Chapter 784: A Million Times for You (146)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The elderly Mr. Shi was at a loss for words for a rebuttal, for Tuoba Rui had voiced the thoughts of all the other Tuoba family members. Indeed, there was no way to prove the existence of an object that no one had ever seen before.
“Since when does an outsider have the right to interfere with the Tuoba familial affairs, what more try and threaten to execute a member of our family? Who do you think you are?” said Tuoba Shuo.
Old Madam Tuoba looked up at An Xiaoning, who had been remaining silent, only to discover how strikingly similar she was to Shi Qingzhou, not just in appearance, but also in terms of character and temperament.
“How about we carry out a lie detector test and gauge if you’re lying? There’s no harm in that anyway,” said Madam Tuoba.
“Sure,” Shi Qingzhou agreed calmly with a straight face.
After bringing out the lie detector, they first put Shi Qingzhou to the test.
Little did they know, Shi Qingzhou was completely rid of fear and worry at the moment, for a lie detector posed no issue to her at all.
She answered each and every question she was asked and denied the existence of the book calmly without letting out any clues at all. Some were disappointed while others were relieved to see that she had passed the lie detector test.
It was likewise for An Xiaoning when her turn came, followed by Tuoba Shuo.
All three of them passed the lie detector test successfully.
Pursing her lips, Madam Tuoba said, “Forget it, just move in first for now.”
Shi Xiaoyu had no idea what her mother-in-law was thinking and dared not utter a single word when everyone was present. She finally spoke up when they were on their way back and said, “Mother, Shi Qingzhou is the only one who knows clearly whether or not the book really exists. It’s better to kill her and eliminate the possibility rather than allow her to continue living and pose a possible threat to others. If the book really does exist, we’ll only regret not killing her sooner. Lie detectors may be inaccurate sometimes. It might also be due to their strong willpower and calmness.”
“I think Shuo did make some sense too. I was muddled up and influenced by what you guys said at the start, but now that I think about it, their explanation doesn’t seem implausible either. Since you and your father are bent on proving that it exists, show us the evidence. Are you trying to make my sons hate me by instigating me to kill the innocent without any solid proof? They’ve already resented me because of the incident involving Shi Qingzhou back then, especially Shuo who didn’t even attend his father’s funeral and refused to see me for decades. I’m getting on in my years now and I don’t wish to continue straining my relationship with my sons any further. We’ve already carried out a lie detector test in front of everyone. What else do you want?”
“Mother, are you planning to stay out of this from now on?” Shi Xiaoyu asked.
“Yes, I’m washing my hands off this. There’s nothing to investigate about and there isn’t any evidence either. Besides, they’ve all passed the lie detector test. You’re only going to upset the other members of the family.”
“But…”
Old Madam Tuoba interrupted and brushed her off, “There are no more ‘buts’ to this, unless you have evidence to prove that that alleged book really exists. Otherwise, I really don’t want to interfere with this matter anymore. I reckon Gucheng must have his own ideas since he’s the president now. I believe he won’t punish the innocent without proper evidence.”
Shi Xiaoyu was at a loss for words. She initially thought that Shi Qingzhou and An Xiaoning would be executed in secret even if they didn’t hand over the book. However, things had gone beyond her expectations.
She could not produce any substantial evidence either.
“Mother, I have a solution that we can try,” said Shi Xiaoyu
“What is it?”
“Non-voluntary hypnosis.”
Seeing how persistent she was, Old Madam Tuoba asked, “What if that fails too?”
“Then I’ll really give up.”
“Alright, then. Tell Gucheng and the other members of the Tuoba clan about it. You may then make the necessary arrangements.”
Shi Xiaoyu immediately proceeded accordingly, filled with hope and joy.
Shi Qingzhou and Tuoba Shuo had already moved into their arranged accommodation and were resting to allow their wounds to heal.
Meanwhile, An Xiaoning was called to Tuoba Gucheng’s office.
Lin Shishi chased after them as soon as they entered the office.
She entered and cut straight to the chase. “Hubby, Mother suggests that you carry out non-voluntary hypnosis on Sis Xiaoning and her mother.”
Tuoba Gucheng expressed assent and asked, “When?”
“In an hour’s time.”
An Xiaoning remained calm and composed as she thought to herself, A coerced hypnosis? It’s impossible to induce hypnosis if the subject is extremely resistant to hypnotic guidance and has a strong willpower.
“What a hassle. Seems like you’re not going to call it quits without going through so much unnecessary trouble,” An Xiaoning gibed.
“Sis Xiaoning, I don’t think they’ll continue to pursue the matter if the results of the hypnosis prove to be the same as that of the lie detector,” Lin Shishi said bitterly.
“It’s fine, I’ll cooperate and go along with whatever tricks you have until my innocence is proven.”
“Shishi, go outside. I have something to say to Ms. An.”
Lin Shishi nodded and zoomed out of the door.
Tuoba Gucheng locked the door and pointed at the couch. “Have a seat.”
An Xiaoning sat down and said, “I was wondering why you insisted on making me and my mother move in here, turns out it was because of this.”
“Don’t get upset. They won’t mention a word about this again once your innocence is proven.”
He poured her a cup of hot tea, a gesture that he rarely showed anyone.
“What are your thoughts on this matter, Your Majesty? Can I have your honest opinion?” An Xiaoning asked, looking up at him.
“My opinion is, you’ll have to surrender that book if it really exists, but if it doesn’t, I’ll clear your name and stop you from being wronged or treated unfairly,” Tuoba Gucheng said solemnly.
Feeling sleepy due to the lack of sleep, An Xiaoning smiled and asked, “Your Majesty, could I borrow your couch for an hour’s nap? I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“There’s a bed in the resting room.”
“It’s alright, here will do.”
She removed her shoes and lay onto the couch, easing herself into a comfortable position with one leg resting on top of the couch.
Tuoba Gucheng cracked up at the sight before him and proceeded to bring her a blanket from the resting room.
An Xiaoning opened her eyes and watched as he pulled the blanket over her before closing them again.
Tuoba Gucheng returned to his seat and began looking through the documents he had to sign. He would be able to see her whenever he looked up.
At this very moment, he felt extremely blissful.
One hour was too short.
The time was up before he could even get enough.
They then returned to the mansion they were at earlier. Noticing a vial of liquid in the hypnotist’s hands, Tuoba Gucheng asked, “What’s that?”
“Mr. President, this is a type of drug that can induce hypnosis within the subject quickly. There are no side effects to this drug,” the hypnotist explained while handing the liquid to Shi Qingzhou and An Xiaoning. Tuoba Shuo chose not to partake in the hypnosis and observed by the side instead. After all, he was not as great of a suspect compared to the two of them.
An Xiaoning and Shi Qingzhou looked at each other before downing the liquid in front of everyone.
They then lay down on the long chair and soon closed their eyes.
Once they slipped into a slumber, the hypnotist began carrying out the coerced hypnosis.
Tuoba Shuo was filled with immense worry and uncertainty, such that his palms had become sweaty.
No one else was as anxious as he was.
When the hypnotist asked about the book, Tuoba Shuo stood rooted to the ground, feeling as if his heart was about to jump out of his chest. His mental state would all depend on their answers.
The two hypnotists were highly-skilled and renowned professionals whom Shi Xiaoyu had hired.