My palace is full of female protagonists.

During their years of exile in the harsh frontier, Zhao Qi'er's fate was inextricably linked with that of Zhao Yingqing. Despite her noble birth, she had to set aside her pride as a noblewoman and serve Zhao Yingqing as a maid. During that time, she became an indispensable source of comfort for Zhao Yingqing with her boundless gentleness and resilience. However, when Zhao Yingqing finally ascended to the throne after overcoming numerous hardships, becoming the emperor above all others, Zhao Qi'er's position became even more delicate and complex.

After ascending the throne, Zhao Yingqing was well aware of the strict rules of the palace. Although he was surrounded by beautiful women, only Zhao Qi'er truly brought him a sense of peace and familiarity. Therefore, he tacitly allowed Zhao Qi'er to remain by his side, considering her his true wife. However, it was clear that Cheng Yu could also see that Zhao Qi'er was cautious and reserved in front of Zhao Yingqing. In her memories, Zhao Qi'er sometimes treated Zhao Yingqing as an ordinary husband, but back in the palace, her background as a maid made her realize that she could never be on equal footing with him.

Even though Zhao Qi'er was so humble, Zhao Yingqing still occasionally had memorials on his desk accusing her of being arrogant and spoiled. However, Zhao Yingqing never took them seriously.

As night fell and the lanterns were lit, Zhao Chengyu entered his bedchamber. He found Zhao Qi'er had prepared a change of clothes for him and carefully laid out the bedding. He changed out of his everyday clothes and lay down casually on the bed, but a strange feeling involuntarily welled up within him. In Zhao Chengyu's eyes, these weren't his women; their eagerness to please him was only for the original owner of the body, Zhao Yingqing. It was nothing like the free love, wife, children, and warm bed he longed for. If they discovered the soul had been replaced, would they think he had deceived them?

Seeing that the Emperor was just lying there in a daze, Zhao Qi'er said softly, "Your Majesty, I know you are busy with state affairs. I have already had people prepare the theater you mentioned. They will select famous actors from all over the country and new and interesting plays. If you get tired of the plays in the palace, I will introduce some wonderful plays from outside to help you relieve your boredom. Is that alright?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu, though aware that Zhao Qi'er was indeed gentle and lovely, was actually afraid that such a person would more easily reveal that he was not Zhao Yingqing. But, was this all there was to this ancient "television"? He turned his head and looked into Zhao Qi'er's clear eyes, which made Zhao Chengyu feel guilty.

He coughed lightly and said, trying to sound calm, "Yes, that's kind of you. I'll consider it. It's getting late, you should get some rest too."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qier took off her clothes and lay down on the bed. Zhao Chengyu moved over a bit more, but luckily there were more than a dozen blankets on the bed, so they each covered themselves. He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep quickly, hoping to get through each day as it came.

For several days in a row, Emperor Zhao Chengyu frequently stayed overnight in the palace of Consort Zhao Qier, a move that caused quite a stir in the harem and even in the court. Memorials denouncing Zhao Qier began to flood in, each revealing the officials' anxiety and dissatisfaction with the emperor's infatuation with his lowly concubine and his neglect of state affairs.

During the morning court session, the atmosphere in the Golden Palace was unusually tense. Zhao Chengyu entered the hall, his face ashen, clearly aware of the rumors circulating outside. Just then, a loyal minister mustered his courage and stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly yet resolute: "Your Majesty, although the Consort enjoys Your Majesty's favor, as the ruler of the nation, Your Majesty should also attend to the affairs of state and set an example for the people. You must not let personal feelings jeopardize the country!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, and all eyes were fixed on Zhao Chengyu. The emperor slowly rose to his feet, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He did not immediately refute, but instead walked slowly to the center of the hall, each step appearing unusually heavy.

Zhao Chengyu smiled slightly, but asked with a hint of teasing, "How's your wife? Is your son your biological son?"

The official turned pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably. But he knew that if he didn't answer the emperor's question, he would also be considered disrespectful. So, he stammered, "Your Majesty need not trouble yourself with my family matters."

However, Zhao Chengyu didn't seem to have any intention of letting him off easily, and continued, "If I told you he wasn't your biological son, I'd chop them both up to relieve your worries, okay?!"

