Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 61 Dialogue in the Main Hall
"What are you thinking about? Don't lose the adults."

Reminded by his companion, A Twenty-Three quickly roused himself and gave chase. No one stopped him along the way; after all, to strike first before everything was settled would be extremely foolish. In this situation, whoever struck first would lose.

Ying Jiuque touched the thing in her arms, her expression serious. She probably didn't realize how important her face was, but the guards at the gate certainly remembered her well. Everyone was somewhat surprised to see Ying Jiuque's face, but quickly made way for her. This Lady Ying usually entered the palace cheerfully; why was she in such a hurry today? If it weren't for the guards behind her, she would have ridden into the palace already.

Upon hearing the report, Emperor Jingtai sighed and put down the memorial in his hand. His deep eyes gazed at the night sky, as if he could see through the boundless darkness to the many dangers hidden in the shadows.

Some things, if left unsaid, can indeed be tolerated peacefully. But once that veil is lifted, chaos ensues. He never imagined that someone who had spent his life in the military would have moments where he couldn't bring himself to act. But if he pretended not to see, would all the darkness beneath cease to exist? And now, a pair of hands was about to tear through the darkness without hesitation. Should he stop them?
When Ying Jiuque arrived at the Hall of Nourishing Life and saw the familiar Emperor Jingtai, her chest, which had been filled with anger, suddenly trembled. Previously, she was only angry that the prince supported by the country would do such a thing, but now, seeing Emperor Jingtai with his gray hair, she felt a little reluctant, after all, this emperor had been really good to her these days.

[How come Your Majesty looks so much older after just one day? Have I really done something wrong? But if no one says anything, Your Majesty will be kept in the dark forever. Does Your Majesty want to be an emperor who is kept in the dark? ...I don't believe Your Majesty would stand by and watch your people die.]

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, but in the end, Jiu Que simply bowed respectfully.

Emperor Jingtai couldn't help but chuckle. He hadn't expected this little brat, who constantly called him "Old Emperor" in her heart, to address him so respectfully. But then, thinking of her intentions, he frowned. If he could, Emperor Jingtai truly wouldn't want to be the first to rip off this veil of pretense. Yet, among all the officials in the court, not a single one was willing to take the lead. He wondered if he was simply a terrible emperor…

"Ying Qing, you've come so late at night, is there something you need to report?"

"……His Majesty."

The main hall was so cold in the dead of night. Kneeling on the ground, Ying Jiuque felt two chills seep deep into her kneecaps, traveling along her meridians all the way to her heart. But she steadied herself and firmly stated her choice.

"Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report. It concerns the true culprit behind the Worry-Free Cave. The situation is urgent, so I have to come to report this late at night. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

However, after a while, Emperor Jingtai did not react. Jiuque couldn't help but look up, only to see the emperor's complicated expression. Why was the emperor looking at him like that? Did he know something?
Emperor Jingtai remained silent for a while, then finally raised his hand, signaling Jiuque to continue.

So Ying Jiuque told all the information he had obtained, especially Mr. Yi's accusations.

"...That Mr. Yi was once one of those abducted from the Worry-Free Cave. But because of his intelligence and resourcefulness, he gradually escaped the fate of being sent back and forth and became one of them. It was because of this that he discovered the secrets of this matter. And he hid the various secrets he found in the Third Prince's mansion, in the room of the head steward named Zhao Jie."

Thinking about what she was about to say, Jiu Que felt her fingers trembling slightly, but she quickly realized that it wasn't fear, but something else, such as indignation!

"Zhao Jie, the head steward of the Third Prince's residence, is one of the masterminds behind this!"

The loud remark caused even Jiu Fu, who had been feigning death with his head down, to gasp. How dare this Lord Ying Jiu Que? Did she think she could dismiss the Third Prince simply because she mentioned him as the head steward of the Third Prince's residence without mentioning any evidence of his crimes? His Majesty had few children, and the court knew how much he valued his princes. Lord Ying Jiu Que was currently enjoying the Emperor's favor; why would she challenge His Majesty's authority over something unrelated to her? Did she think such a thing was easy? Did she think that simply speaking out would lead to a conviction?

How foolish! This will only offend His Highness the Third Prince, and perhaps even His Majesty!
With such a bright future ahead of you, can't you think about your own future?
In the empty hall, it seemed that only Jiu Que's voice remained. This voice was clear and loud, like a young calf just out of its fold, showing no fear of authority or the most noble person in the world!

After recounting the Third Prince's actions, which resembled disposing of a body, Jiu Que fell silent, awaiting the Emperor's reaction. Emperor Jingtai paused. "So you have neither witnesses nor physical evidence?"

“…Yes.” Jiu Que’s heart sank.

"That's strange. You accused the head steward of the Third Prince's residence of being the mastermind behind the Worry-Free Cave, but now that Zhao Jie is dead, why do you still need to come to the palace to make this request?"

Ying Jiuque felt a buzzing in his head, unsure of how to react. Did His Majesty not want to hear the truth?

However, the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released. No matter how much His Majesty disliked it, this matter had to be said!
“Your Majesty, although Zhao Jie is dead, the cause of his death is strange. I suspect that he was silenced. Moreover, although Xiao E is dead, the real culprit behind him is still alive. I cannot ignore this.”

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Under immense pressure, Jiu Que took a deep breath and spoke calmly.

"Your Majesty, I beg you to allow me to thoroughly investigate the Third Prince's residence!"

A deathly silence spread through the hall. Jiu Fu was covered in cold sweat, feeling that he might hear something like "take him away and behead him" at any moment. But as he waited, the scene became quieter and quieter.

Until a chuckle was heard.

"Ying Qing, investigating someone requires evidence. Where is your evidence?"

This is the last time I'll try to persuade them to stay!
Jiu Fu frantically blinked at Ying Jiu Que, hoping the other would hear his call. However, contrary to his wishes, the usually clever Ying Jiu Que ignored him.

She even pulled something thin from her bosom and shouted it out!

"Your Majesty! The evidence is here! Those abducted women and children are all subjects of the Great Jing Dynasty, the apple of their parents' eyes. Is it right for them to be coldly divided into first and second classes and sold to the powerful and wealthy for humiliation? The number of innocent people rescued from Wuyou Cave this time is countless! There are even families of innocent people who have been missing for decades coming to claim them. It is clear that for decades, they have been waiting bitterly for their families to return!"

"His Majesty!"

"Should we allow the cries of these innocent people to continue to be drowned out by a false calm?!"

It's now available! I've been so busy these past few days because of being sick that I almost forgot! I hope you all enjoy this book!
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(End of this chapter)