My palace is full of female protagonists.

Although the Emperor said he would spare the direct descendants of the Yun family, he didn't specify how many, or even who. The lives of the Yun father and son were in the Emperor's hands, and also in the hands of the Feng Kingdom. Even if they won the battle, if they were criticized, the father and son could still choose to die to prove their innocence. According to military regulations, the sons of the Yun family could also follow their generals to their deaths. Thinking of all this, Old Madam Yun dared not continue to think about it.

Seeing that Zhao Chengyu didn't react, Old Madam Yun crawled laboriously towards Consort Leng, her hands gripping Consort Leng's feet tightly as if they were her last lifeline. "Your Highness, Consort Leng! It was this old woman who was ungrateful and offended you. You could punish me by tearing me apart with five horses. But Second Miss is a close friend of yours. Please spare her life!" Her voice was choked with sobs, and her eyes were filled with tears.

Consort Leng's body trembled slightly. She looked at Old Madam Yun, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes. She knew that Old Madam Yun's words had touched a nerve. She and the second daughter of the Yun family were indeed close friends, and they had spent many wonderful times together. But now, their fates had been drawn into this vortex of power.

Consort Leng sighed softly, then slowly said, "Old Madam Yun, you should know that this is not something I can decide. You also know the inside story of why I married into the palace. My life in the palace is just hanging by a thread, and everything is in the Emperor's hands."

Silence fell in the room once more as everyone pondered their choices and future. Grandma Yun remained kneeling on the floor, her eyes filled with despair. Leng Fei gently helped her up, her heart filled with compassion. Zhao Chengyu and Zhao Qi'er stood together, their hearts filled with responsibility and determination.

As night deepened, the candles in the room gradually burned out, but the struggle over fate and choices had only just begun.

Although supported by Consort Leng, Old Madam Yun only dared to stand up, her feet still kneeling on the ground. She didn't dare to look at the Emperor, but stared at his feet: "The Yun family has made countless military achievements for generations. There are noble titles above and military households below. Which one of them is not a good son on the battlefield?" Her voice trembled, but every word was full of determination.

Zhao Chengyu took a deep breath and exhaled, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He knew of the Yun family's contributions and General Yun's loyalty, but rules were rules, and he couldn't let personal feelings cloud his judgment: "If it weren't for that, why would I be wasting my breath on a wretched old woman like you? Don't you understand why General Yun volunteered to defend the border and even signed a military pledge? If Yun Feiyang fails to protect the Empress or causes her to be accused of treason, then General Yun will be the first to die. Signing the pledge is just an excuse for me to execute him and those who went to Feng. It will appease the court and give the world an explanation. At most, your Yun family will be driven out of the capital, and your lives will be spared."

Old Madam Yun trembled slightly. She knew that although the Emperor's words were only hypothetical, the profound meaning they contained was chilling. She raised her head, her eyes pleading: "Your Majesty, the Yun family is willing to set an example, but we beg Your Majesty to see things clearly and not to ruin the loyalty of generations of the Yun family because of a momentary mistake."

A resolute glint flashed in Zhao Chengyu's eyes. He knew that there was deep helplessness and pleading in Old Madam Yun's words, but he could not break the rules because of a moment of soft-heartedness: "But you sent the noble lady to the frontier first, and then you tried to commit suicide to send the news out. I surrounded the Yun mansion with the Imperial Guards and still couldn't stop you from courting death, so I really have to go on a killing spree in the Yun mansion!"

A flicker of despair crossed Old Madam Yun's eyes, but she quickly regained her resolve. She knew that only if Yun Feiyang could prove himself could the Yun family have a chance to survive: "Your Majesty, it's just that this old woman's eyesight is failing, and my mind is not clear due to my age. I'm so ill that I can't even recognize people anymore, and I almost fell to my death because I can't stand up. It wasn't suicide! It wasn't suicide!"

Zhao Chengyu was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Alright, I will give him this opportunity. But remember, this is not just for the Yun family. I am protecting the two Generals Yun now for the Empress's reputation, and even more so for the sake of our country and its people."

