Chapter 3: Change your life

Jinmai's POV

They bow their heads as soon as they get in. I raise my hand. "Sit down," I utter. Oh my! How can I forget?

"Take a seat or whatever. I have to discuss something with the three of you. All of you leave us," I remarked.

The servants bow their heads and leave as I instructed. I look at them and stand up. "Does it feel strange that I'm alive, my dear husbands?" I remarked.

They still give me that cold and emotionless face. I sighed and took a deep breath. I have to convince my husbands.

"I reinstated the three of you in your positions under one condition: protect the kingdom and its people. I know the three of you hate me and have cursed me to death. I deserve all of it, as I give nothing but pain to everyone."

I take a seat on the cold floor and look at them. I bow my head and deeply ask for their cooperation.

"I apologize for all the pain and sins that I've committed to the three of you. I will repent dearly and change everything. I will fix everything that I broke and serve the empire for the rest of my life. I deeply ask for forgiveness," I remarked.

I bowed once more and looked at their faces. They give me that doubtful glance, which I deserve. I smiled sincerely.

"I'll be doing my best for the next few months to reform the government. I need the three of you to protect everyone. I won't ask for anything, and in return, I will divorce the three of you when things are getting better." I paused.

"I will betroth the women you all love from the Zhang, Yang, and Wei families. Will that be okay as a trade? After my death, I will appoint Shanguan Zu Jin as the new ruler, and your descendants will ascend the throne in the future. For now, let's work together. Is that okay with the three of you?"

I stretch my hand and offer it first to the emperor consort. He looks at my hand. I grab his hand and hold it.

"I promise to become the righteous tyrant empress of this empire."

He let go of his hand, and when I offered it to Pei Qin and Li Jin, they didn't take it. I just breathe deeply.

"Anyway, I will give you my real agenda for why I summoned the three of you here," I remarked. One of them scoffs.

"Your Highness, you think we didn't know that you're just acting and making everyone get fooled by your act?" Li Jin remarked.

I know it won't be easy, as I made them suffer more than an animal could take. I sighed again.

"That's why there's the word prove and action, Li Jin. I will prove my sincerity until someone comes after my head. But before that happens, I have to fix what I destroyed and make sure that changes of power will be less bloody for everyone, especially for the Xia citizens."

I stood up and started walking back and forth in front of them. "I've killed people when I'm in a bad mood and for no reason as well. I've inflicted pain and hatred on my people's hearts and minds. They will come after my life sooner rather than later. That's why I need the three of you."

I've created a plan, and in between these reformed struggles, my life will be the token of this bloody battle.

"Minister Pei, I want you to investigate all the officials under the Ministry of Justice. Every undeserved official will be investigated, and we will pick the righteous law-bearers that will listen to citizen's problems," I halt.

I look into his eyes. "I want fair justice for everyone, whether they're rich or have noble status in this kingdom. Make sure that these officials have strong morals and principles when it comes to following the law," I remarked.

He looks at me in the eyes. I looked at General Li Jin. "As for your job, General Li, I want you to train all the imperial soldiers and turn them into elite soldiers. Their roles are to protect the innocent and will never serve the nobles like puppet dogs," I stopped.

I heaved a long sigh and remembered what the original Wu Jinmai did last month on her birthday.

"Investigate any anomalies in this bureau as well. Can you do that for the citizens? Soldiers were bound to protect those who didn't know how to fight and needed protection. They're the sword and shield of the citizen," I whispered. I can't believe I was acting as a ruler when I died myself.

On the other hand, I'm the tyrannical empress and someone that everyone wishes to die. How come I have to face death again even after getting this second chance? My goodness. I shook my head and sighed.

"You are nothing but a cunning and pretentious woman. Let's see if you can even enjoy your own game. In no time, you'll get tired of acting like a righteous person. You can't fool anyone, Wu Jinmai," the emperor consort says.

His deep, baritone voice was tainted with hatred and wrath. He really fucking hates me, and I understand that. The real Wu Jinmai doesn't deserve a better life.

"I don't need to fool anyone. As long as everyone cooperates on this matter, I can die in peace. As for you, emperor consort," I stopped walking and took a seat right in front of him.

"I want you to keep an eye on the noble faction, auditing the finances of the whole empire as well as the ministry of personnel. I also need your talent in monitoring the national Treasury and the whole court as well," I paused.

Being an emperor was dangerous, as they would take care of the outer court matters while the empress was controlling the inner courts.

"From now on, you'll take care of the outer court matters as you need to be familiarized with this matter. If I die, I want to see if you have the ability to be a virtuous emperor of this empire."

I neared my face to him and looked into his beautiful eyes. It's a cognac eye; its clear and golden-like color is what makes this feature one of the most gorgeous eyes in the world.

"Wow. Your eyes were beautiful. Well, mine are just the typical hazel-brown eyes. Anyway, let's go back to the topic. Like what I've promised, I'll give you the chance to prove your power in court," I added.

I stood up and took a seat behind my table. I look at their faces and smile. "Let's start taking a reform of the court that I fucked up. Good luck, everyone!" I remarked.

"Fuck… up? What kind of barbaric language are you using, your highness? Did you still have water in your head, or is it a new way to bring chaos again?" Li Jin asks.

I sighed. I forgot that I'm in the Xia dynasty, and there are words that they never heard. I simply laugh instead.

"Nothing. The three of you are dismissed," I stated.

They're about to stand up when Eunuch Liu speaks. "Your majesty, can I have an audience?" he requested.