My palace is full of female protagonists.

The next morning, sunlight, like scattered gold dust, dappled through the exquisite window frames, casting a soft and warm glow on the otherwise slightly somber space. In this cozy atmosphere, the Third Young Master, with the patient assistance of the Master, slowly emerged from the inner room. He had changed into a neat and dignified set of clothes—a garment specially designed for the distinguished scholar Qian. The fabric was exquisite, the cut impeccable, every stitch exuding elegance and nobility, as if he were wearing not just clothing, but a weighty responsibility and expectation.

This outfit cleverly avoids the colors and jade pendant styles unique to the three major academies in the capital. Students of these academies often use unique colors and jade pendants as symbols of their status, but the Third Young Master's attire cleverly incorporates other colors, making him stand out from the crowd while maintaining an elegant style, allowing people to immediately sense his status and taste.

The patriarch stood to the side, his eyes filled with love and expectation. In his hands he held an exquisite money pouch, made of the finest silk and embroidered with intricate and beautiful patterns. Small and delicate, it was particularly eye-catching. He gently handed the pouch to the third young master, his voice gentle yet firm: "There is some loose silver in here. When you're out and about, there are always unexpected expenses. This is just in case."

The third young master accepted the money pouch, a warm feeling welling up inside him. He knew that this was not just a simple sum of money, but also the patriarch's deep blessing and trust in his journey. He gently hung the money pouch on his waist, feeling its heavy weight, as if it carried the hopes and expectations of the family with him.

"Thank you for taking care of me." The third young master's voice was deep and sincere, and his eyes shone with a determined light. He knew that what he was about to embark on was not only a journey, but also a desperate gamble to save the last heir of his family.

The patriarch stood to the side, his eyes filled with both worry and expectation. He spoke slowly, his voice low and solemn: "Third Young Master, your identity is extremely sensitive right now. If it weren't for those influential figures in the court stepping forward to speak well of you to the Emperor and recommend you for a position in the palace, I'm afraid it would be harder than climbing to heaven for you to personally explain things to the Emperor. Commoners who seek justice have to die to prove their innocence. Even if the Emperor doesn't ultimately take your life, you'll still have to endure all sorts of torturous tortures before you can even have an audience with him."

Upon hearing this, the third young master frowned slightly, a hint of confusion and anxiety flashing in his eyes. He asked in return, "Then what kind of official would be needed to carry such weight?" His tone was somewhat urgent, clearly showing his great concern for this question.

The patriarch sighed softly, his weathered eyes seemingly having already foreseen the young master's confusion and helplessness. His voice carried a subtle warmth and depth as he patiently explained, "In this intricate and power-hungry court, to speak for people like us, one must possess sufficient weight and influence. In the palace, the Emperor is naturally the center, but the Empress and the favored concubines are not to be underestimated; their words can sometimes sway the Emperor's mind. Furthermore, officials in the Ministry of Justice wield immense power, controlling life and death decisions; their opinions are crucial to the trial of any case."

At this point, the patriarch paused slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, as if weighing the importance of each word. "Within the capital, besides the emperor's direct subordinates, such as the Prefect of the Capital—who not only manages the daily affairs of the capital but is also the emperor's eyes and ears, and whose position is not to be underestimated—there are also those high-ranking nobles. They are either descendants of founding heroes or were enfeoffed for their outstanding military achievements. While their influence may not be as great as that of imperial relatives, at certain crucial moments, a single word from them can change a person's fate."

The patriarch turned his gaze to the third young master, his eyes filled with expectation and inquiry: "Third young master, among these prominent figures, are there any you have ever met, had pleasant conversations with, or even trusted and sought help from? Such relationships may be the key for us to break the deadlock and explain things clearly to the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, the third young master gave a bitter smile. He shook his head slightly, appearing somewhat helpless: "When my late father was alive, he did indeed have some connections with several noblemen, but those friendships were mostly forged during times of hardship on the frontier, and most of them were military generals guarding the border. Now, most of them are far from the capital, some even having been on the frontier for many years without returning. As for whether they are in the city at this moment, it is really hard to know. Moreover, this is a generation apart, and human relationships are fickle and the world is cold. I don't know if they will remember our past friendship, or if they will see me as a burden and not want to be involved."

At this point, a complex light flashed in the Third Young Master's eyes, a mixture of fear of the unknown and determination for the future. He knew that to find a glimmer of hope in this sea of ​​power, he had to rely on his own strength, while also skillfully utilizing all available interpersonal relationships, even those as fragile as thin ice.

The patriarch held the third young master's hand tightly, his eyes filled with deep concern and worry. He said in a low but firm voice, "Young master, while you are in the capital, you must use a false identity. Never reveal your true identity, and never mention any connection with our family. If you need to return, you must blend into the crowd of vegetable vendors around 3 PM and sneak in through a side gate. I will arrange for servants to wait there every day to ensure your safe entry. It's not that I don't acknowledge you as my young master, but the situation in the capital is complicated. If I don't conceal your whereabouts, once you are exposed, there will be no way out. If something really happens, you can still escape back, and I can move the whole family back to the mountains to take refuge, to stand with you through thick and thin. But if people find out about our relationship, the government officials will swarm in, and then you will lose even the chance to leave the city."

Upon hearing this, the Third Young Master nodded solemnly, his eyes gleaming with understanding and determination. The two men beside him, though somewhat displeased and feeling that such an arrangement was too unfair to their young master, had to admit that the patriarch's words were absolutely true; they indeed found it difficult to establish themselves in the capital.

