I love stampede arc, seriously. it's better than small thugs bullying stories, and I like it as a side story too.
ah, it's a matter of preference anyway.
In that kind of environment, I think the MC can attack with forging some documents to corner the empress and buy enough time more.
the MC is too passive, only can do defense defense defense defense with no counter attack. if she can do the counter attack without relying the prince, it will add...