noffsinger Chapter 1236 - 1230: A Special Bribe
Chapter 1236 - 1230: A Special Bribe
"Empress Dowager, regarding Lady Shifei’s temperament, you know it very well. Do you really believe that she would summon ghosts to commit evil? She is someone who eats vegetarian all year long and doesn’t even wish to step on an ant. How could she do such things?"
Xin Lin said.
"I didn’t believe it either, but the Emperor indeed saw General Shi..."
The Empress Dowager paused after speaking, realizing she had slipped.
General Shi?
So while there’s turmoil about ghosts in the palace, Emperor Longteng saw General Shi?
"Regarding General Shi, the Emperor has felt guilty over the years, but indeed he committed a serious crime. Lady Shifei also bears her guilt; the Emperor took pity on her for continuing the royal bloodline, which is why he granted special pardon, inviting her and her son back. But she still summoned ghosts; this evil intent is evident. The ghost fetus in her womb was discovered by the Crown Prince; it can’t be wrong."
The Empress Dowager shook her head.
Though she pitied Lady Shifei, she loved her son even more.
"Empress Dowager, there’s a lot of suspicion in this matter. I wish for the Empress Dowager to allow me to meet Lady Shifei. I must seek clarity on the incident."
Xin Lin was increasingly perplexed, for the fetus in Lady Shifei’s womb was clearly healthy, how could it be labeled a ghost fetus.
Gui Hu had also said that apart from ghost soldiers, there were no other ghostly monsters in the palace. So how did the ghost fetus of Lady Shifei come to be?
"Xin Lin, this matter has nothing to do with you. I permitted you into the palace because Little Xinzhuo pleaded. Do not involve yourself further in Lady Shifei’s affairs. I wish for you to persuade Little Xinzhuo to go to Fuzhou as a hostage. Once the Emperor calms down, I will have the Emperor summon him back."
The Empress Dowager advised earnestly.
"Empress Dowager, I still say this: I want to see Lady Shifei. If the Empress Dowager lets me glance at Lady Shifei, I will present a few bottles of Beauty Ointment to you."
Having said that, Xin Lin took out three bottles of Golden Beauty Ointment.
The Empress Dowager’s expression grew solemn.
"Xin Lin, what do you mean by this? Are you bribing me? You think that as Empress Dowager Longteng, I would be swayed by a few mere bottles of Beauty Ointment."
"Empress Dowager, Xin Lin would never dare. These beauty ointments are merely for this time as filial piety towards you. In the future, whenever the Empress Dowager requires them, you can come to me for beauty ointment. To be honest, these beauty ointments are unique; I’m the only one who can manufacture them."
Xin Lin said with a meaningful tone.
The Empress Dowager remained silent.
Previously, Xin Lin had gifted a bottle of beauty ointment to the Empress Dowager, and after using it, she found it better than the beauty ointment she made with honey and egg whites.
Within a few applications, the wrinkles on her face disappeared.
If consistently used, her appearance could be maintained indefinitely.
"Since you are so filial, I will grant you this visit. However, harbor no illusions of tampering within the Heavenly Prison; it is heavily guarded, and any misconduct could harm yourself and others."
After warning Xin Lin, the Empress Dowager then bestowed him a permit.
Upon receiving the permit, Xin Lin went to find Captain Yang, asking him to escort him to the Heavenly Prison.
"Alas, Lady Shifei is truly unfortunate; since being imprisoned, she has refused to eat or drink. While she hasn’t died, at this rate..."
Captain Yang shook his head.
Lady Shifei was always kind to the palace guards, and Captain Yang and others had great respect for her.
Seeing the pitiful state of her and her son, they felt deeply sympathetic.
"Captain Yang, I have a favor to ask, could you..."
Xin Lin instructed Captain Yang on some matters; Captain Yang hesitated momentarily but nodded, quickly walking away.