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

He won't live past midnight tonight... How did Mr. Su know this with such certainty? Was it his doing? Or did he calculate that someone would make the move, and that person... would choose this moment?

"Who did it?" she asked.

Su Che did not answer directly, but instead said, "Your Highness, at this moment, who do you think most wants the First Prince to shut up immediately and forever? Moreover, who has the ability to accomplish this under the noses of the Eastern Depot, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Third Prince, and still get His Majesty to tacitly accept the 'death from illness' explanation?"

Yun Jin's mind raced.

The Crown Prince's faction was destroyed, and he himself was the biggest witness and the culprit.

His existence is a threat to many people.

Those who wish for his death include the remaining followers of his faction who were implicated and eager to silence him.

There are three princes, and... Father Emperor!

He has the ability to do it... The Third Prince has the motive and some ability, but taking action now would be extremely risky and could easily backfire.

Father Emperor... If Father Emperor gives the order or tacit approval, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard can naturally do it flawlessly.

It's Father Emperor!

Yun Jin was almost certain.

Only the emperor could, at this time and in this way, end this scandal in the most "dignified" manner, and completely extinguish any possibility of the eldest prince's faction making a comeback.

Mr. Su must have discerned the Emperor's intentions, and perhaps even... fueled the flames, ensuring that this event would occur tonight.

"Yes... Your Majesty," Yun Jin said hoarsely.

Su Che nodded slightly, which was taken as acquiescence.

"Therefore, tomorrow at Linde Hall, Your Highness will no longer face any open resistance from the 'Deposed Crown Prince' faction. All the credit and all the rewards will come naturally."

Yun Jin remained silent.

My eldest brother... just like that, he died.

Her brother, who had once been high and mighty, looked down on her like an ant, and tried to kill her several times, died quietly from illness.

There was no public trial, no lingering suffering after his disgrace was shattered; it ended just like that.

The royal family is ruthless; the emperor's mind and schemes have reached such a point.

"And the second thing?" she asked, suppressing the complex emotions in her heart.

Su Che looked at her, his gaze becoming exceptionally deep: "The second matter concerns His Highness's reward tomorrow, and... his future path."

He paused, then slowly said, "Your Majesty's health is nearing its end. Your current ability to hold court is merely a last gasp. According to reliable sources, the Imperial Medical Academy has given up, and Your Majesty... I fear you will not survive this winter."

Another bombshell!

Yun Jin suddenly looked up and stared intently at Su Che.

Father... won't make it through this winter?!

"Therefore, tomorrow's rewards are not just a recognition of merits, but also... a way to entrust the young emperor with his care and to lay the groundwork for future plans."

Su Che's voice was deep and clear, "His Majesty will do his utmost to elevate Your Highness's status, grant Your Highness real power, and may even... leave a will ordering Your Highness to jointly govern with the Third Prince, or to use Your Highness to check and balance the Third Prince."

"Your Majesty is not entirely at ease with the Third Prince. In particular, the Third Prince's skill and the influence he has cultivated during the recent purge of the First Prince's faction have made Your Majesty wary."

Your Highness now has military merits, popular support, and the support of the military, including the Marquis of Weiyuan, making you the best candidate to check and balance the Third Prince.

His Majesty is making arrangements for his succession, ensuring that Your Highness and the Third Prince check and balance each other, guaranteeing a smooth transition of power and preventing the imperial authority from falling into other hands.

Yun Jin felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

Father Emperor... has he fallen so seriously ill? And his final plan was to put himself in the spotlight and challenge his third brother?

"What about my third brother..." Yun Jin's voice was a little dry.

"The Third Prince is determined to succeed."

Su Che said with certainty, "He will not be willing to rule with Your Highness, much less tolerate Your Highness's obstruction."

After tomorrow, there will be no room for maneuver between Your Highness and the Third Prince.

Either His Highness will be suppressed, sidelined, or even eliminated by him; or His Highness... needs to plan ahead and possess the power to protect himself, and even... to counterattack, before he completely controls the court.

"A countermeasure?" Yun Jin smiled bitterly. "Although I currently hold a nominal title, my foundation in the court is still weak. How can I possibly contend with my third brother, who has cultivated his power for many years and has numerous followers?"

"Therefore, tomorrow's rewards are crucial."

Su Che's gaze was intense. "Your Highness must strive for real power, especially military power, financial power, and... the power to establish your own government and appoint your own officials!"

If His Majesty truly intends to use His Highness to counterbalance the Third Prince, he might not refuse these requests. At least, he might partially agree to them.

"To establish a government office and appoint officials?" Yun Jin's heart stirred.

This means it has an independent administrative and military team, almost like a small imperial court!

This power is too great; throughout history, it could not be lightly granted to anyone other than a prince or crown prince, let alone a princess.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

Su Che said in a deep voice, "If Your Majesty truly wishes to entrust this matter to you, this is the greatest sincerity and guarantee."

Your Highness can take this opportunity to place our people in key positions.

Meritorious generals and soldiers from the northern frontier, such as Zhou Bo and Zhao Jianing, could be transferred to the capital to control a portion of the Beijing Garrison or the Imperial Guard.

Pang Xiaopan's business network can be transformed into a source of revenue and intelligence for the Princess's residence.

The "Listening" could also gradually be transformed into an official agency under the Princess's residence.

Only in this way can we have the leverage to deal with the Third Prince.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the palace: "Your Highness, from tomorrow onwards, you will no longer be the Princess of Jingguo who needs to hide your talents and act in secret."

You will truly stand at the pinnacle of the court and become one of the chess players.

This path is far more perilous than guarding the Iron Wall Pass, for your enemies are beside you, in the imperial court, and even more so, in the allure of the supreme ruler.

Yun Jin also stood up and walked to his side, gazing at the same night sky. The direction of the palace was brightly lit, yet it exuded an endless sense of desolation and coldness.

"Sir," she asked softly, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night, "if that day truly comes, my third brother and I... will inevitably clash. Sir, will you stand by my side?"

Su Che turned his head, looking at her resolute and beautiful profile outlined by the lamplight, a faint, almost imperceptible ripple flashing in his eyes. He slowly said:

"From the day Her Highness accepted that jade pendant and agreed to cooperate with me, I have been in the same boat, sharing life and death with Her Highness."

Your Highness's path is my path.

Your Highness's enemy is my enemy.

No matter what lies ahead, whether it be a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, or an abyss, I, Su, will walk alongside Your Highness.

This is not a love confession, but it is more profound and resolute than any love confession.

With a sense of certainty, Yun Jin's initial bewilderment and chill, stemming from the barrage of news, quietly dissipated. She turned to Su Che, revealing a genuine smile of relief and unwavering resolve.

"With your words, sir, Yun Jin has nothing to fear."

"Tomorrow at Linde Hall, let us see just how fierce the storm in this court can be. And the future of Jiang Qiong," she gazed at the deep, boundless night sky, her tone resolute, "is up to us to write."

Looking at the flame burning in her eyes, a flame that had not been extinguished even by the snowstorms of the northern frontier, Su Che finally managed a faint but genuine smile.

By the middle of the game, the player with the pieces had already taken their place.

A storm is indeed coming.

But this time, they will stand side by side, facing the wind.