Chapter Sixty-One: Are You Cursing Me to Die Young Again?

“Outrageous! Affairs of the court—how could a mere woman possibly comprehend them?” Shen Shucheng’s head spun with fury, unable to withstand Shen Fuyu’s righteous boldness. “Stop uttering such nonsense! The emperor is young and unable to govern; do you think the Shen family has no influence? Or do you believe that little emperor is enough to protect you? Do you imagine that carrying the imperial heir allows you to rest easy?”

“Then, Father, keep savoring your pastries as you wallow in filth. Truly, it’s no exaggeration to say your mind is wrapped as tightly as old cloth.” Shen Fuyu smiled, rose, and prepared to leave. “But I am still of the Shen family, whether you and Grandmother accept me or not. There are things I simply must say.”

“Don’t betray the trust placed in you. The emperor has begun to favor women of other noble houses. If the Shen family isn’t steadfast in loyalty, the power it holds will soon slip away. The emperor may not fully control the court, but how many in the capital already see the Shen family as a thorn in their side?” Her gaze turned cold, meeting Shen Shucheng’s eyes without fear. “Use your walnut-sized brain, Father, and think carefully: must you wait until the emperor’s disappointment, until the Shen family is regarded as an enemy by all other powerful families in the capital, until you walk a path of ruin with no return, before you consider turning back?”

“I’m tired, so I’ll leave you and Grandmother to chat alone.”

Shen Fuyu leaned on Green Tea’s arm, walked to the door, then suddenly looked back with a smile. “Also, Father, if you wish to harm me, it won’t be so easy. Not to mention that there isn’t a single capable fighter in this vast Shen family, the child I carry is the emperor’s firstborn. Whether boy or girl, the Shen family’s position will be secure. If you wish to risk everything for so little, that’s for you to decide.”

“Farewell.”

Shen Shucheng was stunned, having just been scolded by his daughter so fiercely that he was both furious and forced to calm himself. Shen Fuyu’s words were not entirely without reason. It was precisely because Shen Fuyu was favored that the Shen family had regained its chance to rise above other noble houses. Yet, the emperor could easily bestow favor elsewhere; the power the Shen family possessed was not guaranteed. Other families would surely target them.

Shen Fuyu was still cherished by the young emperor, and her words likely echoed his own thoughts. If so, was befriending the Cui family truly a mistake?

“Master…” Lady Gu wanted to say something, but seeing Shen Shucheng pacing back and forth, she couldn’t get a word in.

“This rebellious girl! How dare she speak to me like that!” Once he had thought it through, Shen Shucheng slammed his hand on the table in anger; no child should dare address their elders so! This rebellious girl! Unfilial!

Lady Gu was also displeased, but as the Lady of the House, she could not show it in front of others. She spoke gently, “Master, do not be angry. I failed to raise her properly; it’s all my fault… Fortunately, things aren’t yet irrevocable. Tomorrow I’ll visit the Cui residence to relieve your worries.”

“Don’t bother!” Shen Shucheng, still angry, lashed out at those nearby. “We’ve already offended them. Do you think the Cui family’s reputation outweighs that of the rebellious girl? She’s gone too far, relying on her position as the Virtuous Consort. What use is there in going?”

He had to admit Shen Fuyu made sense, but he could not swallow his pride. Why must he have such a rebellious daughter? Lady Wen was so gentle back then, yet their daughter turned out so defiant!

Lady Gu opened her mouth but secretly noted Shen Fuyu’s offense, choosing not to say more.

Old Lady Shen, seeing her son’s resolve, sighed, her face darkening as she rose to retire. The family stirred, sending her off, and after she left, Shen Shucheng waved everyone away.

The servants cleaned up Shen Fuyu’s old courtyard before she entered the palace. It was a place fit for a secondary daughter, not particularly lavish, and certainly inferior to Shen Tangyu’s courtyard. Yet, seated on her old bed, Shen Fuyu felt unusually cheerful; the Shen family’s main members would surely find little joy today, her anger level finally reaching halfway! How wonderful!

“My Lady, I fear the master is quite upset today. Was it really wise to speak to him that way?” Green Tea served her cautiously. “If the master doesn’t support you, how will you manage in the palace?”

“You think I’ll die without him?” Shen Fuyu’s gaze chilled. “Are you wishing for my early death?”

“I wouldn’t dare!” Green Tea knelt on the floor.

“Was what I said unreasonable?” Shen Fuyu stretched lazily across the bed. “Do you think I was wrong?”

“Of course, My Lady was right,” Green Tea replied, sweating slightly. Ultimately, she feared Shen Fuyu’s wrath. “I only think, as he is your father…”

“So? Is that something a servant should say?”

Green Tea dared not speak further. White Lotus beside her was equally frightened into silence. Returning to the estate today, everything seemed different. Shen Fuyu had always been quick to retort, but never so bold as today. Green Tea trembled, already kneeling. She had accepted money from Shen Moyu to drug the lady, and hoped fervently it wouldn’t be discovered.

Seeing Green Tea’s guilty expression, Shen Fuyu found herself longing for better servants; these two were truly useless.

Waving them away with an excuse, Shen Fuyu sent the pair out. Relying on them for information about the Shen family was pointless, as they were always swayed by the wind. From her spatial pouch, Shen Fuyu drew a pill—the same kind she had taken upon entering the palace to bring joy.

Let’s see what everyone’s up to.

Shen Shucheng was in the study, unhappily discussing the future with his two uncles from the second and third branches. Old Lady Shen had gone to bed, still brooding. Shen Tangyu and Lady Gu were in their room plotting their next move—mother and daughter indeed, even after being scolded, they could still stand tall. Glancing toward the third branch, Shen Fuyu couldn’t help but smile.

With some time left before the curfew, Shen Fuyu quietly opened her door and beckoned to a maid sweeping the courtyard.

The young maid nervously put down her broom, wiped her hands on her clothes, and approached, stuttering, “My Lady, is there something you need?”

“Would you like this?” Shen Fuyu took a hefty silver ingot from her purse and waved it before the maid’s eyes. “Tomorrow morning, go buy a few things for me. After the cost of the goods and bribing the gatekeepers, the rest is yours as a reward.”