As expected, Emperor Yongzheng's expression darkened. The Empress was secretly pleased and was about to press her advantage when she heard the Emperor coldly scoff, "Is the Empress teaching me how to govern a country?"

"Your Majesty, I would never dare!" the Empress hurriedly protested, cold sweat beading on her back. "It's just the ancestral rules..."

"Did our ancestral laws ever forbid me from favoring anyone?" Yongzheng slammed down his vermilion brush, splattering ink onto the Empress's robes. "When Consort Nian was arrogant, you didn't offer any advice; when Consort Qi mistreated the palace servants, you didn't remonstrate. Now you dare to interfere in my private affairs?"

The Empress trembled, both shocked and furious. How dare the Emperor compare Lin Yun to Consort Nian? That merchant girl is unworthy!

She forced back her jealousy and raised her head: "Your Majesty, I have done all this for your sake. If I have angered you, I am willing to accept the punishment!" After saying this, she kowtowed heavily, and the pearl on her phoenix crown hit the ground with a dull thud.

Yongzheng narrowed his eyes, then suddenly smiled: "Since the Empress is so idle as to worry about these things..." He pulled out a copy of "Admonitions for Women" and threw it in front of her, "Why not copy it ten times and calm your mind?"

The Empress stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Copying books? She was the Empress!

However, meeting the Emperor's icy gaze, all her resentment transformed into fear. Trembling, she picked up the book: "Your Majesty... I obey."

Upon returning to Changchun Palace, the Empress overturned the table.

She finally dropped her pretense, tears streaming down her face: "I married him at fourteen, and for twenty years I've remained dutiful, only to be trampled on by a mere merchant!"

"Your Highness, please be careful what you say!" Granny Wang hurriedly dismissed the servants. "That Consort Yun is extremely wicked. I've heard her business is very large, and now she's even trying to win over Ninth Master."

"Shut up!" the Empress shouted, but suddenly froze.

Yes, Lin Yun's money-making skills were so good that even Ninth Master was won over. How could the Emperor not value her?

She slumped down, her face filled with sorrow.

Since open methods don't work... she slowly touched the phoenix hairpin at her temple. There must be a way. The winds in this deep palace never blow in just one direction.