Chapter Thirty-Nine: Truly Angry?

"Indeed, anyone can play the game of hindsight, but if blame is to be laid, it can only fall on you, sister," Shen Fuyu sneered twice. "When you should have lent a helping hand, you stood aside, so you have no right to complain when your friends in the palace turn their backs on you in critical moments."

"After all, when Concubine Sun attended to His Majesty last night, she certainly didn’t remember you, sister, nor did she think of you as a friend. Not only were you overlooked, but she concealed things from you with remarkable thoroughness!"

Lady Shu’s face was mottled with anger, her fingers clenched tightly in her sleeve, teeth gritted so hard her eyes reddened. Shen Fuyu had torn away her mask without the slightest courtesy. Lady Shu had always prided herself on being virtuous and amiable, getting along with everyone. Why, why did Shen Fuyu always find ways to challenge her?

And Sun as well! Though she called Lady Shu ‘elder sister’ and was always close, how pleased she must have been last night! But ultimately, it was all Shen Fuyu’s fault! She adored the Emperor so much—why did he prefer Shen Fuyu, this unruly, shameless woman? Why was Shen Fuyu the one to bear his first child? Why, why?

"Sister, I was only speaking casually—you aren’t truly angry, are you?" Shen Fuyu set down her grapes, rose lightly, and walked over. Before Lady Shu could react, she seized her hand, gazing directly at her tearful face. "Are you really upset?"

She looked just like a mischievous boy teasing his desk mate to tears.

But that was not enough. Shen Fuyu, after years of navigating the construction site, would never limit herself to elementary school tactics—impossible!

"Don’t be angry, sister. Let’s say it’s all my fault," Shen Fuyu generously took all the blame. "Don’t be angry, sister; it’s all my doing, alright?"

Lady Shu trembled with rage, staring at Shen Fuyu’s carefree smile. There was not a trace of remorse in her expression! That ‘are you angry? I don’t believe it unless you show me’ attitude—what did it mean?

Lady Shu found herself trapped, unable to advance or retreat.

Nothing, not a thing!

The more she endured, the angrier she became; the more she retreated, the more she lost. If she lost her temper today, she would surely come out the loser. But if she did not, must she let Shen Fuyu insult her at will? The thought nearly drove Lady Shu to tears. She’d played mind games and schemes countless times since childhood, but never had she encountered someone as shameless as Shen Fuyu!

No, she must not lose her temper. If she did, Shen Fuyu would walk away unscathed while her own reputation suffered. Lady Shu’s mind raced, swallowing her anger. "How could I ever be angry with you, sister? We are all sisters here, just exchanging playful remarks. I was merely joking with you, surely you didn’t take it seriously? If so, I apologize—it was not my intention."

"So it was intentional, then?"

Shen Fuyu immediately let go of Lady Shu’s hand, her demeanor shifting dramatically. She returned to her seat with a cold face. Lady Shu was indeed clever; most would have lost their temper after such shameless provocation, but Lady Shu kept her composure, skillfully turning things back on Shen Fuyu.

After centuries on the construction site, Shen Fuyu had never tasted defeat!

"Does Sister Shu really dislike me so much?" Shen Fuyu’s expression grew cold. "You and Sun, and Zhao, play at being sisters on the surface, while I genuinely invite you to join me—yet you undermine me in public. Are you deliberately trying to embarrass me, sister? What is your true intention?"

"I…" Lady Shu was stunned. She had never expected Shen Fuyu to turn on her so abruptly. This wretch! She could dish out sharp words but wouldn’t tolerate the same in return? Why not! "Sister, your words are truly unfair. I was merely following your example, joking with you. How does that make me malicious?"

"That is precisely what I should ask you, sister." Shen Fuyu’s eyes reddened with grievance. "My words were without malice, yours were with intent—if that isn’t targeting me, what is? I don’t even know what I’ve done to deserve such treatment from you. I sincerely considered you a sister, but it seems my warmth was wasted."

"Even if you dislike me, there’s no need to go to such lengths to humiliate me!" Lady Shu clenched her teeth. "You claim your offense was unintentional, but does that absolve you? Can it simply be brushed aside?"

Shen Fuyu appeared to calm herself, no longer looking at Lady Shu. "I understand now—everyone knows I speak frankly, most don’t mind, but you, Lady Shu, are the exception. To add guilt, what’s lacking is only the accusation. Whatever you say must be so."

"You!" Lady Shu’s scheme felt as futile as punching cotton. Her anger had no outlet; her trembling finger pointed at Shen Fuyu. "Everyone saw it—do you have any sense of propriety or shame, Lady Xian?"

Shen Fuyu smiled inwardly but said nothing. People are always prone to comparison. Lady Shu had always been dignified and friendly with everyone, but now, exposed and stripped of her mask, her true nature was revealed. To stir public anger after such exposure was no easy task.

In moments like these, the villain always had the upper hand. From beginning to end, villains remained villains, while a good person’s smallest misstep led to disappointment. This comparative mindset was truly perilous.

As expected, someone would lose their composure. Jiang, the attendant, was the first to step forward. She had always been closer to Sun, and now she stood up: "Lady Shu, why dwell on such trivial matters? I may be foolish, but Lady Xian has always been this way. Now that she is expecting, should anything happen to the imperial heir, what then?"

"What do you mean by that?" Lady Shu could hardly believe it. Jiang, once little more than a lapdog to her and Sun, now dared to contradict her? Wretch! Traitor! What good could Shen Fuyu possibly offer? Why did everyone side with her?

"I dare not presume, but Lady Xian is carrying the imperial heir. It’s often said that expectant mothers must keep body and mind at ease for the child’s health. I merely advise Lady Shu: your quarrel with Lady Xian is minor, but harming the heir is grave. Should the Empress Dowager or His Majesty inquire, what then?"

"Who would have thought Jiang—plain as she is—could hit the nail on the head?" Shen Fuyu laughed wildly inside. She truly adored these plastic sisters. Lady Shu’s fury alone had pushed her own satisfaction up a considerable notch. "So, Lady Shu’s recent hostility stems from jealousy that I am with child, does it?"