Upon arriving at Empress Annie's bedchamber, Perfikot looked at the empress who had worn the crown for a year and couldn't help but sigh, "If the empress could see you now, she would be very pleased."
"If Mother saw how you are ignoring the Empire now, she would probably be very angry," Empress Annie replied, but then asked, "So this ti you want them to solve the problem themselves?"
Perhaps the forr Annie could not see through all this, she would bla Perfikot for standing by idly.
But after all that has happened, especially with her mother's passing, Annie had achieved trendous growth and had learned how to think calmly.
Now, Annie could calmly think and attempt to understand why Perfikot was doing this, analyzing her reasons for doing so.
"If they had shown even a little initiative just now, I wouldn't consider them hopeless," Perfikot sat down in front of Annie, while Beifa naturally began making tea for her.
Watching Beifa's actions, and the two cups of hot tea on the table, Annie sighed and said, "You won't even drink my tea now?"
To this question, Perfikot casually replied, "Do you know how your mother died?"
Then, as if she had slipped up, she quickly added, "Oh, I forgot, I promised her not to tell you."
Perfikot's words were almost like a slap in the face, but Annie showed no signs of anger. She just sighed and said, "Did you used to look at the sa way you do at them, thinking I was hopeless too?"
"Not quite, just thought you lacked the ability to lead this country in tis of crisis," Perfikot took a sip of the tea Beifa had made for her and then continued, "By the way, it's not just how I used to see you; I still see you that way now."
Perfikot's words finally stirred so dissatisfaction in Annie, and she glared at Perfikot, but in the end, she just huffed angrily.
She understood how her immaturity had caused problems for Perfikot, her mother, and the entire Empire.
Yet she couldn't help but ask, "Am I really so inadequate?"
"It's not about being inadequate, but to lead a country through disaster, you need unwavering will, indisputable conviction, and a strong hand, the ruthless decisiveness to achieve your goals at any cost, even if it ans sacrificing thousands," Perfikot just looked up at Annie, this very important elder to her, and then coldly asked, "Which of these do you possess? If you were truly qualified, you would've made a decision earlier instead of coming to for tea now."
With that, Perfikot set down her teacup, speaking rather disappointedly, "Compared to Her Majesty the Empress's decisiveness, you are too hesitant and immature. Although you have grown since Her Majesty's death, unfortunately, it isn't enough."
Having said this, Perfikot stood up, ready to leave.
"Then what do you want to do? How can I earn your approval?" Annie knew asking this was humiliating, but she asked nonetheless.
"Stand up and lead us like an empress," Perfikot finished speaking and turned to leave.
——————————————————
Kallen was just leaving her office, planning in her mind to find Perfikot in the evening to confirm her intentions.
But just as she left the office, she bumped into a court attendant who quickly blocked her path and said, "Deputy Pri Minister, Her Majesty the Empress has summoned everyone back; she has an important decree to announce."
"Her Majesty has a decree to announce? At this ti?" Kallen was a bit surprised, but still walked quickly towards the conference room.
Since ascending the throne, Empress Annie had not officially issued any decree, largely continuing the various systems left by the previous Empress and her approach to politics.
This was conducive to stabilizing the political situation after the coup but, in a sense, also made Empress Annie seem sowhat... inept.
While most people felt that Empress Annie was not a diocre ruler, insightful cabinet mbers saw maintaining stability as far better than the Empress stirring things up to prove her abilities. However, this did not quell the doubts about Empress Annie's competency.
Now, Empress Annie, choosing to announce a decree at this critical juncture, to Kallen, was a very strong signal.
The Empress wants to do sothing! Kallen imdiately made this judgnt in her mind.
For the current situation, perhaps this was a good thing, especially when Perfikot exhibited unusual inaction; such a ti increasingly required soone to step in.
While Perfikot had shouldered this role in the past, could it finally be ti for soone else to take on this heavy burden?
Kallen sincerely hoped Empress Annie could lead the court through the disaster, breaking through the dire situation.
During these years of disaster, it was Perfikot who always took on the role of leader, guiding everyone through one challenge after another.
One had to admit, however, Perfikot was too powerful, powerful enough to turn everyone into her puppets, and simply by following her will, they could achieve optimal results.
Those she directed did not need to exercise their own talents.
In fact, exercising their talents could negatively affect the outcos, having a counterproductive effect.
This was undoubtedly good for ordinary people, as they didn't need to worry about other matters and could still live well.
But for cabinet officials, these 'puppets,' it was dreadful news.
After all, no one wants to rely exist as a puppet, even if they were already heading in that direction.
Perhaps this was the reason Perfikot didn't want to handle matters this ti? Kallen felt she might have grasped so key points.
However, she was more curious about what kind of decree the Empress would issue.
This was the first decree Empress Annie had issued since ascending the throne, which might bring about change for the entire Victory.
When Kallen arrived in the conference room, she saw most of the cabinet mbers gathered around the throne, and the crowned Empress Annie stood at the front, announcing to everyone, "Lords, I have decided to fully tackle this disaster! Each and every one of you must contribute in this ti of crisis! The Empire needs you to fulfill your duties!"
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