My palace is full of female protagonists.

The night was as dark as ink, the stars hidden. The Crown Prince, with light yet heavy steps, slowly entered the Phoenix Palace, the residence of the Empress. The palace lanterns flickered, reflecting the worry and contemplation that could not be concealed between his brows. Returning to this familiar yet somewhat empty bedchamber, he sat down at the desk without changing his clothes, his fingers gently stroking the jade pendant that his father had given him during the day, a symbol of power and responsibility, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

His father's meaningful gaze seemed to speak volumes without words. Was it approval? A warning? Or something else entirely? Especially recently, with his mother away on a military campaign in Feng, his father had made an exception and allowed him to review memorials on her behalf. This sudden trust and responsibility filled him with both honor and immense pressure. The mention of the Crown Princess further stirred his emotions. Marriage was no trivial matter, especially one concerning the future of the nation.

As night deepened, his thoughts became a tangled mess, impossible to unravel. He rose and stood by the window, gazing at the gradually whitening sky. His heart was filled with both anticipation for the future and fear of the unknown. Only when the first rays of dawn pierced through the clouds and gently fell upon his face did he finally succumb to sleepiness, slowly closing his eyes and drifting off to dreamland.

Meanwhile, in the imperial court, the atmosphere was equally tense and delicate. Prime Minister Gao and Prime Minister Su, two of the nation's most important ministers, had not slept a wink all night; the dark circles under their eyes bore the indelible marks of their tireless efforts for the country. The news of the Crown Prince of Feng leading his army to besiege the city was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. They knew that this was not only a matter of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also a moment that would define the Empress's momentous move. Whether the Crown Prince of Feng would ascend the throne, purge the court of corrupt officials, or be deposed, any of these could be the subject of the next news item.

After the morning court session, the palace gates slowly opened, and the officials who had been anxiously waiting outside were allowed to enter one by one. However, the atmosphere inside the hall became even more tense. Prime Minister Gao, Prime Minister Su, and other high-ranking officials did not leave. Instead, they each set up their desks. Some buried themselves in mountains of official documents, searching for solutions; some closed their eyes to rest, actually simulating various possible scenarios and countermeasures in their minds; others ate a simple meal to maintain their strength and prepare for the potentially long discussions and decision-making that followed.

The entire hall was enveloped in a solemn and profound atmosphere, filled with an indescribable tension and anticipation. The flickering candlelight illuminated the focused and complex expressions on everyone's faces; some were lost in thought with their eyes closed, others were whispering, but all were unequivocally focused on the Empress's safety. This invisible force, stemming from loyalty to the royal family and deep concern for the nation, flowed gently like a warm current through the cold night.

However, amidst this solemn atmosphere, a letter from the frontier shattered the tranquility like a thunderclap. General Yun, a veteran of countless battles, received the letter with trembling hands. It was a reply from the Gao family regarding his request for additional military supplies, confirming that the supplies were already en route. He quickly skimmed the contents; Zhao Chengyu's brief but sincere words of concern warmed his heart. But then, the question, "How is the Empress?" struck him like a hammer blow, instantly bringing him to his senses.

General Yun knew that the Empress's safety was not only a matter of royal honor, but also directly affected the morale and strategic deployment at the front. Although he had just commanded a great victory and morale was high, the joy of victory could not completely dispel the gloom in his heart. He had already learned from his spies that the Empress had personally led the Crown Prince of Feng's army to completely surround the Feng capital, an action that was undoubtedly a major challenge to them.

However, General Yun did not lose his composure. He knew that war was not merely a contest of strength, but also a battle of wits and strategy. Although the Southern Kingdom was strong, it was not invincible. He cleverly used his initial gains to ensure that even without the Feng Kingdom's intervention, he could effectively contain its forces and prevent it from defecting to the Southern Kingdom's aid. This strategic brilliance filled him with confidence for the upcoming battle.

Even so, the Empress's safety remained his greatest concern. He secretly vowed to end the war as soon as possible, to safely bring the Empress back to the palace, and to protect her from any harm. At the same time, he was keenly aware of the heavy responsibility he bore and knew he had to remain clear-headed and calm at all times, fighting for the future of the nation and the dignity of the royal family.

