My palace is full of female protagonists.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince of Feng immediately abandoned his previous frivolous demeanor. He pondered for a moment, then solemnly said, "General, you are absolutely right. I was too rash. This matter is entirely up to you. What is the face of the Crown Prince of Feng compared to the safety of the nation? General, please do as you please. Even if you trample on my face a few times, I will never allow those with ulterior motives to tarnish it."

Seeing this, Yun Feiyang glared at the Crown Prince of Feng, his gaze carrying both a reminder and a warning. The Crown Prince immediately understood, his slightly frivolous expression vanishing, replaced by a more composed and solemn demeanor. The atmosphere within the entire military tent grew even more heavy and serious; everyone understood that every move from here on would directly impact the future and fate of Feng.

In this turbulent and complex era, information between the court and the frontier seemed shrouded in a thick fog, leaving both frontier generals and city dwellers unclear about the true intentions of the Crown Prince of Feng. Was it a rebellion? Or a purge of corrupt officials? Such questions hung like a boulder over everyone's mind, difficult to settle. Meanwhile, the King's true intentions within the court were equally enigmatic. Whether he truly intended to take action against the Crown Prince, or had other considerations, remained unknown to the outside world.

Against this backdrop, most cities opted for the safest strategy—locking their gates and observing. The city gates remained closed, and soldiers stood ready, but neither launched an attack nor made a clear declaration of allegiance. They had their own calculations: the rebels were, after all, the rightfully enthroned crown prince. If the king ultimately abdicated, this prince would become their new master. Offending him now would likely bring dire consequences later. However, if the king persisted in his resistance, and they hadn't clearly chosen sides, they could at least maintain a degree of neutrality, avoiding immediate and utter ruin.

Faced with this situation, a cold and resolute glint flashed in Gao Lingyan's eyes. She knew that only action could break the deadlock and bring the truth to light. So, she said in a deep voice, "If I were to bring 200,000 troops to your borders now, your Feng Kingdom would be powerless to resist. But my goal is not destruction, but to make all parties recognize the situation and work together to find a way out for the future of Feng Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince of Feng Kingdom was not angered at all; instead, he revealed a calm smile. He shrugged and said in an almost mocking tone, "General Gao, I have always admired your determination and ability. If you truly intend to establish yourself as Empress, I, Duan Zhenghuai, am not a narrow-minded person and have no objection to your rule of this country. In fact, I think you are more suitable to govern this country than I am, because your wisdom and courage are beyond my reach. To be honest, you are simply wasting your talents as Empress."

These words were both the Crown Prince of Feng's recognition of Gao Lingyan's abilities and a reflection of his helplessness and self-deprecation regarding the current situation. He knew that although he was the Crown Prince of Feng, he always seemed to be on the defensive in this power struggle. Gao Lingyan, this remarkable woman, had won the respect and awe of many, including himself, through her actions and extraordinary talents.

However, jokes aside, the Crown Prince of Fengguo also had his own principles and beliefs.

In the border city, the night was as dark as ink, and a biting wind, carrying a chilling war intent, whistled through the cracks in the city walls. General Yun stood alone atop the city tower, clutching the secret letter the emperor had just sent. The thin paper seemed to bear a thousand-pound weight, pressing down on his heart. The letter's contents were brief and cruel, announcing the further severing of the Yun family due to the suicide of Old Madam Yun. Like a sudden blizzard in winter, it sent a chill down the spine of even this seasoned veteran.

However, General Yun's reaction to this sudden blow surprised everyone. He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, a complex light flashing in his eyes, which ultimately turned into a heavy sigh. "At least everyone is still in the manor." This sentence was both a self-consolation and a helpless acceptance of the family's fate. He knew that the emperor's decree was hard to disobey, and even with a thousand resentments and ten thousand angers in his heart, he could only silently endure it.

His gaze passed over the city walls, landing on the distant, flickering lights of the enemy camp. There, the enemy had been stationed for over a month, their flags waving and bugles sounding daily, seemingly displaying their power and arrogance to the world. But General Yun saw more than just this superficial prosperity and clamor. He knew all too well that the cruelty and ruthlessness of war could not be concealed by these lights.

