"Lord Grand Commander, you will be punished for your actions, but that can wait."
She looked around and gestured at the imperial guards. "Clean up at the palace and inform the officials not to worry. Not a word of this must be spoken to the public. Do you understand?"
Sensing her cold gaze, the imperial guards nervously responded. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
The empress turned her head to the Grand Commander and said. "Follow me. We need to talk."
The Grand Commander picked up his aching body and followed the empress to the garden behind the imperial palace.
The imperial guards wanted to follow them, but the empress sent them away with a signal.
When they arrived at the garden, the fragrant scent of the blooming flowers assailed their nostrils.
The empress walked along the cobbled pathway between the flower fields, while the Grand Commander silently followed her.
