Chapter Twenty-Five: Are You Blind?

“Oh, Eunuch, you misunderstand—it is not a matter of state affairs,” Shen Shucheng said. “It has been a long time since I last saw Her Ladyship. I wonder if I might…?”

“So that’s the case,” Changfu replied with a smile. “Since your lordship is concerned about the Lady of Virtue, I doubt His Majesty would object. Allow me to report this to the Emperor. Please wait a moment.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.”

When Changfu left, Shen Shucheng let out a sigh of relief, though his expression was hardly pleasant. Back when the late Emperor was alive, Qin Zhiyi, as a prince, was naturally outstanding—he was not the sort of man to be swayed by beauty. His own daughter was hardly a rare beauty, and her temperament was what it was…

If it truly was Fu’er who had led the Emperor astray into such debauchery, it would bode no good for the Shen family.

In any case, he must see Fu’er and ask her properly.

“I see you’re quite pleased with yourself. Is being branded a temptress really such a delight?” Qin Zhiyi’s face had long since returned to its usual composure, but he could hardly miss the joy that was all but written on Shen Fuyu’s face. It was inconceivable—who in their right mind would want to be called a wicked consort?

“Of course I’m happy. I get such satisfaction seeing all those self-righteous fools jumping up and down in fury!”

Who wouldn’t be delighted? After today’s performance in court, her “rage points” had shot up thirty-eight levels at once! She was ecstatic—practically over the moon! She puffed out her cheeks slightly and added, “Isn’t being a tyrant rather enjoyable for Your Majesty as well?”

“This is only temporary,” Qin Zhiyi said, pushing her aside. “It’s a strategy, nothing more.”

“Oh. I’m hungry.”

He clicked his tongue in exasperation.

They really were talking past each other.

“Your Majesty, Lady of Virtue,” Changfu entered, kneeling respectfully. “Lord Shen says it has been long since he last saw your ladyship, and he wishes to meet with you.”

“Your father still cares for you. Do you wish to see him?” Qin Zhiyi asked.

“Why not?” Shen Fuyu blinked, finding it quietly amusing. “But there’s no way he cares about me, really. If I had to guess, he’ll probably bring up the Shen family’s eldest daughter, won’t he? If not for Your Majesty’s poisoning back then, I expect Shen Shucheng would have rushed the eldest daughter into the palace long ago—there’s no way I’d have had a chance.”

“If you don’t wish to see him, then don’t,” Qin Zhiyi said, detecting a note of sorrow in her words. Suddenly, he seized her hand. “You are now my Lady of Virtue. You don’t have to see him if you don’t want to.”

“It makes no difference to me.” Shen Fuyu was a little puzzled by Qin Zhiyi’s odd behavior. She was simply stating the truth—such prejudice was all too common in ancient noble families, so pervasive that many didn’t even realize they were biased. Besides, she wasn’t truly Shen Fuyu. Whether the original lived well or not had little to do with her; she had only taken over this body after the original’s death. “I’ll go. Since I agreed to cooperate with Your Majesty, winning the Shen family over is what matters most now. If I don’t care, why should Your Majesty?”

“I…”

His eyes were clear, without a trace of hidden meaning. In the Shen family, what sort of life could an illegitimate daughter have had? Ignored as she was, she did not seem to care…

“I’ll be quick—it won’t take long,” Shen Fuyu said, taking Yinling’s arm as she exited. She asked Changfu, “Where is he?”

“I will have someone take you, my lady.”

A young eunuch appeared and led Shen Fuyu to the warm chamber. She found Shen Shucheng pacing inside, a vague unease etched on his face. Shen Fuyu gave a faint smile, gestured for the attendants to withdraw, and Yinling opened the door, following her inside.

At the sound, Shen Shucheng looked up and quickly bowed, “Your servant Shen Shucheng greets the Lady of Virtue. May blessings be upon your ladyship!”

“Please, Father, sit. There are no outsiders here—His Majesty has granted you leave to stay as long as you like,” Shen Fuyu said, smiling as she took her seat. “But let us keep it brief—His Majesty is taking me boating later, so I can’t be delayed.”

“Have you been well lately, daughter? Both your mother and I have missed you deeply,” Shen Shucheng said, studying her. This daughter felt like a stranger—once an inconspicuous illegitimate girl, now, in just a month, she had become the Emperor’s favored consort, the envy of the harem. The Emperor even went so far as to burn memorials just to please her. He had never realized this child was so capable.

“Has Father gone blind? I’m sitting right here, a living person—can you not see how I am? Do you need me to summon a physician?” She raised her hand as if to call someone.

“You…”

He quickly stopped her, words catching in his throat. Still, with Shen Fuyu’s status now above his, he had to force himself to bear it. “I had to ask, just to put my mind at ease. Seeing you so favored gladdens my heart.”

“And?”

“And…” Shen Shucheng frowned. “Now that you are in the palace, you should not act so willful. At home, your elders may have spoiled you, but here you must serve His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. You cannot behave so recklessly.”

“But His Majesty likes it.”

“…”

“Father is still the same,” Shen Fuyu remarked, glancing at him as her fingertip traced the rim of her teacup. She smiled. “Even when you’re angry, you refuse to show it—always putting on a dignified face. I don’t understand: what if you die of suppressed anger?”

“You!”

He glared, about to lose his temper, but then remembered how much things had changed for his daughter. He swallowed his anger and sat down again. “It pleases me that you still think of your father…”

“I hadn’t noticed.”

Shen Shucheng’s breathing grew heavier; he took several deep breaths and drained his tea. “I know I have neglected you and your mother over the years. With so many children, I could not always attend to you and your brother.”

“Yes, Father has been blind for over a decade. I quite understand—it’s only natural that the illegitimate children should be overlooked.” Shen Fuyu sipped her tea. She had no fondness for Shen Shucheng; his manner was always so tepid and reserved. Her own rage meter had been steadily climbing ever since she entered, yet he still managed to play the benevolent father. Truly impressive.

Thinking about it, Shen Fuyu even felt a bit sorry for him.

He was only in middle age, not yet old, and couldn’t show joy or anger openly. How stifling must that be?

Truly pitiful.

Catching the look of pity in her eyes, Shen Shucheng was certain his daughter was mocking him!

This ungrateful child! Even a dog would be more loyal by now! She clearly still resented him!

“That’s not what I meant. I am only concerned for you.”

“Then give me some money,” Shen Fuyu said at once, holding out her hand. “I don’t need affection. Whatever fatherly love I missed out on over the years, please just convert it into silver. I’m a bit short lately and need money to buy clothes for my pet dog.”