Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 384 Your Cheers

The Minister of Rites, worthy of his position, was a man of exceptional literary talent. His recitation was perfectly emotional, conveying emotion when appropriate, easily stirring the feelings of those around him. Some, more sentimental, even had their eyes redden and nearly shed tears. Although some commoners couldn't understand the eulogy, they understood that those young men who had died defending their country would never return. Some were unrelated to them, but as people of Dajing, how could they not feel heartache?
Some of them have relatives serving in the northern border region, and some have even died in numerous battles. Compared to others, they are often more empathetic, and some of them have already broken down in tears.

What good can war bring to people? Whenever there is war, it is always the ordinary people who suffer first. Their children go to the front lines to fight, while these ordinary people go hungry. Therefore, no ordinary person likes war.

For those in positions of power, an ordinary war may bring them countless benefits, but for ordinary people, war means death, injury, and suffering.

One can imagine how happy they were when the war between the Central Plains and the grasslands finally ended! At this moment, seeing Ying Jiuque, who personally led the troops to defeat the grasslands and captured a grassland royal family, their excitement was beyond words.

Some people were even shouting Jiuque's name.

"Your Highness Prince Rui! May Your Highness be blessed with great fortune and live a worry-free life!"

"Thank you, Your Highness, for defeating the grasslands. My distant nephew died under their iron cavalry. You avenged my whole family. Thank you. You are a great man. May you live a peaceful and happy life!"

"Your Highness! I admire you so much! I used to think I could only be a wife who takes care of her family, but now I see that girls can do so much too! At least they're not confined to the inner courtyard, spending their whole lives busy with the affairs of that small, square courtyard. I will definitely learn from you in the future and become a person who is useful to both the country and the family!"

"Me too--"

Standing tall, one can see far and hear far. Hearing these heartfelt, deafening voices, Jiu Que smiled slightly at the group speaking. Those who noticed her smile couldn't help but scream.

The atmosphere at the scene was immediately heated up.

These days, those in high positions of power prefer to present a dignified and composed image to outsiders, and few are willing to show a friendly and approachable demeanor towards the common people. Perhaps it's because they're worried about losing face in front of outsiders, but none of this matters to Jiu Que; she prefers to get along harmoniously with the people.

And these people are all so lovely. Especially those girls, they've already shown signs of awakening. As long as they have this mindset, there will always be more opportunities in the future. Their future holds limitless possibilities. And what I need to do is protect those possibilities.

The officials below, witnessing this lively scene, were immediately filled with excitement. Serves them right! They'd let Ying Jiuque steal the spotlight, and now it'd brought trouble upon him! As the emperor, attending such a grand occasion, yet the people below were only focused on cheering for a single minister—wasn't this a huge loss of face for His Majesty? What emperor could tolerate this? This was a case of merit overshadowing the ruler!
They can't wait to see His Majesty and Ying Jiuque drift apart.

However, Emperor Jingtai was not angry as everyone expected. Instead, he looked at Jiuque with great satisfaction, his heart filled with joy.

That's just how the common people are; they can sense when someone cares about them and will feel deeply grateful. Emperor Jingtai didn't think there was anything wrong with the people chanting Jiuque's name on this occasion. Jiuque had defeated the grasslands and captured almost the entire grassland royal family; didn't he deserve this cheer?
Emperor Jingtai patted Jiuque's arm, urging her to take another step forward so she could more easily receive the cheers of the people.

Jiu Que was somewhat surprised, but quickly agreed, stepping forward to almost stand shoulder to shoulder with Emperor Jingtai. Looking down at the increasingly excited crowd, Jiu Que smiled and then bowed to Emperor Jingtai. Without His Majesty's wholehearted support, this war wouldn't have gone so smoothly. Loyal ministers and generals in the field need His Majesty's trust most. Discord between the ruler and his ministers would affect morale. Yet, even under such difficult circumstances, His Majesty was still willing to trust him and entrust him with all the food affairs of the entire Northern Frontier army—virtually giving the Northern Frontier to Jiu Que. Such trust truly delighted Jiu Que.

Which general wouldn't be happy to have such an emperor?
Emperor Jingtai smiled broadly upon seeing this, and happily told Jiu Que not to stand on ceremony.

Those ministers always complain that he is too biased, but they don't even look at how Jiu Que does it. He is the one who deserves their favor and bias!
"Jiu Que, what you have done for the people is evident to all. We hope that you will stay true to your original aspirations and continue to consider the people's needs in the future, so as not to disappoint the cheers we hear today."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will remember this."

If we're talking about truly staying true to one's original aspirations, then Emperor Jingtai is probably the most remarkable one. From a poor child who couldn't even get enough to eat, he fought his way up to become the person who held the reins of power, never showing the slightest sign of slackening or weariness. He even consistently upheld his original aspirations, doing his utmost to serve the people. Such an emperor, such a founding emperor, is truly rare.

However, being the founding emperor is difficult, but being the second emperor is even more difficult. Because to build upon the past and usher in the future when everything is in ruins and just beginning, without the corresponding talent and intelligence, it would be a huge disaster.

However, now His Majesty only has the deposed fourth prince by his side...

We don't know how His Majesty will decide; let's wait and see.

“Bring them up.”

As Emperor Jingtai spoke slowly yet authoritatively, the grassland royalty, who had already been cleaned up, were pushed forward.

Before they arrived, they were locked in prison vans covered with large black cloths. Suddenly being pulled out and exposed to bright sunlight, these people couldn't help but feel their eyes sting and even feel some pain.

Several people couldn't help but shed tears.

Few of the onlookers had ever seen nomadic tribes from the grasslands. They had seen those nomadic barbarians who stormed the capital during the reign of the last emperor of the previous dynasty; those people reeked of a foul stench, their hair and beards unkempt, looking both ugly and repulsive. Now, however, these people had shaved their beards, so their faces were clearly visible. They looked…

They do look different from them.

With high noses, deep-set eyes, and a tall frame, even in thin clothing, one could see the muscular physique of this people. No wonder they were once a nation that could sweep across the Central Plains with their iron cavalry.

After a brief moment of astonishment, someone shouted out!
"What's there to be afraid of?! They've lost! They're just a bunch of prisoners!"