My palace is full of female protagonists.

Yi Fei frowned, remaining silent, her deep eyes seemingly concealing endless worry and resentment. Zhao Chengyu stood beside her, yet he could clearly hear the voice emanating from the depths of her heart, a voice tinged with resolute helplessness: "Must I also become a ghost before these resistances launched in the name of the Yi tribe will finally cease?" This inner voice was like a whisper in the cold wind, sending a chill down one's spine. Then came a series of fragmented, resentful mutterings, interspersed with curses against the injustice of fate, each word striking heavily against Zhao Chengyu's heart.

Zhao Chengyu sighed softly, his gaze becoming deep and complex. He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with sarcasm and incomprehension: "Those with ulterior motives can always find a thousand high-sounding reasons to justify their ambitions. But what I don't understand is, where do they get their confidence from? Just by rallying a few ragtag militia groups, they dare to challenge the prefect's elite army, even dreaming of sweeping all before them and striking at the heart of the enemy? What's even more laughable is that they actually try to use a beautiful dream woven from lies to lure these innocent militiamen into becoming their cannon fodder, regarding suicide attacks as an honor. They are more pathetic than real assassins."

Zhao Qi'er listened from the side, initially shocked by Zhao Chengyu's blunt and sharp remarks, but then, recalling the past, her eyes hardened. She explained, "Your Majesty, back then, to rescue Consort Yi, we went through a long and arduous battle, wiping out several cult organizations that intended to use Consort Yi's name to cause chaos, before finally being able to enter the capital. This situation is nothing more than those ambitious people using the same old tricks, attempting to use innocent villagers and militia to achieve their ulterior motives. These villagers have simply been blinded and become pawns in someone else's game."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's eyes flashed with approval and determination. He realized that, whether in the past or present, a firm stance and decisive action were necessary when facing the conspiracies of cults and ambitious individuals.

Zhao Chengyu frowned, his eyes revealing deep worry. He slowly said, "It's not good to kill all these villagers. If only the elderly, women, and children are left to tend the already barren and difficult-to-cultivate fields, this year's harvest will likely be greatly reduced. This would not only make life even harder for the villagers, but it might also affect the entire county's food supply. What should we do?" His words carried a sense of helplessness and anxiety, clearly indicating that this problem had plunged him into deep thought.

However, after racking his brains for a long time, Zhao Chengyu still couldn't come up with a perfect solution. He shook his head helplessly and decided to put the problem aside for the time being, so he sent Consort Yi and the Third Young Master back to the inner palace. After they left, Zhao Chengyu turned to Zhao Qi'er, his eyes flashing with a new idea: "You see, Consort Yi wasn't really a consort. At this age, we'll definitely have to marry her off. Why don't we arrange for a suitable person to meet her, preferably someone who can become a prefect, and then bestow upon Consort Yi the title of princess or county princess, and make that area her fiefdom. In this way, the prefect will become her husband, and these areas will naturally become Princess Yi's subjects. Wouldn't that stop them from thinking about rebellion?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi'er's eyes flashed with surprise, and she fell into deep thought. She understood Zhao Chengyu's good intentions, but putting them into practice would not be easy. She slowly said, "It's good to think this way, but who is suitable to be the consort? He must be able to fulfill the duties of a prefect and also get along well with Consort Yi. This is not an easy task."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu also showed a troubled expression. He knew that what Zhao Qi'er said was true, but he was unwilling to give up this possible solution. He was silent for a while, then suddenly his eyes lit up, and he said, "Perhaps we can select some talented and upright young officials from the court and have them meet with Consort Yi to see if there are any suitable candidates. At the same time, we can also secretly observe them to see if they are capable of serving as prefects."

The Crown Prince, seemingly ignored, silently watched as his father, Zhao Chengyu, and mother, Zhao Qi'er, both turned to him, their faces filled with expectation and inquiry. He thought to himself, since his father and mother were troubled by this matter, he, as the Crown Prince, should naturally do his part. So, he suggested, "How about I host a banquet at the Crown Prince's residence and invite all the younger officials from the court? You can all secretly observe from behind the screen."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu and Zhao Qi'er's eyes flashed with surprise. They hadn't expected their son to offer such a suggestion; it was indeed a good way to both maintain decorum and carefully evaluate the candidate. Therefore, they both nodded in agreement.

On the evening of the third day, the grand banquet at the Crown Prince's residence was held. As night fell, the main street in front of the Crown Prince's residence was brightly lit, with all kinds of lanterns hanging high, their colorful lights reflecting on the stone pavement, adding to the festive and lively atmosphere of the banquet.

Emperor Zhao Chengyu and Empress Zhao Qi'er secretly hid in a civilian house near the Crown Prince's residence. The room was dark, which both concealed their figures and allowed them to clearly see the people walking by on the street. The two of them waited quietly in this dark and secluded spot for the arrival of those young talents.

As time went by, more and more young officials began to arrive at the Crown Prince's residence. Dressed in magnificent official robes, their faces radiated confidence and anticipation, as if they were all looking forward to what new opportunities this grand event would bring them. Zhao Chengyu and Zhao Qi'er, meanwhile, carefully observed each passing talent through the windows, their demeanor, speech, and overall bearing becoming the criteria for their judgment.

Younger officials, due to their limited experience, rarely had the opportunity to stand inside the solemn and sacred imperial court. They mostly stood quietly on the white jade platform or in the square outside, waiting for the moment they would be summoned. Although they could not participate closely in the court's decision-making, their presence injected new vitality and hope into this ancient land.

At the grand banquet at the Crown Prince's residence, these young officials wore various official robes, some ornate and some simple, but all of them clearly displayed their status and position. Although Emperor Zhao Chengyu and Empress Zhao Qi'er could not remember all their names, they were still able to roughly identify the young officials' identities and positions based on the details and insignia on their robes.

