My palace is full of female protagonists.

Inside the Emperor's magnificent bedchamber, hidden behind an elaborate and ornate screen, stood a rare, floor-length bronze mirror. This mirror, the result of countless days and nights of meticulous carving and polishing by artisans, though not made of glass or mercury, possessed a unique, warm luster that reflected a person's image with exceptional clarity, revealing nine-tenths of their true appearance.

Zhao Chengyu, the young man who unexpectedly stepped into the heart of imperial power, dressed in a simple yet dignified imperial robe, slowly walked to the magical bronze mirror. The person in the mirror didn't resemble his original self, only that he was about the same age. Gazing at his reflection, he seemed to transcend the boundaries of time and space, feeling the weight of power and the loneliness it brought. In this deep palace, only he felt out of place.

As his thoughts drifted, Zhao Chengyu's mind conjured up silhouettes of figures from the palace: Empress Gao Lingyan, the woman who sat regally on the throne, exuding elegance and majesty, whose every decision concerned the rise and fall of the empire; Zhao Qi'er, his only family member in the palace, whose noble title, though seemingly prestigious, could not conceal her inner loneliness and sacrifice; Fang Guizi, the concubine who declared her intention to leave the palace to cultivate immortality, whose departure cast an unusual shadow over the life within the deep palace, prompting endless speculation; and Consort Zhen, the woman who aspired to become a model female physician, using her medical skills to heal the world, whose resilience and perseverance left a deep impression on Zhao Chengyu. Yet, only now did he realize that he did not even know the full name of this extraordinary woman, and a sense of guilt and regret welled up within him.

This thought, like a petal falling unexpectedly in spring, gently touched Zhao Chengyu's heart, creating ripples. He began to realize that in this imperial city, where power and desire intertwined, everyone played different roles, carrying their own missions and secrets. And he, Zhao Chengyu, standing alone in this world, was more like an outsider, suddenly becoming the patriarch, suddenly having to manage them and revitalize the entire situation.

So he sighed softly, turned away from the bronze mirror that reflected his inner world, and walked firmly out of the hall.

Dressed in casual clothes, Zhao Chengyu walked briskly out of the magnificent imperial bedchamber. Morning light filtered through the sparse clouds, illuminating his gentle yet resolute face. Xiao Kuangzi, the young eunuch who had served the emperor since childhood, swiftly took a dragon-embroidered cloak from a waiting palace servant and gently draped it over Zhao Chengyu's shoulders, as if afraid of disturbing this rare moment of tranquility.

"Your Majesty, the weather is cool in the mornings and evenings. Please take care of your health," Xiao Kuangzi reminded him with concern.

Zhao Chengyu smiled slightly, his gaze fixed on the distance, seemingly piercing through the layers of palace walls to see a wider world. "Little one, have you ever considered that although this imperial palace is the most supreme place in the world, it is still only a small area? Do you know just how big this imperial palace really is?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi pondered for a moment and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I have not studied much and only know the Thousand Character Classic. However, I have heard the Grand Secretary mention that the Imperial Palace covers an area of ​​about 32 acres, and every brick and tile embodies royal majesty and ingenuity."

Zhao Chengyu gently shook his head, a barely perceptible tenderness and depth flashing in his eyes. "Thirty-two mu." He raised his hand, pointing to the southeast corner of the city wall, the edge where the palace met the common people. "I intend to expand the corner tower with a theater, allowing opera troupes from all over to take turns performing, not just for palace celebrations, but also on ordinary days. Let these melodious songs and vivid performances become a bridge connecting imperial power and the hearts of the people. Let the people near the palace, and even those further afield, feel this joy and harmony, rather than the isolation of high walls and deep courtyards."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi secretly admired the Emperor's benevolence and quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise! Then this servant will make arrangements immediately. Should we summon the Minister of Works now, or discuss it after tomorrow's morning court session?"

Zhao Chengyu waved his hand, his tone casual and trusting: "This matter is not urgent, and I do not wish to interfere too much in the details. Go and inform Consort Zhao to take charge of this matter. Zhao Qi'er has just started running the theater, so she has some resources. As for the Ministry of Works, let them report directly to Consort Zhao."

