The prince stepped on me to get to the top, I angrily flirted with the enemy's hostage

Su Rou was surprised. She didn't expect the emperor to express his thoughts about Gong Yu so directly and clearly.

The emperor said, "We will discuss Prince Yu's affairs later. You can leave for now."

Su Rou had no choice but to return to Su Wan. She had followed her own steps completely, but the emperor's sudden refusal made her a little confused.

Su Rou crossed her fingers and said, "It's okay. Don't be impatient. Just wait and see what the emperor says."

Su Wan lowered his voice and came forward, "Why are you suddenly speaking well of Prince Yu?"

Su Rou lowered her voice and said, "I'm willing to do you a favor."

When Su Rou and Su Wan looked up again, there happened to be a man standing in the middle of the court, accusing Su Rou.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Captain Su, as a military commander, is behaving in an unruly manner. According to the laws of our Northern Kingdom, officials cannot miss morning court for several consecutive days. This behavior is truly egregious. I propose that Captain Su be dismissed from his position."

Su Rou raised an eyebrow. She had been in office for such a long time, yet some people were still dissatisfied with her becoming a military general.

This person was none other than Lord Li, whose invitation she had snatched away that day.

Su Wan stepped forward and said, "Mr. Li, Ah Rou was injured a while ago, so she didn't come. The emperor knows about this."

Lord Li turned his head and sneered at Su Rou, "But Su Rou looks strong and healthy to me. How can she look like someone who has just recovered from a serious illness?"

Su Wan continued to argue with him, "Why, my Ah Rou got injured, and you have to show it on your face and tell the world about it before you're satisfied?"

Lord Li snorted again, "Who knows."

The meaning of this sentence is self-evident. Various speculations about Su Rou's injury have emerged one after another in the hall.

The emperor shouted angrily, stopping their speech. "Enough! I know that Captain Su was injured. The imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital went to treat her. Could it be that I was also an accomplice in her concealment?"

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Su Rou said, "Lord Li, is this because I caught you in the Topaz Chamber of Commerce auction? I just stole your invitation, why are you so petty that you don't even want me to sit in office?"

Lord Li choked and continued, "Miss Su, do you know that you stole my invitation?"

Su Rou's brows furrowed even more. It seemed as if Lord Li had suddenly become a different person. His attitude towards her was not so tough before.

She glanced at the others casually. Was there anyone giving this coward advice behind the scenes?

Su Rou said, "On the contrary, I want to ask Lord Li, why are you staying up in the middle of the night to go to the Topaz Chamber of Commerce's auction? Aren't the skilled craftsmen in the palace enough to satisfy you?"

Su Rou was not worried that the emperor or anyone else would know about her appearance at the Topaz Chamber of Commerce, but Lord Li might be worried.

Lord Li said, "You...you!!"

He grunted for a long time but didn't say a word.

Su Rou said, "Me what?"

The emperor softened his tone, "Captain Su, please stop making trouble in the court."

Su Rou curled her lips, closed them obediently, and smiled as if she was enjoying a good show.

Su Wan also looked arrogant.

The morning court just briefly talked about the major events that happened in the north recently, and then it ended.

Su Rou knelt in the center of the side hall.

"I'm also wondering what benefit Prince Yu gave you that actually instigated you to come and speak well of me."

Su Rou said, "I didn't offer any benefits, I just felt sorry for Prince Yu, staying alone in another country, unable to go back even for his brother's death anniversary."

The emperor asked, "Then what about the Topaz Chamber of Commerce that Li Tang mentioned in the court today?"

Li Tang was the Lord Li whose invitation she had snatched away.

Su Rou said, "Lord Li must be resentful, so he deliberately wants to target me."

The emperor leaned forward and looked at Su Rou carefully. "Then you really did steal him."

Su Rou's eyes wandered, feeling a little guilty, "I stole it."

The emperor sighed and said, "Never mind. Li Tang is a low-ranking official, so it's understandable that he's wary of you."

Look, with just one sentence, the emperor took away the words that Lord Li had said in the court to slander her.

Su Rou said, "Your Majesty, what are you worried about regarding Prince Yu?"

The emperor said, "Recently, the southern border has been frequently invaded. Someone reported Su Chi's return to the capital to the southern kingdom. I have recently been considering whether to allow Su Chi to return to the border."

Su Rou lowered her eyes. The third princess's marriage had previously put the emperor in a difficult position. On one hand, there was the safety of the country, and on the other hand, there was the beloved third princess. It was a difficult question what choice the emperor would make.

Su Rou said, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion. Why don't you ask my third brother and I to escort Prince Yu back to the Southern Kingdom? Prince Yu is here because of his brother's death anniversary. If Your Majesty doesn't send him back, it would make you appear narrow-minded. But if he does go back, the people of the world will surely praise Your Majesty as a man of great righteousness."

The emperor looked at her. "You? I heard that you and Prince Yu have been getting closer recently. I don't know if you have selfish motives or if you are really doing this for my own good."

Su Rou's body stiffened. She thought that this matter would definitely reach the emperor's ears, but she didn't expect it to reach him so soon.

What should I do...

Her thoughts raced, and she absolutely had to admit it. Was there any way to get the emperor to agree and still ensure he wouldn't have any suspicions?

Su Rou said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed become closer to His Royal Highness Prince Yu these past few days, but it was because of the previous incident at the Yuan Family Restaurant that brought me and Prince Yu closer."

It was right for her to have Gong Yu detained temporarily.

The emperor then said, "Prince Yu is quite handsome. Don't you have any romantic feelings for him?"

Su Rou looked up, her expression almost unable to contain herself.

How come even the emperor thinks she and Gong Yu have that kind of relationship?!

Su Rou said, "I also think he is handsome, but I don't think there is anything wrong with a woman liking a handsome man."

She couldn't deny it, as the emperor's suspicion would only grow, so she had no choice but to agree...

The emperor said, "You are quite responsible. You don't hide anything in front of me."

Su Rou said, "I believe that everyone has the right to love beauty."

Wait, what is she talking about...

A sudden chuckle came from above my head.

The emperor smiled and said, "You volunteered to do this yourself. I grant you permission to escort Prince Yu back to the Southern Kingdom with Su Chi. However, I will only grant you three days to stay in the Southern Kingdom."

Su Rou nodded, "I accept your order."

When Su Rou came out, she had a bright yellow imperial edict in her hand, ordering the emperor to escort the hostage back and keep a close eye on Gong Yu to prevent him from running away.

I’m afraid it’s going to be quite a big deal.

"Captain Su, the Queen invites you."