Chapter Sixty: Is Your Restraint Measured on a Percentage Scale?

“I’ll be heading back soon. Will you be alright alone at the Shen residence?” As an ally, Qin Zhiyi still showed her some concern. “Do you need me to leave some men with you?”

“No need, I brought two maids with me, didn’t I?” Shen Fuyu replied with a bright smile. Did the Shen family think they could swallow her whole?

Qin Zhiyi frowned as he looked at her. “I’ve discovered there isn’t a single reliable thing about you.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t believe anything you say anyway.” Shen Fuyu brushed his words aside, not caring for any helpers. She preferred those who dragged her down—what use were helpers? Having one more helper meant one less enemy. Why would she do something so disadvantageous to herself?

Of course she wouldn’t!

Qin Zhiyi glanced at her and decided to let it go. She was capable enough not to need his help, and if anything, she’d probably end up dragging others down. “Then I’ll return to the palace shortly. You can stay at the Shen residence for a few days; I’ll send someone to fetch you later.”

“Very well,” Shen Fuyu nodded. “When you return to the palace, I’ll prepare a surprise for you.”

“That surprise isn’t your eldest sister, is it?” Qin Zhiyi eyed her suspiciously; he had no desire to be forced into taking another consort.

“Tsk.” Shen Fuyu clicked her tongue softly. Was she so easily exposed?

“I forbid it!” Qin Zhiyi spat the words out through clenched teeth. This woman must be mad—what kind of wife rushes to bring her husband another concubine?

Shen Fuyu shrugged. “I promise, I won’t force you into anything!”

She was bringing Shen Tangyu to the palace just to vex her, not to have her become a consort. She wasn’t so foolish as to seek a position for Shen Tangyu.

“That’s more like it.” Qin Zhiyi gave Shen Fuyu a warning look, pointing at her with his finger. “Don’t cause trouble. I’m leaving.”

“I’ll try to restrain myself a little,” Shen Fuyu said, bowing slightly. “Take care, and don’t miss me too much.”

Qin Zhiyi’s face darkened. He remembered when this woman spoke with the Imperial Preceptor, she’d said the same thing about restraining herself. Now he suspected her recklessness was scored out of a hundred; her ‘restraint’ only left ninety-eight points of trouble to unleash!

Forget it—she was at the Shen residence; no matter what, their disgrace wouldn’t spill outside. As for what Shen Fuyu might do behind closed doors, he would simply pretend not to see.

“Your Majesty, please be careful in the palace,” Shen Fuyu said, then thought for a moment and took a pill from her space. “This is an anti-poison elixir left by my master. Take it, and you’ll be immune to all poisons for three months. Though I’ll only be away from you for a few days, I suspect there may be trouble ahead. Keep it with you, and take it as an antidote if needed.”

Their meeting had happened because Qin Zhiyi was poisoned. Although he’d been cured once, the mastermind was unlikely to stop there. In the past two months, both the court and the harem had seen much upheaval; it was hard to guarantee Qin Zhiyi wouldn’t be targeted again.

“I’ll be careful,” Qin Zhiyi said, accepting the vial, which still held Shen Fuyu’s warmth. “Thank you.”

“Oh, don’t be so polite with me!” Shen Fuyu waved her hand carelessly. What nonsense—she had to protect her meal ticket! Without Qin Zhiyi, who else could provide her with so much rage value?

As Old Madam Shen’s birthday banquet drew to a close, countless comedic mishaps had occurred. Though things were smoothed over, the Shen family had thoroughly offended several powerful families in the capital. When sending guests off, Shen Shucheng and Old Madam Shen wore sour looks, but had to force smiles nonetheless. What stung most was that, as Qin Zhiyi departed, they were repeatedly instructed to treat Shen Fuyu well—when she was the very culprit behind all the trouble!

Once the doors closed, Shen Shucheng’s face turned cold. Madam Gu stepped forward, “Don’t be angry, dear. Fuyu is still young and doesn’t understand the intricacies of court politics.”

Better she hadn’t said it; it only fanned his rage. Shen Shucheng was never satisfied with this daughter. The Lin and Sun families had grown close, and now there was a rare chance to connect with the Cui family and the Left Chancellor, but Shen Fuyu had ruined it! Did she realize how much the Shen family would lose?

Madam Gu felt some relief, for she’d just learned that Shen Tangyu had failed to approach the Emperor. She suspected Shen Fuyu had interfered, but maintained a facade of maternal kindness. “Don’t be angry with her, dear. I’ll speak to her later. Fuyu is a good child; she’ll listen.”

“Hmph! Listen?” Shen Shucheng slapped his right hand against his left palm in frustration. Missing such an opportunity pained him deeply. In a fit of rage, he stormed toward the rear courtyard, where he found Shen Fuyu calmly sipping tea.

“You rebellious girl!” he shouted, raising his hand.

Shen Fuyu’s gaze sharpened. She abruptly grabbed Shen Shucheng’s wrist and frowned. “What, Father? You want to strike me? Are you even worthy?”

“I am your father! It is my duty to discipline you!” Shen Shucheng was furious. “Do you even realize what you’ve done today?”

“Calm yourself, dear!” Madam Gu feigned a desperate attempt to intervene. “Fuyu, apologize to your father!”

“Don’t bother. Let him stew in his anger,” Shen Fuyu said cheerfully, watching the scene unfold. “If I get into trouble, the Shen family will be dragged down with me. Mother, instead of saying useless things here, you might as well comfort your eldest daughter. She still believes every man in the world covets her, when the Emperor saw through her at a glance. With such a fickle woman, even if I wanted to help, I couldn’t.”

“You’re outrageous!” Shen Shucheng, red-faced, pointed at her and cursed. “How could I have such a daughter! No matter what your sister is like, she’s a thousand times better than you! Do you even know how much damage your recklessness caused the Shen family today?”

“Damage? Father, has your brain been wrapped in footcloth? With the current situation in court, you’re still thinking about forming cliques?” Shen Fuyu sneered, her words merciless and sharp. “A cake that smells as sweet as dung is still dung. If you want to eat it yourself, don’t drag others into it. I refuse to be held back.”

The whole family was so furious they could barely breathe. Old Madam Shen pointed her cane at Shen Fuyu. “How did the Shen family end up with such an ungrateful creature? Without the Shen family, where would you be today!”

“Grandmother, you jest. Without me, what future would the Shen family have?” Shen Fuyu glanced at Old Madam Shen and spoke, “Don’t always think about currying favor, forming alliances, and cliques. Remember whose realm this is. Without my favor, how could the Shen family have risen so quickly? The Emperor is looking for capable ministers; that’s why he’s repeatedly promoted the Shen family these past months. Don’t let your ambitions cloud your judgment and lead you astray!”