Chapter Forty-Seven: Reunion with the Shen Family

“I’m still carrying the Emperor’s child! Go on, try throwing me!” Now that they’d left the palace, with so many eyes watching, would Qin Zhiyi really dare toss her out?

“You—!” Qin Zhiyi nearly raised his hand at her, but in the end he restrained himself and simply pushed her a little farther away.

Honestly, why on earth had he agreed yesterday to let Shen Fuyu accompany him back to her family’s birthday banquet?

“And you’d better behave,” he warned. “Judging by the time, you’re not even two months along. The fetus isn’t stable yet, so stop bouncing around. If anything goes wrong with this act, it’ll all come to nothing!” He couldn’t care less about Shen Fuyu herself—it was the charade he feared exposing! Shen Fuyu was always so lively, nothing like a pregnant woman at all.

“It’s not a big deal.” Shen Fuyu patted her little belly and smiled. “If Your Majesty’s worried about me, you could just say so. Every time you circle around like this, I’m really going to feel embarrassed!”

Truth be told, she’d never worried about petty tricks like being pushed or drugged. Her body had been cleansed and fortified with the space’s power, and she had legendary martial arts to protect her. If anyone wanted to harm her, they’d have to wait for their next life.

“Tsk.” Qin Zhiyi fell silent. He’d discovered that keeping his mouth shut was the most effective way to deal with Shen Fuyu’s relentless chatter.

The Shen manor was bustling with visitors that day. Dignitaries and nobles came to pay their respects, giving the Shen family great honor. A few tables were set up at the gate for the city’s poor, so that even beggars and vagrants could have a hot meal.

The old matron of the Shen family had been a vegetarian and a devout Buddhist for years, and now, bestowing charity on her birthday, she was being celebrated as a living Bodhisattva. Shen Fuyu had already heard this sentiment several times from within the carriage.

“It’s not easy for the old lady,” Shen Fuyu clicked her tongue. “At her age, she still goes to such lengths for the family. She can’t wait for the world to see her performing charity in plain sight.”

“At the end of the day, they’re still your family. Don’t you feel anything for them?” Qin Zhiyi found it baffling how estranged Shen Fuyu seemed from her kin.

“Your Majesty, how much affection do you have for your own family?” Shen Fuyu smiled, for once speaking earnestly to Qin Zhiyi. “Those who competed with you for the throne—do you still think of them as brothers?”

“That’s different. When brothers turn on one another, how can there be any love left?”

“On a grand scale, yes, it’s the imperial family. But in smaller matters, it’s every household. The higher sets the example, and the lower follows—it happens everywhere.” Shen Fuyu yawned lazily. “That’s why I think it’s better to feel nothing. Otherwise, I’d just be cleaning up their messes.”

Besides, she hardly had time to pity Shen Fuyu’s original self. She was who she was, and Shen Fuyu was another. Even after occupying this body and gaining its memories, she didn’t feel compelled to empathize or seek vengeance on the original’s behalf. Such passion was the luxury of youth—by now, after dozens of reincarnations, she was a centuries-old monster, long past any youthful fervor. In the face of life and death, all else seemed trivial. Especially given the Shen family’s situation: after a few years, with time to grow and forget, anyone could move on and shed old shackles. Life would demand it.

Qin Zhiyi said nothing, but the phrase “the higher sets the example, the lower follows” echoed in his mind. Shen Fuyu’s words struck home—he could find no rebuttal. The pattern was everywhere, from the father shaping the child to the ruler shaping the people. For the first time, Qin Zhiyi wondered if many things he’d taken for granted in Daxun were, in fact, mistakes.

“Your Majesty, Noble Consort, the Shen residence is just ahead,” came Changfu’s voice from outside.

The noise at their destination grew louder. The Emperor’s rare appearance had drawn crowds, and the imperial guards kept the masses at bay as the carriage slowed and stopped before the gate.

Shen Shucheng, leading his family, knelt at the entrance. “Your subject Shen Shucheng, with all my family, welcomes Your Majesty and the Noble Consort!”

“Welcome, Your Majesty! Welcome, Noble Consort!” echoed the Shen household.

Qin Zhiyi was the first to alight, then extended his hand to help Shen Fuyu down. “Slowly, be careful.”

Her hand rested in his palm, and with maidservants assisting, she descended carefully, casting a knowing smile at the Shen family she hadn’t seen in so long. Looking at these people, all smiles on the surface and daggers underneath, she couldn’t help but be amused. Luckily, the Shen family was anything but honorable; had she possessed the body of a truly cherished young lady, with doting parents and siblings, it would have been much harder to play her part.

The Shen family was a nest of schemers, every one of them full of cunning. She adored families like this!

“Today is the old lady’s birthday banquet, and as her grandson-in-law, I insist she need not be overly formal,” Qin Zhiyi said, having helped Shen Fuyu down and offering a polite gesture toward the old matron, giving the Shen family plenty of face.

“Ranks must be observed. I am but an old woman, and should pay my respects to Your Majesty and the Consort,” the old matron replied, leaning on her cane with a kindly smile. She turned to Shen Fuyu, her smile deepening. “Good, good. Now that Your Ladyship is well, my mind is at ease.”

“The wind is strong at the door, Grandmother, Father, let’s go inside,” Shen Fuyu said lightly, taking Qin Zhiyi’s hand as they led the way, with the rest of the family following.

“Grandmother, let me support you,” came a slightly ill-timed voice—not enough to draw the Emperor’s attention, but enough to make Shen Fuyu turn her head.

“Elder Sister is just the same—you always have to announce your intentions before doing anything, as if afraid others won’t notice.” Shen Fuyu glanced back and smiled. “But such filial piety is rare; I think it’s delightful.”

“You always take everything to heart, no matter what others say. The imperial physician said you must avoid overthinking during pregnancy, but you never remember,” Qin Zhiyi said as he pulled Shen Fuyu closer, not caring in the least what Shen Tangyu said or did. “I have to keep a close eye on you to be at ease.”

“You know me, Your Majesty—I’m just like this!” Shen Fuyu replied with a playful smile, clinging to his side. Truly, in terms of partnership, Qin Zhiyi was the first collaborator she’d ever had who worked with such seamless understanding. There was no need for prior rehearsal; with just a glance, they seemed to understand each other perfectly, improvising a performance that satisfied them both.