“What are you thinking about?”
Just as Mu Fuwan was lost in thought, a voice sounded by her ear.
Mu Fuwan’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned her head to see Di Lingwei and Wang Feifei approaching.
“This subject greets Your Majesty.”
Mu Fuwan knelt on one knee.
“Rise,” Di Lingwei said casually.
As Mu Fuwan stood, Di Lingwei turned to Wang Feifei. “As for that matter, it’s best you explain it directly.”
That matter was, naturally, the issue of Imperial Uncle Chen.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Wang Feifei nodded and quickly pulled Mu Fuwan aside to speak.
By this time, the sky had darkened. Di Lingwei glanced up at the night and, with no further intention of strolling, decided to head to the study to read.
‘Holding Feifei while napping this afternoon was simply too comfortable. I accidentally slept quite a bit, so who knows when I’ll feel tired tonight.’
With this thought, Di Lingwei made her way toward the study.
The next day, March 16th, was bright and sunny.
Having slept in until noon, Di Lingwei naturally washed up and had her meal first upon rising. During this time, she also sent someone to summon Imperial Uncle Chen.
Since she felt this Imperial Uncle Chen was problematic, she naturally wanted to see the man in person. Unlocking some of his achievements would also be good—this was the very meaning of the saying, “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.”
When her thoughts turned to this, Di Lingwei also recalled that she had never once unlocked an achievement for a male. She could only view the target’s name and identity.
“Your Majesty, Imperial Uncle Chen has arrived.”
After Di Lingwei finished her meal, the palace maids carried the leftovers away, and Xing Ruolan came to report.
Truthfully, Imperial Uncle Chen had arrived much earlier, but since Di Lingwei was eating, he had to wait outside Phoenix Perch Palace.
“Have him go to the front courtyard,” Di Lingwei said, wiping her mouth.
Still clad in her vermilion pomegranate skirt today, she was as devastatingly beautiful as ever, with brows like a painting and a noble, refined aura.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xing Ruolan replied, accepting the order and withdrawing.
Shortly after, Di Lingwei arrived at the front courtyard, with Wang Feifei following closely behind.
The warm sunlight shone down, making the entire front courtyard look aglow.
Arriving there, Di Lingwei’s gaze fell upon a man of rather plump build. His body was fat, his face was fat, and he had a pair of squinty eyes that made him appear quite simple and honest.
Name: Chen Daorong.
Identity: Imperial Uncle.
She could only see two of his traits.
“This subject, Chen Daorong, greets Your Majesty.” Chen Daorong was extremely respectful.
Although he was the younger brother of a Dowager Consort and, by rank, technically a generation above Di Lingwei, that consort had long since passed. Even if she were alive, she wouldn’t grant him much power. Facing the Sovereign of a Nation, he held little real status and naturally had to be very respectful.
“It has been quite some time since Zhen last saw you, Imperial Uncle. How long has it been?” Di Lingwei spoke in a flat tone, as if making idle conversation.
“Three months or so, perhaps four. This subject cannot recall clearly.” Chen Daorong wore a constant smile as he spoke, giving off a feeling of goodwill.
“Mhm. And what has the Imperial Uncle been doing during this period?” Di Lingwei asked in a leisurely manner.
“This subject has been at his residence, diligently reading books on business, attempting to become a merchant. But I have yet to begin.” Chen Daorong answered, appearing exceedingly honest.
“Merchant?” Di Lingwei sat beside the stone table, her fingers tapping unconsciously on its surface as she spoke unhurriedly. “In any era, merchants are the people most capable of amassing wealth. The Imperial Uncle wishes to earn more silver banknotes, doesn’t he? But Zhen wonders, after earning that silver, what would the Imperial Uncle want to spend it on?”
The relaxed posture Di Lingwei held as she sat there placed immense pressure on Chen Daorong.
In truth, facing this Heavenly Mandate Empress, peerless in wisdom and unmatched in martial prowess, anyone would feel immense pressure.
While his mind raced, Chen Daorong put on a smiling face and replied, “This subject has not yet begun to trade; I do not even know if I can make a profit. However, even if I do earn money, this subject would wish to use the funds for city construction, to contribute a share of my strength to the Imperial Court.”
Anyone can speak pretty words, and Di Lingwei had learned to ignore them.
“A matter like business must be difficult to learn from books alone, is it not? Surely one must practice to understand it best? Has the Imperial Uncle not practiced?”
“This subject has the idea, but has not yet put it into action.”
“If you were to practice, what kind of trade does the Imperial Uncle plan to manage? Zhen is curious about this.”
“This subject is also still considering the matter and cannot make up his mind.”
The two of them were truly chatting as casually as if discussing everyday family matters.
Standing on either side behind Di Lingwei, Wang Feifei and Xing Ruolan heard these words but pretended not to.
Serving at the side of a Sovereign, hearing all sorts of major matters was a common occurrence. If one could not remain calm, they would not be able to hold this position for long.
Of course, calm was only on the surface. What went on in their hearts went unseen by anyone.
‘Humph, ‘doing business’ for money… likely short of funds to raise troops, aren’t you? Don’t let Her Majesty catch you slipping up, or you’ll be in for it.’
Wang Feifei thought darkly to herself.
She held considerable trust in the intelligence brought by the Shadow Division and believed that Mu Fuwan could also uncover useful information in this area.
Now wholly and completely loyal to Di Lingwei, she held hostility toward anyone who might become Di Lingwei’s enemy, regardless of their status.
Of course, even if she felt hostility, she would not show it on the surface. Controlling her expression was still very easy for her.
However, after Di Lingwei had chatted with Chen Daorong for a good while and the topic shifted to another matter, Wang Feifei could not help but raise her head to glance at him.
“Zhen heard that the Imperial Uncle recently beat one of your own trusted aides to death in your residence? Zhen is quite curious. Servants and trusted aides are different. Why beat a trusted aide to death just like that?” Di Lingwei spoke unhurriedly, as if still chatting about everyday life.
Chen Daorong let out a sigh and said, “It was this subject’s failure to discipline strictly. That fellow was bragging to someone in the marketplace, and accidentally spread a very serious rumor. Those who didn’t know better thought those were this subject’s own words. This naturally enraged this subject, and in a fit of anger, I struck him dead.”
“Oh? And what rumor was that?” Di Lingwei continued to press.
Chen Daorong raised his head, glanced at Wang Feifei, and then said to Di Lingwei with a smile, “A rumor is ultimately just a rumor, not worth mentioning. This subject will certainly send people to purge this rumor from the marketplace next.”
“So, what was the rumor?” Di Lingwei repeated the question.
Her tone was neither light nor heavy, but to Chen Daorong’s ears, the pressure on him suddenly surged immensely.
