The next morning, when I woke up, Gu Yu was drawing open the curtains on my bed and said, 'Princess, you woke up later than usual today.

　　The husband has returned and is waiting for you in the front hall for breakfast.' I nodded and after freshening up, I went to the front hall to have breakfast, where not only Zhou Yijun was waiting, but also Rou Rou.

　　'Husband, did you rest well yesterday? It was a long journey, and you were involved in flood control and disaster relief in Jiangnan.

　　You look a bit thinner,' I asked.

　　Hearing me mention his thinness, Rou Rou, sitting next to Zhou Yijun, slightly curled her lips out of his sight, as if it was hard for her to hold back laughter.

　　Looking at Zhou Yijun, he no longer looked as tired as he did yesterday when he returned from the palace.

　　His gaze fell on his waist, which seemed thicker.

　　It seems that the Southern Kingdom's ruler treated him well during this trip.

　　Since he liked hearing it, I was happy to say it.

　　This meal was particularly enjoyable.

　　Rou Rou did not act mischievously, but rather praised Zhou Yijun's heroic efforts in disaster relief.

　　As I focused on eating, I vaguely praised him, 'Husband, you are amazing...' Zhou Yijun was very satisfied with this meal.

　　After the meal, Zhou Yijun went to his study.

　　Unexpectedly, Princess San had figured it out earlier than I thought.

　　Lin Rou immediately revealed her true self as soon as she entered my yard, no longer panting for breath but showing a completely different demeanor from when we first met.

　　I couldn't help but laugh; this Southern Kingdom's Third Princess was quite a spirited girl.

　　Six months ago, Father Emperor gave me the edict of abdication, clearly stating that the eldest princess would become the new emperor.

　　Since the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty, there had never been a woman in the government, let alone a princess becoming the emperor.

　　But what is the difference between women and men after all? Women can have strategies, can have literary talent, and can lead troops.

　　Why should they be confined to a small courtyard? Father Emperor had fought against the ministers for a lifetime, so he only married my mother, with no other concubines.

　　Mother Empress and Father Emperor only had me as their child in their lifetime, and I was educated from a young age to become a ruler.

　　Father Emperor has always treated me as the one to cultivate as the heir.

　　I will be a good emperor and also open up a world for women in the world.

　　But removing the deep-rooted conservatism is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

　　Now, inside the capital, the rumors are all about how the eldest princess, a mere woman, can only rely on her husband, and how the throne of Great Liang will change hands sooner or later.

　　It's really ridiculous that these people would rather see a useless wastrel become the ruler of this country than believe in a woman.

　　Six months ago, Father Emperor and I obtained evidence of Jing'an Marquis's treason.

　　Father Emperor and I were clear that this was the best opportunity for me to ascend to the throne.

　　Seizing this opportunity, I wanted to prove to the people that women are not inferior to men and that women can have their own careers instead of being confined to this small courtyard.

　　Father Emperor and I spread the news about finding a husband for me, and Zhou Yijun, who thought of himself as charming and outstanding, started appearing before me every day.

　　I also cooperated, changing my previously domineering personality to a gentle and pleasant one.

　　Later, at a banquet, I accidentally fell into the water, and Zhou Yijun risked his life to jump in and save me.

　　Father Emperor naturally arranged our marriage."

　　I know Zhou Yijun's thoughts well.

　　The person who pushed me into the water was his servant by his side.

　　My father and I have nurtured Zhou Yijun's ambitions step by step, until the floods in the south, where Zhou Yijun was sent to the south to handle water management, giving him the opportunity to collude with the southern region.

　　Now, in a few days, it will be time to close the net.

　　I took Lin Rou into a secret room, and as soon as we entered, there was no one around.

　　Lin Rou bowed to me.

　　"Your Highness, if you are willing to rescue me from this plight, I would be extremely grateful.

　　But my father is threatening me with my mother's life.

　　My mother is still in their hands.

　　If Your Highness can rescue my mother, I am willing to be a blade in Your Highness's hands." Lin Rou's eyes were firm, and when she mentioned the emperor of the southern region, a strong hatred flashed in her eyes.

　　I know very well that although Lin Rou is the legitimate princess of the emperor, her days have not been easy.

　　Now, the emperor of the southern region has given Lin Rou to Zhou Yijun, partly to win him over and partly to keep an eye on him.

　　But women are not objects, how can they be given away like goods? The emperor of the southern region thinks that by controlling the mother of Lin Rou, he can make Lin Rou obedient, but how can I let him have his way? "I thought your father would give Zhou Yijun the seventh princess born to that palace maid, but I never expected it would be you, the legitimate princess." Lin Rou sneered with disdain, "That old man doesn't lack children.

　　Over the years, he has forgotten about his daughter, Xiaqin." I think the emperor of the southern region has 17 concubines, not to mention the countless others without status or those titled as noble ladies.

　　The emperor of the southern region has many sons, with 22 sons and only nine daughters.

　　Now there are 15 adult princes, and each of these 15 princes has ambitious plans, causing chaos in the southern region over the issue of succession.

　　Even though the southern region is located by the sea and has a developed trade, it cannot withstand such turmoil.

　　In recent years, the old emperor has set his sights on Daliang.

　　After all, there is only one princess in Daliang.

　　Even if the princess successfully ascends to the throne, he believes that I, a mere woman, would not dare to fight against the southern region.

　　When news of my father's poor health spread, the old emperor became even more audacious.

　　First, he reduced the annual tribute due to the poor harvest, and then he completely cancelled it as an excuse.

　　With the emperor of the southern region's ambition, and my intention along with my father's to make him believe that there is no one to succeed in Daliang, the plot involving Zhou Yijun colluding with the emperor of the southern region arose.

　　During the three months in Jiangnan, Zhou Yijun was given the opportunity to conspire with the emperor of the southern region to seize power in Daliang.

　　Unfortunately, he did not realize that he was just a chess piece, a pawn for the women of Daliang seeking a new life.

　　I agreed to Lin Rou's request.

　　Lin Rou remained silent for a long time, then said, "How can I trust the eldest princess, and how can you rescue my mother from within the strict walls of the palace in the southern region?" I chuckled softly, "If the Third Princess had other choices, she wouldn't have come to me.

　　After all, the old emperor is your biological father.

　　Right now, besides trusting me, you have no other choice.

　　I promise that you and your mother will be reunited." "Okay, I trust you," Lin Rou's eyes shimmered with a mix of despair and hope, which surprised me.

　　Thinking about what the spies had overheard, I understood that Lin Rou's days in the palace of the southern region were more than just difficult.