This outcome stunned Wei Nian. In her instinctive counterattack just now, she hadn’t carefully gauged where her strike was aimed. She hadn’t expected it to land so coincidentally on Ying He’s vital point.
Wei Nian immediately turned and knelt before Di Lingwei. “This Humble Subject is guilty. I await Your Majesty’s punishment.”
Di Lingwei rubbed her brow, trying to ease the tension in her heart.
She had truly been terrified just now. Fortunately, Wei Nian had resolved the issue at the crucial moment; otherwise, the disaster would have been immense.
She naturally understood why Wei Nian was begging for punishment. Ying He should have been detained for rigorous interrogation, but Wei Nian had inadvertently killed her. Now, naturally, there was no way to extract any more information from Ying He. One could say the trail had been completely severed.
But regardless of that, Wei Nian’s actions had also averted a potential crisis concerning her own identity. Should she just let it slide?
Di Lingwei pondered briefly and decided it couldn’t be dismissed so easily. Her current identity would never brush off such a matter. She was, after all, that domineering and peerless Heavenly Mandate Empress.
Thus, Di Lingwei stood, her expression cold, her tone deep and stern: “For the dignified Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard to make such a blunder is utterly disgraceful. Go to the training grounds and run one hundred laps. Xing Ruolan, you will supervise.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xing Ruolan responded, lowering her head.
“This subject thanks Your Majesty for your mercy,” Wei Nian also answered with her head bowed.
Although Di Lingwei had punished her, this punishment was truly tantamount to showing leniency.
Di Lingwei had no mood to say anything more and directly made her way out.
This was the first time someone had died right before her eyes. She was still somewhat spooked deep down. She dared not remain long with a corpse and decided it was best to leave early.
Ying He’s body was quickly dealt with.
Di Lingwei, meanwhile, went to the study to silently read, continuing to absorb more information about this world.
Unknowingly, night fell once again.
She had been in this world for many days and had persistently striven to ensure her identity was not compromised. This was not because she was acting exceptionally well, but because the identity itself brought certain conveniences. After all, she was the Empress. Who would harbor too much suspicion toward the Empress?
The only shadow looming in her heart was the fact that the person who wanted to kill her had not been found.
Moreover, was the mastermind behind Ying He the only one who wanted to kill her? Judging by Ying He’s words, it seemed many desired her death. Such a situation was truly a headache just to think about.
“Your Majesty, it is time for the evening meal,” Xing Ruolan said, entering the study.
Although the poisoning incident had occurred, Di Lingwei could not simply stop eating. It was just that every meal had to undergo even stricter inspections before being presented to her.
Putting down her book, Di Lingwei exited the study while asking, “How is Wei Nian’s situation?”
“Vice Commander Wei has finished running her one hundred laps and has already returned to her post,” Xing Ruolan answered softly.
Di Lingwei asked nothing more upon hearing this.
She glanced at Xing Ruolan. As before, she could only see Xing Ruolan’s name, identity, and personality, with all other information remaining hidden. Yet, she had recently been interacting with Xing Ruolan quite frequently. Her inability to unlock new achievements was frustrating.
It was the same with everyone else. The persistent inability to unlock new achievements left Di Lingwei at a loss for what to do.
For now, she would eat first.
But truthfully, after undergoing layer upon layer of inspections, the food had long since lost its heat and was tasteless. Di Lingwei ate hastily and shallowly before ordering the meal cleared away.
“Zhen will continue reading in the study tonight. You need not attend Zhen,” Di Lingwei said to Xing Ruolan as she returned to the study.
In fact, she hadn’t allowed Xing Ruolan to follow her during the past few days. This was not only due to distrust born from Xing Ruolan’s hidden personality, but also because she didn’t want Xing Ruolan to know what books she was reading. Some books were utterly unnecessary for the true Heavenly Mandate Empress to read.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xing Ruolan harbored no suspicion and obediently withdrew.
Reading alone was a lonely and tedious affair. Di Lingwei was not someone who loved to read. If not for the need to understand this world better to protect herself, she would never read so much.
But reading also put one in a state of immersion. When one finally surfaced, time had often unknowingly passed by in great swaths.
Setting down a book chronicling the events of the past fifty years, Di Lingwei figured it was getting late and decided to sleep. The study had a bed; resting there was perfectly fine.
But just as she reached the bedside and sat down, Di Lingwei’s expression turned solemn. “Do you think you are well hidden? Do you think you can deceive Our eyes? Come out honestly on your own. Do not force Zhen to act. If Zhen strikes, blood will surely be drawn!”
She was bluffing again, just like she had the previous day.
But this time, the moment her words fell, a chaotic sound came from above—as if someone had nearly lost their footing before hastily steadying themselves. Di Lingwei looked up in shock.
She noticed a gap in the roof tiles above and simultaneously heard the sound of receding footsteps on the rooftop.
Crap? There really was someone?
Di Lingwei was stupefied. She had absolutely not expected her bluff to actually flush someone out. A sense of urgency instantly filled her heart.
Although the person she had scared off had chosen to retreat out of fear of the Heavenly Mandate Empress’s “unrivaled martial prowess,” this did not mean she was safe now. The intruder had clearly intended to wait until Di Lingwei was asleep before making a stealthy move. Even if that person had fled, how could Di Lingwei possibly sleep in peace?
Without hesitation, Di Lingwei rushed outside. For someone to have sneaked so close without detection, the bedchamber’s guards were utterly to blame!
Upon stepping outside the bedchamber, Di Lingwei’s heart seized.
It was deep into the night, with dark skies and a high wind, a world in utter silence.
Patrols of palace maids were supposed to be stationed outside Phoenix Perch Palace. The maids were still present, but one by one, they had collapsed into unconsciousness. Di Lingwei even saw Xing Ruolan fallen among them, unconscious.
And it was not just the palace maids; the Imperial Guard sentries had also collapsed at their posts at some point, including Wei Nian.
When had all this happened?
The sight before her made Di Lingwei feel a chill in her hands and feet, a cold dread crawling down her spine.
Yet she had to force herself to maintain a facade, her expression one of haughty dominance over all under heaven. She had no idea if someone else was still watching from the shadows. If there was, that person hadn’t immediately shown themselves, surely out of fear of her “formidable martial power.” So she absolutely had to keep up the act and not, under any circumstances, show fear or reveal her true situation.
But was merely acting enough? Should she do something more?
