Back at Yanxi Palace, Lin Yun let out a long sigh of relief as soon as she entered. Dealing with these concubines was even more exhausting than running a shop.

Chunlan quickly stepped forward to help her take off her cloak, while Xiahe brought over a cup of warm jasmine tea.

Lin Yun took the teacup, took a small sip, and felt the aroma of the tea soothe her soul, which finally made her tense nerves relax a little.

"Your Highness, did today go smoothly?" Granny Li stood to the side, her eyes filled with concern.

Lin Yun smiled slightly, put down her teacup, and said, "It's just some social niceties, so it's fine. It's just that these social niceties are really tiring."

Li Mama nodded and said in a low voice, "It is already very good that Her Highness can handle things so calmly since she has just entered the palace."

Lin Yun looked up at Li Mama and said gently, "Mama, I'm in a good mood today and I'd like to give everyone in Yanxi Palace a month's salary, including the maids in the laundry room. Go and tell them."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Li Mama's eyes, but then a relieved smile appeared on her face: "Your Majesty is kind, this old servant will go and do it right away."

Before long, news of the reward spread throughout Yanxi Palace.

The palace servants gathered outside the main hall, their faces beaming with undisguised joy.

Chunlan and Xiahe stood beside Lin Yun, looking at their mistress's gentle smile, their hearts filled with emotion.

"Your Highness is so kind!" Chunlan whispered to Xiahe. "I have served several masters before, but I have never seen anyone so generous."

Xia He nodded: "Yes, Her Majesty is not only generous, but also gentle. We've really made the right choice in following her."

Standing to the side, listening to the conversation between the two young maids, Li Mama was filled with mixed emotions.

Having spent many years in the palace, she had witnessed far too many masters ordering their servants around and frequently beating and scolding them.

The Empress is so young, yet she is so generous and considerate towards her servants. No wonder the Emperor treats her with such special favor. She kept reciting Buddhist prayers in her heart. Xia He was right; they had followed the right person.

Upon hearing the news, the young palace maids in the laundry room were so excited that they were at a loss for what to do. They hurriedly ran to the main hall to kowtow and express their gratitude.

They usually did the dirtiest and hardest work, never imagining that their mistress would remember them. The women knelt outside the hall, their voices choked with emotion: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! We will serve Your Majesty with all our hearts!"

Seeing this, Lin Yun said gently, "Get up, all of you. Just do your jobs well from now on."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" The young palace maids' voices trembled, tears welling in their eyes.

They held a lowly position in the palace and rarely even saw their masters, let alone received any rewards.

Lin Yun's actions brought them a long-lost sense of warmth.

After everyone had left, she returned to her inner room and wrote several letters.

First, he wrote a letter to Xiaotao, agreeing to meet at Yunxiang Pavilion in three days, and then carefully instructed her on some trivial matters in the shop.

Next, she wrote a letter to Ninth Master, asking if he was interested in expanding the promotion of rouge and face powder. If so, she would meet him at Yunxiang Pavilion in three days.

The last letter was written to Xie Yu. Lin Yun paused slightly, thinking of that gentle and refined man, and a complex emotion welled up in her heart.

She briefly inquired about his recent situation, mentioned Xie Wan's matter, and finally asked how his business was going, her words revealing a subtle concern.

After finishing writing, she handed the letter to Xiao Fuzi and instructed her, "Make sure these letters are delivered, and use your own people."

Xiao Fuzi respectfully accepted the letter and nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will certainly handle it properly."

Lin Yun nodded, watched Xiao Fuzi leave, and then turned back to sit down on the couch.

The people the Emperor arranged for her were probably the same as those who had been in Shangyang County: loyal and reliable.

Thinking of this, she smiled sweetly; it felt so good to be clinging to someone's coattails.

"Your Majesty, lunch is ready." Chunlan's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Lin Yun snapped out of her daze and smiled slightly: "Okay, I'll go right away."

During the meal, she made a point of having Li Mama, Chunlan, and Xiahe sit down and eat with her.

They initially declined, but under Lin Yun's insistence, they finally sat down cautiously.

During the meal, Lin Yun inquired about their family matters, and Chunlan and Xiahe were flattered and answered her questions one by one. The atmosphere gradually relaxed, and Yanxi Palace was filled with laughter for the first time.

As Li Mama ate, her eyes reddened. Having served her mistress for so many years, she had never experienced such respect; it was something she never dared to dream of. This Mistress Yun was truly more considerate than her own daughter. No wonder the Emperor liked her, and she liked her too.

After lunch, Lin Yun returned to her palace for a short rest. In the afternoon, she was busy writing letters to her family, drawing diagrams, and writing business plans until the palace lanterns were lit.

Chunlan reported that the Emperor was busy with state affairs and would not be coming tonight. Lin Yun put down her pen, rubbed her aching lower back, and a relaxed smile unconsciously appeared on her lips. Tonight, she could finally sleep alone.

Qianqing Palace

After Emperor Yongzheng finished reviewing the last memorial, he put down his vermilion brush and looked up at Su Peisheng, who stood with his hands at his sides: "Did Yun'er go to Changchun Palace to pay her respects today? Did it go smoothly?"

Su Peisheng bowed forward, a smile on his face: "Your Majesty, Consort Yun's performance today has truly broadened this servant's horizons."

He recounted everything that happened in Changchun Palace, from Consort Qi's difficult behavior to Lin Yun's clever responses, and the shock and jealousy of the other concubines. He even included the Empress's reaction behind the curtain.

The emperor's spies are everywhere in the harem, so this little thing can't be hidden from Su Peisheng, much less from the emperor.

"Consort Qi deliberately brought up Consort Yun's background, but Consort Yun remained composed and dignified, not only invoking the Emperor's favor but also subtly implying Consort Qi's wickedness. When Consort Xi tried to smooth things over, Consort Yun then brought up the matter of leaving the palace every month, her words subtly barbed yet flawless." Su Peisheng said, unable to help but admire, "In all my years in the palace, I have never seen any consort handle things so calmly."

As Yongzheng listened, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and a hint of smugness flashed in his eyes.

His Yun'er was indeed no ordinary woman; she appeared weak but was actually exceptionally intelligent.

Speaking of birth, humph! He has already elevated Yun'er to a Manchu banner, but Madam Li is still clinging to it, clearly not taking his words to heart.

"And then?" Yongzheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued to ask, his tone filled with anticipation.

"Later, when Consort Yun talked about the gardens of Jiangnan and the flowers of the Western Regions, all the concubines listened with fascination, and even the Empress glanced at her a few more times."

Su Peisheng laughed and said, "Consort Qi originally wanted to humiliate Consort Yun, but instead her limelight was stolen, and she was so angry that her face turned ashen, but she was helpless."

Yongzheng chuckled softly and put down his teacup: "My Yun'er has taught them a lesson." His tone was full of affection.

Su Peisheng, observing the situation, added, "When Consort Yun left, she specifically instructed her personal maid, saying, 'Being too sharp-tongued is not necessarily a good thing, but you can't let others bully you either.' This servant thinks that although Consort Yun is favored by the Emperor, she has always kept to her proper place, which is truly commendable."

Yongzheng's eyes flickered slightly, his heart softening. His Yun'er was not only intelligent but also knew how to behave appropriately; how could he not fall for such a woman?