Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 50 Ying Yuandao

"Old Mu?"

Unexpectedly, even Elder Mu approved of such a ostentatious display. Actually, it wasn't that Jiu Que disliked it, but rather that he felt, well, a little awkward. There were just too many people, and he had only done what he was supposed to do; why did he deserve such a grand celebration? Besides, he wasn't the only one truly busy that night; the patrol soldiers who charged ahead, risking their lives to wipe out the kidnappers, were the ones who truly deserved the gratitude.

Old Mu smiled gratefully at Ying Jiuque, then bowed deeply and gave Ying Jiuque a proper salute.

"We are deeply grateful to you, sir, for saving our lives..."

Aunt Lin and the others were even more moved as they bowed, including those whose lost children had been found and returned. They were just ordinary people, without eloquent tongues or empty words; they could only bow deeply along with everyone else. Yet, when this group of ordinary people sincerely bowed to an official who truly cared for them, they left everyone speechless.

The two guards who were by Ying Jiuque's side had a well-known role: spies. They were ordered to protect Ying Jiuque's safety and to report everything about her to His Majesty. Before this, they only knew that she was a divine being who could invent powerful weapons like 'signal flares' and 'thunderbolts'; now they realized that she was actually a compassionate official.

Yes, it was only then that they truly realized that the person they were ordered to protect, even though she was a woman, was still an upright official! If the entire Great Jing Dynasty had officials who cared so much about the people, they couldn't imagine what the world would become.

Finally, Jiu Que couldn't resist everyone's enthusiasm, so he could only say a few words of thanks amidst the crowd, and then strongly refused the chicken, duck, fish, meat, rice, noodles and money that were offered to him.

"No, no! I only did what I was supposed to do. Life isn't easy for anyone, so please take these things with you."

Seeing that she was about to be surrounded, Jiu Que had no choice but to refuse three times in desperation, and finally could only helplessly ask Elder Mu for help. Actually, she could hide in her house and not come out, but she was afraid that these people would pile up their belongings in front of her house.

Old Mu watched with a smile for a while, then offered his help, finally managing to rescue Jiu Que. As the crowd gradually dispersed, Jiu Que invited Old Mu and the others inside to rest. Old Mu declined several times, but finally went in anyway, as she still had something on her mind.

As soon as he entered, he saw a group of children staring at him nervously and curiously. Although Old Mu was not young, his eyesight was still very sharp. Upon closer inspection, he recognized them as the group of little beggars who often ran around to various places. What were they doing at Lord Ying's house? Looking at their brand-new, clean clothes and their faces, which had regained some color, he couldn't help but smile. She had wondered why they hadn't been seen for the past two days; it turned out they had been adopted by Lord Ying.

Rather than the formal reception room, Elder Mu and the others preferred to stay in the courtyard, where they could also chat with the children. Jiu Que, being an easygoing person, simply led everyone to sit down in the pavilion in the courtyard.

A smile forced onto Old Mu's serious, stiff face, a smile so powerful it could stop a child's crying. The children were all a little scared, but Little Mud Boy wasn't afraid at all. He even stepped forward and greeted them, very poised and confident.

"Great, that's wonderful..."

Old Mu seemed to remember something, a glint of tears flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, and next he gave Jiu Que a grateful smile.

“Sir, you are a kind-hearted person, and these children are also unfortunate. Fortunately, you rescued them, allowing them to leave that man-eating place, Wuyou Cave… However, I would like to ask a question: what are your plans for these children? I know there is a Ci'an Hall outside the city that specializes in taking in orphans. The head of the hall is indeed a compassionate person. Although life is a bit hard, they can always eat their fill and stay warm. Once they turn twelve, they can go out and find some work, and gradually they will be able to support themselves.”

At this point, Xiao Niba and the others shifted their bodies nervously. Old Mu noticed the imperfections that Xiao Niba and the others were trying so hard to hide, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, but still comforted them.

"It's okay, as long as you're willing to work hard, you can always support yourself." It's just that they are disabled, so they will have to work a hundred times harder than others, and they might not even get the compensation they deserve. Although there is no more war now, some strange opinions and ideas have emerged, believing that people with disabilities must be rejected by God, otherwise why is everyone else able to have limbs, while you are the only one with a disability?

Old Mu scoffed at such claims. Were injuries among refugees rare during the years of war? Back then, it wasn't just soldiers returning from the battlefield who lost limbs. Why didn't they say back then that the body shouldn't have any defects? That's all nonsense! It's just idle chatter from people who've had too much to eat!

It must be said that Elder Mu's idea was truly avant-garde. Jiu Que immediately applauded in agreement.

“That’s right! So what if they have disabilities? These children are kind and upright. Even when they are in the mud, they are still good-hearted. They even saved me before. They are my saviors.”

As she spoke, Jiu Que pulled the little mud-babies, whose faces were flushed with embarrassment, into her arms. These children were just too adorable, and she had missed them terribly during the two days and nights she had spent in the palace.

Little Mud was a little embarrassed. Although he was only five years old, he was still a big kid. It was just that the adult's embrace was warm, just like his mother in his memory, so he didn't refuse immediately.

That's true.

But how could they have possibly saved Lord Ying's life? They were merely offering a reminder, and even without their reminder, Lord Ying was protected by highly skilled guards; he would surely be safe...

Thinking about this, Little Mud felt a little down again.

"By the way, Elder Mu, thank you for thinking of these children. There's no need to send them to Ci'an Hall. I'll donate some rice and flour there another day. But I've already promised these children that they can stay in my home. From now on, they are my disciples. They'll be the kind who break pots for me, haha... Of course, I will also find them parents. If they're willing, they can go back with their parents. If their parents aren't willing or have already... well, they can continue to follow me. They'll always have food to eat."

"Here, this is my eldest disciple. I've given him a name for now, but he can choose one when he grows up."

"A long way."

"From now on, his name will be Yuandao."

Despite being a child with a disability, he was named Yuandao (meaning "far away"). This was because Jiuque firmly believed that the child's resilient and upright character would support him and allow him to go further and further.

Though we are far apart, our hearts are content.

A long way.

It should be a long journey.

(End of this chapter)