Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 347 Of course he can't compare.
In a daze, Lin Shuran suddenly remembered that during her early childhood education, her teacher always praised her for her outstanding talent. Conversely, Mo Ran was punished with a beating every few days. This was because he was less talented than her and also very mischievous; he was punished whenever he couldn't complete his homework. On the other hand, although she was exceptionally gifted, she wasn't without her mistakes. Yet, her teacher didn't severely punish her for her errors in reading and writing, showing her considerable leniency. At the time, she felt lucky; now, thinking about it, perhaps it was inherently unfair?

Back then, seeing her younger brother being strictly disciplined by their father, she felt fortunate that she didn't have to endure such harsh treatment. But now, thinking back, what gain comes without pain? After the age of ten, she was no longer allowed to sit in on her teacher's lessons because her father said there was a difference between boys and girls. As she grew older, her brother could participate in the imperial examinations, while she was confined to the inner quarters learning needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Lin Shuran couldn't help but find it strange. Why did her brother only need to study diligently, without having to worry about anything else? Was studying solely for the imperial examinations? She had also read many books; why couldn't she participate in the imperial examinations?

Whenever she had doubts about this, she would think that if she could participate in the imperial examination, she might not be any worse than her younger brother.

But when exactly did these thoughts disappear?
Perhaps it was when her father, siblings, and others mocked her for her naiveté, or when everyone around her thought it was perfectly reasonable, or perhaps it was when the rules in the capital were becoming increasingly strict...

As she grew older, those childish and ridiculous thoughts in her heart almost disappeared. She always thought they were just childish fantasies, but until nearly a year later, her eldest sister, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, rose to prominence at a speed that no one could understand. Lin Shuran suddenly realized that those previous thoughts were not entirely hopeless.

After much thought, the bottom line is that Ying Jiuque can act freely and unrestrainedly, and no one dares to say she's right or wrong. Isn't it because her status is rising, her power is increasing, and His Majesty's trust in her is deepening?

It is indeed rare for a woman to be granted the title of princess, but it is not without precedent. It is also uncommon for a woman to serve as an official in the imperial court, but there have been instances of this before. However, to have both of these distinctions, and for a woman to be granted the title of a first-rank provincial governor and the first-rank Duke of Ruian for her meritorious service, is unprecedented!

In the past, she was filled with jealousy towards Ying Jiuque, jealous of her status as the legitimate daughter. She had schemed and plotted to gain the opportunity to attend the palace banquet, while Ying Jiuque was qualified to participate without even having to speak. How could she feel comfortable with such a disparity?

Looking back now, those reasons for jealousy and rivalry seem incredibly childish and laughable. Ying Jiuque seems to have truly paved a different path for women everywhere.

Lin Shuran suddenly understood that the reason Lin Moran was so angry about the few handkerchiefs was not because she didn't care about him, but because she had devoted her limited time to reading and understanding principles, and because she made him feel threatened!

How ridiculous! Just because his own sister has read a few more books, he feels an immense sense of crisis. It seems that Lin Moran has also been living in his shadow all these years. It's just a pity that she didn't understand this for the previous ten years or so.

Having figured everything out, Lin Shuran walked back somewhat dejectedly. When she turned the corner, she was surprised to find a familiar figure standing there quietly, looking at her with an unprecedentedly gentle gaze.

She suddenly felt a little wronged.

Then she threw herself into the man's arms.

"mother……"

Madam Lin gently held her daughter, stroking her long, black hair, just like any tolerant mother.

"Shuran, are you feeling wronged?"

"...My daughter was so foolish before, she couldn't understand her mother's teachings. It turns out that there is such a vast world outside this small house. It's strange, because before, apart from my mother, no one had ever told me about the wonders of the outside world. Have they all gotten used to it?" "Silly child, perhaps they haven't gotten used to it, they just want to use it to discipline us."

Madam Lin gently comforted her daughter, who had finally realized her mistake. After a brief moment of warmth, the two returned to their room. Lin Shuran was still somewhat puzzled, as her mother hadn't seemed to be acting this way before.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Shuran couldn't help but speak up.

"Mother, you seem different than usual. Has something happened?"

Madam Lin Xu had been very favored in the Lin family over the years, so she and her brother had lived quite comfortably. During the three days Ying Jiuque was home, she assumed her mother was on her side, and her actions seemed to reflect that. But looking at her mother today, her demeanor seemed subtly different.

Madam Lin looked at her daughter with loving eyes. She was so young and naive, stubborn and unwilling to give up until she hit a wall, just like her group of sisters back then. She had waited for more than ten years, and finally this opportunity had arrived, but she didn't know if this child could accept it.

Lin Xushi gently stroked her daughter's hair, her expression tender.

"My child, a war is coming, a war unlike any other."

"Is it a war with the grasslands? Have we fallen into a disadvantageous position?"

Lin Shuran suddenly felt a little nervous. Even though she spent her days in her boudoir, she knew that the war between the Great Jing and the grasslands would determine their future. And seeing her mother's unusually serious expression, could it be that the situation at the front was really bad?
Unexpectedly, Madam Lin shook her head.

"No, that's not what I'm talking about. Our struggle against the grasslands will ultimately be won. The war I'm referring to is an invisible and intangible one, a war that goes against the survival system that humanity has maintained for thousands of years. In this war without gunpowder, if you can rise to the occasion, you might become as strong as your sister in the future. Perhaps you too can step out of the inner quarters with dignity and stand in the imperial court, pointing out the direction of the nation."

"Mother, what are you talking about? If you're trying to persuade me not to oppose Ying Jiuque, you don't need to lie to me like this. I've already seen through it all. I'm no match for her. Where would I find the courage to burn my bridges like hers? How could I endure hardship and suffering like her?"

"I... I saw it long ago. Not only me, but even my father is no match for her."

"Your father?"

Listening to Lin Xu's words, Lin Shuran suddenly felt her heart pounding for some reason. In the past, when her mother talked about her father, she was always full of admiration and respect. But why was her tone so strange now?
At this moment, Madam Lin sneered, her face unusually harsh.

"How can he compare to Jiu Que? He couldn't compare to General Ying back then, so naturally he can't compare to General Ying's daughter now!"