That night, inside and outside the palace, both the generals strategizing and the subjects praying silently did their part to predict the Empress's fate and pray for her safety. Meanwhile, General Yun, carrying this heavy responsibility and mission, continued to hold his ground on the front lines.

Beneath the majestic gates of the imperial city, the atmosphere was so tense you could almost hear a pin drop. The Crown Prince of Feng, this young man thrust into the eye of the storm by fate, seemed to exist in another world. He sat leisurely on his chariot, toying with a bunch of glistening grapes. His eyes held both resolute determination and a detached indifference that seemed out of place on this brutal battlefield, as if all the turmoil had nothing to do with him. He was merely an observer, or rather, an outsider about to change the course of history.

Yun Feiyang, the valiant general, stood not far away, his eyes piercing as he watched every subtle movement of the Crown Prince of Feng. His words revealed an undeniable seriousness and directness: "Well? Have you made up your mind? Will you rebel or purge the court of corrupt officials? This is a path of no return; once you embark on it, there is no turning back."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince of Feng's lips curled into a mocking smile. He spat out a few grape seeds, then casually tossed the rest of the grapes beneath the carriage, his action filled with contempt and disdain for fate. His gaze passed over Yun Feiyang and landed on the horrifying scene at the city gate—his mother's head hung high, stained with blood, a direct provocation and a profound cry to him.

"Is there even a need to ask?" The Crown Prince of Feng's voice was deep and firm, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with boundless anger and determination. "Rebellion!" These two words, short and powerful, resounded like thunder across the empty battlefield, announcing the beginning of a new era.

The capital was now eerily silent. The people, fearing the impending war, hid in their homes, doors tightly shut, lest they become victims of this power struggle. As for the soldiers who were supposed to guard the city, apart from the Imperial Guards in the capital who still maintained a weak will to resist, most of the rest turned a blind eye to the Crown Prince's actions, or even secretly assisted him, giving his army the green light to advance unimpeded towards the capital.

From the city gates to the heart of the imperial city, this distance might not seem far on ordinary days, but today, it witnessed the shifting of power and the complexities and fickleness of human nature. As the Crown Prince of Feng's blade finally pressed against the King's neck, the sun rose in the east and slowly sank below the western horizon, as if silently witnessing the earth-shattering changes that had occurred within a single day. Between sunrise and sunset, the fate of a dynasty was completely rewritten, and the Crown Prince of Feng, who had seemed like an outsider, became the key figure who decided everything.

As night deepened, the capital of Feng Kingdom underwent an unprecedented transformation. When the first rays of dawn pierced through the clouds and shone upon this once glorious land, the King of Feng and his harem were swept away like fallen leaves in autumn. Even the rats that tried to find a way to survive in the darkness could not escape their fate. Their last gasps echoed between the cold city walls, becoming the footnote to the end of the old era.

Prince Duan Zhenghuai of Feng, now the rightful new king, stood atop the imperial city, his gaze deep and resolute. He ordered his soldiers to bring large quantities of water, repeatedly washing away the bloodstains within the city walls, attempting to cleanse the traces of the coup. However, even at midday, under the blazing sun, every corner of the palace seemed to still reek of the lingering stench of blood, a constant reminder of what had transpired there.

Just then, a masked general, draped in a black robe and with her face concealed by an exquisite mask, slowly entered the hall. Her voice was calm and resolute: "It is time to fulfill your promise, King of Feng." Although her identity remained unknown, her undeniable aura drew the attention of everyone present.

Duan Zhenghuai turned around, his gaze complex as he looked at the masked general. He knew that the woman before him was not only a key ally in his coup, but also the object of his deepest affections. He took a deep breath, trying to persuade her with the most sincere words: "Gao Lingyan, don't you really want to become a general in my country? I guarantee you'll be second only to the emperor, enjoying endless glory and power. Or, become my empress. I will not only grant you the right to command troops, but I will also be devoted to you, with no one else in the harem. Isn't that a better life than going back to that person?"

