Chapter 71: Choosing a More Suitable Emperor

Madam Qin was, after all, the mistress of the household. With her daughter’s reminder, she quickly regained her senses and nodded involuntarily: “You’re right! We should go to the Duke’s Mansion to plead for mercy. As long as they agree not to pursue the matter, Yanshu still has a chance.”

“Madam,” a servant led a middle-aged man in a long gown into the room and knelt to report, “the physician has arrived.”

Madam Qin was helped to her feet, and thinking of her son still in prison and her husband lying on the bed, she knew she couldn’t collapse. She quickly pulled herself together and asked the physician to treat the injuries of the Imperial Uncle.

However, she was just a woman.

Thinking about how Yanshu had just been caned thirty times, and today the Imperial Uncle was caned twenty times, it felt as if the Qin family was cursed with bad luck. Madam Qin felt a heavy pressure in her heart, as if a hand was tightly gripping her heart, making her feel an oppressive unease.

It was only at this moment that she truly realized that the Empress Dowager in the palace, though seemingly of noble status, under the control of the Regent’s imperial power, did not have the ability to protect the Qin family.

The Emperor was more like a young eagle that had not yet grown its wings. Forget about ruling and soaring in the sky, he might not even have the ability to protect himself, let alone protect the Qin family.

The Qin family’s seemingly glorious position in the capital was actually so precarious.

……

The Imperial Uncle Qin was beaten, and Yanshu was imprisoned.

The Qin family had fallen into a state of sorrow and despair.

Meanwhile, Shen Ning, who was in the Regent’s residence, had not gone out for days and was completely unaware of the events happening in the court.

She was someone who, once she made a decision, would immediately take action.

Since she had decided to cure Ji Yucang’s poison, all her thoughts were focused on developing the antidote. No matter what was happening outside, whether it was a gentle breeze or a fierce storm, she paid no attention.

But even if she didn’t care, Shi Qin and Shi Qi would promptly report the news to her.

“Today, the Eldest Princess showed her power in the court.” Shi Qin’s voice carried a hint of excitement. “I heard she shook the entire court, making all the officials change their expressions. They were all criticizing the Eldest Princess, but with our Regent’s support, she was able to stand up to everyone.”

Shen Ning’s focus was on the medicinal herbs, and it took her a moment to look up: “Princess Pingyao showed her power? Why?”

“It’s said that the Regent ordered the Commander of the Imperial Guards to investigate the truth behind the assassination attempt on the Princess Consort, but Commander Lu failed in his duty and didn’t find anything, so the Regent dismissed him and appointed the Eldest Princess as the acting Commander.” Shi Qin quickly summarized. “The ministers objected on the grounds that the Eldest Princess is a woman and said that women should be devoted to their husbands and children… Oh, right, the Emperor even publicly said that ‘women are mere accessories of men’, and their only purpose is to bear children. He was scolded by the Eldest Princess.”

Shen Ning fell silent for a moment, a strange feeling growing in her heart.

Although the status of women in this era was indeed inferior to that of men, there were all kinds of women in the world—intelligent, beautiful, rational, gentle…

Even those scholars who were obsessed with their studies would only say that a husband should be the leader of his wife, that women should be devoted to their husbands and children, manage the household, and keep the home in order so that their husbands could focus on their careers without any worries.

Yet, the Emperor himself belittled women, saying that they were only fit for childbearing?

A cold, indifferent look appeared on Shen Ning’s forehead.

The Emperor was a role model for the nation.

If Ji Jin held such prejudices, then one day, if he truly took power, the women of the Yong Kingdom would likely be subjected to even greater constraints, and men’s suppression of women would only become more severe.

Because he looked down on women from the depths of his bones.

What the ruler does, the subjects will imitate.

The people would learn from his example, gradually suppressing women and shrinking their living environment.

When Ji Yucang returned in the evening, Shen Ning had already washed up and ordered a table of food to be prepared, waiting for him to dine together.

Ji Yucang reached out and gently rubbed her head, his expression warm and tender: “You haven’t eaten yet?”

“I was waiting for you.” Shen Ning said truthfully. “I want to talk to you about something.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Today, I heard from Shi Qin that Princess Pingyao showed her power in the court, and the entire court was quite upset.”

Ji Yucang nodded: “Yes.”

“What do you think of Princess Pingyao?”

Ji Yucang’s brow furrowed: “Unrestrained, living quite freely.”

“I think she’s quite decisive.” Shen Ning said calmly. “Not afraid of public opinion, ignoring rules and etiquette, just being able to withstand the criticism of the ministers and the rumors outside is enough to prove her courage. It’s just that we don’t yet know if she has a heart to advocate for the well-being of all people.”

“Advocate for the well-being of all people?” Ji Yucang’s eyes flickered slightly, as if he suddenly understood her meaning. “What are you planning to do?”

“Ji Jin is not a suitable candidate for an Emperor.” Shen Ning’s tone was indifferent. “Since you are destined to be childless and have no interest in the throne, why not choose someone more suitable?”

If Princess Pingyao’s behavior were in a man, there would really be no fault to find. She lacks the gentleness and restraint of a woman, the weakness and timidity of a lady of the boudoir. She openly keeps male companions, never obsessing over one person, and dares to scold the Emperor in front of the entire court—this point, even for most men, would be absolutely unthinkable.

Her courage is commendable.

She also hates evil, her gaze sharp as a torch, unable to tolerate men like Yanshu who are insincere and lack responsibility. She does as she pleases, so wilful that she would rather choose a concubine’s son as her husband.

Every point listed makes one feel that this woman truly resonates with her heart.

Shen Ning admired her sincerely.

Even when she herself held military power and had great military achievements, she was not as carefree and unrestrained as her.

Ji Yucang gazed at her deeply: “Are you serious?”

“Of course, I’m serious.” Shen Ning nodded, without a hint of jest. “But I’m just making a suggestion. The one who will make the real decision is you.”

Ji Yucang was silent for a moment: “Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot these past few days. Instead of placing the military power in your hands to ensure your safety, it might be better to let you take the throne. I’ve already started making plans.”

Shen Ning looked at him in surprise: “How did you come up with such an idea?”

“I can’t be too selfish.” Ji Yucang said calmly. “If I’m destined to have a short life, you should have your own colorful life.”

Shen Ning slowly shook her head: “I don’t have that much energy, nor do I feel a sense of belonging to the Yong Kingdom, nor do I have such great ambitions.”

Her goal was only revenge.

To make those unfaithful people in Nan Dynasty pay the price they deserved.

When one’s heart is filled with hatred, there’s no room for the concerns of the state, especially since she knew she was an outsider and didn’t have that much emotional attachment to the Yong Kingdom.

Even if Ji Yucang supported her, she was unwilling to spend too much time and energy fighting with the Yong Kingdom’s officials, spending decades scheming against others, and then using a lifetime of hard work to end her life.

Ji Yucang stared at her intently, his eyes deep: “You really don’t want to?”

“I don’t want to.”

Ji Yucang’s eyes narrowed: “Then can you promise me one thing?”

Shen Ning was puzzled: “What is it?”

Ji Yucang took her hand: “After you’ve finished everything you want to do, I want to travel the world. Will you accompany me?”