My palace is full of female protagonists.

Upon hearing this, both the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Gao wore thoughtful expressions. The Crown Prince's eyes shone with the joy of a rising sun; he clearly held Zhao Chengyu's suggestion in high regard and approval. He thought to himself, "This will not only resolve the current crisis but also add valuable political capital to my portfolio—a truly rare opportunity."

Prime Minister Gao nodded slightly, his brow furrowed, seemingly weighing the pros and cons of the proposal carefully. After much deliberation, he quickly gave a positive reply: "Your Majesty's arrangement is indeed brilliant, achieving two goals at once—solving the immediate predicament and establishing merit for the Crown Prince. It is truly a wonderful plan. However, the Crown Prince is young and inexperienced. Even experienced officials might encounter resistance from the rebel army, let alone the Crown Prince himself. The risks are indeed considerable."

Consort Zhen's sobs gradually subsided. She looked up at Zhao Chengyu, her eyes gleaming with gratitude and trust. Although tears still clung to her face, her helplessness and despair had greatly diminished. She wiped away her tears and said firmly, "I will go with the Crown Prince!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu frowned. Knowing Consort Zhen's temperament and strength, he couldn't help but remind her, "Consort Zhen, although you are exceptionally intelligent, you don't have much real power in the court. You might be able to suppress a few ordinary officials, but the prefect is obviously no ordinary person. Even you ran into a wall and had to rush back to the capital for help. Therefore, it would probably be of no use for you to go with me."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao fell into deep thought. After a moment, he slowly spoke: "In that case, we can only ask Prime Minister Su for help. Prime Minister Su is shrewd and experienced, highly respected, and well-versed in military strategy. With him in charge, we can be sure of victory."

Zhao Chengyu nodded slightly upon hearing this. He knew that Prime Minister Su's abilities and prestige made him the most suitable candidate. However, he also understood that this matter was of utmost importance, and once it was taken, it required all-out effort and could not afford any failure. Therefore, he solemnly said, "Prime Minister Su is indeed the best choice, but in this way, no matter how you look at it, we cannot save the villagers."

The Crown Prince, Consort Zhen, and Prime Minister Gao all nodded in agreement.

Consort Zhen slowly stood up, her expression tinged with disappointment and helplessness. She said softly, "Then I will return to the palace first. Thank you, Your Majesty, for listening to my words." With that, she turned and left the Imperial Study with heavy steps. Her figure appeared particularly lonely in the candlelight, seemingly carrying endless sorrow.

Zhao Chengyu watched Consort Zhen's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He sighed helplessly, then called over Xiao Kuangzi, who was waiting at the door, and instructed him, "Go and tell Empress Zhao Qi'er what happened today, and ask her to comfort Consort Zhen."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi looked troubled and hesitated before saying, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should let Consort Zhen calm down on her own. The Empress is actually not in a good mood either."

Zhao Chengyu was taken aback upon hearing this. Recalling how the Empress was no longer in bed when he woke up in her palace this morning, a sense of guilt welled up in his heart. He sighed softly and waved his hand, "Alright, let's leave it at that for now. By the way, Consort Zhen mentioned earlier that she couldn't find Coptis chinensis in the market, which is quite strange. Have the Prefect of the Capital ask the Capital Chamber of Commerce to find out what's going on."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Kuangzi frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what kind of place is this guild of merchants you mentioned?"

Zhao Chengyu was slightly taken aback. He had actually just blurted out the word "chamber of commerce" on a whim. He looked at Prime Minister Gao beside him, hoping to get an answer from him: "Prime Minister Gao, aren't there any chambers of commerce in the capital?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao also looked bewildered. He respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I am ignorant. I have no idea what this Chamber of Commerce is."

Zhao Chengyu then realized that he didn't know much about the business situation in Beijing.

Zhao Chengyu frowned slightly, turned his gaze to Prime Minister Gao, and asked, "In a commercially prosperous place like the capital, how do merchants exchange information and share goods? Isn't there a unified organization or platform?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao shook his head slightly, his expression filled with reminiscence and emotion: "Your Majesty may not know, but most merchants in the capital still rely on the power of their families to survive. They are often closely connected with their family members, discussing business strategies together. Generally speaking, merchant families can only operate in agricultural and commercial industries; this has always been the rule."

