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

"Congratulations, Your Highness the Princess Who Protects the Nation! Long live Your Highness! Long live the Princess! Long live the Princess!"

A group of military generals, led by Marquis Zhao Qingcang of Weiyuan, along with a few civil officials who had interacted with Yun Jin or understood the political climate, were the first to bow and offer their congratulations.

Immediately, congratulations erupted like a tidal wave; whether sincere or not, no one dared to be negligent at this moment.

The Third Prince, Yun Huan, also stepped forward, his smile as gentle as ever. He cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness, on receiving this honor. It is well-deserved. In the future, I will need Your Highness's guidance and assistance."

"Your Majesty is too modest. Yun Jin is young and inexperienced. In the future, I will need Your Majesty and the other officials to give me more guidance in the affairs of the court."

Yun Jin returned the greeting, her tone humble yet carrying a hint of aloofness.

She knew that from this moment on, the veil of feigned warmth between her and her third brother had been completely torn away.

Standing here are Princess Yun Jin, the eldest daughter of the Zhenguo Emperor, and the third prince Yun Huan, two people who are about to jointly "assist in governing" but are destined to be adversaries.

The ceremony of bestowing titles and honors concluded in an eerie yet enthusiastic atmosphere.

The emperor seemed to have exhausted his last bit of strength and was supported by eunuchs, almost being carried away from the Linde Hall.

With their minds in turmoil, the officials left the court, and many immediately rushed to the residences of the Third Prince or the Princess Zhenguo to gather information and express their stance.

Yun Jin did not return to the mansion immediately, but was secretly led by the emperor's chief eunuch to the warm pavilion behind the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The air inside the warm pavilion was thick with the smell of medicine.

The emperor had removed his crown and was slumped on the soft couch, his face ashen, his breath weak, only his eyes were still open, looking at Yun Jin who had entered.

"All... all step back," the emperor hissed.

The attending physicians, eunuchs, and palace maids, as if granted a pardon, quickly withdrew and carefully closed the palace doors.

Only the father and daughter remained in the warm room.

"Father..." Yun Jin walked to the bedside, knelt on the footstool, and looked at the emperor's withered face. There was not much joy of victory in her heart, but only a heavy sense of sorrow and pressure.

This man was her father, and once an emperor who treated her as nothing. Now, however, he had placed the empire he could not control and the power that could burn her to ashes into her hands.

"Jin'er..." The Emperor extended his withered hand, which Yun Jin quickly grasped, feeling its icy coldness. "I... I'm sorry to your mother... and I'm sorry to you..."

Tears welled up in the emperor's eyes. "These past years... I've made you suffer so much..."

Yun Jin's nose tingled, but she forced back her tears: "Father, please don't say that. Your subject is not wronged."

"I know... you're aware of what's going on with the eldest son."

The emperor gasped for breath, his eyes suddenly turning sharp and pained.

"I...I have failed as emperor! I have failed to educate my sons properly, causing brothers to fight and disaster to erupt within the family! Now...my days are numbered, and this empire, this burden...I can only entrust it to you, and Huan'er..."

He gripped Yun Jin's hand tightly, his nails almost digging into her flesh.

"But Jin'er! Remember this! I'm giving you power not so you can fight Huan'er to the death! It's so you can... check him! Keep an eye on him! I can see that Huan'er... is too ambitious and too cunning. If I leave, without anyone to restrain him, he will surely commit treason! This Yun family's empire... cannot be destroyed in his hands!"

A violent cough interrupted him again; he coughed so hard it was almost unbearable, and a trickle of black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Yun Jin hurriedly patted his back, but her heart was ice-cold.

Sure enough.

The Emperor pushed her to the forefront not for any purpose of "assisting in government," but to use her as a pawn to check the Third Prince, a sword hanging over Yun Huan's head.

"I...I will leave a will ordering you and Huan'er to work together to assist...the Fourth Prince. But I know that this is nothing but...a piece of paper."

The emperor gave a bitter laugh, "Jin'er, I've given you everything I could. Establishing your own government, commanding the Imperial Guard, managing the Revenue Department... these are the foundations for your survival."

But if you want to truly stand firm, if you want to... survive after I'm gone, and even preserve this empire... you need more.

"I've already spoken to Marquis Weiyuan; he will support you. But the civil officials... the army... the funds and provisions... the hearts and minds... all of that you must fight for and seize yourself!"

He stared at Yun Jin, his gaze burning brightly as if in a final burst of light.

"Don't be afraid! You are stronger than me! Stronger than the eldest brother! Even... stronger than Huan'er, more courageous and more responsible! If this empire is destined to fall, I would rather... it be destroyed in the hands of a daughter with Yun family blood who truly fights for this land, than it become a plaything of ambitious people, or... a pasture for foreign tribes!"

