Wu Jinmai's POV
I take a deep breath and speak. "You may come in," I replied.
What kind of reason did he have that he even asked to speak with me when I said that I wanted to speak with my husbands in private? He paid his respects to me and these men. He comes closer and gives me the scroll.
I opened it and tried to read it, even though I was still struggling. The old style of writing was really tough to understand. I have to study more.
"Wait... when did they keep on asking for this matter, Eunuch Liu?" I ask. I put down the scroll. He looks at me with a confused expression.
"Your Highness, have you forgotten about this? It's been a year since the royal court sent you this letter each month. They're giving you a warning already. Your husbands will receive the punishment if you…"
He sighed and looked worried as well. Damn it! "They're the ones who will suffer your majesty. The court will prepare new husbands for you, and it will be more dangerous. The court will use you as their puppet and control the whole empire. You have to decide now."
I raise my hand and stop him from talking. I massage my forehead and process it a bit. "If I disagree, what kind of punishment will they do?" I ask.
He looks at my husband behind him and decides to speak. "All your husbands will be castrated and will serve as monks in the temple. The worst thing is... they'll be beheaded as they didn't perform their purpose in the inner court," he says.
My eyes dilated when I heard what he said. Are they serious?! Is this how they want me to get busy and get even as I suddenly declare war in court? Hah! Those rascal.
"What a joke! They're really testing my patience. Tss. How could I comply with this when everyone was aiming my head, huh?! Are they out of their mind?!" I roared.
Eunuch Liu flinches because of how loud my voice is. "I apologize, Eunuch Liu. I'm just mad at these tricksters," I stated. I breathe deeply.
"Your majesty? Did you ask for an apology?" Eunuch Liu says. I nodded.
"Yes, anyway, let them do what they want. I'm sure they won't harm my husbands, as they're part of the inner court," I remarked. The truth is, I know those rascals have the power to do as they want.
"You shouldn't test them, your majesty. They're serious this time. They're giving you a month. You have to schedule the nights you'll spend with the emperor consort and conceive as soon as possible. You know what will happen next if you don't do as they please."
I close my eyes and massage my forehead. "I know. The Shanguan, Pei, and Li families had been true to their morals and great officials of the court. If I don't conceive a baby soon, the whole family will be annihilated."
I punch the table out of frustration. I'm still working on this reform, and now they want to do anything to make me lose the path I've chosen. I laugh bitterly.
"They clearly want me to stop doing the court reform and focus on my pregnancy, and then what? They will bring more chaos to the court and control the whole empire?!" I massage my shoulder and crack my knuckles.
Eunuch Liu looks at me with worried eyes. I suddenly smirked and decided to use this chance as well.
"Since we don't have the IVF process in this era yet, I will comply with what they want. Eunuch Liu, from now on, the emperor consort will sleep in my quarters for the whole month and prepare tonics and medicines that we need."
Eunuch Liu bowed his head. He looks at me. "Then you are willing to be a mother now, your highness?" he asks.
The emperor's consort stood up. I raise my hand. "They want me to get pregnant? Then we will give that to them. I won't stop and continue the court reform. Eunuch Liu, remember to keep your mouth and eyes closed." I halt.
I look at Pei Qin and Li Jin. "This matter will stay between the five of us. Shanguan Zu Jin, if you can find a way to speak with Lady Zhang, convince her. I am giving the two of you the chance to be together."
"The three of you can bring them here in the inner court as your concubines. Impregnate Lady Zhang and I'll act pregnant as well. As soon as she gives birth, that baby will be mine in the meantime," I continued. I look into their eyes and show them how serious I am.
"I knew after that they'd come after me. After my death, you will ascend the throne and make Lady Zhang your empress consort. Pei Qin and Li Jin, you can all leave the inner court and live happily. I will make them fall using the game they want us to play," I added, asserting firmly.
The three of them were surprised by the plan that I had in mind. I can finally have a life that is interesting and adventurous. I want to live life to the fullest until my last breath.
"Your Highness! That's an absurd plan! How can you propose such a thing? Have you forgotten who you are? You shouldn't act like your life is meaningless," Eunuch Liu says. I smiled and spoke.
"You all hate me anyway, right? Also, I already suffer so much pain. It will be better to sleep for an eternity."
I turn my back and hide the pain in my eyes. I want to live and enjoy a carefree life, but this second chance won't let me have that. I have no choice but to correct Wu Jinmai's decision and atone for her sins. I will do that.
"You are all dismissed. I need to be alone to start my work. Eunuch Liu, don't forget what I told you to do."
I know they bow their heads. "Long live the empress!"
I heard their footsteps as they left my room. I laugh bitterly, and my tears start to fall down my cheeks.
'I want to live. I want to be happy. Why can't I even have such simple happiness? Is it wrong to wish for that?'
The next few days, I kept myself busy reviewing the verdicts and the laws that I foolishly created.
I summoned some ministers and rewrote all the laws that would stay and be taken off the books.
They're all surprised at how diligent and serious I am about changing the situation in court. I am not soaking myself in the bathtub.
I closed my eyes and decided to take a nap. I have to be careful until I've achieved the part that I want.
By then, I will let my enemies succeed in killing me. That would be my ultimate plan. But for now...
"Your Highness, aren't you excited? You will be consummating your marriage with his majesty!" Eunuch Liu says.