Shanguan Zu Jin's POV
I was taken aback because of how beautiful her smile was while she was looking at me. The way she sulked and her cheeks were the same as what rabbits had.
I turn around and look at the food on my table. My jaw clenched. I grab the kettle and drink wine. Something is really wrong with me.
My heart is beating differently than it used to when the real Wu Jinmai spoke with me. I wonder what kind of negotiation she will do for these families.
"Let's eat. I hope everyone will appreciate the dishes that the imperial kitchen prepared for us tonight," Wu Jinmai says.
The servants withdraw themselves. I grab my chopsticks and eat the chicken soup first. They use thighs on this instead of cooking an entire chicken.
I tasted the meat, and it was tender and delicious as well. I grab the spoon and scoop the soup. It was warm and delicious!
I look at the guests, and they seem to like the food on their table. The children were happily eating their meal. I grin.
"I know that Shanguan Zu Jin, Pei Qin, and Li Jin use their connection and the imperial seals that I personalize for each of them in order to protect everyone," she says.
"I am aware that A'Jin, who is the previous general of the imperial army, had spoken with the soldiers to restrain everyone from torturing or hurting any of you," Wu Jinmai added.
The two royal consorts drop their chopsticks, and so do the guests. I want to look back and see her reaction, but if I do, I feel like we'll be annihilated at once.
Wei Pei Rou stood up and went into the middle. She bows her head to the floor. "Your Highness, spare him! Please don't punish Li Jin!" she begs.
Li Jin was about to stand when Wu Jinmai spoke again. "Did I ever say that he'd be punished?" she says calmly.
Her tone was warm. We all look at her. Her expression was soft and calmer, too.
"I'm glad that the imperial army still listens to their general and didn't hurt anyone. That's already good news for me. I ask the soldiers to barge into your household and arrest all of you without clear charges."
She places her hands on her lap and looks at them. I thought Wu Jinmai, the tyrant empress, was back.
"As for the assets of each family, I'll be sending them back to each manor and making sure that a compensation worth 10,000 taels will be given to each family," she added.
All of them change their positions, face the empress, and bow their heads on the floor. "Your Highness, we are already grateful that you all released us from being imprisoned and beheaded. Receiving such an amount of money was too much for us," Zhang Yi remarked.
I shake my head and smile. "I received the money, and I have no intention of taking it back. Also, I've been investigating the three of you. I need to make sure that when I reinstate the three of you to your respective positions, you will use this to serve the people," she added.
The three of them looked at her and were surprised by what she said. She grabs her cup and raises her sleeve to cover her face while drinking.
"I need righteous people to clean the offices and reform the court itself. Your actions speak for themselves," she added.
I continue eating and enjoy the meal in front of me. I knew that she was sending Eunuch Liu and her trusted spies to investigate and make sure that Zhang Yi, Wei Zhao, and Yang Haoming were people she could trust.
"I've been abusing the law itself, and I have to set an example. I am currently checking the past laws that I created. I'll speak with the Ministry of Justice about revising those laws. Minister Zhang, I need you to reassess the law of tax."
The way she paused, I knew she'd be eating her food again. She coughs softly. "I apologize. You may all go back to your seats and continue eating your meals," she stated.
They faced their tables again and continued eating. I wonder why she wants to reassess the laws about taxes. Li Susu was really serious about her declaration.
She also announced that they'd be reinstated in their positions that became vacant for 40 days after she sent the imperial army to arrest them. I grab the kettle and pour some wine when the empress suddenly sits next to me.
"Your Highness! What are you doing?" I ask.
She used her finger to point at the fried dumplings. "I've eaten all my dumplings. I really love dumplings, actually," she asks.
She's smiling while looking at the dumplings and then at me. I grabbed the bowl and held her palm. "Here."
That smile on her lips proves what she says. "Thank you, A'Zu," she says.
Pei Qin and Li Jin turned around and handed their dumplings as well. Her smile gets wider.
"Thank you, A'Qin and A'Jin," she says.
She stood up and went back to her seat. I raise my head and notice that the guest's eyes are on us. They saw how different she was now.
"Uhm! This is delicious!" she exclaims. I cough.
I look at her. "Your Highness," I remarked.
She blinks and realizes her actions. Wu Jinmai bows her head. "I apologize. The food they cooked is so delicious that it would be a waste not to appreciate it," she replied.
Flashback
I heard a noise as I entered the empress's quarter. I have a business with her. It's the law that she created. The people were frustrated because of it.
The servants saw me, and they were all trembling. "Who cooked this? Answer me!" Empress roars.
I got inside and saw the bowls, plates, and cups on the floor. They're all broken now.
"What kind of madness is this, your highness? You must refrain from wasting the food. All the money used on these foods was from the citizen who works hard each day."
Her eyes look at me. She's glaring deathly. She scoffs and throws the kettles at my feet.
"You! I didn't summon you here, emperor consort. Why are you here, huh?! Are you pleading for the Zhang family again?!" she screams.
I held my palms together and bowed my head. "You must stop having a hard time with the servants," I replied.
End of flashback
Unlike before, she always throws the food and accuses the servants of putting poison on them.
She didn't speak about politics until we finished eating our meal. The servants grab the table and change it right away. She is a terrible woman.
"Eunuch Liu, send the dancers and musicians that will entertain us for a moment," she says. Eunuch Liu left her side and went to the entrance.