My palace is full of female protagonists.

At this point, Prime Minister Gao's tone couldn't help but carry a hint of self-deprecation, "Looking back at us prime ministers and military officers who pride ourselves on being the pillars of the court, we seem to have become dispensable decorations in the face of this wave. The emperor's decisions often exceed our expectations, and have also made us old ministers feel unprecedented pressure and challenges."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Yes, the Emperor's drastic change in temperament is truly unexpected. I still remember the shock and bewilderment I felt when he ordered my concubines and illegitimate children to be sent away. I still can't forget it. Although I dare not utter a single complaint, I feel uneasy, as if a boulder is pressing on my chest, and I can't shake it off. I haven't dared to contact them privately to this day, and can only secretly arrange some silver and supplies through the elders of my clan, hoping that they can live a little better outside."

At this point, Prime Minister Su's voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that his soft spot had been touched. But he added, "His Majesty's actions may have a deeper meaning."

Lord Su stood before Prime Minister Gao, a subtle, complex emotion flickering in his eyes. He understood the meaning behind Prime Minister Gao's words, but as Prime Minister himself, he was even more aware of the deeper implications and potential consequences.

"Prime Minister Gao," Lord Su began slowly, his voice carrying a hint of composure, "the world has indeed been in turmoil for a long time, and the territories of various countries have remained unchanged for many years, which has indeed maintained a certain balance to some extent. But what you mean by 'setting a precedent' is probably not so simple. I fear that our country will become the target of everyone's attacks!"

He paused, then continued, "While it is certainly a great diplomatic victory for Feng to become an ally, the retreat of Nan may touch a nerve with other countries. We cannot ignore their reactions, especially since we have two powerful neighbors. Won't they be wary of us? If they form an alliance, will our country have the confidence to fight wars year after year?"

Prime Minister Gao smiled slightly, seemingly unconcerned about Lord Su's concerns. "Lord Su, you are being overly cautious. The Emperor and Empress Gao's decisions are naturally based on their deep considerations. Don't you trust the Emperor's wisdom and decisiveness? We now have potatoes and peanut oil. At least from the battle reports I've seen, only our soldiers in the camps are not suffering from diarrhea. Just based on this alone, even our fifty-year-old soldiers are stronger than a teenager from another country."

Lord Su sighed softly, knowing that Prime Minister Gao's words carried a certain provocative tone. "Of course I trust His Majesty, but as Prime Minister, I also have a responsibility to remind him that any decision requires careful consideration."

A sharp glint flashed in Prime Minister Gao's eyes, and his voice suddenly turned stern. "Lord Su, your loyalty is certainly commendable, but excessive caution may lead to missed opportunities. The Emperor and Empress Gao have already made their decision, and now that Empress Zhao has been promoted, I might not return from the Southern Kingdom. Prime Minister Su, think it over carefully. Don't blame me for not warning you; as subjects, we should offer our full support, not engage in baseless speculation. Soon, so many rising officials will enter the palace. Even without Prime Minister Gao, there will be Prime Minister Yang, Prime Minister Chen, and Prime Minister Wang. If you continue with this attitude, how will you face the consequences?"

Lord Su frowned slightly. He knew that Prime Minister Gao's words carried unquestionable authority. But as Prime Minister, he also had his own duties and beliefs. He took a deep breath and decided to stand firm on his position.

"Prime Minister Gao, I understand your meaning, but I still believe we should handle these matters more cautiously. After all, the stability of the country and the peace of the people are what we, as prime ministers, should consider first. Otherwise, what will we use to fight a war?"

Prime Minister Gao remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Lord Su, what you say makes sense. But I hope you also understand that sometimes, for greater benefits, we must be willing to take risks. You are the Prime Minister, not a housekeeper. Stop thinking about that concubine and those illegitimate children!"

Zhao Chengyu paced slowly beside the sandalwood table in the imperial study, his gaze wandering among the ancient books on the shelves, as if searching for something. The study was filled with the faint scent of ink, and moonlight streamed through the carved window frames, casting its glow on the smooth floor, making everything appear serene and solemn.

