Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 494 The Empress (Part Two)

With such excitement, the old woman and her granddaughter nervously stepped onto the steel behemoth. The two marveled at this incredible machine that could run at great speed across flat ground. Passengers nearby, overhearing their discussion, couldn't help but turn and chime in.

"In the past, who would have dared to imagine life like this? No one could have imagined that we could ride in such amazing vehicles today. In the past, we only knew that owning a carriage was a sign of great wealth. Now, all we need is a few copper coins to ride in a carriage! And it's fast and stable, isn't it wonderful... By the way, old man, are you also here to see Her Highness the Crown Princess's coronation ceremony?"

"Exactly, exactly. Such a momentous event as Her Highness the Crown Princess's ascension to the throne and the Emperor Emeritus's abdication is something this old woman must personally witness, so that I can boast about it to my grandchildren later. Moreover, His Majesty and Her Highness the Crown Princess are both exceptionally good people. Without them, how could this old woman live such a good life today? Our grain jars are overflowing, we have flocks of chickens and ducks, and we can eat meat every few days. This is a life I never dared to dream of before. I think that even if I can't speak to the two emperors, just seeing them from afar would be enough for me."

"Who can argue with that? That's exactly what we came here with. Besides, both His Majesties are magnanimous and upright, and they are not afraid of petty villains from other countries. We can take a proper look at the two His Majesties, and when we return, we can record it in our family genealogy to tell our descendants. We are people who have seen the two His Majesties with our own eyes!"

"Hahaha……"

A burst of loud laughter erupted in the carriage. Everyone had come with the same purpose, so naturally they had a lot to talk about. As they chatted casually, the old woman's initial slight tension eased considerably. She figured everyone in the capital was a good person, and she no longer needed to worry about being bullied by the locals.

Meanwhile, inside the palace, Jiuque gazed at the dragon robe on the clothes rack—a robe adorned with gold, jade, and jewels that shimmered even indoors—and couldn't help but sigh deeply. Her father wasn't usually fond of gold and silver jewelry; why had he embellished her dragon robe with so many gems and jewels?
Moreover, this dragon robe is fully embroidered, and the material itself is quite heavy. With so much gold and silver jewelry, it probably weighs twenty or thirty pounds. If she weren't naturally strong, she would have been exhausted to wear such a dragon robe for a whole day of the abdication and enthronement ceremony.

"Your Majesty, please allow us to help you change your clothes."

Jiu Que did not refuse, letting the palace maids beside her help her put on the dragon robe. Such an elaborate garment would have been difficult for her to put on by herself without the help of others.

After donning the dragon robe, she still wore the crown she wore when she was the crown princess. Only on the day of her enthronement ceremony would she be given the emperor's crown.

Even so, once dressed, Jiu Que stood in the room, her entire being like a majestic god descending to earth, her imposing presence forcing people to lower their eyes and dare not look closely. Just then, Chunyu Shuang walked in and immediately saw the imposing Jiu Que, the current Crown Princess, who would become the new emperor in an hour.

In an instant, Chunyu Shuang's eyes lit up. Her childhood dream had finally been realized through Jiu Que, her ideal extended. Wonderful, truly wonderful! From this day forward, the first female emperor in history had appeared, and how fortunate she was to witness this moment that would surely be recorded in history!
From now on, the foot that was stepping on the woman's neck can finally be put down.

"how?"

Jiu Que stretched out his arms to show off his glittering golden dragon robe, a slight smile on his face. Chunyu Shuang quickly stepped forward and gently smoothed out the wrinkles in Jiu Que's robe, revealing a big smile.

"No one can look directly at your imperial might; I only wish to follow you for eternity."

Jiu Que was amused by these words.

"When did you become so glib?"

"I have always been good at flattery, and it is only you who do not care."

Jiu Que smiled, glanced at the master of ceremonies who followed her in, nodded, and strode towards the door. Just as she stepped out of the hall, Jiu Que saw a sliver of golden light gradually rising from the east; the sun was about to rise.

The grand ceremony was held on the altar of the Golden Phoenix Palace. By the time Jiuque arrived in his dragon carriage, the entire court had been silent for an unknown period of time.

Descending from the imperial carriage, Jiuque proceeded steadily under the watchful eyes of the officials lining the path. As she moved forward, the officials knelt down one by one, bowing respectfully.

"Your Highness, may you live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years—"

Amidst the cheers, Jiu Que stepped onto the stairs and walked step by step toward the altar, knowing that her father was waiting for her there.

There are 99 steps in total. Every nine steps, a high-ranking official of the third rank or above stands on either side, respectfully bowing to the Nine Palaces.

After stepping onto the last step, Emperor Jingtai, with a smile brighter than the sun, was waiting there, smiling at the Nine Palaces.

"Nine Palaces, come."

Jiu Que stepped forward and grasped the hand that had been extended to him earlier. The two emperors, one old and one new, slowly walked to the huge bronze cauldron. After the official in charge of ceremonies read the ornately written article aloud, Emperor Jingtai held three incense sticks and slowly inserted them into the bronze cauldron.

"May Heaven grant our Great Jing Dynasty a thousand years, ten thousand generations, and eternal prosperity. Now we have a successor, Jiu Que, whose natural beauty is as if bestowed by Heaven. May Heaven bless Jiu Que, granting her good health and eternal happiness..."

Hearing these words, Jiu Que couldn't help but be moved. She knew how much her father valued the Great Jing Dynasty, which made his subsequent prayers for her all the more precious.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Emperor Jingtai finally finished rambling on about his wishes to the heavens. He solemnly accepted the twelve-tassel crown held high by the ceremonial official beside him. His arm trembled slightly, and he was about to raise his hand, but Jiuque had already half-squatted down.

Emperor Jingtai looked at Jiu Que in surprise, and Jiu Que smiled in return. His father was getting old, and his health wasn't as robust as before. He had previously heard Jiu Que mention his aches and pains in his back, legs, and arms. Squatting down would ease his suffering.

Emperor Jingtai's eyes and brows were filled with an irrepressible smile. This child, how could he not love him so dearly?
The twelve-tassel crown was swiftly placed on the new emperor's head. Emperor Jingtai took Jiu Que's hand and helped her up. The two stepped forward together and stood on the edge of the high altar, gazing at the picturesque scenery in the distance, the capital city that looked like a fairyland under the sunlight. Looking down at the kneeling officials below, Emperor Jingtai raised his hand and then took a slight step back, allowing Jiu Que to stand at the very front.

A deafening roar suddenly erupted from below.

"Long live the Emperor Emeritus! Long live the Emperor Emeritus! Long live the Emperor Emeritus!"

"Long live your Majesty, long live, long live your Majesty!"