Chapter Forty-Four: Is the Noble Consort Going to Compete with the Virtuous Consort Over This Too?

“Is Lady Shu determined to compete with Lady Xian over this as well?”

Qin Zhiyi wrapped his arm around Shen Fuyu, his gaze lifting to Lady Shu. “Lady Xian is with child; it’s only right that I spend more time with her. Does Lady Shu wish to contend for my attention now?”

“Lady Shu, I was truly frightened today, I didn’t mean to take anything from you!” Shen Fuyu feigned innocence on her face, though the cunning glint in her eyes gave her away. “Just this once, must you really be so petty, sister?”

“That’s not what I meant…” Lady Shu’s heart overflowed with bitterness she didn’t know how to express. Unable to bear the sourness within, she could only kneel in salute. “I won’t disturb Your Majesty and my sister any longer. I beg leave.”

With that, she turned and stormed out of Crescent Moon Palace.

The palace fell silent at once. Qin Zhiyi promptly let go, sat down, and said, “Enough. Wash up and go to sleep.”

“No, I want Your Majesty to stay with me. The baby in my belly is afraid!” Shen Fuyu coquettishly settled beside Qin Zhiyi. “Your Majesty, bathe with me, like mandarin ducks!”

“I’d sooner bathe with Qin Shi Huang,” Qin Zhiyi replied, deftly pushing Shen Fuyu away. Just hearing this woman’s words made his scalp tingle. Lady Shu had spent the day in the Empress Dowager’s palace, clearly now part of her faction. Qin Zhiyi had originally planned to sit awhile in the Tranquil Palace, but now sought any excuse to escape. Yet Shen Fuyu never let a chance slip by, boldly staging this scene of rivalry!

“Then please, Your Majesty, don’t let me stop you.” Shen Fuyu grabbed Qin Shi Huang by the waist, lifting the dog up and presenting it to Qin Zhiyi. “Qin Shi Huang is ready.”

“….”

Qin Zhiyi pointed toward the bedchamber. “Go to bed!”

Shen Fuyu refused to yield. “Wasn’t that Your Majesty’s idea? If you’ve taken a liking to my dog, I must reluctantly part with him. After all, you’re the emperor I love most!”

“I think it’s not Lady Shu you dislike but me!” Qin Zhiyi suddenly felt that no matter where he stayed tonight, he’d be miserable. And what did she mean by him liking her dog? It made him seem perversely desirous!

Shen Fuyu sheepishly put Qin Shi Huang down and laughed. “Oh dear, you caught me.”

“Tch!” Qin Zhiyi pointed again. “Go to sleep!”

“Won’t Your Majesty join me?” Shen Fuyu blinked at him.

“I sleep best watching you fall asleep,” Qin Zhiyi replied, fixing her with a stare. This woman must be watched every moment. At least when she slept, her mouth was silent, and he could get some rest. Otherwise, being angered thrice every night before bed would surely be the death of him!

“So Your Majesty worries so much about me, must watch me fall asleep—how touching!” Shen Fuyu pretended to wipe tears from her eyes, seeing that Qin Zhiyi was about to lose his temper.

Ah, another day with anger at its peak!

“Get out!” Qin Zhiyi clenched his fists. “Stop flattering yourself!”

Beside them, Qin Shi Huang looked up at him expectantly.

Tch!

Even her dog was annoying!

…

“Your Grace!”

“Get out! Are you here to laugh at me as well?”

A pair of delicate hands furiously swept everything from the table to the floor. The crash of porcelain shards rang out harshly. Lady Shu’s eyes were red with rage, her beautiful features twisted into a snarl. Not satisfied with just throwing things, she grabbed whatever was within reach—vases, cups, teapots—and smashed them all to pieces.

“Your Grace, please mind your health!” Qiu Ying knelt, pleading. “If word gets out, it won’t be good…”

“Not good? What could be worse than this?” Lady Shu’s fury surged. She knocked over the stool and, still not content, kicked it hard. But the sandalwood chair was sturdy, far beyond the strength of a delicate beauty like her. Instead, she stubbed her toe, and in pain, sat down and began to cry. “Have I not been humiliated enough these days?”

“Your Grace, patience brings great rewards,” Qiu Ying carefully edged closer. “Our chance will come.”

“Chance? That wretched Shen Fuyu is trampling all over me! Her pregnancy is nothing but a ruse to lure the emperor away!” Lady Shu’s hatred overflowed. When Qin Zhiyi ascended the throne, he had no wife. She had already been chosen as the favored daughter-in-law by the late emperor. For the sake of Da Xun’s border stability, Qin Zhiyi married a princess from Yun Jing, and she endured it. But Shen Fuyu—why should that wretch steal the emperor’s affection?

She was only fourteen when selected as a candidate, so deeply infatuated with the emperor. After entering the palace, Qin Zhiyi fell ill, and she prayed for him day and night, tending to him with care. Yet all her merit was credited to Shen Fuyu, who entered the palace to bring joy to the emperor!

She waited patiently for Qin Zhiyi to finally visit her, allowing her to approach the man she loved. And then—again—it was Shen Fuyu!

“Your Grace, have you forgotten what the Empress Dowager said?” Qiu Ying’s eyes flashed as she suddenly recalled something. “The Empress Dowager values you so highly; you must not give in now!”

“Of course I won’t give in!” Lady Shu’s gaze brimmed with hatred. She would never let that woman who stole her man off easily! The emperor was hers—hers, Lin Yunya’s. She would not let Shen Fuyu climb over her again and again. “Shen Fuyu wants to bear the crown prince? Let her dream!”

“More than that, tomorrow you must inform my father. I won’t let Shen Fuyu have peace, nor her family! Shen Fuyu is so proud only because the Shen family stands behind her. But who doesn’t have a powerful lineage? Sooner or later, I’ll have that wretch kneeling before me, begging for mercy!”

Meanwhile, in her sleep, Shen Fuyu gave a couple of mischievous laughs.

Qin Zhiyi, startled awake, lifted heavy eyelids to stare at Shen Fuyu’s sudden strange laughter, nearly kicking her off the bed. This woman! Not only did she sleep restlessly, she even talked in her sleep. What good could it do him if she frightened him like this?

Half-awake, Shen Fuyu smacked her lips and murmured, “Your Majesty, once you’re done washing, bring Qin Shi Huang out quickly—it’s almost time for him to relieve himself…”

Hiss!

She dreamed of him and Qin Shi Huang bathing together?

Qin Zhiyi’s face darkened. He grabbed the blanket and wrapped Shen Fuyu tightly, exerting force with both hands.

Down you go!

Early the next morning, Qin Zhiyi tidied himself and went to court. Shen Fuyu woke only after everyone had left, rubbing her eyes and feeling a faint ache on her backside. She looked up to find herself sleeping on the floor. Shen Fuyu paid it no mind—she was a restless sleeper and often fell out of bed. Most likely she’d landed there last night; it was no big deal.