My palace is full of female protagonists.

When Emperor Zhao Chengyu casually asked a few questions about Consort Leng's recent situation, Zhao Qi'er hesitated for a moment, but then thought that since the emperor had asked, it would seem dishonest to hide anything. So she no longer concealed anything and answered softly, "Sister Leng seems to be getting very close to some newly arrived young officials recently. I heard that Lord Leng specially arranged for them to enter the court in order to promote them."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled faintly, his expression showing little concern: "Consort Leng's actions are likely intended to alleviate some of the pressure on her father and help these newly appointed officials, who have no one to rely on, to gain a foothold in the capital. Lord Leng has indeed put a lot of effort into these talented young men, even personally arranging their food and lodging. He's truly worked very hard. Just imagine, if Lord Leng had more children, he would probably have to take turns personally appearing on such occasions, wouldn't he?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi'er gently tugged at the delicate handkerchief in her hand, a hint of self-deprecation in her eyes: "Perhaps I'm worrying too much. Your Majesty doesn't seem to care much, so why should I trouble myself?"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Chengyu suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable pride and protectiveness. He leaned forward slightly, getting closer to Zhao Qi'er, and whispered, "Look, you were my Crown Princess before I ascended the throne, and now you are the Empress of my Great Zhao. Although there was an Empress Gao before, her style of doing things was that of a true 'strong woman'."

"A strong woman?" Zhao Qi'er repeated curiously, her eyes sparkling with a look of inquiry.

“Yes,” Zhao Chengyu explained, “it’s the kind of woman who devotes herself entirely to politics and affairs, and hardly cares about her personal feelings and life.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi'er smiled gently and said softly, "That's really true."

Seeing that Zhao Qi'er had let go of her worries, Zhao Chengyu's resolve strengthened: "Empress Gao was merely the wife of an official, arranged by the late emperor to consolidate the court. Look, after I ascended the throne, didn't I already let her do what she wanted to do most? So, stop worrying about those insignificant people. They are all fleeting clouds in your brilliance, and none of them can compare to your place in my heart!"

Zhao Chengyu held Zhao Qi'er's hand tightly, his eyes filled with deep affection and determination. He thought that, at least from beginning to end, Zhao Yingqing—that is, himself—had always believed that Zhao Qi'er was the irreplaceable person in his heart.

In fact, this was something Zhao Chengyu only gradually came to understand now. After he transmigrated to this unknown era and became Zhao Yingqing, many of his previous doubts and questions slowly found their answers. Whether it was the various preparations he had made to subdue the Southern Kingdom, or the seemingly abrupt yet natural outcome of Gao Lingyan becoming the Empress, it was all the result of Zhao Yingqing's—his identity before transmigrating—carefully planning and meticulously orchestrating the events.

Standing in the magnificent palace, Zhao Chengyu gazed at the vast expanse of sky and earth outside the window, his heart filled with countless emotions. He murmured to himself, "Whether it was the subjugation of the Southern Kingdom or the rise of Gao Lingyan, these were all results that Zhao Yingqing had foreseen and paved the way for long ago. All I could think of after transmigrating was to follow the path he had already set. It seems that Zhao Yingqing's wisdom and foresight are indeed beyond my reach."

At this point, Zhao Chengyu suddenly changed the subject and smiled at Zhao Qi'er, who was listening quietly to him, saying, "I understand the principles, but you just can't figure them out." His words carried a hint of teasing, but also a touch of pride.

However, Zhao Chengyu's smile was quickly replaced by a complex emotion. He began to imagine what his life would be like if he hadn't transmigrated. Perhaps he would wake up in a hospital bed, surrounded by the pungent smell of medicine and cold medical equipment. After a period of recuperation, he might be penniless, even owing the hospital a large sum of money. To make a living, he might have to set up a stall to sell goods or stand on the street handing out flyers, living an ordinary yet arduous life day after day.

Thinking of this, Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but look down at his magnificent robes, then up at the grand and imposing palace. Here lay his beloved wife, Zhao Qi'er; his lively and adorable son and daughter; a spacious and comfortable residence; a luxurious and comfortable vehicle; and a country awaiting his governance and protection. All of this seemed so real and beautiful, exceeding all his previous expectations.

