As Di Lingwei was pondering this, Xing Ruolan slowly stepped forward.
Di Lingwei’s gaze couldn’t help but fall upon Xing Ruolan.
Xing Ruolan lowered her head, her voice filled with sorrow as she said, “Your Majesty, this servant can prove that the palace maid Xing Lan remained pure until her passing.”
If she was pure, it naturally meant she couldn’t have had an illicit relationship with anyone.
“Chief Steward Xing, you…”
Zhao De looked at Xing Ruolan in shock. He had never expected her to oppose him. Did he have some grudge against this new Chief Palace Steward?
Xing Ruolan also looked up at Zhao De, her eyes sharp as knives, a gaze so piercing it made Zhao De feel a stinging pain.
Zhao De couldn’t help but say, “Chief Steward Xing, what is your relationship with Xing Lan? How can you know she was pure? Such a private matter wouldn’t be casually revealed to others, would it?”
“She was my aunt.”
Xing Ruolan’s single sentence caused Zhao De’s eyes to widen slowly.
He knew of Xing Ruolan. She was a palace maid who had served in the palace for over ten years, diligent and gentle with everyone. Yet, this person was actually related by blood to that Xing Lan?
And the look in her eyes now was completely devoid of that past gentleness. There was only an endless icy chill, making one’s hair stand on end.
“Zhao De.” Di Lingwei’s voice came at this moment. “Do you have anything else to say?”
“Please, Your Majesty, see clearly! They must be conspiring against this servant.” Zhao De immediately knelt before Di Lingwei.
“Conspiring against you? Then tell me, what value do you possess now that is worth them conspiring against?”
“This…”
“There is nothing, correct? After all, Ruolan is the Chief Palace Steward. Why would she target you unless necessary? As for Wang Ming, even if he brought you down, he would gain nothing, isn’t that right?”
“Your Majesty, this servant, this servant…”
“Enough talk. If you refuse to admit it, it doesn’t matter. Some of the Imperial Guard from back then can still be found. If Wang Ming truly had an illicit relationship with Xing Lan, how could it possibly be hidden from the other Imperial Guards who ate and lived together?”
“…”
Zhao De could no longer speak. The situation had reached a point where he could no longer turn things around.
“Throw him in the Imperial Dungeon.”
Di Lingwei’s voice carried not a trace of emotion.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Mu Fuwan led the Imperial Guard in and directly dragged away Zhao De, who had begun crying and pleading for his life.
As Zhao De was dragged out, Xing Ruolan’s gaze followed him, her eyes carrying an indescribable meaning.
Achievement Unlocked 【Watching Xing Ruolan】. Can now view Weakness Trait.
This suddenly unlocked achievement made Di Lingwei look at Xing Ruolan. The glance made the corner of her mouth curve slightly upward, looking very pleased. Naturally, she quickly suppressed her smile and appeared calm and composed.
As Zhao De’s cries faded into the distance, Di Lingwei looked at Wang Ming. “You may return for now. If your presence is needed again, the Imperial Guard will come find you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tears streamed down Wang Ming’s face.
Over a decade of unjust accusation! He had never imagined there was still a chance to turn things around. His heart was filled with immense gratitude towards Di Lingwei.
After Wang Ming withdrew, Di Lingwei looked at Xing Ruolan once more.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Xing Ruolan spoke softly.
She knew Di Lingwei hadn’t actually needed to help her resolve this matter, yet Di Lingwei had done so anyway, even postponing the matter of her own assassination to deal with her issue first. This situation moved her deeply.
She couldn’t quite fathom Di Lingwei’s thoughts, but regardless of what Di Lingwei was thinking, as long as the outcome was good, the thoughts behind it didn’t matter.
“The matter should be clear now. The mastermind behind all this was Zhao De. Zhen will deal with him next.” Di Lingwei looked at Xing Ruolan and said.
“Your Majesty’s grace is something this servant will never forget. However, this servant has made an unforgivable mistake and likely cannot continue serving Your Majesty in the future.” Xing Ruolan thought of Di Lingwei’s assassination and felt immense helplessness.
“Is that so? But what if I still need your service?” Di Lingwei asked unhurriedly.
“This…”
Xing Ruolan looked at Di Lingwei in surprise.
Still needed her service?
Even after such a thing happened, Your Majesty still didn’t blame her? Normally, she should have been dismissed and expelled from the Imperial Palace, right?
In truth, after confirming that Xing Ruolan held no ill intentions towards her, Di Lingwei decided to keep her. After all, her own situation could be described as beset on all sides. Under such circumstances, someone confirmed to be harmless to her should naturally be kept close.
As for the assassination attempt on her, although Xing Ruolan bore some fault due to negligence, these were special times requiring special measures. When she needed more people to help by her side, such a fault could easily be overlooked.
“You find this unbelievable? In your eyes, is Zhen that unaccommodating?” Di Lingwei pretended to be upset as she spoke.
“In this servant’s eyes, Your Majesty is the most perfect person. But this servant still dares not believe it. Does Your Majesty truly not intend to punish this servant?” Xing Ruolan asked, both shocked and delighted.
“Of course, there is punishment. I sentence you to serve me well every day and night from now on. Are you willing?” Di Lingwei smiled as she spoke.
“This servant is willing.” Xing Ruolan’s eyes couldn’t help but moisten.
The trouble caused by Yun Xiang and the others had truly made her feel her career in the palace was over. She had never expected Di Lingwei to be so magnanimous, helping her resolve years of Regret and Heart’s Desire, and forgiving her mistake. Such a ruler—how could one not be won over?
Moreover, as long as her position remained stable, those innocent sisters who had been captured from the Slums should also come to no further harm.
Name: Xing Ruolan.
Identity: Chief Palace Steward.
Personality: Appears very gentle on the surface, treats everyone with equanimity, and is a caring elder sister figure beloved by many palace maids. But she has a hidden side, enjoying secretly striking at those she dislikes, ruthless and merciless.
Hobby: Enjoys all kinds of board games.
Martial Power: 30.
Regret: While serving as Chief Palace Steward, failed to properly manage the palace maids, leading to an unforgivable incident.
Heart’s Desire: To let all kind-hearted homeless sisters become palace maids and live stable lives.
Weakness: Extremely afraid of losing favor with Di Lingwei.
Xing Ruolan’s traits had undergone many changes. Her Regret changed, her Heart’s Desire changed, and the appearance of this Weakness was the main reason Di Lingwei decided to keep her!
The thing she feared most was actually losing favor?
Such a person, without a doubt, could not possibly harm her, right? Was there any reason not to keep such a person close?
For one thing, Xing Ruolan’s service skills were top-notch.
As for the one aspect among Xing Ruolan’s many traits that gave pause—her personality—Di Lingwei now understood. Xing Ruolan was the type who was extremely gentle towards her own people but ruthless towards enemies. If Xing Ruolan never met an enemy, that ruthless side might never be revealed to anyone.
