Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 22 Reporting the Case

The group exchanged glances, secretly pleased. After all, this was a golden opportunity to impress His Majesty. Those like Chunyu Shuang and Wei Yuan, who desperately needed a victory to bolster their power, were especially delighted.

Only nine gates, I find it troublesome.

There seem to be many restrictions after entering the palace? She had stayed there for one night and saw many palace servants kneeling all the time. As a modern young person who grew up under the red flag, Jiu Que felt sorry for them.

But that's the rule of this world. If she were to rush out now and say something stupid like, "We're all the same, why keep kneeling and bowing?", the palace servants would be the first to rush out and bring her to justice. On the other hand, the food in the palace is really delicious. In order not to let down the hard work of the imperial chefs, shouldn't she visit the old emperor more often?
I wonder if the old emperor will take the opportunity to invite her to dinner...

Before Jiu Que could finish his internal struggle, the old emperor, who had already received the news, sent someone to find them. The person who came was none other than Wei Yuan's adoptive father, Jiu Fu.

This powerful eunuch, who had held sway for many years, always wore a smile and appeared very kind and approachable. However, no one ever truly treated him like a kind old man. He was His Majesty's most trusted henchman; to look down on him would be tantamount to courting death.

Just like now, with so many people here, regardless of what they are thinking, everyone is putting on a very humble posture.

"Get up, everyone. You've had a long day. Don't be so stiff."

Jiu Fu smiled and gestured for everyone to stand up. His slightly narrowed eyes swept over everyone before finally settling on the quiet Jiu Que. This was an unpredictable person, and even now, Jiu Fu was unsure why His Majesty valued a woman he had never met so much.

He has always been a cautious person, and he was unwilling to offend anyone easily at this moment.

"Greetings, County Princess Ruian. Your Highness has worked hard investigating the case."

Jiu Que was somewhat surprised that her most trusted eunuch would take the initiative to speak to her. Although she had been granted the title of county princess, she was no match for Jiu Fu, since a county princess could not stay by the old emperor's side every day.

At this moment, despite the strange looks from everyone, Jiu Que greeted them in a generous and natural manner.

"It's no trouble at all. Serving a benevolent ruler is what I should do. But you, in this unpredictable weather, you should wear more clothes; you're a bit too thin. I wonder what brings you here..."

A hint of surprise flashed quickly in Jiu Fu's eyes. He had seen countless people who were outwardly respectful but inwardly contemptuous. He had also seen some people who wanted to get his attention and acted as if they didn't care, trying to stand out by being respectful. But all of them were too fake, so fake that he couldn't bear to look at them.

But this young county magistrate really treated him like an ordinary person.

Having a physical disability makes one more sensitive, and Jiufu was certain he wasn't mistaken. Now, thinking back to what the little ones below had said—that the county princess would always subtly try to make them feel better—it was actually true.

Although he didn't say it, Jiufu's attitude became even more amiable.

"His Majesty has summoned you all to the palace to settle this case."

So that's what it was about. I was already planning to go to the palace anyway, so it's not too late.

And so the group entered the palace.

The palace remained as magnificent as ever, and even the old emperor still gleamed with gold. Well, perhaps it was because Emperor Jingtai had been a peasant before becoming emperor, so after becoming emperor, he pursued every kind of splendor, dressing like a glittering gold ingot.

Of course, this is also the point that he is most criticized by the censors. However, perhaps because Jiu Que is a mortal, she thinks it looks quite good. After all, he is the emperor and the ruler of the world. If he doesn't enjoy the best in the world, wouldn't he be a fool?

[Those pedantic, pretentious officials always say the old emperor is extravagant, but I think this dragon robe is actually quite handsome! Good taste indeed! Oh! It's even embroidered with gold thread, not bad at all!] The old emperor, who had initially tried to maintain a composed demeanor, was secretly overjoyed. What did those pedantic scholars know? They even accused him of extravagance and publicly remonstrated against it. Bah! They've embezzled so much, yet they have the nerve to claim they're innocent—shameless!

He has worked hard for most of his life, devoting himself to the country. He is now very old and frail. What's wrong with him enjoying himself?
Some officials did speak up to be fair, but who knows if their true feelings lie beneath their facade of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism?
But Ying Jiuque is different. Would this kid be lying? Look at him, he's pretending to be so cautious right now, but he's actually a very good person! And he has great taste! He even suggested this gold-embroidered dragon robe.

Good people, it's precisely because they're all good people that they share the same aesthetic.

And so, Jiu Que became the most honest and kind person in Emperor Jingtai's heart.

"Ahem. How's the investigation going?"

Jiu Que was determined to let Chunyu and the others take the lead, so he remained silent.

Chunyu Shuang was grateful for her kindness, so she told the truth of the matter in the most concise tone and as unemotionally neutral as possible.

"...Nine women in the outer chambers used herbs to nourish Yu Lang's body...However, Yu Lang took qi-tonifying and blood-nourishing pills on his own, which stimulated his heart, and he eventually died."

Chunyu's calm voice had been silent for a long time, but His Majesty the Emperor remained silent. In the empty palace, it seemed that only his own heartbeat was gradually growing louder.

After a long while, Emperor Jingtai's voice, which he couldn't discern as good or bad, rang out.

"So Yu Lang brought this upon himself? My top scholar is such a worthless and incompetent villain?"

Everyone fell silent. How could they possibly respond to that? They wanted to say yes, but they couldn't be so blunt. And judging from the implication, did His Majesty still have a good impression of Yu Lang?

I am utterly bored in the Nine Palaces.

[No way, no way? Could the old emperor really be in love with Yu Lang? But then again, it makes sense. If he weren't, he wouldn't have chosen him as the top scholar. Tsk tsk tsk, the third-ranked scholar is clearly young and handsome, much better than him.]

"..."

The old emperor nearly choked to death. Who said he truly loved Yu Lang? Just thinking about Yu Lang's shameless behavior made him feel disgusted. He was simply asking a question!

But why is Jiu Que still so hung up on that third-place scholar? Could it be that he's fallen for him?

Emperor Jingtai stroked his beard, lost in thought.

"Hmm... What about Xin Tanhua? Yu Lang is his biological father after all, he needs to know about this kind of thing."

So, the imprisoned Xin Tanhua changed his clothes and was brought before everyone. The Tanhua, who was initially a little confused, turned green after hearing the whole story!

Jiuque listened intently, quite certain of his feelings.

[Hmm, Xin Tanhua is really seething with hatred! Tsk tsk tsk, Yu Lang is such a failure as a person.]

(End of this chapter)