Zhao Chengyu's thoughts, like a wild horse, were abruptly pulled back to reality by the imagined scene of a theater on the corner tower of the Forbidden City on his way back to his palace. Standing at the palace gate, watching the slowly approaching imperial carriage, he felt a strange urge to leave his mark on this ancient land. So, he made a decision, turned away from the carriage that was about to take him to the court, and walked slowly towards his palace.

"Little Box, stay here. Everyone else, wait outside." Zhao Chengyu's voice echoed in the empty corridor, carrying an undeniable authority. He walked straight to the bed, each step unusually heavy, as if each step was treading on the dust of history. Little Box followed closely behind, his heart filled with unease, wondering what the Emperor's sudden action meant.

Zhao Chengyu stood with his back to the small window, gazing out at the sky with a complex expression, where freedom and constraint intertwined. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within him with this moment of tranquility. "Kneel down!" The two words, tinged with mockery and a hint of probing, were coldly uttered from Zhao Chengyu's lips.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi's face turned deathly pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably. In this rigidly hierarchical palace, every word of the Emperor was like a decree, not to be disobeyed. Without hesitation, he prostrated himself on the ground, burying his head deep in the dust, his voice trembling with sobs: "Your Majesty, I was wrong! I deserve to die."

Zhao Chengyu turned around, his gaze falling on the trembling figure in the small box, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He saw not just a lowly servant, but a microcosm of countless oppressed people in this era. In this country where slavery was rampant, human life, though precious, was trampled upon like weeds. Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but think of his original world, where there was no such harsh hierarchy, where everyone was equal and could breathe freely. Thinking of this, his disgust and helplessness towards this era deepened.

"What can I do?" Zhao Chengyu muttered to himself, his voice revealing a deep sense of powerlessness. He understood that even with supreme power, he could not change the fundamental nature of this era single-handedly. The change of systems is an irreversible torrent in the long river of history; countless wise and foolish rulers, countless dynastic changes, have failed to completely overthrow the foundation of slavery.

Xiao Kuangzi's body trembled uncontrollably, his words filled with deep inferiority and despair, as if each word was squeezed from the darkest corner of his heart. "You are the Emperor, the entire country is your territory, and I am but an insignificant speck of dust in the vast palace, my life a gift from Your Majesty. If Your Majesty desires anything, just say the word, and I will gladly die for it. If Your Majesty is troubled, I would even allow myself to bear a few wounds on my body, just to alleviate Your Majesty's worries and bring you a moment of joy, that would be my greatest honor."

Zhao Chengyu frowned, his tone revealing a hint of displeasure and reluctance: "Do you know that such self-harm is absolutely not what I want to see? I do not have such a twisted hobby, much less do I find pleasure in it."

Xiao Kuangzi quickly kowtowed, his voice filled with self-reproach and fear: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I misspoke. I understand that my blood could not possibly taint Your Majesty's sanctity. But I... have been deprived of my dignity as a man since childhood, and my life is like a drifting duckweed, with nowhere to rest. If I can bring Your Majesty even a little comfort, I am willing to go through fire and water without hesitation."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu felt a complex mix of emotions. He wasn't entirely unaware of the cruelty of this world, especially the cruelty of people like Xiao Kuangzi, who had been ruthlessly ravaged by war and tyranny. He possessed Zhao Yingqing's memories and understanding, knowing that many heinous atrocities did indeed exist in this era, but witnessing them firsthand still left him with an indescribable sense of shock.

“There are indeed few eunuchs in this palace. In my memory, although the eunuch system exists, it is not this strict. Why did you become a eunuch? And why did you end up here?” Zhao Chengyu’s voice softened, with a hint of inquiry and concern.

