Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 496 Xu Minghui

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the lives of the people of the world have been getting better and better.

It was early morning when the gate of a quiet courtyard in the east of the city creaked open, and two hurried figures walked out.

"Hurry up! We're going to be late! Come on, stop dawdling! You're such a grown-up, why are you still so slow?"

The larger figure kept urging them on, while the smaller figure helplessly wiggled its short legs, trying to defend itself.

"But Mother, you were the one who overslept. I woke up much earlier..."

"Ugh! What kind of time is this to talk like that? If we're late, we'll both be punished! And how dare you, a student, speak to your teacher like that?"

"...I've never seen a division commander who's late for work even though he gets up early..."

"What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything! Let's hurry, Mother, we're really going to be late."

"Fine……"

The two hurriedly left, and an elderly woman jumped out from the small courtyard behind them, holding two pancakes in her hand. However, the two troublesome children had already disappeared. She could only sigh helplessly.

"These two kids are so energetic. Shuran is already an academic official... Oh well, at least she's made some progress compared to before."

The old woman speaking was Xu Minghui.

Years have passed, and she has become an old woman with many wrinkles on her face and a much thinner figure, but at this moment, what radiates from her face is the tranquility of a peaceful life.

Yes, so many years have passed, and those deep-seated sufferings seem to have gradually faded away with time.

Now, peace reigns throughout the land, and my sister's child has become emperor. His Majesty is benevolent and wise, skilled in both literature and military affairs. He has not only expanded the territory of the Great Jing Dynasty more than three times its original size but has also greatly improved the lives of the people, who are now visibly enjoying a better life. Shuran has also given birth to a daughter. Due to various reasons, she peacefully separated from her husband, and now, three generations of her family live in this small courtyard, leading a leisurely and carefree life.

She placed the two steaming hot egg pancakes back in the kitchen. After tidying herself up, Xu Minghui finally picked up a neatly packed bamboo basket and headed out of the city. She spent three copper coins to take a public carriage to Ciren Temple, where she slowly alighted and walked towards the temple.

Today wasn't a day off, so Ciren Temple wasn't as crowded as usual, but it was still bustling with activity. After all, this was a temple personally founded by the current emperor. The donations from everyone, aside from covering the monks' essential living expenses and temple maintenance, were all given to those in need. Every expenditure was written in elegant calligraphy and displayed boldly on the large advertising board erected in front of Ciren Temple. Therefore, everyone's impression of Ciren Temple was getting better and better.

As was customary, Xu Minghui gave the incense money, offered a sincere prayer, and then quietly walked towards the back mountain. The reason she had come to Ciren Temple every month for so many years was because there was a temple on the back mountain specifically for the Great General.

When you arrive at the temple, even though it is located on the back mountain and requires a long walk, the place is still bustling with people and offerings piled up.

Xu Minghui placed the fresh fruit and pastries from the bamboo basket, along with the Buddhist scriptures she had copied by hand, in front of the huge stele, a gentle smile on her face.

“Sister, I’ve come to see you again. These past years, the people have lived in peace and prosperity, their lives are getting better and better. If you could know this in the afterlife, you would surely be overjoyed for Her Majesty. She was truly a very good person, a very, very good emperor. The neighbors can’t help but smile when they talk about Her Majesty; I know it’s because everyone genuinely respects and loves her. You have given birth to a wonderful daughter, sister…”

After pouring out all the words she had accumulated over the past two weeks, Xu Minghui got up from the ground, glanced at the stone tablet engraved with General Ying's life achievements with a slightly melancholy look, and prepared to go back. But in the instant she turned around, she seemed to see a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.

No, to be precise, I saw a familiar pattern.

That looks like a morning glory.

In recent years, the Asagao Academy had become increasingly popular, with branches spreading throughout the country, and a trend of using asagao flowers for decoration had emerged among the people. Although Xu Minghui was old, her eyes were still sharp. Although many people used asagao flower patterns, as the patterns spread, they gradually changed, and people mostly drew them according to their own preferences.

The figure that had just flashed by had a very inconspicuous morning glory embroidered on the hem of its robe. It would normally be hard to spot, but because the person was walking so fast, the hem of the robe fluttered, allowing Xu Minghui, who had just turned around, to see it clearly. The style was the most authentic morning glory that Xu Minghui had seen many years ago.

Intrigued, Xu Minghui followed the person. Perhaps because there were so many people coming and going, and she was just an inconspicuous old woman among them, the person hurrying ahead didn't notice the figure closely watching her from behind. As a result, Xu Minghui easily followed the person to a relatively secluded bamboo grove on the back mountain.

Although the figure being followed tried his best to suppress it, a trace of excitement still uncontrollably leaked from his eyes as he knelt heavily before the person waiting in the bamboo forest.

