Di Lingwei spent the entire morning reading. When the Chief Palace Steward, Xing Ruolan, came to ask if she wished to have her meal, a simple nod was all it took for preparations to begin. Soon, a meal was laid out in the eastern room of Phoenix Perch Palace.
During the meal, Xing Ruolan also briefed Di Lingwei on the events that had transpired after she had left the court session. Matters that happened in the court were naturally recorded and reported in meticulous detail.
After listening to Xing Ruolan’s words, Di Lingwei was internally baffled.
Her act of dismissing the court early, a move made purely out of fear of being exposed, had been interpreted as an act of profound foresight? A measure taken to teach the civil and military officials to think for themselves, even becoming a form of test for them?
She had never even considered such implications.
Though her mind reeled, Di Lingwei’s outward appearance was one of solemn composure, perfectly still, projecting an air of, “That is exactly what I intended.”
When the meal was finished, Di Lingwei beckoned Xing Ruolan over.
“You have been in the palace for a considerable time. Do you possess a sufficient understanding of its inner workings?” Di Lingwei’s tone was calm, as if she were merely asking casually.
Xing Ruolan’s features were gentle, her breath like an orchid. “This Servant has been in the palace for many years and has held the post of Chief Palace Steward for several months. To perform this role well, I dare not slacken for even a moment. I am confident in my understanding of the palace’s inner workings.”
Di Lingwei nodded. “Good. Then Zhen shall test you. Accompany Zhen on a walk through the palace. At each place we visit, describe its situation. That should be no problem for you, correct?”
With her head slightly bowed and a submissive smile, Xing Ruolan said, “To receive Your Majesty’s test is this servant’s honor.”
In truth, Di Lingwei wanted to gain a better understanding of the palace’s interior. She wasn’t even clear on the routes within the palace yet, and it would be terribly awkward to get lost one day.
Thus, Di Lingwei set out with Xing Ruolan from the bedchamber, wandering aimlessly through various locations. A contingent of palace maids followed at a respectful distance, ready to wait upon them at any moment.
Wherever they went, Xing Ruolan kept Di Lingwei’s instructions in mind, providing simple introductions for the sights they encountered.
They saw a considerable number of palace maids and Imperial Guards along the way, all of whom immediately knelt in salute upon seeing Di Lingwei.
After their long stroll, Di Lingwei had developed a basic understanding of the various buildings’ locations within the Imperial Palace. However, the palace was vast and its routes complex; a single walk was hardly enough to guarantee she wouldn’t get lost in the future. She would need to do this several more times.
They arrived at the Hundred Flowers Garden. To Di Lingwei, this seemed equivalent to an imperial garden. Strange stones were artfully arranged, fine trees grew lush and tall, and ancient cypresses and wisteria were centuries old. The vibrant, competing flowers, scattered in pleasing arrangements, made the garden delightfully charming.
Treading the pebble-paved path to a vermilion pavilion, Di Lingwei sat down to rest for a moment. After all, she no longer possessed the original host’s astonishing martial power and had become somewhat fatigued from this short walk. Yet, she knew she could not show her weariness; she had to maintain a calm and unruffled facade.
“Does Your Majesty require me to massage your shoulders, as usual?” Xing Ruolan asked softly from the side.
As usual?
Hearing that this was something the original host would do, Di Lingwei gave a slight nod. “Proceed.”
Xing Ruolan moved behind Di Lingwei, placing her hands on her shoulders and massaging with slow, steady pressure. The force was just right, and Di Lingwei found it extremely comfortable.
If not for the constant pressure of her identity, being served by such a beautiful woman would be quite pleasant. Unfortunately, as the Heavenly Mandate Empress, truly relaxing was impossible, at least in the short term.
A moment later…
Achievement Unlocked: [Xing Ruolan Giving a Massage]. You may now view Xing Ruolan’s Personality Trait.
At that moment, a prompt echoed in Di Lingwei’s mind, causing her to raise an eyebrow subconsciously.
‘I had been wondering how to unlock those traits my Mystic Left Eye can see. To think I’d unlock one unintentionally like this. Perhaps achievements are unlocked simply by interacting more with people?’
With this thought, Di Lingwei reached up and patted Xing Ruolan’s hand on her shoulder, signaling her to stop. Xing Ruolan immediately withdrew her hands.
Di Lingwei then turned her head and glanced at Xing Ruolan.
Name: Xing Ruolan.
Identity: Chief Palace Steward.
Personality: Appears gentle on the surface, treats everyone with equanimity, and is a caring older sister figure beloved by many palace maids. However, possesses an unknown side. She enjoys secretly striking at those who displease her. Ruthless and vicious.
Hobby: Unlock Achievements to view.
Martial Power: Unlock Achievements to view.
Regret: Unlock Achievements to view.
Heart’s Desire: Unlock Achievements to view.
Weakness: Unlock Achievements to view.
Di Lingwei: “??”
Upon reading the description of Xing Ruolan’s personality, her mind went blank with shock. She had never expected to see such a description.
Ruthless and vicious?
So, this was the real Xing Ruolan? Was all her apparent gentleness just a facade?
“Your Majesty, do you have any instructions for this servant?” Noticing Di Lingwei staring at her, Xing Ruolan lowered her head and asked in a submissive tone.
Di Lingwei averted her gaze, not allowing herself to lose composure. The posture of the Heavenly Mandate Empress had to be maintained.
But what now?
Staying with someone who was gentle on the surface but ruthless in secret made Di Lingwei inexplicably apprehensive.
Her eyes darted around as an idea formed. She gave an authoritative command: “Go and summon the Commander of the Imperial Guard to see Zhen.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xing Ruolan immediately turned to leave. Naturally, she didn’t need to go personally. She instructed a palace maid outside the Hundred Flowers Garden to deliver the message. Once she had passed on the order, she would return to attend Di Lingwei.
Maintaining a calm exterior, Di Lingwei’s mind raced.
The Imperial Guard was an army specifically tasked with protecting the Imperial Palace. The Commander of the Imperial Guard was its leader, directly under the Emperor’s orders. By all logic, such a person should be the Emperor’s trusted confidant.
After uncovering Xing Ruolan’s hidden side, Di Lingwei no longer dared to be alone with her. She felt it better to summon her trusted subordinate. Although she didn’t know much about this confidant, this subordinate didn’t know her soul had been swapped. Surely, she would do her utmost to protect her, right?
Soon, the Commander of the Imperial Guard arrived.
The commander was also a woman. She had a pretty face with delicate skin, wore a dark red inner garment beneath a leather armor set. Because she had come to see the Emperor, the saber usually hanging at her waist was left outside the Hundred Flowers Garden in the care of palace maids.
She had an incredibly explosive figure. The slightly tight leather armor outlined her alluring curves, with her chest being exceptionally full. One couldn’t help but wonder if the weight was a burden that hindered her martial skills.
But in reality, the year Di Lingwei fought her way into the Imperial Palace, this woman—who was not yet the Commander of the Imperial Guard—had been by her side constantly. Her blade technique was exquisite, she had slain countless enemies, and her martial ability was indisputably high.
