My palace is full of female protagonists.

The night was as dark as ink. Yun Feiyu mistakenly believed the small snake was merely Princess Yi's pet for self-defense, never imagining it also bore the important responsibility of relaying messages. As night fell, he nestled beside Princess Yi. If they were in the Forbidden City, he might have been able to find a secluded hall to rest in, but in this foreign inn, even the servants were from wealthy families, making them difficult to fully trust. Therefore, Yun Feiyu believed that only by sharing a bed with the princess could he ensure her protection in the first place.

Princess Yi didn't care at all. After all, they were husband and wife in name only, and even if they hadn't consummated their marriage, there was no need to be overly formal. She slept peacefully, without the slightest tension or discomfort. Yun Feiyu, on the other hand, tossed and turned like a frightened kitten, unable to fall asleep.

Just then, he vaguely heard Princess Yi's thoughts: "I really want to relieve myself, but calling the servants in seems like a hassle. Yun Feiyu is right next to me, how can I take care of this in the room? I should just put on my cloak and go out, but it seems I left the cloak in the carriage, damn it." At first, Yun Feiyu thought the princess was talking to him and was about to turn around to respond, but he saw that the princess still had her eyes closed and was fast asleep.

Then, he heard the princess's thoughts: "Yun Feiyu should be asleep, right? But if I wake him up and he sees me, how embarrassing would that be? I should call a servant to take me to the toilet." Yun Feiyu noticed that the princess's lips hadn't moved, and suddenly realized that he could hear her thoughts! He quickly closed his eyes, afraid that the princess would realize he wasn't asleep yet.

Princess Yi rubbed her sleepy eyes and, seeing that Yun Feiyu was still fast asleep, tiptoed out of bed. This time, Yun Feiyu truly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. After all, he had been driving all day, and even though he was nervous, he couldn't resist the onslaught of fatigue.

The next day, before the first light of dawn appeared, Yun Feiyu was awakened by the sounds of servants preparing hot water outside. He turned to look at Princess Yi and found that as she turned over, the blankets covering him were almost completely gone. At that moment, the princess's inner thoughts echoed again: "Why is it so stuffy? I wore too many clothes to sleep. Sigh, it's so much more comfortable to be alone. Why did I have to get married? It's so troublesome! It's much more pleasant to sleep in the same bed with Brother Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Yun Feiyu's heart stirred. He recalled Princess Yi's past as a concubine. Although the Emperor and Empress both claimed that the title of concubine was only for her protection, he could never be certain whether the princess and the Emperor had consummated their marriage. Now, hearing the princess say this, he felt as if he had found the answer, and suddenly felt his neck and ears burning.

Princess Yi opened her eyes and saw that Yun Feiyu's face was flushed, so she asked, "Are you feeling hot too? Why is your face so red?" Yun Feiyu replied somewhat awkwardly, "A little. I'll go ask them to prepare some water for washing your face. You can lie down for a while longer." After saying that, he hurriedly got up, not daring to look at the princess again, and left the room.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince spent the entire day in the Imperial Study reviewing memorials. Aside from worrying about Princess Yi, Zhao Chengyu could finally temporarily shed his burdens and return to being the leisurely, hands-off ruler he always was. Little Box joked, "In the Imperial Study, the Emperor is the most relaxed."

Zhao Chengyu asked the Crown Prince, "Did your Queen Mother send you to Yunnan?" The Crown Prince nodded and replied, "Yes, but my Queen Mother wants me to stay with my father and study for a while longer before going. There are many assassins in Yunnan now, and she is worried about my safety, so she doesn't want me to go there too soon and risk my life." Zhao Chengyu nodded upon hearing this, and said with his hands behind his back, "Your Queen Mother is very thoughtful. However, you should also maintain a good relationship with the Second Prince and not make things difficult for Empress Zhao."

The Crown Prince replied, "I understand. In fact, regarding the Kingdom of Yunnan, I would like to have the Imperial Preceptor further urge the Second Prince to learn the ways of governing a country. In the future, with the two brothers working together, we can ensure that no other country can divide us. This is the best strategy."

Zhao Chengyu thought to himself: Although he hadn't read many female-oriented novels, most of the ones he knew ended perfectly. The scenes depicting the children's ascension to the throne were always harmonious. Surely these children would be able to live peacefully together when they grew up?

Just as he was pondering this, Xiao Kuangzi called from outside the door, "Consort Zhen requests an audience!" Zhao Chengyu's heart tightened. Last night, when the Empress went to see Consort Zhen, she was told that Consort Zhen was too tired and had already gone to bed after bathing. So he did not disturb her, but now Consort Zhen had come to his door on her own initiative.

