My palace is full of female protagonists.

Fang Hujie stood in the magnificent hall, his brow furrowed, a hint of barely perceptible frustration and helplessness in his expression. He spoke slowly, his voice low and powerful: "Your Majesty, I have done my utmost to investigate these assassins and the officials implicated before, but unfortunately, most of those I have been able to reach are at the bottom of their vast network. These people mostly adhere to a strict one-way communication principle, immediately cutting themselves off from the organization once exposed, which undoubtedly brings great difficulties to our investigation. Trying to follow the clues and trace the real mastermind behind it is as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack."

Seated on the dragon throne, Zhao Chengyu's gaze was deep, his fingers lightly tapping the armrests, as if deep in thought. After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice steady and authoritative: "Minister Fang, I understand your difficulties. However, the more complex the case, the more it tests a person's wisdom and patience. Continue your investigation, and compile a list of those connected to the case but whom, based on your judgment, do not require arrest for the time being, and submit it to me. Remember, behind each name may lie a clue. When these clues converge like stars in the night sky, the dark cloud obscuring the truth will eventually dissipate, and the true culprit will surface."

“Furthermore,” Zhao Chengyu changed the subject, his eyes gleaming with wisdom, “even if some people are ultimately proven innocent, the process is not entirely without benefit. Through their reactions in officialdom or the underworld, we may be able to glimpse the hostile forces attempting to manipulate the situation. After all, true enemies often inadvertently reveal their true colors, and even in order to clear their names, they will unconsciously demonstrate connections or confrontations with certain forces.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Hujie's eyes flashed with understanding and admiration. He quickly cupped his hands in a respectful bow and said firmly, "Your Majesty's intentions are clear. I will do my utmost to fulfill my mission. I will take my leave and immediately begin preparations."

On his way back to the palace, Zhao Chengyu was in the pitch-black night. The palace lanterns cast long shadows of his procession, a stark contrast to the bustling activity at the city gates. The stench of blood permeated the air, like the omnipresent hand of a demon. A sudden chill ran through him, as if he were being watched by an invisible gaze. He couldn't help but ask himself: Do I really have another invisible enemy?

He reviewed Zhao Yingqing's family and history, his thoughts swirling. His sons were still young; even the crown prince was merely a child, yet to display any political ambition. As the late emperor's adopted son, he had no bloodline struggles and did not face the brutal "Nine Princes' Succession Struggle" common in history. The two prime ministers, one in charge of administration and the other of the military, were each thriving in their respective fields, busy with national affairs, showing no signs of becoming too powerful to threaten the emperor. Although their respective influence was considerable, they checked and balanced each other, neither revealing any ambition to seize the throne.

However, beneath this calm, could there truly be hidden undercurrents? Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. It was as if an invisible hand was stirring up the foundations of the empire in the dark, and as the emperor, he was unable to reach the core of this power.

Back at the palace, Empress Zhao Qi'er was already waiting at the entrance of his bedchamber. She was gentle and dignified. When she saw Zhao Chengyu return, she stepped forward and asked with concern, "You must be tired today. Have you gone to bed? I have already arranged for several officials to handle things at the city gate, so you don't need to worry."

Looking into the Empress's gentle eyes, Zhao Chengyu felt a slight relief from the gloom in his heart. He nodded and said softly, "I know, but there are still some urgent reports waiting for me in the Imperial Study. I need to read them before I can feel at ease. Go and prepare my bedchamber for me. I'll be back soon."

Upon hearing this, a hint of worry flashed in Zhao Qi'er's eyes, but she maintained her smile, sighed softly, and said, "Then I'll go prepare first. You must come back as soon as possible; your health is the most important thing."

Having said that, she turned and entered the palace, beginning to make the bed and prepare everything for Zhao Chengyu's bedtime. Zhao Chengyu, on the other hand, went straight to the imperial study, thinking to himself: Tonight, I must find that force that is secretly watching me. No matter where it comes from, as the emperor, I cannot sit idly by.

Inside the Imperial Study, candlelight flickered as Zhao Chengyu buried himself in a mountain of memorials and urgent reports, each document bearing witness to the fate and future of the empire.

