Wang Feifei felt that this moment was not a good time to face Di Lingwei. After all, she had drunk far too much wine, and her head was spinning. But since Di Lingwei had already appeared before her, she couldn’t possibly chase her away.
Di Lingwei looked at Wang Feifei and said, “Feifei, let me ask you. What was your purpose in going to Imperial Uncle Chen’s Mansion earlier?”
Wang Feifei was stunned, never imagining that her whereabouts were so clearly within Di Lingwei’s grasp.
She fell silent for a moment, then answered, “Feifei wanted to ask Imperial Uncle Chen some questions.”
“Did you get a satisfactory answer?”
“No. Imperial Uncle Chen denied it, stating that he had never said those words.”
“Oh? Then why did you previously believe that Imperial Uncle Chen had said certain things?”
“It was said by a servant from the Imperial Uncle’s Mansion, a trusted confidant of Imperial Uncle Chen.”
“And what has become of that trusted confidant now?”
“Dead. Beaten to death by Imperial Uncle Chen for spreading malicious rumors and sowing discord. It happened not long ago.”
“Do you truly believe that is the case?”
“Feifei does not know. Feifei does not know.”
As she spoke, Wang Feifei’s eyes reddened, and she inexplicably felt like crying.
The feeling of realizing that something you had persistently believed for a long time was suddenly discovered to be problematic, knowing you had been wrong, was truly agonizing.
By this point, Wang Feifei could basically confirm that the destruction of the Wang Family was truly not intentionally caused by Di Lingwei.
But why had she held this misunderstanding before? Was it really just because she had believed the rumors spread by some people? Or was it that she had already harbored such suspicions herself, so the moment she heard someone whose thoughts aligned perfectly with her own, she chose to believe it outright?
The more she thought about it, the more miserable Wang Feifei felt.
Because of her own erroneous judgment, Mu Fuwan had been implicated and was still locked away in the Imperial Dungeon, her future uncertain. After all, Mu Fuwan harbored thoughts of regicide, which was a capital offense.
She herself was probably ruined too. After such an incident, how could she possibly be forgiven?
For a moment, Wang Feifei couldn’t even care that Di Lingwei was present. She grabbed a jar of wine and started drinking directly, drowning her sorrows. Gulp after gulp, the scent of alcohol emanating from her grew increasingly thick.
Seeing this, Di Lingwei did not stop her.
The current situation was actually favorable for her, progressing in the direction she desired.
After drinking heavily for a good while, Wang Feifei looked completely incoherent. Her hand slipped, and a wine jar fell to the ground and shattered with a crisp sound.
This commotion caused the room door to be abruptly slammed open as numerous Imperial Guards charged in.
“Withdraw.”
Di Lingwei waved her hand without even raising her head.
The many Imperial Guards said nothing further, bowing their heads and retreating. The room returned to tranquility.
Di Lingwei looked at the thoroughly drunk Wang Feifei, thinking of Wang Feifei’s hobby of loving to drink. How could someone who loved to drink become incapacitated so quickly?
Hmm, loving to drink and having a low alcohol tolerance weren’t necessarily contradictory, were they?
Just as Di Lingwei was pondering such trivial matters, Wang Feifei dropped to her knees before Di Lingwei with a thud.
“Feifei, what are you doing?” Di Lingwei asked, her expression unchanged.
“Feifei confesses. All of Little Wan’s actions were carried out under Feifei’s orders. Feifei is the one, the mastermind who wanted to commit regicide. I beg Your Majesty, take Feifei’s life in exchange for Little Wan’s life.” Wang Feifei’s voice had already taken on a slight sobbing tone.
Mu Fuwan was her close friend who had grown up with her. Now, because of her, Mu Fuwan was trapped in the Imperial Dungeon, facing possible decapitation at any moment. How could she truly not care?
Her earlier pretense of indifference was because she still thought there was a chance. But now, she could see no chance at all.
This Heavenly Mandate Empress was a master strategist, her discerning eyes seemingly able to see through everything in the world. All her thoughts and secrets would be easily perceived. Under such circumstances, how could she resist?
Should she just pick up a blade and charge forward in a desperate fight?
If she did that, this Empress, whose martial prowess was unrivaled, could effortlessly overpower her.
She was completely out of options now.
Moreover, the fundamental reason she had sought to oppose this Empress no longer existed.
She had once believed Di Lingwei feared the Wang Family’s power overshadowing the throne and had thus orchestrated their destruction. But now she had discovered this was not the truth. She had merely been deceived.
The truth was, upon learning the Wang Family had been massacred, Di Lingwei had stormed into the Crown Prince’s Mansion that very day, annihilating everyone within, before heading directly into the Imperial Palace to execute the Crown Prince. That was clearly an act of vengeance for the Wang Family.
The other party had killed so many in the palace for the Wang Family’s sake that heads rolled and blood flowed for miles. And yet, she had suspected her, had even harbored thoughts of regicide.
Wang Feifei felt she was utterly despicable!
Even if she had been deceived or used, it was still completely inexcusable.
Wang Feifei felt she deserved to die a thousand deaths. But at the very least, she still wanted to try and save Mu Fuwan. She was her friend since childhood, her sole trusted confidant.
Di Lingwei watched Wang Feifei.
Under her gaze, Wang Feifei’s traits rapidly changed.
Regret: Implicated Mu Fuwan’s imprisonment.
Heart’s Desire: Wishes for Mu Fuwan to be safe.
Only two entries changed, but it was enough to explain everything.
Di Lingwei’s mind worked rapidly, and she instantly knew what to do and say.
She rose from her seat, walked forward, and personally helped Wang Feifei to her feet. “Feifei, do you know just how important you are to Zhen?”
Wang Feifei looked at Di Lingwei blankly.
With a serious expression, Di Lingwei said, “You are Our right hand, someone Zhen trusts deeply. Otherwise, Zhen would not have appointed you as Commander of the Imperial Guard. Your position in Zhen’s heart has always been very high.”
“But Feifei has already betrayed Your Majesty’s trust. Feifei is willing to accept execution, only begging Your Majesty to release Little Wan,” Wang Feifei said, tears streaming down her face.
“Zhen can naturally release Mu Fuwan, and even grant her full exoneration. And of course, Feifei, you are also innocent.” Di Lingwei raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears sliding down Wang Feifei’s cheeks.
Such a gesture left Wang Feifei overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
At the same time, she was also very surprised by Di Lingwei’s words. “Pardon Feifei and Little Wan? Can that truly be done?”
“Of course it can. Because, this was not your fault. It was Our fault.”
“What fault could Your Majesty possibly have?”
“Zhen certainly bears fault. A knot lingered in the heart of someone close to Zhen, yet Zhen failed to discover it sooner, failed to offer guidance. That matters reached this point is a responsibility Zhen cannot shirk.”
“No, Your Majesty has no fault. The fault lies with Feifei.”
Wang Feifei was truly moved at this moment.
For Di Lingwei to blame herself… the impact of this on Wang Feifei was simply too immense. This peerlessly elegant Heavenly Mandate Empress, taking the blame upon herself because of her? Was she truly so important to this Empress?
“Feifei, Zhen needs you. Zhen wants you to continue serving as Our Commander of the Imperial Guard, responsible for Our safety.” Di Lingwei looked deeply at Wang Feifei as she spoke.
Wang Feifei was moved beyond measure.
The majestic Heavenly Mandate Empress possessed supreme martial power. What need did she have for her protection? This was clearly a manifestation of trust in her.