The young servants, accompanied by palace attendants who usually verified identities at the city gates, moved through the crowd, confirming the identities of the young officials one by one. They nodded or bowed, in a respectful yet polite manner, ensuring that the Emperor and Empress inside the room could hear their identities.

Besides confirming their identities, Xiao Kuangzi also specially summoned two waiters from the restaurant. Although these two waiters were of humble status, they had extensive connections and sources of information in the city. They knew many private rumors and secrets about officials, and although this information was not necessarily entirely accurate, it often provided the Emperor and Empress with some unexpected clues and insights.

Thus, at the grand banquet at the Crown Prince's residence, Emperor Zhao Chengyu and Empress Zhao Qi'er, with the help of a small box and a restaurant waiter, gradually learned about the secrets of several young officials:

One young official in particular stood out. His name was Li Xuan. He stood tall and straight, like a pine tree, exuding an indescribable fortitude and integrity. He wore a light blue official robe, its color fresh and elegant, like the first hint of green in spring. It not only highlighted his refined气质 (qi zhi - inherent quality/temperament) but also subtly accentuated his fair skin. The robe was embroidered with exquisite patterns, every stitch showcasing the craftsman's skill. On Li Xuan, it was perfectly suited, displaying an extraordinary charm.

A delicate jade pendant hung from his waist. The pendant was translucent and smooth as jade, emitting a faint luster. It swayed gently with his steps, producing a melodious sound like a clear mountain stream, soothing the soul. The pendant was carved with intricate patterns; upon closer inspection, it revealed a phoenix with outstretched wings, symbolizing good fortune and nobility, perfectly matching Li Xuan's status and temperament.

According to the restaurant waiter, although Li Xuan is still young, he has achieved remarkable political success in the local area. He governs effectively and is deeply loved by the people. Whenever he tours the countryside, he is always warmly welcomed by the villagers, as if he were a guiding light illuminating their path. He always wears a gentle smile, treats the people like family, patiently listens to their needs, and diligently solves their problems. This has earned him immense prestige among the people.

Moreover, Li Xuan harbored a secret. Years ago, he had rescued Consort Yi from assassins during a chance encounter. He bravely and fearlessly fought off the assassins single-handedly, protecting Consort Yi. During that brief period, the two faced a life-or-death ordeal together, forging an unbreakable bond. Although Consort Yi, for safety reasons, did not reveal this experience afterward, this life-saving grace weighed heavily on her heart, becoming an unforgettable memory.

Li Xuan's appearance not only made the grand banquet at the Crown Prince's residence even more spectacular, but also gave Emperor Zhao Chengyu and Empress Zhao Qi'er a new possibility. They began to think that perhaps this young, promising, and kind-hearted official was the very consort they had been searching for who could bring happiness and peace to Consort Yi.

Another official, Zhao Yi, was undoubtedly one of the most dazzling figures at this grand banquet. Tall and imposing, like a majestic mountain peak, he exuded a powerful aura of authority. His face was exceptionally handsome, with sharply defined features, each one a meticulously sculpted work of art, captivating all who looked away. His eyes were deep and sharp, seemingly able to see into people's hearts, yet they also inadvertently revealed a hint of cynicism.

Zhao Yi wore a bright red official robe, its vibrant color as fiery as a blazing fire, perfectly complementing his tall and imposing figure, making him exceptionally conspicuous and dazzling in the crowd. The robe was embroidered with golden patterns, every stitch exuding royal nobility and luxury, perfectly showcasing Zhao Yi's extraordinary charisma. A wide jade belt, inlaid with dazzling gemstones, shimmered brilliantly around his waist, seemingly proclaiming his status and position to the world.

According to palace servants, Zhao Yi came from a prominent family with generations of officials, possessing a deep political background and a vast network of influence. He also had many supporters in the court; both high-ranking officials and local officials held him in a certain respect and fear. His career progressed smoothly, as if nothing could stop him if he so desired.

However, beneath this glamorous exterior lies a hidden side of Zhao Yi. A waiter at the restaurant revealed a surprising piece of information: although Zhao Yi appears to be incredibly successful, he actually leads a very chaotic private life. He frequents various brothels and has illicit relationships with numerous women. These women are either beautiful or talented, but without exception, they are all attracted to Zhao Yi's handsome appearance and prominent family background, throwing themselves into his arms. Zhao Yi seems indifferent to all of this; he enjoys this decadent lifestyle, as if he wants to pour all his pleasure and desire into these fleeting moments.

Zhao Yi is undoubtedly a contradictory and complex character. He possesses an enviable status and position, yet also a despicable private life; he is both an official with extraordinary talent and a person lost in the world of emotions. At this grand banquet at the Crown Prince's residence, his appearance undoubtedly adds an atmosphere of mystery and complexity to the event, and also subtly alters the Emperor Zhao Chengyu and Empress Zhao Qi'er's evaluation of him.

There was another official named Lin Yi, whose presence was like a breath of fresh air in this grand feast, drawing people's attention. He was tall and well-proportioned, neither too tall nor too short, perfectly embodying the unique elegance and refinement of a scholar. Lin Yi had a lean face and fair skin; his features, though not flamboyant, possessed an indescribable charm, like a delicate ink painting, becoming more and more captivating with each glance.

He wore a plain-colored official robe, without excessive decoration or embellishment, yet it exuded an extraordinary sense of modesty and humility. The plain color seemed to be the purest hue in nature, showcasing Lin Yi's indifference to fame and fortune, and subtly highlighting the purity and loftiness of his heart. The robe was embroidered with simple patterns, each stitch revealing the craftsman's ingenuity, perfectly complementing Lin Yi's gentle and refined temperament.