Chapter Thirty-Four: You Want a Dog to Take My Surname?

“Your Majesty?”

“Share these with the others. I’ve lost my appetite.” Shen Fuyu yawned lazily, her teeth aching from too many grapes. “Where are White Lotus and Green Tea?”

“The other consorts have come to offer their congratulations. The two sisters are still busy outside. As you instructed, no one is to be received. The few consorts who did come were sent away,” Yinling replied as she took away the grapes, sounding somewhat worried. “Your Highness… just now I saw Sister Green Tea take the pearl necklace that Consort Sun sent you…”

“I see.”

Shen Fuyu smiled. Her two little white-eyed wolves truly hadn’t forgotten themselves—no sooner had they recovered from their illness than they were back to their petty thieving ways. “Just pretend you didn’t see it.”

She really didn’t care about such trifles. Today her space had leveled up, and she’d just taken a moment to check: it had grown larger, with a new small room filled with rare treasures, pearls and diamonds the size of fists, and gems so dazzling they nearly blinded her. Did she value that string of pearls from Consort Sun, each barely the size of a fingernail? Even a stray dog wouldn’t want such rubbish!

Thinking of dogs, Shen Fuyu suddenly remembered, “Where’s my Qin Shihuang?”

“He’s just been fed and is probably out playing. I’ll send someone to look for him.” Yinling called two young eunuchs to search. Qin Shihuang was a little yellow dog Shen Fuyu had impulsively adopted recently.

Today, many people had come to Crescent Moon Palace, even prominent families outside the palace sent gifts. Yet Shen Fuyu saw none of them, her proud peacock-like attitude and the haughty airs of her two senior maids thoroughly infuriating many visitors!

Shen Fuyu watched as the anger value in her space crept up again, her heart overflowing with delight. This pregnancy was truly worth it! Soon, more people would target her, and that was just what she wanted.

Being pregnant in the palace was truly a magnet for resentment. Shen Fuyu began to ponder: after giving birth, should she find time to “consummate” things with Qin Zhiyi? The anger value was simply too tempting; she’d gladly bear his children for more of it!

And not just that—she’d also do her best to push Qin Zhiyi into other women’s beds. Love mixed with jealousy made the palace women love him all the more deeply. As his favored consort, she’d draw even more hatred.

Level one hundred for her space was no longer a dream!

Onward, Shen Fuyu!

“Woof!”

A bark pulled Shen Fuyu from her daydreams. Seeing her yellow puppy, she gleefully held out her arms. “Oh, my darling boy—come to Mother for a cuddle!”

Qin Shihuang trotted over, tongue lolling, pouncing against Shen Fuyu’s knees, tail wagging excitedly. He rolled on the floor, and Shen Fuyu scooped him up, stroking his fur contentedly. “It’s a pity you keep running off lately—I hardly see you!”

“Your Highness, dogs are different from people. When a dog comes of age, it’s bound to want to roam,” Yinling said with a smile.

“Is that so…” Shen Fuyu’s eyes gleamed as she lifted Qin Shihuang, who was still wagging his tail at her. “Maybe we should have him fixed, then. Without such desires, he wouldn’t run off.”

“Woof, woof, woof!”

Qin Shihuang seemed to understand. No sooner had Shen Fuyu finished speaking than he barked in protest, wriggling out of her arms and baring his teeth at her in defiance.

“Your Highness, isn’t that a bit cruel?” Yinling whispered.

“You say that as if I’d have him cut like a eunuch. I couldn’t bear it! I think you’re the one with a problem,” Shen Fuyu replied solemnly. “Even the eunuchs don’t pity themselves as much as you pity a dog.”

“Your servant…”

Shen Fuyu laughed and didn’t tease her further. Unlike White Lotus and Green Tea, who’d bristle at a few words, Yinling always blamed herself. Shen Fuyu knew that wouldn’t do; in the palace, one had to be ruthless. Why burden oneself with troubles that could be pushed onto others? Life was hard enough as it was.

She stroked Qin Shihuang, but hadn’t truly intended to have him fixed—if the wound became infected in this era, who could save her precious boy?

Still, every time she mentioned “fixing” him, Qin Shihuang barked furiously, which amused her endlessly. It was as if he really understood! Shen Fuyu loved teasing him like this.

“Woof, woof, woof!” Qin Shihuang seemed to say, “You’re the real dog here—worse than me!”

“All right, all right, come give Mother a kiss! Mwah! You’re too cute! Mwah!”

The rest of Crescent Moon Palace’s servants pretended to be deaf and blind, ignoring the bizarre scene before them.

Just before dinner, Qin Zhiyi arrived as promised. The two of them acted in perfect harmony—she played the spoiled, arrogant consort to perfection, while he maintained the facade of deep affection, even bringing an imperial chef to take charge of all her meals.

Today, Qin Shihuang was on his best behavior, quietly eating at Shen Fuyu’s feet.

“I recall you’ve had this dog for some time now,” Qin Zhiyi remarked, fondly scratching Qin Shihuang’s head. With Shen Fuyu present, even the other beings in Crescent Moon Palace seemed pleasing to him. “Have you given him a name?”

“Yes, his name is Qin Shihuang.”

“What did you call him?”

“Qin Shihuang.”

“What kind of ‘Huang’?”

“Qin Shihuang.”

“You gave a dog my surname?”

Qin Zhiyi felt deeply insulted. What was this woman thinking? He could tolerate her raising her sister’s child, but accepting a dog as a son? Why should a dog bear his family name?

“I treat Qin Shihuang as my own son! Naturally, he should take his father’s surname!” Shen Fuyu replied, perfectly justified.

“You want a dog to be my son? Shen Fuyu, are you out of your mind?” Qin Zhiyi felt his blood boiling. “Never mind the surname—what about this ‘Shihuang’? What does it mean?”

“He poops the yellowest stools, so ‘Shihuang’ suits him best!” Shen Fuyu said. Compared to all those novels she’d read years ago, where heroines always named their mighty spirit beasts something cutesy like Little Flower or Hotpot, her little mutt named Qin Shihuang was far more imposing.

“Your Majesty, don’t you think I’ve chosen the perfect name? I’m truly cultured, aren’t I?”

“Culture itself would flee on a sweating blood steed if it met you,” Qin Zhiyi retorted, exasperated. “You really do know how to flatter yourself!”