Sorry but she escapes her trauma by traumatizing other people. She knew the emperor did not love her and chose to ridicule and ostracize the Bam family cause she couldn't punish anyone else. She can't see past her own pain to see that it's making her hurt people in turn. She was totally willing to put Gyeoseul on the throne because she didn't want Binee on it knowing her son did not love Gyeoseul. Its like shes cursing them both with the same fate she had. She's not fair at all. I do agree she deserves some rest but the best thing to do was place someone beside her son he would be happy to rule with and she was actively choosing not to. I mean I know eventually she's gonna see the error of her ways but damn.
I like the empress too, and ik the comic is supposed to highlight her flaws bc they are normally related to mc and her family but even then you can tell the empress is very fair and kind, and it makes me root for her to let go of those things in the past that caused her so much pain so that her future cam be rid of said pain. I really want her to be happy by the end, like, truly happy, not just satisfaction as she plans once she retires but actual happiness. It is the least she coudl have after she sacrified so much
Tbh i kinda like the Empress. She may have a petty obsession with the past but she has been very fair and objective otherwise. I like that you can also see her struggle with the pain but also being shaken with the understanding that Bam never actually did anything wrong. She just tries to escape the trauma. I can see that she will change her way and finally accept the truth for what it is. I also hope that she and Hae retire together to the countyside and get some deserved rest. She is a good mother and empress but never had the chance to process and get some therapy