Wu Jinmai's POV
I handed the payment as soon as he gave me the meat buns. "Walk straight from here. The fifth store is the famous apothecary store in this place," the kid replied.
I smiled and bowed my head before leaving. I was happily eating the meat buns when I accidentally stepped on someone's shoes.
I was hoping instead of walking, that's why I landed on someone's shoe. I bow my head right away to apologize.
"I apologize for stepping on your foot," I murmur.
I raise my head. I was stunned when I saw his face. He's handsome and smells nice, actually.
"No worries," he replied.
I bow my head again and walk away. I have to find the herbs I need and go back to the palace. I can do this again if I have free time.
It's easy to sneak away because of this badge. I stopped and looked at the name in front of this store.
It says Feng's apothecary. I found it already. I get inside, and the clerk accommodates me right away.
I gave him the medicinal herbs that I needed, and he passed the paper to one of their staff.
After a few moments, he gave me the pouch where they placed the herbs that I bought. "That would be 10 taels, young lord," he says.
I give him my payment and take the pouch. I hide it underneath my sleeve and leave the store.
I look around and notice these delicious foods on different stalls. My stomach growled. These are good-smelling foods.
They're making me hungry! I grab my pouch again and recklessly buy the food I see in every stall. It's freaking delicious!
I was holding too many things in my hands when I noticed two men helping an old woman who must have been her grandson. They're both picking the rotten vegetables and fruits in their basket.
"Thank you so much, young men. We apologize for the inconvenience that we caused to the two of you."
They both shake their heads and smile. "It's okay, grandmother. Are you selling these?" the man wearing a white hanfu asks. Her grandson speaks.
"No. We bought them for a cheaper price. It's for our dinner," he says.
I notice the stall of vegetables and fruit on their side. I went there and bought something.
"Can you put it in a basket?" I ask.
The vendor nodded. He handed it to me after. "20 taels," he says.
I give him my payment. I placed the other food that I bought in the basket. I only took two towels with me and placed my money pouch inside the basket, then covered it with the fruits.
"We will buy you fresh ones, grandmother. Wait for us, okay?" the man in white added. His companion gets the basket.
"Little friend, take care of your grandma while we buy another set of vegetables and fruits, okay?" the man in green clothes says. The little boy nodded right away.
I walk closer and cough. "Here. I will get these, and you can have this," I offered.
I grabbed the basket from the other man and handed the basket to the grandson. They look at me with their puzzled gazes.
I simply smiled. I step closer and embrace them. I can't believe Wu Jinmai enjoyed too much privilege while her citizens were suffering.
"Take care of your way home, okay?" I mumbled. I step back and smile. "Who are you?"
I smiled. I patted his head. He might be eleven or twelve years old. "Take care of your grandmother, okay?"
He nodded slowly while looking at me. They bowed their heads and walked away. They look back.
I just waved my hand and smiled sweetly. I looked at the basket and sadly smiled.
"Alright! What can I buy for two taels? Hmm… meat buns!" I remarked, smiling as I snapped my fingers.
I turn around and move forward. I went to the same stall and bought meat buns with the remaining two taels in my hands.
I'm on my way to where I leave my horse when I see those two men again. They were in front of me and were taking the space too much.
Should I excuse myself so I can get through? I have to decode the medicines that I bought.
"Su Ming Xi, do you think the empress was serious with her plans? My dad told me that she's serious in what she says. We've been busy lately, making reports and writing records for the things that the empress wants from the office of the Ministry of Works," the other says.
The man wearing a white hanfu says. Wait, what is his name again? Is it Su Ming Xi?
"We need to present something for the next court meeting in four days. I don't know what the empress was trying to do, but most of the officers are laughing behind her back," he added.
I was expecting that already. I took a bite and chewed. Their meat buns were hot and delicious. I like how the spices were balanced, making the meat flavorful.
"Bai Xuan, tell me, should I resign? I'm just a mere official under the Ministry of Personnel. My position itself isn't important. I'm one of the lowest-rank officials," Su Ming Xi mutters.
His friend sighed and became silent for a while. I guess there are officials that have no real power. He's one of them. I have to ask Uncle to investigate this man.
"Su Ming Xi, you have to start at the bottom and climb to the power that you desire. You want to change the world, are you? Unless your dreams were just shallow."
Su Ming Xi looks at his friend. "I don't know. I knew myself that she wouldn't make it," Su Min Xi replied.
I turned to the left side and decided to investigate those men's capabilities and how they became an officials of the court.
I reach where I left my horse and hop on his back. I pulled the leash and left. "Hyah!" I exclaimed.
It runs faster. I arrived at the palace gate after a few moments. I secretly put back the horse in the stable.
I sneak back into my quarters and wash my face right away. I used clay to darken my skin and even add moles to my cheeks.
I have to change my facial features to make sure no one will recognize me. "Did anyone find the empress?!" Eunuch Liu roared.
I grab the paper bag where I kept the medicine that I bought. I went out, and the maidservants who saw me screamed.
"Empress! It's the empress!" she yells.
I look at them naturally and act like I've been here all this time. I wonder if I spend three hours in the market as well as traveling back and forth. The rest of the servants gathered in the hall.
"Your Highness! Where have you been!?" Eunuch Liu says.
"I will be using the kitchen. Return to your areas and continue what you are doing," I simply replied. They watch me as I leave. I'm glad I made it on time!