Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 24 Then why don't you try patrolling the streets?

In terms of status, she was newly appointed as a county princess, and could be promoted further if necessary; her status as a member of the imperial family was certainly sufficient. In terms of temperament, she was the type to help those in need, otherwise she wouldn't have been so dedicated to investigating the case. In terms of methods, she acted decisively when necessary; Emperor Jingtai still vividly remembered how she smashed an assassin's head with a brick at the birthday banquet.

Most importantly, although those imperial inspectors were indeed pitiful, human nature is biased. On one hand, there were the imperial inspectors he barely remembered, and on the other hand, there were the children of his old comrades. Emperor Jingtai couldn't help but show some favoritism. This was also the reason why those纨绔 (spoiled brats) became increasingly outrageous.

But now that Ying Jiuque is set aside, Emperor Jingtai feels he will definitely side with Jiuque. Why? Because he's a good boy! He's different from those spoiled brats! And he can also get a sense of the capital's true character by listening to Ying Jiuque's thoughts. That's how those in high positions are; they always harbor suspicions about everything around them.

Now, he has nothing to fear, because he has the honest and straightforward Ying Jiuque by his side!

"Nine Palaces..."

For some reason, Ying Jiuque felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the smiling Emperor Jingtai. Why did she have such a bad feeling?

Emperor Jingtai spoke in a very gentle and sincere tone.

"Any interest in becoming an official?"

"what?"

Whether Ying Jiuque himself was willing to take the official post or not, the court was in an uproar over it!
The fact that Ying Jiuque, a woman, was put in charge of investigating the case had already displeased many. However, Ying Jiuque did a good job, resolving the matter within two days, which lived up to His Majesty's expectations. But wasn't it said that assigning Ying Jiuque to investigate the case was just a temporary measure? Why is she now being given an official position? And a sixth-rank official at that!

Even those who excelled in the top three ranks only received a sixth-rank official position upon their first appointment! What merit or ability did Ying Jiuque, a mere woman, possess?!
Emperor Jingtai didn't want to listen to their rambling, but after the court session, they even came to the Hall of Nourishing Life, where he could only listen to their rambling with a dark face.

"Your Majesty! Ying Jiuque is merely a woman! What virtue or ability does she possess to be appointed as a sixth-rank Imperial Censor?! This is against the laws of the court..."

"Yes, Your Majesty! There are so many capable people in this court. How can a woman who knows nothing shoulder such a great responsibility?"

"This will likely dishearten us, your subjects..."

In short, there were all sorts of opinions. You see, the imperial court has always been a highly competitive system, with each position filled individually. While there are many official posts, there are just as many people vying for them. Putting aside everything else, which of these officials doesn't have a young son they admire? They're practically begging for their attention!
Why give such a good opportunity to a greenhorn instead of their young sons?! She's just a brat; she could just stay home, get married, have children, and be a good wife and mother. Why do they have to compete with them? Do they think they can win?
In short, these men, young and old, were so angry that their eyes were bloodshot. They wanted to squeeze out any woman who dared to fight for power among men, and then trample her underfoot so that she would never be reborn.

Emperor Jingtai's head was buzzing. He slammed his hand on the dragon table, and the ministers who had been arguing so fiercely finally realized their rudeness before the emperor and hurriedly apologized.

"Putting everything else aside, Ying Jiuque investigated Yu Lang's case thoroughly in just two days. Is he any less capable than others?"

"But she didn't find out by herself alone. There were several others, weren't there? And that Wei Yuan, but, but Jiu..." When the official mentioned this name, he felt a slight chill run down his spine. But when he looked up, he was met with the smiling, benevolent expression of the Grand Eunuch Jiu Fu, which was truly chilling.

So he was about to say something, but was so startled by that expression that he forgot.

As one warrior fell, another appeared one after another, making Ying Jiuque look utterly worthless.

Emperor Jingtai was truly getting impatient at this point.

"That's her skill!"

Emperor Jingtai hadn't previously thought his ministers were narrow-minded, but now, looking at it this way, he realized how short-sighted they truly were. What was the point of constantly dragging down outstanding women? Shouldn't the focus be on making themselves even more outstanding?

Then he continued.

"Since you ministers all feel that Ying Jiuque is unfit for the position of Imperial Inspector, then name a few people who are willing to take the job?"

Only now did some officials realize, "Oh, this is awkward." They had only wanted to snatch an official position, but when they looked at the three imperial inspectors who had been crying and begging to retire since the beginning of the year, they felt a little uneasy. They couldn't just push their own sons into a fire pit.

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Emperor Jingtai sighed, looking quite troubled.

"I'm in a difficult position too. The previous imperial inspector who patrolled the city lost two teeth, saying he tripped and fell while walking. I'd like to know, are the roads in the capital really that difficult to traverse? That three imperial inspectors in a row have fallen and bled? I would like to find a capable person from among my ministers to serve as the imperial inspector, but you ministers are all getting on in years. If you accidentally stumble and fall, you're not like those young people who can jump around so easily. I'm doing this for your sake..."

The Minister of Revenue twitched his lips, watching the Censor-in-Chief beside him, who was so excited he almost fainted, seemingly ready to sacrifice his life for his emperor. He thought to himself that His Majesty's ability to deceive people had only grown more and more impressive over the years. The Censor-in-Chief was already in his fifties or sixties; he might just faint unexpectedly.

In short, regardless of what everyone is thinking, His Majesty has already considered things so much for himself, so they can't keep arguing, otherwise it would seem a bit too much.

"However, since you are all so loyal to the emperor and willing to share my burdens, it saves me trouble. After all, Jiu Que doesn't want to be the city patrol censor. She's just a child, so she's a bit spoiled and loves to look pretty. She said that patrolling the city would tan her skin, so she's very unwilling. It just so happens that, Minister Li, I remember that your third son has just come of age this year and has already passed the imperial examination, right? Anyway, he hasn't been appointed to an official position yet, so why not let him be the city patrol censor first? Young people always need more experience."

The Minister of Revenue broke out in a cold sweat. His third son had never been very healthy, but he was the apple of his grandmother's eye and had been pampered and spoiled. If he were to become some kind of imperial inspector, wouldn't he be beaten to death by his grandmother?

Moreover, his third son is the most promising child in the family. The Imperial Censor is just a minor sixth-rank official. If he becomes an official early, how will he pass the imperial examinations later? He wanted his third son to enter the prestigious Hanlin Academy through the proper imperial examinations! Besides, he didn't have any children to arrange anything for in the first place. He was just here to watch the show and didn't want to be implicated!
"Your Majesty! I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness, but my son is truly disappointing. He fell ill some time ago and is still bedridden. He is unable to go on patrol and has failed Your Majesty's good intentions. I am guilty."

(End of this chapter)