Shanguan Zu Jin's POV
She didn't answer. I was glaring at her, and time passed. I stood up because I couldn't take her tricks anymore. I went to her and took a seat on the floor.
"If this is some kind of trick on your majesty, stop it already. I will never believe you, Wu Jinmai," I asserted firmly.
She moves her body and faces me. The empress's lips opened a bit, and I heard her soft snore.
Did she fall asleep?! In this position and situation? I look at her and realize what Li Jin says.
She really looks different now. Empress Wu Jinmai was smiling, and her expression was more relaxed and angelic as well. I raised my hand and was about to flick her forehead when she spoke.
"Red bean buns… meat buns…" she whispers.
Her lips were moving as if she were eating or chewing something. I went back to her bed and laid down.
I knew she would kick me out later on and accuse me of being disrespectful to her as the empress.
The next morning, I get out of bed quickly when I realize that it's already morning. The empress isn't here anymore.
The quilt and bed sheet she uses were already kept away. I took a deep breath and went out. There are servants cleaning the garden. They all bow at me.
"Where's the empress?" I ask. They look at each other.
"Uhm… your highness, the empress was already working on her garden at the back of her residence," she replied.
"What?" I ask.
I walked down and decided to check it out myself. They must be joking. "When did she start this nonsense? The empress was a sheltered princess. There's no way she knew how to dig land and create a garden."
The servants followed me. "She had started doing these seven days ago, Your Highness. She already commands the kitchen to change her meal plan. She's just eating a single dish for the main course as well as a single side dish as well," the other one reported.
We turned a corner, and I could hear a ruckus behind the wall. I knew it! She's still the same! "What are you doing, huh?!" she roars.
I was stunned when I saw her holding a man's hand. It's bleeding. What did she do?! I was ready to stop her from killing an innocent servant when she spoke.
"Did you know that our hands are important?! You already realize that something is wrong with your garden tools, but did you forget it? Someone! Ask the physician to attend to his wound and make sure it won't be infected," she says.
She wiped the blood from her hand onto her skirt. "Wait a minute. Take a halt, everyone. Let's check the tools and make sure that they're safe to use. We can continue working later in the afternoon when the wind is colder," she says.
They gather in front of her. She crouches and helps the servants check the tools they're using. I approach them. I coughed. The servants stand up and pay their respects.
"Your highness...?" they all said. She slowly got up.
She dashes behind the servants and hides from me. "You really think that I am not looking at you, your highness?"
She sighed and showed herself. She bows her head, which surprises everyone. "Greetings, my dear husband," she says.
I was taken aback because of her actions. She's fidgeting with her fingers and pouting like a kid.
"I can explain. I didn't do anything! I promise. It's the tool's fault. Wait, did you see it happen, your highness?"
I sighed and looked at her. She raises her right hand and sticks her index, middle, and ring fingers together. What is she doing?
"I promise! I won't kill anyone again for a stupid, selfish, and unreasonable situation. Can you stop glaring at me now, hmm? Your handsomeness will get less if you keep making that face," she says. I glared at her.
She stepped forward, and I thought she would hit me again. She suddenly lifts the edge of my lips and smiles at me.
"See? You look younger and more beautiful when you smile. Right, everyone?" Wu Jinmai asks for support. The servant nodded and looked at me. She steps back after.
"I apologize for my rudeness, Your highnes," she says.
This sudden action and humbleness are making me scared of her now that she's not in her usual tyrant mode.
Something is wrong with the empress after we let her drown in the pond after she fell because of drunkenness.
"Let's speak privately. You need to explain something, your majesty. But first, take a bath. Look at you," I said.
She looks at herself. "Why? Do I smell bad?" she says, smelling herself without any hesitation.
I walked away, and she followed me. I grabbed her wrist and made her walk in front of me. "Don't disgrace yourself further!" I roared. She didn't talk back, which is really strange!
I closed the door, and the servants stayed outside. I close my eyes and try to be calm, but I can't.
"What do you think you are doing, your highness? You really think those servants that you always flog to death will forgive you for acting innocent and kind?!" I roared. She looked down and sighed deeply. She also started playing with her fingers.
"Stop doing that! What is wrong with you, Wu Jinmai?! Don't act like this anymore, because we will only hate you more!" I exclaimed. Her shoulder suddenly shook, and when she raised her head, she was crying her eyes out!
"And what do you expect, huh?! I woke up in this body and learned that I'm a tyrant. Do you really think it's easy to fix her mess?! I've been trying, even if I know that eyes are on me! They want to kill me!" she roars.
She looks down again and cries even more. "I already tasted and unfairly died, but here I am. How can fate do this to me?! I did nothing wrong, but why?! I only want a simple life…" she whispers. What is she talking about?
She raises her head and looks at me. There are so many tears falling on her cheeks. "I'm already tired! If you all want to kill me, then do it already!" she screams.
She laughs bitterly. "Tss. What am I doing here in the Xia dynasty anyway? I don't belong here. Why did I even wish for a second chance if this is all I've got?" she yells.
"I was cheated on by my best friend and fiancée. They pushed me into the river to get my insurance money. Hah! Is it my fate to die over and over again?! I am not Wu Jinmai! I am Li Susu, and this isn't my era!" she continues.
What is she talking about? This woman had gone crazy. I was right. She's acting for whatever she's plotting against us. She shed her tears and looked at me.
The empress's eyes were lifeless. It makes you think that she has already given up on her life. She had gone crazy!