Empress Gao Lingyan's urgent report and Emperor Zhao Chengyu's report arrived at the Imperial Study almost simultaneously, creating a tense and delicate atmosphere throughout the palace. After the soldier who delivered the urgent report was politely and quickly led away to rest by Xiao Kuangzi, Zhao Chengyu took a deep breath and slowly opened Gao Lingyan's urgent report.

The urgent reports included both formal memorials and a handwritten letter from Gao Lingyan. In the letter, Gao Lingyan's writing was gentle and affectionate. She wrote: "My son, I have written a letter, wishing you peace, joy, and freedom from worry. I recently learned that Consort Zhen is also in the new county, and I am deeply concerned for her. My sister Zhen has the world in her heart, and worries about the country and its people. I wish her all things go smoothly and that she will overcome any misfortune. I also wish for the Emperor's health and the prosperity of the nation." Her words revealed her deep concern for her family and her profound worry for the country.

However, when Zhao Chengyu opened the report, the tone changed drastically. The report detailed a series of assassination attempts that Gao Lingyan had recently survived, as well as news of similar misfortunes befalling high-ranking officials in the Yunnan Kingdom's capital. Each assassination attempt was shocking, as if an invisible dark force was manipulating things behind the scenes, attempting to shake the foundations of both nations. Gao Lingyan calmly analyzed the situation in the report, concluding that these assassinations were most likely carried out by an enemy state, intended to create chaos and weaken the strength of both countries.

In addition, the report also mentioned the treaty of friendship reached between Gao Lingyan and Duan Zhenghuai, the ruler of Feng. This news undoubtedly brought some comfort to Zhao Chengyu, because in the current turbulent situation, establishing a stable and friendly relationship with Feng was of great significance for consolidating national security and promoting economic development. At the same time, the news that Duan Zhenghuai had safely returned to Feng also confirmed the successful signing of this treaty.

After reading the urgent report, Zhao Chengyu frowned, his eyes revealing deep worry and helplessness. Gao Lingyan, this powerful female protagonist with her protagonist aura, even after ascending to the throne of Empress, still faced endless dangers and challenges. Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but sigh; the peaceful days he once longed for seemed like an unattainable luxury in this vortex of power.

He slumped into the ornate chair, his gaze blankly fixed on the high beams, his thoughts drifting back to the distant past. Back then, his life was simple and ordinary; the ceiling of his home was pristine white, and although life was uneventful, he lived each day with peace and contentment. Short videos often say that we can live comfortably because we have a powerful country behind us. But now, Zhao Chengyu himself is the emperor of this country, yet he finds himself unable to even provide himself with the most basic comfort.

"I've truly disgraced the country!" Zhao Chengyu sighed to himself, his voice filled with self-reproach and helplessness. He understood that as emperor, he bore the weight of the nation's rise and fall and the people's safety on his shoulders, but faced with this complex situation, he felt an unprecedented sense of bewilderment and powerlessness.

The line "Ten thousand rivers and mountains are nothing to me" suddenly came to Zhao Chengyu's mind. He gave a bitter smile and muttered to himself, "Perhaps, I am not that 'leisurely' at all?" He knew that he could not face the world's thousands of rivers and mountains with ease as described in the poem, nor could he escape the responsibilities and duties of being an emperor.

So Zhao Chengyu rallied his spirits and began to deal with the affairs at hand. He wrote a letter to the Crown Prince, filled with love and expectations, hoping that the Crown Prince would grow up healthy and become a responsible and wise monarch in the future. At the same time, he also wrote an urgent report to Gao Lingyan, detailing the turmoil in the capital in recent days and expressing his concern and support for her.

After arranging for the soldiers to deliver the urgent report, Zhao Chengyu fell into deep thought again. He understood that as the emperor, he could not allow himself to dwell on past memories or future anxieties, but rather must bravely face reality and actively seek solutions to the problem.

Zhao Chengyu pushed open the bedroom door, hoping to see the gentle Empress Zhao Qi'er and share some of her fatigue from the day. However, to his surprise, standing in the center of the room was Princess Yi, with a solemn expression.

Princess Yi greeted Zhao Chengyu upon his return, her eyes filled with urgency. Zhao Chengyu waved wearily, his voice tinged with barely perceptible weariness and helplessness: "Princess Yi, if you're sleepy, go to sleep. I'm really exhausted today."