A glimmer of light flashed in Old Madam Yun's eyes. She knew this was a glimmer of hope, and she hurriedly kowtowed to express her gratitude: "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty. The Yun family will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

Zhao Chengyu's eyes were deep, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Zhao Qi'er and Old Madam Yun, as if weighing something. Zhao Qi'er understood immediately and signaled a palace servant to bring over the bowl of medicine that had been prepared in the palace beforehand. The aroma of the medicine filled the air, yet carried a subtle, almost imperceptible bitterness.

Zhao Chengyu took the bowl of medicine, but instead of immediately handing it to Old Madam Yun, he held it to her nose, letting her smell it carefully. Old Madam Yun's face was pale; her hands gripped the ground tightly, her body trembled slightly, and her eyes were filled with fear and unease. She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

"You're not young anymore, you've taken a lot of medicine, haven't you? Can you smell what this is?" Zhao Chengyu's voice was calm, but carried an undeniable authority.

Old Madam Yun's lips trembled slightly. She knew what this medicine meant, and her heart was filled with contradiction and struggle. She knew that once she drank it, she would lose everything, including her status and power in the Yun family. But she also knew that if she didn't drink it, the Yun family might suffer an even greater disaster.

Zhao Chengyu continued, “You can’t die, and you can no longer be in charge of the Yun family. Drinking this will not only save Second Miss Yun, but also everyone else in the manor. But this isn’t something I’m forcing you to do; it’s your choice. Think about it, in this Yun manor, only a few Miss Yuns are legitimate daughters; the others are just a few sons-in-law and servants. How can their lives be as important as your power in the Yun family? You just said that you’re an old woman who is ‘blind, old and confused, so sick that she can’t even recognize people, and can’t even stand up.’ You have to keep your word!”

A flicker of pain crossed Old Madam Yun's eyes; she knew there was a deep threat in Zhao Chengyu's words. She took a deep breath and then slowly said, "Your Majesty, I understand. For the sake of the Yun family, for the sake of Miss Yun, I am willing to drink this medicine."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Zhao Chengyu's eyes. He nodded and handed the medicine bowl to Old Madam Yun. Old Madam Yun took the bowl; her hands trembled, but her eyes were exceptionally firm. She knew this was the only thing she could do for the Yun family.

"Of course, even if the Yun family is gone, I will take the daughters of the Yun family into the palace and raise them well. I will not touch their children, but they can only live on the estate. I don't like crowds. If they run around in the palace and get cut by my sword, that would be bad, right?" Zhao Chengyu's voice was a little playful, but more of a warning.

Grandma Yun's heart tightened; she knew what Zhao Chengyu meant. She nodded, then slowly brought the bowl of medicine to her lips and drank the bitter broth, sip by sip. A resolute glint flashed in her eyes; she knew that from this moment on, her fate and the fate of the Yun family would undergo a dramatic change.

As Zhao Chengyu watched Old Madam Yun drink the medicine, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He knew how difficult this decision was for Old Madam Yun, but he also knew that it was the Empress's confidence, a price that could not be shaken in the slightest.

As the medicine went down her throat, Old Mrs. Yun's face grew even paler, and her body began to sway, but she persevered. She knew she couldn't collapse, at least not now.

Zhao Chengyu waved his hand, instructing the palace servants to help Old Madam Yun to bed to rest.

Consort Leng said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, leave the matters to be discussed with the Yun family to me. You and Consort Zhao should return first. The Yun family cannot stay any longer."

Zhao Chengyu nodded slightly. He knew that Leng Fei was always reliable in handling matters, and he could rest assured that he could entrust this matter to her.

"Alright, don't stay too long. If they don't obey, just lock them up and come back tomorrow. It's not a big deal," Zhao Chengyu said calmly, then turned and left Master Yun's courtyard with Consort Zhao. Their carriages slowly drove out of the Yun residence in the night, and the Imperial Guards simply accompanied them in silence, without kneeling.

Standing at a distance, the Second Miss Yun's gaze followed the Emperor and Consort Zhao's carriages until they disappeared into the night. Her heart was filled with worry, yet also with a touch of determination. She knew that at this moment, she had to be strong, for the sake of the Yun family, and for the sake of her child.