However, Gao Lingyan simply shook her head. She slowly drew her long sword from her waist, held it horizontally in front of her chest, and gently pressed the tip against her right eye. Her eyes, hidden behind the mask, were firm and resolute: "The mask is my true face. Take off the mask, and I will be the eldest daughter of the Gao family, the Empress of our country, and a female general who can lead troops to the frontier at any time. This is the choice I made when I came of age, and it is also my answer to you now. Give me military power and let me leave, and you can truly become the king in the hearts of the people of Feng, and I will continue to fulfill my mission."

Duan Zhenghuai gazed at Gao Lingyan, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew he couldn't change her decision, just as she couldn't abandon her beliefs and responsibilities. Finally, he nodded and uttered a single, heavy word: "Fine. Bring the imperial seal."

Inside a solemn and dignified palace within the imperial city, flickering candlelight illuminated the faces of three men, each lost in their own thoughts. Duan Zhenghuai, the newly enthroned emperor, held the heavy imperial seal, preparing to affix his seal to a crucial document. However, at this decisive moment, he suddenly stopped, turning his gaze to the silent Yun Feiyang beside him, his tone tinged with a mixture of probing and concern: "Yun Feiyang, you are brave and skilled in battle, achieving great feats. Have you never considered seeking a more concealed identity for yourself? This way, you can not only protect your family but also marry your beloved in the future, while preserving your rightful fame and status."

Upon hearing this, Yun Feiyang's gaze involuntarily swept over Gao Lingyan beside him. Gao Lingyan was staring at him, a faint worry etched on her brow, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words. Yun Feiyang's heart tightened, and he quickly composed himself, respectfully replying, "King of Feng, as a military general, I naturally consider the safety of the nation my duty. If Feng is in distress, whatever form of assistance is needed, as long as it is ordered by the Emperor and Empress, I will not hesitate to go through fire and water without hesitation."

Upon hearing this, Duan Zhenghuai shrugged lightly, a bitter smile playing on his lips: "It seems I was too presumptuous. We've been through thick and thin together, and I thought we'd developed some brotherhood, but now it seems we're just passing through each other's lives. It's truly disheartening."

At this moment, Gao Lingyan couldn't help but speak up, her voice carrying a hint of teasing and ease: "Your Majesty is mistaken. I think your ability to spout nonsense is quite suitable for reviewing those tedious memorials. Perhaps, you can even discover new ideas for governing the country from it."

Upon hearing this, Duan Zhenghuai smiled helplessly yet with a sense of relief. He knew Gao Lingyan was trying to ease the tension in her own way. Therefore, he stopped dwelling on those minor emotional entanglements and refocused his attention on the matter at hand. He gently affixed the imperial seal of Feng Kingdom; the bright red imprint was not only an acknowledgment of the document but also a solemn promise to himself as the new ruler and to the future of Feng Kingdom.

As Duan Zhenghuai watched, the masked general Gao Lingyan and Yun Feiyang walked side by side into the distance, their figures elongated in the afterglow of the setting sun, appearing exceptionally lonely yet resolute. At that moment, an unprecedentedly complex emotion welled up in Duan Zhenghuai's heart—a feeling of unprecedented loneliness and helplessness despite being in a supreme position.

As the king of Feng, he possessed unparalleled power and glory, but behind this glory lay endless loneliness and sacrifice. He envied the emperor of the neighboring kingdom, those who could enjoy simple happiness, and even more so, Yun Feiyang, the man who silently protected Gao Lingyan, becoming her steadfast support. He himself, even as a king, seemed unable to attain even such simple happiness.

His father had killed his mother with his own hands; the woman who had once given him warmth and maternal love was now just a fleeting memory. Within the capital, those once-familiar faces had vanished with the storm of the coup, none spared. He felt as if he were isolated on a desolate island with no past, no future, surrounded only by the cold palace and the lingering stench of blood.

The stench of blood in the hall, far from fading with time, grew even stronger, like invisible shackles tightly binding Duan Zhenghuai's breath and mind. He felt suffocated, as if even breathing had become difficult. This was not only because of the blood in the air, but also because of the loneliness and helplessness deep within his heart.