Ignore it?
Di Lingwei scoffed internally. If she truly ignored it, she might not even know how she died one day.
Furthermore, if this were really just a false rumor circulating, Wang Feifei shouldn’t have believed it so firmly. The reason Wang Feifei was so certain probably meant the source of the information was one she found highly trustworthy.
This was a crucial point that had to be investigated.
Di Lingwei knew she had to get to the bottom of this. She felt the implications behind this matter were far from simple and would greatly impact her own safety.
That was the idea, but what if Wang Feifei simply refused to cooperate?
No matter what she said, Wang Feifei would put on an obedient, trusting front. Seemingly docile, it left Di Lingwei feeling like she was punching cotton—completely ineffective.
Explanations were useless now; any more would be redundant. She needed absolute proof to make Wang Feifei believe from the bottom of her heart.
At this moment, two choices lay before Di Lingwei.
The first was to make Wang Feifei know the truth, trust her, and pledge loyalty to her from then on.
The second was to lure Wang Feifei into revealing evidence of her intent to commit regicide, and then simply execute her to eliminate the threat for good.
Initially, Di Lingwei had wanted to pursue the second method. But after investigating the Wang family’s affairs and learning the hidden truths within, she now found herself leaning towards the first path.
After a moment of thought, Di Lingwei spoke with gravity. “Actually, Zhen understands. You have always believed it was Our decree that caused the Wang family’s demise. Do not deny it, and do not pretend to trust Zhen. Why do you think you could deceive Zhen? Zhen is, in fact, aware of everything.”
Wang Feifei’s expression flickered, but she immediately adopted an innocent look. “Feifei doesn’t understand what Your Majesty is talking about.”
“How could you not understand? Mu Fuwan is your biggest flaw, isn’t she? She is someone utterly and completely loyal to you. Whatever you tell her to do, she will do. Her desire to commit regicide is your desire to commit regicide.” After some deliberation, Di Lingwei directly exposed this point.
“Feifei absolutely has no such thoughts. Feifei…”
“Say no more. Zhen has said, you cannot deceive Zhen.” Di Lingwei’s expression became solemn, radiating a palpable pressure. “Do you truly think Zhen is so easily fooled?”
At this moment, Wang Feifei felt immense pressure.
Because the person standing before her was none other than Di Lingwei, the Heavenly Mandate Empress, renowned as the foremost expert of the Phoenix Dynasty.
If Di Lingwei was convinced she was a problem and decided to strike, what could she do? Could she possibly resist an existence of this caliber?
Wang Feifei swallowed nervously, pondering her next move.
“Attempting regicide is a capital offense.” Di Lingwei’s voice was as cold as frost, chilling to the bone.
Wang Feifei’s hand instinctively moved to her waist, but she immediately remembered that weapons were always confiscated before an audience with the Empress. Besides, even with a weapon, could she ever be a match for the Phoenix Dynasty’s strongest expert?
For a moment, Wang Feifei felt it was all over for her.
Ever since Mu Fuwan was captured, she had sensed her own situation was precarious… not that she feared Mu Fuwan would betray her, but because of their relationship, suspicion falling on her was inevitable.
But now that this moment had truly arrived, it filled Wang Feifei with a profound sense of despair.
Seeing the serious look on Di Lingwei’s face, Wang Feifei knew that continuing the pretense was futile. Gritting her teeth helplessly, she said, “Does Your Majesty intend to strike against Feifei now? If Your Majesty attacks, truly no one in this world can stop you. Still, to receive Your Majesty’s personal attention would be Feifei’s honor.”
She assumed a fighting stance.
Even knowing she was outmatched, she resolutely refused to surrender without a fight. If she was going to die, she would die fighting!
Seeing this, Di Lingwei’s heart skipped a beat.
The last thing she wanted was a real fight with Wang Feifei. That would be a one-sided beating from Wang Feifei, and she might very well bid farewell to this world.
So Di Lingwei spoke with utmost seriousness. “Zhen will not attack you. You may leave.”
“Let Feifei leave?”
Wang Feifei was stunned.
She had thought Di Lingwei had completely confirmed her guilt and was about to strike. Yet now, she was being told to leave?
Wang Feifei couldn’t fathom Di Lingwei’s thoughts. She felt the Empress’s mind was deeper than the deepest lake in the Phoenix Dynasty, unfathomable.
Di Lingwei clasped her hands behind her back, radiating the aura of a ruler. “What kind of existence is Zhen? Who can cause Zhen to suffer injustice? Not people, not ghosts, not gods, no one. If Zhen says Zhen did not issue an order to harm the Wang family, then Zhen did not!”
Hearing these resolute words, Wang Feifei couldn’t help but freeze.
Could she really have been mistaken?
She quickly shook her head inwardly, refusing to let Di Lingwei’s conviction sway her emotions.
Di Lingwei looked deeply at Wang Feifei. “Go and investigate. Investigate this matter thoroughly, determine what is true and what is false. Once you have clarity, come and tell Zhen your decision.”
“Why doesn’t Your Majesty simply have Feifei arrested? Wouldn’t that be far simpler?” Wang Feifei still couldn’t understand. This didn’t seem like the style of a Heavenly Mandate Empress.
“Why? You still don’t understand?” Di Lingwei showed a hint of melancholy, sighing. “You were among those who fought alongside Zhen into the Imperial Palace. Zhen trusted and favored you greatly, which is precisely why Zhen appointed you Commander of the Imperial Guard. The current situation saddens Zhen, displeases Zhen, yet Zhen is still willing to give you a chance. Therefore, Zhen will not have you arrested.”
Wang Feifei fell silent upon hearing this.
Trust her?
This situation left her with complex feelings, unsure of what to say or do, feeling lost for a moment.
“You may withdraw now,” Di Lingwei’s voice came again.
“Feifei takes her leave.”
Wang Feifei collected her thoughts and departed.
She still felt the day’s events were somewhat surreal. Being questioned by Di Lingwei about the Wang family’s destruction, being directly accused of plotting regicide, only to be let go in the end.
She truly couldn’t fathom this Heavenly Mandate Empress’s thoughts.
But since the Heavenly Mandate Empress dared to let her go and declared she should investigate the truth of this matter, then she would investigate again.
Watching Wang Feifei leave, Di Lingwei let out a breath.
In truth, with the pressure she had just applied, she could have summoned the Imperial Guard outside to apprehend Wang Feifei jointly. But she still chose not to do so.
She chose the more difficult path. Yet, if she could successfully navigate this path, the subsequent benefits would be immense. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to live in constant fear anymore. So, no matter how difficult this path was, she had to walk it.
Afterward, Di Lingwei summoned Xing Ruolan and gave her certain instructions.
