My father's empire is no shrine or temple for prayers and spiritual matters. They told me my people are starving and this was their prayers, praying for more food, but I am no farmer or cook. Rebirth and Revenge are the only most justifiable words explaining the "R" for Redo, discipline comes for there to be victors in battlefields, rules are meant to be followed and here I sit then again about to repeat the exact same words I said about saving grains, for the next drought will heavily be impactful. "None of them listened when I said to harvest and keep, eat not to your fill, for there will not be anything left. How am I supposed to help them when they find it hard to help their own self? Lui Ming" turning her gaze to her eunuch, Yuhua gazes at his trembling hands, her face void of any emotion and hand clasp in her hand fan before gracefully closing it to stare at each of her civil officials. She was proclaimed queen six months after her father's brutal assassination, his killing was not a surprise, she wouldn't lie that she had no idea of how the court works but it was still a shock to lose him this soon. It was on her thirteen natal day and the very same day her mother's passing was celebrated, he had rejected the offer of laying with another woman or adopting one of his brother numerous sons, guess the grew inpatient and slaughtered him in public, he was butchered and abandon to die in painful memories while she was dragged away from his slowly dying body. He just wanted to live to her mother's love, a love he always said no official will understand, right he was, and dead he is— Now she has been living an eye open for liquidation was always a door ahead of her.
"As a Queen Yuhua, your gaze should be at your people not against them, their starvation was self-implied, but hunger is a state they can't control. I understand you did advise them, but do you control your month when I ask you to shut up? That's the same way they feel each time they are hungry. So, it will be wise of you to share some of your grains to the ones in need for your reputation will increase and support is what you need to finally obtain your title of Empress." Lui Ming said, arm cross inside his golden red robe. He's been a great advisor to both her and her father, there was no advice of him that ever failed, he was the only person against the imperial court to fight for her cause, his adamant opinions of her being a good empress had rumors of which his castration was questioned. Yet, even with all that there were times where she had the urge to send him to one of her numerous tortures' chambers for some lashes.
"Any boy who calls himself a king, always ends up having no titles. Your empire is crying in hunger and all they could get from you is irritation, you told the court you will prove us all wrong and that Shinwai will grow to be the most feared and respected empire among others— all wars will be won for victory is the only lyrics we sing, but how will people fight with an empty stomach, how do people sing with a dry tongue, and how do we walk victorious?" Zhuo Tang, one of her grand chancellors calmly states, he was the senior among the two, older brother of her junior chancellor, and a deadly poison, appointed by her grandfather after her granduncle was overthrown, he was just a lad back then. She remembers her father's story of how his father's decision had provoked some ruckus in court, but the young man had fought to remain on top and today she sees herself fighting against the very monster who watched everyone's fall and die with an undying calmness.
She had fought and won battles, always stood on the front lines, and made sure her opponent remembers her name, but this very man was the only thing she finds hard to break, he had broken things in his time, but she was a breaker too and she will never cease to let him know. "I am to harvest and fetch water for people who find it hard to listen to simple instructions, I know I can't control my tongue, but neither can I control the weather, chancellor Tang has been of great help throughout the years together with his junior, so, I deduce they will find a suitable solution for our citizens. And with that I conclude this meeting," she gracefully stands and walks towards the door but stops next to one of her men sitting, in a swift move she opens her hand fan to cover half of her face while letting her red lips show. "Your daughter has started another rebellion which is spreading around the eastern part of my kingdom, the Quin honor is being gambled with once again, what are your decisions in this matter. Minister Qi"
"She will be taken care of, your grace" Qi's low response brings a smile across her face, she likes it when they fear her, when they all know what she is capable of but even with all that it still wasn't enough. All of the training and suffering all these men had brought upon her life was no match to what she will make them live, her family's death will be avenged, and she will get her title of empress whether it is liked or not—maybe with that their soul will find peace.
"We would hope I needn't have to do that myself, for those who saw my blade die in shock."
The snow outside covers most of the street, with horses and merchants all over the market, kids running up and down while chasing each other with their hands filled with snow, parent argument and prices in the air was all she could hear through her carriage. She had always prayed for a day where she could also play in the white ice, but that was a far too long dream for only a breathing person can walk and play in it—no dead girl. Staring at the villagers she could only wonder if what her chancellor said was right—no hungry stomach can work, but how did she then, she had spent years in malnutrition, yet it never stopped her ambitions, nor did it even try an attempt to stop her. "Let's visit my aunt, I know she misses me greatly" she says to the coachman then closes her curtains. The world she lives in now has no connection to what she lived in back in the days, in this world, villains speak of help while heroes are persecuted— no, there is no hero when they believe they are fighting for a just cause, still, they would be no villain if they fought for good cause. In other words, the world she lives in was only the cruel reality of life, villains are respected and honored while heroes are paralyzed and shackled. Welcome to a world so beautiful but noxious.