At this moment, his heart was filled with mixed emotions. There was worry about the fate of his family, concern for the safety of the nation, and a deep bewilderment at the current situation. He wished he could personally lead tens of thousands of soldiers out of this heavy city gate, storm the enemy camp, and prove the loyalty and bravery of the Yun family with iron and blood. He wanted to know if those seemingly powerful enemy troops were truly as invincible as they appeared, or merely a showpiece, unable to withstand a real test.

But reason told him that impulsiveness would only bring disaster. He had to be patient, he had to wait for the right opportunity to achieve the greatest victory at the lowest cost. He believed that as long as the country existed, as long as the people existed, the glory and splendor of the Yun family would never be extinguished.

So he suppressed his anger and impulsiveness, turned around and went back to his room. There, he carefully hid the secret letter, keeping it as a constant reminder. Then, he began preparations, personally overseeing everything from fortifying the city's defenses to training the soldiers, striving for perfection. He knew that only when he truly became strong could he protect his family, safeguard this land, and ensure that the name of the Yun family would once again resound throughout the land.

Meanwhile, Zhao Qi'er sat on the embroidered couch in the West Palace, toying with a strand of her hair, her mind already wandering far away. The meaningful words Zhao Chengyu had spoken that day echoed in her ears: "Have you ever imagined that I would make you Empress right now?" Those words, like a spring breeze across a lake, stirred ripples that left her deeply troubled. Whether embroidering or sipping tea, she seemed so absent-minded, as if the whole world had lost its former vibrancy.

Fortunately, the Emperor had once again unleashed his fury in court today, keeping all the ministers behind to reprimand them until sunset. As a result, the inner palace was free from external disturbances, giving Zhao Qi'er a rare moment of peace. However, this tranquility concealed an unusual atmosphere.

Just then, a rather comical scene unfolded. Consort Yi, the straightforward and unpretentious concubine, had somehow slipped into the court and, hiding behind the dragon throne, was happily munching on melon seeds, as if it were her own private pleasure. Her undisguised thoughts reached Zhao Chengyu's ears: "Sister Zhao is so thoughtful, preparing so many exquisite snacks for the Emperor. But he's busy reprimanding people; how could he possibly have time to taste them? Since that's the case, I'll just take care of them for him!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's lips twitched involuntarily, and he thought to himself, "This Consort Yi is truly unique. However, I appreciate your kindness."

Just as the atmosphere in the court was slightly relaxed due to Consort Yi's "little actions," Lord Leng's appearance once again drew everyone's attention back to the main matter. He bowed and began to report on the urgent matter of dam repairs, his words earnest and full of loyalty.

However, Consort Yi interpreted all of this differently. She thought to herself, "Isn't this Lord Leng Consort's father? That girl, Consort Leng, is usually taciturn, her eyes always carrying a hint of coldness, making her unapproachable. I heard she entered the palace as a substitute bride, and there's such a story behind it—her sister, to save her from the danger of entering the palace, deliberately seduced the crown prince of another country who was on good terms with Lord Leng. Fortunately, the crown prince of that time, who is now the emperor, didn't hold it against her, sparing Leng Lin Shuang and preventing the Leng family from being punished. The matter was quickly dropped, and the Leng family didn't commit any treasonous acts, so they lived in peace."

Although no one knew of Consort Yi's innermost thoughts, they cast a deep shadow in Zhao Chengyu's heart.

Zhao Chengyu sat on the dragon throne, his gaze deep and thoughtful. He realized that on this chessboard of power, he not only had to be wary of the potential challenges and checks and balances posed by the six powerful women in the harem, but also constantly guarded against the cunning and unpredictable ministers in the court. They could find any opportunity to create obstacles for him at any time. This anxiety, like an undercurrent, compelled him to remain constantly alert and vigilant.

