After Yuan Chun left the palace, she was escorted all the way to the Jia family in Jinling by people arranged by the Empress. They watched her enter the Jia family's gate before returning to report.

At this time, Wang Xifeng had already set off for the capital, and the two missed each other and did not meet.

Inside Rongxi Hall, everyone in the Jia family rushed to visit Yuan Chun upon hearing of her return.

Grandmother Jia sat in the main seat, while the three sisters and Baoyu stood to the side, their eyes full of anticipation.

When Yuan Chun appeared at the door, the room fell silent instantly.

"Sister Yuanchun!" Tanchun was the first to react, quickly stepping forward to take her hand, her voice choked with emotion.

Yingchun and Xichun also gathered around, their eyes filled with tears.

Baoyu stood at the back, his lips trembling slightly, and after a long while he whispered, "Elder sister..."

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before her, Yuan Chun felt a pang of sadness, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She pulled her younger siblings into her arms and whispered, "I'm back..."

Grandmother Jia stood up, leaning on her cane, and walked over shakily.

Yuan Chun quickly released her younger brother and sister-in-law, knelt down and bowed: "Your granddaughter is unfilial and has made the old lady worry."

Grandmother Jia helped her up, tears streaming down her face, saying, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

Everyone embraced and wept bitterly, the room filled with sobs.

Yuan Chun looked around but did not see Lady Wang. She was puzzled but dared not ask any questions.

Madam Xing and Madam You stood aside, pretending to wipe their eyes, said a few polite words, and then left under the pretext of having something to do.

Once everyone had calmed down a bit, Grandmother Jia took Yuan Chun's hand and sat her down, inquiring in detail about life in the palace.

Yuan Chun forced a smile and said, "My granddaughter is doing well in the palace. Her Majesty the Empress is kind and generous and has not mistreated her."

She paused, then finally couldn't help but ask, "Mother... is she unwell? Why haven't I seen her?"

The room fell silent instantly.

Baoyu lowered his head, his fingers twisting the hem of his clothes; Tanchun hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

Grandmother Jia sighed and patted Yuan Chun's hand: "Your mother is chanting sutras and praying for the ancestors in the ancestral hall. You will see her again in a few days. You have traveled a long way, so rest well first. We can talk about other things later."

Yuan Chun's heart sank, vaguely sensing that things were not simple, but seeing that Grandmother Jia looked tired, she could only nod in agreement.

Grandmother Jia then instructed Yuanyang, "Take Miss back to her room to rest. If she needs anything, just get it from the storeroom." Yuanyang obeyed and helped Yuanchun leave.

After Yuan-chun left, Grandmother Jia closed her eyes wearily and waved to everyone, saying, "You may all leave now."

Baoyu opened his mouth as if to say something, but Tanchun gently pulled him back and shook his head.

---

The side hall of Yanxi Palace in the Forbidden City.

Wang Xifeng finally met Daiyu.

As soon as she entered, she took Daiyu's hand, looked her up and down, and said with great enthusiasm, "Sister Lin, it's been so long! You've become even more beautiful!"

Daiyu smiled slightly and subtly withdrew her hand: "Sister Feng, you've come from afar, you must be tired."

She led Wang Xifeng to a seat and personally poured tea, asking, "Sister, have you thought about how to say this before coming to the capital?"

Wang Xifeng took the teacup, her smile earnest: "Sister, you are now a county princess and have gained favor with the Empress. I... am truly desperate and have no other choice but to shamelessly come to ask for your help." As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and tears fell.

Daiyu was startled and quickly handed over a handkerchief: "Sister, what's wrong? Tell me slowly."

Wang Xifeng wiped her eyes, her voice choked with emotion: "Sister, you don't know, the Jia family is only prosperous on the surface; in reality, they are already struggling to make ends meet. The harvests from the farms are getting worse year by year, and the shops are also losing money badly. If this continues, I'm afraid..."

She stole a glance at Daiyu's expression and saw that her brows were slightly furrowed. She was secretly pleased and continued, "Sister, you have come here to ask Her Majesty the Empress to save the Jia family for my sake."

