Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 298 Everyone Gets Beaten Up
Everyone looked at each other, falling into a brief silence. They began to wonder if they had wasted their decades of education. Had all those years as officials been for nothing? How could they, these long-time officials, be less capable than a young girl who had been in office for less than a year? Judging by her meticulous demeanor, no one would doubt that she had been a prime minister for decades.

At this point, everyone was completely convinced. No wonder His Majesty valued Ying Jiuque so highly; he truly had real talent and ability, and was not the sycophant that ordinary people thought he was.

However, having served in the court for so many years, everyone had their own experience. After discussing it for a while, they offered a few small suggestions. Jiu Que was not a domineering or autocratic person, so after considering them, everyone felt they were useful and added them to the list.

By the time everything had settled, the sun had already set. When the civil and military officials dispersed, regardless of their inner thoughts, their expressions all showed their approval of the Nine Palaces.

Jiu Que was undoubtedly an exceptionally talented person. Although he hadn't been an official for long, he didn't seem inexperienced at all. Such a person could only be described as a prodigy. Before this, they didn't believe that such a remarkable person existed in the world, but after today, they were completely convinced. If the previous new salt-making method had some element of luck, now that he handled government affairs with such ease, and no one had taught him, what else could it be but innate talent?
In front of their colleagues, everyone was still a bit reserved, but after returning home, they were filled with emotion when facing their wives and children. At the same time, when they looked at their good-for-nothing children and grandchildren, they felt extremely disappointed. Some of the hot-tempered ones immediately picked up sticks and gave their children and grandchildren a loving baptism.

Moreover, what these elders said was remarkably similar.

"I've supported your studies for almost twenty years, and you haven't even passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations. Look at Master Ying, he's only eighteen and he can already make your old man do things for him. Look at your good-for-nothing appearance, why don't you get out of here and go study!"

These were relatively refined civil officials; those who rose through the ranks as military officers would chase their unfilial children all over the courtyard.

"You worthless brats! When I tell you to study, you complain of headaches; when I tell you to practice martial arts, you either have headaches or sore butts. Such delicate men! Look at Lord Ying! He went to places rife with bloating, to the perilous city of Yancheng, to the northern frontier bordering the northern barbarians, and even to the most dangerous places teeming with smallpox patients! He even dared to risk his life to inoculate people with smallpox right in front of us old ministers! You've wasted decades of your lives, you're not even as good as his fingers! A bunch of good-for-nothings, just seeing your father makes me grieve. Why didn't I have a son like Lord Ying? No! A daughter would do too; daughters can become officials these days. You bunch of good-for-nothings, since you're so unambitious, I'll just train you sisters! When you sisters become officials and receive titles, I can also become an old man!"

Tonight, even God knows how many households echoed with the sound of children being scolded. Of course, the more these officials envied Ying Jiuque, the more their children and grandchildren hated her. You're one thing if you're outstanding yourself, but you had to show off in front of their fathers, didn't you? Now they've gotten a beating too.

However, back when Ying Jiuque was a patrolling censor, he was known as a tigress. Now that he's a high-ranking official, he's even more ruthless than before. He can even control their minds. Sigh, who can understand all this heartache?
In any case, all the纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who are spoiled and dissolute) in the capital were completely convinced. Although these people usually indulged in gang fights, cockfighting, and other unruly and playful activities, they all had great faith in their fathers. After all, their comfortable lives were all thanks to having a smart or capable older brother supporting them. Now that even their own fathers and brothers respected Ying Jiuque so much, they naturally had to keep a low profile.

Jiu Que was unaware of the plight of the noble young men. She only felt like she was about to faint from exhaustion. For the past two weeks, she hadn't had a single peaceful day, either busy treating smallpox or figuring out how to promote the cowpox vaccination method. Well, they had already discussed the general plan today, and now they just had to wait for the promotion to begin. However, when she returned home and was chatting and laughing with Yuan Dao and a few other children, Jiu Que suddenly realized something.

Given His Majesty's temperament, he would surely summon her to the palace for a detailed inquiry after she finally emerged unscathed from Yunxiu Manor. Furthermore, with the smallpox vaccination program underway, His Majesty doesn't seem like the type to simply wash his hands of things; how could he possibly ignore it entirely? This is clearly not right.

The more she thought about it, the more restless she became. Jiu Que finally found a secluded spot and summoned her personal guards—guards bestowed upon her by His Majesty for her protection. "Brother," she said, "we've known each other for a long time. Could you ask how His Majesty is doing? He hasn't shown up all day, and I'm feeling uneasy..."

The guard, dressed in ordinary clothes that blended into the crowd and couldn't be recognized at first glance, kept his head down, not uttering a single word. Jiu Que rambled on for a while, but seeing that the other party hadn't said a word, he knew he wouldn't get anything out of him, and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Sigh, if only she could go to the palace for a visit. But since His Majesty entrusted her with the task of promoting smallpox vaccination, she should at least complete the task before she can ask His Majesty for a reward—or rather, speak to him, right?

Thinking this, Jiu Que struggled to fall asleep. For the next three days, Jiu Que was extremely busy, barely having a moment to rest. Although they had discussed things in detail beforehand, every policy decree encountered various problems when it was actually implemented. However, solving these accumulated problems was enough to keep her incredibly busy.

Having finally resolved most of the problems, Jiu Que could no longer ignore the warning in his heart: His Majesty had not appeared in public for four whole days, which was absolutely impossible for an emperor, especially for Emperor Jingtai!
His Majesty has been on the throne for many years and has always been a diligent emperor. How could he possibly ignore such an important matter as the promotion of smallpox vaccination?

Moreover, not only His Majesty, but even the Fourth Prince seems to be nonexistent, having never appeared. Meanwhile, the Northern Barbarian delegation imprisoned in the post station has been quite agitated these past few days. The post station manager, looking distressed, came to seek advice, and Jiu Que immediately dispatched a patrol of city guards to completely surround the post station, ensuring not even a fly could escape.

Having waited in vain for His Majesty's arrival, Jiu Que finally stopped hesitating and directly led Senior Cui Xie Mingchen into the palace.

When they arrived at the palace gate, lo and behold, it was a familiar face. Wei Yuan, whom they hadn't seen for three days, was guarding the palace gate.

Upon seeing Ying Jiuque, a hint of surprise flashed across Wei Yuan's dark face, which he then forcibly suppressed.

"Lord Ying, what brings you here? Has the matter of promoting smallpox vaccination been resolved?"

(End of this chapter)