The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

The Third Prince Yun Huan was also in turmoil, but his face quickly changed to an expression of admiration and deep thought.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Father, my third sister's memorial is insightful and far-sighted. Although some clauses may be open to discussion, her deep concern for the country and her keen insight into the ills of the times truly put me to shame. This is a blessing for the nation!"

His words not only flattered Yun Jin, but also made him appear magnanimous, and further demonstrated his stance to his father.

Sure enough, Emperor Yun Hong's face revealed a genuine smile that had not been seen for many days, although the smile looked somewhat strange on his ashen face.

His gaze toward Yun Jin was filled with surprise, inquiry, and a hint of... barely perceptible appreciation for someone "useful".

"Excellent! What a magnificent 'Ten Memorials on Strengthening the People and Enriching the Nation'!" The Emperor clapped his hands, his voice growing louder. "Yun Jin, I never knew you possessed such talent! Though the memorial is somewhat urgent, it is indeed insightful and hits the nail on the head! Especially the points regarding land surveying, salt administration reform, and the work-for-relief program—these are deeply appreciated by me!"

He paused, surveyed the assembled officials with their varied expressions, lingering for a moment on the eldest prince's ashen face, and said in a deep voice, "What do you all think?"

What else could be done? The emperor had already spoken, praising it as "insightful" and "deeply in my heart," so who would dare to contradict him to his face?

Moreover, these ten memorials do indeed point out problems, and even if it's just for the sake of opposing, one should at least find a decent reason.

Immediately, officials skilled at reading the emperor's mind, or those truly driven to desperation by impoverished finances, stepped forward to echo: "Your Highness is truly brilliant! This memorial is indeed a panacea!" "Your Majesty is wise! Your Highness is devoted to the nation and is a model for the royal family!"

Of course, there were also dissenting voices, though they were more tactful: "Your Highness's thoughts are far-reaching, but the land survey involves a wide range of people and may incite a popular uprising..."

"The salt and iron monopoly is an ancestral system; a sudden change could lead to chaos..." "Encouraging industry and commerce might cause people to prioritize profit over fundamentals..."

The imperial court was immediately divided into several factions, arguing endlessly. Some genuinely agreed, some were trying to guess the emperor's intentions, some vehemently opposed it because their interests were at stake, and others simply watched coldly from the sidelines.

Yun Jin knelt below, listening to the surrounding noise, her palms slightly sweaty, but her mind was clear.

All of this was within Mr. Su's expectations. He had said that this memorial did not need to be implemented immediately; just by being released, it would be enough to throw a boulder into the stagnant court, stirring up a thousand waves. More importantly, it would bring her into the emperor's sights, giving her a certain degree of initiative and political capital.

The emperor listened to the argument with initial interest, but gradually grew impatient. He waved his hand, stopping the quarrel.

"Alright! This matter concerns the foundation of the nation and cannot be decided in a short time. Yun Jin's suggestion is meritorious and deserves a reward!"

The Emperor's gaze fell upon Yun Jin. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "I bestow upon the Third Princess Yun Jin ten bushels of pearls and one hundred bolts of brocade. She is permitted to enter and leave the Hanlin Academy to read classic texts. Furthermore, the 'Ten Memorials on Strengthening the People and Enriching the Country' shall be submitted to the Grand Secretariat in consultation with the Ministries of Revenue, Works, and War. Within half a month, a report shall be produced outlining which provisions can be implemented immediately and which require further consideration."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Yun Jin and the other officials bowed.

The eldest prince, Yun Jie, lowered his head, his eyes flashing with cold light.

The reward was secondary; the permission to enter and leave the Hanlin Academy? This was tantamount to giving Yun Jin the opportunity to connect with the civil service and cultivate her own power!

Furthermore, the memorial was sent out for deliberation. Regardless of the outcome, Yun Jin's title as the "strategist" was confirmed!

After the court session ended, Yun Jin slowly walked out of the Linde Hall under the complex gazes of the crowd. The sunlight was somewhat dazzling, but she felt an unprecedented, grounded strength.

Successful.

At least, the first step was successful.

She was no longer the princess who could be manipulated at will and ignored by all. For the first time, her name and her insights truly entered the vision of the highest power hall of this empire.

"Congratulations, Third Princess! You've made a stunning debut today." A gentle voice sounded from the side. The Third Prince, Yun Huan, had walked over at some point, a perfectly timed smile on his face. "Your Highness is truly remarkable; I admire your talent."

"Third brother, you flatter me. I, Yun Jin, merely copied others' ideas and scribbled something carelessly, which was just lucky enough to catch Father's eye." Yun Jin quickly curtsied in return, adopting a very humble posture.

"Picking up scraps of wisdom?" Yun Huan smiled, his gaze deep. "To be able to pick up such scraps is quite an opportunity for you, my sister. I wonder if you've met any... interesting scholars recently?"

He was testing the waters. Yun Jin's heart skipped a beat, but his face showed bewilderment: "A scholar? Yun Jin has long lived in the deep palace, rarely seeing officials except for the imperial physicians and a few senior scholars from the Hanlin Academy giving lectures. Why does Your Majesty say this?"

Yun Huan stared at her for a moment, seemingly trying to find a flaw in her expression, but Yun Jin's eyes were clear and her expression innocent. Finally, he smiled and said, "Just a casual question. My dear sister, you must be tired today. Please return to the palace to rest early. If you have free time in the future, you are welcome to visit my residence more often."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Yun Jin replied respectfully.

Watching Yun Huan's departing figure, Yun Jin breathed a soft sigh of relief, but her heartstrings remained taut.

The third prince was more patient and more difficult to deal with than the eldest prince.

From this day forward, I am officially embroiled in this vortex of the struggle for the throne.

She raised her head, gazing at the vast sky beyond the palace walls. "Mr. Su, I have successfully presented your strategy. How shall we now deal with the storms to come?"

Meanwhile, in the "haunted" warehouse in the south of the city, Su Che had just finished listening to Grey Falcon's report on the court's movements.

"Her Highness handled the situation well, and the initial objective has been achieved," Grey Falcon concluded. "However, the First Prince and the Third Prince are unlikely to let this go easily. Especially the First Prince, who has suffered repeated setbacks at the Princess's hands, he's probably about to lose his temper."

Su Che stood by the window, gazing in the direction of the palace, his eyes distant.

"The more excited they are, the more flaws they'll reveal." He said calmly. "Notify Night Owl to strengthen covert protection of the princess's residence. Also, have our people in the palace quietly spread the word that... the Third Princess was able to offer such a brilliant plan because she received guidance from a certain 'reclusive master' who wishes to remain anonymous. That master seems to know a great deal about the dealings between the Northern Barbarians and the First Prince."

Grey Falcon's eyes lit up: "Sir, are you trying to lure them out of their hole and make them create chaos on their own?"

"When the water is murky, it's easier to fish," Su Che said calmly. "Yun Jin is now a pawn that has suddenly become prominent. Everyone is watching her, trying to pull her to their side, or... destroy her. What we need to do is make the water even murky, so that those who are watching her will start biting each other first."

He turned around and looked at a secret report he had just received on the table, concerning the unusual movements of the "Mountain Eagle" bandits around Blackwater Town. A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Furthermore, it's time for us to try touching our own 'fish'. Tell Zhao Jianing that we can start making contact with 'Mountain Eagle'. As for the method... we'll use the 'gift' we've prepared."

On the chessboard, the winds of change are ever-shifting.

The brilliance of a single chess piece often attracts the attention and engagement of more players.

The true mastermind has already quietly laid out more hidden pieces, waiting for the right moment to strike.