Daiyu was shocked and nearly dropped her teacup.

Although she knew that the Jia family was not as prosperous as before, she did not expect it to have reached this point.

She composed herself and said softly, "Sister Feng, this matter is of great importance. Why don't I take you to see Her Majesty first, and you can speak to her yourself?"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Wang Xifeng's eyes, and she nodded repeatedly: "It's all up to you, sister!"

---

Inside Kunning Palace, Lin Yun sat upright on a soft couch, holding a book in her hands. Seeing Daiyu leading Wang Xifeng in, she smiled slightly and said, "You've arrived?"

Wang Xifeng immediately knelt down and performed a grand salute: "This humble woman, Wang, kowtows to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

Lin Yun raised her hand: "Rise." She gestured for Wang Xifeng to sit down, her tone gentle, "I heard from Yu'er that you have something to ask of me?"

Wang Xifeng took a deep breath, her eyes instantly filling with tears: "Your Majesty, please understand, I have come here because I have no other choice..." She embellished the story of the Jia family's plight, and finally knelt down and kowtowed, "I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of Lin Daiyu, please save the Jia family!"

Daiyu stood to the side, her heart aching as she listened.

Although she had mixed feelings about the Jia family, she had lived there after all, and now that she heard that her maternal grandmother's family was in trouble, she couldn't help but worry.

Lin Yun listened quietly, then looked intently at Wang Xifeng: "Did you come here to ask for help for the Jia family, or for yourself?"

Wang Xifeng froze, looked up and met Lin Yun's sharp gaze, her heart pounding like a drum.

How did the Empress know my secret thoughts? Indeed, no one in the royal family should be underestimated.

She knew that this question was related to her future; if she answered even one word wrong, she might never be able to turn her life around.

She gritted her teeth and hardened her heart: "Your Majesty, this humble woman... is doing this for herself!"

Lin Yun raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes: "Oh? What do you mean?"

Wang Xifeng's forehead was beaded with sweat, but her voice was unusually firm: "Although I am a daughter-in-law of the Jia family, over the years, the entire Jia family has relied on me alone. Now, Master Zhen and the First Master are squandering money recklessly, and the Second Master doesn't care about household affairs. I am truly powerless to change the situation. If Your Majesty is willing to give me a way out, I am willing to serve Your Majesty like a dog or a horse!"

Daiyu was stunned, never expecting Wang Xifeng to say such a thing.

The Jia family has fallen into such a wretched state.

She looked at Lin Yun and saw that her godmother had a smile on her lips, seemingly quite satisfied with Wang Xifeng's answer.

Lin Yun chuckled lightly: "If you say it's for the Jia family, then I really can't do anything about it. The likes of Jia Zhen and Jia She are hopeless; I don't have the time or energy for them."

She paused, her tone turning cold, "But since you've come for yourself, there's still a chance."

Wang Xifeng was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed, saying, "This humble woman is willing to obey Your Majesty's orders!"

Lin Yun said calmly, "Get up. I have a business that needs a capable person to manage it. If you are willing, you can give it a try."

Wang Xifeng trembled with excitement and repeatedly replied, "This humble woman is willing! Whatever Your Majesty commands, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Lin Yun nodded and said to Daiyu, "Yu'er, take her to the side hall of Yanxi Palace to rest first. I will discuss this with you in detail tomorrow." Daiyu accepted the order and withdrew with Wang Xifeng.

Stepping out of the palace gate, Wang Xifeng let out a long sigh of relief, her eyes filled with ambition and anticipation.

She secretly clenched her fist, thinking to herself, "Wang Xifeng, Wang Xifeng, you made the right bet this time!"

Daiyu watched her excited back, sighed softly, and silently followed.

---

Inside Kunning Palace, Lin Yun stood alone by the window, gazing at the distant palace walls, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Wang Xifeng's ambition and talent were exactly what she needed.

As for the fate of the Jia family, that was beyond her control.