A chaotic battle erupted just like that on the execution grounds.
The situation left the many onlooking commoners dumbstruck, never having anticipated such a turn of events. As ordinary citizens, they could only retreat continuously, trying to put distance between themselves and the danger.
In the teahouse, Di Lingwei, witnessing this, also swept her gaze over the many black-clad men.
Shangguan Yuchan glanced at Di Lingwei. Though the battle below was intense, if this Heavenly Mandate Empress were willing to act, not a single one of those black-clad men would escape.
Mu Fuwan also looked towards Di Lingwei, her expression filled with tension.
But in truth, Di Lingwei naturally could not act.
She simply watched from her high vantage point. Even when she noticed some black-clad men melting into the crowd, evading the pursuit of the Ministry of Justice’s men and vanishing into the sea of people, she showed no intention of making a move.
Seeing this, Shangguan Yuchan fell into thought.
‘I understand now. Her Majesty is using this as an opportunity to test the Ministry of Justice, which is why she chooses not to act. But the Ministry of Justice has clearly performed poorly, unable to even detain those black-clad men. However, if Her Majesty allowed the black-clad men to escape, wasn’t this entire plan in vain? No, Her Majesty is far-sighted. There must be a deeper meaning I have yet to grasp. Could it be that with just a single sweeping glance, Her Majesty already saw through the identities of those men, and thus had no fear of them escaping? That must be it. As expected of Her Majesty, such insight… we are far from matching it.’
After pondering for a moment, Shangguan Yuchan’s face showed sudden understanding.
Mu Fuwan, seeing one man after another escape, secretly sighed in relief. Although she wondered why Di Lingwei hadn’t acted, the Empress’s inaction was, for her, actually a good thing.
After her relief, Mu Fuwan felt somewhat touched.
After all, this was storming the execution grounds! To be willing to risk storming the execution grounds for her sake… it certainly meant she was truly important to the other party, right?
Achievement Unlocked: 【Touched Mu Fuwan】. Can view Mu Fuwan’s Regret Trait.
Just then, a notification sound rang out, bringing Di Lingwei back to her senses.
Di Lingwei had been feeling displeased with the Ministry of Justice’s incompetence, unable to capture even a single black-clad man. Startled by the notification, she turned to glance at Mu Fuwan.
Name: Mu Fuwan
Identity: Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard.
Personality: Down-to-earth and extremely loyal.
Hobby: Practices swordsmanship whenever she has free time; very passionate about improving her strength.
Martial Power: 82.
Regret: Never knowing who her parents were or their status, as she had been an orphan since childhood.
Many of Mu Fuwan’s traits were already unlocked. A single glance provided a general understanding of her.
‘So this is her regret?’
Di Lingwei’s gaze swept over Mu Fuwan’s Regret, her mind thoughtful.
Furthermore, Di Lingwei also noticed a very important phenomenon she hadn’t paid attention to before.
Ever since she transmigrated and learned her left eye was unique, Di Lingwei had been continuously studying it, wanting to know if there was a pattern to unlocking achievements with her Mystic Left Eye. If such a pattern existed, what was it?
Now, seeing another achievement for Mu Fuwan unlocked, Di Lingwei keenly noticed a commonality between this achievement and some past ones.
【Terrified Mu Fuwan】
【Happy Mu Fuwan】
【Frightened Mu Fuwan】
【Touched Mu Fuwan】
These were the four achievements currently unlocked on Mu Fuwan. What did they have in common?
The answer was obvious: Mu Fuwan’s achievement unlocks were all tied to her emotional shifts.
Was this a coincidence?
Di Lingwei felt it likely wasn’t. This should be the pattern for unlocking achievements. From this perspective, if she could find ways to evoke different emotional fluctuations in Mu Fuwan, it would become much easier to unlock more of her achievements.
Additionally, it likely depended on the individual. The common factor would differ from person to person.
Take Xing Ruolan, for example.
【Xing Ruolan During a Massage】
【Sleeping Beauty Xing Ruolan】
These were the traits currently unlocked from Xing Ruolan. Looking at them, the common factor for Xing Ruolan’s achievements seemed related to postures or states. This meant that to unlock Xing Ruolan’s subsequent achievements, she could perhaps start from this angle—having Xing Ruolan assume various poses in the future.
‘Though I’ve only just noticed this pattern, it isn’t too late.’
Di Lingwei felt quite invigorated by this discovery. Her mood, soured by the Ministry of Justice’s poor performance, also considerably improved.
A knocking sound came from the door shortly after.
Xing Ruolan went to open it, and three men walked in.
Minister of Justice Ding Ling, Left Vice Minister of Justice Di Chenghua, and Right Vice Minister of Justice Gao Zhuo.
The moment the three entered, they dropped to their knees with a thud.
“What are you three doing?” Di Lingwei turned around and asked in a flat tone.
She didn’t display any overtly stern shift in tone, yet as the Heavenly Mandate Empress, even such neutral words carried immense pressure, especially in a situation like this.
Ding Ling said with a bitter face, “This subject begs Your Majesty’s forgiveness. Your subjects did not anticipate the men coming to storm the execution grounds would be so strong, and we failed to detain them.”
His heart was absolutely panicking right now.
Di Lingwei had told him the plan. He naturally knew there was a high chance someone would attempt to storm the execution grounds during the decapitation of the fake Mu Fuwan, so he had made preparations. But he simply never imagined it would end like this.
He hadn’t managed to hold onto a single one of those black-clad men.
This situation filled his heart with terror. He felt as if he might have ruined Her Majesty’s plan… though he was also somewhat puzzled, wondering why Her Majesty hadn’t acted. If the Empress had made a move, how could anyone have possibly escaped?
Di Lingwei looked at the three men from the Ministry of Justice. She knew why they were terrified. As the Heavenly Mandate Empress, should she mete out some punishment at a time like this? But if so, what punishment would be just right?
After a moment’s thought, Di Lingwei decided to delegate the decision.
“Chancellor Shangguan, Zhen shall entrust the handling of these three to you.” Di Lingwei said with an air of great trust in Shangguan Yuchan.
“This Humble Subject understands.” Shangguan Yuchan nodded.
“Mu Fuwan will first be re-imprisoned in the Imperial Dungeon of the Ministry of Justice.” Di Lingwei instructed the men from the ministry.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After giving her orders, Di Lingwei intended to return to the Imperial Palace first.
As Di Lingwei walked out, Shangguan Yuchan then turned her gaze upon the three men from the Ministry of Justice.
The three also looked at Shangguan Yuchan with bitter expressions.
“Her Majesty deliberately refrained from acting in order to test your ability to handle affairs. Your performance, one could say, has greatly disappointed Her Majesty.” Shangguan Yuchan said in an unceremonious tone.
“Chancellor, we had no choice! The strength of those black-clad men was extraordinary; they were certainly no ordinary individuals.” Ding Ling’s face grew even more bitter.
