Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 270 Ah Jiu
"If things had succeeded, we wouldn't have been the ones to receive the glory, but since we failed, our entire families have been executed. Eldest sister, you really did find a good husband!"

"You! It's too late to tell me all this now. Do you think I don't know the consequences? If it weren't for my maidservant bumping into him going to Qingyun Manor a few days ago, and thinking he had some mistress outside, she would have followed him and I still wouldn't know!"

The old Duchess of Ningguo tugged at the handkerchief in her hand, asking with some reluctance.

"Is that child really born looking exactly like the one from the previous dynasty?"

"It's not exactly the same, but it's at least 60% similar!"

"...My brother-in-law is a madman!"

Hearing this, Lady Ningguo already knew she had stumbled upon something terrible. She immediately held her breath and quietly backed away. Just then, the large black cat kept by Consort Sun in the manor suddenly appeared out of nowhere, hissing as it pounced on her!

Aunt Sun and the Duchess of Ningguo had never gotten along. Like master and mistress, the pet she kept also disliked the Duchess. This sudden, menacing hiss not only startled the Duchess but also alerted the two sisters who had been secretly talking. They rushed out in a panic, eager to catch the thief who had been eavesdropping on their conversation!
"Who?!"

Lady Ningguo didn't care about anything else and hurriedly ran away.

She was thankful that she had come alone to pay her respects. Otherwise, with so many people around, she would have been a bigger target and the chances of being discovered would have been higher. After rushing back to her courtyard that day, nothing strange happened, and she thought the matter was over. But who would have thought that the next day her mother-in-law would bring her some nourishing porridge, and it was her capable nanny who personally delivered it. The nanny even stood by with a forced smile, wanting to watch her drink it herself, saying that the porridge was made by the old Lady of Ningguo herself and had extraordinary significance.

Lady Ningguo knew the visitor meant no good, but if she didn't drink at all, it would only arouse more suspicion, especially since she had no idea who her mother-in-law was talking about. However, her instinct to avoid danger led her to drink half a sip anyway.

She thought that even if the porridge was poisoned, drinking half a mouthful wouldn't be fatal. But who would have thought that her mother-in-law hated her so much that she added a large amount of poison? She only touched her lips slightly and immediately vomited blood and fell into a coma. If Yuan'er hadn't returned in time, she probably would have been tortured to death long ago!

After she woke up, she pondered the matter carefully and suddenly understood why her aunt had tried to kill her, and why she had used such a vicious poison. It was because the person they were talking about was someone of considerable importance, and very likely connected to the previous dynasty's royal family.

However, in front of His Majesty, Lady Ningguo did not try to play any tricks. She told him everything she had heard and then waited quietly for His Majesty's instructions.

Emperor Jingtai remained silent for a long time. Jiuque, mustering her courage, looked up and saw that His Majesty was pressing his temples with his fingers. She was immediately taken aback; when had His Majesty developed a headache?
The scene was deathly silent; no one dared to make any unnecessary movements. Only Jiu Que, thinking he was being inconspicuous, looked up, which amused Emperor Jingtai with his worried expression.

"Alright, I understand. Lady Ning and Prince Ning will stay in the palace for now. Once this matter is settled, I will give you an explanation."

Upon receiving His Majesty's reply, Lady Ningguo finally breathed a sigh of relief. After all, carrying such a huge secret on her mind had made her extremely uneasy.

After the mother and son left, Emperor Jingtai's expression immediately changed. The elder sister of the late Lady Ningguo was one of the most respected and virtuous ladies in the capital; her husband must have been a man of equal social standing. Coincidentally, he not only knew that man, but saw him every day.

Before this, he had even suspected Jiu Fu, and he never expected it would be him!
"Wei Yuan! I order you to immediately go to Qingyun Manor and arrest everyone hiding there!"

"Yes!" "Jiufu! Ring the Emperor's Bell! All civil and military officials, get to court within the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn!"

"Yes!"

The Emperor's Bell, it turns out, was created by the founding emperor of the previous dynasty. Its purpose was to inform all officials in the shortest possible time if anything happened in the palace. In the final years of the previous dynasty, this thing rang quite often, for either the death of an empress dowager or the death of a crown prince or emperor. Interestingly, this is the first time the Emperor Jingtai has rung the Emperor's Bell since his ascension to the throne; it feels rather strange.

Emperor Jingtai flashed what he thought was an amusing and amiable smile, unaware that most of those present couldn't help but shiver. His Majesty's smile was so wise and powerful—was he about to kill someone? But at a time like this, it would be strange if His Majesty didn't execute a few as a warning to others.

Just as Jiu Que and the others were waiting patiently, Ying Yuandao and a few others, who had been behaving themselves, got into trouble.

Actually, Yuandao himself couldn't explain what happened. He had just come out with his friends to visit Mingde, but they met a new friend instead. According to Mingde, this was a friend he had unexpectedly made while traveling in the countryside a few days ago. Although he came from the countryside and didn't know much, he had a very good personality and they could get along well.

Yuandao is a gentle child. He is friends with Mingde. Since Mingde said that the child who looks a little shy is very nice, then they are friends too!

A group of children wandered through the streets and alleys. They were bold and had money in their hands, so they bought quite a few things along the way.

It was really strange. Yuan Dao took a closer look at the new child. He looked about seven or eight years old. Although he was dressed simply in common linen clothes, his exposed fingers were soft and delicate. In ordinary families, children start helping with chores around the house from five or six years old. Their fingers wouldn't be so delicate, let alone develop calluses, as if even linen clothes could be worn through. Hey! They really did look worn through!
My new friend's clothes didn't fit well; when he raised his arm, the sleeve fell down, revealing his arm covered in red chafing marks.

The little boy from afar had a very serious face.

"Ah Jiu, your clothes are all chafed red. Is it because these clothes are too rough?"

"Really? I want to see too! I've never seen a boy with such soft skin before!"

"I want to see it too! I want to see it too!"

Kids are like that; even the smallest things can grab their attention. New friend Ajiu wanted to cover the red marks on his arm, but everyone was so enthusiastic that in no time, his arm was completely exposed!
Ah Jiu's face was flushed, but she could keenly sense that no one meant her any harm, so she could only explain softly and gently.

"I... I don't have delicate skin, it's just that these clothes are too rough, they've worn me down like this. Even if you wore them, they would wear down like this..."

This book is almost finished! Thank you to all the friends who have followed me this far, and I wish you all the best!

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(End of this chapter)