As I looked down at the teacups with discontent, I paused for a moment.

Wait a minute.

How about doing this?

I slowly looked up at the handmaiden at the eureka moment.

.Well, what if we did this?

***

And finally, tea time preparations were all done.

The handmaiden and I stood side by side, waiting for the distinguished guests to arrive.

We made some small talk as we waited.

After a while, I could see someone in the distance.

I stiffened my shoulders at the sight. It was-

Oh, its the Emperor, said the handmaiden.

The number of guests attending was considerable, the Emperor really did bring all the nobles who attended the state council with him.

As custom, the Emperor showed courtesy to her Majesty, the Empress dowager, pretending to be sweet as he hid his intentions under his smile.

Hello mother. How are you?

Welcome. Its been a long time since Ive seen your face son, Im so happy.

Her Majesty answered elegantly without raising any eyebrows among the guests behind the Emperor.

Standing next to him, her Majesty, the Empress greeted me with a slight nod of the head.

Ah, Empress!

After making eye contact with the Empress and smiling widely, I quickly retracted that smile when I saw the Duke of Rochesters grim face.

Around the same time, the handmaiden politely greeted the Emperor.

Welcome, Your Majesty, Sun of the Empire.

I followed the handmaidens actions, putting my hands together and bowing.

It was then, a nefarious voice spoke over my head.

Hold on. Isnt this the maid of the Empress?

The Emperor with his eyebrows scrunched up and wrinkles on his forehead, glanced back at the Empress dowager.

Why is this child here?

Oh no.

I gulped.

Dont tell me hes going to pick on her Majesty just because Im helping her?

Leave the Empress dowager alone!

At that time, Her Majesty opened her mouth.

I personally called for her.

.You did? This child, mother?

Yes. As I get older, children look more adorable.

Her Majesty gently stroked my head as she said so.

Because I was so lonely, I sincerely asked the Empress for the child to keep me company.

Is that so? the Emperor inquired, still suspicious.

Yes. In the past, there used to be children around the palace but now I hardly see any.

It was a quick jab at the Emperor.

Noticing this, a subtle change in the Emperors expression took place, his body shifted slightly.

However, in front of so many people, it must have been difficult to openly rebuke his biological mother, the Empress dowager.

Hey, its rude to have these distinguished guests stand like this any longer. Please follow me.

Just like that, the Empress dowager dealt a blow with a single line from her lips.

Her Majesty, with a bright smile, took the lead.

Here we are, go ahead. The weather is lovely today so weve had tea time arranged in the garden for everyone to enjoy.

In the garden?

The Emperor had been caught off guard, his expression was clearly surprised.

I guess he must have thought of putting on a display of how he humbled the Empress dowager.

But I bet he didnt account for me. Did he really think he would just show up and things would go according to plan?

I set my sights on what was across from me.

In the distance, an awning made of long stretches of thin white fabric caught my eye.

The awning swayed gently in the wind, standing out from the dark green of the garden. The way it swayed made it look inviting and all the better for tea time.

At the refreshing sight suitable for early summer weather, the nobles received a warm welcome as each had their own thing to say.

Oh, does her Majesty enjoy tea time outdoors? asked a noble.

Hah, it feels like Im on a picnic. commented another noble.

These days, my children love playing in the garden.

Laughter resounded among the guests, From one to the other, laughter spread like a ripple.

The Duke of Rochester leaned in, also expressing his feedback.

It was frustrating to be in that conference room the whole time but now that were outside, I have to say I feel refreshed to the core.

Thats right. My eyes are dim from all that paperwork but seeing all this green around has me feeling better, answered a noble.

The wind is cool, a hundred times better than a small draft we would get in the conference room, and its the perfect weather to have a cup of tea outdoors, remarked a bulky noble.

Fortunately, the reaction for now seems somewhat favorable.

Yeah, Id also want to go outside if I stayed indoors all day.

Meanwhile, the Emperor could not hide his displeasure.

The eyes staring at the brightly decorated tea table were truly fierce, enough to be terrifying.

Regardless, weve done a number on him. The palace and the Empress dowager are not as shabby as you thought, huh?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep