Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 88 Secret Imperial Envoy
Now Jiu Que had no way to refuse anymore, since he had no more worries.

However, does His Majesty intend to send her there alone? Although she is strong, she knows nothing about how to be an imperial envoy.

"You don't need to worry about that. I will assign you a few deputies, or would you like to choose them yourself?"

Is this something she can choose from? If she really does choose, won't people think she's taking advantage of being favored? Of course, if she really could choose, she would still prefer to choose Chunyu and the others she knows well.

[But if I mention Chunyu and the others' names, won't the old emperor think I'm forming a clique? No, I'm a seasoned official now; I absolutely cannot make such a basic mistake. The old emperor is definitely testing my loyalty. How can I bring it up myself now? Perhaps the emperor has already chosen his candidates and is just being polite with me; I can't take it seriously.]

Therefore, Jiu Que expressed his sincere opinion.

"Your Majesty, I am terrified and will follow Your Majesty's decision."

She appeared to be a humble and cautious official, but Emperor Jingtai had already heard her thoughts clearly, and couldn't help but twitch his lips. With her limited qualifications as an official, she was far inferior to those cunning and calculating ministers. And she was worried about his apprehension? She was really just trying to make herself look good!

Emperor Jingtai, who already knew what kind of person Ying Jiuque was, didn't stand on ceremony with her and directly named Chunyu Shuang, Xie Mingchen, and even Wei Yuan.

"These three are both literate and skilled in martial arts. Chunyu Shuang is an expert in solving cases, Wei Yuan is quite skilled in martial arts, and after such a long and tiring journey, it's inevitable that he will fall ill. Xie Mingchen, although young, is a top doctor in the Imperial Medical Academy. He was the one who spotted the problem with that batch of pills, and his medical skills will definitely be of great use on this trip to Qianzhou. Who else do you want? I will give them all to you."

Hearing this, even Jiu Que, whose intelligence wasn't fully awakened, felt it was highly inappropriate. The Emperor's words made the court officials seem like cabbages in a field, available for anyone to choose. Even if she wanted them, she didn't know anything about the officials in the court. Besides, judging from what the Emperor said, Chunyu and the other two were already enough, and adding Senior Cui Zhufeng was even more outrageous—that senior's martial arts were truly the best in the world, perhaps even surpassing Wei Yuan's.

After thinking it over, Ying Jiuque felt that their manpower was sufficient, so he shook his head and added a compliment.

"Your Majesty's arrangements are certainly the most comprehensive, and I also think they are excellent."

"really?"

"really."

Fearing the old emperor might not perceive her sincerity, Jiu Que nodded, her expression utterly earnest and sincere. Someone unfamiliar with her might have been fooled, but to Emperor Jingtai, who had clearly heard her thoughts, this little girl was simply feigning ignorance.

Strangely enough, Emperor Jingtai did not seem angry.

If it were someone else who was replaced at the last minute when their hard work was about to bear fruit, they might be furious. But when it was Jiu Que, this child, who encountered such an unreasonable situation in the eyes of outsiders, he was not angry at all.

Or perhaps she simply hadn't considered that someone would reap the rewards; she was only focused on completing the task assigned by the old emperor. These days, honest children like Jiu Que are truly rare. It's fortunate it was her; if it were any other emperor, who knows what kind of torment this child would have inflicted upon her. "Rest assured, Ying Qing, you will receive everything you are entitled to. The imperial decree bestowing upon you promotions and titles is already prepared; it will be issued upon your return from Qianzhou."

Ah, so I can actually get promoted? I thought I'd only be a sixth-rank city patrol censor. But this job is pretty comfortable; everyone's friendly and nice, and I don't have to deal with those old, stern-faced ministers in court. But promotions should be a good thing, right? Will I rise all the way up to be higher than that Lin guy's rank? If that's the case, I'll stand in front of him and strut around arrogantly, making him furious! Hehehe…

"It is my honor to serve Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingtai really wanted to raise an eyebrow, but he held back in the end. At the same time, he felt a strange sense of balance. It turned out that Jiuque treated everyone he didn't like the same, even his own father.

But then again, Lin Wei really isn't a good father. If only Jiu Que were his daughter…

The two shared their thoughts and then finalized the itinerary for their trip to Qianzhou. Emperor Jingtai then had Jiufu escort Jiuque out. On the way to see Princess Ying off, Jiufu couldn't help but flash her an even brighter smile. It was truly thanks to Princess Ying that that brat Wei Yuan had more opportunities to shine before His Majesty.

This trip to Qianzhou will certainly be dangerous, but as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. If Wei Yuan can't learn from this experience, then he won't need to shamelessly mention his name before His Majesty in the future. Wei Yuan is certainly capable, but there are countless capable people in this world. Being able to show his face before those in true power is the most important thing.

Otherwise, no matter how talented you are, it's all for nothing if you have no place to use your talent.

"Lord Ying, on this trip to Qianzhou, I'll have to ask County Magistrate Ying to keep an eye on that brat Wei Yuan. Although he's not young, he's a bit dim-witted and incredibly stubborn. Just tell him what to do, and if he dares to disobey, come back and tell me, and I'll give him a good beating!"

Jiu Que was at a loss for words. Even if Wei Yuan had truly done something wrong, it wasn't something she could blame him for. However, the steward's meaning was clear: everyone should look out for each other.

So the two inevitably exchanged pleasantries, and after smilingly seeing Princess Ying off, Chief Steward Jiu Fu turned back to Wei Yuan, repeatedly emphasizing that even if he himself were to be killed, Princess Ying must not be harmed in the slightest! Wei Yuan felt he was almost used to it; ever since he met Ying Jiu Que, the Emperor and his adoptive father's behavior had become very strange. Every time they went out on a case, they would give him these instructions, and Wei Yuan really suspected the relationship between Ying Jiu Que and the Emperor.

Of course, he could only think about it; he wouldn't dare let his godfather hear it.

Back home, Jiu Que called Ying Yuandao and his children over and gave them a thorough dressing-down. She didn't know how long she would be gone from Qianzhou, and leaving the children at home worried her safety. She had even pleaded with the Emperor at the palace to leave the children there while she was away. The safest place in the world was undoubtedly the old Emperor's residence. Especially since the old Emperor had thoroughly cleaned the entire palace, inside and out. Jiu Que was quite reassured.

The children were very reluctant to part with her.

"Is the master leaving again?"

(End of this chapter)