But investigating the truth wasn’t necessary anymore.
Regardless, Chen Daorong’s intention to rebel against her was blatantly obvious, so she would simply dispose of this fellow.
After some thought, Di Lingwei commanded, “Spread the word: Imperial Uncle Chen intended to rebel and will be publicly executed by beheading on the first day of April.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ding Ling acknowledged the order.
Was simply beheading Chen Daorong too simple?
Di Lingwei pondered for a moment, then added, “Minister Ding, this situation will be similar to the last one. Zhen hopes you can make sufficient preparations. If anyone attempts to storm the execution grounds, you cannot let them escape again.”
“Yes.” Cold sweat immediately trickled down Ding Ling’s forehead.
At the same time, he understood Di Lingwei’s meaning. This time, Di Lingwei not only wanted to execute Chen Daorong but also wanted to use him to lure out his son, Chen Yuanbao, and nephew, Chen Hongming. Those two were the true driving force behind the rebellion; Chen Daorong was merely the financier.
Thinking of this, Ding Ling asked, “Then, Your Majesty, will we need to use a look-alike substitute again this time?”
“No need. If no one comes to rescue the Imperial Uncle, then directly behead the Imperial Uncle.” Di Lingwei spoke of beheading people with an air of casual indifference.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ding Ling acknowledged.
Setting the date for the first day of April was also in the hope that the target individuals would have time to return.
After Ding Ling took his leave, Di Lingwei also instructed Xing Ruolan to make preparations, stating that she wished to bathe.
“It’s almost April, and the temperature is getting higher. Just going out once makes one feel somewhat hot. Feifei, bathe together with Zhen.” Di Lingwei glanced at the sky outside.
She meant nothing else by it; she simply wanted to build a closer relationship with a trusted subordinate.
In her previous life, she had heard that some superiors would invite their subordinates to bathhouses because it helped foster rapport. So, she figured she could perhaps emulate that.
However, as soon as Wang Feifei heard Di Lingwei say this, her face couldn’t help but flush.
“Bathing together, that…” Wang Feifei hesitated, then added, “Last time Your Majesty also said we would bathe together, but in the end, only Feifei bathed.”
“This time will be different. This time, Zhen should not be called away by sudden business,” Di Lingwei said with a slight smile.
The Female Emperor’s smile was breathtakingly beautiful. Even Wang Feifei found herself staring for a moment, subconsciously nodding in agreement.
Soon after, they went to the palace hall used for bathing, dismissing everyone else. Only the two of them entered the hall.
Xing Ruolan, shut outside the door, remained silent.
She truly felt like she had fallen out of favor.
The problem was, she didn’t even know what she had done. Why had she inexplicably fallen out of favor?
Inside the great hall.
Hot water in the bath pool rippled in circles. Steam rose and swirled, making the entire interior of the hall seem somewhat ethereal.
“Your Majesty, allow Feifei to attend to you.”
Wang Feifei very sensibly stepped forward to help Di Lingwei remove her garments, one piece at a time.
To this, Di Lingwei naturally spread her arms and let Wang Feifei do as she wished. But as her clothing lessened, she also began to feel a bit embarrassed.
‘I’ve gotten used to being the Female Emperor lately. I subconsciously ignored many things. Directly asking Wang Feifei to bathe with me seems… seems like a very thrilling thing to do.’
Di Lingwei mused secretly, her face unstoppably reddening.
She could only secretly take deep breaths, trying her best to control her expression. After all, she was the dignified Female Emperor; she couldn’t show an expression as unbecoming of an Empress as shyness.
After adjusting her mindset, Di Lingwei, now unrestrained, was the first to step into the bath pool.
Afterwards, Wang Feifei also quickly shed her clothes and entered the pool.
The temperature of the bath pool was truly perfect. Enveloped in such warmth, every inch of skin felt exceptionally comfortable, giving one the sensation of almost floating.
Just then, Di Lingwei felt a hand climbing onto her shoulder from behind.
“Your Majesty, let Feifei attend to you.”
“Mm, alright.”
Di Lingwei couldn’t refuse.
As the Female Emperor, wasn’t it perfectly reasonable to be attended to while bathing?
Just at that moment…
[Wang Feifei’s Intimacy has reached Level 1. Unlocking hidden trait: Intimacy!]
Di Lingwei’s eyes snapped open, revealing a look of surprise. She immediately turned her head and glanced at Wang Feifei.
“Your Majesty, don’t look at me. I’m a bit embarrassed.”
Wang Feifei instinctively withdrew her hands and crossed them over her chest, her face crimson as she lowered her head.
However, Di Lingwei paid no attention to Wang Feifei’s alluring form. Her attention was completely focused on the trait at the very bottom of Wang Feifei’s personal information.
Intimacy: Level 1, recovering 1% of the Original Host’s martial power.
The appearance of this hidden trait truly astonished Di Lingwei. Traits could actually be hidden?
After the astonishment came delight, because this trait looked incredibly significant. It could actually recover the Original Host’s martial power.
The Original Host, the Heavenly Mandate Empress, was acclaimed as the strongest in the Phoenix Dynasty, suppressing all heroes with her martial prowess, her wisdom and schemes peerless. Unfortunately, after her transmigration, this martial power seemed to have been sealed away, vanishing completely. This had kept her in constant anxiety, fearing problems might arise because of it.
And now, she had finally seen a chance to recover this martial power!
Although recovering 1% of her martial power seemed negligible, with 1% came the possibility of 10%, even 100%!
If it accumulated over time, wouldn’t she be able to recover the Original Host’s full battle strength from her prime?
Just the thought of this made Di Lingwei’s heart surge with excitement, but outwardly she still pretended to be calm and turned her head back.
After Di Lingwei turned her head back, Wang Feifei also breathed a sigh of relief and continued to scrub Di Lingwei’s back.
While enjoying Wang Feifei’s service, Di Lingwei envisioned the future.
She had heard far too much about the elegance and prowess of the Heavenly Mandate Empress, though she regretted never witnessing it personally. She was very curious about the heights it could reach, capable of making people pale at its mention. And now, she had the opportunity to approach that level.
As Di Lingwei thought about it, the future seemed to brighten.
But what were the conditions for unlocking this hidden trait, Intimacy? On the surface, did it seem that simply reaching a sufficient level of intimacy was enough to unlock it?
Perhaps one also needed to unlock all the previous traits first?
That was probably it. After unlocking all traits, further improving the mutual relationship could unlock the hidden trait, Intimacy.
But as Di Lingwei thought about her interactions with Wang Feifei, she felt that reaching Intimacy Level 1 hadn’t been easy. It was the result of countless nights sleeping together, the long days and nights spent in each other’s company, plus this moment of complete openness.
With this in mind, if she didn’t trust someone deeply, it would likely be impossible to raise Intimacy with them.
But… did Mu Fuwan meet these conditions?
Thinking of this, Di Lingwei’s mind started to stir. She called out directly, “Ruolan.”
Xing Ruolan, who had been waiting outside the hall, hurriedly opened the door and entered. “This Servant is here.”
Her heart surged with joy. Did Her Majesty finally need her service again?
“Go and summon Commander Mu. You need not return yourself,” Di Lingwei instructed Xing Ruolan.
Xing Ruolan: “…”
