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

Before he could refute, Yun Jin continued, "Secondly, he killed an official appointed by the imperial court without authorization."

Zhou Yongchang, the prefect of Yuanling, Qian Youde of Jiangling, and six others embezzled relief grain, causing the starvation of disaster victims. The evidence was conclusive, and the people were outraged.

Your subject holds the imperial sword and has the authority to execute first and report later. If you act decisively to uphold the law and appease public anger, what wrong have you done?

Are we supposed to wait until they resell all the relief grain and all the disaster victims die before we have to send a petition to the three judicial departments to slowly bring the case to a conclusion?

"At that time, will the court investigate the corrupt officials, or this incompetent imperial envoy, or perhaps... all the officials in court who have tolerated these parasites and harmed the people?!"

Her last sentence was suddenly elevated, her gaze sharp as she swept over the officials who had seconded her. Many were intimidated by her gaze and lowered their heads.

"Thirdly, to win over the hearts and minds of the people." Yun Jin's voice turned somber.

"When I was in the south, I saw corpses everywhere, and people were even exchanging their own children to eat! What I did was open the granaries and distribute food, and provide relief through work! What I sought was for the disaster victims to survive and for their homes to be rebuilt!"

The people gave me the "umbrella of ten thousand people" because I gave them a way to survive and gave them hope!

This is not bribery; this is the will of the people!

If this is a crime, then may I ask Lord Shen, is the imperial court's relief effort intended to win over the people's hearts or to relieve their suffering?

Is it right to sit idly by and watch the people starve to death, then praise the court for its "inaction and inaction"?!

"You...you're just being unreasonable!" Shen Wei was so angry that his beard trembled.

Fourthly, the source of funds and provisions.

Yun Jin turned around again and took another, thicker account book and a stack of banknote-style receipts from Qing Dai's hands.

"In the initial relief efforts in the south, the imperial court allocated 500,000 taels of silver and 200,000 shi of grain, which have long been exhausted. The details are here. All subsequent funds and grain totaled 1,987,600 taels of silver and 854,300 shi of grain."

All of this was obtained by Pang Xiaopan, the owner of Huitong Trading Company, who, out of gratitude for the imperial court's benevolence and compassion for the people's suffering, used all his family's wealth and his business reputation as collateral to purchase and borrow grain from merchants in Jiangnan, Huguang, and Sichuan on credit!

All grain purchase contracts, payment receipts, transport vouchers, and receipts from grain merchants across the country are all here, clearly and meticulously documented!

Pang Dongjia said that he only wanted the people to live and did not seek any reward. All money and grain were recorded in the name of "donation" so that the court could audit them at any time!

Excuse me, where is the "suspicious source"? And where is the "embezzlement"?

She held the account books and receipts high, her voice resounding: "Your subject is willing to stake his life on this: if there is even the slightest falsity in these accounts, I am willing to be torn to pieces! I also beg Lord Shen, if you have any concrete evidence proving that either I or Master Pang embezzled, please produce it immediately! If you cannot produce it, you are slandering a meritorious official and framing the imperial envoy; your intentions are deserving of death!"

Inside the main hall, there was a deathly silence.

Only Yun Jin's clear voice echoed, along with the thick, seemingly heavy ledgers and receipts in her hands.

Many officials, including some who were originally neutral, were moved.

Such clear and complete accounts, such a large amount of public donations, and such meticulous preparations defused the opponent's attacks one by one, and even turned the tables on them!

This Princess Jingguo is no longer the palace woman who could be manipulated at will!

Shen Wei's face flushed red and then turned pale. He pointed at Yun Jin, his lips trembling, but he could no longer find any strong words to refute her.

He was not a core member, but merely a pawn pushed out. How could he possibly debate with Yun Jin, who was well-prepared and had solid evidence?

The eldest prince, Yun Jie, finally turned completely gloomy, his fists clenched white in his wide sleeves.

He never expected that Yun Jin would not only return safely, but also bring back such detailed "evidence" that neutralized his attacks!

What's even more troublesome is that "Huitong Trading Company" and Pang Xiaopan... He vaguely felt that the real threat was behind them!

Emperor Yun Hong had been listening in silence. At this moment, he slowly raised his hand to stop Shen Wei, who was about to speak. His gaze fell on Yun Jin, his expression complex and unreadable.

There was relief, shock, and also a deeper doubt.

His daughter's growth rate and the energy she displayed far exceeded his expectations.

"Duke Jingguo," the Emperor spoke slowly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "you just said you were attacked on your return journey? The thieves' target was the 'Umbrella of Ten Thousand People'?"

"Yes, Father." Yun Jin bowed. "The villains had been plotting for a long time. They suddenly attacked outside Yongding Gate, setting fire to the chariots and firing crossbow bolts, intending to destroy umbrellas, kill people, create chaos, and shake the people's morale."

Fortunately, due to prior arrangements and the soldiers' valiant protection, the bandits failed to succeed and were either killed or captured.

