Chapter 126: Let It Be Consort Cong

"As the Empress Dowager suggests, let it be... the rank of Pin, then." Qin Zhiyi pondered for a moment and settled the matter with casual indifference.

"Your Majesty, are you being too careless? Such a beautiful new sister has entered the palace, and you won't even bestow a title upon her?" Shen Fuyu was feeling particularly idle. "In this consort's opinion, since Sister Cui has such a graceful figure and dances like a startled swan, she deserves a title that matches her elegance."

Qin Zhiyi: "..."

*You're making trouble again!*

His brain was already exhausted from dealing with state affairs all day; he didn't need to play games with these women, too!

"Does my beloved consort have any good ideas?" Qin Zhiyi tossed the task directly to her, his eyes flashing a warning to refrain from causing chaos.

Shen Fuyu blinked, receiving the signal to cause chaos loud and clear!

"Looking at Sister Cui, a line of poetry comes to mind." Shen Fuyu was uncharacteristically earnest. "Her delicate face is as fine as silken thread, light gauze and golden embroidery amidst lush, verdant blooms."

"What does Your Majesty think?"

"Hmm, it does fit Lady Cui's attire today quite well." Qin Zhiyi nodded, bewildered. *You're actually capable of this? Why were you acting like a fool just the other day?*

*Damn it, I've been fooled by this woman again!*

Shen Fuyu smiled from the bottom of her heart. "I think so too. Why don't we choose one of the characters from the poem as her title?"

"A splendid idea, my love. I leave the decision to you." Qin Zhiyi handed the matter over to Shen Fuyu with complete, if slightly desperate, trust.

"Then... let it be 'Concubine Cong' (Scallion)!" Shen Fuyu said with utter confidence. "Sister Cui is so slim and delicate, she looks just like a little green onion."

An actual giant scallion wouldn't be a fair comparison, as those grew over two meters tall.

Cui Yingsu’s face cycled through shades of green and red. The poem was fine, but of all the characters to choose, why pick 'Scallion'? Why give her such a pungent-smelling title?

"So be it. Grant a seat to Concubine Cong." Qin Zhiyi’s face darkened. *Shen Fuyu, can you ever give me a moment of hope?*

*Of all the beautiful characters in that poem, you picked 'Scallion'?*

*This is going to be recorded in the annals of history! After I die, future generations will read the records and see I had a consort titled 'Scallion.' What will they think of me?*

The Empress Dowager opened her mouth to speak, but considering that Qin Zhiyi seemed to enjoy this kind of thing, she held her tongue.

The others struggled to suppress their laughter, not daring to let it out, though their eyes kept drifting to Cui Yingsu’s face. Concubine Cong... a consort like a scallion?

"This consort thanks His Majesty for his great favor." Cui Yingsu gritted her teeth. Shen Fuyu was indeed formidable; the Emperor truly hung on her every word!

After taking her seat, Cui Yingsu’s gaze shifted toward Shen Fuyu. What was it about this arrogant, overbearing woman that made the Emperor like her so much? The less she could fathom it, the more curious she became. She wanted nothing more than to trample Shen Fuyu underfoot and watch her look of despair!

"Sister Cong, you’d best stop staring." Lady Zhao snorted. "She is the apple of the Emperor’s eye. As long as she is happy, there is nothing the Emperor wouldn't do."

"Lady Xian is truly beautiful; I have always been fond of beautiful people." Cui Yingsu gave a submissive smile. "This must be Lady Zhao, right? Sister Zhao, you should be more careful. If the Emperor or the Empress Dowager heard such words, it would not be good for you."

"You!" Lady Zhao’s eyes widened. For someone so young, Cui Yingsu certainly had a sharp tongue! She was just as annoying as Shen Fuyu!

"Come to think of it, looking closely, Sister Cui does bear a striking resemblance to Lady Xian," Lady Hui remarked unhurriedly.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Shen Fuyu, being brought up for no reason, was puzzled. "Everyone has two eyes and a mouth; what is so strange about two people looking alike? Or are you not human yourself?"

"If Sister Xian does not like it, I shall say no more." Lady Hui’s expression darkened instantly. "Why must you be so hurtful?"

"Do you even know how to speak like a human?" Shen Fuyu laughed. "I truly thought you weren't one."

"You!" Lady Hui glared. "Sister Xian, don't push your luck!"

"That would be for the best. Don't call me 'Sister' anymore; I’m afraid that if you call me that, I’ll change species." Shen Fuyu distanced herself as if avoiding a contagion. "Let’s keep our distance so that neither of us has to worry about pushing our luck."

With that, Shen Fuyu left the stunned and furious Lady Hui behind, taking her maids, Green Tea and White Lotus, to wander off.

"My Lady, I think that Concubine Cong is going to compete with you for the Emperor’s favor!" Green Tea said, supporting Shen Fuyu. "My Lady, should we...?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Shen Fuyu frowned. "Who enters this palace without the intention of competing for favor?"

"My Lady, Green Tea is only offering a kind reminder," White Lotus whispered from the other side. "One must always be on guard against others."

"Do you take me for a fool?" She turned to look at White Lotus. "Do you think I don't understand a principle that even you comprehend?"

"Idiots."

The two maids didn't dare say another word. Shen Fuyu felt much better now. The Mid-Autumn banquet was truly dull; with no opportunity for a talent show, she didn't want to sit there any longer. Coming out for a walk had instantly improved her mood.

"Don't go..."

"Please, you shouldn't..."

Shen Fuyu’s ears pricked up, and her eyes brightened!

The voices of a man and a woman were low, but based on the dialogue, it was clearly either a secret meeting or an affair!

"Your Highness, this is truly against the rules." Shen Tangyu said, half-resisting. "You are drunk. Let this maid help you back to rest."

"I am not drunk." Qin Zhiqing pulled at Shen Tangyu, refusing to let go. "Tang'er, come with me to see the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. I will marry you."

Hidden in the shadows, Shen Fuyu had already crouched down to watch.

"Your Highness..." Shen Tangyu’s heart skipped a beat. Prince Jing was indeed a good match, and becoming the Princess of Jing would not be a bad thing. However, Prince Jing was merely a leisure prince; he had no way to help her deal with that wretch Shen Fuyu. "I am now a palace maid; how could I be a match for Your Highness? I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

"It was all that wretch Shen Fuyu who caused this; I know everything!" Qin Zhiqing pulled Shen Tangyu into his arms. "Don't worry. Since I intend to marry you, I will make you my principal consort. Even if you are a palace maid now, you are still the eldest daughter of the Shen family. Leave everything to me."

"I understand your heart, Your Highness, but if you insist on marrying me like this, I fear it will damage your reputation. I do not wish for that..." Shen Tangyu’s eyes reddened, and she looked instantly aggrieved. "Let me bear these hardships alone."

Shen Fuyu clicked her tongue in her heart; they were quite the pair.

Another brain-dead youth had fallen into Shen Tangyu’s net. Shen Fuyu watched with great interest. In moments like this, if something were to happen—well, it would be just like those hackneyed transmigration stories.

Qin Zhiqing released Shen Tangyu and said affectionately, "I will not force you, but I want you to know that you have my heart."

"Your Highness... I truly have no way to repay your affections." Shen Tangyu lowered her head, blushing, and gave an ambiguous reply.