After bowing, Consort Zhen sat down and said, "I slept all night, but my whole body is still in pain. This carriage is uncomfortable, and riding a horse has made my back ache. I'm afraid I'll need to rest for a month or two to recover." Zhao Chengyu said, "There are no other epidemics at the moment, and even if there were, there's no need for you to go in person. The medical team you assembled is still waiting for rewards in the capital. If needed, just send them there directly."

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen leaned to one side, her posture becoming more casual: "This epidemic did not come suddenly, and it's difficult to describe in detail in the letter. But at least I managed to protect the Crown Prince from being affected, which is my best effort. The current situation is that many people have died in the area, and some villages have been completely ravaged." She then continued to recount the tragic situation in the epidemic zone…

The Crown Prince quickly comforted her gently: "In fact, before we arrived, the village had already been sealed off by local officials. The villagers had unfortunately perished in the mountains, and only a few villages still had a glimmer of life. Consort Zhen, please do not grieve too much and add to your sorrow."

Zhao Chengyu pondered for a moment, then spoke with a comforting tone: "It's fortunate that the deaths of thousands haven't reached the point of being a thousand, and Your Highness need not blame yourself. The physicians you personally trained are truly invaluable. If they yearn for home and desire the reward of returning, I will not prevent them; if they wish to stay in the capital to seek employment, I can ask Her Majesty the Empress to establish a special medical clinic, partly for public benefit and partly for profit, dedicated to treating commoners, and supported by the royal family. If another epidemic breaks out in the future, they will be the first line of defense, thus relieving you of such hardship. Furthermore, they can also pass on their skills to disciples and apprentices, continuing the legacy of medicine. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen parted her lips slightly and said, "In that case, I still have some jewelry in my private collection. I am willing to sell one or two pieces to do my bit for the clinic and express my gratitude."

Zhao Chengyu chuckled and waved his hand: "No need for that. The money I provide is your gift. If anyone asks, just say it was your generosity. I heard that you were using your own money to buy medicine while you were away. This is truly touching. In the future, you can go to the national treasury and choose a few of your favorite items to bring back to the palace as a reward from me."

Consort Zhen nodded and smiled, then lazily leaned back on the couch. She then turned and instructed, "I have ordered the kitchen to prepare medicinal food. Everyone must consume it during the meal to dispel the slight ominous aura brought back from Yuyao County, so as not to affect you all. Remember, not a drop should be left, and it must be taken for three consecutive days!" After speaking, she swayed her skirt and left gracefully.

Zhao Chengyu watched her retreating figure and muttered to himself, "This Consort Zhen is truly a remarkable woman."

The Crown Prince suddenly asked a question, his eyes sparkling with curiosity: "Father, how do you manage to navigate among so many concubines with such ease?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's expression stiffened slightly, and he sighed inwardly: I myself struggle to maintain a balance among these female leads, so how can I offer any advice based on experience? I went to great lengths to put Gao Lingyan on the throne of Empress, to allow Princess Yi to return to her homeland, and to let the Taoist Consort find peace in her cultivation. Now, the future of Zhao Qi'er, Consort Zhen, and Consort Leng remains a heavy burden on my mind.

He turned slightly, his back to the crown prince, and said in a deliberately profound tone, "Women are not difficult to get along with as long as their wishes are met. You will understand after your wedding."

The Crown Prince shook his head slightly, his brows furrowed with confusion: "I only wish to have one principal wife by my side. You have arranged so many concubines for me. I really don't know how to get along with them."

Zhao Chengyu chuckled inwardly: In this world, it's not easy to even marry one wife, so how could a mere mortal like me know how to deal with so many beautiful women?

But he maintained his composure and kindness: "What man in this world doesn't dream of having two wives? Even if you only have one concubine, you can't live with only your mother and the princess. You have maids to accompany you in your household, and you'll have confidantes when you go out. Look at your mother, who can rule the country; look at Empress Zhao, who is good at business; Consort Zhen, who is skilled in medicine; and Consort Fang, who has achieved great success in Taoism. There are so many talented women in this world! There will always be someone who attracts you. In this era, women rarely stand independently in the world; most need to depend on men. As the crown prince, the future emperor, giving them a title will not only provide them with a foundation for their lives, but also open up a path for them to survive, and more importantly, it will help the country recruit talented people."

The crown prince lowered his voice and asked with a hint of curiosity, "Father, do you mean that your relationship with those concubines is actually just a matter of maintaining the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, and that there is only affection between you beyond the formal titles?"

