Chapter 130: Don't Do Anything Rash!

Shen Tangyu knelt on the ground, head lowered, and said, "This servant is unworthy of Prince Jing. I only wish to serve by the Empress Dowager’s side. I have no way to repay the Prince’s deep affection; I beg Prince Jing to forget me."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a scene of being 'helpless' and 'unworthy'." Watching the spectacle, Shen Fuyu could not help but click her tongue. It was high, truly high—to offer all your kindness and gentleness, then decline with the excuse of being unworthy so as not to be a burden. Who could ever refuse such a "white moonlight" figure?

The scene, which had been quite moving, was thoroughly shattered by Shen Fuyu’s few words.

Qin Zhiqing glared at Shen Fuyu with a dark face. This vicious, lowly woman! If not for her targeting Tang'er again and again, Tang'er would not be so forced to speak against her own heart today. Even now, she was still kicking a man when he was down. Why did such an extremely vicious woman like Shen Fuyu exist in this world?

With the matter finally settled and Qin Zhiyi having handed out the corresponding punishments, Qin Zhiqing, no matter how much he hated the outcome, could only slink away. Seeing the somewhat haggard Shen Tangyu as he left, he felt utterly useless. If only he were more powerful, perhaps he wouldn't have to let the woman he loved suffer such grievances.

The palace banquet had become such a mess that it looked as though it would end on a sour note, when a crisp voice rang out.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, please permit this concubine to present another dance." Cui Yingsu stepped away from her seat and walked gracefully to the center of the hall to bow.

"Emperor, let the disappointing matters be swept away!" The Empress Dowager was pleased with this display. "Su'er is most skilled at dancing; why not watch another dance, Emperor?"

"Granted." Qin Zhiyi nodded with a calm expression, though he felt restless inside. He just wanted this to be over quickly. If only he could stop having to clean up these messes!

Cui Yingsu curtsied and said softly, "I wonder if I might ask the virtuous consort to accompany me? I have heard that the virtuous consort plays the pipa beautifully."

The eyes of all the concubines turned toward her in unison.

*Young girl! Don't do something you'll regret!*

"Alright, alright!" Shen Fuyu nodded happily, hurriedly patting Green Tea. "Go fetch my pipa!"

She had finally found an opportunity to show off her talents!

"The court musicians can accompany you," Qin Zhiyi interrupted, refusing Cui Yingsu publicly. "What merit do you have to ask my beloved consort to accompany you?"

Cui Yingsu’s heart sank, but she bit the bullet and said boldly, "As sisters serving the Emperor, would it not be wonderful if the consort played the music while I danced?"

"Yes, yes!" Shen Fuyu nodded vigorously, begging coquettishly, "Your Majesty, wouldn't that be lovely? Ever since I became pregnant, I haven't played the pipa in a long time!"

Qin Zhiyi: "?"

*How many more times do you want to play? I still want to live for a few more decades!*

His head began to throb again. Qin Zhiyi darkened his face and said to Shen Fuyu, "Come here."

He pressed Shen Fuyu down beside him and lightly pinched her chin, saying, "Your pipa is to be played only for me. If others want to hear it, they must see if they have the fortune to do so."

In short, the idea of her wreaking havoc on the world was something she should not even dream of!

"Fine." Shen Fuyu wilted. Playing for Qin Zhiyi had been a huge success! Since all the imperial relatives were here, if she could have played a song for them, she surely would have leveled up to rank forty-four! Qin Zhiyi, you big villain!

Cui Yingsu glanced at the pair above. Shen Fuyu was so bold—was that why the Emperor liked her?

Qin Zhiyi’s gaze suddenly shifted toward her, and Cui Yingsu instinctively lowered her head. "I shall go change my attire."

Retreating to the side hall, the hatred mixed with a smile on Cui Yingsu’s face appeared quite twisted. Shen Fuyu... she had to get close to her. This woman was too fascinating. The Emperor didn't like the many beautiful concubines in the palace, yet he preferred someone like Shen Fuyu. She wanted to understand her; she wanted to figure her out!

Paranoia flickered in her eyes, while Yan'er huddled to the side, not daring to move.

"What are you standing there for? Help me change." When Cui Yingsu came back to her senses, she looked at Yan'er with obvious impatience. With a new target in mind, these playthings she had grown tired of were an eyesore. She slapped Yan'er across the face. "You blind thing!"

Yan'er’s hands trembled as she helped Cui Yingsu change, draw her brows, and apply rouge. In the mirror, Cui Yingsu remained the innocent, naive thirteen-year-old girl she appeared to be. She smiled at the bronze mirror, and the more purely she acted, the more Yan'er’s hands shook.

As she danced again, Cui Yingsu’s gaze could not help but drift toward Shen Fuyu. Seeing her flirting openly with Qin Zhiyi, every expression appearing so authentic, Cui Yingsu felt a pang of discomfort. Spinning in the center of the hall, she bit her tongue.

Ah... she actually hated people like Shen Fuyu. Everything shown on their faces, that look of hiding nothing—it was truly disgusting!

The Empress Dowager watched from the side with a terribly ugly expression. She coughed softly and said, "Emperor."

"What would you like to say, Mother?" Qin Zhiyi said lukewarmly, looking up at her. "Consort Cong’s dance is indeed exceptional. The person you chose is excellent."

The Empress Dowager felt there was something wrong with his words. Excellent, yes, but not to his liking. It seemed she would have to put in more effort.

When the dance ended, the applause continued, but Cui Yingsu did not feel as happy as she had during her first performance. Qin Zhiyi had only offered a perfunctory word of praise. His heart was with Shen Fuyu.

Through Qin Zhiyi’s tireless efforts, the Mid-Autumn palace banquet finally came to a successful close. The royal family members began to leave the palace in an orderly fashion under the moonlight.

"Yuanqi, Yuanqi!"

"Young Master, where are you!"

The voices of two or three women overlapped, calling out. The abruptness made everyone frown and stop in their tracks.

"Who is making such a racket?" Qin Zhiyi gestured toward them, and Chang Fu immediately took some men to apprehend them.

A woman of nearly thirty, dressed exquisitely, stood there with a face full of panic, looking around as if she were about to cry!

"Your Majesty, it is the wife of the Heir to Prince Ping," Chang Fu reported.

The Heir's consort, surnamed Qiu, knelt on the ground, unable to hold back her tears. "I beg for your mercy, Your Majesty! My son has suddenly vanished!"

Qin Zhiyi was indifferent. "Chang Fu, take some men to find him."

The line of Prince Ping had always struggled with heirs. The former Princess Ping had only left behind this son, the Heir. The Heir had married, and now, in his thirties, they had finally gained this one child. He was usually raised as a precious treasure, so it was no wonder that things were in chaos now that he had suddenly gone missing.

Before long, Prince Ping arrived with his wife and the Heir. Having heard that his precious grandson was lost, Prince Ping could barely stand!

"Uncle, there is no need to worry. I have already sent men to search. Yuanqi is just a child; he cannot have gone far." Qin Zhiyi briefly comforted them and ordered the search to be intensified.