Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 442 Pride
"Of course, there is no child in the world more filial than Jiu Que."

Emperor Jingtai spoke with great pride, a smug smile on his face, but after a moment, his expression gradually turned solemn.

"You said there's been a huge uproar outside. Don't they respect Jiuque, and they don't respect me either?"

"This……"

Jiu Fu was sweating profusely. No matter how he answered, it would be a mistake.

Emperor Jingtai didn't expect him to answer. He stroked the quilt covering him with one hand, and when he thought of its origin, a smile appeared on his lips, but it quickly faded.

"That child is the most considerate person I have ever met in my life, and her ingenious ideas often bring more convenience to the people. However, she often harms the interests of powerful families. After all, there is only so much power and wealth in this world. If others have more, you will have less. Moreover, they are used to enjoying wealth and glory, so why would they be willing to give it up?"

"However, I think their hearts have been spoiled. This world is not the world of five families and seven clans. During times of war, they cower in their own courtyards, unwilling to do anything for the people, and that's how they survive. And they still have the nerve to call themselves some kind of noble family? If everyone in this world were like them, hiding in the face of danger, when would this chaos ever end?"

"Fine, selfish people like them are never good anyway. Why bother getting angry with them?"

Why hasn't Jiu Que come to the palace to tell her about the grievances she suffered?

Speak of the devil, and he appears! Jiu Que rushed into the palace, and upon seeing Emperor Jingtai, his expression was one of utter grievance. They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and Jiu Que was certainly no exception.

She pounced on him, kneeling by the bedside, and Jiu Que tearfully complained about those who didn't respect her.

“Father, they have gone too far! Wuwei Jushi is just a weak woman, yet she has been fooled by her husband and her father and brothers. They not only bully her, but also make her shut up and not speak of the suffering she has endured over the years. What is this if not harming her? And who says that only men can divorce women, and wives cannot divorce their husbands? Aren't men and women the same? I think Wuwei Jushi is much better than that Xie Kun. At least she doesn't pretend and acts openly and honestly.”

"I think so too."

"And then there's that old man from the Wang family. People say even tigers don't eat their cubs, but Wuwei Jushi is his own daughter! It's one thing that he wouldn't stand up for Wang Heng, but he actually helped outsiders harm his own daughter, all for a little bit of reputation and face. And this kind of person is supposed to be from one of the Five Families and Seven Surnames? Bah! It's laughable!"

"Seriously, it's laughable."

"They're even trying to threaten me with my reputation. Do they really think I'm afraid? I have the most powerful father in the world, my father is the emperor! Do they know who's backing me up?"

"Yes, yes, Dad will back you up."

Emperor Jingtai's eyes narrowed with laughter, and Jiu Fu, listening nearby, felt his heart pounding. He was both shocked by the prince's bold statement and surprised by the emperor's smiling face. Their emperor was supposed to be a ruthless hero, so why did he seem to be smiling so... well, so cheaply?
No, no, no! How could he have such a rebellious thought? This is His Majesty! "Father, you have to help me this time. Those people really don't respect me at all. Besides, Wang Heng hasn't done anything wrong. She just doesn't want to be with Xie Kun anymore, right? Why do they have to make such a big deal out of it, talking about the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame..."

Jiu Que is being shameless, considering he's in front of his own father. What's wrong with being shameless? Those people didn't care about their reputation when they bullied him openly or secretly. Why should he have to follow the right path?

Hearing his daughter's sweet talk, Emperor Jingtai was so happy he could hardly see his teeth. He didn't care what she was saying and just kept nodding.

"Alright! I'll support whatever you do. Go ahead and do it boldly. Let those five families and seven clans who look down on you see that you are my child! Do a great job and blind them with your brilliance!"

"Really? But Father, you haven't heard what I'm planning to do?"

"Do I even need to listen? You've always been a shrewd and calculating child. Since you've already figured out what to do, don't worry. You have me backing you up. If anyone shows disrespect, just take out the gold medal I gave you!"

"Father, you are so good—"

Even though Emperor Jingtai said he didn't need to listen, Jiuque still explained her plans in detail, especially her upcoming propaganda campaign, which could easily cause unrest if the country's highest ruler was unaware of it beforehand.

As she recounted her story, Emperor Jingtai's face gradually revealed an expression of surprise and pride.

"Indeed, I never imagined that I could control the voice of the world in this way."

"With these few things, what are the five families and seven clans, the powerful clans and aristocratic families? They have already occupied enough land, resources and wealth; it's time to return it to the people. Moreover, you are the supreme ruler of the Great Jing Dynasty. Why do they have so much wealth while our national treasury is not full? As citizens of the Great Jing Dynasty, instead of thinking about sharing the burdens of their country, they always want to take it all for themselves. Their crime deserves to be punished!"

Jiu Que exuded a murderous aura, while Emperor Jingtai gazed at her with an almost tender expression, as if looking at the most perfect offspring in the world. He had always felt that Heaven knew he was unlucky in having children; all four of his sons were utter fools. But in the end, Heaven had given him such a wonderful child. This child was brave, intelligent, had a heart for the world, and was not weak—truly the perfect successor that every founding emperor in the world would be satisfied with.

I wonder if it's because General Ying's bloodline is so good that he was able to give birth to such a good child. What's even more remarkable is that this child has a pure heart. She could clearly handle this kind of matter herself, and she could explain it very well. Even I, who has been the emperor for more than ten years, couldn't find much fault with it, but she still chose to come to him for advice instead of taking the limelight herself.

Emperor Jingtai felt a bittersweet feeling in his heart when he thought about this child.

Therefore, he became even more supportive of Jiuque!

"Good child, as your father, I'll say it again: I am frail and ill, and I am gradually losing my strength to manage the affairs of the court. One day, you will have to take over this huge responsibility, so you can start practicing now. It's normal for subordinates to be disobedient, but it's unacceptable for them to show it! As a ruler, you have the dignity of an emperor, and subordinates cannot touch you. Those people are clearly taking advantage of your youth, so you must teach them a lesson and let them know that you are not a delicate child!"

"Powerful families, huh? Back when I was slaughtering people, no one mentioned any centuries-old families to me! Now they want to cause trouble? Aren't they afraid of biting off more than they can chew?"