Zhao Chengyu secretly reminisced about the tender times he had spent with the concubines. In Zhao Yingqing's fragmented memories, those affectionate scenes remained vivid. He coughed lightly to conceal his subtle emotions and slowly said, "After all, they are concubines of the harem. How can they be used merely as decorations? Your birth and the arrival of my princes are the best proof, aren't they? A true man should not be bound by trivial matters! Besides, those feelings did not arise from my unilateral coercion; they were all mutual affection and a natural progression."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince nodded thoughtfully: "Even so, I still do not wish to emulate those纨绔子弟 (spoiled young men) in the capital who flirt everywhere and cause trouble."

Zhao Chengyu smiled slightly, his words carrying a deeper meaning: "Of course. If you truly like her, then bring her back to the palace. Even if you can't make her a concubine, keeping her by your side as a strategist would be excellent. As the Crown Prince, you should naturally be different from ordinary people."

The Crown Prince nodded again, his voice even lower: "Your subject understands."

Zhao Chengyu pondered to himself, although he had transmigrated, he was now the ruler of a nation and could not act like an ordinary person. Those concubines, after all, were willingly by his side; why should he be so bothered by them?

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Xiao Kuangzi announce loudly from outside: "Prime Minister Gao requests an audience!"

Zhao Chengyu's mind sharpened, and he instantly pulled himself out of his memories and thoughts, temporarily setting aside the matter of Prime Minister Gao's request for an audience.

Outside the city, on a vast open space, the tent where General Meng secretly imprisoned Li Qing stood alone, known to very few. The tent was heavily guarded and under close surveillance, like a cage isolated from the world. Li Qing huddled on the cold ground, too weak even to stand, escape a distant dream.

General Meng returned from training, his clothes soaked with sweat, and beads of perspiration still glistening in his hair. He stepped into the tent, and the guards quickly pulled the curtain shut, not allowing a single peek through.

"Being a general must be so carefree," General Meng sneered. "You can train your troops as you please, and you can also indulge in nightly revelry and the gentle embrace of beauties. Lord Li, what do you think? How about I call a few beauties over to entertain you? Looking at your dejected appearance, I've lost all interest in interrogating you."

With all his might, Li Qing managed to lift his shoulder and rest his head on the wooden frame beside him, his voice barely audible: "Fine, let me be a carefree ghost before I die."

General Meng burst into laughter: "Haha! What, you're no longer following your so-called 'chosen one'?"

Li Qing forced a smile: "Heh, the 'Chosen One' possesses the supernatural power of reincarnation; he is a person who has been reborn twice in this world. If I follow him, I will also have the chance to be reborn. At that time, you mortals will all be groveling at my feet!"

General Meng's laughter grew even more unrestrained: "How utterly ridiculous! Lord Li, have you perhaps become foolish from reading too much, that you would so readily believe in those charlatans who claim to possess memories of past lives? Though I am not a learned man, I am not so ignorant as to be foolish. Have all your Confucian knowledge vanished with the flowing water?"

Li Qing suddenly roared, "It's true! It's true! I've seen the 'Chosen One' with my own eyes! He can see into the future ten thousand generations from now, know the past ten thousand years ago, and even foresee the impending calamities! You're just a frog in a well, with limited knowledge!"

General Meng sighed softly, a helpless yet tolerant smile playing on his lips: "So be it! Perhaps this is the inescapable compassion in my character. As Confucius often said, 'The ocean embraces all rivers, and its vastness lies in its capacity to contain.' How could I forget this teaching? Very well, let me do my part as a host and immediately prepare a banquet to bring some joy to Lord Li."

Despite his clandestine actions, Meng She secretly gathered a few trusted men and redeemed two women from a brothel, bringing them to the hastily prepared tent to dance for the guests. Inside the tent, a barely perceptible stench of blood lingered stubbornly, growing stronger when there was no wind, like the stench of rotting rats, making the women feel apprehensive. However, as the aroma of wine intensified, the guests' merriment grew, and those subtle discomforts were gradually drowned out by laughter and cheers.

Li Qing, however, sat slumped to one side, listless, mechanically chewing the fruit on the table. General Meng, meticulous in his planning, strictly forbade Li Qing from touching any meat or grain. He knew that once a tortured person tasted even a grain of rice, it was as if an indomitable force was injected into their body, and the will to resist would arise spontaneously. To completely destroy their will and eliminate their ability to resist at its root, they could only survive on vegetables, fruits, and water; in this way, even after more than a month, their lives could be sustained.

In this seemingly joyous night, where undercurrents were surging beneath the surface, every bite of fruit felt like another silent test of Li Qing's will.