Chapter 77: Like a Boiled Shrimp

“What matters most are those things, Mother, did you manage to get them for me?” Shen Tangyu pressed Gu Shi anxiously.

“How could I forget?” Gu Shi smiled, soothing her daughter. “They’re all here. This is just a portion, but once you enter the palace, your luggage will be inspected. Pack these carefully and keep them close to you. I’ve bribed the matron who will search you, as well as a few palace maids and eunuchs, to help you cultivate your own circle of confidantes inside.”

She handed Shen Tangyu the list and several small packets, which Shen Tangyu wrapped and hid in the sleeves of the clothes she would wear the next day.

By candlelight, Shen Tangyu’s beautiful eyes narrowed, her gaze icy. Shen Fuyu, just you wait!

It may be hard to act against you in the Shen household, but once inside the palace, with everything arranged, she would have ample opportunity.

“Oh, my brief stay has come to an end.”

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Shen Fuyu awoke naturally, stretched languidly, and went through her morning routine with an easy grace. Chang Fu timed her rising perfectly, arriving leisurely with guards to escort her.

Unaware of all this, the Shen family had spent the morning waiting at the gates.

By the time Shen Fuyu, accompanied by her luggage and palace maids, finally arrived, Shen Tangyu’s cheeks were flushed red from the sun.

“Incredible, Eldest Sister, your face is like a boiled shrimp now. Honestly, it’s a bit ugly, really.”

Shen Fuyu pointed at Shen Tangyu’s face, laughing without restraint. Chang Fu had already stepped forward.

“Your servant welcomes Your Highness back to the palace.” Chang Fu grinned. “Something has happened at court, so the emperor couldn’t come personally. He specifically ordered me to escort Your Highness back.”

“Alright, though having a servant fetch me is a bit beneath me, but if the emperor is busy, there’s nothing to be done.” Shen Fuyu waved her hand and boarded the carriage.

Chang Fu shrugged. As long as you’re happy.

“Eldest Sister, Eighth Sister, hurry up.” Shen Fuyu waved from the carriage window. “Especially you, Eldest Sister. If you stay out in the sun any longer, your face will be hideous. Come on in and hide from the sun.”

Shen Tangyu clenched her fingers tightly inside her sleeve, seething with resentment.

But there was no choice. However much she loathed and resented Shen Fuyu, what Shen Fuyu said was true. The sun was merciless. If she stayed out any longer, her face might peel, and then she would truly look ugly.

She boarded the carriage and sat next to Shen Fuyu, with Shen Liyu following behind and taking a seat.

---

“Eldest Sister, your face looks really bad,” Shen Liyu suddenly remarked. “It seems as if you’ve been scalded. Are you alright?”

At her words, Shen Tangyu’s delicate brows knitted in concern. She anxiously touched her face, and felt a sting at her fingertips, immediately panicking.

“Don’t touch it, Eldest Sister. If the skin breaks, your face will be ruined,” Shen Fuyu said with a mischievous smile. “It’s ugly enough as it is, don’t make it worse!”

“You!” Away from the Shen family, Shen Tangyu’s true nature began to show. “Fourth Sister, you’re awfully arrogant, thinking yourself some unrivaled beauty?”

Wretch! Her own beauty far surpassed this wretch!

Shen Fuyu nodded nonchalantly. “Yes, I’m beautiful!”

And, in truth, she possessed beauty pills and rejuvenation elixirs in her space—eternal youth and restoring ruined looks were trifles. But only young girls cared so desperately about their appearance; beauty was not always a blessing. Still, seeing Shen Tangyu so furious, Shen Fuyu couldn’t resist the urge—she wanted to take a beauty pill!

Not for any particular reason, just to let Shen Tangyu watch as she became more beautiful day by day.

Shen Tangyu gritted her teeth in fury. How shameless! Utterly shameless!

The Shen family’s mansion was advantageously located, not far from the palace, so the carriage journey was brief.

According to protocol, only the palace’s masters could ride in sedan chairs.

Shen Fuyu: !!!

“Oh, how embarrassing!” Shen Fuyu feigned modesty, but her actions betrayed her. She climbed onto the sedan chair without hesitation, turning to see Shen Tangyu still baking in the sun, unable to stifle a laugh. “Eldest Sister, bear with it. With your status, you’re not allowed to ride in sedan chairs or use umbrellas in the palace. Luckily, my palace isn’t far. If we hurry, you’ll suffer less.”

Shen Tangyu frowned, but having come this far, she couldn’t retreat.

She’d already managed to slip through the body search; she could endure this.

Shen Fuyu sat in her sedan chair, carried by four eunuchs, thoroughly enjoying herself. This was the feeling of being served!

With her pride, Shen Tangyu must have torn her apart hundreds of times in her mind. After all, Shen Fuyu could feel her anger rising by leaps and bounds!

---

“Hurry up, the sun is fierce. Don’t let me get burned,” Shen Fuyu said, shielding her eyes with a fan. “If I get sunburned, your heads won’t be enough to compensate!”

The four eunuchs carrying her made every effort, moving as swiftly as the wind. The palace maids following behind had to speed up, nearly breaking into a run.

Green Tea and White Lotus managed well enough; though usually lazy, they could keep pace when needed. Their maid robes were shorter, showing their sock-clad ankles, so they didn’t trip over their skirts.

But Shen Tangyu and Shen Liyu suffered, still wearing young ladies’ long skirts. Trying to keep up with Shen Fuyu’s sedan, Shen Tangyu nearly tripped several times, making her expression even uglier. Just wait, Shen Fuyu! She would make her pay!

Shen Fuyu cheerfully counted her accumulated anger points. As for Shen Tangyu and Shen Liyu lagging behind, she couldn’t care less.

As they neared the crescent moon palace gates, Shen Fuyu’s eyes brightened at the sight of a familiar figure. She hurriedly stopped the sedan chair and ran over happily. “Your Majesty! I’ve missed you!”

Her provider of food and clothing! Her main source of anger points! She had returned!

Qin Zhiyi caught her. “Be careful.”

She wasn’t worried about falling. If she hurt her belly, she couldn’t possibly force herself to keep the child.

“I missed you!” Shen Fuyu snuggled up to Qin Zhiyi, for no matter how ruthless the Shen family was, none could rival Qin Zhiyi’s anger points.

Qin Zhiyi: …

He didn’t miss her at all—truth be told, life had been easy these past days with no one to irritate him.

Their affectionate display was just in time for the late-arriving Shen Tangyu to witness.

Shen Tangyu’s heart soured with envy. She suppressed her jealousy and stepped forward, presenting herself with what she thought was her most graceful salute. “Your servant greets Your Majesty.”

The tilt of her head showed off her beauty, but Qin Zhiyi frowned. “Did you just come out of a soup pot?”

“Pfft!” Shen Fuyu laughed wildly. “Doesn’t Your Majesty think my eldest sister looks more like a pretentious, cooked shrimp? It’s hilarious!”