My palace is full of female protagonists.

The Crown Prince stood by, witnessing this sudden turn of events, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He had never expected his mother, Empress Gao Lingyan, to make such a decision, nor did he know she harbored ambitions to become Empress. However, his father, Emperor Zhao Chengyu's, attitude only confused him more. Faced with this turn of events, his father showed no sign of making things difficult for him; on the contrary, he continued to involve him in political affairs, frequently summoning him to the Imperial Study to review memorials, and even personally imparting to him the art of governance. What puzzled him even more was that his father never excluded him from various official ceremonies, showing absolutely no intention of deposing him as Crown Prince.

As for Zhao Qi'er, the woman who was about to become empress, the speed of her change of status surprised and bewildered the crown prince.

However, amidst this turbulent and complex situation, the Crown Prince gradually learned to be calm and resilient.

The next morning, as dawn broke, a faint golden hue shone on the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, foreshadowing an extraordinary day. Empress Zhao Qi'er, clad in an elaborate phoenix robe and adorned with a nine-phoenix pearl crown, moved gracefully through the palace grounds. Each step seemed to follow an invisible melody, her movements setting the stage for the grand flower-viewing banquet.

The palace gates slowly opened, and the guards on both sides, clad in armor and holding long spears, stood solemnly, as if even the air itself had frozen in the solemnity of the ceremony. With the deep creak of the door hinges turning, the most dazzling sight in the capital—groups of officials' wives, noblewomen, and youthful ladies in magnificent attire—filed in with light, graceful steps.

"Oh my, Madam Li, your peony dress woven from cloud brocade is truly dazzling. Even the flowers in the Imperial Garden would be ashamed of themselves." A noblewoman in a green dress, holding a round fan, covered her mouth and chuckled as she spoke to a graceful woman beside her.

Madam Li gently stroked the exquisite embroidery on her skirt and smiled modestly, "Not at all, Madam Zhang, you flatter me. Today is Her Majesty the Empress's flower-viewing banquet, so we naturally have to dress up carefully to show our respect. However, when it comes to the beauty of these magnificent robes, who can compare to Her Majesty the Empress's phoenix robe?"

“That’s right. Her Majesty the Empress’s phoenix robe is unparalleled in the world. We mortals can only look up to it in awe.” Another noble lady chimed in. She was wearing a light pink gauze dress and had a few freshly picked peach blossoms in her hair, making her look exceptionally fresh and refined.

"By the way, have you heard? Her Majesty the Empress has put a lot of effort into this flower-viewing banquet. I heard that the new opera house at the foot of the city wall was built under her personal supervision, and today she's even invited famous opera singers from the capital to perform for the occasion," a well-informed official's wife said in a low voice, sounding mysterious.

"Really? That's wonderful! I've always heard that the theater is ingeniously designed, offering both the performance and the view. Today I'll finally get to feast my eyes on it." Upon hearing this, the noble ladies all showed their anticipation, and their voices rose and fell in discussion.

At this moment, the Imperial Garden was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and all kinds of flowers were vying for beauty, as if nature's most proud work had specially laid out the most splendid backdrop for this grand banquet. Guests strolled among them, some pausing to admire the flowers, others chatting in hushed tones, and every face was filled with awe and admiration for the Empress.

"Her Majesty the Empress is truly virtuous and kind. Not only does she manage the inner palace well, but she also cares so much about the cultural life of the people. She is truly a blessing to our Great Xia!" an elderly official's wife exclaimed, her eyes filled with admiration for the Empress.

“Yes, to receive such favor from Her Majesty the Empress, we, as her subjects, should naturally work even harder and contribute our strength to the prosperity and strength of the Great Xia,” echoed the wife of another official, her tone firm and resolute.

Amidst laughter and praise, the flower-viewing banquet slowly began, and Empress Zhao Qi'er, like the warmest sunshine in spring, shone on everyone, making this grand event even more heartwarming and unforgettable.

Dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, Zhao Qi'er walked with graceful steps, personally leading the guests along the winding paths of the Imperial Garden. Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, illuminating the colorful petals, each one like a meticulously crafted work of art, exuding an alluring fragrance. Zhao Qi'er would occasionally pause, her gaze gently sweeping over the blooming flowers, as if engaging in a silent dialogue with them.

