“Your Majesty, is this truly necessary? Please, can I not?”
“Nn, Your Majesty, please stop…”
“This servant understands. Whatever Your Majesty commands this servant to do, this servant shall do.”
A thousand poses, ten thousand motions—Xing Ruolan had displayed them all.
Yet the achievement simply refused to unlock.
The situation left Di Lingwei blinking in frustration. She felt that continuing in this manner would likely prove futile. Unlocking these achievements must involve some trick she had yet to grasp.
Pondering this, Di Lingwei paused her teasing of Xing Ruolan and seriously considered what pattern she might have missed.
【Massaging Xing Ruolan】
【Sleeping Beauty Xing Ruolan】
【Dancing Xing Ruolan】
Recalling Xing Ruolan’s past achievements, Di Lingwei thought carefully, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes.
“Ruolan, come with me.”
“Yes.”
Xing Ruolan obediently followed Di Lingwei.
They ventured deeper into the bedchamber and opened a side hall where musical instruments were stored.
Pointing to the instruments, Di Lingwei asked, “Can you play them?”
“This servant has a little knowledge.”
“Good. Then perform for me. Let me hear it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xing Ruolan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Di Lingwei’s previous behavior had truly baffled her. She had no idea what Di Lingwei wanted, but now she could finally relax.
She picked up an ancient guqin, extended her jade-like fingers, and gently placed them on the strings. With a soft pluck, a beautiful note leaped forth. Her other hand then fell upon the strings and began to slowly strum them. A melody clear as a spring stream flowed gracefully from her fingertips.
It was a beautiful melody, carrying a hint of rural charm. One immersed in the tune felt transported to the countryside, enveloped by a strong sense of nature.
Di Lingwei listened with great comfort.
She dances beautifully, plays the qin this well, is so adept at serving, and her appearance goes without saying. Marrying a girl like Xing Ruolan would surely be a very happy thing, wouldn’t it?
Somehow, Di Lingwei found herself pondering such a question, but she quickly shook her head internally. Now was not the time for idle thoughts.
It wasn’t long before Xing Ruolan finished playing the piece.
And just then…
Achievement unlocked: 【Qin-Playing Xing Ruolan】. Xing Ruolan’s Regret Trait now viewable.
The trait could finally be viewed!
This result immediately lifted Di Lingwei’s spirits. She quickly checked Xing Ruolan’s regret.
Regret: Not knowing who the actual target of her revenge is.
Upon seeing this trait, Di Lingwei was taken aback, and then her heart clenched.
Xing Ruolan wants to find someone for revenge?
Although the trait’s information showed that Xing Ruolan had no idea who the target was, since Xing Ruolan was by her side, the pool of potential targets couldn’t be that large.
Could the target even be… herself?
Di Lingwei’s mind began to connect the dots.
Perhaps she was a suspect, and that was why Xing Ruolan had appeared at her side?
Perhaps Xing Ruolan was now searching for evidence, and once found, she might make a move against her?
These possibilities made Di Lingwei’s heart grow somewhat tense. Although Xing Ruolan’s martial power wasn’t considered high, there were other means to kill besides martial force.
Perhaps this question could be resolved by unlocking the Heart’s Desire trait.
With this thought, Di Lingwei feigned composure and nodded. “Not bad, Ruolan. You play the qin beautifully.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise. It has been a long time since this servant played for Your Majesty. This servant felt she performed well this time,” Xing Ruolan said in a very gentle voice.
Her tone was always so soft and pleasing, making one want to listen endlessly. Hearing such a voice whisper in one’s ear felt like it would be a wonderful pleasure.
“Play the flute for me to hear now,” Di Lingwei said, pointing to another instrument.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xing Ruolan picked up a short flute and slowly began to play.
The flute differed from the qin, but under Xing Ruolan’s breath, the melody was still exceedingly beautiful, and Di Lingwei found herself immersed once more.
Earlier, posing in countless ways had failed to unlock an achievement, yet playing the qin had succeeded. Di Lingwei suspected this might be related to whether Xing Ruolan was truly immersed in an activity.
Xing Ruolan’s earlier achievements had all been like this—even 【Sleeping Beauty Xing Ruolan】 was arguably immersion in a single activity. Remembering this point would make unlocking future achievements much easier.
Just as Di Lingwei was contemplating this, Xing Ruolan very immersively finished a flute piece, but no new achievement unlocked.
Di Lingwei: “???”
It didn’t unlock? Why?
Was Xing Ruolan not actually that immersed just now?
With this doubt, Di Lingwei had Xing Ruolan begin playing other instruments one by one.
Xing Ruolan could only comply, performing on several more instruments.
But the result was the same.
Xing Ruolan’s achievements failed to unlock further.
Unwilling to concede, Di Lingwei continued to have Xing Ruolan find more instruments to play. Xing Ruolan, however, looked troubled and said, “Your Majesty, this servant’s knowledge of instruments is limited. She does not know how to use many of them.”
Hearing this, Di Lingwei sobered up slightly.
She thought for a moment and said, “You already know many instruments. You can be described as exceptionally talented. Don’t sell yourself short. Alright, that’s enough. Go and rest for now.”
Xing Ruolan breathed a sigh of relief. “This servant takes her leave.”
Di Lingwei was finally willing to stop tormenting her, and she could rest easy.
As Xing Ruolan departed, Di Lingwei sank into contemplation.
She still felt her judgment was correct. Perhaps the reason other instruments failed to unlock achievements was that different instruments were all classified under the single category of ‘musical instruments’?
Di Lingwei had previously noticed that identical achievements couldn’t be triggered again, and even similar ones wouldn’t trigger. This fit perfectly: having 【Qin-Playing Xing Ruolan】 meant there wouldn’t be a 【Flute-Playing Xing Ruolan】.
Having deduced this, Di Lingwei began thinking about how to unlock Xing Ruolan’s subsequent achievements.
Mulling this over, Di Lingwei walked out of the bedchamber. The sky outside had darkened; the day had passed without her noticing.
“It’s time for the meal. Feifei, Little Wan, come and accompany me for dinner.”
Di Lingwei called out.
Wang Feifei and Mu Fuwan immediately came over. Their initial overwhelming sense of being favored by Di Lingwei’s closeness had now become somewhat accustomed, though each time they felt valued, their hearts still swelled with happiness.
Di Lingwei had considered inviting Xing Ruolan to join them for the meal, but thinking of that hidden side of her personality, she decided to hold off for now.
