Chapter Fifty-Two: You Truly Are Unworthy of Being a Mother

“What do you mean by that? You, a mere illegitimate daughter, dare look down on me?” With no one around, Shen Tangyu’s true nature began to show. “If it hadn’t been for the emperor’s grave illness and the need for a Shen family daughter to bring him luck, do you really think it would’ve been you entering the palace?”

“That’s right, I do look down on you.” Shen Fuyu blinked, her gaze clear. “I don’t understand what you’re so proud of. You’re just a lowly concubine. I thought you’d have something substantial to threaten me with, but it turns out you’re nothing special after all.”

“You—!”

That’s more like it—anger is exactly what I wanted! Shen Fuyu’s smile grew even more satisfied. Suddenly, she stood, looking down from above. “And what’s so great about being a legitimate daughter? Don’t forget, I am now the true Virtuous Consort. For you to think you can surpass me and take my place is sheer delusion! Even Consort Shu had to admit defeat—what makes you, an idiot who can’t even set foot inside the palace, think you have a chance?”

With those words, Shen Fuyu left the pavilion accompanied by Green Tea and White Lotus, leaving Shen Tangyu alone, fuming with rage.

Ah—how delightful!

Shen Fuyu felt thoroughly refreshed. After all, Shen Tangyu was arrogant at heart; just a few casual words and her anger had risen another notch. If she stayed at the Shen residence for a few more days, leveling up once or twice would be no problem at all!

“My lady, should we really risk offending the eldest miss like this?” Green Tea looked worried. “The eldest miss has always been formidable…”

“As I’ve said before, don’t wear that mournful face while serving me,” Shen Fuyu frowned. “You’re ugly enough as it is; who are you trying to impress with that look? If you disgust me, I’ll beat you to death!”

At that, Green Tea immediately fell silent, doing her best to look cheerful even while stewing in anxiety.

White Lotus hesitated, watching Green Tea, and then changed her approach. “My lady, the eldest miss is threatening you with Concubine Wen. If you don’t comply, Concubine Wen could…”

“What does that have to do with me?” Shen Fuyu was baffled. Why was everyone so convinced she had any filial affection for Concubine Wen? Showing devotion to her was the original body’s business. If the original self hadn’t done her duty while alive, why should she be left to clean up the mess now?

She’d have to be out of her mind to do something so foolish! Besides, would Shen Tangyu really dare to kill Concubine Wen? With the status of being the birth mother of a favored consort, her life wasn’t so easily forfeit. The Shen family was already beset by enemies at court—if Concubine Wen died, what would people think? What would the Shen family’s opponents do?

Neither Shen Tangyu nor Lady Gu, that mother-daughter pair, would risk their stable position in the household with such reckless actions.

Such idiocy could only fool her two pigheaded maids.

As noon approached, Shen Fuyu, having sparred with both Shen Tangyu and Shen Moyu, happily returned to the rear courtyard. The old matron was chatting with several old friends, and many ladies were gathered there as well. Shen Fuyu’s eyes sparkled as she strode confidently toward the group.

At her arrival, all the ladies rose to greet her.

“Greetings, Your Grace.”

“There’s no need for formality,” Shen Fuyu replied, smiling kindly at them. “I’m here to celebrate as well. Please, don’t let my presence put you on edge—enjoy yourselves. Formalities will only make me uncomfortable.”

The ladies, reassured, sat down again, and someone made room for Shen Fuyu. She smiled at her, took Green Tea’s hand, and sat gracefully, inviting the lady to join her. “Please, sit.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” This was the wife of the eldest son of Grand Secretary Cui, née Deng—a famous socialite among the ladies, well-acquainted with many, and as the daughter-in-law of the Cui family, universally respected.

Seated with Lady Cui were Lady Xie, wife of the Left Minister, and Lady Wu, wife of the Heir of the Duke Protector of the Realm—all of prominent families, making their company most befitting.

“We haven’t yet congratulated Your Grace—how wonderful to hear of your pregnancy! It must be nearly two months now, isn’t it?” Lady Xie smiled warmly. “The first three months are the most crucial, but Your Grace looks well and shows no signs of morning sickness. Surely you’ll have a gentle little prince who’ll adore you.”

“Yes, unlike when I was carrying my eldest son—those first months were dreadful. I could barely eat, and the boy turned out to be quite a handful,” Lady Wu chimed in. “But today, with the old matron’s birthday banquet, even His Majesty has accompanied you here; it’s clear how much he cherishes you!”

After three years of cautious patience, Qin Zhiyi had finally seized the momentum, using Shen Fuyu and the Shen family’s influence to rise rapidly—no longer the green, newly ascended emperor he once was. With the Shen family as his powerful in-laws, he’d reclaimed much of the imperial authority in just two months. The court’s tide had turned, and many sought to curry favor with the Shen family, some even watching and waiting for the next move.

“Lady Wu, you jest. I’m merely fortunate,” Shen Fuyu glanced over the three of them. Pity she couldn’t speak her mind in such company—how disappointing. But she had promised Qin Zhiyi; a promise was a promise. “If I could have a son as you did, Lady Wu, I’d gladly endure morning sickness for all nine months.”

“Oh, Your Grace, with your blessings, you’re sure to bear His Majesty a prince,” Lady Cui joined in with a laugh. Her father-in-law had warned her to watch Shen Fuyu closely, claiming the woman might undermine the Cui family’s interests. Yet, seeing Shen Fuyu’s heartfelt joy at the prospect of motherhood, she began to doubt the rumors of Shen Fuyu’s arrogance, her solitary favor, and her wild acts like burning imperial memorials. “Unlike Your Grace, I haven’t been so lucky—in my youth, I lost a child and injured my health, and now I can only watch as the concubines bear sons, one after another.”

“Lady Cui, how could you be so careless?” Shen Fuyu’s eyes widened, feigning shock as she stared at Lady Cui. “If you’d been more careful, how could you have miscarried? Lady Cui, I’m truly disappointed. As mothers, aren’t our children everything to us? And yet you… you couldn’t even protect your own child. You really don’t deserve to be a mother at all.”

Shaking her head as if in sorrow, she gently caressed her own belly, as though wanting to distance herself from Lady Cui, lest she catch some ill fortune.

Lady Cui was visibly stunned, staring at Shen Fuyu in disbelief. How could she say such a thing? Her lips trembled before she regained her composure enough to reply, “I did not fail in my duty, Your Grace. That remark is much too one-sided… Villainy is cunning; no matter how cautious I was, I could not guard against such malice!”