My palace is full of female protagonists.

Zhao Chengyu walked to Zhao Chengyu's side, gently patted his shoulder, and said earnestly, "Chengyu, you have been well-versed in poetry and military strategy since childhood, and you should have a profound understanding of the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history. I ask you, how many monarchs truly possess both vast military power and abundant lands simultaneously? Only founding monarchs can possess both. In our country, so many princes and prefectures are independent and well-established. Even if you ascend the throne, what good will it bring you?"

"Going to Yunnan will be both a test and an opportunity for you. There, you can govern the country according to your own will, free from the influence of the old forces, and create a brand new era. When you return to the court after achieving success, you will surely inherit the throne with a more mature and stable demeanor, leading our dynasty to an even more glorious future." Zhao Chengyu's words were full of expectations and trust for Zhao Chengyu.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu felt an unprecedented surge of excitement and pride. He knelt down again and said in a firm and powerful voice, "Father, rest assured, your son will not fail your expectations! Your son will carry your hopes and teachings to Yunnan Kingdom, expand its territory, and achieve great deeds! When your son returns, our dynasty will surely be even more prosperous and powerful!"

Although the Crown Prince deeply understood and agreed with his father's decisions, and his ambition to expand the nation's territory to a wider realm was undoubtedly something every aspiring ruler yearned for, the complexities of human nature caused him to harbor a sliver of doubt. This doubt, like a fine needle in the winter wind, gently yet firmly pierced the surface calm. He pondered to himself whether his father's actions concealed a deeper intention, another test of his abilities and loyalty.

In his memory, his mother was always his strongest support. No matter what storms he faced, as long as he consulted her, he could always find a warm haven. But now, his mother was going to stay in another country, and he didn't know how she would be settled. That protection and reliance were gone, leaving him alone to fight a lonely battle in the vortex of power. Lately, whenever the night was quiet, this loneliness would wash over him like a tide, making him feel utterly helpless.

As for Prime Minister Gao, this wise man of the court, though a trusted advisor to his father, was also an elder of the Gao family. The Crown Prince knew that Prime Minister Gao's plans for a new national destiny in Yunnan not only did not harm him, but were actually for the long-term interests of the entire royal family and even the country. If he became the Crown Prince of Yunnan, he would ultimately reap the rewards. However, this understanding, in the current situation, became a secret he could not speak of. He could not reveal it to anyone, including Prime Minister Gao himself, because that would likely be seen as a challenge to his father's authority, or even a sign of cowardice.

This mental torment was like an invisible rope, tightly constricting his neck, almost suffocating him. Every breath felt like a heavy lead weight, making it hard for him to breathe. Since receiving news of his mother's departure for war, he had been tossing and turning, unable to sleep, his mind constantly filled with various thoughts and images.

Just then, the princes and ministers gathered once again in the solemn and dignified Imperial Study.

However, after a long and arduous period of contemplation, the Crown Prince finally broke free from the disorienting confusion, like a bird breaking free of a dark cage. At this moment, his eyes no longer held any hesitation or bewilderment; instead, they shone with an unprecedented firmness and brightness, as dazzling as stars in a cold night.

The ministers knelt on the ground, their hearts filled with admiration and anticipation for the Emperor's newly proposed water purification plan. Their attention was completely absorbed by this public welfare project that would soon have a profound impact on the nation, and they were unaware of the turbulent thoughts and transformation within the Crown Prince's mind. Zhao Chengyu, a wise and far-sighted minister, was now presenting his suggestions to the Emperor in a tone that was both serious and hopeful.

"Your Majesty is wise. This water purification method is truly a great plan that benefits the country and its people. I believe that, in order to allow this method to benefit all people as soon as possible, we can first allow the Second Prince to conduct a pilot program in his fiefdom. This will not only allow the people to personally experience the convenience brought by purified water, but also provide an opportunity to explore various efficient and economical water purification solutions by combining the terrain characteristics of different regions with the actual needs of the people." Zhao Chengyu's voice was steady and powerful, and every word was resounding.

