Chapter Fifty-Eight: You Didn’t Miss, Did You?

Compared to the white lotus and the green tea types, to be honest, she had long set her sights on the maid by Shen Tangyu’s side. Astute! Capable! Cunning! Now that was the kind of little maid she wanted! Bold and resourceful, daring in both thought and action! In contrast to the two useless ones by her side, who were all talk and no substance, that was what a villain’s servant ought to be! So enviable!

Bullying these two fools brought her barely any anger points anymore. After tasting the sweetness of leveling up repeatedly, Shen Fuyu now found these two palace maids utterly dispensable. Perhaps it was time to consider some new recruits?

Just as she was pondering this, the little beauty she had her eye on came knocking at her door.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Nohwa. Why aren’t you with my elder sister? What brings you here?” Shen Fuyu’s eyes sparkled instantly. Nohwa, the top maid at Shen Tangyu’s side, a little mischief-maker a hundred times more capable than the white lotus and green tea!

Nohwa could be described as a miniature version of Shen Tangyu herself. She approached gracefully, curtsied before Shen Fuyu, and nodded slightly. “Your Grace, peace be upon you. His Majesty has drunk too much in the front hall. The eldest young lady asks that you come quickly.”

Look at that! How proper her words and actions are!

Shen Fuyu couldn’t be more satisfied. Unlike the white lotus and green tea, who would panic at the drop of a hat, just look at this one—she even stirs up trouble for her mistress so perfectly. If it were the other two, they’d probably puff themselves up immediately, but Nohwa was gentle, respectful, and courteous. No matter how angry you got, it would be like punching cotton—only making you hate her more!

How could she ever get her hands on such talent? She wanted her so badly!

Shen Fuyu stared intently at Nohwa, much like a street rogue eyeing an innocent maiden, making Nohwa uneasy. Was this consort not angry? What on earth did her gaze mean?

“Lead the way.” Shen Fuyu didn’t care in the least. There were no feelings between her and Qin Zhiyi, so Shen Tangyu’s little ploy affected her not at all. In fact, she rather hoped Shen Tangyu would succeed in seducing Qin Zhiyi—if not, she couldn’t be blamed for stabbing her in the back.

Nohwa chose not to say another word and obediently led the way. As they drew nearer to the front hall, the more nonchalant Shen Fuyu appeared, the more flustered Nohwa became, unconsciously quickening her pace.

A soft snort escaped Shen Fuyu’s lips. Though Nohwa was good, in her presence, these tricks were mere child’s play.

That laugh sent a jolt of panic through Nohwa’s heart. She was slightly displeased, but she forced herself to remain calm and led the way onward.

“Your Majesty…”

The young woman’s voice was perfectly measured—gentle but not seductive, as clear as a spring in the woods. Shen Tangyu personally offered a cup of tea to the man seated before her. She pressed her lips together, set the cup down, and then knelt gracefully. “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”

“Leave,” Qin Zhiyi said coldly. With one Shen Fuyu in his life, he had no fondness left for any woman of the Shen family. “I don’t need you to serve me.”

“How can His Majesty be left without attendants?” Shen Tangyu kept a respectful distance. With a man so lofty as the Emperor, taking the initiative was useless. Since Qin Zhiyi was cold, she would keep her distance and observe the proper etiquette. “As a daughter of the Shen family, I must not neglect decorum or break the rules.”

With the Emperor present, the minister should serve by his side. If there were no servants, even those of noble birth must attend upon him like menials—it was their duty.

Shen Tangyu maintained her distance, her tone neither humble nor overbearing, her conduct flawless, adhering strictly to all the rules. Yet in the room, alone with him, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Shen Fuyu absently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, but kept her gaze fixed on brewing tea, seemingly unconcerned with Qin Zhiyi at all.

Qin Zhiyi had indeed drunk a fair amount, but he was far from drunk out of his mind. The room was quiet but for the sound of tea being prepared. He frowned; Shen Tangyu’s behavior was above reproach, yet somehow there seemed to be a problem. Were all the Shen girls so impossible to read?

Dealing with Shen Fuyu alone was enough to keep him busy every day!

Shen Tangyu’s movements were fluid and focused, but inwardly she was puzzled. With her looks, few men could resist her. She could tell at a glance that Qin Zhiyi was a gentleman; attempts at seduction would be wasted on him. Yet such men were usually proud, and when faced with a woman of beauty, would assume she’d try something. By adhering strictly to duties and decorum, she’d won over many like him before. Why, then, had she failed to rouse even a spark of interest from Qin Zhiyi? She was waiting for him to speak, so she could take the next step! If she couldn’t win his body, she was confident she could win his heart. Yet no opening presented itself—had something gone wrong?

Judging by the time, Nohwa would soon arrive with Shen Fuyu. She had to hurry. She took up the tea she had brewed, steadied herself, and offered it again with a slight smile. “Your Majesty, this tea was brewed from the dewdrops collected from lotus leaves at dawn in midsummer. It has a unique fragrance—I hope you will try it.”

Qin Zhiyi tasted it, nodded slightly, but said nothing more.

Truth be told, Qin Zhiyi wasn’t fond of tea. It was simply the custom for those of Daxun to drink it. To him, tea was just a thirst-quencher—if it was drinkable, it was all much the same. He rarely commented on it.

Silence descended upon the room once more.

Shen Tangyu, unwilling to give up, tried again. “Your Majesty…”

“Be quiet. You’re noisy.” Because she was from the Shen family, Qin Zhiyi had grown used to shouting back and forth with Shen Fuyu, and said what was on his mind without thinking.

Shen Tangyu’s face drained of color. What was she doing wrong? Why couldn’t she draw Qin Zhiyi’s interest? Instead, she’d only angered him. Impossible! It had never happened before!

“Oh my, Sister, why are you kneeling on the floor? Did you mess up?” The door creaked open and before Shen Fuyu even entered, her laughter rang out in the doorway. Three maids followed behind, with Nohwa hurrying to Shen Tangyu’s side. Seeing her mistress kneeling, she dropped to her knees as well, uncertain what to do.

Shen Tangyu’s face flushed with shame and anger as she forced herself to speak: “Your Grace, what do you mean by this? I don’t quite understand.”

“What’s there not to understand?” Shen Fuyu sashayed over to Qin Zhiyi’s side, beaming. “Oh, Your Majesty, honestly! Do I look like someone so petty and jealous? When it comes to women, you really can do as you please!”