Chapter 288 - Grand Meeting (1/2)

While Lei Xing got dressed, the Imperial wives were led into her reception hall and served tea and snacks while they waited.

Xiao Ruo was very adamant about lei Xing making a perfect first appearance as the new Empress so her hair and makeup could definitely not be rushed today and Lei Xing was not in a hurry either so she allowed Xiao Ruo do as she liked.

Lei Xing's mind was still boggled down with thoughts of the things Doctor Lou had divulged and more importantly, she was feeling a sense of loss with the bracelet's exit.

She had thought she would feel a sense of relief but now, but her wrist felt very uncomfortable and she felt nothing, she was feeling numb.

After finding out that Doctor Lou was the voice, she had wanted to dump the bracelet then, but with his coaxing and fearmongering on her issues with the Empress dowager, she had kept it. And now, well, the Empress dowager was stuck in her gilded cage and kept far from Lei Xing so the woman could honestly no longer a threat.

And even if the Empress dowager were later released, Lei Xing no longer had to fear the woman coming for her head. After all, the Empress dowager could not order the Empress around. The only way she would have had power over Lei Xing was if the Emperor were an indulging son, which he clearly is not...but he was obviously an indulging husband to Lei Xing .

The only potential problem Lei Xing now had was the beautiful and wonderful Imperial wife collection. Chen You should have been lesson enough for normal people, but then again you never know with these people.

More importantly and honestly, even though she would never outrightly admit it, Lei Xing often worried about the day one of his wives would come to catch his eye and there will be nothing she could do about it. She would leave, but then where would she go...She had no clue and most importantly, she did not want to leave either. This was the main reason she had been avoiding interacting with the other Imperial wives, save Li Ru, the last month but now she had no choice but to interact with them.

Lei Xing inwardly sighed.

{...First, I'm getting rid of this daily morning greetings thing...I need to wake up to peace of mind, maybe I'll make it evening - no, the Emperor is here then...Noon then. Also only three times a week...I really don't need to see them every day, we would have absolutely nothing to talk about anyway -_-)'...}

As she sat there, Lei Xing also remembered another thing she had been thinking about with regards to the other wives. She could understand that some, if not all of them had no choice in the matter and probably had their own stories just like Li Ru.

Therefore, while she could not intend to become ”friends” with all of them, she at least planned to be fair - and that started by not enforcing rules she had no interest in complying with.

So when the Emperor returned later, she would talk to him about getting gate passes for all of them. Obviously, under the same rules he had given her, with the inclusion of accompanying guards for better safety.

She would also think about something to better occupy their time as well. They were all too free here and the saying, 'idle hands are the devil's workshop' is not unfounded. But getting them to participate in ”work” without earning their ire was another tricky thing, can't have her good intentions backfire. Lei Xing let out a weary sigh.

{...So tiresome...}

Xiao Ruo was finally done with her work and so Lei Xing got up and made her way to her reception hall. But halfway there and eunuch suddenly came running, he quickly bowed to Lei Xing and then informed, ”Your majesty, the Emperor has requested your presence in the Main hall...”

”Main hall?” Lei Xing asked, slightly knitting her brows.

”Yes, Your majesty...The Emperor said that he will commence the meeting with the ministers after your arrival...” The eunuch curtly explained.

Lei Xing blinked, a bit confused. She remembered the Emperor talking about meeting the ministers today while they were in bed, but she did not recall him saying anything about wanting her attending. But then again, she was not really paying attention so perhaps he did.

When Lei Xing did not respond, the eunuch bowed lower and implored, ”Please come with me, Your Majesty....”

Lei Xing lightly let out a breath and turned to Xiao Ruo, ”Tell them I have accepted their greeting and shall see them tomorrow...at noon.” Lei Xing added, she did not want them coming to disturb her sleep in the morning.

Xiao Ruo quickly bowed, ”I will inform them...”

And with that done, Lei Xing and the rest of her entourage left with the eunuch. Lei Xing stepped out of the doors of her palace to find the phoenix palanquin parked there waiting for her.

”The Emperor said for you to ride in this...” The eunuch informed, bowing with a smile.

Lei Xing glanced at him and simply nodded and then got in and then the solo ride began. This time, she did not have Doctor Lou rambling in her mind to distract her and some of the anxiety from yesterday's ride came flooding back. Lei Xing sighed and leaned back in her seat

{...That quack sure had his uses („ಡωಡ„)...}

***

Meanwhile, in the main hall.

The ministers looked from the seers, who were demurely standing at the front with their heads bowed, to each other, and then glanced up at the Emperor who was looking way past their heads.

One thought reverberated in all their minds: What are we waiting for now? -_-)'

The ministers had all stayed home, anxiously waiting for the Emperor to summon them. He finally summoned them and but after the Emperor arrived, he said nothing. So they all awkwardly stood in silence.

Prime minister Zhao was looking down the entire time with a perpetual frown. Based on the ”explanations” spreading around the city at an alarming rate, he could tell where this meeting was headed and he did not care to facilitate other people's gloating sessions.

Since Prime minister Zhao was too busy sulking to do his job, Defense minister Lei finally broke the awkward silence by suggesting to call for the seers, earning Prime minister Zhao's glare - which Defense minister Lei magnanimously ignored.