"Father!" Yun Jin's heart trembled violently.

She never imagined that her father would have such an opinion of her, such... desperate expectations.

"Remember... be careful of Huan'er... be careful of those parasites in the court... be careful of... the Northern Barbarians, and... those around you..." The emperor's voice grew softer and softer, and his eyes began to glaze over.

"Your advisor... Su... Su Zhe... this man is highly capable, but his heart... is unfathomable... he can be used, but... he cannot be completely trusted... you cannot... relinquish power to him..."

Before he could finish speaking, his hand loosened, his head lolled to the side, and he fainted.

"Father! Father!" Yun Jin cried out urgently, "Imperial physician! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

The palace doors were smashed open, and the imperial physicians scrambled in to provide first aid.

After a long while, the emperor finally woke up, but he was already barely breathing and couldn't even speak. He just stared at Yun Jin with his cloudy eyes, as if he wanted to engrave his final words into her eyes.

Yun Jin knelt before the emperor for a long time until the emperor fell into a deep sleep before slowly getting up.

As she walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the bleak afternoon sun shone on her face, but she felt no warmth whatsoever.

My father's words still echo in my ears.

To keep the third prince in check, to safeguard this empire, and to be wary of everyone, including... Mr. Su.

She gripped the cold, seven-treasure short sword hidden in her sleeve, a symbol of the power to establish her own government, and touched the heavy golden seal in her bosom.

The road has been paved before us. There is no turning back.

Ahead lies a bottomless abyss, yet also the highest peak.

She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and strode towards the residence of the Princess Zhenguo, which now belonged to her and was also the most dangerous battlefield in the entire empire.

Meanwhile, in the Third Prince's residence, in a secret room.

The gentle smile on Yun Huan's face had vanished without a trace, replaced by an icy chill.

Standing before him were Mr. Jia, the First Prince's advisor, who had long since realized the opportune moment and pledged allegiance, as well as several trusted officials and generals.

"Establish a government office, become the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, and an inspector in the Ministry of Revenue... Excellent, truly excellent!"

Yun Huan spat out the words through gritted teeth, then smashed the teacup in his hand to pieces. "The old man is determined to use that brat to keep me in check!"

"Your Highness, please calm down."

Mr. Jia said in a sinister tone, "Your Majesty is grasping at straws in desperation."

Although the princess had a nominal military achievement, she had a weak foundation in the court, and being a woman was a natural disadvantage.

So what if one establishes a government office and builds a dental clinic?

Where could she find so many reliable subordinates in such a hurry?

As the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, with the Grand Commander above her and the generals of various battalions below her, how much control could she actually have?

The Department of Revenue is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue, and the Minister and Vice Minister are all seasoned veterans. Why would they listen to a woman's orders?

With just a little maneuvering, the prince could make her control everything, rendering her a figurehead in name only.

"Indeed!" a military officer echoed. "Several key positions in the Northern Imperial Guards are held by our men. With a single order from the Prince, that princess won't be able to mobilize a single soldier!"

"We can also mobilize the censors and officials to impeach her based on the two charges of 'interference in politics by women' and 'exceeding the regulations for establishing her own government,' and they can keep impeaching her every day until she's driven crazy!" one official suggested.

Yun Huan's expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained sinister.

"We must not let our guard down. This girl is no ordinary person; she survived in the northern frontier and even defeated Luandi Maodun. Su Zhe, who is by her side, is even more mysterious and unpredictable. The old man's final arrangement is probably related to this person."

He pondered for a moment, then gave the order.

"Mr. Jia, continue to use your existing connections to keep a close eye on the Princess's residence, especially on Su Zhe's every move."

They devised a plan to spread rumors in the court, claiming that the princess was in the northern frontier and had a close relationship with Marquis Weiyuan, and that she was suspected of holding military power and making connections with border generals.

Furthermore, send a message to the Northern Barbarians: although Luandi Modu was defeated, his descendants are still alive, and perhaps... they might be interested in the "Princess Zhenguo," who caused their father's serious injury and defeat.

"Yes!" The crowd accepted the order.

"As for the court," Yun Huan's eyes flashed with a fierce light, "we must win over all those forces we can, especially those members of the imperial family and veteran officials who are dissatisfied with the princess. Promise them high-ranking positions and generous salaries. At the same time, intensify our infiltration of the Six Ministries and the provinces. The old man... won't last much longer. Before he closes his eyes, we must seize absolute superiority!"

He walked to the window, looked in the direction of the Princess Zhenguo's residence, and a cold, confident smile appeared on his lips.

"My dear imperial sister, the path of regency is not easy. Let me see how long you can struggle in this den of dragons and tigers."

……