Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 392 Taken advantage of

"You ask me how I know? But I know one thing. You said yourself that he is a prince, the highest-ranking official. If you don't take the initiative, why should he come over and talk to someone like you who is nobody? These relationships will fade with time. Who knows when he will even remember you? When that time comes, there will be no hope of you talking to him."

An Yuanbo knew exactly how to make his son feel bad; a few words were enough to shut Yang Linyuan up. He had initially been eager to speak with Ying Jiuque, but now, seeing the vast distance between them—not just the distance of the hall, but also the disparity in their social status—Ying Jiuque was already a prince, with no further titles to bestow, while he himself only held an awkward, insignificant position thanks to his ancestors' influence.

How should I respond to Ying Jiuque's words?
An Yuanbo originally wanted to give his stupid son some pointers, but he didn't expect that his son would become withdrawn. He was speechless.

But luck is a strange thing. He has more than one son, but only this most foolish one has a connection with Prince Rui. Now, to get in touch with His Highness the Prince, he has to rely on such an unreliable son. Earl Anyuan is also very anxious. However, after thinking it over, he finally decided to let this son try. After all, there are too many people who want to get in touch with Prince Rui. He doesn't need a mere earl.

His Majesty's trust in Prince Rui is truly evident to all. Sometimes, even these old ministers wonder if His Majesty had a biological son, he might not have the same level of trust as Ying Jiuque. They wonder what His Majesty is thinking, trusting someone outside his own family, and a woman at that. No matter how capable she is, a prince is the highest she can hope for; could she possibly become emperor?

and many more!

Suddenly, An Yuanbo seemed to realize something, and his whole body stiffened. Wasn't His Majesty's current behavior like grooming a crown prince? But Ying Jiuque was a woman, and more importantly, she wasn't His Majesty's heir. How could the people of the world accept this? Yes, yes, he was overthinking it. No matter how much importance Ying Jiuque received, the fact that she wasn't His Majesty's heir was enough to kick her out of the game.

Forcibly suppressing the unease that welled up in his heart, An Yuanbo decided he needed to think it over some more. He had risked his life on the battlefield for so many years, all so that he could enjoy wealth and honor, and ensure a good life for his descendants. He couldn't afford to be careless at this crucial moment. If he made the wrong choice, it wouldn't just be a loss of wealth and honor; he would have to live like a coward for the next few decades. He didn't want that kind of life.

Looking at his foolish son who was still struggling beside him, An Yuanbo twitched. The way of heaven is really unfair. A stupid fellow like his son has such good fortune to be able to get in touch with His Highness the Prince, while a smart person like him is excluded. Who can he complain to?

Perhaps their family's future wealth and prosperity will really depend on this foolish son. Thinking of this, Uncle Anyuan showed a kind smile and also put a dish on Yang Linyuan's plate.

Yang Linyuan, who had never received such treatment from his father before, was startled. He stared tremblingly at the food on the plate, thinking that his father was probably trying to harm him. Why else would he be so affectionate as to serve him food? Usually, he was served food with a stick.

At this moment, many people were eager to speak with Jiu Que, but as the music began to play and Emperor Jingtai appeared, they had no choice but to suppress their desires and respectfully step forward to bow and kowtow three times and nine times to His Majesty. Emperor Jingtai looked down at the scene in the hall, and even the envoys from foreign countries, despite their different languages, bowed appropriately, showing their submission.

Having reigned for over a decade, this was the first time he had witnessed such a scene. Even in his old age, Emperor Jingtai's passion remained undiminished, and he still felt his blood boiling. To witness such a sight in his lifetime was already a blessing from heaven; now, all he had to do was find a suitable master for this vast empire.

Yes, the key is to find a suitable master, not one's own descendants. Emperor Jingtai understood that, for whatever reason, none of his four sons were fit to be emperor, especially since they still had no children. The empire could not withstand turmoil, and he needed to establish a crown prince while he still had the strength to do so, so that the successor could smoothly seize power.

If only Jiuque were a man, if only she were my own child…

After a brief moment of distraction, Emperor Jingtai quickly recovered. He first recited a long string of auspicious words appropriate to the occasion, then ordered everyone to rise, drink heartily, and enjoy the singing and dancing.

Seeing that His Majesty had given his approval, the officials tentatively approached Prince Rui to offer toasts and congratulations. Jiu Que, having developed a considerable capacity for alcohol, accepted all toasts without getting drunk. Leaving aside the civil officials, the military generals were all overjoyed. It was rare to see such a generous and magnanimous official, especially one from their own lineage. Even though she was a woman, so what? Wasn't it a woman who defeated the grasslands?

For a time, Jiu Que's surroundings were incredibly lively. Seeing the commotion, the foreign officials couldn't resist any longer. They had come not only to observe the newly appointed Grand General, Prince Rui, but also to ask him for help with a major matter.

Before coming here, I had heard that the war between the Great Jing and the grasslands involved smallpox. No ruler is unafraid of smallpox, because once it spreads, it can kill more than just a few people; it can potentially destroy a nation!

The Great Jing Dynasty was incredibly fortunate to have a minister who could solve smallpox. No wonder he was granted the title of Prince Rui; wasn't this an auspicious sign from heaven? It was said that Prince Rui was generous enough to tell them how to solve smallpox. If smallpox were to appear in their country, there would surely be a solution, wouldn't there?

Foreign envoys come with important missions for the monarch. Even if they can't bring back a cure for smallpox in one go, they must at least be on good terms with Prince Rui and avoid any conflict with him! You never know when you might need the prince's help.

It must be said that these envoys were truly audacious. If it were them, and they had such a method to cure smallpox, they would have kept it a closely guarded secret. These days, allowing your neighbor to become powerful is weakening yourself. Who would be so foolish?
But they dared to think that way, after all, the rulers of the Central Plains believed in benevolent and righteous rulers. In the past, even if they acquired a bunch of junk, they could exchange it for a lot of gold and silver! It has to be said that in the eyes of the surrounding small countries, the Great Jing was a sucker!