Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 493 The Empress (Part 1)

For decades, everyone knew that Her Highness the Crown Princess's position was secure and unshakeable. But when the enthronement and abdication ceremony was held as scheduled, a sense of disbelief still arose in everyone's hearts. It turned out that their Great Jing was really going to have an empress.

Over the years, there have been protests, but eventually, no one could voice any objection to the Crown Princess's ascension to the throne. After all, even Emperor Jingtai himself didn't seem to mind the Crown Princess's early accession; what could his subjects say? Moreover, the Crown Princess was truly an exceptionally qualified successor. Therefore, everyone had long since accepted it, even the most rigid and conservative officials had bowed to the issue. Although they were old, they could still dedicate themselves to the court for a few more years. Seeing that the Crown Princess was a wise ruler, the prospect of following a wise ruler to build an unparalleled legacy was incredibly tempting for them! How could they possibly let it pass them by?

On the day of the enthronement ceremony, even before nightfall, the entire capital was already bustling with activity. This was a once-in-a-century abdication ceremony, and how could ordinary citizens living at the foot of the imperial city not witness this momentous occasion? They wanted to be able to boast about it to their descendants in the future. Naturally, they had to watch the ceremony closely, thanks in large part to the two emperors' willingness to allow ordinary people like themselves to throng the streets to watch. Yes, in this unprecedented abdication and enthronement ceremony, the new and old emperors would ride in imperial carriages around the city once.

Golden Armor Guard Patrol City Defense Battalion...

These armies will travel together, protecting the two emperors while showcasing the formidable military might of the Great Jing Dynasty. This unprecedented coronation ceremony will not only be attended by the people of the Great Jing, but also by numerous people from other countries. The Great Jing is now undeniably a superior nation, envied and resented by many nations, who wish for its demise. However, the Great Jing is blessed by heaven with such an outstanding empress; for at least the next 30 years, its position will be unshakeable by any other nation.

That is why the Great Jing's formidable military strength was displayed at this grand ceremony to deter those small countries with ill intentions.

The soldiers guarding the city gates had barely slept all night. With such a grand event in front of them, they were too excited to sleep. Perhaps the two emperors' imperial carriages would pass by today, giving them a chance to catch a glimpse. He thought he was early enough, but the moment he opened the city gates, he was still startled by the dense crowd outside. How could there be so many people?

The people who had arrived that night, though excited, still obeyed the rules and lined up to enter. Normally, maintaining order would be difficult in the pitch black, but thanks to the tall, straight streetlights erected on both sides of the gate, their transparent glass lamps casting a continuous glow in the darkness, enough to illuminate most of the capital. Under such bright light, even with their excitement, everyone remained obedient. To be dragged out for breaking the law on such a rare occasion would be utterly shameful.

An elderly woman, though frail, was remarkably spry, tightly gripping her teenage granddaughter's hand to prevent her from being separated from the crowd. The grandmother and granddaughter had arrived at an inopportune time; the city gates were already closed. Having endured a long and arduous journey to the capital, they were unwilling to turn back. Fortunately, a large crowd of people waited outside the gates to enter, and government officials patrolled to maintain order. So, they simply waited outside the gates overnight with their granddaughter. Now, finally inside the city, they were physically exhausted, but their spirits were high. They scanned their surroundings, feeling as if their eyes couldn't take it all in. The capital truly lived up to its reputation as the center of a great city; even in the darkness, the novel sights around them compelled them to linger.

The tall houses lining the streets, so high you had to look up to see their entirety, the colorful silks hanging above the shop doors, the Beijing residents getting up early to wash their walls and floors, and the beautiful clothes they wore… “Grandma, I want to see that! The one we heard about on the road before! The one that can hold so many people…”

This was a must-see attraction, and the grandmother and grandson had already inquired about it on their way there. Now, following the road signs, they quickly arrived at the small blue pavilion not far away. A crowd had already gathered in front of the pavilion. The old woman listened intently for a while, finally understanding what they were saying. Sure enough, after a quarter of an hour, a clear bell rang out from somewhere, and the world seemed to suddenly brighten. Looking up again, a dazzling fiery red appeared in the eastern sky; dawn was approaching. At that very moment, the grandmother and grandson heard a melodious bell ringing, and a large object appeared in the distance.

The strange-looking thing seemed to be made of steel, and it kept belching hot air from its head. What was even stranger was that it seemed to move on its own without being pulled by oxen or horses, which was really strange.

A native of Beijing standing nearby couldn't help but sigh at this moment.

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, who would believe that there's a carriage that can run without oxen or horses? This was researched by the people at Chaoyan Academy under the supervision of Her Highness the Crown Princess, and it only suddenly appeared a month ago. It's funny to think about it now; we were almost scared to death back then. How could we dare to go inside? We thought it might be like a monster, swallowing us whole if we went in. Now I know that anything Her Highness the Crown Princess approves of is guaranteed to work. You two are lucky to have arrived at the right time; it's still early, and there aren't many people squeezing onto the carriage. But you have to pay to get on. The high-ranking officials of the court said that this thing is very expensive to build, and each person has to pay 15 coins to get on. Do you two want to get on?"

"How could I not want it? This old woman has come all the way to the capital, of course I have to experience this unprecedented mode of transportation!"

In recent years, the Great Jing has become increasingly prosperous, and the lives of ordinary people have improved significantly. Even ordinary farming families like hers can save some money each year. In addition, Her Highness the Crown Princess has vigorously promoted education. Who would have thought that an old woman who couldn't read a single word a few years ago could now speak with a touch of refinement?

"A poor family travels with plenty of money," the old woman said, having brought enough with her beforehand. Besides, 15 copper coins per person wasn't too expensive. Let alone 15 copper coins, even 15 or 150 taels! You couldn't get such a wonderful ride without going to the capital!

She can't let this money go to waste; she has to examine it carefully and tell the villagers about it when she gets back!