Just then, Consort Yi's uninhibited words, like a gentle breeze, carrying a startling secret, quietly reached his ears. Zhao Chengyu frowned slightly, a complex emotion welling up within him. He had never imagined that Leng Linyi and Leng Linshuang's backgrounds concealed such a tortuous and bizarre past.

"What? What? So Leng Linyi and Leng Linshuang aren't Lord Leng's biological daughters, but rather the offspring of Madam Leng and General Ma?" Consort Yi's thoughts were filled with surprise and disbelief. "Back then, when Lord Leng was on his way to take up his post in the capital, due to the tight schedule, he had to postpone his family's journey by a year. Unexpectedly, they encountered a dangerous situation when their cavalry was robbed. Fortunately, General Ma intervened in time to save them from certain death. However, although General Ma had some education, he was rough and uncouth. He fell in love with Madam Leng's beauty at first sight, and after saving them, he repeatedly made indecent advances under the guise of accompanying them. Madam Leng, for the sake of her reputation and the bigger picture, had to endure it in silence. Only her personal maid knew the truth and dared not speak out. It wasn't until they arrived outside the capital that Madam Leng mustered the courage to tell General Ma the truth. General Ma, knowing that scholars are particular about their manners, didn't want to cause trouble, so he went along with it and treated the matter as a dream, never mentioning it again."

Yi Fei continued, “But who would have thought that in just one year, Madam Leng would give birth to twin daughters. Perhaps because they were both girls, the Leng family did not pay much attention to the subtle differences in their appearance and habits. But only Madam Leng herself knew that these two children had an indescribable resemblance to General Ma, like the shadow of fate, closely following him.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu was filled with mixed emotions, his thoughts churning like a surging tide. He knew that if things continued as they were, Consort Yi's words would undoubtedly become a potential bomb, ready to ignite a palace storm at any moment. Especially after learning that Leng Linyi was already the Crown Princess of the neighboring kingdom, and Leng Linshuang was a concubine in the harem.

"The crime of deceiving the emperor is no small matter," Zhao Chengyu thought to himself. This was not merely a matter of personal honor or disgrace, but could also trigger a diplomatic crisis between the two countries, and even affect the stability of the court and the peace of the nation. The Leng family, as participants in this clandestine relationship, even if their initial intention was not intentional, now seemed unlikely to escape unscathed.

Zhao Chengyu's gaze deepened and hardened. He realized he had to take action, both to uphold the imperial dignity and to properly handle this complex matter. First, he needed to privately reprimand General Ma, making him understand the potentially serious consequences of his actions, while also warning him to keep the secret and not to leak anything further.

However, Zhao Chengyu also knew that simply issuing warnings might not completely solve the problem. After all, the fact that Madam Leng and General Ma's past had remained hidden for so many years was due not only to their own caution but also to the tight-lipped nature of those around them. But as time goes by, people's memories and vigilance tend to weaken, especially when they believe the matter is over and no longer threatening, making them more likely to let their guard down.

"General Ma must have let it slip himself, or someone around him failed to keep a close watch," Zhao Chengyu thought to himself. He knew all too well the complexities of human nature; in a web of conflicting interests, any secret could become a weapon against another. Therefore, he had to take precautions in advance, both to prevent the chain reaction caused by the leak of secrets and to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

Night fell, and the palace was brightly lit, yet the heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the Imperial Study remained palpable. General Ma, a military officer who should have left before the palace gates closed, knelt stiffly in the center of the study, his heart filled with confusion and trepidation. He couldn't fathom what grave mistake he had committed to be summoned by the Emperor at this moment, and ordered to kneel and await his fate.

Zhao Chengyu sat on the dragon throne, his gaze sharp and intense. He quietly scrutinized General Ma, as if trying to see through his eyes to every corner of his heart. However, General Ma simply lowered his head, not daring to breathe, and dared not meet the emperor's gaze.

Time seemed to stand still. The time it takes for an incense stick to burn slowly passed, and only the occasional whistling of the night wind could be heard outside the window in the imperial study. Finally, Zhao Chengyu spoke. His voice was calm and deep, yet carried an undeniable authority: "Do you know that Madam Leng has given birth to your child?"