Chapter Fifteen: Punished with the Rod

If this went on any longer, the feud would devolve into nothing more than a mutual hatred between Bai Lian and Madam Zhang, with Shen Fuyu left entirely out of it—without her, there would be no more anger points to collect! How could she let that happen? She absolutely refused!

When Madam Zhang was dragged out, her face bore fresh scratches from Bai Lian’s nails, and Bai Lian herself was in no better state, slumped on the ground, swaying until she finally collapsed, unconscious.

Shen Fuyu waved her hand, and two young eunuchs came to carry Bai Lian back to her own quarters.

Madam Zhang, under the cold and indifferent stares of everyone in Crescent Moon Palace, struggled to her feet, trembling as she retrieved her discarded ruler. Meeting Shen Fuyu’s deep, smiling eyes, she couldn’t help but shiver. Instinctively, she now placed Shen Fuyu firmly in the category of people not to be trifled with. Before leaving, she shot a fierce glare at everyone in Crescent Moon Palace.

She had arrived brimming with confidence, only to leave utterly humiliated!

Without a second thought, Madam Zhang burst into tears and ran off to lodge a complaint. At that moment, Qin Zhiyi was in Shou’an Palace, conversing with the Empress Dowager, when a battered and weeping Madam Zhang burst in.

“I am unworthy of Your Majesty’s trust. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order!” Madam Zhang knelt before them, bowing low and refusing to rise. “If I go to Crescent Moon Palace again, I fear these old bones of mine will not make it out alive!”

The Empress Dowager looked on suspiciously, glancing between Qin Zhiyi and Madam Zhang. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I sent Madam Zhang to Crescent Moon Palace to teach proper conduct,” Qin Zhiyi replied calmly. “After all, the Consort comes from a humble background and lacks refinement. Those improper behaviors must be corrected, or else won’t the imperial family lose face in front of everyone?”

The Empress Dowager nodded. It was reasonable—she harbored deep resentment toward the Consort herself, wishing she could consign her to the Cold Palace with a cup of poisoned wine. But that wretched Consort bore the title of the Emperor’s savior, which to outsiders was as good as an invisible pardon from death. No matter how much she despised the woman, she had to endure.

If she could not be deposed, she must be more strictly disciplined. Looking at Madam Zhang, the Empress Dowager said, “The Consort is wild and untamable, difficult to manage. The Emperor sent you precisely because you are skilled in discipline. This Consort—”

“I am honored by Your Majesty’s regard, but I fear this time I must disappoint both Your Majesty and the Emperor,” Madam Zhang replied, face full of frustration as she shook her head. “Forgive my boldness, but the Consort—‘wild and untamable’ doesn’t begin to describe her!”

“I was merely carrying out my orders, and made it clear I was sent by the Emperor. Yet the Consort treated me as if I were invisible, laughing and scolding without the slightest decorum. I tried to instruct her, but she repeatedly insulted me, and then—” Madam Zhang hesitated, then rolled up her sleeve, shifting all blame to Shen Fuyu. “She even ordered her maids to beat and abuse me. At my age, if I were to go through that again, I fear I would not survive! I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to grant me justice!”

“Outrageous!” The Empress Dowager’s fury erupted. Memories of Shen Fuyu’s past transgressions flooded her mind. “A mere palace consort dares to defy the Emperor and assault the royal tutor granted by His Majesty—she is utterly lawless!”

“Summon my decree: The Consort of Crescent Moon Palace has shown blatant disrespect for her superiors and has a vile temperament. She is to be caned thirty times!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Madam Zhang prostrated herself in gratitude.

“Rise, this is no fault of yours,” the Empress Dowager said, signaling to a pair of young maids to help Madam Zhang to her feet. “You may go and rest now.”

“Yes.” Madam Zhang nodded and let herself be led away.

After this ordeal, the Empress Dowager’s opinion of Shen Fuyu soured completely. She turned to the Emperor, saying, “Such a woman should be removed as soon as possible. Keeping her in the palace will only bring disaster.”

“I understand your concern,” Qin Zhiyi replied, “but no harm can come to the Consort. She has only been in the palace a few days, and now she is to be punished. She is not only my savior, but let us not forget, she is also a daughter of the Shen family.”

“She is but a concubine’s daughter from the Shen family. If the Emperor values the Shen family, their eldest daughter is accomplished and renowned for her virtue and talent. Such a woman would give me peace of mind were she by your side,” the Empress Dowager said pointedly. “As for punishing the Consort, I have my reasons. Strict rewards and punishments will only highlight your wisdom as Emperor.”

Qin Zhiyi did not argue further. “Since you have decided, I will not interfere. I will go to Crescent Moon Palace to check on the Consort. Please, Mother, get some rest.”

With that, he left Shou’an Palace.

The Empress Dowager staggered back, caught by her maids, and said in disbelief, “Does the Emperor think I am meddling? I have just punished that ungrateful Consort, and now he hurries to visit her?”

“Please don’t take it to heart,” Ruowei soothed gently. “I heard that when the Emperor left Crescent Moon Palace, he didn’t look pleased either. Perhaps he only wants to placate the Shen family. No matter how accomplished the Shen family’s eldest daughter is, with the Consort still in the palace, how could they bring in another? Besides, before his ascension, the Shen family was the only one not to support any prince. The Emperor must value them.”

The Empress Dowager listened, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She murmured, “It took so much effort to help the Emperor reach this point…”

“If Your Majesty dislikes the Consort, why act personally?” Ruowei suggested. “It seems the Emperor truly intends to favor the Shen family. Whatever the Consort does, he will shield her. And in this harem, is she the only one who hopes for favor?”

“All these years, you are the only one who truly understands me,” the Empress Dowager sighed. “Invite some of the higher-ranked consorts to Shou’an Palace for a visit when you have time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Of course, the Empress Dowager’s good mood did not last long.

Half an hour later, the officials sent to mete out the punishment returned, dejected and disheveled.

Nothing too dramatic had happened—only that the bench and the half-man-high caning plank had been smashed to pieces by Shen Fuyu’s swift fists, after which she cheerfully sent the executioners away.

As fate would have it, just as Shen Fuyu had demolished thirty caning boards, Qin Zhiyi arrived.

“Wasn’t Mother supposed to have you caned?” Qin Zhiyi asked, incredulous. By rights, the Empress Dowager’s people should have been quick about it.