"Go to the theater and make an appearance. See which noble ladies take a liking to you. Have the Empress send them hairpins and flowers, and then have them all carried into the Crown Prince's residence in red sedan chairs." Zhao Chengyu stopped and turned around, looking at his son with piercing eyes. "Treat them all as concubines."

Crown Prince Zhao Jin was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected his father to make such a request so quickly. "Father, isn't this too early?" His voice held a hint of hesitation.

Zhao Chengyu smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of affection and understanding. "I also have some childhood sweethearts, right? You've gone to the South, will you still be able to see them?" His voice carried a touch of emotion, as if he were reminiscing about his past.

A warm feeling welled up in Crown Prince Zhao Jin's heart. He knew his father was reminding him that once he went to the Southern Kingdom, he would be far from his homeland and the friends he had grown up with. A resolute look flashed in his eyes; he knew the responsibility he bore.

"Furthermore, don't you think about what kind of power you need in the Southern Kingdom?" Zhao Chengyu's voice carried a hint of seriousness, his words revealing his expectations and trust in his son.

A flash of understanding crossed Crown Prince Zhao Jin's eyes; he understood his father's intentions. In the Southern Kingdom, he needed his own power base, and the families behind these noble ladies would undoubtedly become his strongest support. A resolute look appeared in his eyes; he knew he had to make a choice.

“Father, I understand.” Crown Prince Zhao Jin immediately stood up, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said with a hint of determination in his voice, “I will go to the theater right now.”

Zhao Chengyu nodded in satisfaction, knowing his son understood his intentions. A hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes; he hoped his son could establish his own power base in the South and lay a solid foundation for the country's future.

The Crown Prince turned and left the Imperial Study, his steps firm and powerful. He knew that from now on, his life would no longer be just about the leisure and carefree life of a crown prince. It was already a rare privilege that his father and mother had paved a new path for him at such a young age.

As Zhao Qi'er and Consort Yi stepped onto the stage, the surrounding clamor seemed to fall silent, replaced by waves of congratulations. The noble ladies, dressed in their colorful gowns, vied for attention, but before the bright yellow Empress, they all seemed to pale in comparison.

"Empress Zhao looks absolutely radiant today. That bright yellow gown is truly a sight to behold," a noblewoman in a jade-green dress said with a smile, a hint of envy in her eyes.

Another noblewoman in a light pink dress chimed in softly, "Indeed, Empress Zhao has an extraordinary air about her. The stage is much more beautiful today because of her presence."

Hearing these compliments, Consort Yi smiled slightly, a hint of pride in her eyes. "You flatter me, everyone. It is my honor to enjoy this wonderful performance with you all today."

Zhao Qi'er maintained her usual poise and elegance, nodding slightly in response to the congratulations from the noble ladies. "Thank you all for your blessings. The stage is indeed bustling with activity today. Let's look forward to the performance to come."

Just then, the performers on the stage began preparing for the next program. The original opera was temporarily replaced with a colorful equestrian performance, both to cater to the preferences of Empress Zhao and Consort Yi, and to demonstrate the stage's respect for its distinguished guests.

With a burst of rousing drumbeats, the equestrian performance began. The performers, dressed in vibrant costumes and riding ornately decorated horses, moved with agility and elegance. Under the performers' skill, the horses galloped like the wind and danced gracefully, displaying astonishing coordination and control.

The audience was captivated by the spectacular performance, their eyes sparkling with excitement. During the equestrian show, the performers showcased some highly difficult maneuvers, such as standing on horseback or performing flips while on horseback; each movement was precise and fluid, leaving the audience in awe.

"Look at that white horse, how glossy its coat is, just like the white clouds in the sky!" A noblewoman exclaimed, pointing to a white horse that was performing.

Another noblewoman praised the performer's skills: "That knight's movements were so clean and swift; such skill cannot be acquired overnight."

Zhao Qi'er and Consort Yi watched with great interest, both wearing satisfied smiles. This equestrian performance not only showcased the performers' superb skills but also added a festive and vibrant touch to the stage, making the night even more unforgettable.

