Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 388 Yellow Robe?

"Since they're so eager to participate, let them come. Anyway, our main hall has plenty of space. We should at least show the magnanimity of a victorious nation in front of all the countries in the world."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. This old servant will go and do it immediately. I will make sure they behave properly and dare not do anything wrong."

The performance by Saki Khan at today's prisoner presentation ceremony has already displeased His Majesty. If anything goes wrong at tonight's banquet, even without His Majesty's anger, Jiufu himself will feel ashamed.

He insists on personally reviewing it; if any further mistakes are made, he might as well just kill himself.

Emperor Jingtai paid little attention to such trivial matters. He was currently immersed in the joy of receiving tribute from all nations. Although these visiting envoys from small countries were merely there to pay homage to the victorious nation, this inadvertently aligned with Emperor Jingtai's initial intention to subtly stir up trouble. Tonight's banquet would surely allow these short-sighted little countries to witness the might of the Celestial Empire!

Of course, there's also the greatest contributor, Jiu Que, who needs to rest and recuperate. He must attend tonight's banquet in his best condition; otherwise, wouldn't it be too unfair? He can't wait to boast to the surrounding countries that Great Jing has such a talented young man, skilled in both literature and martial arts. As for the distinction between men and women, Emperor Jingtai makes no difference whatsoever. As long as you have the ability to get things done, it doesn't matter if you're male or female!
Thanks to Emperor Jingtai's irrepressible desire to show off, Jiuque didn't even leave the palace and waited there until the banquet began.

During this period, Jiu Que said more than once that it was unreasonable for him to live in the palace like this, but Emperor Jingtai did not care. He even came up with a solution with great interest.

"What's the big deal? You're a prince now, and according to etiquette, you're my nephew or descendant. The palace is your home too. If my nephew or descendant wants to rest in the palace, who can say anything against it? Good child, don't worry about so much. Life is nothing more than eating, drinking, and having fun. You've already achieved both civil and military success, and you've suffered so much in battle. You've become quite thin. Why don't you hurry up and have some fun? When you reach my age, you'll know that youth is the greatest asset."

Since His Majesty had spoken, what could Jiu Que do? She could only obediently rest in the palace for half a day, waiting until the banquet began before going out. However, when she woke up, she found that it was already dark. Had His Majesty already gone to the banquet? Was she being too arrogant? A young subject like her should have entered before His Majesty.

Just as Jiu Que was becoming slightly anxious, the palace maid outside heard the commotion and cautiously entered. Seeing that Jiu Que had already sat up from the bed, she respectfully bowed and then asked softly.

"Your Highness, are you getting up?"

"Ah."

While getting dressed with the help of palace maids, Jiu Que inquired about the current situation. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she learned that His Majesty was still resting in his bedchamber and had not yet gone to the main hall.

Thankfully, it's not too late.

But after she finally managed to put on the outfit, she discovered it wasn't so simple. Wasn't this outfit a bit too high-class? And under the light, the clothes even showed a bright yellow hue. Wasn't that a color only the emperor and the crown prince could wear? What happened to her original princely attire? That was already luxurious enough, why the sudden change? Jiu Que didn't believe that the palace maid in front of her would dare to present such an outfit without being ordered to do so.

"Who sent you to bring this?"

"Your Highness, His Majesty personally instructed you to wear this outfit tonight. 'This great nation cannot be allowed to be ridiculed by outsiders. A prince should dress noblely to dazzle those people.' That's what His Majesty said."

"..." Fine, she believed these words were something His Majesty would say. But what was His Majesty trying to do? In this situation, if he really wanted to introduce a capable young man from the royal family, shouldn't he have pulled the Fourth Prince out of the corner first?
Well, His Majesty won't harm him anyway. Let's see what His Majesty is planning to do.

He looked at his clothes in the bronze mirror, which was taller than a person. Having completed his assessment, Jiu Que couldn't help but cover his eyes; it was simply too dazzling, almost blinding. If His Majesty truly intended this, then he had indeed achieved his goal.

As Jiu Que was carefully examining his reflection in the bronze mirror, he heard footsteps approaching from afar, followed by a hearty laugh.

"Is Jiuque awake? Let me see. Oh my, this outfit looks really good on you, you look so smart!"

The voices reached them even before Emperor Jingtai arrived. He looked at the scene before him with a smile, his face full of kindness.

Jiu Que is almost nineteen years old. He has grown into a tall and slender man, tall and elegant, with his four-fingered dragon robe shining brightly. If you don't look closely, the fifth toe of the golden dragon embroidered on the robe is faintly visible, almost identical to the robe worn by Emperor Jingtai.

For over a decade, Emperor Jingtai had actually fantasized about who would wear this outfit. But after dressing his four sons in it one by one, none of them seemed quite right. It wasn't until tonight, when he saw Jiuque wearing the outfit, that he was surprised to realize how perfectly it suited him.

Indeed, this child was born to be in a position of power. Even in this dragon robe, she showed no sign of embarrassment, as if the robe was made for her.

Jiuque allowed Emperor Jingtai to scrutinize him, but he still couldn't help but advise him.

"Your Majesty, wearing this outfit is against the law. Perhaps you should wear your previous princely robe instead?"

"Why do you say that, Jiu Que? I think no one but you is worthy to wear this outfit! Wear it without worry! It's just an outfit. My Great General, Prince Rui, are you afraid?"

"Your Majesty, is there no need for this reverse psychology? Fine, I'll wear it."

They say old people are like children, and His Majesty is starting to feel that way too. But what does it matter as long as His Majesty is happy?
[His Majesty's four sons have all committed grave offenses. To be unable to stay by his side during this joyous time must be incredibly painful for him. I cannot allow His Majesty to suffer even more. While the entire nation celebrates, everyone has family and friends to share the joy, but His Majesty is all alone. I must comfort him.]

"Ahem, to be honest, Your Majesty's taste is indeed excellent; these clothes are truly beautiful. And the size is just right, not too big, not too small..."

[Help! How can I praise His Majesty in a way that sounds calm and composed? Is this too dry? This is so difficult...]

"..."

Emperor Jingtai almost burst out laughing. He looked at Jiu Que with a smile, finding the child utterly adorable. He was even silently preparing words of comfort for him; sigh, this child was simply born kind!