Chapter 112: Even a Dog Wouldn't Eat It, but You Can Have It

She was the type of person who would never let a single detail slide.

"Your Majesty, since Talent Lady Jiang has gone to such trouble, why not let her in?" Concubine Shu suggested. "It is Noble Consort Xian’s birthday, after all; it should be a lively occasion."

"Did you ask for my opinion before you opened your mouth?" Shen Fuyu turned her head and shot a glance at Concubine Shu. "Using a feather as a command arrow—do you think that because you manage the Six Palaces, you can disregard the order of precedence? You truly have no manners!"

"You!" Concubine Shu’s eyes widened, so incensed that she lost her appetite. "Sister, you jest. I only hoped to make your day a little brighter. Since my good intentions have led to a mistake, I offer you my apologies."

Swallowing her pride, Concubine Shu raised her wine cup. "If you are displeased, simply pretend I said nothing at all. Why must we sisters act so distant?"

*Hmph*, she’s finally learned the art of retreating to advance.

Shen Fuyu immediately nestled closer to Qin Zhiyi, her expression turning instantly aggrieved. "A birthday only comes once a year. Concubine Shu, usually so meticulous, could it be that you overlooked such a trivial matter? Your Majesty, I truly cannot feel any sisterly affection here; I have to humble myself just to celebrate a birthday. If that is the case, then let Talent Lady Jiang enter."

"I shall endure the grievance so that everyone else may be happy."

Qin Zhiyi: "..."

He had such a headache. Suddenly, he envied the common folk their monogamous lives; having so many women around really did lead to endless trouble!

"Very well, if anyone is unhappy today, you certainly shouldn't be!" Deciding to see it through to the end, Qin Zhiyi felt nothing but overwhelming helplessness. At the end of the day, no matter what, he had to side with Shen Fuyu. "Concubine Shu, you must be tired lately. You wouldn't have made such a mistake in the past. Today is a joyous day; punish yourself with three cups of wine and apologize to the Noble Consort."

"Your Majesty..." Concubine Shu opened her mouth, but unable to win the argument, she felt suffocated. She thought to herself that this vixen was truly devious; with just a few glib words, she had coaxed the Emperor into taking her side again!

After downing the three cups of wine, her stomach burned. Looking up and seeing Qin Zhiyi abandon even his imperial dignity just to please Shen Fuyu, she felt a bitter, jealous ache. Why was it this vixen who received all the favor? Why couldn't it be her?

"Your Majesty is the best." The intimacy they displayed, as if no one else were present, left everyone in the room feeling nauseated, yet not a single person dared to speak up.

Shen Fuyu loved such occasions. By suppressing everyone, she forced them to watch the very scene they least wanted to see, all while leaving them unable to say a word!

Look at Concubine Shu’s sour face, as if she had bitten into five pounds of lemons; look at the dark, grim expressions of the Shen family. Shen Fuyu preened with wild abandon, laughing with such brazen arrogance—the way she took pleasure in others' misery truly gave her the air of a wicked, bewitching consort!

The thrill of being a mindless villain was truly intoxicating!

Shen Fuyu was enjoying herself when she saw Talent Lady Jiang send a message for the second time through Chang Fu. Feeling generous, she said, "Fine, fine. Since Talent Lady Jiang is so eager to curry favor, let her in."

Her words were entirely devoid of politeness. Qin Zhiyi, inwardly disdainful, acted as if he had heard nothing. Talent Lady Jiang had once been close to Concubine Shu and Bright Consort Hui, and the Jiang family were also lackeys of the Sun family. Yet, she had chosen this moment to flatter Shen Fuyu...

Having been turned away once, Talent Lady Jiang was cautious as she entered. She performed the proper courtesies toward Qin Zhiyi and Shen Fuyu before saying, "Your servant heard it was Noble Consort Xian’s birthday and came especially to pay her respects. May the Noble Consort remain forever young and enjoy long-lasting fortune."

The maid behind her stepped forward, knelt, and presented the birthday gift with both hands.

When opened, it revealed a statue of the Child-Giving Guanyin. While the carving was lifelike, the jade material was merely average. Given the Jiang family’s standing, it was quite an effort for her to produce such an item!

"It will suffice, I suppose." Shen Fuyu never bothered to save face for others. "Given your family background, Talent Lady Jiang, it is not bad that you could come up with such a little trinket. Tang’er, take it!"

"As long as the Noble Consort is not offended," Talent Lady Jiang replied, suppressing her anger while maintaining a smile, appearing utterly humble.

But the blockheaded Qin Zhiyi couldn't see the hidden agendas of other women; serving Shen Fuyu alone was exhausting enough! He simply continued to pile food into Shen Fuyu’s bowl, acting as if the grievances others were trying to display didn't exist.

Shen Tangyu gritted her teeth and lowered her head. She took the gift and showed it to Shen Fuyu. Shen Fuyu touched the statue; the craftsmanship was actually top-tier, the jade polished clean and smooth. The carver was indeed talented.

"Fine, take it away," Shen Fuyu waved her hand dismissively. "Put it away carefully."

After delivering the gift, Talent Lady Jiang didn't have the audacity to stay. She performed a bow and withdrew. Shen Fuyu dismissed her without a second thought. Looking at the plate of food before her, she suddenly lost her appetite. "This plate of vegetables is quite unappetizing."

"If you don't want to eat it, then don't." Qin Zhiyi picked up a chicken leg and shoved it into her mouth. "Eat this instead."

Shen Fuyu took a bite, just in time to see Shen Tangyu emerging from the inner chamber. A plan formed instantly. "Tang’er, this dish isn't even fit for a dog. I’ll bestow it upon you."

She picked up the plate and held it directly in front of Shen Tangyu.

*Not even fit for a dog, but you can have it.*

Shen Tangyu stood rooted to the spot, her face burning with humiliation, her body trembling with suppressed rage. Shen Fuyu acted as if she saw nothing and smiled. "What is it? It is my imperial favor—have you forgotten how to offer thanks, Tang’er?"

Shen Tangyu glared at her, but trembling, she knelt down. "This servant thanks the Noble Consort for her favor..."

"Your Majesty, do you see how wonderful I am? I didn't waste a thing!" Shen Fuyu was inwardly delighted. Could she make a career out of being a yandere villainess?

"Mhm," Qin Zhiyi nodded. As long as you are happy.

The logic was always hers; the others didn't deserve to speak.

Shen Tangyu stood there, holding the plate. That vixen Shen Fuyu, in order to degrade her, hadn't even given her a pair of chopsticks. She looked up helplessly, but the Emperor’s heart was entirely filled with Shen Fuyu; how could he ever notice anyone else? Suffering such humiliation, she wondered what her father, mother, and grandmother were thinking.

With trembling hands, she stuffed the food into her mouth. Shen Tangyu felt she had never been so disgraced in her entire life. Tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes. Nearby, the expressions of the Shen family were ghastly. The girl they had once held in the palms of their hands was now being trampled upon in the palace. Lady Gu and the Old Madam Shen could barely restrain themselves, but the person sitting above them was the Emperor. No matter how powerful the Shen family was, they dared not overstep the imperial authority.

Shen Shucheng’s eyes were also red. Unlike Lady Gu, both were his daughters; both were flesh of his flesh. While his heart ached for Shen Tangyu, he didn't know how to feel about Shen Fuyu...