The candles inside the palace lanterns were lit one by one, their warm yellow light illuminating the entire stage, foreshadowing the imminent arrival of another person of high status. The noble ladies knew that in this palace, only the Emperor and the Crown Prince were more noble than the Empress, so they all began to tidy their appearance, hoping to appear in their best condition before the approaching dignitary.

A noblewoman dressed in a lake-blue embroidered dress, named Li Zhaojun, said softly to her maid, "Quickly, straighten my hairpins, and is my makeup still intact?" Her maid hurriedly stepped forward, carefully adjusting her hair ornaments, and gently pressed her cheeks with a delicate powder puff to ensure her makeup was flawless.

Another noblewoman, Chen Wanru, was dressed in the most fashionable begonia red of the year. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, she frowned and said to the maid beside her, "My eyebrows seem not to be drawn symmetrically. Quickly, help me fix them." The maid immediately took out an eyebrow pencil and gently moved it between her eyebrows, making them look more harmonious and natural.

In the corner stood a noblewoman, Zhao Wan'er, whose dress was embroidered with exquisite peonies. She was quite confident in her makeup, but still said to the servant beside her, "Go and get my rouge; I want to add some more." The servant quickly took out the rouge from the makeup box, and Zhao Wan'er gently dabbed it on her cheeks, then blended it evenly, making her complexion look even more rosy and radiant.

The noble ladies all knew that marrying either the Emperor or the Crown Prince was an unparalleled honor, especially since both were young and promising. Furthermore, many officials praised Empress Gao's two remarkable achievements—supporting Prince Feng and pacifying the Southern Kingdom—and naturally wanted to emulate her, expanding territories and gaining greater fame. For these officials, the daughters of the legitimate wives were their stepping stones to entering the imperial court.

Therefore, the noble ladies were not only striving for personal glory, but also seeking greater honor and benefits for their families. Every detail, every strand of hair, had to be perfect, in order to leave a lasting impression on the distinguished guests they were about to meet. In this palace, every appearance could be a chance to change one's destiny, and no one wanted to make any mistakes at this crucial moment.

The prince's sedan chair was steadily carried by eight strong porters. Its body was inlaid with gold thread and jewels, gleaming in the sunlight, highlighting the prince's noble status. The sedan chair slowly descended, and as the curtain was gently lifted, the prince's figure appeared in everyone's sight.

The crown prince wore an exquisite long robe embroidered with gold thread, the robe featuring dragons soaring through clouds, symbolizing his status and his potential future as emperor. His steps were steady and powerful, every movement exuding elegance and confidence. His face was handsome, with deep-set features, and his eyes gleamed with wisdom, as if they could see into people's hearts. His hair was neatly tied up in a golden crown, the jewels inlaid on the crown complementing his robe perfectly, further highlighting his extraordinary bearing.

When the Crown Prince walked, his back was ramrod straight, each step seemingly meticulously calculated, neither hurried nor sluggish, exuding composure. His gaze was peaceful yet dignified, as if he could see through everything in the world. His smile was warm and reserved, neither overly enthusiastic nor indifferent, maintaining just the right balance of a Crown Prince's poise and dignity.

As he walked into the middle of the aisle, all eyes were on him. The women adjusted their dresses and hair ornaments, hoping to attract the prince's attention. The prince, in turn, responded to their gazes with equality and respect, his eyes conveying both polite greetings and admiration for their beauty.

The Crown Prince walked to Zhao Qi'er's side and nodded to her and the other concubines. Zhao Qi'er then stood up gracefully and naturally. She took the Crown Prince's arm and smiled, saying, "Your father sent you, didn't he?" This statement revealed her understanding of the Emperor's intentions and her closeness to the Crown Prince.

Zhao Qi'er's tone carried a hint of amusement, her eyes gleaming with intelligence. She knew the Emperor's true purpose in sending the Crown Prince to the stage—not only to let him enjoy the equestrian performance, but also to allow him to observe and select suitable concubines. Zhao Qi'er's words were both a welcome to the Crown Prince and a reminder, indicating that she had seen through the true purpose behind this gathering.