Upon hearing this, the official was startled and wanted to immediately kneel down to beg the emperor for mercy, but at that moment, his nose was firmly pressed against the emperor's, and he couldn't move at all. He could only plead desperately, "That's my own son! Please, Your Majesty, have mercy!"

Zhao Chengyu looked at the terrified official before him, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. This was exactly the effect he wanted—to let these ministers know that no one could escape punishment before him.

"You know that the matter of the Imperial Concubine is my private affair and a family matter," Zhao Chengyu said in a deep and powerful voice. He looked around and continued, "But I know that as an emperor, I must be concerned for the well-being of my people. I am aware of your concerns. However, I know my limits and do not need outsiders to interfere too much."

After saying this, Zhao Chengyu changed his tone and became sharp: "As for those memorials that groundlessly accused the Consort, I have reviewed them one by one. I warn you all, if anyone dares to take this opportunity to stir up trouble and attempt to undermine the foundation of the country, I will punish them severely!"

At this point, Zhao Chengyu's gaze suddenly fell on the minister who had just offered his advice, his eyes filled with both warning and expectation: "If I had known that your wife would be divorced today, I would have either killed her and her children, or married her off to a farmer with the children. You decide what to do!"

Upon hearing this, the minister immediately knelt down, his forehead touching the ground, his voice filled with fear and gratitude: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Thank you for your teachings. I will remember them and do my utmost to share Your Majesty's burdens. I will divorce my wife immediately after court!"

The Empress's background and the Prime Minister Su's close relationship made the conversation at the morning court session even more complex and subtle. When Prime Minister Su, speaking from the Empress's perspective, stepped forward to question Zhao Chengyu's favoritism towards Zhao Qi'er, the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly plummeted to freezing point.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's face darkened. He turned around, his long sword already drawn, the tip pointing directly at Prime Minister Su. His voice was cold and full of authority: "I let my wife sit on the dragon throne. You, will you let your wife command the troops on the front lines?" This question was not only an interrogation of Prime Minister Su, but also a warning to all the ministers present, implying the supreme and unquestionable authority of the emperor.

However, images of the Right Chancellor suddenly flooded Zhao Chengyu's mind, like sharp fragments piercing his nerves and triggering a severe headache. Once the pain subsided, a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, a smile laced with both mockery and anger: "Right, I remember now. Your wife, before marrying you, this 'old geezer,' was a vice-general who had fought on the battlefield, valiant and renowned for her achievements. But because you wanted her to bear your children, our nation lost an excellent female vice-general. Chancellor Su, tell me, what kind of crime is this?"

As soon as Zhao Chengyu finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence. Everyone was stunned speechless by this sudden revelation. After all, the Right Chancellor's wife was a rare and outstanding daughter of a military family in the capital, with a long line of suitors. Zhao Chengyu's questioning, by contrasting the two, directly pointed out the contradiction.

Prime Minister Su's face turned extremely ugly. He trembled, wanting to defend himself but unable to utter a word. After thinking for a moment, he said, "But she is, after all, my legal wife. I have always entrusted her with managing the household affairs. She just doesn't have the energy to manage anything else."

Zhao Chengyu's laughter echoed in the hall, a laugh mixed with mockery and disdain. He planted his longsword in the ground, facing Prime Minister Su with an almost defiant attitude, and said, "Are your family affairs more important than the rise and fall of the nation?" As he spoke, his eyes were sharp as knives, as if they could see into the deepest recesses of people's hearts.

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su's face grew even more unpleasant. He attempted to defend himself, saying, "Although I am the Prime Minister, I am also an important minister of the court. Although household affairs are numerous and complicated, my wife assists me in managing the Prime Minister's residence, allowing me to devote myself wholeheartedly to national affairs. Isn't this also a contribution to the rise and fall of the nation?"

Zhao Chengyu sneered, dragging his long sword as he slowly approached Prime Minister Su, scrutinizing him with piercing eyes, as if trying to peel away all his pretenses. "How many concubines and mistresses do you have in your household? How many children have these women borne for you? Are all these children considered your own by your wife and registered under her name?" A barrage of questions was fired at Prime Minister Su, catching him off guard.

