Chapter 19: Banquet (part 1)

Wu Jinmai's POV

We headed back to the pavilion. Eunuch Liu told me that I should be the last person to enter the pavilion.

I was waiting in this aisle when I noticed a presence behind me. I turn around and raise my feet. I'm glad I stopped myself from throwing a kick.

"Your… highness?" Pei Qin and Li Jin murmur.

Shanguan Zu Jin was the man I almost kicked. I put down my leg and sighed.

"Sorry. I mean, I apologize. Next time, announce your presence and make sure I can hear footsteps when the three of you approach me. I thought it's an enemy."

The three of them nodded but seemed surprised by what I did. All of a sudden, Li Jin dashes towards me with kicks and punches.

I bend down, twist my body, and catch her wrist and leg together. I look at him. "What are you doing, A'Jin?" I ask.

I let go of his leg and wrist. He gives me that surprised look instead. "I think the rumors were true," Li Jin utters.

I was confused because of what he said. "Your highness, when did you learn martial arts?" Pei Qin asks. I blink and look at them.

"Ahh, uhm... since I was 13 years old. I secretly learned them from books," I remarked.

How can I forget? Wu Jinmai loves feminine things such as embroidery, flowers, jewelry, hair ornaments, and make-up. She's a typical, pampered princess.

Shanguan Zu Jin coughs. Their attention shifts to him. I'm glad he saved me from being interrogated. I look at their clothes.

"I think the three of you should change your clothes. Those were not appropriate for the banquet," I remarked.

I look at Eunuch Liu. "This way, your highnesses," he says.

They followed him. I told him to prepare proper clothes for them just in case. I guess my instinct was quite effective in this place. They came back after a few minutes.

When you think of it, it's hard to distinguish between time and digital and analog clocks because digital and analog clocks don't exist in this timeline. I look at them from head to toe. I clap softly.

"I must say that the three of you were beautiful yourselves," I complemented.

Li Jin and Pei Qin became flustered because of what I said. I noticed how Shanguan Zu Jin glared at me. I gulp. What threatening eyes!

"Let me announce your presence, your highnesses," Eunuch Liu utters.

He walked away and stood on the left side. "The empress, emperor consort, and the royal consorts had arrived!" Eunuch Liu announces.

I stepped forward first, and my husband was walking behind me. I went to my seat, and my three husbands's tables were in front of me.

Shanguan Zu Jin was higher, and the two consorts' table was in front of him. We are all standing still. The three families bow their heads and speak.

"Greetings to our empress, Wu Jinmai. Long live the empress! Long live the empress!" They speak in chorus.

I got chills in every corner of my body because of what they said. "Greetings to the emperor consort and royal consorts!" they added. They're still bowing their heads.

"Arise. Let's drop the formalities already," I remarked.

My stomach aches because I am nervous. I knew that things would be hard, especially if I sent them to jail.

They all raise their heads and look at me. Some of them show great terror in their eyes and avert their gazes. I stepped down.

My husband's watching me as I reach the same level as theirs. They remained standing, but I could tell that they were nervous.

I nestled my left palm on the right and bowed my head as I kneeled on the floor. Doing a kowtow will prove my sincerity.

"Empress Wu Jinmai, sincerely ask for forgiveness for my actions towards your family."

"I sincerely want to apologize for bending the law and accusing the Zhang, Yang, and Wei families with baseless accusations. I... Wu Jinmai deeply regrets her actions."

I kept this position, and I heard their gasps. I have to be resilient and accept the consequences of Wu Jinmai.

I will walk forward and clear this path that is surrounded by thorns and stained by blood. "Y-Your h-highness! Please, stand up!" they said.

The three heads of the family were clearly scared and surprised. Someone should place their palm on my shoulder and help me get up.

I thought it was Eunuch Liu, but when I noticed Zhang Yihua's reaction, I knew it was Shanguan Zu Jin. They held her palm and bowed their heads.

"We... forgive her highness!" they all replied.

I turn around and face my emperor consort. His eyes widened a bit, and he smiled.

He let go of me and stood next to me. "Your highness, you must speak your true intention," A'Zu suggested.

I face them again and hold my palm in front of my abdomen area. I just remember this habit from the historical dramas that I've been watching.

"I summoned everyone in this banquet to personally apologize for what I've done. For the past years, I've been your tyrant empress, suppressing my officials and making my people suffer because of my greed and spoiled behavior."

I took a deep breath and smiled sadly in front of them. I wonder if the true Wu Jinmai would even redeem herself from all the wrongdoings she did to please herself and feed her fantasy.

"A dragon that flies higher than he can is bound to die because of his greed," I whispered. They look at me strangely.

I smiled and looked at them. "I won't justify my previous actions because the damage was already done. All I can do is atone for my sins and change the past. I apologize for being rude. Let's start eating our dinner while continuing this conversation," I remarked.

I look at my husband, and he nods. I walked first and headed back to where I should sit. I face my guests and speak.

"You may all take your seats," I remarked. We all take our seats. Eunuch Liu speaks.

"Everyone, serve the food!"

The servants appear and start serving the food. I told them to serve water and wine. I really miss Coke!

'I wish I could drink Coke while eating this chicken soup!'

I look at the food while imagining that the water is coke. I sighed after. "I want coke…" I whispered softly.

I wish I knew how to make carbonated drinks. Shanguan Zu Jin turns his body and looks at me. Our eyes meet.

"Is there a problem, your highness?" he asks. I sulk, making my cheeks puff. I bend forward a bit and smile sweetly.

"Thank you," I whispered. He was taken aback. I sit straight and look at the guest.

"Let's continue," I utter. It's time to face the consequences of what she did to them.