"Could this be a dream because I've become a vegetable?" Zhao Chengyu muttered to himself. He shook his head vigorously, trying to wake himself from this unrealistic fantasy. But no matter how hard he tried, everything before him remained so clear and so real.

Finally, Zhao Chengyu took a deep breath, suppressing all the doubts and anxieties in his heart about his identity, past, and future. He understood that the most important thing now was to cherish everything before him and protect this hard-won happiness. He turned to look at Zhao Qi'er, only to see a trace of worry in her eyes, as if she was still concerned about his earlier contemplation.

Seeing that the Emperor seemed to have made her a little depressed, Zhao Qi'er felt a little apologetic. She said softly, "I didn't mean to overthink it. I know that the Emperor is the best to me. It's just that I'm sometimes too sensitive."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu smiled gently. He held Zhao Qi'er's hand tightly and said, "The Crown Prince's decision to go to Yunnan for training is his own choice. He wants to prove his worth through his own efforts. As for the Second Prince, I will do my best to make him the rightful Crown Prince so that he can shoulder the responsibilities of the future. As his mother, you cannot let him down. You must set a strong and decisive example for him."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi'er was slightly taken aback. She blinked and asked curiously, "What does 'dropping the ball' mean?"

Seeing this, Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but chuckle. He quickly explained, "I mean, don't overthink things. Be firm in your beliefs and don't back down at this crucial moment. You're always so hesitant and timid, it makes me feel like you're about to leave me at any moment, which makes me feel really bad."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi'er's expression changed, and she quickly explained, "No, Your Majesty, I never thought of leaving you. I just... I just sometimes feel uneasy, worried that I won't be able to fulfill my role as Empress, and worried that I might cause trouble for Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Zhao Chengyu felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He gently patted Zhao Qi'er's hand and said, "It's not that I don't understand your desire to leave me. After all, life in the palace isn't as glamorous as it seems from the outside. But you should know that whether you choose to stay or leave, I will respect your decision. If you think that's good, I will provide you with a life free from want, allowing you to freely choose the lifestyle you desire. But I also hope you know that within these high walls, you are not alone. I will always be by your side, weathering the storms with you."

Hearing Zhao Chengyu's heartfelt and complex words, Zhao Qi'er felt a mix of emotions and suddenly fell silent. That silence contained both reminiscence of the past and uncertainty about the future. After a long while, she slowly raised her head, gazing intently at Zhao Chengyu, and softly asked, "Are you Zhao Yingqing? I no longer feel that you are the prince who was my only companion on the road to exile."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's heart skipped a beat. He stepped back, his gaze complex, and didn't answer immediately. He seemed to be pondering how to answer this question, which was both simple and profound. After a moment, he stood up, turned around, and looked at Zhao Qi'er with gentle yet firm eyes, slowly saying, "If I could, I would also like to return Prince Zhao's possessions to you. But that kind of prince, that kind of emperor, did he ever value you? Why is it that in your heart, you miss him more?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi'er's eyes reddened slightly. She stood up and walked to Zhao Chengyu, her voice choked with emotion: "Your Highness, back then, you trusted no one and loved no one. On the road to exile, you were alone and helpless, with only me left. I felt you had no choice but to rely on me, so I followed you without hesitation. During those days at the border, you made me test poisons for you every day. Although I am the daughter of an official, in your eyes, I was nothing more than your maid, and I couldn't refuse. You made me your Crown Princess because you were afraid that someone would enter the mansion and harm you. You made me sleep outside because you were afraid someone would break into the house at night. Back then, you relied on me so much that I felt I held a special place in your heart."

"But what happened next?" Zhao Qi'er's voice gradually became low and sorrowful. "First, you followed the late emperor's arrangement. I, who was supposed to be the crown princess, could only become an imperial concubine. When the emperor was on his deathbed, you had a child with Gao Lingyan first, while my child was four or five years younger than the crown prince. Gao Lingyan's maternal family was the Prime Minister Gao. My maternal family was completely wiped out, and even distant relatives are now just merchants. You always said I shouldn't do things that only a maid would do, but I have always been the prince's maid! In your heart, I have always been that maid who could test poison for you and protect you, but I have never truly become your wife, your empress."