He paused, then continued, "The reason the Gao family was able to make a name for itself in the business world back then was actually due to the late emperor's special permission. The royal family had many affairs to attend to, and sometimes they needed merchants to assist in their management. So the late emperor granted permission for the Gao family to collect and cultivate business talents. In this way, the Gao family could not only establish themselves in the business world, but also serve the royal family, which was a win-win situation."

At this point, a hint of pride appeared on Prime Minister Gao's face, but he quickly returned to humility: "However, the path of business is not one where one can succeed solely through family connections. It also requires certain talents, such as a keen insight into the market, an accurate grasp of business opportunities, and a calm assessment of risks. Of course, luck is also an indispensable part. Sometimes, a chance encounter can make a businessman famous overnight and multiply his wealth."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu nodded thoughtfully. He realized that the business environment in Beijing was far more complex than he had imagined.

Zhao Chengyu nodded slightly, his eyes filled with a mixture of seriousness and expectation, and said to Prime Minister Gao, "Prime Minister Gao, you must give me a clear explanation regarding the shortage of medicinal herbs. Otherwise, if Consort Zhen comes to me again to complain, I will have nothing to say."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao gave a wry smile, but could only agree. He knew that the shortage of medicinal herbs was no small matter, affecting not only the people's livelihood but also the imperial family's reputation. Therefore, he respectfully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I understand. I will immediately begin to investigate this matter and will certainly give Your Majesty a satisfactory answer."

After speaking, Prime Minister Gao prepared to leave the Imperial Study. However, Zhao Chengyu stopped him again: "Prime Minister Gao, you must also explain the matter of the Crown Prince taking over the prefectures and counties to Prime Minister Su. This matter concerns the major plans of the country and cannot be taken lightly."

Prime Minister Gao nodded in agreement, but inwardly he was pondering how to explain this sudden turn of events to Prime Minister Su. He knew that Prime Minister Su was upright and had always held extremely high expectations for the Crown Prince; if this matter was not handled properly, it might incur his displeasure.

Zhao Chengyu seemed to have seen through Prime Minister Gao's thoughts and added, "By the way, since the Crown Prince has taken over the prefectures and counties, a ceremony to worship Heaven should be held to show solemnity. How about setting it for three days from now?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao suddenly realized the Emperor's deeper meaning. He understood that the Emperor's actions were not only to highlight the Crown Prince's status, but also to cleverly link the massacre of the village with the Crown Prince's assumption of command of the county. In this way, the old prefect's downfall would appear more logical, while the Crown Prince could use this opportunity to establish his authority and consolidate his position.

Thinking of this, Prime Minister Gao couldn't help but secretly admire the Emperor's foresight. He didn't say anything more, but respectfully bowed and said, "Your humble servant obeys the decree and will go to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven."

After speaking, Prime Minister Gao left the Imperial Study, but he was still pondering how to properly handle the various matters that followed.

Hearing Prime Minister Gao's thoughtful words, Prime Minister Su felt a chill creep into his heart, as if a boulder weighed on his chest, making his breathing heavy. His silence seemed to stretch on endlessly, the atmosphere in the room so tense you could almost hear a pin drop. Finally, after a long silence, Prime Minister Su slowly raised his hand, trembling, and picked up the brush from the table. He dipped it in ink and began to sketch name after name on a pristine sheet of Xuan paper. Each name represented a high-ranking official or a trusted confidant, the result of years of cultivation, and a glimmer of his grasp on the future situation.

After writing the last character, Prime Minister Su gently blew away the ink, then carefully picked up the list, walked to Prime Minister Gao, and handed it to him, his eyes filled with a mixture of uncertainty and anticipation. "Prime Minister Gao, what do you think? Is it appropriate to have these people accompany the Crown Prince to various prefectures and counties for the handover?" His voice was soft, yet it conveyed an undeniable firmness.

Prime Minister Gao took the list and examined it word by word, his brow furrowed. After a moment, he looked up at Prime Minister Su, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "Prime Minister Su, how many soldiers should we bring?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su gazed resolutely out the window, towards the direction of the imperial city, the place he cared about most. "Naturally, it's all the Crown Prince's Imperial Guards, ten thousand strong." His voice carried an undeniable force.