"Your Majesty, look at this peony! It's blooming so profusely! It truly deserves to be called the king of flowers!" A noblewoman in a violet dress pointed to a peony not far away, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Zhao Qi'er smiled slightly and nodded gently: "Indeed, the peony's magnificence and grandeur perfectly match the national style of our Great Xia. However, in my eyes, every flower has its unique beauty, just like each of you ladies here, each with your own merits, all of you are the most moving scenery in this spring."

Upon hearing this, the noblewoman's face lit up with an even brighter smile, and she quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise."

At this moment, a young noblewoman, holding a bunch of wildflowers freshly picked from a branch, skipped and hopped to Zhao Qi'er's side, saying in a clear and melodious voice, "Your Majesty, you see, these wildflowers may be inconspicuous, but they have a unique charm. I feel that they are like the purest and most genuine emotions in this world, which can touch people's hearts without needing fancy decorations."

Zhao Qi'er looked down at the bunch of wildflowers, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes: "You're right, wildflowers have their own charm. They don't compete or fight, they bloom quietly, and that's what touches people's hearts the most. That's exactly what I'm pursuing—to maintain a pure and kind heart amidst the hustle and bustle."

During the conversation, Zhao Qi'er's gaze would occasionally drift to the distant opera stage at the foot of the city wall, which was about to become the focus of attention, and an indescribable anticipation and excitement would well up in her heart. She knew that this opera stage was not just a building, but also the culmination of her many years of hard work, and her dedication and perseverance in protecting and passing on traditional culture.

"Your Majesty, I heard that there will be a performance at the theater at the foot of the city wall today. Is that true?" a curious lady couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Qi'er nodded, her smile tinged with pride: "Yes, I specially arranged this opera feast, hoping that while enjoying the flowers, everyone can also appreciate the profoundness of our country's opera. That opera house was built for this purpose."

In the afternoon, sunlight, like fine threads, pierced through the clouds, sprinkling every inch of land at the foot of the city wall, draping the ancient opera stage in a golden veil. The opera stage stood majestically, its upturned eaves pointing straight to the blue sky, its carved beams and painted rafters revealing the solemnity and grandeur of the imperial court. Time seemed to stand still here, making people involuntarily slow down and savor the weight of history.

A lively scene unfolded in front of the opera house. Carefully selected guests, led by palace maids, slowly entered this world enveloped in artistic atmosphere. Their arrival undoubtedly added more prestige and anticipation to the upcoming theatrical extravaganza.

Meanwhile, on one side of the theater, several renowned opera stars from Beijing were taking advantage of this rare free time to practice their singing diligently. Some stood, some knelt, and each of their faces was filled with focus and devotion. The melodious tunes, sometimes soaring and passionate, sometimes lingering and gentle, were like celestial music, piercing through the surrounding noise and reaching straight to the heart.

"Listen, that's Mei Lanfang's 'The Drunken Beauty.' The singing is truly melodious and lingers for days!" A noblewoman standing not far away gently tugged at her friend's sleeve, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"That's right, and there's also Mr. Cheng's 'Farewell My Concubine,' every word is full of deep emotion, making people's hearts surge with emotion." My friend was also full of intoxication, as if he had been deeply attracted by the charm of the opera.

Their conversation attracted the attention of the other noble ladies around them. They all stopped in their tracks, some standing, some sitting, and all turned their gazes to the famous singers who were practicing their voices. Some closed their eyes, listening intently to the plaintive melody; others gently waved their round fans, a faint smile on their lips, as if they had been transported to another time and space by the melody.

As the singers' voices rose higher and higher during their practice, more and more people were drawn to the performance. They climbed nearby trees or stood on tiptoe, trying to squeeze through the crowd to better watch and listen to this rare theatrical performance. Although they couldn't enter the theater, their love and pursuit of art made them willing to wait there, just for that one moment of awe and emotion.

At the foot of the city wall, the hustle and bustle in front of the opera stage and the melodious opera music intertwined to create a vivid scene, and amidst this liveliness, an unusual touch of warmth quietly unfolded. The emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, exuded a sense of majesty mixed with a touch of casualness. With a light leap, he ascended to the top of the city gate, his gentle gaze locking onto Zhao Qi'er, who was surrounded by guests.