Suddenly, an indescribable, overwhelming anxiety surged through Zhao Chengyu, so intense that he could barely contain himself. He abruptly turned and, without thinking, tightly embraced Zhao Qi'er beside him, as if trying to meld her into his own body to calm the turmoil within him. Zhao Chengyu's lips moved slightly, but he ultimately uttered no words, for his mind was currently overwhelmed by a torrent of memories, memories that surged forth like wild horses, making it almost impossible for him to open his eyes, leaving him helplessly immersed in fragments of the past.

In his memory, Zhao Qi'er's image was exceptionally vivid—on the distant road to exile, she repeatedly displayed extraordinary resilience and courage; despite the unknown and arduous journey ahead, her eyes always shone with an indomitable light; on the frontier city walls, she often stood alone, gazing into the distance, as if searching for something, or perhaps contemplating deeper questions; that lonely yet resolute figure still pained Zhao Chengyu to this day; at the highest-level banquet in the Crown Prince's residence, she sat above everyone else, yet seemed out of place, her eyes vacant and blank, as if... The surrounding hustle and bustle were irrelevant to her; only the world in her heart was real. It was deep within the palace when she was still young, holding the newborn crown prince in her arms, her eyes filled with tenderness and love. That tenderness made Zhao Chengyu realize that Zhao Qi'er was not only his family, but also an indispensable part of his life. There was also that time when, during Empress Gao's solemn sacrificial ceremony, she stood quietly to the side, her gaze deep and unfocused, as if contemplating complex questions about faith, power, and destiny. That wisdom and insight beyond her years filled Zhao Chengyu with both admiration and heartache.

Finally, as these memories receded like the tide, Zhao Chengyu slowly released his hands from holding Zhao Qi'er tightly. His voice was slightly hoarse, as if he had just woken up from a long dream: "Qi'er, actually, all these years, I have been protecting you in my own way. Perhaps it is because my way is too secretive, or perhaps you have never really calmed down to feel it, so you have never really understood."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi'er's surprise vanished in an instant, replaced by deep emotion and understanding. She looked at Zhao Chengyu, her eyes, once distant due to misunderstandings, now filled with warmth and trust. Seeing this, Zhao Chengyu felt a surge of warmth in his heart; he knew that all the misunderstandings and barriers had finally been resolved at this moment.

He clapped his hands lightly, signaling Xiao Kuangzi, who had been waiting by the door, to come over. Xiao Kuangzi responded cleverly and then ran out. A moment later, he returned with a man dressed in a tight-fitting guard uniform. The guard was burly and had a stern face. He bowed respectfully as soon as he entered, but remained silent, like a silent statue.

Zhao Chengyu looked at the guard before him, a faint smile playing on his lips, and asked, "I remember you were always by my side when you were in the Crown Prince's residence, weren't you?" The guard nodded slightly, remaining silent. Zhao Chengyu, unperturbed, turned to Zhao Qi'er and said, "During our exile to the frontier, we truly depended on each other for survival, and I had absolute trust in you. But back in the capital, the situation in the Crown Prince's residence is much more complicated. To ensure your safe entry and exit from the palace, I specially trained this group of secret guards. Although they don't often show themselves, they have been silently protecting you."

The guard nodded.

At this point, Zhao Chengyu's eyes softened, and he continued, "But ever since you became the Crown Princess, there have been more and more servants around you. I've noticed that you often space out, which makes me very uneasy. That's why I had you 'test for poison' when you ate. Actually, it was just to make you eat a few more bites and make sure you don't lose your appetite and become weak. You don't know, but the food has been carefully checked by the guards before it was served to you. I can only feel at ease when I see you eating well every day."

The guard nodded.

“Similarly, if my eldest son is your son, but he is not the Empress’s son, then he will have an even harder time surviving in this vortex of power struggles.” Zhao Chengyu’s voice was low and firm, every word seemingly expressing helplessness and determination. “In this palace, status and position determine everything. Therefore, I must have at least one son with Gao Lingyan to consolidate our position and pave the way for our future.”

The guard nodded.

Zhao Chengyu thought to himself: All you can do is nod, right?