Princess Yi did not leave immediately. She seemed to have something to say, her eyes flashing with determination: "Brother Zhao, actually, it is the power of another country's monarch who is dealing with us, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Zhao Qi'er standing to the side, only to see her looking at him with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. Zhao Chengyu immediately understood; Zhao Qi'er had grasped his meaning, and she needed to find a suitable way to appease Princess Yi.

Then, Zhao Qi'er parted her lips slightly, her voice gentle yet firm: "Actually, it can't be said entirely that way, nor can we rule out this possibility. Since ancient times, court struggles and national conflicts have been commonplace, and it's not uncommon for the Yi princess to have such thoughts." Her words revealed a maturity and composure, attempting to offer the Yi princess some comfort while upholding national dignity.

He took a deep breath, turned to Princess Yi, and said, "Perhaps I was too naive, always thinking I could protect this country and each of you with my wisdom and strength. But now it seems the situation is far more complicated than I imagined. Yi'er, if you really want to marry Yun Feiyu, then go ahead. I'll have your sister Zhao arrange the marriage for you. You just want to protect one person, and I just want to protect the people I know. What's the difference?"

Princess Yi's eyes flashed with surprise and emotion upon hearing this. She understood that her father was giving her the utmost freedom and respect in his own way. She nodded gently, her voice slightly choked with emotion, "Thank you, Brother Zhao!"

Zhao Chengyu watched Princess Yi's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew that as emperor, he had to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the country and its people, even if it meant sacrificing some of his personal happiness and freedom.

Hearing Emperor Zhao Chengyu say this, Empress Zhao Qi'er's heart couldn't help but ripple, and a deep worry appeared in her eyes. While serving the Emperor's bath, although her movements were still meticulous, she was clearly absent-minded, as if she were carrying a heavy burden in her heart.

Zhao Chengyu sensed Zhao Qier's unusual behavior. He gently took Zhao Qier's hand and asked tenderly and affectionately, "If I were no longer myself, would you still love me?" The question seemed to carry a profound meaning, which made Zhao Qier pause in surprise.

Zhao Qi'er lowered her eyes slightly, lost in thought. After a while, she slowly spoke, her voice filled with firmness and gentleness: "Your Majesty, I have said before that I love you as you are now. No matter what your status or circumstances are, my feelings will not change."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled warmly and gently pulled Zhao Qi'er into his arms, teasingly saying, "If it weren't for that little girl, we would have had another child tonight." His words, though somewhat joking, also revealed his deep affection for Zhao Qi'er.

However, Zhao Qi'er was taken aback by these words. She quickly withdrew her hand, a blush rising to her cheeks, but more so with worry: "Your Majesty, please don't joke around. Actually, I think we could arrange a talent show."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu looked at Zhao Qi'er with some surprise: "A talent show? Why is that?"

Zhao Qi'er's expression turned unusually serious. She gazed at Zhao Chengyu and explained slowly and firmly, "Although this palace appears magnificent, it is actually airtight, like a giant prison. Those with ill intentions, whether for power or personal grudges, always try every means to break in. They may just be some simple-minded brutes, but what's more terrifying are those assassins skilled in assassination. They hide in the shadows like ghosts, and once they have the opportunity, they will approach us silently, and may even touch the real masterminds hidden behind the scenes."

Although the imperial selection process may seem like just a beauty pageant, it can actually introduce fresh blood and new energy. These women from all over the country, with diverse backgrounds, families, and talents, will undoubtedly disrupt the existing balance of the palace, bringing new vitality and unpredictability. More importantly, through the selection process, we can secretly observe and select those who might be of help. They could become our eyes and ears, helping us better understand the outside world, and even, at crucial moments, become powerful weapons against assassins.

Moreover, the talent show can, to some extent, distract those with ulterior motives. They might engage in open and covert struggles to win the favor of the contestants, thus freeing up our time and energy to deal with the real threats.

Upon hearing Zhao Qi'er's explanation, Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but chuckle. He gently patted the back of Zhao Qi'er's hand and teased, "Qi'er, you haven't been to the Imperial Study lately. You seem to know me like the back of your hand, able to guess even my little schemes."

However, Zhao Qi'er was not amused by Zhao Chengyu's teasing. She gently patted the water, splashing water everywhere, with a hint of dissatisfaction and reproach: "Your Majesty, you are making fun of me!"