Chapter Thirty: What Is It Like to Raise Someone Else’s Child?

Shen Fuyu leaned in close to Qin Zhiyi’s ear, a mischievous smile on her lips. “So, Your Majesty, how does it feel to raise someone else’s child?” she teased.

Tsk!

He knew nothing good ever came out of this woman’s mouth!

Raising someone else’s child? As if he’d married a pregnant widow! That was his own sister’s child—his family’s blood. How could it be called raising another’s child?

He wanted to pinch her, but she always hid behind her pregnancy as an excuse...

“The Empress Dowager arrives! The Lady of Virtue is here!”

Just as Shen Fuyu was laughing delightedly, the Empress Dowager entered, leading the Lady of Virtue and her attendants. They walked in on the scene of Qin Zhiyi sitting beside Shen Fuyu, while she, cheeks tinged pink, beamed with joy. This warm tableau, when it met the eyes of the Lady of Virtue, felt like needles pricking her heart and her eyes.

Lady of Virtue bit back her resentment, but still observed propriety. “This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty and congratulates my dear sister, the Lady of Worth.”

“I greet my mother,” Qin Zhiyi said, rising to meet the Empress Dowager. “Mother, you must have heard the news. At last, I have my first child!”

“I greet the Empress Dowager,” Shen Fuyu said, rising only half-heartedly, her courtesy perfunctory. With a subtle smile, she added, “The imperial physician advised me against moving much, as my pregnancy is still unstable. I hope the Empress Dowager will not take offense. After all, I carry your own grandchild.”

“Whether that is the case has yet to be determined,” the Empress Dowager replied coldly after taking her seat. “Whether you truly carry my grandchild must be decided by the physicians. Physician Zhang!”

She continued, “Your Majesty, do not celebrate too soon. The inner palace is full of intrigue. Who knows if someone might go to extreme lengths for favor? Let more physicians examine her; it is an added safeguard.”

“Mother is right,” Qin Zhiyi bowed his head, feeling her suspicion. “I, too, was skeptical and summoned Physician Xu for a second opinion. Only after he confirmed the pregnancy did I truly believe it.”

“Physician Xu is not renowned for his expertise in obstetrics. At this early stage, errors are common. Let Physician Zhang examine her once more,” the Empress Dowager said dismissively. In her eyes, only Physician Zhang was trustworthy. Shen Fuyu had taken infertility medicine; it was impossible for her to conceive. “The imperial line must not be left to chance.”

“Empress Dowager, if you do not trust me, so be it, but how could you doubt His Majesty as well? Anyone would think you weren’t truly mother and son!” Shen Fuyu sat calmly, making no move to stop Physician Zhang. She extended her hand without hesitation and turned to the Empress Dowager, feigning amazement. “Surely not? What kind of mother cannot trust her own child?”

“Insolent!” the Empress Dowager snapped, slamming the table and pointing at her. “You are reckless beyond measure! I am the Empress Dowager. How dare you question me? Do not think that because you are pregnant you may do as you please, sowing discord between a mother and her son!”

“Why lose your temper, Empress Dowager? You know me—I simply speak my mind. There’s no need to take it seriously,” Shen Fuyu replied with a soft hum, her tone feigned innocence. “I meant no harm.”

“In any case, truth cannot be falsified nor falsehood made true. Your bond with His Majesty is unbreakable; how could a casual remark from me change that?”

So, the Empress Dowager was simply petty, unable even to tolerate a word. If her conscience was clear, what need had she to fear idle gossip?

The faces in Crescent Moon Palace were dark and stormy. Lady of Virtue, ever loyal to the Empress Dowager, immediately spoke up. “Sister, you’d do well to think before you speak. Even if you carry the imperial heir, there are things best left unsaid. Beware, or you may not live to become the mother of a prince.”

“The Empress Dowager is the Emperor’s mother, the most exalted woman in Daxun. Yet you persist in disrespect. As your elder sister, I must remind you.”

“And remind me of what?” Shen Fuyu laughed lightly. “To remind you, dear sister, that you lack His Majesty’s favor? Or perhaps to remind you that, though you entered the palace before me, you remain childless? Oh, forgive me, pregnancy muddles the mind; I forgot you have never known His Majesty’s favor. My apologies.”

“I only meant to caution you. Must you insult me?” Lady of Virtue clenched her jaw but maintained her dignified composure. Men preferred gentle beauty; the more gracious she appeared, the worse Shen Fuyu would seem by comparison. With this in mind, she forced another smile. “Physician Zhang, what is your diagnosis? Does the Lady of Worth truly carry a child?”

A look of satisfaction flickered across the Empress Dowager’s face. Women ought to be like Lin Yun’ya—gentle and compliant—beloved by men, and a steadying presence by the Emperor’s side. Someone like Shen Fuyu was utterly unsuitable to remain.

But for now, the priority was to bring charges against Shen Fuyu!

Qin Zhiyi nervously clenched his fists. He had hoped to shield Shen Fuyu, but his mother was adamant about a second examination. If the truth came out, he would have to mete out punishment himself, rather than let her fall into the Empress Dowager’s hands—her fate would be certain death otherwise!

The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Fuyu, her confidence unshaken; she was sure the fox’s tail was about to show. Yet what she saw was a calm, untroubled face. Shen Fuyu withdrew her wrist and even flexed it twice, a mocking smile playing at her lips. The Empress Dowager felt a chill run through her.

Impossible! That medicine was foolproof—there was no way she could be pregnant. No way!

Lady of Virtue, too, felt a flicker of unease under Shen Fuyu’s gaze, but steeled herself and pressed Physician Zhang, “This is a grave matter. Physician Zhang, what is your diagnosis?”

Physician Zhang knelt in formal obeisance. He was the Empress Dowager’s confidant and knew full well that Shen Fuyu had taken the infertility drug—he himself had prepared it. But after three careful examinations, all signs unmistakably pointed to a joyful pulse.

After a moment’s hesitation, he announced, “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Empress Dowager! The Lady of Worth is indeed one month with child!”

Shen Fuyu, her pride evident, stroked her belly. “Empress Dowager, why do you not rejoice? I carry your grandchild—are you not pleased?”

The Empress Dowager’s face turned ashen, her eyes wide with disbelief. How could this be? She had made certain Shen Fuyu took the infertility drug—how could she be one month pregnant? The Empress Dowager, sharp and shrewd all her life, blurted out without thinking, “Physician Zhang, do you swear this is true? To deceive the imperial family is a crime punishable by death!”