"According to the initial confessions of the captured thieves..." She paused, her gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping towards the direction of the First Prince, "They were bribed with a large sum of money, with a promise that their previous crimes would be forgiven after the deed was done. The Jingzhao Prefecture is conducting a thorough investigation into the specific mastermind."

"Oh?" The emperor's eyes sharpened. "The Prefect of the Capital? I remember, the Prefect of the Capital was recommended by the First Prince, wasn't he?"

The eldest prince, Yun Jie, felt his heart pound and quickly stepped forward: "Father, although I recommended Sun Youfang, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, I have no idea whether he is involved in the case!"

Such a horrifying thing happened right under the emperor's nose; it must be thoroughly investigated!

Your Majesty, I humbly request that this case be transferred to the Three Judicial Offices for a thorough investigation, and that no one involved be shown any leniency!

He preemptively stated his position, drew a clear line, and pushed the case to the three judicial departments to avoid being implicated by any possible oversights by the Jingzhao Prefecture.

The emperor gave the eldest prince a deep look, a gaze that sent a chill down Yun Jie's spine.

"Yes, what the Crown Prince says makes sense."

The emperor remained noncommittal and turned to look at Yun Jin.

"Duke Jingguo, you have had a hard journey south. You have done a great job in disaster relief and in bringing peace to the people. You have also encountered many dangers. I am very pleased with you."

I will thoroughly examine the accounts and evidence presented. The "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People" represents the will of the people; it should be carefully preserved and placed before the Imperial Ancestral Temple to demonstrate its power to the world.

As for the attack…” He paused, his voice turning cold, “as the Crown Prince has suggested, transfer it to the Three Judicial Offices for a thorough investigation! I want to see who is so audacious as to attack my imperial envoy and the hearts of the people right under my nose!”

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty!" Yun Jin bowed again, but his mind was perfectly clear.

The transfer of the case to the three judicial departments means that it is very likely that this matter will end up like the Liuyin Lane case, with a few scapegoats being brought to justice.

The Emperor was still unwilling, or rather, unable, to completely remove the eldest prince.

However, after this battle, the Crown Prince's prestige in the court and his position in his father's heart will inevitably suffer another severe blow.

And her position will be even more secure.

"Dismiss the court," the emperor waved his hand, looking utterly exhausted.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty—"

The officials cheered, and each with their own thoughts, they withdrew from the Linde Hall.

The eldest prince, Yun Jie, walked at the front. His steps seemed steady, but his back was as stiff as iron.

He could feel countless gazes behind him, like thorns.

He lost today's game, and he lost badly.

Not only did he fail to bring down Yun Jin, but instead, she shone brightly in the court with her immense achievements and popular support, completely refuting his attacks.

What's more troublesome is that the assassination case has been brought to the forefront. Although the three judicial departments act as a buffer, it is still a potential problem.

Yun Jin and the Third Prince Yun Huan walked out of the main hall almost side by side.

Yun Huan smiled gently and said in a low voice, "My dear sister, you have truly broadened my horizons today. I admire you."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I was merely stating the facts and it was just a fluke," Yun Jin said modestly, but inwardly he was even more wary of his third brother's "indifference to worldly affairs."

"The 'accounts' my royal sister brought back this time are truly impeccable," Yun Huan remarked casually. "That Master Pang, and the capable people around my royal sister, are truly pillars of the nation. I wonder if I, as her brother, would have the honor of getting to know them?"

Yun Jin felt a slight chill in her heart, but smiled and said, "Master Pang is a righteous merchant who has returned to his hometown after the disaster relief efforts. As for his people, they are all just doing their duty and do not deserve such praise from Your Majesty. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly introduce them to Your Majesty."

The two parted with smiles and each boarded their sedan chair to return home.

Beneath the smiles lay mutual tacit understanding and wariness.

Upon returning to Princess Jingguo's residence and dismissing everyone else, Yun Jin finally let out a long sigh of relief, feeling utterly exhausted.

In the imperial court, every word carried immense weight and every sentence was filled with murderous intent, no less daunting than actual combat.

"Your Highness, a letter from Mr. Su has arrived," Qingdai whispered, handing over a wax pill.

Yun Jin crushed the paper and took out the slip of paper inside. It contained only one line of small characters: "The first battle has been won, and the foundation is initially stable. You may contact Li Yan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. He is an old friend of the Emperor from his time as a prince and has no connection with the princes. He may be useful. Burn this after reading."

Yun Jin held the note close to the candlelight and watched it turn to ashes.

Mr. Su has already begun to lay the groundwork for her to gain real power in the imperial court.

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War... was in charge of the selection of military officers, military registers, and logistics; a crucial position.

She walked to the window and looked towards the palace.

As the sun sets, it dyes the majestic palace walls a blood-red hue.

The storm in the court has temporarily subsided, but beneath the vortex, the undercurrents are even more turbulent.

The eldest prince will never let this go, the third prince is eyeing him covetously, and the emperor's intentions are unpredictable.

And Mr. Su's chess game is unfolding step by step.

Where should the next piece be placed?

She gently pressed the cool "heart-protecting mirror" in her sleeve, a resolute light flashing in her eyes.

Wherever she lands, she is ready to enter the game.