Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 74 Keep dragging it out!
And all of this is the fault of that woman standing next to His Majesty. Before she appeared, everything was fine; everyone knew it. Who would be so tactless as to bring up something that should have been kept secret? If it weren't for Ying Jiuque, they would still be holding their official positions, how could they have become prisoners in the blink of an eye?
"...Mo Mingyu from the Ministry of Rites!"

As the last name was called, fifty-seven officials were now pinned down in the square. It should be noted that only officials of the fifth rank or higher were allowed to attend such court assemblies; even excluding those already arrested, this ratio was alarming.

Those who had initially been trembling with fear couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing so many guilty colleagues around them. After all, the law doesn't punish everyone; even if His Majesty was furious, could he really kill so many officials at once? How could the court function if so many officials were killed? How could there possibly be enough replacements in such a short time? Therefore, this time it would only be a minor punishment as a warning; they wouldn't die…

As long as they're alive, what can't they do? As long as they have a chance to breathe, they can find a way to survive.

At this moment, the officials still standing glanced at their bewildered colleagues and couldn't help but close their eyes. These people were panicking haphazardly. Did they not understand what kind of person His Majesty was after so many years of serving in the court? Now that he had made things clear, he would not let it go so easily.

Things are about to get chaotic.

Sure enough, under the expectant gazes of his kneeling subjects, Emperor Jingtai waved his sleeve, and the golden robe reflected a brilliant light in the sunlight, revealing the golden dragon embroidered on it.

"Strip them of their official hats and remove their official robes!"

"His Majesty!"

As expected, an incredulous shout arose from below. In this era, it was considered impeccable for a gentleman to dress properly. To strip naked in public was the greatest humiliation one could inflict. Especially since they were officials, role models for scholars and predecessors for the entire nation.

Doing this is even more painful for them than killing them.

No matter how much the officials below pleaded, Emperor Jingtai had made up his mind. The fierce Golden Armor Guards pounced on them, stripping off their clothes and hats, and a chorus of pleas and cries filled the air.

Only the historians who witnessed this scene were excited, their pens moving so fast they seemed to fly.

Such a momentous event may not occur once every few decades; it must be carefully recorded and passed down to future generations!

Those disgraced officials who witnessed the historians' actions felt utterly hopeless. People like them, no matter how dark and filthy their hearts might be, all longed for a reputation for integrity and incorruptibility. To be recorded now meant eternal infamy.
This is even more terrifying than killing them.

That wasn't all. After stripping them bare, Emperor Jingtai ordered the Golden Armor Guards to lead these convicted officials out of the palace, straight out of the Meridian Gate, and onto the most bustling street, determined to ensure that the sins of these officials would be remembered by the world.

"Your Majesty, you can't do this! Have you forgotten how, when we were surrounded and besieged on the battlefield, it was I who charged into battle and fought my way out? You've only been on the throne for thirteen years, and you've already forgotten the brothers who fought alongside you through thick and thin? You can't treat me like this. Are you trying to break the hearts of us brothers?"

"..."

What an idiot! Utterly an idiot! Even Jiu Que felt a bit like Emperor Jingtai. Even if His Majesty wanted to help you, saying such things in public would surely sow discord between His Majesty and his ministers. Now, even if he wanted to save you, he couldn't do so openly. Otherwise, if he saved you, wouldn't he also save other ministers? Everyone would feel resentful. There are idiots like this who cut off their own path to survival, but they're not many.

Even so, it was enough to infuriate Emperor Jingtai.

"How dare you bring up the past? You were just the son of a butcher. Your family's pork shop was seized by a minor official, and your own father died of anger! In just a few days, your family was ruined. Have you forgotten what you said back then? You said that if you ever became an official, you would be an honest and upright one, and you would never let the people suffer like this. How many years have you been an official? Have you already forgotten your vow? Weren't those people who were bought and sold just like you back then?"

"Your Majesty! How can this be the same? I am no longer that butcher's son who can be bullied at will. I am a third-rank official! If others can be high above and hold the power of life and death in their hands with a single word, why can't I? Your Majesty, you have forgotten the brothers who went through thick and thin with you... umm!"

The golden-armored guard standing next to him had long disliked this arrogant old man, and now he struck him on the back with a stick, knocking back all the words the old man shouldn't have said.

Emperor Jingtai waved his hand, seemingly unaffected by the brief interlude.

"Drag down."

Even the officials whose names weren't called felt a chill run down their spines upon witnessing this scene; it was a way of forever branding them with shame. Especially when those ordinary people, whom they usually didn't really care about, were shown their most wretched state…

How could someone who always considered themselves superior possibly tolerate this? It's truly devastating!

Only after watching the wailing officials being led away by the golden-armored guards did Emperor Jingtai feel a little better. Looking back at his ministers, who were as quiet as chicks, Emperor Jingtai smiled.

"My lords, there is no need to be afraid. I am dealing with those treacherous officials and traitors, and it has nothing to do with you loyal ministers. Besides, do you not wish to see those treacherous officials and traitors brought to justice?"

Who would dare say no to such a question? So everyone nodded, whether sincerely or not, displaying an air of righteous indignation. Even those who were pulled away, some of whom were their friends or even in-laws, acted as if they didn't recognize them at all.

Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately. How much more so when they aren't even husband and wife? In this situation, self-preservation is paramount. However, after a brief silence, another problem arose. His Majesty has dealt with these officials, but how will he treat his own children?
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded in the distance, mixed with some anxious attempts to dissuade them. Their appearance at this moment was truly inappropriate.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and found a group of beautiful women in palace attire. Who else could be in the palace hall at this time but His Majesty's women?

Many sharp-eyed officials have already noticed that the two people walking at the front are none other than the birth mothers of Prince Ping and the Third Prince!

Consort Yu and Consort Li!
(End of this chapter)