Ghost in the palace

Chapter 424: The Plan in the Dawgress’s Courtyard

The following afternoon, the Dawgress’s courtyard was unusually quiet.

The Emperor sat across from his mother at the lunch table, but neither seemed interested in the food before them.

A pot of tea steamed between them.

The Dawgress noticed the Emperor had barely touched his meal.

"You have been sighing since you arrived," she said. "What happened?"

The Emperor lowered his chopsticks.

"Mother, things are getting out of hand."

Her expression became serious.

"Shin Gu?"

He nodded.

"We still haven’t captured her. Prince Liang is completely smitten with her and refuses to believe what is in front of him."

The Dawgress frowned.

"That woman has deceived too many people already."

"The palace knows the Empress is innocent," the Emperor continued, "but the people outside don’t. They still believe she was responsible for the strange incidents."

His voice became heavier.

"They want someone punished. If Shin Gu isn’t caught soon, they will demand the Empress’s execution."

The Dawgress’s hand stopped above her bowl.

Her heart sank.

"The Empress..."

"She is innocent," the Emperor said immediately.

"I know."

His expression tightened.

"But knowing the truth isn’t enough. The court needs evidence. The people need someone to blame. If I cannot produce Shin Gu within a week, I may not be able to protect the Empress from the pressure."

The Dawgress stared at him.

For all her years in the palace, she had rarely seen her son look so helpless.

Then an idea slowly entered her mind.

She put down her chopsticks.

"Then perhaps we shouldn’t chase Shin Gu."

The Emperor looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

The Dawgress leaned closer.

"We make her come to us."

His eyes narrowed.

"Explain."

"She is suspicious of everyone," the Dawgress said. "If we send guards into her courtyard, she’ll notice. If we question her servants, she’ll become cautious. If we investigate openly, she’ll hide whatever evidence remains."

The Emperor nodded slowly.

"That is true."

"So don’t investigate."

"Then what?"

The Dawgress smiled faintly.

"We frighten her."

The Emperor stared.

"Frighten her?"

"Yes."

She lowered her voice.

"Find several theatre performers. People experienced in acting, disguises, voices, and illusions. Have them enter the palace under another pretext."

The Emperor’s expression gradually changed.

He understood.

"Ghosts."

"Exactly."

The Dawgress continued.

"Shin Gu believes in dark magic. She believes she can manipulate spirits. If she suddenly begins seeing things she cannot explain, she will become frightened."

"And the actors?"

"They will pretend to be spirits."

The Emperor considered it.

"But Shin Gu may discover they’re actors."

"Not if we protect them properly."

The Dawgress tapped her finger against the table.

"Have the monks prepare protective powder and charms. The actors can carry them secretly. Whatever supernatural trick Shin Gu attempts won’t harm them."

The Emperor’s eyes sharpened.

"And we observe her."

"Yes."

"If she tries to perform another ritual..."

"We catch her."

Silence settled between them.

Then the Emperor slowly smiled.

"That..."

He said quietly,

"...is actually a good plan."

The Dawgress smiled.

"I knew you would agree."

He leaned back.

"We’ll need people Shin Gu doesn’t recognize."

"Of course."

"And the theatre performers must be convincing."

"They will be."

The Emperor nodded.

"I’ll have my spies find suitable people."

The Dawgress looked at him seriously.

"And don’t tell anyone more than necessary."

He understood immediately.

"Not even the Empress."

"Not until we know the plan will work."

The Emperor’s expression softened when he heard her mention the Empress.

"I don’t want her involved."

"Neither do I."

The Dawgress reached across the table and gently touched his hand.

"You have already nearly lost her once."

His eyes lowered.

"I know."

"Then protect her."

The Emperor closed his fingers around his mother’s hand.

"I will."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then the Dawgress looked toward the palace roofs.

"Let Shin Gu believe she is hunting everyone else."

Her eyes hardened.

"We’ll make her realize that someone has been hunting her all along."

The Emperor stood.

"I’ll arrange everything tonight."

The Dawgress nodded.

"And Your Majesty..."

He paused.

"Don’t let Prince Liang know yet."

The Emperor frowned.

"Because of Shin Gu?"

"Because he is too emotionally involved."

The Emperor sighed.

"That is my concern as well."

He looked toward the distant Empress’s palace.

"If this plan succeeds, Shin Gu will finally reveal herself."

"And if it fails?"

The Emperor’s expression became cold.

"Then we’ll find another way."

He turned toward the courtyard entrance.

But before leaving, he glanced back at his mother.

"Thank you."

The Dawgress smiled.

"Bring my daughter-in-law home safely."

The Emperor’s expression softened.

"I intend to."

And with that—

He walked away.

Behind him, the Dawgress remained seated beneath the shade of the trees.

She looked at the untouched food.

Her heart was still heavy.

The Empress had already suffered enough.

She refused to let an innocent woman become the palace’s sacrifice for a crime she had never committed.

If fear was what it took to expose the truth—

Then fear was what they would use.

And somewhere in the palace—

Shin Gu remained completely unaware.

She had no idea that the Emperor and the Dawgress had finally stopped chasing her.

They were preparing to make her run.

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