In truth, if Wang Feifei could have uncovered the truth, she would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?
Therefore, Di Lingwei understood that finding absolute proof was something she had to do herself.
Although the Crown Prince’s Mansion and the Wang family members were mostly dead, that didn’t mean no useful information remained. Di Lingwei felt she could still investigate. The resources a Female Emperor could mobilize far surpassed those available to Wang Feifei.
With Di Lingwei’s order issued, relevant information was rapidly gathered and transmitted to her in a very short time.
By that very evening, many related documents were laid out on Di Lingwei’s desk.
This situation filled Di Lingwei with deep emotion. Truly, this was the power of an emperor—one could almost summon the wind and rain at will. The prerequisite, of course, was that she could hold onto this position.
And to hold onto this position, this step she was taking had to succeed!
Di Lingwei picked up the numerous documents and began reading, meticulously extracting useful pieces of information and recording them like unraveling a silk cocoon.
Engrossed in this task, the night grew deep.
The results were quite satisfactory, however. After recording much information, Di Lingwei nodded with satisfaction.
“Although I still don’t know who passed the false information to Wang Feifei, trying to set me up, at least the matter of the Wang family’s past destruction is now thoroughly clear. As expected, it aligns with my judgment: this was a plot designed by the Crown Prince against the Wang family. The one who forged the Original Host’s order, causing the Wang family to act against the Crown Prince’s Mansion, was a maid who once served the Original Host. But that maid was also dealt with by the Original Host long ago…”
Di Lingwei reviewed the compiled dossier and closed it.
Then, she pulled a bell cord. Xing Ruolan swiftly entered the study.
“Deliver this dossier to Commander Wang.” Di Lingwei commanded with an authoritative expression.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xing Ruolan took the dossier with both hands.
“Also, keep an eye on Commander Wang’s subsequent movements. Do not be noticed,” Di Lingwei added.
“Yes.” Xing Ruolan answered obediently as before.
“Alright, you may withdraw.” Di Lingwei waved her hand.
Only then did Xing Ruolan respectfully take her leave.
With Xing Ruolan gone, Di Lingwei also retired to her bedchamber to rest. It was getting quite late, after all.
But sleep, no matter how she tried, felt restless. Waking up in the middle of the night was a very common occurrence for Di Lingwei.
“I can’t keep living like this, unable to eat or sleep peacefully. I absolutely need someone I can trust without reservation to protect me. Wang Feifei, do not disappoint me.”
Waking in the dead of night, Di Lingwei muttered into the darkness before closing her eyes and drifting off again.
As Commander of the Imperial Guard, Wang Feifei naturally had her own mansion, located in a prime area of Phoenix Capital, with a considerable number of servants.
Today, Wang Feifei was sitting in a courtyard drinking alone. Occasionally, she looked up at the bright moon. On the surface, she appeared quite leisurely, but only she knew how bewildering the current situation had become.
Just deciphering Di Lingwei’s thoughts, she felt, would exhaust all her mental faculties, and she still might not succeed.
At this moment, Wang Feifei was essentially drowning her sorrows in wine. It was difficult for her to re-investigate the Wang family incident from years past, as the waters involved ran quite deep. Finding herself at a loss, she could only sit here alone, drinking in frustration.
Just then, the courtyard gate was knocked upon, and a servant’s voice called out: “My Lord, someone from the palace has arrived. It is the Chief Palace Steward.”
The Chief Palace Steward?
Wang Feifei was inwardly startled, but immediately replied, “Let her in.”
Creak.
The courtyard gate opened.
Xing Ruolan, her face gentle and her demeanor dignified, slowly walked in.
“May I ask what matter brings the Chief Steward here?” Wang Feifei watched Xing Ruolan and asked unhurriedly.
“Her Majesty has something to be delivered to Commander Wang.” Xing Ruolan answered with a light laugh.
Knowing that Di Lingwei had already retired for the night, she had personally come to deliver the item, primarily because she recognized that Di Lingwei seemed to place great importance on this dossier. Therefore, she too had to treat it with gravity.
Wang Feifei watched with puzzlement as Xing Ruolan walked over and placed a dossier on the table before her.
“What is this?” Wang Feifei asked, looking at the dossier.
“How would this servant know what it is? Commander Wang should see for herself.” Xing Ruolan chose to take her leave.
Wang Feifei had no intention of detaining her.
After Xing Ruolan departed, Wang Feifei picked up the dossier and flipped it open to read.
As she read on, Wang Feifei’s expression couldn’t help but change.
It was a dossier with not many words, yet Wang Feifei held it in her hands and read for a very, very long time. It was as if every character possessed an intensely compelling attraction, making one linger and forget to leave.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when the crowing of a rooster outside finally brought Wang Feifei back to her senses.
She lifted her head. In the distant sky, the pale hue of dawn had actually begun to appear.
Putting away the dossier, Wang Feifei took a deep breath and walked out of the courtyard.
“Lord Wang.”
Seeing Wang Feifei appear, the servants of the mansion all paid their respects.
“Prepare a palanquin. I’m going to… forget it. Continue with your duties.” Wang Feifei had barely spoken when she changed her mind.
Without another word, she left the mansion alone.
By the time Di Lingwei rose from bed, the day was already bright. She had gotten up rather late, having gone to sleep very late the previous night.
After washing up with the help of palace maids and donning her crimson Pomegranate Skirt, Di Lingwei turned her phoenix eyes towards Xing Ruolan beside her and asked, “Did Commander Wang exhibit any particular behavior after receiving the dossier last night?”
Xing Ruolan answered meekly, “According to intelligence from our informants, Commander Wang did not leave her mansion all night. It was only when the sky began to lighten that she departed and headed for the Imperial Uncle’s Mansion. She has not left yet, as far as we know.”
The Imperial Uncle’s Mansion?
Di Lingwei’s heart immediately skipped a beat.
According to the information she knew, although the Original Host had killed countless people upon ascending the throne, she had also spared some—keeping the Empress Dowager and a few Dowager Consorts—though all were imprisoned under strict guard in mansions within Phoenix Capital, forbidden to leave for life.
The brothers of these women were Imperial Uncles. Depending on their individual circumstances, some were also imprisoned, while others retained their freedom.
Pondering this, Di Lingwei asked further, “Which Imperial Uncle?”
“The mansion of Imperial Uncle Chen,” Xing Ruolan answered gently.
Imperial Uncle Chen?
Di Lingwei searched her memory. This Imperial Uncle was apparently the younger brother of a deceased Dowager Consort, named Chen Daorong. Because he hadn’t committed any notable misdeeds in the past, he too had been spared by the Original Host and was now a man of leisure.
But why would Wang Feifei go to see Imperial Uncle Chen?
A multitude of thoughts flashed through Di Lingwei’s mind in an instant, and she grew thoughtful.
“Bring me a copy of Imperial Uncle Chen’s file,” Di Lingwei instructed Xing Ruolan.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xing Ruolan answered softly.
