The playboy county magistrate

A gentle evening breeze stirred the palace lanterns under the eaves. The flickering light and shadows reflected the deep, unfathomable light in Mei tide's eyes.

She stood on the veranda, gently smoothing her hair with her hand. Her voice was extremely soft, and the gentle southern accent was devoid of the submissiveness she displayed in public, replaced only by a calm calculation.

"Today in court, we feigned weakness to preserve the dignity of the Southern Frontier and prevented the emperor and his ministers of the Great Yong from being resentful. However, the Northern Desert is unruly, the Western Regions are arrogant, and the Eastern Seas are patient. Entering the palace at the same time as their noble ladies will naturally not be very convenient. If we are not careful, we may become the first sacrifice to be abandoned because of them."

A woman from southern Xinjiang beside him nodded slightly, her eyes showing a hint of caution.

"Sister is absolutely right. Women from the northern deserts are strong-willed and eager to win favor and make contributions to secure border rights for their tribes. Women from the western regions are bright and flamboyant, skilled in singing and dancing, and are most likely to win the emperor's heart. Although the two from the eastern islands are taciturn and seem harmless, I actually get the feeling that they are the most dangerous."

Mei tide smiled faintly and glanced approvingly at the woman who had just spoken.

"Indeed, but the foundation of our Southern Frontier has never been about seizing momentary glory, but about winning the hearts and minds of the people in the long run. The Emperor of Dayong is calm and wise, and well-versed in the art of power. He detests those who are arrogant and impetuous, and those who deliberately seek favor. He also prefers those who are gentle, obedient, sensible, and discreet."

"And don't forget, in this small world of the harem, the person you deal with the most isn't His Majesty."

"We just need to do our job well, hide our talents, not compete or fight, not curry favor, and not cause trouble. If we can make the Empress lower her guard against us, then the Emperor and the entire court will think that we are not a threat."

"When those forces start fighting each other and their weaknesses are exposed, that will be the day we reap the benefits."

The other four women nodded, their doubts and sorrows vanishing.

In stark contrast to the quiet and dormant atmosphere here, the courtyard of the woman from the northern desert was filled with an air of arrogance.

By day, before the palace, they stood tall and proud, exuding heroic spirit. Even in defeat and subjugation, they refused to bow down and fawn. Now, alone in the courtyard, they could hardly conceal the resentment and ambition in their hearts.

The leader, Princess Ulan of the northern nobility, was tall and slender with sharp, deep-set eyes, exuding the unique pride of the people of the grasslands.

She shed her formal court attire and donned a light brocade robe. Yet, she remained ramrod straight, exuding a commanding presence, devoid of any of the coquettishness or affectation typical of palace women.

Ulan stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, looking up at the deep night sky, his tone rough and straightforward, full of resentment.

"Our northern tribes offer fine horses and furs as tribute, adhering strictly to tributary relations, seeking only border stability and free trade. Yet, Li Xuanzhi rejected our offer with a few words, and even the emperor is on guard at every turn, refusing to yield an inch of power!"

Beside him, a noblewoman from the northern desert clenched her fists, her eyes filled with resentment.

"The civil officials of the Central Plains are the most hypocritical. They talk about rules and morality, but in reality they suppress the vassal states at every turn. Li Xuanzhi is ruthless. As long as he holds power, my northern desert will have no chance to rise up."

"And that Crown Prince, he seems gentle, but he's actually completely unyielding. The reaction from top to bottom in the Great Yong Dynasty is truly frightening."

"What's there to be afraid of!" Ulan scoffed, her arrogance undiminished. "We entered the palace not to eke out a living, but to secure a future for our tribe, to reclaim the three lost cities, and perhaps even expand our territory!"

"Women from the southern frontier are too timid, only knowing how to fawn and flatter. Women from the east are too cunning, only knowing how to hide their talents in secret. Only the sons and daughters of the northern desert act openly and honestly."

"If I gain the Emperor's favor in the future, I will speak frankly and fight for trade rights and fertile border lands for the grasslands. If I do not gain favor, I will never compromise or deliberately flatter."

"It's better to take the initiative than to lie low and wait. Even if you lose, it's far better than being mediocre and inactive, and you won't be controlled by others."

Inside the lavish palace, six women from the Western Regions sat around on the veranda. Their radiant beauty filled the courtyard, yet their eyes held only shrewd calculation.

The three kingdoms of Loulan, Uyghur, and Gaochang in the Western Regions coexisted and shared common interests. The six women sent to the palace were also in cahoots with each other, plotting together.

They were born with striking beauty, their eyes sparkling with brilliance. They possessed both the elegance of the Central Plains and the charm of exotic lands, and were most adept at using their alluring grace to please the emperor and create a captivating atmosphere.

The Loulan woman in the lead, Qiluo, had bright and captivating eyes, and her smile exuded a bewitching charm.

She gently twirled a petal between her fingertips, her voice languid and melodious.

"Today in the palace, our three kingdoms presented our gifts as a united front. Our presence was the most impressive, and our treasures the most abundant, yet we still failed to break the rules of the Great Yong Dynasty. This shows that no matter how grand our public display is, it is ultimately not as secure as a covert strategy."

A Uyghur woman smiled faintly and said, "Sister is right. The southern border is too soft, and the northern desert is too hard. Both have their problems. If it is too soft, it is easy to be ignored; if it is too hard, it is easy to be suppressed."

Qi Luo smiled and nodded, her calculations becoming increasingly clear in her eyes.

"That's right. The Emperor of Dayong, holding a high position, has witnessed the cutthroat nature of the court and the myriad aspects of life. What kind of woman hasn't he seen?"

"The palace has strict rules, and everyone, from concubines to maids and servants, is very rigid. I suppose what they need most is someone who can bring some liveliness and fun."

"We don't need to confront each other head-on, nor do we need to state our demands explicitly. We only need to perform diligently every day and gradually immerse ourselves in the divine heart."

"Once the emperor develops a fondness for us and lowers his guard, we can then subtly whisper in his ear to secure trade facilitation and border benefits for the Western Regions. Little by little, we can wear down even the hardest stone. We need not worry about the strict regulations of the Great Yong Kingdom, nor about the overall situation of the various states remaining unchanged."

The six women exchanged smiles, their understanding unwavering.

Three forces, three mindsets, three plans. Only the most secluded palace, closest to the Cold Palace, remained deathly silent.

Two noblewomen from Japan, Chiyo and Yukina, live here.

In the dead of night, the two finally shed their facade of docility.

Chiyo sat upright by the window, a solitary lamp illuminating her cold, narrow eyes, devoid of any feminine gentleness, only chilling calmness.

She stood upright, her hands resting on her knees. Her voice was extremely low and deep, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"Striving for favor and profit, whispering in someone's ear, are ultimately trivial matters that cannot shake the foundation of the Great Yong Kingdom."

Yukina, sitting quietly with her head down beside him, raised her eyes slightly upon hearing this, her gaze clear and cold.

"The other nations are only focused on trade and small border gains; their vision is too narrow. Only Japan is thinking about the long-term picture. We should do our duty to benefit our motherland, instead of fighting tooth and nail for favor in the harem like those women."

"That's right. The more humble and transparent you are, the easier it is to hide in the shadows. Avoid everyone's vigilance and snoop on more news and secrets."

The lights in the imperial study were on all night long.

The emperor sat upright before his dragon throne, holding in his hand a secret report presented by a eunuch overnight, detailing the palaces where beauties from all directions resided. He read each word carefully, pondering every sentence.