Zhao Ming wanted to discipline the servants and punishing Hao Mei was the first step towards it. If she didn't punish anyone, they will think that she was joking and will not take her seriously.

  She has to show them who is the boss. Otherwise, they will always treat her like a nobody and Xiao Li will take all the respect and benefits.

  She does not want to be a kind-hearted protagonist who will be pitied by everyone. She prefers to be the villain and prefers to return them what they have sown.

  She is not kind. She is cruel and ruthless. And they have to deal with her until she is in this world.

  Though Wen Xu looks like her late mother but there is not a single trait of her mother. That's why she doesn't care about her either.

  If she treated her like her mother, then it will be insulting to her real mother who is in heaven.

  Wen Xu does not deserve to be called by Mother by anyone. She feels pity for Ji Cheng sometimes.

  His mother favors Xiao Li more than her son. She doesn't care about his son's happiness instead she cares only about wealth and power.

  She wanted to see her reacting when she found out about the changes at the palace. What she will be like when she found out that Zhao Ming goes all the powers as the Empress back and she was not the same Zhao Ming as before.

  She will not be played by her anymore.

  ' Now I will show her what it is to be the Empress. She has bothered Zhao Ming so much by now. Now it's my time to make her pay off.' Zhao Ming smiled slyly when she thought about Wen Xu's reactions.

  If she was to live as an Empress then she wants to be a powerful one, not the weak and cowardly one. And that's exactly what she is doing now by warning these maids.

  The maids quivered in fear when they heard Zhao Ming's words. They immediately nodded their head and gave her a bow in respect.

  " Yes, Her Highness. We won't do anything for the next time. We will work hard and will not let you down, her highness." they said in unison. Their bodies were slightly trembling in fear.

  They have seen the cruel and ruthless side of Zhao Ming and not dare to look at her.

  A smile appeared on Zhao Ming's face as she nodded at them. She was pleased by their submissive behavior.

  " Long Live Empress."

  " Long Live His Majesty. "

  The maids chanted these words in happiness. This made Zhao Ming feel pleased and glad.

  They were trying to show Zhao Ming their loyalty so that she doesn't punish them.

  Now she was not an unwanted Empress anymore. She has powers and rights to punish anyone and has the control of harem in her hands in a true sense.

  Zhao Ming felt a kind of achievement and her happiness elevated when she saw the expressions of defeat on Xiao Li's face.

  Xiao Li saw the maids chanting for Zhao Ming, which made her mood turned sour and bitter. She was angered because Zhao Ming has suddenly become so sensible and powerful.

  ' Did she get some powers while she was in the coma? How come she became so powerful and strong?' Xiao Li squinted her eyes and glared at Zhao Ming.

  Xiao Li pursed her lips tightly as she bit her lower lip. She did not say anything and just turned around and left.

  She didn't even bother to greet Ji Cheng and look at him for the last time. She was so enraged that she could not stay at this place for a long time.

  Ji Cheng has eyes only for Zhao Ming and was looking at her all the time. He did not bother about others' opinions and he had only Zhao Ming in his eyes.

  Xiao Li was feeling humiliated and outraged that her maid was dragged away and was thrown out of the palace. Though she wanted to punish her by herself because of the words she said to Ji Cheng.

  But getting punished and slapped by Zhao Ming felt like she has slapped her on the face.

  Though she doesn't like her but she hated Zhao Ming because she dared to touch her people.

  She dared to challenge her authority and her status in the palace by punishing her servant in front of her eyes.

  "She was now starting an open war."

  ' Zhao Ming, you dare to challenge me in front of everyone? I won't leave you like this. I will not let you get everything. Ji Cheng is mine and will remain mine forever.' Xiao Li cursed Zhao MIng as she went out of the kitchen.

  …


  After Xiao Li left, Zhao Ming sighed in relief. She was now feeling tired because of all the scenes. She just came to check the arrangements but all this happened.

  She never thought that this could happen so suddenly. She felt that she has used all her energy in this petty argument and was feeling exhausted.

  Ji Cheng looked at her sighing and his heart ached. Her face has become pale and she was looking tired.

  He knew that she was still weak but had to witness all this drama. That's why he does not want her to go to the kitchen yet.

  He looked around and saw that the other maids have started to work again and was cooking for tonight's feast.

  He looked out and saw that there is some time until dinner. He wanted her to get a nap. If she sleeps for a while, then her body will feel relaxed.

  He reached out his hand and held her by the shoulder. She was standing tiredly and when he suddenly held her by the shoulders making her almost jump in a startle.

  She didn't expect him to hug her like this in public. Though it is not considered as a hug it is very intimate for them, because at first, he was hesitant to hold her hands and now holding her by the shoulders.

  He has upgraded her actions very quickly.

  She looked at him in surprise with her wide eyes which were like an orbit and her confused expressions and half-opened mouth were making him fell for her more.

  Though she didn't avoid his touch but was surprised to see him suddenly approaching her like this.

  " Tired? You should go and rest. Leave all this work on Lu shi. She will check everything." he said straightly.

  Zhao Ming's lips twitched. There is no need to check anything. The maids were experienced and could manage these kinds of feasts easily.

  At that time, she said this because she wanted to avoid him but he was still insisting on checking the preparations and wanted to leave Lu shi behind for this.

  Before Zhao Ming could deny him, Lu shi suddenly appeared in front of her from behind and said reassuringly, " Miss, you should go and rest. I will check everything properly and will report you in the evening." she said politely.

  Zhao Ming has no choice but to agree with Ji Cheng's arrangement. She nodded her head slightly and said, " Okay. Then do that. I will take some rest then." she said with a smile on her face.

  Her body was feeling exhausted and felt that her soul has left her body. This argument has given her so much mental stress.

  She wanted to lay on her bed and wanted to sleep peacefully.