My palace is full of female protagonists.

Lin Wanru, the second young lady of the Minister's mansion, brought the pipa, a musical instrument full of charm. Her fingering was nimble and powerful, and the pipa's sound was crisp and melodious. Sometimes it echoed the guzheng, and sometimes it formed a dialogue with the flute, injecting more vitality and variation into the ensemble.

As for Princess Yunshang, she didn't choose traditional instruments, but instead decided to join the ensemble with her voice. Her clear and sweet voice could beautifully penetrate the sounds of the other instruments, bringing a unique warmth and intimacy to the entire piece. At the right moment, she would softly hum a part of the melody, weaving a beautiful musical tapestry together with the instruments.

At the most exciting moment of the ensemble performance of "Yangchun Baixue," the Empress suddenly announced a surprise—inviting other women from the capital present to join the chorus, adding a unique touch to this classic masterpiece.

At the Queen's invitation, a group of women dressed in various gorgeous costumes slowly walked onto the stage. Among them were daughters of officials, daughters of merchants, and talented women from ordinary families. Although they came from different backgrounds, they all gathered here at this moment with a love for music and a pursuit of beauty.

Under the conductor's guidance, the women quickly found their place, perfectly complementing the existing musicians and ladies. Their voices were either clear and melodious, gentle and moving, or passionate and powerful, each possessing its own unique charm.

As the first note sounded, the chorus officially began. The women's voices, like a gentle spring rain, softly sprinkled into everyone's hearts. Their voices were sometimes high-pitched and passionate, echoing the melodies of the flute and guzheng; at other times, they were low and melodious, lingering tenderly with the tones of the guqin and pipa. The entire chorus possessed both classical charm and modern vitality and passion.

The women's tacit understanding and collaboration during the chorus were truly admirable. Their eye contact, synchronized breathing, and volume control were remarkably consistent, as if they had rehearsed for a long time. This natural harmony and unity made the entire piece sound even more vivid and moving.

As the chorus reached its climax, the women's voices soared to unprecedented heights. Their voices coalesced into a powerful force, penetrating the entire theater and leaving everyone present deeply moved. At that moment, both audience members and contestants were captivated by the beautiful music, immersed in boundless joy and emotion.

Finally, as the last note faded away, thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the theater. After two rounds of competition, the noble ladies formed small groups, and it was quite obvious that they were competing with each other, but the ladies pretended not to notice.

The third round of the "Flying Flower Order" competition began amidst great anticipation. Empress Zhao, in her gentle yet dignified voice, personally announced the rule that the word "flower" would be the starting point. This news, like a spring breeze across a lake, stirred up ripples. Although the noble ladies maintained reserved smiles on their faces, their eyes gleamed with a defiant spirit, clearly filled with anticipation and fighting spirit for this challenge.

With the Empress's command, the competition officially began. The first noblewoman gently opened her lips and recited the line, "The Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, but it cannot compare to Wang Lun's affection for me." Although the word "flower" in the poem did not directly describe the beauty of the flowers, it cleverly used the depth of the Peach Blossom Pool as a metaphor for the depth of friendship, winning applause from the audience. Immediately afterward, the second noblewoman, not to be outdone, quickly followed with, "A pot of wine among the flowers, I drink alone without a companion." Her voice carried a touch of aloofness and freedom, as if the poet drinking alone under the moon were right before our eyes.

As the competition progressed, the contest among the noble ladies intensified. Some quoted classical texts, reciting timeless lines; others composed impromptu poems, showcasing their literary talents. Every line of poetry uttered was accompanied by gasps and applause from the audience, filling the entire theater with a rich cultural atmosphere.

However, beneath this seemingly elegant contest, a growing tension and competitive spirit were quietly creeping into the hearts of the noble ladies. Though they maintained impeccable smiles, their eyes revealed a sharp and determined glint. Whenever someone recited a beautiful line, the others would quickly search their minds for even more exquisite verses to respond, fearing that the slightest misstep would put them at a disadvantage.

As time went on, the competition gradually entered its most intense phase. The poetic exchanges among the noble ladies became increasingly fierce, each line brimming with wit and talent. They used flowers as metaphors for people to express their emotions and aspirations; or they used scenery to express their feelings, showcasing their insights and understanding of life. Throughout the theater, the fragrance of flowers and the aroma of ink intertwined, creating a series of breathtaking scenes.

