Chapter Seven: Take Action! She's Not Even Trying to Run!

Qin Zhiyi raised his fist, ready to strike Shen Fuyu directly in the face! For a brief moment, he truly didn’t want to restrain himself any longer. Even if it meant being called a coward who hits women, he would accept it—this woman was simply too despicable!

“Don’t think that just because you’ve done me a favor, you can do as you please!” In the end, Qin Zhiyi didn’t hit her. Instead, he grabbed her collar and spoke coldly, “I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead!”

Shen Fuyu touched her own cheek, then suddenly smirked mischievously. She seized Qin Zhiyi’s hand and pressed it to her face. “Then go ahead—hit me.”

Her face was right there for him—he should hit her, and not hold back!

The angrier he got, the faster her space would upgrade. Compared to those gains, a little pain was nothing!

“You think I wouldn’t dare?” Qin Zhiyi raised his hand threateningly.

“If you won’t do it, why should I believe you can?” Shen Fuyu arched her brow, excitement sparkling in her eyes. Hurry, do it! She couldn’t wait. She knew that when a person struck out in extreme rage, the anger value increased exponentially. For the sake of her space, she was willing to become a masochist!

But she underestimated Qin Zhiyi’s self-control. Though his hand was raised, deep down he could not accept striking a woman as proper, so that slap never fell.

“Kneel before me!” He didn’t hit her, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t furious. “You truly know no shame!”

“You’re just too cowardly to do it, stop making excuses.” Shen Fuyu’s words were sharp, but she obediently knelt, her expression still defiant, even dissatisfied—it wasn’t enough, she needed more anger!

Coward! Come on and hit me!

She wasn’t running!

“You’re outrageous!” Qin Zhiyi hurled a cup, shards scattering near Shen Fuyu. “Stay here and kneel for me!”

The first thing he would do upon returning was to thoroughly investigate the Shen family. He’d met the legitimate daughter before—if nothing else, she was a proper lady, so the Shen family’s illegitimate daughters shouldn’t be much worse, right?

But compared to the woman before him, the difference was not merely slight—it was worlds apart.

A true shrew!

“You clearly need a governess to teach you proper etiquette!” Qin Zhiyi, somewhat calmed, looked at Shen Fuyu. “You hardly look like a consort at all!”

“And what makes you think you’re qualified to teach me how to be a consort?” Shen Fuyu’s eyes lit up—if Qin Zhiyi dared to speak, she dared to retort. She was an expert at picking flaws, her smug expression tinged with cunning, not like someone in a quarrel at all. “What’s wrong with how I act as a consort? Must I be exactly like everyone else? That’s an infringement of human rights! I can freely choose how I wish to be a consort!”

Shen Fuyu sighed inwardly—after so many years, she had truly become a ‘free person.’

This time, Qin Zhiyi was genuinely enraged. Among all the women in his harem, none dared speak so boldly, save the empress. He grasped Shen Fuyu’s chin, his grip tightening unconsciously, staring at her vivid cherry lips. He couldn’t help but wonder what had touched these lips, for her words were so venomous!

“You’re nothing but a plaything sent by the Shen family, and you dare speak of human rights? Ridiculous!” He flung her to the floor, his gaze filled with disgust, then carefully wiped his hands with a handkerchief. “If you dare speak like this again, I’ll have your mouth sewn shut!”

“Your Majesty, how fierce you are! How could you threaten to sew someone’s mouth shut?” Shen Fuyu blinked innocently. “That’s barbaric—too cruel! Besides, I was obviously joking; you really can’t take a joke, can you?”

Qin Zhiyi threw another teacup, and finally, Crescent Palace fell silent.

Shen Fuyu lowered her head, sighing inwardly.

If only that cup had struck her—it would have increased her anger value more than breaking it on the floor.

“Are you intent on infuriating me to death?” Qin Zhiyi’s anger was tinged with confusion. Which woman, after becoming his consort, was not filled with joy? Aside from the empress, he could not understand this woman before him, who seemed indifferent to his scolding and punishments. The matter of the empress was a thorn in his heart—though some might have noticed something, they never mentioned it before him. But this woman was different, as if she feared nothing. “What good does it do you to drive me to death?”

“There are quite a few benefits,” Shen Fuyu replied honestly.

Her space would upgrade, she wouldn’t have to share his bed, she could become a dowager, and in every way, it was advantageous.

“What did you say?” Qin Zhiyi could hardly believe his ears. “What’s wrong with me?”

His masculine pride was challenged!

“Your Majesty, you’re far too confident. It’s really quite repulsive.” Shen Fuyu blinked, her anger value ready to surge. She continued, “Are you really so flawless? Can you meet all my needs? If my service displeases you, you get angry—why should I have to serve you? Being a dowager may be idle, but at least I won’t have to see you. Besides, the Shen family needs no concern from me, but what about those consorts from lesser families? If not for their fathers and brothers, if not to avoid being trampled in the palace, who would care for your favor?”

Qin Zhiyi frowned, her words echoing in his mind as he fell into deep thought.

Had he… been too arrogant?

The anger value fluctuated, and Shen Fuyu grew anxious—had she gone too far, causing Qin Zhiyi to forget his anger?

‘Ding! Upgrade successful!’

Only Shen Fuyu could hear that sound, and it made her breathe a sigh of relief—she’d worried for nothing.

“If I die, you’ll be buried with me,” Qin Zhiyi said, seeing her slightly guilty expression. So she could feel guilt after all—how dare she utter such rebellious words? If he died, he would have her buried with him, no questions asked.

Buried alive! He would never let her set conditions!

“That’s unlikely,” Shen Fuyu immediately understood why the anger value that had stalled suddenly broke through another level—Qin Zhiyi’s thoughts were on whether he’d done well enough, but he was still angry. “I won’t last much longer.”

“What did you say?” Hearing her mention death, Qin Zhiyi felt a sudden panic—was this woman so intent on provoking him that she would even speak of her own death?

“Are you deaf? I said I won’t live much longer.” Shen Fuyu rolled her eyes. Wasn’t dying normal? What was so shocking about it? “Someone like me—probably not even Buddha would want to save.”