After chatting for a while and feeling it was enough, Di Lingwei took out a small amount of silver banknotes and handed it to them. “I’ve taken up your time chatting for so long. This money is for your trouble.”
The currency of the Phoenix Dynasty was silver banknotes, with denominations ranging from one yuan to a hundred. A meat bun cost roughly two yuan.
Seeing the several hundred-yuan silver banknotes Di Lingwei offered, the old couple was surprised and quite embarrassed, but they still accepted.
After thanking Di Lingwei, the two left.
As they departed, the couple murmured to each other. Their words, carried by the wind, drifted entirely back to Di Lingwei and Mu Fuwan.
“That young lady is quite kind, giving us so much silver. We can add extra dishes for the children tonight.”
“Rich young ladies are so nice.”
“That other girl who didn’t speak seems quite warm-hearted too.”
“Yes, yes. If Old Five were still alive, she’d be about her age now.”
“Ah, why bring up Old Five? Back then, we had so many mouths to feed. One more, Old Five… we truly couldn’t manage. There was nothing we could do.”
“I just wonder if Old Five is still alive.”
“Definitely not. How could such a small child survive? Ah, let’s go home and light incense for the child.”
“…”
The wind gradually faded away.
The people walked further and further into the distance.
Mu Fuwan also watched them leave, lost in a daze.
Di Lingwei’s unhurried voice drifted over from beside her. “Do you want to recognize them? If so, Zhen won’t stop you.”
Mu Fuwan retracted her gaze, let out a long sigh, and shook her head. “There’s no need.”
The moment Mu Fuwan finished speaking, a voice sounded in Di Lingwei’s ear.
Achievement unlocked: [Mu Fuwan at Peace]. Can now view Mu Fuwan’s Weakness Trait.
As expected, it came.
Di Lingwei calmly used her Mystic Left Eye to examine Mu Fuwan.
In bringing Mu Fuwan here, she had aimed to stir Mu Fuwan’s emotions again, thereby unlocking her final Trait. And indeed, she had succeeded.
Name: Mu Fuwan
Identity: Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard.
Personality: Down-to-earth and extremely loyal.
Hobby: Practices the sword whenever she has free time; very passionate about increasing her strength.
Martial Power: 82.
Regret: Meeting her parents without recognizing them.
Heart’s Desire: Wants to repay the Wang Family and Wang Feifei, willing to do anything for this.
Weakness: Wang Feifei.
When Di Lingwei saw the Weakness entry, her brow furrowed involuntarily.
A person’s weakness was actually another person? What did that imply?
Fortunately, after all her previous experiences, Di Lingwei had already understood many things. So, upon seeing this Trait information again, while she was surprised, she didn’t lose her composure.
At this moment, what concerned her even more was another issue.
And that was the Regret Trait!
If she remembered correctly, Mu Fuwan’s Regret Trait had originally been: “Never knowing her parents’ identities, as she was an orphan from childhood.” But now, that Trait had actually changed!
Traits could change?
Di Lingwei was slightly taken aback by this, but then felt it was only natural.
People changed, after all. Identity, hobbies, Martial Power, Regrets… even names could change.
However, this was the first time Di Lingwei had witnessed a Trait change occur, so she paid a little extra attention.
“Have you truly let it go?” Di Lingwei continued their previous topic, speaking to Mu Fuwan. “Zhen feels you still have regrets. After all, you met your parents without recognizing them.”
“Not being able to acknowledge them is indeed a regret, but I’m willing to keep this regret,” Mu Fuwan said with a soft sigh. “After all, I was abandoned. Since I was discarded, why should I come back?”
Di Lingwei seemed lost in thought.
Truly, this choice wasn’t surprising. Not everyone who had regrets wanted to remedy them, because some things were simply irreversible.
Di Lingwei didn’t dwell on this matter any further. Her purpose for coming here was about half complete. She could now proceed to the next step.
Turning around, Di Lingwei looked at Shangguan Yuchan and the rest gathered behind her and asked, “Did all my ministers witness what just happened?”
“This subject saw, Your Majesty,” Shangguan Yuchan replied first, and the others echoed her.
By now, everyone present was greatly astonished. Through the previous events, they had realized that the departing elderly couple were actually Mu Fuwan’s parents!
Regardless of her current status, Mu Fuwan was still a former Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, a person of standing. Such a circumstance in her life naturally drew everyone’s increased attention.
Di Lingwei swept her gaze across the group and continued, “Zhen brought you all out here to let you see for yourselves. Even in a village this close to Phoenix Capital, there are families who cannot afford to raise their children and are forced to abandon them. If this is the case so near to Phoenix Capital, what must it be like in more distant regions?”
She expressed ample dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
“Zhen does not wish to see such occurrences of child abandonment within the Imperial Court Zhen governs. Zhen hopes every household can have enough food and warm clothing, so every family can live and work in peace and contentment. Do you all understand Our meaning?” Di Lingwei’s gaze sharpened.
This was originally her pretext. Calling so many high officials out here naturally required a sufficient excuse.
However, as she spoke these words now, Di Lingwei felt a genuine pang in her heart. She had indeed been somewhat moved by these events, so her words carried sincere emotion.
Hearing Di Lingwei’s words, the crowd showed expressions of sudden understanding.
So, Her Majesty had brought them out for a genuine, visceral experience. To be honest, seeing Mu Fuwan meet her biological parents without recognition had stirred a slight feeling within them, too.
Sweeping her gaze over the group, Di Lingwei issued her next instruction: “Next, all ministers will disperse and wander around this area, so you can better experience the conditions of the rural farmlands. Remember these feelings well. When you serve as officials in the future, you will not forget the common people at the bottom.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Everyone acknowledged the order.
‘As expected of Her Majesty. Since Her Majesty ascended the throne, many thought she might become a tyrant, but judging by the current situation, she will undoubtedly become a benevolent ruler.’
Shangguan Yuchan thought to herself.
The group then began to scatter and stroll around the farmland. As for Mu Fuwan, being a prisoner, she naturally couldn’t wander about. Xing Ruolan, seemingly intent on personally attending to Di Lingwei, also did not go for a walk.
Looking around, Di Lingwei’s gaze settled on Wang Feifei. “Feifei, you go take a walk too.”
Wang Feifei, whose mind had been wandering, snapped back to attention and quickly replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
