Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 66 Where is the ledger?

Oh! Since following His Majesty to the capital, he's lived a life of debauchery for thirteen years, seeing countless women, but a woman with such a slightly spirited air as this before him is truly rare. Prince Ping is an incompetent and foolish man; he only obtained his title through his relationship with His Majesty as a adopted son. Now, even facing imminent disaster, his alcohol-blinded mind still manages to entertain lustful thoughts!

"I've never seen a beauty like you before. What's your name?"

The golden-armored guard holding him trembled, and Prince Ping let out a bloodcurdling scream. Even so, the golden-armored guard did not let go; he even looked at the oblivious Prince Ping with an incredulous expression.

Lady Ying is His Majesty's most valued minister recently, and there are even rumors that she is His Majesty's illegitimate daughter who has been living away from home! How dare Prince Ping treat her like this? Does he really have a death wish?

"You damned bastard! I'll have my father kill you!"

In his excruciating pain, Prince Ping forgot to utter even the words that usually conveyed his nobility, and instead uttered a vulgar phrase that he vowed never to say again. Of course, Prince Ping, now a laughingstock, didn't attract much attention from others. Even Jiu Que merely glanced at him before casually looking away, turning his gaze to the ministers who knew things were going badly and were trying to cover their faces and back away.

She'd only been an official for a few days, so she wasn't very familiar with the officials in the court. But she had Mr. Yi by her side, who had memorized their faces perfectly. He was like an encyclopedia right now; whichever person Jiu Que looked at, Mr. Yi would dutifully state their name and official rank.

Every official whose name was called couldn't help but hide their face in their chest. But after looking at all the officials present, Jiu Que noticed a problem.

Those caught directly, aside from some notorious dissolute members of the imperial family, were generally minor officials below the fifth rank. Forgive Jiu Que for saying this, but in the capital, a place where even a falling tile could hit three officials, these officials' ranks were truly low. So, were these people simply abandoned? While there were many baits, they weren't enough for Jiu Que. She never wanted to catch these small fish; she wanted to catch the big fish hidden beneath the murky surface.

It doesn't matter if she can't find them now. She has plenty of time and energy. As long as she stirs up the waters enough, is she afraid of not finding the big fish mixed in with them? Besides, at least she can rescue those hidden victims.

Watching the children, initially bewildered but bursting into tears and even screaming with joy once they were certain they had been rescued, Jiu Que sighed heavily. Those masterminds behind it all truly deserved to die. Their actions had ruined countless lives…

"Hey, Yi, where's your next destination?"

Ying Jiuque didn't sleep a wink all night. By the time the first rays of sunlight shone down the next morning, Jiuque and his men had destroyed five similar houses and rescued as many as five hundred beautiful young men and women.

This is a rather large number, and how to settle these innocent people and the officials who were arrested has become a major problem.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice came to see Jiu Que with a mournful face.

"Lord Ying, you must give us some advice! The Ministry of Justice's prison is almost overflowing!" Moreover, those you've arrested are all influential figures, even if they're just spoiled brats from wealthy families. But even if you can afford to offend those brats, you can't afford to offend the people behind them! You're currently favored by His Majesty and are a favorite of His Majesty, so of course you're not afraid. But he's just a lowly vice minister, and since last night, he's received countless insults. He's clearly innocent!

Ying Jiuque rubbed her temples. She had expected this situation and already had a solution. Judging from the sky, the person would probably arrive soon.

As if on cue, a young voice rang out weakly during the brief moment when Jiu Que was talking to the Left Vice Minister.

"Um, Lord Ying, is there anything I can help you with?"

Jiu Que turned around and saw, lo and behold, it was someone he knew!
Isn't this Yang Linyuan? The spoiled brat who argued with her in the street? Why does he look so timid now, not as arrogant as before? She didn't seem to have done anything wrong, did she?

Yang Linyuan flashed a fawning smile. Ever since he accidentally lost his little cousin, he had been subjected to countless beatings from his father and constant scorn from his second uncle—he was truly pitiful. Even after finally bringing his cousin home, his life wasn't easy. Because the official who had saved his little cousin was none other than Ying Jiuque, the female official he had previously flirted with in the street!

Upon learning of this, Yang Linyuan was severely beaten by his own father and second uncle. Not only that, but all his monthly allowance was cut off, and all his savings were confiscated. Now, this young master Yang is a penniless pauper, even afraid to go to a restaurant, having to beg the guards assigned to supervise him to pay. It's utterly miserable!

He was originally staying at home recovering from his injuries, but his own father somehow got wind of it, dragged him over and beat him up, then kicked him out the door and made him come to the Ministry of Justice to help Ying Jiuque.

How could a grown man like him submit to a little woman? But the moment he saw Ying Jiuque, his body started to ache reflexively again. He was truly a coward, so he was acting like a complete sycophant.

"Young Master Yang, could you help settle those innocent young men and women outside? It would be best to keep them from being disturbed by outsiders. After all, you know how chaotic things are these days, and I'm afraid some unscrupulous people might take advantage of them."

Yang Lin started working as quickly as a chick pecking at rice, without needing to be urged at all. He's such a good person!

Once this issue is resolved, the rest will be easier to handle. At a time like this, they still demand individual cells? Do they think they're princes? Just cram four or five people into one cell; she's already being incredibly merciful by not putting over a dozen people in one cell! What kind of wishful thinking is she having all day?
The Third Prince wasn't deaf or blind. The commotion hadn't stopped since last night, and even though he was confident of victory, he was still a little apprehensive.

Is Ying Jiuque, this madwoman, planning to arrest all the officials in the capital? If she offends the entire court, she might really lose her official position.
At this moment, some of the imprisoned officials with sharp eyes also spotted the Third Prince. Their previous wailing immediately died down. No way? Even the Third Prince had been captured? Weren't they all in grave danger?

(End of this chapter)