Another noble lady, the daughter of the Minister of War, parted her lips slightly, her voice clear and melodious as a spring: "Last year on this day, in this very doorway, faces and peach blossoms reflected each other's redness." This line immediately drew admiration from everyone, as if the scene of peach blossoms in full bloom in spring had already leaped before their eyes.

Immediately afterwards, a noblewoman dressed in gorgeous clothes stood up. She was the daughter of the Minister of Revenue. She smiled slightly and recited: "Clouds remind me of her clothes, flowers of her face; the spring breeze brushes the railing, the dew is heavy." Her voice was gentle and magnetic, making people involuntarily intoxicated by the elegant and luxurious artistic conception, like that of a peony.

Then, a talented woman from Jiangnan, with her unique gentleness and talent, slowly recited: "Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the Southern Mountain." Although she did not directly mention the word "flower," the chrysanthemum's proud spirit and reclusive sentiment made people feel a different kind of charm.

The competition grew increasingly heated, with the young ladies showcasing their literary talents. Some recited lines like "I listened to the spring rain all night in my small building, and tomorrow morning, apricot blossoms will be sold in the deep alley," vividly depicting the refreshing beauty of spring rain and apricot blossoms; others used the lines "The lotus leaves stretch to the sky, an endless expanse of green, while the lotus blossoms, bathed in sunlight, are a uniquely vibrant red," to depict the splendor and vitality of summer lotus flowers.

Some even use flowers to symbolize people, such as "The lotus cannot compare to a beauty's makeup, the breeze from the water pavilion carries the fragrance of pearls and jade," comparing a beauty to a flower adds a touch of elegance and charm. The line "Pear blossoms in the courtyard bathed in the soft moonlight, willow catkins on the pond swaying gently in the breeze" makes one feel as if they are on a tranquil and beautiful spring night, experiencing the harmonious blend of flowers and moon.

As time went by, the ladies' poems flowed like a spring, each line brimming with talent and wisdom. They used flowers to express their feelings or aspirations, showcasing the beauty and profundity of the word "flower" to its fullest extent. In this flower-themed poetry contest, they were not only competitors but also partners who appreciated and learned from each other.

Finally, when an older noblewoman concluded with the line, "The flowers of April have all faded in the human world, but the peach blossoms in the mountain temple are just beginning to bloom," thunderous applause erupted throughout the palace. This line not only perfectly captured the essence of the poem's theme of "flowers," but also symbolized the enduring beauty and hope in life.

In the following days, the Crown Prince's daily life seemed to be confined by an invisible framework. His footsteps were almost entirely confined to the small world of the palace, shuttling between Empress Gao's elegant and solemn bedchamber and the imperial study filled with books and permeated with ambergris. However, even this seemingly monotonous route became lively and interesting due to the intricate interpersonal relationships within the palace and the unintentional little incidents.

One early morning, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, the first rays of warm sunlight eagerly pierced through the thin clouds, gently and slowly casting a soft golden veil over the flagstone path leading to the Imperial Study. The Crown Prince, dressed in a brocade robe, walked with a steady yet leisurely gait along this familiar path. Although his sedan chair followed behind, princes were usually not allowed to ride in sedan chairs to school unless they were ill; otherwise, if they fell asleep on the way and were seen by their father, the Emperor, they would be scolded. As he walked, the Crown Prince pondered the day's important court matters.

Suddenly, a crisp, abrupt sound of shattering porcelain shattered the morning tranquility. The sound seemed to come from a cluster of blooming flowers not far away, carrying a hint of surprise and panic. Upon hearing the sound, the Crown Prince involuntarily stopped, his brow furrowing slightly, and looked in the direction of the sound.

Not far away, a noblewoman dressed in a magnificent palace gown embroidered with gold and phoenixes was half-squatting on the ground, carefully trying to pick up the scattered shards of teaware. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the sudden turn of events, like peach blossoms blooming in the morning light, and her eyes shone with a mixture of embarrassment and helplessness. Clearly, this noblewoman was in a hurry to pay her respects to Empress Gao, but had slipped on the dew-covered steps, knocking over the teaware in her hands.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince felt somewhat helpless, but looking at the palace servants behind him, it seemed that only he, with his status, could care for this noble lady. He slowly approached, trying to make his footsteps as light as possible so as not to disturb the woman who was busy cleaning up the mess. "Young lady, do you need my help?" His voice was gentle and magnetic, like a spring breeze, giving people a sense of warmth.