He continued, "Specifically, we can break down water purification measures into three categories: daily water use, household water use, and personal drinking water, and design corresponding water purification devices for each. For daily water use, such as farmland irrigation and livestock feeding, we can use low-cost and easy-to-maintain filtration systems; for household water use, we need to consider both hygiene and safety, and can use more sophisticated filtration and disinfection technologies; as for personal drinking water, it must meet the highest standards to ensure that every drop of water is pure and harmless."

"Regarding cost control, I suggest that the government should play a guiding and supportive role. Public water purification systems should be fully funded by the government to ensure that every citizen can enjoy this benefit. At the same time, to incentivize the participation of local officials and the public, a reward mechanism should be established. Areas with significant achievements in water purification should receive corresponding subsidies and recognition from the government; conversely, if water resource problems arise due to mismanagement, the government should bear primary responsibility, thereby ensuring the long-term operation and continuous improvement of water purification projects. Private water purification systems should not be operated by individuals; they can only be bought and sold by the government."

Zhao Chengyu's speech won widespread approval from the ministers present, who nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with anticipation for the future. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice responded swiftly, respectfully replying, "Your Excellency is absolutely right. The Ministry of Justice will immediately begin drafting relevant new regulations and laws to clarify the responsibilities of all parties and ensure the smooth implementation of the water purification project. Once the draft is completed, it will be submitted to His Majesty and Your Excellency for review as soon as possible."

The Crown Prince had recently been enjoying his increasingly improved quality of life in the palace. The clear water during each bath, the pure sweetness of every sip of tea, brought him unprecedented comfort and pleasure. However, he remained unaware of the deeper meaning behind these changes. Only when his father's actions gradually came to light did the Crown Prince realize that all of this was part of his father's meticulously planned strategy for national prosperity and improved livelihoods. Simply making the water cleaner would increase tax revenue and benefit the people. He felt a complex mix of emotions, both impressed by his father's foresight and ashamed of his past ignorance.

The Crown Prince's doubts rippled through his mind: Why was his father so different from his childhood impression? In his memory, his father had always been cold and aloof, strict with him but not particularly demanding of him; it was his mother who cared most about his studies, and was also indifferent to governing the country. Now, however, his father displayed not only benevolent rule and love for the people, but also the shrewdness and decisiveness of a businessman, skillfully transforming national resources into a powerful driving force for national development. This transformation left the Crown Prince both bewildered and filled with admiration.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chengyu was immersed in his plans for the future, his heart filled with anticipation and hope for the nation's future. In his view, water resources were just one of many resources controlled by a nation, their importance self-evident. But he understood even more clearly that for a country to truly prosper, it must control more key resources, from minerals to daily necessities—each a symbol of national strength.

In his private conversation with Prime Minister Gao, Zhao Chengyu's words revealed an unwavering determination: "When implementing water purification technology in the South, we must ensure absolute safety and the secrecy of the technology. This is not only about our technological advantage but also closely linked to the fate of all nations. If the technology is leaked, our country will lose its advantage, and the consequences will be unimaginable. At the same time, we must strictly control the planting and processing of potatoes and peanuts, allowing them only to be planted in the South, while the processing into edible oil must be carried out in our country. In this way, we can not only control the edible oil market but also further consolidate our control over the South."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao frowned slightly, but then relaxed. He knew the Emperor's intentions and determination, so he quickly kowtowed in agreement, expressing his full cooperation with Zhao Chengyu's plan and his willingness to contribute to the prosperity and strength of the country.

At that moment, the door was suddenly pushed open, and Consort Yi stormed into the imperial study, her anger palpable. Behind her, Xiao Kuangzi nimbly followed, quickly stopping the servants and attendants outside to prevent the sudden conflict from escalating. Consort Yi's eyes flashed with resentment and anger; her voice was sharp and urgent, directed at the Emperor: "Your Majesty! Why won't even the Empress let me leave? Why is it so difficult for me to even step out of this palace gate!"