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao's expression changed slightly, clearly shocked by the decision. "Ten thousand Imperial Guards? This...this is no small number. I worry that this will lead to the Crown Prince being criticized by the court and the public as intending to amass troops and harbor rebellious intentions. At that time, even if the Crown Prince has a thousand mouths, it will be difficult to clear his name of this fabricated crime." His tone was filled with worry about the situation and concern for the Crown Prince.

Prime Minister Su sighed softly, seemingly having anticipated Prime Minister Gao's concerns. He slowly walked to the window, his back to Prime Minister Gao, and spoke in a low but powerful voice: "That's precisely why I specifically arranged for General Meng. General Meng is unparalleled in loyalty and bravery, and enjoys outstanding prestige. He can mobilize elite troops from the border cities to join forces with the Imperial Guard. This will not only enhance the Crown Prince's safety but also demonstrate to the outside world that this is a normal mobilization of the state, not a private army. General Meng's involvement will minimize rumors and protect the Crown Prince's reputation to the greatest extent possible."

After a moment of contemplation, Prime Minister Gao said solemnly, "This matter is of great importance. I must personally write to Empress Gao to discuss it and ensure that every detail is conveyed accurately. As for the Yun family army, they must not be involved. Yunnan is currently in a difficult period of recovery. Once it loses its status as a vassal state, it will be like a lamb without protection, easily becoming fish on someone else's chopping block. And the first to bear the brunt, seeking to annex it, is the ambitious Duan Zhenghuai of Feng Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su's face showed a hint of helplessness. He knew that Prime Minister Gao's concerns were not unfounded; the fate of Yunnan Kingdom indeed hung by a thread. "Of course I understand the stakes involved, Lord Gao," he sighed softly. "However, the situation is becoming increasingly complex, and I can't help but feel anxious. Perhaps I should personally go to the capital and report everything to Empress Gao in person, so that I can receive instructions more quickly?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Gao frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of reproach: "Lord Su, you and I are both pillars of the court, busy with official duties every day, with very little time to go home and reunite with our families. Now, do you want me to take on your responsibilities as well?"

Prime Minister Su smiled wryly. He understood Prime Minister Gao's hardship and dissatisfaction, but the current situation truly made him anxious. "Lord Gao, I don't mean to add to your burden. It's just that these days, I've increasingly felt that those children in Wenshu Monastery, though young and without family ties, possess a loyalty and fervor for the country that those cunning old foxes outside the court cannot match. Perhaps this is exactly what the Emperor is thinking; perhaps she hopes to break the current deadlock through the innocence and courage of these young people."

After hearing this, Prime Minister Gao fell into deep thought. He looked at Prime Minister Su, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Indeed, although those young people lacked experience, their purity and integrity were rare qualities in the court. A strange feeling welled up in his heart, as if he had a thousand words to say, yet didn't know where to begin.

"Lord Su," Prime Minister Gao began slowly, his voice carrying an undisguised heaviness, as if the weight on his shoulders was making it hard to breathe, "We are both subjects, and it is our duty to share His Majesty's burdens. The nation is currently in a turbulent period, beset by internal and external troubles. The situation is like a candle in a storm, which could be extinguished at any moment. If we cannot even properly resolve the current internal problems, and allow the situation on the sand table to continue to expand and become increasingly complex, then tell me, can we still hold our positions as the left and right prime ministers of this country?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su's lips curled into a faint smile, a smile tinged with arrogance and confidence. "To say such a thing to me is like showing off my limited skills before an expert!" He shook his head slightly, his tone laced with teasing and self-deprecation. "Lord Gao, we've worked together for many years. Who doesn't know your exceptional wisdom and cautious approach? As for me, I'm just a straightforward person who only speaks the truth. But then again, it's precisely because we have different personalities and expertise that we can complement each other and support each other, together upholding this order."

"Lord Su is right." Prime Minister Gao nodded, his tone firm and resolute. "As his subjects, we should do our utmost to share His Majesty's burdens. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, we must forge ahead bravely and never back down. Only in this way can we live up to His Majesty's trust and expectations."

The two smiled at each other, as if their worries and pressures had been released at that moment.