Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 45 The Old Servant Has Been Waiting for a Long Time

Little Mud felt very sad. This Sister Ying was such a kind person to them. She didn't look down on them and their friends, and bought them delicious steamed buns. Even when Little Mud threw mud at her before, she didn't get angry, but would gently pat Little Mud's head. She was such a good person! Therefore, such a kind person shouldn't be taken away by the people in the cave!
Before this, Little Mud had seen some of the sisters who had been taken away, but only once, and he had never seen them again. He knew very well what this meant; those sisters might already be gone.

Ying Jiuque gently patted Xiao Niba's back, indicating that he didn't need to worry.

"It's alright, I'm safe. You mean Wuyou Cave? They arrested a lot of people there today, including those who trafficked children and girls. Right now, they don't have the time to come looking for me."

"Wha, what?"

Little Mud seemed not to understand these words. What did it mean that many people had been arrested in Wuyou Cave? Hadn't the government always been unable to do anything about Wuyou Cave? Otherwise, the people on the ground wouldn't be so afraid of the power of Wuyou Cave.

But Ying Jiuque's eyes were gentle and sincere, not like he was lying. It took Xiao Niba a little time to believe it. Then he suddenly turned around and looked at his equally bewildered companions.

After exchanging glances several times and processing what they had learned, a startling light suddenly flashed in their eyes.

Does this mean that they will no longer have to live in smelly, damp, and sticky caves, can walk freely on the streets, and can earn a living with their own hands without worrying that everything they earn will be taken away by those big beggars and bosses?
Can they, can they, also live in the sunshine like children from ordinary families?

The news came so suddenly that they couldn't believe it. But this older sister had no reason to lie to them, so the commotion they heard about not long ago was related to the Worry-Free Cave?

After briefly explaining the current situation, Jiu Que successfully persuaded Xiao Niba and the other children, and took them back to his residence.

Halfway there, Xiao Niba was still on edge, but before he could even spot the ambush, the menacing-looking guards rushed forward and pinned down the thugs who were trying to spy on him.

The sound of fists landing squarely made Little Mud puff out his cheeks. What deep-seated grudge did these guards have against that ambushing cripple? They must have broken several bones.

Actually, they weren't beating him too lightly. If they weren't worried about frightening this Lady Ying, they would have wanted to finish off the scoundrel on the spot. To them, Ying Jiuque was practically a god, capable of wielding such a powerful weapon. In the thirteen years since the founding of the Great Jing Dynasty, the people hadn't fared well, plagued by natural and man-made disasters. Some even rumored that His Majesty's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, thus incurring Heaven's wrath. Now, with such a living god present, didn't that prove that His Majesty was indeed acting in accordance with Heaven's will, overthrowing tyranny and establishing a new dynasty?
In short, it was just a minor incident. Jiu Que didn't even dismount and went straight back to her home with her entourage. To be honest, she had only stayed in this house for a few days. The maids and servants serving her were all arranged by Emperor Jingtai. Out of trust in the emperor, Jiu Que did not change their positions.

Some people might feel uncomfortable being exposed to the emperor's surveillance, but Jiu Que felt reassured, since she hadn't done anything shameful.

After everyone had washed Xiao Niba and the others clean and changed their clothes, Jiu Que laid out a table of easily digestible food and explained to Xiao Niba, whose face was flushed.

"I'm sorry, I don't have any clothes for your age at home. These are a bit too big. I'll take you to get new clothes made tomorrow."

Little Muddy blinked, somewhat bewildered. He was used to accepting everyone's malice, and this pure kindness made him feel uneasy. He hurriedly assured Jiu Que.

"Sister, Lord Ying, don't worry, I'll start working right now. I'm very useful, and they're all very diligent. We won't just sit around doing nothing! We..."

"Okay."

Jiu Que didn't spout any nonsense like "you don't need to work." She knew that if she did, it would only make Xiao Niba and the others feel lost. They were used to getting something for nothing, and if she really treated them like idle people, it would only spoil them.

Moreover, they already have disabilities; if they were made to do nothing, it would only make Xiao Niba and the others more aware of their difference from others. She wanted them to live like normal people, able to work to support themselves. Life is hard for everyone in this era, but it's even harder for these children. Therefore, they must put in twice the effort to receive a relatively fair reward.

"You all need to be prepared, there's still a lot to learn in the future, and you can't complain about being tired halfway through. Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a strict teacher, and those who disobey will get a slap on the hand."

Little Mud couldn't help but laugh. He wanted to say that he didn't have hands, so how could he hit his own palm? But as he laughed, he felt a little like crying. Lord Ying really treated them as human beings, not as stray dogs that could be kicked at will on the roadside.

The children, who used to drift aimlessly like duckweed, now finally have a place to settle down.

"Alright, you all continue eating. I have to go to the palace. His Majesty needs to speak with me."

Seeing that the guards behind him had been pacing anxiously in circles, Jiu Que could only temporarily stop talking to the children. As he was about to leave, he said something that left the children speechless in a calm tone, as if he were just going out to buy something.

Wha, what?
Lord Ying is going to the palace? And who is he going to see? His Majesty?! The highest official in the entire land?

Little Mud felt a little short of breath and it took him a long time to catch his breath, but by then Lord Ying had already left. He glanced down at the light meat soup in front of him, then looked up at the guards who had stayed behind to protect them. He rubbed his face and began to eat attentively.

Just as Lord Ying said, they had to use their bodies, which they had survived by sheer luck, to do many, many things for her in order to repay the kindness of saving their lives and taking them in. So he had to eat and sleep well, and make himself stronger so that he could do more things.

Jiu Que had been thinking that since it was so late, His Majesty would have already rested, and perhaps if she went to the gate and the guards wouldn't let her in, she could return. Unexpectedly, as soon as she reached the palace gate, she encountered a figure pacing in circles. Upon finally seeing his master, Grand Eunuch Jiu Fu practically rushed over, his attitude unusually respectful.

"Your Highness, this old servant has been waiting for you for a long time! You've finally arrived!"

(End of this chapter)