Shangguan Yuchan thought carefully and quickly understood the situation.
Her Majesty was undoubtedly expressing dissatisfaction and indirectly issuing a reminder. It was about the earlier matter of promoting the entertainment industry.
Some days had passed since Her Majesty declared the intention to develop the entertainment industry, yet no relevant results had materialized. Therefore, Her Majesty was displeased and used this method to offer a subtle hint.
‘It seems I must send a letter to the Minister of Rites when I return. The development of the entertainment industry should be under the purview of the Ministry of Rites. Although my relationship with the Minister of Rites is ordinary, I cannot just stand by and watch him ignore Her Majesty’s hint. Besides, Her Majesty casually came up with a new rule for a chess-like game, something so accessible that anyone could play it. Yet, with all the people in the Ministry of Rites, no results have been produced. That truly is somewhat inexcusable.’
Shangguan Yuchan thought to herself, knowing what she needed to do next.
However, sending the letter to the Minister of Rites would have to wait until she returned. For now, she would go see Her Majesty.
“You all continue playing.”
With that single sentence, Shangguan Yuchan turned and left.
…
Shangguan Yuchan arrived at Phoenix Perch Palace.
“Greetings, Chancellor!”
Upon seeing Shangguan Yuchan, the palace maids also offered their salutes.
“What brings the Chancellor here today?” Xing Ruolan approached and asked, her voice gentle.
Shangguan Yuchan glanced at Xing Ruolan. “I am here to see Her Majesty, of course.”
Xing Ruolan covered her mouth with a light laugh. “Her Majesty is currently spending time alone with Commander Mu. Since the Chancellor wishes to see Her Majesty, allow this servant to announce your arrival first.”
“Then I shall trouble the Chief Steward,” Shangguan Yuchan said, looking towards the main gate of Phoenix Perch Palace.
Phoenix Perch Palace was not just one building; the surrounding area was a large courtyard. They were currently standing outside this courtyard.
Without another word, Xing Ruolan stepped forward to open the courtyard gate and announce her. Just as the gate swung open, Shangguan Yuchan glanced inside and froze for a moment. Because at that very instant, Di Lingwei was helping Mu Fuwan remove a leaf from her hair. From her perspective, the gesture seemed slightly intimate.
For a moment, Shangguan Yuchan’s eyes changed.
It was a very peculiar look, containing an indescribable, unclear implication. The thousand changes and ten thousand fluctuations within were enough to fill one with imagination.
However, by the time Xing Ruolan finished announcing and came back out, Shangguan Yuchan’s expression had returned to normal.
“Her Majesty bids the Chancellor to enter.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Chief Steward.”
Shangguan Yuchan gracefully entered Phoenix Perch Palace.
In truth, Shangguan Yuchan didn’t have anything particularly important to report. What she had to say involved only minor matters. She came, reported a few things, exchanged a handful of words, and then departed.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Shangguan Yuchan returned to her mansion with a few matters weighing on her mind.
As the Chancellor, her mansion was naturally located in the most prime area of Phoenix Capital. The vast residence was fully staffed with maids and servants, who kept the entire estate in immaculate order.
Upon returning to her mansion and entering the study, Shangguan Yuchan first wrote a letter detailing her observations from the Imperial Palace. She reminded the Minister of Rites to accelerate his efforts regarding the intensive development of the entertainment industry. She then sent someone to deliver the letter to the Minister of Rites’ mansion.
After that, Shangguan Yuchan summoned two trusted subordinates. Both were women named Dongxue and Dongmei.
“Investigate information regarding Mu Fuwan, the Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard. Find out as much as you can.” Shangguan Yuchan ordered. As she spoke, she couldn’t help but recall what she had witnessed at Phoenix Perch Palace, and her expression shifted slightly once more.
“Investigate the Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard?”
Both Dongxue and Dongmei were somewhat surprised. After all, the other party held a high status.
“If I tell you to investigate, then do it. No need for so many questions. But remember to ensure our own safety and do not be discovered.” Shangguan Yuchan’s gaze swept over the two of them as she spoke.
“Yes, Master.”
Since Shangguan Yuchan had spoken thus, the two raised no further objections.
After giving these instructions, Shangguan Yuchan entered her private bedchamber.
Shangguan Yuchan’s bedchamber was a very mysterious place. Its mystery lay in the fact that she was the only one allowed inside. Everyone else in the mansion, high or low, was forbidden entry. Even approaching it would lead to interrogation.
This caused the servants in the mansion to be very curious, wondering what exactly was hidden within Shangguan Yuchan’s chambers. Yet, despite their curiosity, they dared not even gossip behind her back. Shangguan Yuchan was a mistress who clearly distinguished between reward and punishment; being caught muttering behind her back would also result in punishment.
Creak!
Shangguan Yuchan pushed open the door and entered her bedchamber.
The room was quite spacious and appeared somewhat messy. The walls were covered with portraits, one after another. All of them depicted a single woman—in sitting, standing, or gazing postures. They showed her in countless forms and poses, yet each one exuded a sense of heroic bearing. This dashing spirit, rarely seen in women, appeared without any sense of discord in the portraits. Rather, it gave a feeling that it was only natural.
The person in the portraits was unmistakably Di Lingwei!
No one would ever have guessed that Shangguan Yuchan’s room concealed so many portraits of Di Lingwei. No wonder she allowed no one near her bedchamber. If this were seen, it would inevitably provoke speculation.
Looking at the person in those portraits, Shangguan Yuchan’s gaze couldn’t help but become somewhat mesmerized. She stood there, staring blankly.
After a long, deep look, she tore her gaze away with difficulty and walked to her bed, picking up her pillow.
The pillow bore embroidery, and the skill of the needlework could be described as transcendent. It directly stitched a vividly lifelike image of a woman onto the pillow. That woman’s image was, without a doubt, Di Lingwei!
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”
Gazing at Di Lingwei’s likeness on the pillow, Shangguan Yuchan couldn’t help but clutch it tightly. She lay on the bed, hugging the pillow, rolling back and forth. As she rolled, she murmured softly, utterly devoid of the dignity befitting her station.
…
Inside Phoenix Perch Palace.
After Shangguan Yuchan left, Di Lingwei continued talking with Mu Fuwan, a rare smile curving the corner of her lips.
Just a moment ago, as she removed the leaf from Mu Fuwan’s hair, a notification chime had sounded.
Achievement Unlocked: 【Apprehensive Mu Fuwan】. You may now view Mu Fuwan’s Personality Trait.
Name: Mu Fuwan.
Identity: Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard.
Personality: Down-to-earth, and exceptionally loyal.
See, what wonderful virtues.
Di Lingwei was extremely satisfied upon seeing Mu Fuwan’s personality. Once such a person became loyal to her, there would be no further problems. Perhaps the Original Host had seen this point and thus assigned Mu Fuwan to guard Phoenix Perch Palace.
