The Ministry of Justice had indeed made preparations for this incident, but who could have predicted how powerful the opponents they’d face would be?
“Those black-clad men were that strong?” Shangguan Yuchan asked. Due to the distance, she hadn’t been able to truly gauge the strength of those men.
“Extremely strong! Any single one of them possessed strength no less than that of the Imperial Guard.” Ding Ling hastily affirmed.
“Is that so?” Shangguan Yuchan mused thoughtfully.
In any case, since Her Majesty trusted her so much as to leave the Ministry of Justice’s matter in her hands, she needed to handle this properly first.
…
On the way back to the Imperial Palace, Di Lingwei pondered over the matter of Mu Fuwan.
Currently, Mu Fuwan’s personal information had been unlocked up to her Regret. What remained were her Heart’s Desire and Weakness. Should she find a way to unlock those further and obtain more information?
Now that she understood the pattern for unlocking achievements, the difficulty of unlocking them should decrease considerably.
Additionally, the existing information on Mu Fuwan could also be put to use.
For instance, Mu Fuwan’s Regret!
Regret: Never knowing who her parents were or their status, as she had been an orphan since childhood.
Could this regret of Mu Fuwan’s possibly be resolved?
She was, after all, the Empress of a generation, ruling over an entire nation. Could she mobilize the power of the Imperial Court to locate Mu Fuwan’s parents? If her regret could be mended, would Mu Fuwan then honestly confess the matters concerning what was behind her?
Di Lingwei thought it over and felt it was highly possible.
Thinking of this, Di Lingwei immediately said to Xing Ruolan beside her, “Later, look into Mu Fuwan’s origins.”
Origins?
This command surprised Xing Ruolan slightly, but she still nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon after, Di Lingwei arrived at Phoenix Perch Palace.
Upon returning, she summoned Wang Feifei.
Had Wang Feifei been among those black-clad men who stormed the execution grounds?
Di Lingwei wasn’t entirely certain. The distance had been considerable, and her left eye couldn’t discern people’s names from that far away. While observing from afar, none of the black-clad men at that time appeared particularly “towering and billowy.” But it was also possible that Wang Feifei had added an extra layer of binding to herself.
Thus, Di Lingwei decided to confirm once more. Anyone who had bound themselves would leave traces.
Wang Feifei arrived at Phoenix Perch Palace before long.
Although temporarily relieved of managing the Imperial Guard, Wang Feifei still wore her leather armor, outlining her perfect and breathtakingly arousing figure. However, she was no longer permitted to bring weapons into the Imperial Palace.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Wang Feifei paid her respects upon seeing Di Lingwei.
“Mm, Feifei.” Di Lingwei was seated in the front courtyard of Phoenix Perch Palace, receiving a massage from a palace maid. She asked, “Do you know what happened earlier?”
“Is Your Majesty referring to…” Wang Feifei feigned ignorance.
“Not long ago, news came from the Ministry of Justice. They reported that on the execution grounds where Mu Fuwan was to be decapitated, a group of black-clad men appeared and disrupted the proceedings. As a result, Mu Fuwan was not executed and has currently been re-imprisoned.” Di Lingwei spoke unhurriedly, observing Wang Feifei’s expression as she talked.
Wang Feifei revealed a look of shock. “Storming the execution grounds? Who would be so bold as to do such a thing?”
She acted as if she was just learning of this matter herself.
Watching Wang Feifei’s act, Di Lingwei asked, “Zhen asks you two questions. First, Mu Fuwan grew up with you. Are you not the slightest bit saddened by her execution?”
Wang Feifei lightly bit her lip, putting on a pained expression. “Feifei is naturally very grieved. When I learned Little Wan was to be executed, I was so distraught I could only drown my sorrows in wine. But Feifei also understands that Little Wan’s actions were a grave crime. No matter what, Feifei must distinguish between major right and wrong. Therefore, in my heart, I actually stand firmly on Your Majesty’s side.”
Di Lingwei did not believe a single punctuation mark of this statement.
“Zhen asks you a second question.” As she spoke, Di Lingwei’s gaze sharpened. “Zhen asks you, does this matter of storming the execution grounds have anything to do with you?”
Wang Feifei looked at Di Lingwei in shock. “Why would Your Majesty think that? Feifei’s loyalty to Your Majesty can be witnessed by heaven and earth! Why would Your Majesty think Feifei could commit such a dreadful act as storming an execution ground? Feifei is not that kind of person.”
Beyond her shock, her expression carried a hint of grievance.
The look on her face was akin to someone wrongfully accused, yet afraid to proclaim their innocence—a pitiable appearance that made one want to cherish her all the more.
Di Lingwei felt she had been a bit foolish.
Knowing full well that Wang Feifei wouldn’t speak honestly, why had she asked so many questions?
After thinking it over, Di Lingwei decided it was better to first confirm whether Wang Feifei had left traces of binding on her body. To accomplish this, there were plenty of methods.
As she contemplated, Di Lingwei’s demeanor softened. “Zhen understands. Zhen wronged you.”
“As long as Your Majesty can trust Feifei, that’s all that matters.” Wang Feifei immediately brightened up, as if being trusted by Di Lingwei was the greatest thing.
“Wronging you earlier makes Zhen feels quite apologetic. In that case, Zhen shall grant you permission to bathe with Zhen.” Di Lingwei said with a smile.
Bathe together?
Wang Feifei blinked, then immediately responded with a beaming smile. “To be able to bathe with Your Majesty is a wonderful grace for Feifei.”
“That’s good. Then let’s proceed directly to the bathing pool. The water should be ready by now.” Di Lingwei spoke calmly.
Upon returning to the palace, she had already instructed the palace maids to prepare the bathwater. She had been prepared for this step.
Of course, she wouldn’t actually bathe with Wang Feifei. Sharing a bath with the Commander of the Imperial Guard posed far too much danger to her. It was better to keep some distance.
Soon after, Di Lingwei arrived at the bathing pool—the very place where she had first appeared upon transmigrating.
The pool was already filled with hot water. Rose petals were scattered across the surface, and steam continuously rose from the pool, filling the grand hall with a hazy, misty ambiance, like a fairyland.
“Attend to Commander Wang’s bath,” Di Lingwei instructed the attending palace maids before turning and walking out herself.
Wang Feifei didn’t know what Di Lingwei had gone out to do. But seeing the palace maids approaching from both sides, she could only allow them to remove her leather armor. Like an egg being peeled, her smooth and tender skin was thus exposed to the air.
As her clothing diminished, the palace maids looked at Wang Feifei with eyes full of envy. Wang Feifei’s figure was simply too explosive. Especially in areas women cared about most, she made all other women feel inferior.
After her garments were removed, Wang Feifei stepped into the bathing pool.
