Chapter Fourteen: Deaf and Unable to Hear

“Nanny, why are you so meddlesome?” Shen Fuyu sprawled carelessly on the stool, letting Nanny Zhang’s words wash over her as if they were nothing but the wind. This governess, sent under the young emperor’s command, truly had a formidable temper. Shen Fuyu liked that.

“Oh nanny, I’ve always been this way. Why are you so upset?” Shen Fuyu’s eyes sparkled with delight; she was overjoyed. Jing Lanxi had excused her from morning greetings for the past few days, and she’d been wondering where to find some source of irritation. And now, the anger she needed had delivered itself right to her door! Heaven was truly favoring her!

“How dare a servant like me get angry with Your Grace? I’m merely carrying out my duties.” Nanny Zhang took a deep breath, her expression unbothered. “Please try again, Your Grace.”

“You think I’ll do as you say just because you ask? What do you take me for?” Shen Fuyu kept her smile, her indifference making others’ skin crawl. “Nanny, there’s a saying I once heard that I think is rather wise.”

“If Your Grace has something to say, please speak plainly.” Nanny Zhang exhaled heavily. After all her years in the palace, she’d seen every storm and squall—why would she be afraid of a concubine barely in her teens?

“Ugly people make the most trouble.” Shen Fuyu remarked, “To explain, it means those with unpleasant faces tend to fuss the most. Nanny, isn’t that just like you?”

“Though I am only a palace servant, I have always conducted myself with integrity. May I ask what I have done to so offend Your Grace, to deserve such repeated insults?” Even a clay figure has some fire in it; Nanny Zhang had never encountered someone as unruly as this before. Aggrieved but unable to complain, she resolved that she would make this Virtuous Consort mend her ways.

“Do I need a reason to do anything?” Shen Fuyu arched a brow, smiling, “When the mistress disciplines, the servants should be grateful. No need to look so wronged; that’s not proper.”

Whether she learned manners or not, at least let her finish her meal in peace first. If the nanny wanted to stew in her grievances, so be it—Shen Fuyu had no intention of being the good guy.

What good intentions could a contrarian possibly have?

Bai Lian couldn’t help but let out a derisive snort. That old hag deserved it! How dare she strike her!

“You too—can’t you see I’m eating? Why are you cackling like a chicken? Is this the imperial palace or a brothel? Have a little self-awareness.” Shen Fuyu was irritated by the noise. If she weren’t afraid people would suspect her of being a monster, she’d have hidden away in her own space by now.

Bai Lian and Green Tea—those two little upstarts—were always at her mercy. Their usual antics were bearable, but now this governess, sent on orders, was making trouble. While Shen Fuyu didn’t truly get angry, the fact that this nanny came bearing Qin Zhiyi’s authority meant that every outburst yielded less and less anger value. After all, her status as a palace maid suppressed it. How dreadfully boring. Without anger to harvest, she felt listless.

She finished her meal in a few bites, then lounged on the nearby beauty couch.

“Your Grace!” Nanny Zhang protested as Shen Fuyu reclined so unceremoniously. “As a lady, you mustn’t lie about so carelessly!”

“You might as well say I should die with elegance.” Shen Fuyu laughed. “That, I can do.”

She had experience drinking poisoned wine—she could even ensure that the blood she spat from her burning stomach landed just so.

“Your Grace!”

“Deaf, can’t hear you.” Shen Fuyu covered her face with her fan.

Infuriated, Nanny Zhang seized her ruler, but saw Shen Fuyu peering at her through the gap in the fan. That gaze made her uneasy. After a moment’s restraint, she declared, “If Your Grace behaves improperly, it only means your servants are incompetent. If you refuse to listen, then your servants will bear the punishment for you!”

With that, the ruler cracked down on Bai Lian.

“If you care for her, you’d best behave yourself!” Nanny Zhang showed no mercy. Bai Lian was already covered in bruises, and now screamed and rolled on the floor, her pure, lotus-like appearance nowhere to be seen.

Nanny Zhang snorted inwardly. This was the best method for dealing with noble-born ladies—their maidservants were always closest to them. Seeing a trusted maid punished was bound to make the mistress heartache.

“No matter, go on.” Shen Fuyu said, picking up a dish of melon seeds and watching the scene unfold as if it were a play. She squinted in amusement at Nanny Zhang beating Bai Lian, whose screams only made her laugh. While she chuckled and nibbled on seeds, everyone in Xianyue Palace felt a chill. They began to wonder: how should one describe their mistress? Was she cold-blooded and heartless, or simply indifferent to everything?

Sometimes, she would laugh in the face of what others feared; at other times, she seemed unfazed by what should have angered her—it was impossible to grasp her true nature.

That laughter, almost eerie to outsiders, made Nanny Zhang’s grip on the ruler falter, and it fell to the ground. She broke out in a cold sweat. Reality never matched her plans. Why was this happening? Even if she felt nothing for her maid, wasn’t a personal servant a symbol of her dignity? How could she laugh at such a moment? Wasn’t she striking at the Virtuous Consort’s own face?

“You wretched old woman! I’ll show you!” Bai Lian, having rolled under the table, finally lost control. Why should she take a beating for the Virtuous Consort? Why should she be struck? Life was so unfair! Why was she born a lowly servant, why couldn’t she rise in the palace? And why should she suffer abuse from another servant?

The ruler on the floor became fuel for Bai Lian’s outrage. Relying on her youth, she snatched it up and, heedless of all else, struck back at Nanny Zhang.

In an instant, Xianyue Palace descended into chaos.

The palace maids and eunuchs tried to separate the two, but inevitably got caught in the crossfire. After several failed attempts, they began to stand aside, unwilling to get involved for fear of being implicated themselves.

Once things spiraled out of control, there would be no good outcome for anyone. None wanted to take sides or play the thankless role.

“Your Grace… this can’t go on,” Silver Bell said, fear in her eyes. “Nanny Zhang is here by imperial command. You must think of yourself!”

If Nanny Zhang went back to complain, the Virtuous Consort would surely be punished. Then, none in Xianyue Palace would have a good day. But as mere servants, their voices held no weight. Only Shen Fuyu could resolve this.

“You mean you’re thinking of yourself.” Shen Fuyu suddenly smiled at her, propping her chin in her hand. “Fine, break them up. I haven’t been in the palace long—if someone dies, that would be quite unfortunate.”