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

"Your Majesty," the Third Prince Yun Huan stepped forward at this opportune moment, bowed and smiled, "Your sister has made such an unparalleled contribution, which is truly due to Father Emperor's teachings and the great fortune of the court."

Today, my sister returns in triumph, and all the people follow in her footsteps, just as the ancient saying goes, "Those who are virtuous will receive much help."

Your Majesty and I are also overjoyed.

However, Father is unwell, and the wind is strong outside the city. Should we invite my younger sister into the city first, and then proceed with the bestowal of titles and celebrations?

His words were eloquent, flattering both Yun Jin and the Emperor, demonstrating his thoughtfulness and filial piety, and placing himself in a position of joy "with all the officials," implying that he was different from those "problematic" officials.

The emperor glanced at Yun Huan, his gaze deep, and nodded: "What Huan'er said makes sense."

Jingguo, you have had a long and arduous journey. Enter the city first and return to your residence to rest. Tomorrow, I will personally reward you for your merits in the Linde Hall!

The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel must immediately draft the reward proposals for meritorious generals such as Marquis Weiyuan and Zhou Bo, without delay!

"Your Majesty, we obey the decree! We thank Your Majesty for your great favor!"

Yun Jin bowed again and returned to the front of her own group.

The emperor's carriage set off and entered the city first.

Following them was Yun Jin's triumphant procession, surrounded by officials and cheered by the masses, slowly passing through the open Yongding Gate and stepping into the center of power she had left for months, yet which felt like a long time ago.

The streets were already packed with enthusiastic people.

Cheers, flower petals, and confetti rained down. Countless eyes, filled with admiration, curiosity, and excitement, followed the slender yet upright figure on horseback.

Yun Jin maintained a polite smile, her gaze calmly sweeping over the streets, buildings, and the various gazes hidden behind the cheering crowd—gazes of awe, complexity, or envy.

She could sense that while the city seemed to be boiling with excitement for her, there were undercurrents beneath the surface that were colder and more dangerous than the snowfields of northern Xinjiang.

As the procession reached the street corner where Princess Jingguo's residence was located, Yun Jin signaled the procession to stop. She then addressed Zhou Bo, Ye Xiao, and the accompanying Northern Frontier soldiers, saying, "Commander Zhou, esteemed soldiers, you have had a long and arduous journey. Let us return to the post station to settle in. Tomorrow at the Linde Hall, I will share in the Emperor's grace with you all."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" the crowd responded in unison.

Yun Jin whispered a few more words to Ye Xiao before dismounting with Qing Dai's help and entering the Jingguo Princess's residence, which had been cleaned and decorated with lanterns.

In front of the mansion gate, stewards and servants knelt on the ground.

"Get up, all of you." Yun Jin waved her hand and said to the steward, "Prepare hot water; I need to bathe and change. Also, send all the recent visiting cards, gift lists, and briefings on the situation in the capital to the study."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Stepping into the familiar mansion and closing the door, shutting out the noise of the outside world, Yun Jin finally relaxed and felt a strong sense of exhaustion.

But she knew that now was not the time to rest.

Inside the study, the charcoal fire was warm, and the aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Qingdai helped her change into casual clothes and then brought her ginseng tea.

Yun Jin leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes to rest for a moment, and then began to peruse the thick stack of documents that the butler had brought.

The visiting cards piled up like mountains, from princes and prime ministers to ordinary officials, celebrities and gentry, and even many nobody she had never heard of.

The gift list was incredibly diverse and quite valuable.

She glanced at it briefly and then set it aside.

The focus was on those briefings about the situation in Beijing.

The eldest prince is confined to his residence, which is heavily guarded. His associates are being investigated by the Three Judicial Offices, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Eastern Depot. Dozens of mid- to high-ranking officials have already been dismissed, and the case has far-reaching implications.

The court was in a state of panic, and many officials began to scramble to distance themselves from the "deposed crown prince" or secretly gravitate towards the third prince.

The Third Prince's residence has been bustling with visitors lately, reportedly because he has secretly contacted some military generals and civil officials, greatly increasing his influence.

The emperor's condition seemed to be fluctuating. Although he was still holding court, he was exhausted and many government affairs had begun to be handled by the third prince.

There was considerable controversy in the court regarding the bestowal of titles upon Princess Jingguo. Some advocated for substantial rewards for her military achievements and granting her additional real power, while others even subtly suggested that "an ancient system could be followed, with the princess acting as regent."

Opponents argue that women's involvement in politics is already excessive and should not be allowed to set a precedent. They suggest that women should be rewarded with gold, silver, land, and houses, but not given real power.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the study door.

"Your Highness, Mr. Su has sent a letter, saying it's urgent," Qingdai reported from outside the door.

"Bring it in."

Qingdai pushed open the door and entered, placing an unsigned letter with intact sealing wax on the desk before silently retreating.

Yun Jin opened the letter. Inside was only a thin piece of paper. There was no salutation or signature, only a line of familiar, bold handwriting:

"At three-quarters past Hai hour, at the usual place, I have important business to discuss. I've come alone."

The "old place" refers to the secluded courtyard deep in the working-class district of the West Market where they first secretly met in Lin Yuan City.

Yun Jin looked at the line of text, her fingertips gently brushing over the three characters "coming alone".

Mr. Su wants to see her, and insists on going alone, so it must be something extremely important that cannot be overlooked.

She held the letter close to the candle flame, lit it, and watched the ashes fall.

I looked up at the sky outside the window; dusk had already fallen.

"Qingdai, prepare an inconspicuous set of clothes. I'm going out for a while. If anyone asks, just say I'm tired from my journey and have already rested. I won't see anyone," she instructed.

"Your Highness, you've just returned and you're going out alone again..." Qingdai said worriedly.

"It's alright. There are owls following us in the dark. Go and make your preparations." Yun Jin's tone left no room for argument.

……

At 3:45 PM, the night was deep and quiet.

The secluded courtyard in the West Market seemed even more dilapidated and quiet than it had been a few months ago.

The courtyard gate was ajar. Yun Jin slipped inside and closed the gate behind her.

The door to the main room in the courtyard, lit by a dim yellow light, was open. Su Che stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the deep night outside. He wore a simple blue robe and his back remained upright and aloof.

He turned around when he heard footsteps.

Months had passed, but his face remained unchanged, still calm and undisturbed, as if nothing was bothering him. Only his eyes seemed to have become more profound, like two bottomless, icy pools.

"Mr. Su." Yun Jin stopped at the door and curtsied.

"Your Highness, how have you been?" Su Che returned the greeting with a cupped hand, stepping aside to let him in. "Please come in."

The interior furnishings remained simple: a table, two chairs, and a pot of tea.

The two sat facing each other. Su Che picked up the teapot and poured Yun Jin a cup, the steam rising gently.

"Sir, what urgent matter has summoned you?" Yun Jin asked directly without touching her teacup.

Su Che looked at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment, and slowly said, "Two things. First, the eldest prince, Yun Jie, will not live past midnight tonight."

Yun Jin's pupils contracted sharply, and her fingers trembled slightly: "Father... or Third Brother?"

"Neither." Su Che shook his head, his voice as flat as if he were talking about something insignificant.

"He died of illness. Anger and grief overwhelmed his heart, causing his old illness to relapse, and the imperial physicians were helpless. His Majesty has issued an edict that, in accordance with the rites for a prince, the funeral should be simple, without national mourning, and he should not be buried in the imperial mausoleum, but rather next to the concubine's burial ground in the Western Hills."

"Died of illness..." Yun Jin murmured repeatedly, her heart filled with turmoil.