Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 664: More Guilty Than Death (3)

"Bring her in," he beckoned as he held Feng Xuxu, leading her to the pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Not until he saw that the seats were already spread with thick cushions did he assist his lady to take a seat.

Before long, Huang Yi brought the individual forward. Upon entry, to his surprise, it was Feng Shuhua, the butler mamma of the ’Lotus Garden’ at Mandala Villa.

Feng Xuxu looked at him in astonishment, "What is this all about?"

"The case involving Feng Shuhua’s father has made progress, and it indeed involves Prince Fu. A Minister from the court is also implicated, whom she claims framed her father. However, various signs indicate that her father was truly part of it, albeit very discreetly and briefly."

Seeing his solemn expression, Feng Xuxu’s heart sank slightly. As she glanced at the waiting Feng Mamma outside the pavilion, she saw excitement and hope in her eyes. Feng Xuxu lowered her head slightly and fell silent for a moment, "Husband, by calling Feng Mamma here... how do you intend to deal with her?"

Dugu Chen sighed softly and, stroking his wife’s chilly hand, comforted her in a gentle voice, "I won’t kill her, but I will tell her the truth. Then let her witness with her own eyes the execution of the enemy she harbors in her heart. That should be sufficient."

Feng Xuxu felt grateful upon hearing this and squeezed his hand back, smiling.

With a light wave towards the pavilion, Dugu Chen signaled Huang Yi to bring Feng Shuhua inside. Feng Mamma entered the pavilion and knelt before the couple, "The criminal’s daughter Shuhua pays respect to His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress. Long live His Majesty the Emperor, peace to Her Majesty the Empress."

After a moment, an icy voice said, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress." She got up, stood respectfully to one side, eyes downcast and silent, as quiet as if she were not there at all.

"We have summoned you here today to discuss your father’s past," he began, and Feng Shuhua looked up at the Emperor, her eyes filled with excitement, her lips quivering violently. After so many years, her heart was incredibly stirred, and finally, the moment she had been longing for had arrived.

Dugu Chen glanced at her and spoke unhurriedly, "Your father was not wronged; indeed, he was implicated. The evidence at the time was true. Now, Chen Lin is in the Sky Prison. You can go and ask him yourself. As for you, We shall not hold you accountable for your crimes, considering you have served the Empress."

Feng Shuhua closed her eyes, tears silently streaming down. She knelt and deeply kowtowed, then rose and followed Huang Yi to the Sky Prison.

As Feng Xuxu watched her leave, she observed her suddenly aged body and felt an ultimate reluctance. For the sake of her father, she had lived her life without children. Even with the truth revealed, her heart must be bitter. Where would she end up? After a thought, she summoned Baihe, who stood behind her, "After she comes out of the Sky Prison, give her some silver to settle down." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Baihe nodded and curtseyed, "Yes, my lady."

Afterward, a silence enveloped the pavilion, and both remained speechless.

In the Sky Prison

Huang Yi led her to the cell where Chen Lin was kept. Feng Shuhua looked at his aged figure, listlessly sitting on the ground, with dark red blood soaking his white undergarment from several lash marks. His face was dirty, covered with stubble, his eyes no longer sparkling with the brilliance they did when he controlled his own household.

Feng Shuhua chuckled softly a few times, then burst into crazed laughter, tears rolling down her cheeks as she pointed at him, "Chen Lin, you too have met this fate. Ahahaha, it truly is instant karma."

Chen Lin’s flickering gaze slowly focused, and looking perplexedly at the middle-aged woman outside the cell, he saw a lady of ordinary dress with a resemblance in her demeanor. With furrowed brows, his dry and hoarse voice asked, "Who are you, and how did you get in here?"