My palace is full of female protagonists.

On the vast lands of Feng, King Duan Zhenghuai was leading an elite force, setting off from the territory of Empress Gao Lingyan of Yunnan, heading north towards the capital of Feng. However, the journey home was not smooth, as a group of unidentified assassins followed them relentlessly, attempting to create chaos across this vast land.

Duan Zhenghuai sat astride his tall warhorse, his eyes blazing and his expression resolute. He knew full well that these assassins were merely pawns of the mastermind behind the scenes, and the real battle was yet to come. Despite the urgency of the situation, the soldiers around him were all in high spirits, ready to deal with any unexpected situation at any moment.

As Duan Zhenghuai and his entourage traveled at a breakneck pace, a well-trained white dove suddenly appeared in the sky and landed precisely on his shoulder. Duan Zhenghuai quickly removed the secret letter tied to the dove's leg and read it carefully. In the letter, Empress Gao Lingyan not only expressed her concern for Duan Zhenghuai's safety but also revealed a startling piece of information—a powerful force was secretly coveting the kingdoms of Feng and Yunnan, attempting to instigate war between the two nations.

After reading the letter, Duan Zhenghuai frowned, but quickly regained his composure. He knew that he absolutely could not be misled by the enemy's schemes at this time, nor could he ruin his friendly relationship with Gao Lingyan because of a momentary impulse.

"Pass down the order," Duan Zhenghuai said to his deputy, "We must speed up our pace and return to the capital as soon as possible, while maintaining contact with Gao Lingyan to jointly deal with this potential crisis."

Upon hearing this, the deputy general immediately relayed Duan Zhenghuai's order. The troops then quickened their pace, rushing towards the capital of Feng Kingdom like an unstoppable torrent.

In the days that followed, Duan Zhenghuai and his group encountered several assassination attempts and ambushes, but thanks to the bravery of their soldiers and Duan Zhenghuai's wisdom, they always managed to escape danger and continue their journey. Meanwhile, Duan Zhenghuai maintained close contact with Gao Lingyan through various channels, discussing countermeasures together.

Finally, on a moonlit night with few stars, Duan Zhenghuai and his entourage successfully returned to the capital of Feng Kingdom. They immediately began preparations for defense and simultaneously dispatched envoys to Yunnan Kingdom to discuss further cooperation with Gao Lingyan.

Inside the magnificent palace of the Yunnan Kingdom, Empress Gao Lingyan sat regally on her dragon throne, toying with a string of shimmering jade beads in her hand, her eyes revealing a hint of amusement and curiosity. Since the departure of King Duan Zhenghuai of the Feng Kingdom, several formal cooperation agreements from Feng had piled up on her desk. These agreements were not written on ordinary paper, but rather in an ancient and unique way—on copper plates. Each copper plate was meticulously engraved with the various clauses of cooperation between the two countries, the handwriting clear, neat, and powerful, as if every stroke carried the expectations and trust of the people of both nations.

A lieutenant, his face dripping with sweat, had just arrived from Feng Kingdom at breakneck speed. He stood respectfully in the center of the hall, clutching a heavy stack of copper plates, his eyes gleaming with the relief and pride of completing his mission. He stepped forward and presented the plates one by one, introducing each treaty in a booming voice: "This is a treaty promising friendly relations between our two countries, symbolizing the determination of Feng Kingdom and Yunnan Kingdom to maintain lasting friendship; this is the clause regarding the establishment of markets along our borders, aimed at promoting economic prosperity and exchange between our two nations; this is the treaty allowing intermarriage between our peoples, intended to deepen the emotional bond between our two peoples; and this is the agreement on border defense cooperation between our two countries, as well as this half of a sheep tally, serving as a token of cooperation between our two armies..."

Listening to the deputy general's introduction, Gao Lingyan's face revealed a subtle smile. She gently put down the jade beaded necklace in her hand, reached out and took the copper plates, carefully turning each page. The writing on the copper plates gleamed in the sunlight, each line seemingly proclaiming Duan Zhenghuai's emphasis on and sincerity regarding this cooperation. However, a hint of confusion and amusement arose in Gao Lingyan's heart: "When we fought side by side before, attacking Lanling Kingdom, we never saw such a formal cooperation agreement. Back then, Duan Zhenghuai was right in front of me; we relied on mutual trust and tacit understanding. Now that he's gone, he's come up with all this empty formalities."

