Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 5: How exactly did he die?
Everyone could clearly see the black aura almost emanating from the old emperor's face!

Can't they just let me have a peaceful birthday banquet? Is the whole world against me? He doesn't believe it. He's been living on the edge for so many years, how much worse can things get?

The old emperor coldly surveyed his surroundings. All around him were seemingly loyal and worried faces, but were their thoughts truly the same as their outward expressions? Perhaps in this world, there was only one person whom I knew what she was thinking, while she herself was unaware that I could hear her innermost thoughts.

Thinking of this, the old emperor's expression softened slightly, and he led Ying Jiuque directly to the side hall. Of course, the officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review followed. At this moment, even the most conservative elders didn't try to dissuade His Majesty. After all, this series of incidents happening during His Majesty's birthday banquet was unbearable for anyone, especially in the heavily guarded imperial palace!
Upon arriving at the side hall, the thick stench of blood made Ying Jiuque frown. When he saw the top scholar's blood-covered corpse, he couldn't help but grunt inwardly.

Who hates this top scholar so much? His death was truly tragic.

Isn't it tragic? The top scholar's entire front was soaked in blood, his face tinged with a faint purple. Even though he was dead, his eyes were still wide open, his expression twisted, as if he had seen something terrifying. Everyone present couldn't help but gasp! He died with his eyes wide open!

The old emperor silently gathered his breath for a while, his tone icy.

"Imperial Physician Li, how did the top scholar die?"

You just said he wasn't in any danger, but now he's dead. You need to give me a detailed explanation.

Physician Li was drenched in sweat as he quickly examined the top scholar's physical condition.

"Your Majesty, I just treated the top scholar's wounds. The external injury was indeed not fatal! As for the cause of death, his face was bluish-purple; perhaps it was a sudden heartbeat that caused him to die unexpectedly..."

"perhaps?"

Emperor Jingtai repeated those two words, his voice carrying an air of authority without anger.

"Is this how you treat patients?"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this humble subject truly does not know the cause of the scholar's death. Perhaps, no! He must have died from excessive shock and a rapid heartbeat!"

Ying Jiuque couldn't bear to look at the old emperor's expression. This Imperial Physician Li was really grasping at straws in his desperation. He didn't even bother to take a proper look at the situation. If he had honestly admitted that he didn't know, perhaps he would have saved face.

Sure enough, the next moment, Emperor Jingtai flew into a rage!
"What I want is a definite result!"

Physician Li immediately prostrated himself on the ground, begging for mercy. Emperor Jingtai didn't want to see him at all and turned to look at the ministers. Emperors are inherently suspicious, especially since his palace had been thoroughly thwarted today. Even Physician Li, who usually seemed decent, now looked like a good-for-nothing! He couldn't quite believe these experienced and prudent ministers for a while.

At that moment, Emperor Jingtai's eyes lit up when he looked at Ying Jiuque, who was standing idly to the side picking at his fingers!
What he needs now is not a clever minister, but a loyal one, and importantly, someone who knows what the other is thinking. Ying Jiuque is perfect for that. Her status is also fitting—a newly appointed county princess, and she saved his life. It wouldn't be too much to ask her to do something for him, would it?

Thinking of this, Emperor Jingtai looked at Ying Jiuque with boundless kindness.

"Jiu Que, you saved my life today, and I don't know how to reward you. Why don't you tell me what you want? Wealth and honor? Jewelry and ornaments? Or perhaps a promotion for your father?"

Ying Jiuque appeared calm on the surface, but inside he felt like he had eaten shit.

Why should he give all the credit to that father I haven't seen in over a decade? I'd rather get myself something better. But the old emperor already gave me the riches, jewelry, and other valuables... Ugh, how boring...

The old emperor's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, his gaze sweeping over the expectant Minister Lin, before he feigned reluctance. "It seems you don't want it... perhaps..."

A sense of foreboding immediately rose among the surrounding officials. Whenever His Majesty adopted this tone, it meant he was about to cause trouble. Could this be…?

"Since that's the case, then do me a favor and investigate why Scholar Yu died suddenly."

"Uh……"

Before Ying Jiuque could even speak, the ministers couldn't take it anymore. A minor official in his forties jumped out and started nagging him incessantly.

“Your Majesty! Princess Ying is merely a woman. Although she saved your life, all that is needed is a promotion in rank. How can you entrust her with the affairs of a former court official? This is against the rules!”

"That's exactly right, Your Majesty! Moreover, Princess Ying is still very young, having grown up in the inner chambers of her home, and has never been exposed to such bloodshed. Even for the sake of the princess's reputation, this should not be done..."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"I second the proposal!"

"..."

The chaotic noise gave Ying Jiuque a headache. Actually, she hadn't really wanted to do this kind of chore, but with so many people objecting, her rebellious streak kicked in.

Who says I can't do it? I can do it, okay?!

Even though his adoptive father was desperately trying to signal to him, Ying Jiuque pretended not to see it and nodded with a troubled expression.

Seeing the indignant crowd around him, Emperor Jingtai sighed as if in a dilemma, glanced at the ministers who were in a state of chaos, as if their ancestral graves had been dug up, and offered a solution.

"Indeed, Jiu Que is still young, and it's unrealistic for her to investigate the case alone. Very well, I'll assign her a few people, and she must get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible!"

Although he didn't know what was going on with this girl, Ying Jiuque had indeed foreseen that one of the women in his harem was pregnant, perhaps possessing some kind of precognitive ability.

In any case, this ability shouldn't be wasted. Let's see if she can demonstrate it during this investigation.

At this moment, a clever junior official came up to him.

"Your Majesty, even if the Princess of Ying is in charge of this matter, there should be a time limit, right? We can't just leave Scholar Yu to wait here all alone, can we?"

This statement is the biggest killer move. Officials in charge of criminal investigations know that solving cases is no simple matter; it requires considering many aspects, and it's even possible to investigate for a long time only to find out the direction was wrong, resulting in failure. How could a young woman, completely unaccustomed to such matters, possibly solve a case in such a short time? Perhaps, that top scholar Yu simply died suddenly?
Only now did those powerful figures, who had remained silent until now, reveal a small smile. The court was teeming with talented individuals, yet His Majesty insisted on employing a mere woman; wasn't he treating them, his ministers, as useless?

(End of this chapter)