Seeing this, the head of the family continued, "As for accommodation, staying in an inn is obviously inappropriate; it will attract attention over time. Therefore, I have arranged a brothel in the West Market for you as your lodging. Don't worry, I will cover the basic expenses. As long as you don't give gifts indiscriminately, I can afford to keep you here for several years. Third Young Master, I know you are young and impetuous, and may look down on such a place, but please believe me, only there will it be legitimate for young people like you from out of town to stay permanently. If anyone asks, the madam will cover for you and conceal the matter."

At this point, a hint of helplessness and apology flickered in the patriarch's eyes. He knew this arrangement wasn't ideal, but it was the safest solution they could think of under the current circumstances. The third young master and the two men beside him, though each with their own feelings, understood that it was for the greater good, and thus nodded in agreement.

To better protect the whereabouts of the third young master and his entourage, the head of the family, after careful consideration, decided to have a clever child act as their guide, safely leading them to the brothel in the West Market that had been arranged beforehand. This child was the son of one of the family's servants, usually intelligent and quick-witted, and familiar with the streets and alleys of the capital, making him the most suitable candidate in the head of the family's mind.

The boy led the third young master and his two companions through the bustling market, skillfully avoiding the crowds, and finally arrived at a prosperous area on the edge of the west market. There, the lights were dim, and music and laughter mingled—it was the brothel. The boy reached the door, skillfully negotiated with the madam, and handed over the silver that the master had prepared beforehand. The madam's eyes immediately narrowed into slits, and her face beamed with a smile, as if she had seen the most honored guest.

"Oh my, isn't this young Master Zhang? It's been a long time! What good news have you brought me this time?" The madam said as she skillfully put the money pouch into her bosom, then gestured for the child and the third young master's group to follow her inside.

After passing through a series of ornately decorated corridors, they finally arrived at a relatively quiet suite. The madam closed the door, her smile fading slightly, but she still maintained her polite and professional enthusiasm: "I don't know how you got here, nor do I care what you're here for. In this capital, in places like mine, I've seen far too many outsiders like you. As long as you have money, I guarantee no one here will give you any trouble."

At this point, the madam paused, seemingly observing the reaction of the young master and his entourage. Seeing that they did not show much surprise or dissatisfaction, she continued, "I will arrange for a girl to come over in a while. If you are satisfied, you can live with her and tell everyone that you are husband and wife. That way, you will have an explanation if others ask. Although this place is a brothel, it is also a place that values ​​rules. As long as you do not violate the rules here, everything will be fine."

The third young master and his companions exchanged glances. Although somewhat resigned to the arrangement, they understood it was the safest option at the moment. They nodded, indicating their acceptance. The madam, seeing this, smiled with satisfaction and turned to instruct her servants to prepare everything.

And so, the Third Young Master and his entourage temporarily settled in this brothel, which seemed to be a place of pleasure but was actually fraught with danger.

The girl the madam had summoned was unusually thin, as if a gust of wind could knock her over. When she entered the room, the door wasn't even fully open, leaving only a narrow crack, yet she nimbly squeezed in sideways, her movements displaying a skill and caution beyond her years. Her gaze swept around the room, finally settling on the youngest, the third young master, and she said softly, "Young master, Madam sent me to live with you."

The third young master looked up and saw that the little girl had delicate features, but looked somewhat haggard due to long-term malnutrition. Her big eyes were full of uncertainty and fear about the future. He couldn't help but feel pity and asked, "How old are you? You still look like a child."

Upon hearing this, the little girl's eyes reddened slightly, as if she had suffered a great injustice. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "Young master, please don't look down on me. Although I am young, I can sing many songs and play the zither. I will learn whatever you like. I can also wash clothes, sew clothes, and do anything."

The third young master's two henchmen watched closely from the side. They exchanged glances, secretly worried: this child is too young; what if he accidentally lets something slip one day? That would be troublesome. Just as they were about to speak up to dissuade him, the third young master gently waved his hand, interrupting their thoughts.

“No need,” the Third Young Master’s voice was gentle yet firm. “I’m sure you won’t tell me what I don’t want you to say. As for the rest, do whatever you like in your daily life. There’s no need to force yourself. I have plenty of manpower here, and I don’t need you to do any rough or tiring work.”

Upon hearing this, the girl's aggrieved expression gradually faded, replaced by shyness and gratitude. She said softly, "Young master, besides practicing dancing and playing the zither, I don't have much else to do. If you don't mind, I can also warm your bed."

Upon hearing this, the third young master felt a mix of emotions. He understood that in this seemingly prosperous but actually cruel world, everyone had their own way of surviving, and this petite girl might simply be looking for a safe haven to rely on.

As time went on, the Third Young Master and his companions gradually discovered that this brothel had a unique set of rules: whenever singing or music was played inside, the outside world seemed to be isolated by an invisible barrier, and no one dared to disturb them; and once the music stopped, a waiter would always push open the door and ask if they needed any services. This discovery made the Third Young Master realize that music and instruments were not only entertainment, but also key to their cover.

So, the Third Young Master began to encourage the little girl named Mei'er to practice her piano and dance skills even more diligently. Mei'er's piano skills were already outstanding, and with the Third Young Master's careful guidance, her skills improved by leaps and bounds. Her melodious piano playing often attracted people in the surrounding rooms to stop and listen, thus creating an invisible safety barrier for the Third Young Master and his companions.

Over the next few days, Mei'er and the Third Young Master grew closer. One day, she mustered her courage and made a request to the Third Young Master: "I heard that there are new plays being performed at the theater recently. If you are interested, could you take Mei'er to the theater? I have never been to such a place before."

Upon hearing this, the third young master felt a surge of inexplicable emotion. Looking at the girl before him, whose life had been filled with hardship yet who remained optimistic, he was filled with pity and tenderness. He smiled gently and asked, "You still haven't told me how old you are?"