CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 53: REWARDS WITHOUT END

Emperor Anqing held the Empress and sighed lightly, "Originally, I had planned to adopt a Prince to be raised under the Empress’s care, but unexpectedly, someone has used such despicable means. I must find them out!"

The Dowager bit her teeth, "It must be that wench, who else could it be?"

"She envied me for regaining the former Emperor’s favor, and thought of ruining my figure. Her heart has always been so malicious; to roam the palace as if it was deserted, only she could do that."

"The person who kept a ghost is indeed in the palace; we need to reclaim his body to help him pass on." Yu Nianzhao looked up at him.

Emperor Anqing’s expression was grave. "Find! Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find this lost child."

"No need for such trouble!" Yu Nianzhao drew a talisman in mid-air. A small bug, like a firefly, emerged from the golden talisman, "Go, find the remains."

The little bug flapped its wings and flew towards the deep palace, while the guards chased after it.

It wasn’t long before a guard reported back.

"Your Majesty, we found the remains of the young Prince in Consort Lian’s palace, buried under the big tree in the courtyard. Subordinates also discovered a secret door in another room, containing items related to witchcraft, and a small jar contained...the birth dates of the Empress and the Dowager."

"Consort Lian? It’s actually her? How dare she do such a thing? Witchcraft? The former consort who practiced witchcraft ended up cold long ago. She’s seeking her own death; arrest her and confine her to the cold palace. I will keep her for slow torment." Emperor Anqing was furious, killing intent in his eyes.

The Dowager shook her head, "No, how could it be Consort Lian? She’s been in the palace for years, though she hasn’t birthed a Prince, she has borne a Princess, how could she be foolish enough to implicate even me?"

The Empress wiped her tears and said coldly, "Consort Lian once contradicted me, and after punishment, she lost a child. Perhaps she truly resents me, dragging down the Dowager."

The Dowager pursed her lips, furrowing her brows, feeling that things weren’t so simple.

Emperor Anqing’s eyes flashed with mysterious light, he remarked, "I will investigate this matter, doing such things under my nose, do they really think I’m blind?"

He looked at Yu Nianzhao with a gaze of admiration, "I truly didn’t expect Princess Consort Su to know magic, what was that technique? Is it also talisman drawing? I’ve seen Jing’an Daoist draw talismans on paper, never seen it drawn in mid-air."

Yu Nianzhao said calmly, "As long as I want to, I can draw talismans anywhere, it’s not only drawing on paper that makes it a talisman."

If she chooses to draw a talisman, it will be outstanding.

The Empress looked at her with complex emotions,"Thank you Princess Consort Su, if not for your appearance, I would still not know, this child did not reincarnate, and has remained with the Dowager. If possible...can you help me spend more time with him?"

That was a piece of her flesh, conceived over ten months, born one morning.

Joy overflowed, yet upon awakening, the news was of the child’s death.

That time, she cried herself to sleep every day, her mood so depressed she felt she could die with the child, to this day, thinking of it brings sorrow anew.

Yu Nianzhao raised her brow, "Why not? You share a kinship with him, even if he stays with you for a period, it won’t harm your essence. However, don’t let it be too long, lest his spiritual connection fades away, preventing reincarnation as a human."

The Empress’ nose tingled, she nodded, "Alright, I will note the time, won’t let him lose the chance for reincarnation."

Yu Nianzhao placed the spirit on her, the spirit’s crying expression instantly changed.

He lay contentedly on the Empress’s shoulder, tightly holding her.

The Empress felt a weight on her shoulder, tears flowed uncontrollably, this time in sheer joy.

She hadn’t had the chance to hold this child, now finally she did!

Suddenly, a cool sensation on her face.

Glancing down, she saw the child she had never truly known, trying his best to wipe away her tears.

In that moment, the Empress completely broke down, crying uncontrollably.

Hearing the Empress’s heartbroken cries, the Dowager turned away, wiping the tears from her eyes, while Emperor Anqing held her shoulder, savoring a brief moment of familial bliss.

"Um..." Yu Nianzhao, although reluctant to interrupt, extended her hand to them, "Even family must keep accounts clear, this requires a fee."

As their eyes turned, Xie Jiuxiao, representing Yu Nianzhao, explained, "This belongs to severing karmic ties, paying money to ward off disaster, part of mystic practice."

The Empress, her eyes swollen, said, "We’ll give, naturally we’ll give, and reward generously."

Emperor Anqing nodded, "Ten thousand taels of silver, plus a pair of red coral, a pair of Jade Ruyi, and a golden abacus..."

Soon, palace maids and eunuchs came bearing boxes, the rewards astonishing.

"What exactly did Yu Nianzhao do? Just now the Emperor and Dowager were still furious, I could feel the anger from afar, how in mere moments has she received such lavish rewards? What did she do?"

Returning to the banquet, Lien Yanran saw the dazzling rewards and was stunned.

Pei Yuanzheng also showed envy, "All this for Zhaozhao? I said, my child is naturally likable!"

Pei Yunqing, "..."

You weren’t saying that earlier.

Xie Jiuxiao whispered to the Dowager, "Mother, not severing karmic ties might bring disaster."

The Dowager was anxious, immediately declared, "I too want to reward, give Princess Consort Su a thousand taels of gold, and a box each of pearls and agate!"

As a joke, she won’t want disaster; she desires health and peace!

Seeing Yu Nianzhao receive so many rewards at once, everyone was filled with envy, only able to watch longingly.

Pei Yunzhi forced a smile, eyes full of jealousy as she gazed at the rewards, why weren’t they hers?

Pei Yuncheng noticed her sorrow, comforted her, "It’s all for Prince Su’s sake that she’s rewarded, don’t be upset, when you marry Mr. Xie, the gifts will surely be plentiful."

Pei Yunzhi pressed her red lips, her gaze dimmed, "I’m just afraid I won’t be as likable as Zhaozhao."

"Why would you be? You’re a lady of good family, Yu Nianzhao is so petty, when they’ve been around long enough, they’ll surely see her true nature, offending many; just wait." Pei Yuncheng quickly consoled her.

Pei Yunzhi finally forced a stiff smile, barely managing to grin.