Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 473 Is this right?
Jiu Que led her entourage on a leisurely stroll outside for a long time, witnessing the gradual prosperity of the capital city. Her inner satisfaction was indescribable. This was the result of her many years of hard work. Six years—six years that felt both long and short…

Just as she was feeling sentimental, Eunuch Jiufu came over. When he saw that His Highness the Prince was still smiling and watching the passersby, he was so anxious that he almost ran around in circles.

"Oh my Your Highness, what are you still doing here? His Majesty has asked you several times! Have you forgotten what day it is today?"

Jiu Que was reminded that today was her birthday. Her father had been talking about holding a birthday banquet for her for a long time, but she was too young to have a big celebration, so she subconsciously forgot.

Touching his nose, Jiu Que was unusually embarrassed. He realized that his father had been talking about it for a long time, and he had almost forgotten about such a small request.

There wasn't much to say, so Jiu Que simply led her entourage back to the palace. Upon arrival, she discovered that the entire route was lined with fluttering banners, filled with high-ranking officials and nobles. It seemed quite a few people had come to attend her birthday banquet.

After finally making her way through the many palace gates back to Qiuwu Palace, Jiuque saw her father, who was pacing anxiously. Feeling guilty, she walked over, but before she could even speak, her father sent her to his bedchamber to change clothes.

Jiu Que was in a hurry and didn't pay attention to what she was wearing. She was helped by the palace servants to put on layer after layer of clothes. Finally, she was released after breaking out in a light sweat. Before she could even take a look at her current appearance, Emperor Jingtai grabbed her wrist and strode towards the square in front of the Golden Hall.

All the way there, Jiu Que was still puzzled. According to the usual rules, shouldn't the birthday banquet be held in the Imperial Garden? Why was it in the square in front of the Golden Hall? But now it was autumn, and the weather was neither too cold nor too hot. There was nothing wrong with holding it here, Jiu Que originally thought. However, when she noticed that as soon as she appeared, the ministers who had been talking quietly suddenly fell silent as if they had been choked, she felt that something was wrong.

Especially when she discovered that the silence seemed to be contagious, with large swaths of officials falling silent, Jiu Que had only one thought in her mind: What is Father Emperor up to now?

It wasn't until she stepped over the gold bricks and saw her reflection in their gleaming surface that she finally understood. No wonder the officials were all so silent, as if their tongues had been cut off; it turned out her father had dressed her in a robe with a four-clawed golden dragon, and…

and many more!

Although she was already a princess, her princely attire differed slightly from what she wore today; for example, the color wasn't quite as vibrant. This outfit looked more like an imperial robe than a princely robe!
Well, you could also say it's a dragon robe that only the crown prince could wear.

The Minister of Rites saw two figures in bright yellow robes approaching from afar. He was already quite old, and he squinted as he was the first to notice that besides Emperor Jingtai, there was also a prince among the people wearing bright yellow dragon robes.

At first glance, he thought he was seeing things, but when he rubbed his eyes and opened them again, he found the two people even closer. Taking a closer look at their clothes, the Minister of Rites nearly fainted! He could vaguely sense His Majesty's thoughts, especially since His Highness the Prince's achievements had deepened over the years, making His Majesty's intentions even more explicit. But as long as His Majesty didn't speak out, they, as his subjects, could continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb. After all, what His Majesty was doing was defying all conventions; since ancient times, no woman had ever ascended the throne. Wasn't it better to continue like this? They were no longer concerned about where the Fourth Prince was being held…

As more and more people noticed the anomaly, many fell silent, and the silence spread to the point that it could no longer be ignored. After the two most distinguished people in the room took their seats, the Minister of Rites finally couldn't help but rush forward and shout.

“Your Majesty, our Great Jing has always governed the country with propriety. How could such a blunder occur at today’s palace banquet? Could it be that the palace servants were careless and took the wrong clothes? Your Highness, please change your clothes immediately!” Jiu Que did not speak, but Emperor Jingtai was already furious.

"I ordered Jiu Que to wear these clothes. What? You have a question about it?!"

“Your Majesty, only the Crown Prince can wear the four-clawed golden dragon robe. Although His Highness is of noble status, he is only a prince and not the Crown Prince. It is really inappropriate for His Highness to wear this robe.”

The Minister of Rites was incredibly stubborn. Everyone around him looked at him like he was a brave warrior. Although they had their doubts, they dared not say them out loud.

Who in the world doesn't know how much His Majesty dotes on His Highness the Prince? Especially when His Majesty appears, he's all smiles, clearly very happy. To dare to offend His Majesty at this time—the Minister of Rites is truly an upright and incorruptible man!

So even those who didn't want to see this scene couldn't help but step forward to refuse. After all, everyone was used to what was happening, and the sudden appearance of an unprecedented situation naturally filled them with fear. If they could maintain the current situation, everything would be fine.

However, the Minister of Rites and other conservatives, who had expected the entire court to support them, were surprised to find that more than half of those present hadn't pleaded with His Majesty to retract the robes. A quick glance revealed that they were all young people—or rather, not entirely; to put it more appropriately, officials selected in the last six years! In this confrontation between emperor and subject, these officials sat quietly in their seats, seemingly oblivious to everything around them, not even bothering to make a gesture!

The Minister of Rites suddenly felt dizzy. This scene before him... could it be that His Highness the Prince had planned this all along?!

Then he must ask His Majesty to rescind his decree! In just six short years, he has watched as everyone in the court and the country praises His Highness the Prince. If this continues, will this great era truly belong to His Majesty or Prince Chenrui?
However, just as he was about to deliver his impassioned speech, Emperor Jingtai made a shocking remark, tearing away the last veil of pretense.

"I have decided to appoint Jiuque as Crown Princess! The formal investiture will take place in seven days!!"

"His Majesty--"

The Minister of Rites suddenly screamed, glanced at the pillar, and wanted to make a solemn vow to die. However, just as he was about to make a move, the Minister of War next to him suddenly stretched out his foot, tripped him, and fell backward. He then rushed over in alarm.

"Are you alright? Someone, the Minister of Rites has fainted from excessive joy!"

The Minister of Rites, whose mouth was tightly covered: "?"

Is this right?