Zhao Qi'er, dressed in a phoenix robe and wearing a pearl crown, was dignified yet gentle, chatting with several noble ladies and officials' wives. Her occasional laughter was like the clear, melodious bells of spring. Feeling Zhao Chengyu's gaze, her cheeks involuntarily flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, a feeling of indescribable sweetness and shyness welling up inside her.

Seeing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled and strode towards Zhao Qi'er, completely ignoring the stares of those around them. He reached out and gently took Zhao Qi'er's wrist, pulling her to his side, and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "What? Just because you're the Empress now, does that mean I can't talk to you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qier's cheeks turned as red as ripe apples. She tried to pull away from Zhao Chengyu's hand, but to no avail. She could only lower her head and whisper, "Your Majesty, we are outside, so it is inconvenient."

Zhao Chengyu, however, didn't take it to heart. Instead, he tightened his grip, pulling Zhao Qi'er's shoulders into his arms, his eyes full of doting affection: "Isn't the strength of a nation reflected in the harmony between the Emperor and Empress? Now, you are the one who is most devoted to me, doesn't that prove our nation's strength? What's there to be embarrassed about? You should be bolder. In this Great Xia, what woman can surpass you?"

These words not only warmed Zhao Qi'er's heart, but also drew envious glances from the noble ladies and wives of officials around her. They whispered among themselves, their eyes sparkling with envy and longing for the deep affection between the Empress and the Emperor.

"Her Majesty the Empress is truly blessed to be so favored by the Emperor; it is truly enviable," a noblewoman whispered to the official's wife beside her.

"Yes, the deep affection between the Emperor and Empress is a blessing to the nation. We, as their subjects, also benefit from it." The official's wife nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with emotion.

Listening to these discussions, Zhao Qi'er felt a warmth in her heart, but she couldn't help but think of Gao Lingyan—the woman who had entered the palace with her but, for various reasons, failed to gain the Emperor's favor. A complex emotion flashed through her mind, but it was quickly overwhelmed by Zhao Chengyu's gentleness. She knew that these words could not be spoken aloud, lest they spoil the Emperor's mood, and she didn't want any shadow to fall between them at this beautiful moment.

So she nestled gently in Zhao Chengyu's arms, letting their happiness and sweetness flow slowly in the spring breeze.

The man who once shared spring blossoms and autumn moons with her, and swore an oath to grow old together, underwent a sudden and dramatic change in temperament recently: He swiftly and decisively reformed the court, eradicating corruption and revitalizing the government; he was ambitious and enterprising in reforming the system, ensuring the efficient operation of the state apparatus; and he devoted himself to educating the crown prince, vowing to pass the throne to a wise ruler. Most notably, he defied public opinion to support female officials and even proposed the idea of ​​an empress, a truly groundbreaking act in ancient society.

Zhao Qi'er witnessed and benefited from all these changes—she was crowned Empress, ruling the world and enjoying unparalleled honor and glory. However, behind this dazzling facade, she felt an unprecedented loneliness and confusion. From that day on, the Emperor had never touched her again, nor had he favored any of his concubines. This "abstinence" made her wonder if her becoming Empress was truly due to the Emperor's deep love for her, or merely a political maneuver.

In the days leading up to her coronation ceremony, Zhao Qi'er often recalled the day she first met the Emperor. Back then, he was a gentle and refined prince, while she was merely an insignificant maidservant in the Zhao Prince's residence. Who could have imagined that Zhao Yingqing, a distant relative of the late Emperor, would be exiled, leaving only her by his side? The two of them spent their exile and time on the frontier like an ordinary commoner couple. However, time had passed, the Emperor's status had changed, and his heart seemed to have changed as well. That pure affection seemed to be overshadowed by the endless affairs of state.

The scene at the city gate, the Emperor's heartfelt words, were like a ray of sunlight piercing through the clouds, briefly illuminating Zhao Qi'er's heart. But she quickly fell into self-doubt. Were those words truly the Emperor's heartfelt expression, or merely empty words spoken by a ruler to stabilize the harem and solidify his image? Did the pure affection they once shared still remain, or were they merely maintaining a superficial harmony of mutual respect?