Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 383 The Ceremony of Presenting Captives
"Chaoyang Academy?"

"No, it's morning glory. The morning glory flower!"

"Morning Glory? We don't see that often around here, why is it called that?"

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? Anyway, it's an academy, they can call it whatever they want, as long as it can teach your child, isn't that enough?"

"That makes sense. But only girls can go to school there? Can my son go?"

"I knew you'd ask that. Of course boys can go to school, but there's no such thing as free tuition for the first three months. Tuition for boys is twice as expensive as for girls."

"Why is that? Why are boys' tuition fees more expensive than girls'?"

"How do I know if the academy wants to go? Why are you so concerned? If they don't want to go, then don't send your child there."

"Look at what you're saying. I'm not stupid. Why wouldn't I send my child there if it's such a good opportunity? But I have to go and see first to make sure it's a proper place to teach children. If it's an academy run by bad people, my child won't go. We finally got to settle things at Wuyou Cave, and my daughter is very precious to us."

"That's true, let's go together then."

"Alright, alright... why haven't those grassland barbarians come out yet?"

"It should be soon. Look, someone's coming."

Everyone shut their mouths and quietly watched the large group of people slowly approach.

Those were assembled court officials. They always had to arrive at the Vermilion Bird Gate before His Majesty's arrival. They were all experienced ministers, and even the younger ones held high-ranking positions. Therefore, despite the frequent stares of the common people, they did not panic. Under the watchful eyes of so many, their backs straightened even more, and their gait became even more dignified and solemn.

On one hand, they wanted to display the authority of their onlookers; on the other hand, the officials in charge of etiquette were watching them closely. If any of them dared to behave improperly on such an important day, the officials would certainly record it severely and report it to His Majesty. Such a grand event would definitely be recorded in history, and if the name of any disrespectful official were to be written down, they would be infamous for eternity.

Therefore, in the eyes of the crowd, these officials appeared more dignified and solemn than the last. The common people, who had originally just come to watch the spectacle, couldn't help but feel envious. They themselves were no longer capable, and could only hope for the next generation.

At this moment, they were all earnestly instructing the children who were following them.

"Yaoli, do you see those ministers? They've all worked hard to get here. You need to study hard too, learn skills, and maybe one day be among them. That's what it means to bring honor to your family." "Taohua, I used to always make you learn cooking and needlework, but now I realize that wasn't right. Look, there are several female officials among those ministers! You're the smartest and most clever of all our children. When we send you to the academy, you must study hard and not let your family down. Don't you dislike Gou Dan next door? He always pulls your braids and bullies you. If you become an official, if he dares to bully you again, I'll have him dragged out and beaten!"

"really?"

"When would your mother lie to you? Look how majestic those female officials are! Their official robes seem to glow; they're so beautiful. If you become an official in the future, let your mother take a closer look at how the gold and silver threads on their robes are embroidered—they're so exquisite."

"Mother, don't worry, I will study hard and become a high-ranking official in the future! I will take good care of you."

"Ah, this is my good daughter..."

Although the city patrol guards were in the middle, the distance between them was not that far. At least Chunyu Shuang in the crowd heard this interesting conversation, which made her originally not very happy mood much more pleasant.

Those rigid officials in the court are truly detestable. It was a momentous event worthy of being recorded in history, and the one who personally led the troops to defeat the grasslands was a woman like Jiu Que, yet they stubbornly resisted, refusing to allow any female officials to participate. They even claimed that only those with sufficient official rank and experience could avoid making mistakes during this grand ceremony.

fart!
The Great Jing Dynasty has only been established for thirteen years, and such a grand event has not occurred in all thirteen years. Are these old ministers really more experienced than me? Haven't they also never participated? Oh, right, they did participate. But they participated in discussions regarding the previous dynasty's repeated defeats.

But what can they do even if they resist? The rise of women is now unstoppable. Their current obstruction only adds to the amusement. Chunyu Shuang wants to see how these old pedantic scholars, who have always upheld the strict separation of men and women, will deal with the situation when women can openly enter officialdom and their daughters, unwilling to be used for political marriages, rise up in rebellion!
It's always like this; no wonder His Majesty looks down on them. What kind of magnanimity can someone who's always thinking about trampling women underfoot have? What His Majesty needs are people who can stand firm in the present, focus on the big picture, and look towards the future!
Just as Chunyu Shuang was feeling indignant, all the officials had taken their places. Emperor Jingtai, dressed in a solemn dragon robe, also appeared on the city tower. Standing beside him was none other than Prince Rui, Ying Jiuque, who had been making headlines recently.

When they saw Ying Jiuque standing beside Emperor Jingtai, everyone couldn't help but frown. Although they had long expected His Majesty to trust her greatly, it was still quite disheartening to see Ying Jiuque by his side on such a grand occasion. On a day like today, His Majesty should be showing off his own princes to the world, so why was he bringing Prince Rui along? Oh right, they suddenly remembered that His Majesty only had one imprisoned prince left, and the Fourth Prince was still locked up in some unknown corner.

Thinking about it this way, it seems understandable to keep Prince Rui by one's side, since he's now the only remaining member of the imperial clan. But no matter how you explain it, Prince Rui is not only a woman, but she is also not His Majesty's child.

However, everyone had already anticipated this, so no one dared to offend His Majesty at this moment.

In any case, as long as the ceremony of presenting prisoners of war is carried out peacefully and without leaving a bad impression on history, we, as subjects, will be satisfied.

Therefore, the officials, unusually, refrained from grumbling and performed the grand ceremony decisively. Then, the Minister of Rites stepped forward, holding a bright yellow imperial edict, and loudly recited the sacrificial text for this grand ceremony of presenting captives.

Yes, this grand ceremony was not only to receive the surrender of the nomadic tribes of the grasslands, but also to commemorate the soldiers who died on the battlefield.