She raised her head, looked at the deputy general, and a sly glint flashed in her eyes: "Tell me, was this Duan Zhenghuai's idea, or the work of those ministers in the Feng Kingdom's court?"

Upon hearing this, the lieutenant was slightly taken aback, then replied, "The monarch prepared these as soon as he arrived in the capital, without even resting, and sent me to deliver them, which shows how much he values ​​them."

Gao Lingyan nodded, a playful smile playing on her lips. "Hmm, what you say makes sense. These contracts all require a sacrificial ceremony to inform the people. When you return, please tell Duan Zhenghuai that I, Gao Lingyan, am not ungrateful. I accept these agreements and am willing to abide by them. However, I hope our cooperation can be as simple and direct as when we fought side by side, without excessive formalities. If there is anything you need, you can make a request."

Upon hearing this, the lieutenant secretly admired Gao Lingyan's magnanimity and wisdom, and quickly nodded in agreement: "Yes, Your Majesty is wise! This subordinate will certainly convey your message."

After the deputy general of Feng Kingdom hurriedly left the council hall, Yun Feiyang slowly walked out from behind the curtain, his brows furrowed and his expression grave. He said, "What exactly is Duan Zheng up to? His intentions are as clear as day. His hasty return to Fengdu this time is obviously to find an opportunity to declare independence. Now, he suddenly shows goodwill towards our Yunnan Kingdom. Isn't this like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—he has no good intentions? What exactly is he plotting?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Lingyan gently swirled the teacup in her hand, her gaze deep. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "I fear that within Feng Kingdom, the assassination attempts targeting officials in the capital and against you are not isolated incidents. Perhaps similar conspiracies are quietly unfolding on Feng Kingdom's soil as well. Duan Zhenghuai is merely forced by circumstances to show us a friendly demeanor. Feng Kingdom is currently in a state of disarray, like a heap of loose sand. If it is truly that ambitious Zhao Yingqing who wants to 'devour' Feng Kingdom, surely our Yun family army can take it down in one fell swoop?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Feiyang's eyes flashed with a fierce glint, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Hmph, every time Duan Zhenghuai sits here and pretends to be friendly with me, I want to capture him directly by taking down the leader first, so as to eliminate the future troubles of Feng Kingdom!"

Gao Lingyan shook her head slightly, looking at Yun Feiyang with a complicated expression, and said, "That's true, but what we need right now is a stable ally. Although Duan Zhenghuai is ambitious, he does have quite a few bargaining chips. In this chaotic world, if we choose to ally with a small country, wouldn't it be just like when we subdued Lanling Kingdom, which was time-consuming and laborious? And small countries may not be able to provide us with enough support."

At this point, Gao Lingyan suddenly had a thought, recalling Zhao Yingqing's wise saying: "There are no permanent enemies, nor permanent friends; all interests come first." She nodded to herself, pondering: In this complex and chaotic situation, interests are the bond that holds all relationships together. Perhaps we should apply this principle more flexibly to remain invincible in turbulent times.

Thinking of this, Gao Lingyan's gaze became even more resolute. She looked at Yun Feiyang, her tone carrying an undeniable determination: "Feiyang, we must remain vigilant, but we must also seize every opportunity. Although Duan Zhenghuai is cunning, as long as we grasp the balance of interests, we may be able to turn him into our pawn. After all, in this chaotic world, who the real winner is depends on how we strategize and win from afar."

Yun Feiyang nodded slightly, a hint of cunning in his eyes. He glanced at Gao Lingyan out of the corner of his eye, then leaned forward slightly, close to her ear, and whispered, "Tonight, can I go to your room... to read together?" His voice was soft, but it carried a subtle tenderness and expectation.

Upon hearing this, Gao Lingyan's face instantly flushed red, like the clouds dyed red by the setting sun, beautiful yet shy. She abruptly turned her head away, not wanting Yun Feiyang to see her blushing cheeks, and pretended to be angry, saying, "You can read in the study, why are you coming to my room? It smells like ink and is very smelly."

Seeing this, Yun Feiyang's lips curled into a playful smile. He crossed his arms and said with feigned helplessness, "Alright, since you put it that way, I'll go to the military camp tonight to check on the soldiers' training." His tone was teasing, as if he were testing Gao Lingyan's reaction.

