Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 59 The Third Prince

It took him a long time to find his voice. The head steward wore a sarcastic smile, utterly disdainful.

“My lord, I don’t know where you got this information from. I’ve never heard of anything you’re talking about. What ‘Cave of No Worries’? What ‘Three Dukes’? If you’re looking for the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, you shouldn’t be looking here. There are plenty of people in the court who can be called dukes and ministers. Why bother looking for a mere steward like me?”

Look how eloquent this head steward is; no wonder he's the Third Prince's most trusted steward. However, Jiu Que had anticipated this reaction before arriving, so she didn't say much. She simply had Jia Ershisan restrain the head steward and his two concubines who were about to get up, while she wandered around the room.

It's no wonder he's the head steward of a prince's residence. Although the house looks simple on the outside, the interior decorations are incredibly elegant. From the double-eared beauty vase on the table to the delicate, rain-washed-sky-and-twisted vine vase beside it, every piece is a masterpiece, clearly beyond the reach of a mere steward. Yet, these items are found everywhere in the room, demonstrating the Third Prince's deep trust in this head steward.

"What do you want? Lord Ying, I must remind you that trespassing into a prince's residence is a crime, even for a court official. I am but a humble steward, not worth you risking your future. Why don't you tell me what you are looking for, and I can help you?"

Seeing the woman who had suddenly barged in and wandered around his room, the head steward felt his authority had been challenged. In the entire Third Prince's residence, who didn't know his status? Even the ladies of the inner quarters treated him with respect. This woman, on the other hand, was merely fortunate enough to hold a minor sixth-rank official position. Even if she possessed a title, she was only a low-ranking county princess. What right did she have to rummage through his room like this?

Jiu Que glanced at the head steward with a half-smile. If he were to reveal what he wanted, the first thing the head steward would probably do wouldn't be to help him find it, but rather to kill him to silence him.

Although the room contained many elegant and luxurious items, it was only so big, and there was always a time when everyone could see everything. Jiu Que finally stopped in front of a painting of plum blossoms braving the snow, while the head steward looked at her with confusion. Was there something wrong with this painting?

Ying Jiuque reached out and carefully touched the painting. It was painted by an old scholar from the previous dynasty, and could be described as unyielding and indomitable. However, the head steward didn't have a deep impression of the painting; he only hung it up as a facade. How did it offend this lord's eye?
Rolling up the painting, Jiu Que looked at the head steward and kindly reminded him.

"I suppose the head steward is too busy to remember the crimes he committed in the Worry-Free Cave, but some people will not forget, at least someone remembers for you. The head steward also has children and grandchildren. If someone kidnaps your beloved children and sells them to high-ranking officials for their amusement, I wonder how you would feel?"

The head butler's face darkened, but he wasn't angry. This level of provocation meant nothing to him. He'd heard countless harsh words before; they were just a few harmless complaints. Over the years, he'd heard countless curses and grievances like this, yet he was still enjoying his life, basking in wealth and luxury.

But this Lord Ying is really strange. Why would he break into my room so late just to take away a strange painting? Something's not right. Something's definitely not right about this.

However, this matter didn't end there. Ying Jiuque gestured for Jia Twenty-Three and the other stewards to turn and leave. But the moment they stepped out the gate, everyone stopped. The courtyard of the steward's residence was brightly lit, and a dignified man dressed in princely robes stood before them, staring at Ying Jiuque and his group with an air of authority. Ying Jiuque paused. Judging from the man's attire, he must be the owner of this mansion.

"This humble official greets His Highness the Third Prince."

"No need to be polite."

The Third Prince flicked his sleeves, showing no interest in Ying Jiuque. If before tonight he had treated her differently because of his father's favor, now he felt nothing but utter disgust. Women were supposed to be gentle, virtuous, and submissive, yet Ying Jiuque always took the lead, insisting on showing off in front of everyone. Now, in the dead of night, she had led men into his residence, ignoring all objections, to take away the head steward—was this taking away a mere servant? This was clearly a slap in his face!
As a prince, a member of the imperial family, above all others, even his brothers wouldn't dare to do such a thing. Ying Jiuque, however, was merely a lowly sixth-rank official; who gave her the courage to do this?
"The night is deep and the dew is heavy. Why would Lord Ying come here so abruptly? I had prepared a banquet in the living room to entertain him, but who would have thought that Lord Ying would come to see me, his useless head steward? I wonder what business Lord Ying has with him? My head steward is old and frail and has not been in charge of the affairs of the manor for a long time. If you have anything you want to know, wouldn't it be better to ask me, the master of the house, directly?"

The head steward immediately showed a touched expression. Ying Jiuque didn't seem to care much about that; she was just a little surprised. So the Third Prince valued this head steward so much! She seemed to have never heard of such a thing before.

"I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, Your Highness. However, I have a very important matter to attend to tonight. Your head steward has unfortunately been implicated by the thieves of Wuyou Cave, who claim he is the leader of the entire underground culvert system in Wuyou Cave, nicknamed 'Three Dukes.' As you know, I am merely a minor sixth-rank official. However, His Majesty appointed me as the Imperial Inspector of the City, which is to immediately stop any injustice that occurs in this capital. You see, the thieves of Wuyou Cave have presented me with the facts and evidence. I cannot simply ignore it, can I? To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and trouble, I thought of taking the head steward away for questioning. After all, we have to go through the motions, don't we?"

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince's expression grew even more unpleasant. This Ying Jiuque was certainly sharp-tongued.

Just because she's in her own home, does that mean she can just let her say whatever she wants?
“Lord Ying, everything requires evidence. You say that a thief from Wuyou Cave identified me as the head steward, but where is the evidence? We can’t just rely on your word alone.”

"This evidence is of great importance, so please forgive me for not being able to present it to irrelevant people."

Ying Jiuque casually fiddled with the sachet at his waist, revealing a glint of gold—an imperial gold medal. The Third Prince, seeing this, narrowed his eyes slightly.

The author is going to the hospital; life is truly miserable, but I'll try my best to keep updating. Everyone, please take good care of yourselves!

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(End of this chapter)