A nanny stumbled out of the Yun residence, her face filled with anxiety. Upon seeing the Second Miss Yun, she immediately half-knelt on the ground, panting, and said, "The Cold Consort has sent word that only you are allowed to go. Second Miss, the Emperor has just arrested all the servants of the Yun family, and the young ones are locked in the woodshed. Miss is inside; we don't know how she is. Please go in and protect her!"

This old nanny was a confidante of Madam Yun, and her words were filled with loyalty to Madam Yun and concern for the Second Miss Yun. The Second Miss Yun frowned; she knew this was a crisis, but she also knew she had to face it.

"Don't worry, Granny, I will protect Mother." The Second Miss Yun's voice was firm. She helped Granny up and then walked with firm steps toward Old Madam Yun's room.

Consort Leng was already waiting inside. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes revealed a hint of seriousness. She watched as the Second Miss Yun walked in, and then slowly said, "Second Miss, the Old Madam needs someone to serve her in bed. You need to arrange for your own people, including all the servants in the Yun family, to lock everyone who is not your people, especially the confidants of the various young ladies and sons-in-law, in the woodshed and not let them come out."

Yun Er's heart tightened. She took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Highness, why is this? May I see my mother?"

Consort Leng nodded slightly, indicating that Miss Yun Er could go and check on Old Madam Yun. Miss Yun Er tiptoed to the bedside and saw that Old Madam Yun's face was pale, her eyes were closed, as if she had fallen into a deep coma. Miss Yun Er gently shook Old Madam Yun's shoulders, but Old Madam Yun did not respond, seemingly having completely lost consciousness.

Miss Yun's heart tightened. She reached out a trembling hand to check Old Madam Yun's breath. Although weak, the breath was still strong, which relieved Miss Yun slightly. She knew that now was not the time for her to be weak; she had to be strong and face whatever was to come.

Miss Yun slowly stood up, a resolute glint in her eyes. She sat back down beside Consort Leng. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and tried to calm herself. Then, she looked directly into Consort Leng's eyes and asked, "Actually, I can somewhat guess why the Imperial Guards surrounded the Yun residence, but why Mother attempted suicide, and why the Emperor came to see her—I don't understand. What happened to Father and Brother? Is our Yun family going to be punished?"

Consort Leng gently shook her head, a hint of sympathy in her eyes: "It's not as serious as you think, but it's close." She gestured to her confidante to double-check, making sure no one was following Miss Yun, before telling Miss Yun about the two Generals Yun's predicament.

Consort Leng briefly recounted what she had just heard from the Emperor. These words shocked her, and naturally, they would frighten Miss Yun Er, who was in the midst of it all.

Miss Yun's face grew even paler. She gripped the armrests of the chair tightly, and her voice trembled slightly: "Then, what should I do? How can I help Father and Brother?"

Consort Leng gave the Second Miss Yun a deep look, then slowly said, "First of all, you need to stay calm. The Emperor has given you a chance to establish your authority in the Yun family. If you want to protect your family, you must demonstrate your strength and make an example of someone, not just one person. I wasn't joking when I said I would lock up anyone who isn't yours. As long as you confess, I'll handle the rest for you, and you can keep your child by your side. Otherwise, you and your sisters' husbands won't survive either."

A resolute glint flashed in Yun Er's eyes; she knew Consort Leng was right. She took a deep breath and said firmly, "I will. From now on, I will listen to Your Majesty. Just treat me as a tool. Lin Shuang, after you entered the palace, I thought I would never see you again, but when you first came back to see me, I knew that we were not only different, but you would always be my 'mistress.' I think you've seen that too. After that, I never contradicted anything you said."

A hint of admiration flashed in Consort Leng's eyes. She knew that Miss Yun was a smart and strong woman. She nodded and said, "Not only did I see it, but the Emperor also understands. So unless you take charge of the Yun family, all you legitimate daughters will have to go to the prison to wait for the two Generals Yun to return. Your children will have to be sent to the estate to be raised. The servants in the Yun family, including your sons-in-law, will all die."