Zhao Chengyu's heart skipped a beat. He could sense the anger and despair hidden in Consort Yi's words, and he also keenly caught the blame and disdain she held for him. He knew that at this moment, comforting her was far more important than any explanation. So, he took a deep breath and slowly walked towards Consort Yi, his tone full of reassurance and sincerity: "Consort Yi, you misunderstand. I kept you here not to restrict your freedom. Today is your sister Zhao's victory banquet, how could you not be here? Won't your sister Zhao be sad? I know you're worried about someone using the name of the Yi people to start a rebellion. Look, I've already called all your brothers and court officials here to discuss this. The Third Prince has already put forward effective suggestions, and we are planning how to more effectively deal with the provocations of that so-called Prince Xue's third son."

Consort Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, a cold smile playing on her lips. Though she verbally agreed, "Really?" her heart was filled with disdain. "Hmph, that Third Prince is nothing but a callow brat. What could he possibly know? He can only talk his way out of things and send those incompetent officials to their deaths. They can't even wipe out the bandits, and the militia is utterly useless. What's the point of such an arrangement? If you really want me to say something, I'd rather just give him 20,000 elite troops. I'll personally lead them into the mountains, burn down that third son's lair, and let him know what a true descendant of the Yi people is!"

Zhao Chengyu naturally understood the deeper meaning and dissatisfaction in Consort Yi's words. He sighed inwardly, but also understood her fierce and decisive nature. Therefore, he gently persuaded her, "Consort Yi, calm down. I know you are brave and resourceful, but this matter is no small thing, and we cannot act rashly. We already have a well-thought-out plan, and I believe we can quell this turmoil soon. I promised your parents and grandparents that I would take good care of you. Even if you go to the battlefield, or even if you just scrape your finger in the palace, I will make sure your sister Zhao makes you happy, right? Wait until we have discussed a solution, and then we will send troops to suppress the bandits, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Yi's expression softened slightly, but her sharp eyes remained fixed on the Emperor, as if searching for sincerity and determination in his words. Finally, she sighed softly, said nothing more, and silently turned away, allowing Xiao Kuangzi to help her out of the Imperial Study. Zhao Chengyu heard Consort Yi muttering curses under her breath, but she obediently left. He then closed the door to the Imperial Study and called out from outside, "If you can't come up with a solution, don't come out!"

Faced with Consort Yi's sudden outburst, Zhao Chengyu seemed somewhat at a loss. He hurriedly replied, "Immediately! Arrange it immediately!" At the same time, he gently wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead, a wry smile tinged with helplessness and indulgence. He glanced around; the courtiers' gazes, filled with surprise and curiosity, were clearly all drawn to this unexpected turn of events.

“Look,” Zhao Chengyu sighed, and continued, “I really can’t do anything with my little devil. If she really went to fight the bandits on her own, she could turn dozens of mountains into barren land. You’ve all heard about the methods the Yi tribe used back then—they were brave and fearless, and ruthless. If it weren’t for the late emperor’s decision to send the crown prince to wipe out the Yi tribe, I wouldn’t have been dragged into this mess, let alone have to take care of this stubborn little girl now.”

At this point, a complex emotion flashed in Zhao Chengyu's eyes, a mixture of nostalgia for the past and helplessness in the face of the present. The court officials exchanged glances, silently pondering. They naturally knew that Consort Yi's status was extraordinary; nominally the Emperor's concubine, she was in reality his adopted daughter and a princess, an orphan of the Yi tribe. However, various versions of Consort Yi's life in the palace circulated among the outside world. Some said she was deeply favored by the Emperor, while others said she was merely a caged bird imprisoned in the deep palace.

Upon hearing Zhao Chengyu so frankly reveal Consort Yi's true identity and situation, the court officials were taken aback. They began to re-examine this seemingly weak but actually resilient woman, and the subtle and complex emotional bond between her and the Emperor.

"So, His Majesty has always treated her like a goddaughter..." an older courtier murmured to himself, his tone filled with both emotion and admiration. The other courtiers nodded in agreement, expressing their understanding and respect for the Emperor's deep affection and sense of responsibility.