Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 86 His Majesty's Summoning
"Ok?"

The children, including Ying Yuandao, who were busy carrying steamed buns, couldn't help but look up when they heard the hearty laughter. They were all surprised to see the usually stern Lord Chunyu laughing heartily. This lord was always solemn and serious, and had never been so cheerful before. But then they thought about how she was with Lord Ying, and it didn't seem strange to them. After all, it was Lord Ying; it was hard for anyone not to be happy when they were with her.

"No, no! This thing is too heavy. Let's get a few more people over."

Just then, the three strong young men carrying the wooden pillars stopped, panting heavily. These wooden pillars were cut from trees in the woods behind the mountain, each tree requiring two people to encircle. Although they had been drying in the sun for several days, they were still damp, making it too difficult for three people to carry one pillar.

Just as everyone was calling for help, Jiu Que noticed the predicament and strode over. Everyone was somewhat at a loss when they saw Lord Ying approaching. In fact, they were already used to having the Lord work alongside them, but what made them bewildered was not Lord Ying's approachable attitude, but rather her unbelievable strength. For example, right now, Ying Jiu Que simply stretched out one hand and lifted that frighteningly thick pillar.

It was truly lifted high, a hand's width above everyone's heads. The three strong young men who carried the pillar watched this scene with wry smiles. Whenever they saw Lord Ying like this, they always doubted whether they were even strong enough to be considered men of their prime, how could they be no match for even a young girl's strength?
"Wow!"

The children gasped in amazement. Even though they had seen it many times before, they were still astonished by Lord Ying's unparalleled strength. The children, in particular, idolized Ying Jiuque. Who in the world was as perfect as Lord Ying? Not only was he appreciated by His Majesty and granted official rank and title, but he was also upright and fair, like a paragon of justice, and possessed such immense strength. They wanted to become like him in the future!

Seeing everyone's support, Ying Jiuque was also very happy, so he simply gave everyone a performance. He carried a heavy pillar and circled around the new village several times, just as he bumped into Jiufu, who looked astonished.

How to describe Jiu Fu's expression? It was as if he had witnessed Mount Tai collapse; he was utterly bewildered and confused. Wait, how could Princess Ying have become so incredibly strong in just a few days? Could it really be as the eunuchs and maids had rumored—that this Princess Ying was a lucky star sent from heaven?
"Hello, Uncle Jiufu! What brings you here? Is there something you need?"

Jiu Que instantly revealed a dignified and ladylike smile, casually tossing the massive pillar aside with a dull thud. This stark contrast nearly made Jiu Fu faint. No, among all the noble ladies in the capital, which one possessed such immense strength as Princess Ying?
However, if she weren't so extraordinary, she wouldn't be Princess Ying.

Grandpa Jiufu was also very well-mannered; he immediately flashed a warm smile, which was incredibly friendly.

"Oh my, my Lady County, how many days has it been since you last saw His Majesty? He misses you terribly. That's why, after only a few days, he's sent me with this imperial edict, requesting that you come to the palace for an audience. Lady County, are you free? If so, please tidy yourself up and come with me to the palace?"

"Of course, please wait a moment, Father-in-law. I'll be right back."

Ying Jiuque had gotten covered in dust from moving things with everyone, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to enter the palace like that. So, after saying goodbye to Eunuch Jiufu, she went back to tidy herself up. Meanwhile, the remaining workers watched Eunuch Jiufu and his group with barely suppressed curiosity. Although they lived at the foot of the capital, they were still completely unfamiliar with that magnificent and opulent palace.

Ordinary people are generally quite curious about the upper echelons of society, especially about the current emperor. While they might not have known much about Emperor Jingtai before, his sweeping cleanup of Wuyou Cave has greatly won them popular support. Although they dare not discuss it openly, everyone speaks highly of him to their families in private. He is truly a good emperor who cares about the common people.

Therefore, Jiu Fu unsurprisingly received a group of curious, well-meaning glances, which was a novel experience for him. Since he entered the palace to serve His Majesty, he had received all sorts of looks—condescending, contemptuous, disgusted, and hateful—but never such pure goodwill. This made Jiu Fu somewhat uncomfortable.

Especially now. A group of children craned their necks and cautiously approached him, the one in the lead speaking like a little adult.

"My lord, why did His Majesty summon Lord Ying to the palace? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Could it be because that Vice Minister Lin insisted on separating from Lord Ying's clan, and that's why he's here to talk about her? My lord, Lord Ying is a good official. That Vice Minister Lin knows nothing and has done nothing, yet he came up and expelled Lord Ying from the family. Isn't it just because he's worried that Lord Ying will implicate him? All these days, Lord Ying has been safe and sound, but he's been laughed at to death in private."

As His Majesty's most trusted chief eunuch, Jiufu naturally had a deep understanding of the situation in the capital. He had heard about this matter before, but treated it as a joke. That Vice Minister Lin usually seemed quite clever and quick-witted; otherwise, he wouldn't have risen to the position of Vice Minister in his forties. But for some reason, he had been making a series of blunders lately.

A woman as exceptionally talented as Princess Ying, who was born into the family, is not only not cherished and pampered, but is instead expelled from the household. I really don't know what's wrong with his brain. Putting aside the fact that Princess Ying did nothing wrong, even if she had made a terrible mistake, for the sake of those Thunderbolts, His Majesty would not punish her. On the contrary, he would treat her like a mascot and hold her in high esteem!

That weapon could potentially change the entire world's situation. Whether the Lin family could change their allegiance rested on Princess Ying's shoulders. Unexpectedly, not only did she reject this heaven-sent opportunity, she even wanted to drive the Qilin Girl out. She was truly out of her mind.

He shook his head, banishing these distracting thoughts. In any case, these things had nothing to do with him. But these children…

As the weather warms up, everyone wears lighter clothes. When Jiu Fu saw the missing hands and feet of these children, he was moved.

These must be the children that Princess Ying rescued and raised herself, right? Look at their rosy cheeks. They look nothing like the tormented little beggars they were! It's clear this princess was genuinely kind, not using these little beggars to enhance her reputation. These days, there aren't many people as purely kind as Princess Ying.

People like him have experienced too much malice. When they meet someone truly kind, they inevitably feel that life is still bearable.

So when Ying Jiuque came out, he was met with a very sincere smile from Eunuch Jiufu.

Jiuque: "?"

(End of this chapter)