CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 56: BEAUTY TALISMAN

"Found nothing?"

Emperor Anqing shattered the teacup next to him, his face dark, "The Empress Dowager’s actions have become increasingly erratic recently. I refuse to believe that this matter has nothing to do with her. She’s excessively cautious, leaving no evidence behind. We must have someone keep a close eye on her."

"Consort Lian also cried, saying she really didn’t do anything. She said she hadn’t exhumed the child’s remains, only made a ceromancy doll, and nothing else."

The Empress returned from the cold palace, took a handkerchief to wipe the bloodstains on her hands, and said coldly, "It’s hard to tell what’s true or false in what she says."

"It’s obvious they’re trying to blame her for this. The person who used the Mother and Child Gu is no longer in the royal palace." Yu Nianzhao yawned, sitting drowsily beside Xie Jiuxiao.

Her hand held Xie Jiuxiao’s hand all the way, never letting go.

Just kidding, after feeding him so much merit and purple energy, she needed to absorb some of the evil qi from him for nourishment.

"Zhaozhao, can you predict it?" The Empress changed her expression quicker than flipping a book, her cold demeanor disappeared when she looked at Yu Nianzhao, leaving only warmth, even changing her address to ’Zhaozhao’ like Xie Jiuxiao.

"I broke the death trap he set up, destroyed the Soul Summoning Bell, and even suffered a backlash. The soul of that palace maid rebounded onto him, and the residual death qi has dissipated, so it must be that he’s no longer in the palace." Yu Nianzhao said casually, recounting her great achievements.

Emperor Anqing sighed, "From where did Ziyin find such a blessed Princess Consort? The Marquis Wu’an truly misjudged, mistaking fish eyes for pearls and heartlessly throwing out such a treasure. They’ll regret it deeply."

Xie Jiuxiao said weakly, "It’s nothing, at least my brother benefited."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Anqing couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter, "It’s rare to see Ziyin regard a woman so highly. Hahahaha, I am also deeply gratified. She truly is the destined Princess Consort Su."

The Dowager Concubine, on the other hand, worriedly said, "Ziyin, is your health alright? What with cutting your wrist for bloodletting and almost having your soul taken away?"

Yu Nianzhao said, "It’s nothing, it’s nothing. The Prince is a grown man, his body isn’t so frail. With a few days of rest, he’ll be as lively as a dragon again."

The Dowager Concubine frowned slightly and glanced at Yu Nianzhao doubtfully, hesitantly asking, "Since the little ghost was my grandson and has been removed now, can my figure be restored?"

Back in the day, the Dowager Concubine was also a stunning beauty, captivating the entire nation.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been framed and sent to the cold palace by the Empress Dowager, later climbing back to the rank of Noble Consort.

The Empress Dowager had always been most jealous of her beauty, hence employing such schemes.

"Of course you can, just adjust your diet and routine, shrink your stomach a bit, and the Dowager Concubine can become slim as lightning," Yu Nianzhao said, "to maintain a good figure, persistence is key."

"Isn’t there any quicker way?"

"Where’s the shortcut in losing weight? Unless you want to experience being possessed by a little ghost again, have it suck all the fat out of you!"

"Ah? Then... I’d rather not!" The Empress Dowager shrunk back, the previous ghost was her own grandson, that was one thing, but another strange ghost, eating and drinking with her daily, who could bear that?

"However, I do have some Beauty Talismans, which I developed myself. They can handle things like acne removal and skin whitening," Yu Nianzhao said leisurely.

"What? There’s such a talisman?" Not only the Dowager Concubine, but even the Empress’s eyes lit up.

The Dowager Concubine immediately abandoned her beloved eldest son, leaned over to Yu Nianzhao, grabbed her hand, and earnestly said, "I’ve had an acne on my forehead for half a month now, and it hasn’t cleared up. Can you use that Beauty Talisman on me?"

"Of course!"

"Zhaozhao, my complexion is so sallow. If I didn’t use powder, it probably couldn’t be concealed. If I use your Beauty Talisman, can my skin really become fairer?" The Empress looked at her expectantly.

"Yes, yes! No problem!" Yu Nianzhao showed them a bright smile, extending her small hand, "But it does cost money, you know!"

"You little moneygrubber!" The Dowager Concubine playfully scolded and promptly sent someone to fetch silver coins.

The Empress also immediately ordered someone to bring jewelry, and Yu Nianzhao exchanged money for goods.

"This talisman needs to be moistened with water and applied to the face, used every other day, for about one incense stick’s time each application."

Yu Nianzhao didn’t have much stock, giving each person only five talismans.

The Empress held the talismans, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good, good, I’ve noted it all down."

The Dowager Concubine couldn’t wait to go back and use them; she wanted to regain her youth and return to her beautiful self of the past!

After this matter settled down, Xie Jiuxiao returned to Prince Su Mansion to recuperate.

At first, Dongfang Chenyuan made a fuss, shedding a couple of tears to show concern for Xie Jiuxiao’s injuries.

Later, seeing Mu Hongxuan returning with boxes of gold and silver jewels, completely forgot who the Prince was, and openly chased after the treasures.

During the New Year’s Eve banquet, Pei Yunzhi had no chance to show up, as Yu Nianzhao overshadowed everything.

Everyone in the Pei Family initially thought the Dowager Concubine would disapprove of Yu Nianzhao, but after the banquet, the endless gifts sent to Prince Su Mansion made Mrs. Pei envious to the point of frustration.

Xie Jiuxiao’s injuries healed almost completely after a week.

Emperor Anqing and the Empress invited Yu Nianzhao back to the palace to perform rites for the deceased young prince.

This issue was, after all, rather private, and Emperor Anqing and the Empress didn’t want people to know that the deceased young prince had been used, so they only invited Yu Nianzhao, who was in the know, to help.

For the sake of money, Yu Nianzhao agreed to help.

The Empress, tearful, bid farewell to the deceased young prince, once again feeling the pain in her heart, crying herself hoarse.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, your bond with the young prince isn’t over, there’s always another time to reunite," Yu Nianzhao said meaningfully, glancing at the Empress’s abdomen.

The Empress wiped away her tears, her eyes conveying partial understanding.

After completing the rites, Yu Nianzhao reminded, "After passing away, you can use the excuse of commemorating the young prince to send the remains to a temple, have monks recite scriptures for him for forty-nine days, as a means of severing karma through a touch of Buddhist fate."

"Alright, that’s no problem at all." The Empress instructed her attendants to note it down.

After the young prince’s soul was escorted by a ghost official, and the remains sent to the temple.

The Empress held Yu Nianzhao’s hand, saying, "Zhaozhao, your Beauty Talisan really works, look at my complexion, it’s much fairer now."

Yu Nianzhao observed, the Empress’s skin indeed appeared as white and smooth as peeled eggs, naturally said, "Of course. The talismans I draw are top quality."