Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 466 Release of List
After the examiners had spent 10 days reviewing all the exam papers, it was finally time to announce the imperial edict.

Early that morning, the entire capital was packed with people. The candidates and their families had arrived outside the examination hall before dawn, waiting with expressions ranging from nervous to calm as they waited for the imperial edict to be posted.

Wang Heng was one of them. She hadn't slept at all last night. She had already taken a carriage to the outside of the examination hall while it was still dark, and waited with the other students.

Time passed slowly, and when the sun finally hung high in the sky, the gates of the examination hall creaked open, and several solemn-looking guards emerged. Although the students waiting outside were impatient, they dared not confront the guards carrying the imperial edict, and waited anxiously. Finally, the guards scaled the city wall, abruptly opened the enormous yellow edict, and it cascaded down with a whoosh. On the massive edict were bold characters written in ink mixed with gold powder.

The gold dust shimmered in the sunlight, as if it were the most brilliant sunshine, attracting the attention of everyone around.

Ten years of study, one day of success, one moment of fame and recognition!

The mere fact that one's name was written on this yellow list meant they were qualified to become officials. For many, it meant instantly leaping through social classes; the allure was so immense that many students, upon seeing their names on the list, couldn't help but cry out in joyful surprise. Others scrutinized the list dozens of times, only to find their names missing, then wept bitterly, some even going mad, disappearing into the crowd. The guards stationed around the city, having already received orders from Jiu Que, watched the distraught students leave and sent a few to follow them. It proved Jiu Que's order to be correct, for some students, unable to accept their failure to be listed, walked straight to the moat and jumped in without hesitation.

However, most people in a true life-or-death situation tend to prioritize survival. Therefore, many who jumped regretted their decision the moment they touched the water, desperately shouting for help. Unfortunately, many students couldn't swim and could only bob up and down in the river. Just as they were about to despair, the prepared Imperial Guards jumped in. Those who were good swimmers carried strange-looking sheepskin rafts, swam to the struggling students, and tied them to their bodies. A rope was attached to one end of the raft, and the Imperial Guards on the shore pulled the impulsive students ashore.

There were many business people and ordinary citizens of the capital coming and going around the moat. They were initially very nervous when they saw this scene, but after learning the cause and effect of the matter, many of them shook their heads and sighed. It was just a failure in an exam, and he was so desperate to commit suicide. Even if he became an official, how many years could he last?

However, haven't these Imperial Guards been appearing too frequently lately? Of course, I don't mean to say they're bad; without them, most of these students who jumped into the river would have perished.

Some bolder citizens stepped forward to inquire, and upon learning that they had come to inspect the moat on the orders of His Highness the Prince, they couldn't help but nod in admiration.

"Our Prince is truly devoted to the people!"

"Of course, of all the Emperor's five children, this Prince is the best..."

"Are you out of your mind? How dare you talk about the royal family?"

"What's the big deal? There's no one else around, and I'm just telling the truth. Tell me, which of those princes is as good as His Highness? Let alone being this good, they couldn't even be ordinary people. But speaking of which, the Emperor's fourth prince is still imprisoned." "Why do you care so much? Just mind your own business and don't meddle in other people's affairs... Sooner or later, you'll get yourself into trouble because of your mouth. What does the Emperor's business have to do with you? No matter how bad he is, he's still a son of the dragon. If that fourth prince gets out, he'll definitely settle scores with those who offended him. If you're still like this then, you'll definitely offend him."

"It's been so long, how could he possibly come out? And don't tell me you don't know what he did before. Although no one dares to say it openly, everyone knows that he was involved in that epidemic. If it weren't for His Highness the Prince, we would all be dead by now, and we wouldn't be here leisurely discussing national affairs."

"Forget it, why are we arguing so much? Anyway, these things are far removed from our lives. Let's hurry up and go see those newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). I heard that many young people, as fresh as green on the green, came to take the exam this year. It would be great if I could marry one of them. Oh, and there are also many female Jinshi. If the sun weren't shining so brightly in the sky, I wouldn't believe that women can become Jinshi these days."

"Really? I'd better go check it out right away!"

Yes, after the yellow list was posted this time, many women's names were prominently displayed on it.

Wang Heng and Wang Xiu'e's names were prominently displayed. It was quite a coincidence; the two women happened to be standing in the same spot, muttering to themselves as they looked for their names, when they were surprised to find that they had both passed the exam. Then they heard the woman next to them exclaim in surprise.

They exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly. The fact that they recognized each other's names meant they were destined to meet. After exchanging names, they discovered they were from the same family eight hundred years ago, which delighted them even more. They immediately arranged to meet at a teahouse. The stewards of wealthy merchants and officials who had been waiting there quickly spotted the two beaming women in the crowd. While they had indeed apprehended newly appointed scholars before, they had always apprehended their sons-in-law; this was the first time they had seen a female scholar. After a brief hesitation, unlike the chaotic scene of apprehending male scholars, several well-dressed stewards cautiously approached, ushered the two aside, and politely inquired whether they were married. They explained that they had a handsome, gentle, and talented young master who was still unmarried and asked if they would be interested in meeting him…

The two exchanged a glance, and Wang Heng gave a straightforward answer.

"I am almost forty years old this year and already have a son. I don't plan to get married."

"I... I don't plan to get married either."

Those men had wanted to persuade them further, praising their young masters' excellence, handsomeness, and moral character, but a glance at the watchful Imperial Guards nearby deterred them from further pursuit. They could only regretfully let the two leave. What a pity—such beautiful and talented young women, one already had a child, and the other had no intention of marrying…

However, after they received the same answer from several other female scholars, they were dumbfounded.

Huh? Has not getting married become fashionable? Why doesn't anyone want to get married?