Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 277 What Happened Back Then

Fortunately, everyone's attention was focused on the Left Prime Minister, and no one noticed the Fourth Prince's change in expression. However, Left Prime Minister Mu Yanchun immediately spotted the culprit who had stabbed him in the crowd—none other than Ying Jiuque, the only female official in the court who could stand in the first three rows!

Taking a deep breath, Mu Yanchun had to admit he had underestimated this woman. Who would have thought that a mere teenage girl could influence the court at such a crucial moment? Could it really be that Heaven was protecting the Jing family?

"Should we answer the Nine Palaces?"

Mu Yanchun wished he could kill Ying Jiuque with his own hands, but at this crucial moment, his eyes flickered slightly, and he became gentle and kind.

"Lord Ying is still young and probably doesn't know about the grudges of the previous generation. He probably also doesn't know how General Ying died, right?"

"Mu Yanchun, what are you trying to say? You're about to die and you still want to stir up trouble. Take him down."

"Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. Although the Fourth Prince has been rescued, I still have the lives of these first-rank officials under my command, and even several diligent Grand Secretaries. Do you really want these Grand Secretaries to die in vain?"

Mu Yanchun knew he was going to die, but before he died, he didn't mind causing Emperor Jingtai some trouble, especially with Ying Jiuque, who had been gaining increasing prominence recently. He had never liked Ying Chongming; she was clearly a woman, yet she insisted on meddling in men's affairs. Could a woman really decide the affairs of the world? Instead of staying at home embroidering, she ran to the battlefield shouting for war—truly despicable. And her daughter, true to her lineage, was as repulsive as ever.

Even if he dies today, he should still throw the court into chaos. Ying Jiuque is nothing, just a lonely subject, but the 200,000 troops in the Northern Frontier are no joke. Only those who truly control military power have the right to stir up trouble. Those 200,000 troops in the Northern Frontier were originally a coalition force, and the women's army left behind by Ying Chongming is now only a few thousand strong. But every one of those women is a veteran of countless battles. If General Ying Chongming's only daughter were to plead her case, even if the women's army harbored no rebellious intentions, would the emperor, the most suspicious person in the world, believe her?

All the chaos in this world stems from suspicion. Especially for Emperor Jingtai, betrayed by his longtime minister, a time of fear and suspicion, it's hard to believe he could still trust Ying Chongming. You can't see into someone's heart! No matter how eloquently someone speaks, no one can truly see into another's heart.

At this time, Emperor Jingtai was mindful of the few old ministers who were under control. Although he had already sentenced Mu Yanchun to death in his heart, he did not order his men to launch a strong attack.

"It seems that Lord Ying is truly unaware of the cause of his mother's death. Back then, General Ying Chongming was both a scholar and a warrior, killing enemies on the battlefield as easily as cutting melons and vegetables, earning him the title of 'Twin Stars.' How could such an extraordinary woman be so easily killed if no one was behind it? Lord Ying, you are young and promising, having entered the court and even the cabinet before the age of twenty. You'd better not be deceived."

"Back then, 20 allied troops gathered in the northern border to resist the barbarian army, and General Ying Chongming was naturally among them. Countless lives were lost in that war, and the world seemed to lose its color. If reinforcements had arrived in time, General Ying wouldn't have died. But because he had no one behind him, he fought bravely on the battlefield, repeatedly defeating the enemy, but ultimately died from exhaustion. Didn't Lord Ying grieve for this? Back then, our Emperor was truly shrewd; while other rebel armies gathered in the north, he turned and attacked the capital, not only conquering this ancient capital but also..." He minimized casualties among his own troops. Therefore, despite being the weakest member of the rebel army, he ultimately ascended the throne and ruled the world. It's pitiful that the incomparably brave General Ying, a remarkable woman, died on the battlefield, unable to usher in a new era. "Lord Ying, as a daughter, how can you not avenge your mother?" Although everyone knew that Mu Yanchun's words were intended to sow discord, that's human nature; even if one knows it's wrong, once someone says it, one can't help but think about it.

At this moment, many eyes were subtly drawn to Ying Jiuque. It seemed that General Ying's death was indeed partly His Majesty's fault. Everyone wondered what Ying would choose to do, but they all understood that after this incident, no matter how much His Majesty favored Ying, he would no longer give her important positions. After all, there were countless talented people in the court; there was no need to rely on someone who harbored resentment.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jiu Que leisurely jumped down from the pillar, then walked along the path that the crowd had deliberately parted to reach the place closest to His Majesty, and respectfully offered a grain of rice.

"Your humble servant has fulfilled his mission; the Fourth Prince is safe and sound."

Emperor Jingtai slightly raised his hand, gesturing for her to stand up.

Jiu Que then stood up and turned to look at Mu Yanchun, whose motives were impure.

"I knew long ago that Lord Mu wasn't as gentle and kind as he appeared, but I never imagined that such a wicked and restless heart was hidden beneath that facade. Your purpose in bringing up the events of the past is simply to sow discord between me and His Majesty. But I'm afraid I'll disappoint you, Lord Mu. While I may not be as learned as you, I still understand the principles of heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teacher. Leaving aside the fact that the events of that year had nothing to do with His Majesty, since you've asked, I'll counter with a question: Was it you who spread false military intelligence, causing my mother to misjudge and fall into enemy hands?"

Many officials in the court didn't actually know much about what happened back then. Now that they heard there seemed to be a twist in the story, they couldn't help but twitch their eyes. It seemed they would hear more about what happened more than a decade ago today.

"If it weren't for this trip to the Northern Border, where General Yuchi and General Lin told me the truth of what happened back then, I would probably have been deceived by you as well. Lord Mu truly lives up to his reputation as a man who stirs up trouble in the court; even on his deathbed, he could still come up with such a method to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers. But no amount of sweet talk can cover up the fact that you are a despicable and shameless villain!"

"Back then, our country was at odds with the grasslands, and the grasslands never gave up their desire to destroy us. You knew perfectly well that if the 20-strong allied army in the north went wrong, the grasslands would surely march south and march straight into the capital. How many innocent civilians would die along the way? Yet you still disregarded it all, just to eliminate dissidents! Back then, my mother only petitioned the last emperor of the previous dynasty, wanting to change the method of recommending talents at that time, so as to bring more outstanding talents to the country and solve the crisis of its decline. My mother was loyal and devoted, without any personal feelings. Even if she disagreed with you politically, it was for the sake of the people. Even if you disagreed, you didn't have to kill her!"

(End of this chapter)