governance, placing the people first!]
The Emperor's lips slightly curled, eyebrows lightly raising, though peering into others' secrets was wrong, after all, this Heir Consort was unaware others could hear her snide comments and could be excused. Punishing her by death would tarnish his reputation as a wise ruler.
[Regrettably, after all, he's old, his vision poor, inevitably unable to discern characters clearly, favoring a brainless one to be Crown Prince...leading to later chaos across the land.]
[How could he favor someone brainless...]
The Emperor was startled, establish a Crown Prince?
He was indeed evaluating several Imperial Family sons, but had not yet decided; who was this brainless one Su Juan spoke of?
Why didn't Su Juan continue???
Song Qianfan's face fell, his heart pounding heavily, feeling extremely uneasy, naturally knowing the brainless one Su Juan referred to was himself.
His palms were sweaty, fearing Su Juan would reveal more, while feeling it absurd, why would establishing him as Crown Prince lead to chaos in the land?