Prime Minister Su's heart skipped a beat. He thought of the official who had been forced to divorce his wife earlier. He wanted to keep quiet, but he was afraid that the Emperor also wanted him to get rid of all his concubines. So he replied, "According to the regulations, I have seven concubines and five mistresses. As for my children, there are eight of them alive. They have all been brought to the mansion and are being taken care of by my wife."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu sneered. He stared into Prime Minister Su's eyes and slowly said, "If you were your wife, facing these concubines and children who exist because of you, wouldn't you want to strangle these so-called 'stupid children' with your own hands? After all, their existence is nothing more than a product of your selfish desires, while for your wife, it is endless pain and humiliation."

These words were like a sharp dagger, piercing straight to Prime Minister Su's heart. He froze, looking into the Emperor's eyes, suddenly finding himself speechless. Yes, if he were his wife, facing such a husband and such a family, what could he do? Perhaps nothing but despair and anger.

Zhao Chengyu's movements were swift and decisive; his longsword flashed like lightning, instantly tearing Prime Minister Su's long sleeve in two. This act was not only a strong condemnation of Prime Minister Su's personal conduct but also a warning to all the ministers in the court. His words were filled with anger and dissatisfaction; each word struck like a heavy hammer against everyone's heart.

"As a high-ranking official, second only to the emperor, you are not satisfied with marrying the daughter of a military family. You also have concubines and children while your wife has a son. What right do you have to accuse me of not valuing my wife and treating my concubine well?" Zhao Chengyu's voice echoed in the hall, his eyes revealing an undeniable authority.

The court fell silent. All the ministers held their breath, fearing they would be the next to suffer the emperor's wrath. Zhao Chengyu's anger did not subside. He continued to brandish his long sword, tearing the sleeves of several more ministers, as if venting his discontent in this way.

When he finally stopped, panting, and tossed the longsword to the guard, a sigh of relief swept through the entire hall. Zhao Chengyu sat back on the dragon throne, head held high, his gaze piercing. He continued, "The Right Chancellor's favoritism towards his concubines over his wife is heinous and has had a terrible impact. I have decided that all concubines and mistresses will be sent to unmarried military households as punishment. As for the children not born to the Chancellor's wife, they will all be sent back to their clans and adopted by their cousins, and will be forbidden from ever entering the capital or holding office. Girls can only be married off to military households, to ensure fairness."

This series of decisions made Prime Minister Su's face even paler. He knelt down on the ground, trembling, his voice shaking slightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for sharing my worries. After returning home, I will definitely return to the military camp for my wife and continue to serve the country."

Zhao Chengyu's actions and decisions were not only a punishment for Prime Minister Su personally, but also a rectification of the entire court's atmosphere. Zhao Chengyu also gave Prime Minister Qi a look, and Prime Minister Qi hurriedly took his tablet, bowed, and said, "Your humble servant will comply!"

Zhao Chengyu took a deep breath, seemingly to calm his emotions, and then instructed Xiao Kuangzi, "Summon the Empress." Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi immediately turned and ran out of the hall, quickly arranging for someone to bring the Empress over as fast as possible.

Empress Gao Lingyan was practicing archery in the garden, dressed in riding attire with leather wings, her ponytail tied high with a bright red rope, looking dashing and extraordinary. She was immersed in the joy of archery when she was suddenly interrupted by an urgent summons. Although puzzled, she quickly tidied herself and followed her attendants to the court.

Upon entering the main hall, Gao Lingyan saw the disheveled appearance of some ministers, and Zhao Chengyu slumped on the dragon throne, his face filled with exhaustion and helplessness. Although she had many questions in her mind, she knew that this was not the time to ask, so she quickly walked to the dragon throne and looked at Zhao Chengyu with concern.

Seeing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled slightly, a smile tinged with weariness and relief. He said softly, "I just scolded them, and now I feel a headache and high blood pressure. For the sake of the nation, you should handle the rest. I need to go back and take my medicine to recuperate." After saying that, he turned to look at Xiao Kuangzi, gesturing for him to help him leave.