After returning to Jinling, Lady Wang was unable to find peace of mind.

Yuan Chun is already twenty-six years old. If she doesn't gain the Emperor's favor soon, she'll likely end up alone. If she leaves the palace, she'll have even less of a future.

After much deliberation, she decided to call Xue Baochai to discuss the matter.

On this day, Baochai came at the invitation.

She was dressed in a simple and elegant dress, with a gentle smile on her face and a calm demeanor in her eyes.

Madam Wang held her hand and sighed, "Bao'er, you have always been intelligent. I called you here today to discuss Yuan Chun's matter with you."

Baochai smiled slightly: "Aunt, please speak freely."

Lady Wang lowered her voice and said, "Yuan Chun has been in the palace for many years, yet she has still not won the Emperor's favor. Now, although the Empress is Han Chinese, she is already the Empress Dowager. If Yuan Chun doesn't find a way, I'm afraid..."

A thoughtful look flashed in Baochai's eyes, and she said softly, "What does Aunt mean?"

Lady Wang gritted her teeth: "Yuan Chun is not young anymore. If things continue like this, it won't work. I think it would be better to let her find an opportunity to get close to the Emperor. Perhaps there will still be a glimmer of hope."

Baochai pondered for a moment, then slowly said, “Aunt is absolutely right. Since Sister Yuanchun is already in the palace, rather than wasting her time, she should take a gamble. However, we must be careful in this matter, otherwise, if we offend the Emperor or the Empress, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Hope ignited in Madam Wang's eyes: "Bao'er, do you have any good ideas?"

Baochai smiled slightly: "The rules in the palace are very strict, and it is almost impossible to get close to the Emperor directly. But if you can gain the Empress's trust, there may still be a chance."

"Sister Yuan-chun is now serving by the Empress's side. If she behaves appropriately and showcases her talents at the right time, she might just attract the Emperor's attention."

Madam Wang nodded repeatedly: "That's right! I'll write to Yuan Chun right away and tell her to seize the opportunity."

Baochai said softly, "Aunt, this matter needs to be considered carefully. Sister Yuanchun needs to win the favor of the Empress first, and then proceed slowly."

Lady Wang held Baochai's hand, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Bao'er, it's all thanks to your guidance."

---

A few days later, Yuan Chun received a secret letter from Lady Wang in the palace.

She sat alone in her room, her fingertips trembling slightly. The contents of the letter made her heart race, filled with both anticipation and trepidation.

"Get close to the Emperor..." Yuan Chun murmured softly, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes.

How could she not want that?

But the Emperor only has eyes for the Empress, so how could she possibly catch his eye?

She recalled the day of the investiture ceremony, when the Emperor and Empress stood side by side, their eyes meeting with tenderness.

She had never seen that look in the Emperor's eyes when he looked at other concubines.

"But if I don't take action, am I really destined to grow old alone in this deep palace?" Yuan Chun gripped the letter tightly, her heart filled with conflict.

Although she served by the Empress's side, she remained an inconspicuous female official.

If she were to leave the palace and marry, given the Jia family's current status, what kind of good family could they find for her?

After much deliberation, Yuan Chun finally made up her mind. She picked up her pen and wrote back to Lady Wang, telling her that she would act cautiously and look for an opportunity.

---

The following day, Yuan Chun was on duty at Kun Ning Palace.

She deliberately arrived outside the palace early and waited quietly.

When Lin Yun walked out of the bedchamber surrounded by palace maids, Yuan Chun immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Lin Yun glanced at her and said gently, "Get up. You're here early today."

Yuan Chun lowered her head and replied, "This servant was afraid of being late, so I came early on purpose."

Lin Yun nodded: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

In the days that followed, Yuan Chun became even more diligent.

She not only performed her duties meticulously, but also took the initiative to share the Empress's burdens.

Once, while reviewing the account books, Lin Yun discovered a flaw. Yuan Chun immediately pointed out the problem and offered a solution.

Lin Yun was somewhat surprised: "You know arithmetic?"

Yuan Chun replied respectfully, "I learned some things when I was at home."

Lin Yun smiled slightly: "It's rare that you have this thought in mind."

Yuan Chun was overjoyed, knowing that she had finally caught the Empress's attention.

---

However, the opportunity to get close to the Emperor was slow in coming. Yongzheng was busy with state affairs every day, and even when he came to Kunning Palace, he always discussed the affairs of the princes and princesses with the Empress, leaving Yuan Chun no chance to interject.

One day, while Yuan Chun was tidying up her desk, she inadvertently came across a book called "Introduction to Chemistry".

She turned the pages and found dense annotations, clearly written in the Empress's own handwriting.

A thought struck her, and she quietly jotted down some details.

That night, Yuan Chun returned to her room and studied the knowledge in that book all night long.

Although she didn't understand the deeper meaning, she still managed to memorize several key passages.

---

A few days later, Emperor Yongzheng, having a rare moment of leisure, came to Kunning Palace to enjoy tea with Lin Yun.

When Yuan Chun served tea, she deliberately "accidentally" knocked over the teacup.

She hurriedly knelt down: "This servant deserves to die!"

Yongzheng frowned, but before he could speak, Lin Yun said gently, "It's alright, just tidy it up."

Yuan Chun lowered her head to pick up the broken pieces and took the opportunity to say, "This servant recently read Your Majesty's 'Introduction to Chemistry' and was quite surprised by the section 'Water is made of hydrogen and oxygen.' I wonder if Your Majesty could enlighten this servant?"

Lin Yun was slightly taken aback, and her gaze towards Yuan Chun became more inquisitive: "You're actually interested in this book?"

Emperor Yongzheng was also intrigued: "Oh? You're looking at this?"

Yuan Chun's heart pounded like a drum, but she pretended to be calm: "This servant is foolish, but I just feel that Your Majesty's knowledge is unfathomable and I admire you."

Yongzheng smiled and said to Lin Yun, "It seems that Yun'er has gained another admirer."

Lin Yun smiled faintly: "It's rare to find someone interested in these things."

Yuan Chun knew that she had finally taken the first step.

However, she did not notice the thoughtful look that flashed in Lin Yun's eyes.

The next day, Lin Yun sat alone in front of the mirror and said to Daiyu beside her, "Yu'er, what do you think of Yuan Chun?"

After a moment's thought, Daiyu replied, "Sister Yuanchun has been diligent lately, but her sudden interest in Western learning is rather strange."

Lin Yun sighed softly, "The people in the palace are complicated. I hope she doesn't make a mistake."

Daiyu whispered, "Your Majesty is worried about her..."

Lin Yun shook her head: "Let's wait and see."