"Master!" It was a person dressed in a light blue robe, with an extremely tall figure, and several people who seemed to be attendants beside him. It was unclear what they were saying, but the kneeling person suddenly shouted a few words with some emotion, but by the time they reached Xu Minghui's ears, only a few words could be heard.

“…The morning glory…is the culmination of your life’s work! 35 years…and it’s really going to be destroyed…”

Xu Minghui's heart skipped a beat. She suddenly remembered the vice-principal she had met at Chaoyan Academy many years ago. Back then, the vice-principal had said with a half-smile that he was only temporarily in charge of Chaoyan Academy, but no one believed him. But now, she had overheard this secret...

Who exactly is this person called the master? Will the Asagao Academy be harmful to the Great Jing? More importantly, will it cause any harm to His Majesty?

Thinking of this, Xu Minghui couldn't help but lean forward. However, just like the scenes depicted many times in a sketchbook, her foot accidentally stepped on a dry branch, instantly attracting the attention of the people in the bamboo forest.

Just then, the person referred to as the master looked up and smiled slightly in their direction. Xu Minghui's eyes widened in surprise at the familiar features.

"!"

"Don't be nervous, he's one of my elders."

The person in the bamboo forest patted the guard beside him who had suddenly become alert, and then simply walked over to greet Xu Minghui.

"Aunt Minghui, are you here to visit Mother today too?"

Those familiar eyes and brows, that air of authority cultivated over the years in a high position, that person who, despite the vast difference in status, was still willing to call her "Auntie"—she was so familiar.

Xu Minghui was somewhat disoriented. In that instant, many things she hadn't understood before suddenly became clear. She had never been a particularly bright person, but at this moment, she felt as if she were possessed by a god, and many audacious thoughts flashed through her mind, thoughts so daring that they frightened even herself. These thoughts were so terrifying that, even in broad daylight, standing before Ying Jie's cenotaph, she felt goosebumps all over. Images of every time she had seen Ying Jie over the years flashed rapidly through her mind. These images appeared too quickly and too many times, and the jumbled thoughts in her mind made her head feel like it was about to explode. Then, as if possessed, Xu Minghui asked the familiar yet unfamiliar figure in front of her a question.

"Your Majesty, were you born with this knowledge?"

The tall, dignified man opposite him paused for a moment, then revealed a gentle smile.

“Aunt Minghui, you’re joking. How could anyone be born with innate knowledge? Don’t listen to those monks’ nonsense. They’ll say anything to earn more money for donations. Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence that Shuran and Mingshan didn’t come with us today. Oh, right, look at my memory, I’m getting old. It’s not a day off, so they must have gone to school…”

Under the other person's gentle gaze, Xu Minghui shivered, snapping out of her strange daze and chuckling to herself that she had overthought things. Yes, she had practically watched the current emperor grow up. And the idea of ​​being born with knowledge was always just a fabrication in storybooks; she had truly been bewitched.

"Your Majesty, please don't be offended. I've been feeling dizzy and somewhat out of it these past few days. I actually believed what the book said about being born with knowledge was true. Who can blame us for living such a good life now? Your Majesty is young and promising; it is truly a blessing for the Great Jing Dynasty!"

Emperor Jingming smiled gently and casually pulled the little girl standing behind him over.

“Aunt Minghui hasn’t met Mingshi yet, has she? Perfect timing, Mingshi, say hello to this great-aunt.”

The petite girl, dressed simply yet exuding an undeniable air of confidence, greeted Xu Minghui very politely. After a few more words, Xu Minghui excused herself, saying she needed to go home to cook, and took her leave.

Looking at her figure from afar, Jingming's gaze was gentle and distant, as if it contained a long period of time that was unattainable for most people.

The little girl next to her tugged at her sleeve curiously, attracting Emperor Jingming's attention.

"Mother, are you very familiar with that great-aunt? She said she was born with knowledge, is that the kind of person with innate wisdom mentioned in Buddhist scriptures? Are you one of them, Mother?"

"Little one, you're so young, but you know so much. I don't have innate wisdom, nor was I born with knowledge. Your great-aunt is old, she's probably a bit senile. Alright, let's go back to the palace. Your royal grandfather is still waiting for the chestnut cakes you brought him. He's been talking about them for so long, if he doesn't get some hot ones, he'll probably throw a tantrum..."

Emperor Jingming, also known as Jiuque, smiled slightly, took the girl's hand, and walked forward with firm steps, never hesitating for a moment, just like in many moments before.

—End of main text.

This book is coming to an end here. (Actually, the previous chapter should have marked the end of the main text, but the stupid author completely forgot... and now it's too late to change it.)

There will also be a side story, which will contain foreshadowing elements that were planted from the very beginning of this book's conception. I just don't know if everyone will be able to accept it!

However, the author has already reminded everyone several times in the middle, so you guys will definitely be able to accept it, right? Right? *sobs*