Xiao Kuangzi raised his head, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes: "Your Majesty, when I was a child, I lived in the borderlands, where war was frequent and our homes were repeatedly invaded. One year, foreign enemies launched a large-scale invasion, and the city fell. In order to control the local people, they cruelly castrated all the males over the age of ten. I was fortunate enough to survive, but I also lost my rights as a man. Later, when the war subsided, I had nowhere to go, so I eventually came to the palace and became a eunuch. I know Your Majesty dislikes eunuchs, but I have nowhere else to go and can only hope to find a sliver of space to survive in the palace."

Zhao Chengyu remained silent for a moment, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He knew he couldn't change all the injustice and darkness of the world single-handedly, but he also didn't want such tragedies to continue to unfold before his eyes. "Little Box, remember this: even though you've lost so much, your life is still precious. You are no longer just a slave or eunuch, but a citizen of this country, entitled to the respect and treatment you deserve. From now on, I will do my best to ensure that everyone in the palace receives fair treatment, and that no one is ever again ruthlessly deprived of their dignity and freedom. Perhaps it's better to let the Emperor have some amusement with my life; then it won't have been a wasted life."

Seeing that Xiao Kuangzi was still trembling with fear, Zhao Chengyu gently touched Xiao Kuangzi's forehead with his toe. That tiny movement was enough to keep Xiao Kuangzi in a prone position, not daring to move an inch. Zhao Chengyu squatted down, his gaze gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority. He asked softly, "In this palace, besides me, do you have any other masters?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi immediately kowtowed three more times on the ground, his forehead making a dull thud as it hit the cold floor. He replied in fear, "Your Majesty, from the day I entered the palace, I was bought into slavery by human traffickers. In the palace, I have only ever thought of serving my masters well. Apart from Your Majesty and the Empress, I have never had any disloyal intentions. Others, even those of high rank and power, can only decide my life or death, but they can never allow me to disobey Your Majesty's orders!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu felt a slight sense of approval for the young eunuch's loyalty. He reached out and gently lifted Xiao Kuangzi from the ground. Xiao Kuangzi was still trembling from nervousness and could barely stand, only able to rely on Zhao Chengyu's strength for support.

"From now on, you will stay by my side." Zhao Chengyu's voice softened considerably. "Wherever I am, you must be at my side. As for the Empress's orders, you must first consider my expression before acting, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi was both surprised and delighted, but also even more apprehensive. He hurriedly tried to kneel down to express his gratitude, but his weakness prevented him from doing so. Seeing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled slightly and continued, "Judging from your condition, you probably can't even stand properly. How about this, from now on you will sleep outside the bedroom door. I'll put a bed there and guard the door for me. This way, I can easily summon you at any time, and you can serve me better."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi quickly waved her hands and said urgently, "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable! This servant is of lowly status, how dare I sleep in the imperial bedchamber without permission? This honor is too much for this servant to bear!"

Zhao Chengyu frowned slightly, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness: "You are my personal attendant, so naturally you have the right to stay in the place closest to me. If you always stand guard outside the door, wouldn't that tell others that you have to follow me wherever I go? Wouldn't that completely expose my whereabouts to everyone? Are you protecting me, or are you just causing me trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi immediately understood and kowtowed several more times, apologizing repeatedly: "It was this servant's foolishness that prevented me from understanding His Majesty's profound meaning. This servant will immediately make arrangements to have an extra bed added outside the palace. From now on, I will do my utmost to protect His Majesty's safety!"

Seeing Xiao Kuangzi's apprehensive expression, a gentle smile flashed in Zhao Chengyu's eyes.

Zhao Chengyu pondered inwardly. While Xiao Kuangzi's loyalty and reliability hadn't been rigorously tested by time, in the current complex court environment, he was undoubtedly the pawn he could directly control. Even if Xiao Kuangzi truly had a hidden power behind him, at least under his close surveillance, this pawn couldn't easily cause any trouble. Zhao Chengyu knew that the pinnacle of power was often lonely and fraught with danger, and this young eunuch before him was, at least for now, an asset he could rely on. In fact, it was clear that Zhao Qi'er's warning was based on this consideration; even if he wasn't a wandering soul from another world, he still needed to be wary of everyone else.