Hearing Wang Feifei’s words, Di Lingwei let out an internal scoff.
No matter how you looked at it, Wang Feifei was the most suspicious person. She wasn’t about to take those words seriously.
“Feifei, Commander Mu served under you for quite some time. Are you truly telling Zhen you know nothing?” Di Lingwei made no effort to hide her suspicion.
“Your Majesty, Feifei truly knows nothing. I, too, am deeply shocked that Little Wan would harbor such terrifying thoughts,” Wang Feifei said, looking utterly wronged.
“Should Zhen believe you?”
“Sob… Feifei really is innocent. But I also know I must have been negligent. It’s all my fault. I usually only care about eating, drinking, and having fun, never paying attention to the goings-on within the Imperial Guard. That’s how this incident happened.”
At this moment, Wang Feifei looked as pitiful as possible, as if she truly had nothing to do with the matter.
However, what Wang Feifei never expected was that Di Lingwei had long since seen through her, using her cheat to perceive the deep scheming hidden beneath that seemingly carefree exterior.
Regardless, based on the current situation, Wang Feifei would likely never admit to any wrongdoing.
If Wang Feifei didn’t confess, and Di Lingwei lacked evidence, there was nothing she could do to her.
This was still early in Di Lingwei’s reign as the new Empress. If she were to move against any official of slightly higher rank, she needed irrefutable proof of their guilt. Otherwise, rashly acting against the civil and military officials would bring harm with no benefit whatsoever to both her and the entire Imperial Court.
So, she still couldn’t move against Wang Feifei.
Though she couldn’t act directly, after a moment of contemplation, Di Lingwei still said, “Since you admit you were also negligent, Feifei, then go reflect on it properly. Zhen will take over managing the Imperial Guard’s affairs for the time being. Zhen will return control to you after some days.”
Wang Feifei was stunned, not expecting Di Lingwei to strip her of her authority directly. Although it seemed temporary and she remained the Commander of the Imperial Guard, it fully demonstrated Di Lingwei’s suspicion of her.
But there was no alternative. Even so, Wang Feifei could only purse her lips and accept it. “I understand.”
“You may withdraw now. It is getting late. Zhen wishes to rest.” Di Lingwei rose and headed towards her palace chambers.
She had been busy until this late hour and was indeed quite tired.
The next day, Di Lingwei summoned the Minister of Justice, Ding Ling, directly to her study.
Ding Ling was no longer young. His face was pitted and scarred, and he sported two small, wispy mustaches, giving him a rather shifty and cunning appearance.
That someone with his appearance could become the head of the Ministry of Justice once caused concern about whether he could command respect. After all, the Ministry of Justice was where laws and punishments were managed—a place that sounded incredibly stern and severe—and Ding Ling’s looks didn’t seem to match that atmosphere.
But in reality, Ding Ling had been at the Ministry for a long time. His position had remained quite stable, and his two Vice Ministers had consistently been pillars of support, which showed his work ability was actually quite good.
“This Humble Subject pays respects to Your Majesty.” Ding Ling’s demeanor was extremely respectful.
Sitting imposingly behind her desk, Di Lingwei nodded lightly with an air of authority and asked, “Minister Ding, do you understand why Zhen has summoned you?”
Ding Ling respectfully answered, “Your Majesty wishes to inquire about Mu Fuwan’s matter. Please, pardon this subject. She is incredibly tight-lipped. No matter how we threatened her, she refused to divulge anything.”
Still won’t talk?
Di Lingwei felt a headache coming on. She had long known that Mu Fuwan’s personality made her difficult to interrogate, but even the Ministry of Justice had no way?
“As the Ministry overseeing punishment, yet you can’t even handle an interrogation properly. Minister Ding, are you lacking the capability required for your position?” Di Lingwei’s tone carried a hint of accusation.
Ding Ling was so frightened he immediately knelt. “Please, forgive this subject! Please, give this humble servant more time. I will immediately order severe torture to be used. I will make her spill everything she needs to say!”
“No need. Execute her directly, by public beheading,” Di Lingwei said after a moment of thought.
“Ah?”
Hearing this, Ding Ling was completely bewildered.
Direct beheading?
He looked at Di Lingwei, baffled. Everyone knew Mu Fuwan definitely held many secrets. Getting such a person to talk could yield considerable gains. Wouldn’t killing her outright be too rash?
But Di Lingwei knew this all too well herself.
She wasn’t actually planning to kill Mu Fuwan; she was merely setting a plan in motion.
“Minister Ding, here’s what you will do…”
Di Lingwei began issuing her instructions.
After hearing her out, Ding Ling suddenly understood, grasping Di Lingwei’s intent.
“Your Majesty is divinely wise! This move will certainly resolve the problem,” Ding Ling exclaimed with seemingly heartfelt admiration.
“Enough idle chatter. Go execute the plan.” Di Lingwei stood up as she spoke.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Before long, news spread throughout Phoenix Capital, causing quite a stir.
The former Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, Mu Fuwan, had conspired to assassinate the sovereign—a crime worthy of a thousand deaths. She would be executed by public beheading at Phoenix Tree Square that afternoon!
Conspiring to assassinate the sovereign! This news immediately drew the attention of many citizens in Phoenix Capital, who checked the time and hurried towards Phoenix Tree Square to witness the spectacle.
Meanwhile, Di Lingwei left the Imperial Palace once again.
Not far from Phoenix Tree Square stood a teahouse, four stories high, elegant and refined. From its upper floors, one could clearly overlook the entire square below.
At this moment, Di Lingwei, the Heavenly Mandate Empress, was in a private room on the fourth floor of this teahouse. Dressed in a vermilion pomegranate skirt, her movements were graceful, her aura noble. Just by raising her head, her gaze could pass through the window and see the scene outside.
Besides Di Lingwei, there were five other people in the room. Apart from Xing Ruolan, there was Shangguan Yuchan and her two subordinates, Dongxue and Dongmei. The last person was Mu Fuwan herself!
Naturally, Di Lingwei didn’t dare stay alone with Mu Fuwan, so she had specifically called Shangguan Yuchan along. Coming with Shangguan Yuchan, Dongxue and Dongmei naturally accompanied her, providing a good layer of protection.
Moreover, the adjacent rooms on the left, right, and opposite sides were already occupied by Imperial Guards in plainclothes, ready to rush over at any moment. Safety-wise, this arrangement was reliable.
After withdrawing her gaze from outside, Di Lingwei looked at the people within the room, her eyes settling on Mu Fuwan. She smiled faintly and said, “Mu Fuwan, why don’t you guess what Zhen intends to do?”
Mu Fuwan naturally had no idea what Di Lingwei was planning.
When she heard the news of her execution, she thought she was finished. Yet, here she was, a bag having been placed over her head as she was secretly brought to this teahouse. When the bag was removed, she was face-to-face with Di Lingwei, leaving her completely bewildered by the situation.