Upon hearing this, Gao Lingyan felt a sudden tightness in her heart. Then, as if she had thought of something, she suddenly stood up, her face showing a mixture of urgency and shyness, and said, "In my room... there's an oil lamp with a broken leg. Could you... help me fix it?" Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost a whisper, but her bright eyes shone with anticipation.

Upon hearing this, Yun Feiyang's lips almost curled into a smile, and he could no longer hide the joy in his eyes. He said confidently, "How could I not? Fixing an oil lamp is just a piece of cake for me." His tone was full of confidence and doting, as if he were telling Gao Lingyan that he would do his best to fulfill whatever request she made.

Upon hearing this, Gao Lingyan blushed again. This time, she did not avoid Yun Feiyang's gaze. Instead, she lowered her eyelids slightly and said softly, "Then... I'll have to trouble you." Her voice was soft, but it was full of tenderness and trust, as if she were telling Yun Feiyang about her endless feelings.

The atmosphere between the two became subtle and ambiguous at this moment, as if an indescribable sweetness and warmth permeated the air.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chengyu sat at his desk, pen in hand, focused and earnest. His pen danced across the paper, recording the Crown Prince's recent activities, his words revealing his admiration and concern for the prince. Since arriving in Yuyao County, the Crown Prince had not only successfully quelled the local epidemic but also exposed many corrupt officials. Furthermore, in a recent battle, he personally led troops, demonstrating extraordinary talent and courage.

Zhao Chengyu recounted these events in detail, though not going into every single detail, it still filled several pages. In this dynasty, paper was still very precious; only yellow paper, similar to straw paper, was available. Even the emperor had to use it sparingly, and the characters were often written in very small characters. While bamboo slips were ancient and solemn, they were quite inconvenient to use. Unless absolutely necessary, people preferred to use yellow paper.

Looking at the mountain of bamboo slips and the few scraps of yellow paper before him, Zhao Chengyu was filled with emotion. He knew all too well that in this era, the scarcity of paper made every piece of writing exceptionally precious. Therefore, he was always extra careful when writing, afraid of wasting even a single grain.

However, Zhao Chengyu never developed much interest in carving knives. In his view, although carving knives could leave permanent marks on bamboo slips, compared to the fluidity and freedom of brush and ink, they seemed too clumsy and cumbersome. Therefore, he preferred to practice calligraphy rather than learn the intricate art of carving.

Thus, the yellow paper in Zhao Chengyu's hand became the best medium for him to pour out his heart. He recorded the Crown Prince's heroic deeds one by one, each stroke filled with deep affection and admiration. He knew that this letter would reach Gao Lingyan, so that she too could feel the Crown Prince's growth and changes.

As the last stroke fell, Zhao Chengyu examined his work with satisfaction. The flowing handwriting mirrored his mood—both relaxed and proud. He gently blew on the ink to dry, his face beaming with accomplishment. This was not merely a simple letter, but a detailed report on the Crown Prince's recent situation, revealing his deep concern and expectations for the prince in every line.

He knew that this letter was not merely a report on the Crown Prince's current situation, but also a continuation of his role as a "father." Although in this time and space, this was someone else's child in his heart, he still regarded the Crown Prince as his own. He cared about the Crown Prince's growth, worried about his future, and hoped that the Crown Prince could become a responsible, wise, and loving leader.

Zhao Chengyu knew that in this chaotic world, the crown prince's status and position were extremely special. No matter which region he became crown prince in the future, he would become a regional hegemon, holding the fate of countless people in his hands. Therefore, he paid special attention to the crown prince's education, not only focusing on cultivating the crown prince's military and political talents, but also emphasizing the cultivation of the crown prince's character and personal charisma.

In his view, one can be ruthless, but one cannot disregard life. This is the value that Zhao Chengyu, as a modern person, upholds, and it is also the principle he hopes the Crown Prince will adhere to. He knows that in this vortex of power struggles, the Crown Prince could easily be drawn in and become cold-blooded. But he hopes the Crown Prince can maintain a kind heart, always pay attention to the suffering of the people, and use his own strength to change the world.

Therefore, in his letter, Zhao Chengyu not only reported on the Crown Prince's recent situation but also expressed his expectations and teachings for him. He hoped that the Crown Prince would keep his mission and responsibilities in mind, and not only become an excellent leader but also a warm-hearted and compassionate person.

Finally, Zhao Chengyu sealed the envelope and prepared to send it to Yunnan Kingdom.