Chapter 121: Kneeling as Punishment

"My, such a young thing with such a long tongue," Shen Fuyu said, lazily fiddling with the lid of her teacup. "If I had to listen to your prattling all day long, I fear my ears would be ruined. I truly pity the Empress Dowager for having to endure this."

Cui Yingsu’s face changed instantly. Being a young girl who had never faced such a confrontation, she stood there, her hands clasped together, looking utterly bewildered.

"Consort Xian, how dare you speak ill of the Empress Dowager?" Qingmei, a servant from the Empress Dowager’s residence who had been assigned to assist Cui Yingsu during her visit to the palace today, stepped forward to intervene.

Shen Fuyu’s gaze turned icy. She looked at the maid who had dared to stand up to her and let out a cold laugh. "Yinling, slap her!"

Little Yinling, who had become accustomed to following orders without hesitation, delivered several loud, vicious slaps to Qingmei’s face. The sound was deeply satisfying.

A while back, Shen Fuyu had secretly spiked Yinling’s tea with a drop of Spirit Stream Water. The girl was far too dense to notice her own strength had increased, but Shen Fuyu was quite pleased with the results.

"What I choose to say is not for a servant like you to question," Shen Fuyu said with a faint smile. "Go ahead and report me if you wish; I wonder what trivial, toothless punishment awaits me this time."

She had no intention of reflecting on her conduct, and no house arrest could stop her. With a broad enough perspective, nothing was a real problem.

Qingmei covered her face, her heart seething with suppressed rage. Cui Yingsu stepped forward timidly: "It was my fault for speaking out of turn. I accept your correction, and I thank you for the lesson, Your Ladyship!"

"Since you know you were wrong, you may kneel here for an hour," Shen Fuyu said, playing the villain to perfection. "This punishment is not excessive, is it?"

"I accept the penalty," Cui Yingsu said, kneeling on the ground with her head bowed, her expression hidden.

"Very well, off you go." Shen Fuyu suddenly felt bored. She couldn't tell if the Cui girl was simply timid or what, but her potential for anger was pitifully low. She turned to Consort Hui and smiled. "Sister Hui, do remember to finish all those sour fruits. I shall send you something else later; do not let my good intentions go to waste!"

Consort Hui gritted her teeth. "This concubine thanks Sister Xian for her kindness."

Once she gave birth to a prince, her status would rise, and the Emperor would surely value her more! Damn that Shen Fuyu, just wait!

***

Shen Fuyu boarded her sedan chair and said, "Once the sun has passed its peak, send someone to fetch Tang'er."

With that, Shen Tangyu was left behind.

Yinling followed by Shen Fuyu’s side, looking quite worried.

"If you have something to say, just say it. What is the point of bottling it up? It’s painful just to look at you," Shen Fuyu said, tapping her.

Yinling hesitated, then asked, "Your Ladyship, will that Miss Cui end up entering the palace? I fear we have offended the Empress Dowager again. And what if Consort Hui takes this opportunity to win her over?"

"I know," Shen Fuyu replied with a smile. "You silly girl, when has your mistress ever failed?"

Kneeling under the scorching sun, the young girl was soon drenched in sweat. Consort Hui, after enduring and finishing all the lemon juice, looked at the kneeling Cui Yingsu, her eyes shifting as an idea took hold.

It seemed the Empress Dowager was indeed ready to abandon Consort Shu, hence why she had brought another relative into the palace. With the Sun and Lin families growing distant and the Jiang family imprisoned—which would inevitably implicate the Suns—forming an alliance with the Cui family would be a good move.

"Miss Cui, when you return later, do have the palace maids apply a hot compress to your knees," Consort Hui said, rising with a sigh of feigned helplessness as she leaned on her maid. "I might as well be honest with you: Consort Xian has been arrogant and domineering since she first entered the palace. You have been punished unjustly, but I am powerless to speak up for you."

Cui Yingsu, still kneeling, bit her lip. "Consort Hui need not trouble herself. My status is lowly, and it is only right that I am punished if I have displeased their Ladyships."

"Do not belittle yourself, Miss Cui; this is not your fault." Consort Hui sighed softly and gestured toward Shen Tangyu, who was still tied up nearby. "Look at her, for instance. She is Consort Xian’s own sister, yet she is still left roasting in the sun, and no one dares to say a word."

"I suppose Consort Xian must feel she has done something wrong to deserve such punishment," Cui Yingsu said. "I appreciate your kindness, Consort Hui."

"Very well. If you have the time, come visit me," Consort Hui said, extending a hand toward her. "I feel a natural affinity for you, Miss Cui. Think of the Ninglu Palace as your own home from now on."

Cui Yingsu bowed to her and remained on the ground. Shortly after Consort Hui left, the Empress Dowager heard the news and ordered Ruowei to bring the girl back.

"Miss, please, get up. The Empress Dowager is waiting for you," Ruowei said. Seeing Cui Yingsu kneeling under the harsh sun, she felt a surge of resentment toward Shen Fuyu. To think she dared punish the Empress Dowager’s niece in public!

***

"Aunt," Cui Yingsu said as she rose. Within moments, she felt as if her legs no longer belonged to her. Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look truly pitiable. "Did I do something wrong? Why would Consort Xian target me like this?"

"Miss, the palace is that kind of place; there is no shortage of people like Consort Xian," Ruowei consoled her. "This is quite common. If you do not wish to be bullied, you must become strong yourself."

Cui Yingsu pouted slightly, her mind lost in thought. Ruowei didn't pay it much mind, turning her attention instead to the bound Shen Tangyu.

Qingmei quickly explained what she knew, and Ruowei pondered for a moment. "Untie the eldest Miss Shen and bring her to the Shou'an Palace. Send someone to the Xianyue Palace to inform them that the Empress Dowager has taken her."

"She was taken away? Then let them take her," Shen Fuyu remarked, unfazed. Even if the Empress Dowager hadn't taken her, Shen Tangyu would have found a way to move elsewhere. A woman who refused to admit defeat would never let herself be stuck in a helpless position forever.

Compared to Shen Tangyu, Cui Yingsu’s reaction had been notably abnormal. She hadn't provided the expected amount of "anger points," which left Shen Fuyu feeling quite annoyed.

"Your Majesty, did you know? The Cui family has sent a young girl into the palace!" Shen Fuyu said that evening, pressing close to Qin Zhiyi. "She’s only thirteen. Tsk, tsk, tsk. When do you think the Empress Dowager will have you take her as a concubine? Tsk, tsk, tsk, thirteen years old!"

Qin Zhiyi: "..."

Did he really look like the type who would prey on a child?

"I’ve noticed that if you don't stir up trouble for one day, you feel uncomfortable all over!" Qin Zhiyi shot her a glare. "You have to meddle in everything!"

"That’s not true! It’s perfectly clear that the Empress Dowager is looking for an excuse to introduce your cute little cousin to you!" Shen Fuyu said candidly. "I saw her today—what a beautiful little girl! Aren't you tempted, Your Majesty?"