Wu Jinmai's POV
They look at me. I know they realize that I'm still their empress, who is short-tempered and loves to yell at them.
"I don't care if no one believes me or not. Never send me useless memorials like this again. I am working on conceiving an heir. End of discussion. How about the ministry of works? Any interesting reports from your department?" I questioned.
Minister Pei Xuan moves in the middle and bangs his head first.
"Greetings, Your Highness. The Ministry of Works is doing what you had asked from our department. Here's our initial report for our inspection of the establishments, bridges, roads, and flood control projects that you wished to build."
Eunuch Liu takes the memorials that he's handing over. I scanned over it. My brow arches. I have to read and analyze this report. I already found interesting things.
"I need a follow-up report regarding the welfare of the residents in these two villages. If they've been flooded for almost two months, I'm sure they acquired illnesses that can be deadly. Check on their situation as well."
"Understand, Your Highness," Pei Xuan replied. Minister Tang Xi moves in the middle.
"Greetings, your majesty. May I remind you to review the commands and edicts that you've been sending to your official's households?"
He halts and looks at me in the eyes. Those sneaky glances.
"We learned that you summoned the Shanguan several days ago. You should be mindful of possible influences that will affect your dignity," he added. Shanguan Wei moves on to the middle as well and defends their family.
"Greetings, Your Highness. We never advise or harbor any ill intentions. We know our limitations. Why would we advise our intelligent empress with devious advice?"
"Are you telling us that we're a bad influence, Minister Shanguan?" Tang Xi questions. Oh my! Gaslighting is the key! "I am not accusing anyone, your highness."
"Are we done? All of this unnecessary discussion when we have important matters to discuss in the first place. As for the Shanguan's visit, it looks like you're all interested in this matter. I'll speak the truth then."
My first husband and his father were looking at me. They're both nervous.
"I ask them to visit because I ask for advice on how a couple can conceive a child faster. Isn't it bad if I wish to seek advice? Books in the library aren't interesting at all. Advice from a couple's experience was more interesting, wasn't it?" I added.
The two of them were surprised at how I saved their butt. "How about the situation in the entertainment district? Can I hear any news from it? Maybe an interesting one," I demanded. My husband, Li Jin, moves in the middle.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Here's the evidence we gathered regarding the abduction incident that you've heard about," he reported.
Eunuch Liu, grab the memorial and pass it on to me. I scanned it as well and read important details. I shook my head and sighed as well.
I was expecting this kind of result, actually. I put down the memorial on the table and looked at Li Jin. His eyes were still the darkest among the three when he looked at me.
"Make sure to capture this group and stop them from victimizing these ladies. I have plans about servants's employment from now on. Therefore, I want them to be captured, A'Jin."
He bows his head. "Understood, Your Highness," he replied.
I remember the other concerns I discussed last time. "Minister Zhang, any reports from the Ministry of Revenue? Have you gathered the land census that I asked you to work with?" I ask.
He moves in the middle and bows his head. "Your Highness, I have here the books and records regarding your concerns. I also gathered the books about the financial policy of the empire," he reported.
Eunuch Liu fetches them for me. He placed the book and wooden scrolls on the table. I look to all of them.
"Are there any other reports that I should receive? You may speak your mind," I remarked.
Finally, Pei Qin decided to speak. "Greetings, Your Highness. As of this moment, the investigations about the corrupt officials that you wished to know were still in the process. May I ask a little time and present you our initial results as soon as possible?" he requested.
I nodded and decided to give him a little push. "Why don't you start cooperating with the inspectorate office? This will help your team to gather the clues and pieces of evidence that will support your claims," I suggest.
They start buzzing. I know it's been two years since it was built, and it's like a useless office among the departments in the court.
"Your Highness," Minister Shi says, bowing his head. He looks at me in the eyes.
"The inspectorate office should've been dissolved for months. It's a useless department," he explains.
I give them the benefit of the doubt. They are surprised by my reaction. I breathe in.
"This department needs a leader that is intelligent and can see the evilness of the world. The inspectorate office was a department that seeks evidence and investigates different types of crimes." I halt and look around.
"I already have someone in mind that will be the head of this office," I declared.
"Su Ming Xi, show yourself."
They are all surprised, especially Shanguan Zu Jin and Su Ming Xi. The man I called moved in the middle and bowed his head.
"Su Ming Xi is here, Your Highness," he says.
I grab a certain paper and open it. I know they are aware that it's a test paper from an imperial exam.
"I quietly enjoyed and admired your answer, official Su Ming Xi."
I close it and look into his eyes.
"You are right. Even a mighty phoenix will fall into an abyss when its eyes and ears are covered and won't get the chance to see and hear the truth. Injustice was everywhere, like a disease that kills thousands of lives," I mumbled.
He looked at me and was surprised because of what I said. I simply smile.
"Su Ming Xi will be the head of the inspectorate office from now on. Also, Bai Xuan, from being the lowest rank official in the ministry of rites. You will be promoted as a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Works. Your skills in architecture will be useful in this department," I remark.
Everyone was surprised because of what I did. That's what I want. I stood up.
"That's for this court meeting. We will have another meeting in seven days. I need serious reports by then. The court meeting is dismissed!" I declared.
I stood up and left first. I look at Eunuch Liu. I know he understands what I mean.