Chapter Seventy-One: I Am Precious

"You haven't even paid for it!" The man pulled a banknote from his robe. "I've bought it!"

It was not uncommon to see young ladies squabble over a delicate hairpin, refusing to yield, but this was the first time anyone had witnessed a man being so brazen and unreasonable over a lady’s hair ornament.

Shen Tangyu, composed and unhurried, replied, "Isn’t your behavior a bit excessive, sir? You’ve snatched things from my two younger sisters more than once today. The hairpin was meant for our youngest sister, yet you are insistent on taking it. Once might be overlooked, but again and again—what do you mean by this?"

There were many patrons in the shop. In such an upscale jewelry store, the daughters and wives of many prominent families were regular visitors. Shen Tangyu’s words were reasonable, drawing the attention of those present. Some recognized her and spoke up on her behalf.

"Buying something should go by order of arrival. Isn’t the young master simply twisting words to suit himself?"

"Exactly! And besides, you’re taking something meant for the eldest miss of the Shen family. Can you really afford to offend the Shens?"

The man shrugged nonchalantly and tapped the banknote on the table. "My money is right here. Once I’ve paid, who can say I’m twisting words or robbing others?"

"As for the eldest Miss Shen..." He smiled, gesturing toward Shen Fuyu and her companions. "You may not dare to offend them, but I do not fear. I have broken no laws of the Great Xun dynasty. What can the Shen family do—force a cow to drink against its will?"

"Even if there were ten more eldest Miss Shens, I wouldn’t be afraid. In fact..." He glanced at Shen Tangyu, then suddenly pointed at Shen Fuyu. "Miss Shen, your younger sisters are already married, and yet you remain at home, still unwed. Parading about the streets as an aging spinster—aren’t you afraid of shaming your family?"

"Pfft..."

Shen Fuyu could not suppress her laughter.

It was a rare sight—someone whose tongue was as sharp as hers. If anyone else had said such things, they would have been too afraid, for the Shen family was powerful and influential. It wasn’t a matter of men choosing Shen Tangyu, but rather Shen Tangyu choosing among men—she had always had that privilege.

But in this man’s mouth, she became an old maid flaunting herself in public, unable to marry and bringing disgrace to her family.

Shen Tangyu stood frozen, staring in disbelief at both the man and Shen Fuyu. A mix of shame and anger burned within her—she wished she could vanish into thin air. Damnable! She was supposed to marry into the imperial family! How had she become, in their words, an old maid no one would take?

She despised nothing more than people saying she was unwanted!

A few of the nearby ladies had meant to support Shen Tangyu, but when they saw Shen Fuyu approach, leaning gently on her maid’s arm, with her hair styled like a married woman’s, they hesitated. The sight of Shen Fuyu, whose beauty was even more alluring than Shen Tangyu’s, made them fall silent.

Only the second daughter of the Shen family, born of a concubine, was engaged. The only one actually married was Shen Fuyu, who had entered the palace as a consort.

Even if these ladies had never met her, the facts were clear: the young woman before them could only be the current Virtuous Consort.

“What, does this lady mean to argue with me as well?” The man, sensing the change in atmosphere, looked puzzled. The eldest Miss Shen was indeed a noblewoman, so it was natural for others to speak for her. But what of this woman—another sister, yet the others seemed even more wary of her.

Shen Fuyu shook her head with a sigh. “I only think the young master speaks reason. It truly isn’t proper to bring out a woman of such age, still unwed, to stroll about. I myself am deeply anxious for my elder sister’s marriage. If it’s delayed any longer, who knows how much longer it will drag on? Alas!”

You thought she’d come to defend her?

No, she had come to kick her while she was down!

"Fourth Sister... how could you side with an outsider..." Shen Tangyu was furious, but could not lose her composure in front of the crowd. She could only bow her head in grievance. "Before all these eyes, do you mean to make me lose all dignity?"

"Why not?" Shen Fuyu turned back with a smile. "You can’t marry—surely that’s already cause for shame; why should I need to force you?"

Sorry, but is having status not a license to do as one pleases?

Look at those ladies who were so eager to speak—do they dare open their mouths now? Would any of them dare help you? People fear imperial authority, do they not?

Isolated and helpless, Shen Tangyu stood there as if every silent gaze had become a sneer. Her ears rang; she almost wished to slap Shen Fuyu then and there to vent her anger.

"Ah, so this is how sisters of great houses interact. Truly eye-opening," the man said with a mocking laugh. "Marvelous. Quite a spectacle."

"You!" Shen Tangyu could barely hold back. It was all that wretched Shen Fuyu’s fault! Both daughters of the Shen family, yet she had to side with outsiders, making their quarrel a laughingstock for others!

“This is just how it is,” Shen Fuyu replied calmly. “A man from a humble family like you has surely never seen such things, but worry not—the capital is vast, and there will be opportunities for you to observe and learn.”

“What do you mean by that?” The man, clearly unused to being spoken to in such a manner, found his advantage reversed by a single sentence from Shen Fuyu. “Are you so proud of your conduct?”

“Why shouldn’t I be?” Shen Fuyu glanced around. “Of everyone here, I do have the highest rank and status.”

“And, sir, I suggest you keep your distance.”

As the man began to bristle with anger, Shen Fuyu spoke softly and took three steps back. “I am precious, after all. Aside from the propriety of men and women keeping their distance, I have no wish to be tainted by the poverty and ill fortune of a humble house. It would be best not to think offending me is the same as offending my elder sister. There are those in this world you truly cannot afford to cross.”

The man’s eyes widened. He had never expected to be so targeted. Grabbing his banknote from the table, he snarled, “Fine! Just you wait!”

“Safe travels, young master!” Shen Fuyu waved cheerfully after him, then picked up her purse. “Wrap these two items up, please.”

After making her purchase, she handed the parcels to Shen Liyu. Seeing that Shen Tangyu still stood rooted in place, Shen Fuyu smiled. “Elder Sister, is there anything else you fancy?”

Shen Tangyu lifted her tearful face, glaring furiously at Shen Fuyu.

Yes, that’s it—that’s the look! Shen Fuyu was thoroughly satisfied and narrowed her eyes in delight. “Why are you angry, Elder Sister? With someone so unreasonable, what other way was there to drive him off? After all, Eighth Sister liked the ornaments, and I had to get them for her. Don’t you agree, Elder Sister?”

Shen Tangyu’s lips trembled. If she agreed, she’d have to swallow today’s humiliation. If she disagreed, she’d be seen as selfish and uncaring toward her sisters.