Upon hearing this, the noblewoman looked up abruptly, her gaze meeting the Crown Prince's. For a moment, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by gratitude. "Thank you... thank you so much, Your Highness! I have been rude; please forgive me." She bowed repeatedly as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly, her shyness evident in her words.

"It's alright, get up quickly." Li Yu raised his hand slightly, indicating that she didn't need to be so polite, and then bent down to help her pick up the scattered teaware fragments. With their combined efforts, the mess on the ground was quickly cleaned up.

"Is the young lady in a hurry to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager?" Li Yu asked softly as he placed the last fragment on the tray.

"Yes, Your Highness. I was in a hurry and didn't pay attention to my footing, so..." The noblewoman blushed again as she spoke, and her voice became even softer.

"It's alright, just be more careful next time." Li Yu smiled, his tone full of comfort and encouragement. "It's getting late, hurry up and go. Your mother must be waiting for you. It's okay that the tea is gone. I'll have a palace maid go with you and explain for you. Your mother won't blame you."

The noblewoman bowed again to express her gratitude, her eyes shining with appreciation, before hurrying away, leaving only the Crown Prince and his entourage standing there, watching her receding figure.

The following afternoon, coincidentally, the Crown Prince had just finished a tense and arduous morning of court discussions and was exhausted both physically and mentally. So he decided to go to the bathhouse and let the warm spring water wash away his fatigue and the hustle and bustle.

He strolled slowly through the palace gardens along the meticulously paved cobblestone path, flanked by lush trees and vibrant flowers, their delicate fragrance filling the air and soothing his soul. Just as he was enjoying this rare tranquility and beauty, a clear, melodious laugh suddenly pierced through the leaves, like heavenly music, breaking the surrounding silence and piquing his curiosity.

"Who is playing here?" the prince wondered to himself, and involuntarily followed the sound. Passing through a dense bamboo grove, the view suddenly opened up, and he found himself in a corner of the Imperial Garden. There he saw several courtesans dressed in light, brightly colored silk skirts, like flowers blooming in spring. He recognized them from the theater and they were chasing a white rabbit that had accidentally wandered into the open grass.

The white rabbit, pure white with bright red eyes, appeared exceptionally clever and adorable. It seemed captivated by the unexpected game, its playful spirit ignited. One moment it leaped lightly among the flowers, darting about like a white sprite; the next it hid in the dappled shadows of the trees, playing hide-and-seek with the courtesans. The courtesans' laughter was clear and melodious, echoing in the air like silver bells. Their dresses swayed gently in the breeze, like butterflies dancing, adding a touch of life and vitality to the tranquil imperial garden.

The Crown Prince stood not far away, quietly watching this scene, a rare smile appearing on his face. Such scenes often occurred when his mother, the Empress, was free and unrestrained in the palace. Although Empress Gao was a noblewoman from the Gao family, she was, in reality, just a woman with a girlish heart. He thought to himself, "These people really went to great lengths to make me see this."

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, a merchant girl suddenly noticed his presence. Her laughter stopped abruptly, and a look of surprise and embarrassment appeared on her face. She quickly pulled her sisters to stop playing and respectfully bowed to the Crown Prince: "We were unaware of Your Highness's arrival. Please forgive our rudeness."

The prince smiled slightly and waved his hand to indicate that they didn't need to be so polite: "It's alright, I was being presumptuous. You can continue playing, I was just passing by and was attracted by your laughter."

Upon hearing this, the courtesans breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged smiles, and then resumed their game of chasing the white rabbit. The prince stood there for a while, continuing to admire the beautiful scene before him, his heart filled with warmth and contentment.

As evening fell, the sky gradually turned a deep orange hue, and the setting sun poured down like molten gold, bathing the entire palace in a dazzling and warm glow. The Crown Prince, having finished a busy day of official duties, slowly emerged from his study, his steps carrying a sense of relief and ease. He returned to his bedchamber along a secluded path rarely frequented by travelers, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.