Chapter Fifty-Five: You Won't Blame Me, Will You?

Who wouldn't dislike a brother who drained them like a vampire, and a mother who favored sons over daughters? The original owner of this body had always been indifferent, so there was even less reason for Shen Fuyu to feel anything.

After the gentlemen finished their offerings, Lady Gu and Lady Yue presented Buddhist scriptures and prayer beads, respectively. The Old Madam Shen was devoted to Buddhism and always greeted anything related to the faith with a gracious smile. Yet, compared to Lady Gu's precious scriptures, the prayer beads made of fine wood suited the old lady's taste even more.

"Next is the eldest granddaughter," Old Madam Shen said, smiling sincerely for once. Among all her granddaughters, Shen Tangyu was still the most pleasing—after all, she was raised with care by the Shen family, far superior to those born out of wedlock.

"Grandmother," Shen Tangyu curtsied gracefully, her smile gentle. "I should offer my gift, but since Fourth Sister has entered the palace as a consort, shouldn't Her Highness take the lead this time?"

"Are you sure?" Shen Fuyu blinked with surprise—was Shen Tangyu truly insisting that she go first?

Shen Tangyu hesitated, a vague sense of foreboding rising within her, but since her words had already been spoken, she would never withdraw them in front of others. She replied, "Of course. Her Highness holds a distinguished status; it's only right for her to present her gift first."

So what if you go first? Shen Tangyu sneered inwardly. Back at home, Shen Fuyu was always the most foolish of the sisters, never able to win anyone's favor. Comparing whatever this wretch has prepared to her own meticulously embroidered Longevity Tapestry, the winner would be obvious. Shen Fuyu had just tarnished the Shen family’s reputation; now Shen Tangyu was determined to restore it!

What could this wretch possibly present? Likely something as perfunctory as her foolish brother's offerings.

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony," Shen Fuyu said, clapping her hands with a smile as Shen Tangyu's expression grew increasingly smug. "Bring it forward."

Shen Tangyu, this is your own doing—you can’t blame her for being ruthless. After all, she was born to argue and had no sentiment to spare.

Two palace maids approached, carrying a tray draped in red cloth. Shen Fuyu rose leisurely, supported by White Lotus, and walked over to the tray. "I have little talent," she said. "Knowing Grandmother's devotion to Buddhism, I specially procured this jade Buddha for her. I hope she will not disdain it."

Shen Tangyu laughed immediately. Judging by its size, the Buddha was nearly as tall as a person's arm. With such a large statue, how good could the jade possibly be? Surely, the Buddha was riddled with cracks—was this wretch presenting it just to invite ridicule?

Shen Fuyu glanced at Shen Tangyu, then gently removed the red cloth covering the jade Buddha. Sunlight spilled across its translucent surface, revealing a faintly blue-green hue. Not a single blemish marred the Buddha, and there were certainly no cracks. Jade of this quality was rare even in pendant-sized pieces, and anything larger was nearly impossible to acquire, let alone a Buddha of this size. It was, in truth, priceless.

Shen Tangyu’s confidence was crushed beneath the jade Buddha, and resentment surged within her. Others might not know, but she did; her grandmother loved material possessions as much as her faith. Years ago, even a finely made jade bracelet had delighted the old lady—let alone this Buddha.

Where in the world had Shen Fuyu found such a treasure? Was this not a slap in her face? What meaning was left in her painstaking embroidery?

This wretch! She had utterly humiliated her!

As the Buddha was presented, Old Madam Shen was indeed unable to put it down, even resisting the urge to touch it in front of her guests. She lavished praise, then ordered it sent to her private shrine for proper veneration. When Shen Tangyu brought out her embroidery, the old lady had not yet recovered from the jade Buddha’s impact, offering only perfunctory compliments for the sake of appearances.

Everyone could see her heart remained with the Buddha.

"I'm terribly sorry for stealing your thunder, Big Sister. Surely you won't blame me?" Shen Fuyu, ever adept at twisting the knife, returned with an innocent look that pierced Shen Tangyu’s pride. No matter how exquisite her embroidery, it was still within the realm of human skill—how could it compare to Shen Fuyu’s mysterious resources?

In truth, Shen Fuyu had counted about forty or fifty more jade Buddhas of this size in her private trove.

She was determined to thoroughly crush Shen Tangyu's self-esteem over the coming days, and earn a fortune in rage points through her tears!

"Not at all..." Shen Tangyu's complexion paled as she struggled to keep calm. Time and again, she had never failed before, but today she suffered defeat after defeat at Shen Fuyu’s hands. She would not allow this to happen again.

Shen Fuyu had changed too much; the old tricks would no longer work. Shen Tangyu lost her appetite, her mind consumed with plotting how to put Shen Fuyu beneath her feet. Given Shen Fuyu's recent actions, she clearly had some hidden advantage—one that could only have come from the Emperor.

Yes, that must be it. How else could she present such a jade Buddha? The Emperor must be infatuated with her, persuaded to give up such a treasure!

With this conviction, Shen Tangyu began to formulate her plans.

Qin Zhiyi would not stay at the Shen residence for long—at most until the end of the birthday feast. Now, with the wine flowing freely, it was the perfect opportunity. Shen Tangyu found an excuse to leave the table. Lady Gu laughed, "Mother, don’t mind her. The girl must have had too much wine."

"Big Sister has never lost her composure before—what happened today?" Shen Moyu sneered. "I doubt it’s the wine; she’s just unsettled."

"A mistake once or twice—who goes a lifetime without a single error? Sixth Girl, you think too much," Old Madam Shen retorted, not bothering to spare Shen Moyu’s dignity, and sided with Shen Tangyu instead.

Shen Moyu’s face darkened, and she lowered her head in silence.

At that moment, Shen Xingyu suddenly began to cry and fuss. Lady Yue quickly brought her wet nurse to soothe the child. Old Madam Shen frowned, "What’s the matter?"

"She must be hungry," Lady Yue replied, holding Shen Xingyu with resignation. "I was careless and spoiled Mother’s mood."

"Let Mother give Fourteenth Sister some egg custard," Shen Moyu offered, placing a bowl in front of Lady Yue.

"Grandmother says Sixth Sister is too calculating, but I think she’s quite considerate," Shen Fuyu said with a cheeky smile. Old Madam Shen’s expression darkened slightly, but she said nothing more.