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

Five days later, outside Lin Yuan City, at the Ten-Mile Pavilion.

Banners fluttered, and the ceremonial guard was imposing. Emperor Yun Hong actually led his civil and military officials out of the city to welcome him.

This is an extremely high honor, almost like welcoming a victorious general.

When Yun Jin's carriage appeared at the end of the official road, the waiting crowd cheered.

She wasn't wearing palace attire today, but rather a light blue, arrow-sleeved outfit suitable for horseback riding, with a plain-colored cloak over it. Her long hair was simply tied up, and her face showed signs of fatigue from the long journey, but her eyes were bright and her posture was upright.

Behind her were Liu Wenyuan, Zhou Kang, and other convicted officials, their faces ashen, in the prison van, as well as a convoy full of case files and boxes.

The most eye-catching feature was the ten "umbrellas for all people" held high in the procession, gleaming in the autumn sunlight.

"Your subject, Yun Jin, pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Yun Jin dismounted ten steps away from the imperial carriage, took a few quick steps, and knelt down as if pushing a mountain of gold and a jade pillar overturned, her voice slightly choked with emotion.

"Rise! Rise now!"

The emperor personally stepped forward, offering a helping hand. Looking at his daughter's thin but resolute face, a rare genuine sense of relief and excitement appeared in his eyes. "My good daughter! You have worked hard! You have rendered great service to the court and the people!"

"This is due to the Emperor's divine protection, the court's great fortune, the soldiers' bravery, and the people's support. Your son has only done his duty and dares not take credit."

Yun Jin stood up, bowed her head and answered respectfully, her posture extremely humble.

"Excellent! He doesn't take credit or become arrogant; I am very pleased!"

The emperor laughed heartily, took Yun Jin's hand, turned to face the officials and the onlookers in the distance, and said loudly.

"My lords! People of the world! This is my imperial daughter, the Third Princess Yun Jin! She has been on my behalf to inspect the Jianghuai region, eliminating corrupt officials, recovering embezzled funds, stabilizing salt prices, and comforting the people! This is a great achievement for the nation and a blessing for the people!"

"I hereby bestow upon my Third Princess, Yun Jin, the title of Princess Jingguo, with a fief of three thousand households, a certificate of merit, the honorary title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and the continued appointment as Imperial Salt Commissioner, overseeing all matters related to salt administration reform!"

Princess Jingguo! Granted an ironclad imperial edict! Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince!

A series of dazzling awards, like thunderclaps, resounded in everyone's ears.

This practically pushed the honor and power that a princess could obtain to the highest level!

In particular, the title of "Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince," an official under the Eastern Palace, was a nominal title, but it was of great significance.

"Thank you for your great favor, Father Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Yun Jin knelt down again to express her gratitude, but her mind was clear.

She knew that behind this glory was her father's attempt to win her over, and also to push her further into the limelight.

But she was no longer afraid.

Officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and congratulations echoed throughout the palace.

The eldest prince, Yun Jie, bowed his head and followed the others in bowing, his facial muscles stiff.

The Third Prince, Yun Huan, had a gentle smile and deep, unfathomable eyes.

The welcoming ceremony was grand and solemn.

The emperor personally led Yun Jin up the city gate tower to receive the worship of the people.

Those ten "umbrellas for the people" were solemnly displayed on the city gate tower, becoming the most dazzling footnote to this triumphant return.

That evening, a banquet was held in the palace to welcome Princess Jingguo back home.

The music was melodious, the singing and dancing were lively, and everyone was toasting and laughing.

However, Yun Jin knew that the real storm might have only just begun.

Today's glory was bought with the blood of Jianghuai officials and the resentment of countless people.

The court will not be peaceful from now on.

Midway through the banquet, the emperor, seemingly in high spirits, suddenly asked a question.

"Duke Jingguo, I've heard that you had two capable men by your side during this case: an accountant and a guard commander. They've been quite helpful. I wonder if they're here now? I'd like to meet them and see what kind of geniuses they are who have helped my princess achieve such great merit."

"They've arrived." Yun Jin felt a slight chill in her heart, but replied with a smile.

"Your Majesty, the accountant's surname is Jun. He is a down-on-his-luck scholar whom I met by chance in Jiangning. He is skilled in arithmetic and knowledgeable about grain transport. I saw that he was indeed talented, so I temporarily recruited him."

The guard commander's surname is Zhao. He was originally recommended by Mr. Su when I left the capital. He is a chivalrous man from the martial arts world, highly skilled in martial arts, and loyal and reliable.

The two men did indeed contribute to this case.

However, they were all from humble backgrounds and were not accustomed to court etiquette. Moreover, before I returned to the capital, I had already given them generous gifts of gold and silver as agreed, and sent them back to their respective hometowns.

At this moment, he is probably no longer in the capital.

She casually attributed the origins of Grey Falcon and Zhao Jianing to "accidental recruitment" and "righteous heroes of the Jianghu," and stated that they had "returned home," thus blocking the emperor's intention to investigate on the spot and avoiding the risk of their exposure.

"Oh? You've returned home?"

A barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed in the Emperor's eyes, but he quickly smiled and said, "As a chivalrous hero, it's only natural for him to be indifferent to fame and fortune. Duke Jing, you are good at recognizing talent and assigning tasks fairly, and your rewards and punishments are just. Very good. Come, let me toast you again!"

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Yun Jin raised her glass and drank it all in one gulp. The wine was spicy with a sweet aftertaste.

She could feel that the First Prince's cold, venomous gaze never left her beside the throne.

After the banquet, Yun Jin returned to the "Princess Jingguo's Residence," which had just been bestowed upon her and was many times more magnificent and spacious than before.

After dismissing everyone around her and sitting alone under the lamp, she slowly exhaled a long breath.

Today's reversal at the Golden Palace, seemingly a glorious moment, is actually fraught with peril.

If Mr. Su hadn't made prior arrangements, leaving behind Wu Liang as a backup plan and Zhao Jianing as a surprise force, and if those "umbrellas for the people" and "monuments of merit" hadn't arrived in time, the situation today would have been unpredictable.

She took out a small jade ring that she kept close to her body; it was one of the emergency contact tokens Su Che had given her.

My fingertips gently caressed the warm, smooth jade, as if I could draw strength from it.

"Sir," she murmured to herself, gazing at the flickering lamplight, "the situation in Jianghuai is temporarily resolved. However, the predicament on the brink of disaster is just beginning. The road ahead, I fear, will be even more difficult."

But in her eyes, there was no fear, only an increasingly determined light.

Since there is no way back, then let's move forward against the wind.

Meanwhile, in the south of the city, there was the "Hidden Lodge".

Su Che also received a detailed report of the grand scene outside the city gates today.

He put down the secret report, walked to the window, looked in the direction of Princess Jingguo's residence, and a faint smile appeared on his lips, as if he had everything under control.

"The first step is to gain a foothold in the court, win the emperor's favor and the people's support, and then you will succeed."

He summarized softly, "The second step, severing one of the Crown Prince's arms and weakening his power, has been achieved. The third step, initially gaining control of the Jianghuai salt industry and establishing an economic and personnel foundation, is underway."

"Your Highness," he said, his gaze distant, "you have done better than I imagined. Now, it is time to make contact with that deep-thinking Third Prince and find a suitable opportunity for our future 'Grand Strategist' to make his official debut."

On the chessboard, new pieces are already at your fingertips.

The player holding the chess pieces remains hidden in the shadows, quietly observing the changing tides of fortune.