Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 283 Seventeen Years Old

When the shocking rebellion in the capital was revealed, the people of the capital were stunned and bewildered. Although they dared not discuss it openly, they were secretly filled with fervent anger.

"I don't know what that old man is thinking. Isn't our Emperor doing a good enough job as emperor? We have enough to eat and wear, and we have money to spare. Doesn't he know what kind of heavenly life we're living? He still wants to rebel? Only a fool would follow him in a rebellion!"

"That's right. Isn't it precisely because he was foolish that he failed? I heard that His Majesty arrested him directly in the Golden Hall. He even ordered the three judicial departments to jointly interrogate him and bring out all the hidden bad elements!"

"Speaking of this, do you know about that news?"

"what news?"

"Oh, it's that one! Lord Ying! Really, you won't understand unless I explain it clearly, will you?"

"Oh, oh, oh, I know who you're talking about! How could I not know? I just didn't realize it for a moment. Look how capable you are! Is there anyone in the capital who doesn't know this news? Our Great Jing has finally produced a princess!"

"Wrong, wrong. The point isn't the princess. The point is that she's already a vice minister, and she's in charge of the promotions and changes of all officials. Tsk tsk tsk, why didn't I give birth to such a successful daughter?"

"Come on, you? It would be strange if you could even give birth. Besides, it's not too late for us to start training him now. Looks like that one will be in the court for quite a while."

"That's true. Hey, Chunyu, don't go! I heard your daughter has become a senior official in the Ministry of Justice! Goodness! A third-rank official! We haven't had an official of the fourth rank or higher on our street for years! I have to say, your daughter is truly remarkable. But if your daughter is so capable, why didn't you promote your three sons a bit? We're all family, there's nothing we can't talk about. By the way, I heard your daughter is still unmarried. What do you think of my son? I'm not bragging, but you've all watched him grow up. He's handsome, tall, and very gentle. Most importantly, he's young, only 17 this year. Sister-in-law Chunyu, if you have time, could you please introduce him to your daughter? Whether it works out or not, they could meet first. What if the two young people hit it off?"

Lady Chunyu, who was desperate to escape, was stunned. She recognized the man's son; he was indeed a brilliant young man who had passed the imperial examination at a young age and had a promising future!

She was stuttering a little at that moment.

“But, but my daughter is almost ten years older than your son.”

"Oh, what's wrong with that? Why are you so old-fashioned? They say a woman three years older than you is like bringing gold bricks into your home. If my son can really marry your daughter, wouldn't he be bringing three gold bricks into his home? Oh, just say yes or no?"

"I...I'll go back and ask, I'll ask."

Having fled in a disheveled state from the enthusiastic encirclement of the women, Lady Chunyu couldn't understand why everyone's attitude had changed so quickly. Just moments before, some had been secretly mocking her daughter for being unmarried at her age and still serving as an official among men. How had things turned out this way?
Actually, this is something Madam Chunyu doesn't understand. The reason they said those things before was because the gap between them and Chunyu Shuang wasn't obvious. Now that Chunyu Shuang is about to rise to prominence, what does a little age difference matter?
She ran all the way home, and although she didn't know why, Madam Chunyu felt her heart pounding, as if something was beyond her comprehension.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw her husband staring at her with displeasure.

"Why are you so flustered? It's unsightly. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about your children and grandchildren. If others see that they have such a frivolous mother or grandmother, what will they think of them?"

"Ah, I... I didn't mean it, I was just too anxious. Aunt Wang and the others kept stopping me from arranging a marriage, and it took me a lot of effort to get back..." "Arrange a marriage?"

Lord Chunyu was somewhat puzzled. His sons were all married, and his children and grandchildren were still young, far from the age for marriage. Who in his family was still unmarried? After a long while, it suddenly dawned on him. Could it be that they were trying to find a husband for his good-for-nothing daughter? Tsk, that unfilial daughter, there's actually someone who would want her!
"I remember Aunt Wang's eldest son and daughter-in-law were doing well, weren't they? I didn't hear about them getting a divorce. Could it be her nephew?"

"It's not her eldest son, nor her nephew, but her youngest son, the one who passed the imperial examination at the age of seventeen."

Lady Chunyu uttered those words with mixed feelings; her heart was filled with complex emotions. Especially when she saw her husband's incredulous expression, she suddenly felt a hidden sense of satisfaction.

"How can it be?!"

Lord Chunyu practically slammed his fist on the table and stood up, the tea in his hand losing its aroma. He rushed to his wife, his狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face looking as if he wanted to devour her.

"That rebellious daughter! She's more than ten years older than that scholar's son, how could he possibly be interested in her? Does he intend to take her as a concubine?!"

"No, it means she was formally married and made a legal wife."

For some reason, Madam Chunyu didn't find her husband's ferocious face frightening; instead, she found it amusing. Seeing that her husband still didn't understand, she kindly offered an explanation.

"Shuang'er is now a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, a high-ranking official of the third rank. She can attend the grand court assembly and discuss national affairs with His Majesty and the princes. Even if Aunt Wang's youngest son is a scholar, it's unknown how many years it will take him to pass the provincial and imperial examinations, not to mention whether he can even pass them. Moreover, even if he does pass the imperial examinations, he will only be a minor official of the seventh rank. How many officials are stuck outside the fifth rank in their entire lives? Shuang'er is truly amazing!"

"..."

Lord Chunyu was stunned for a long time before rubbing his face and suddenly revealing a face full of joy.

"Go! Hurry up and get ready, we're going to see our daughter now. Ah, our Chunyu family is truly blessed with good fortune. From our ancestors to the present, we've never produced a high-ranking official of the third rank. Shuang'er has set a precedent for this."

Seeing that Madam Chunyu did not move, he urged her anxiously.

"Hurry up! Don't just stand there! Call your sons too. Their sister is so capable; promoting someone would be a piece of cake for her. Have them all prepare gifts, big gifts! Our Chunyu family is finally going to rise up!"

Seeing that his wife remained unmoved, Lord Chunyu was almost furious. Then, at that moment, he heard his wife slowly utter those words.

“But we had a falling out with that child a long time ago. Husband, have you forgotten? It was such a big fight back then... She won’t see us.”

(End of this chapter)