Chapter Fifty-Three: Haven’t You Heard That It Takes Two to Tango?

“If the lady were truly strong, how could she have been harmed by villains?” Shen Fuyu sidestepped her slightly and continued, “You really ought not to make excuses for yourself. Every household of high rank has its own troubles, yet others remain unscathed. You alone lost your child to others’ schemes—doesn’t that mean the problem lies with you?”

Madam Cui trembled with rage, but Shen Fuyu acted as though she hadn’t noticed, retreating further and pressing on, “Besides, you just said you could only watch as one illegitimate son after another is born. From your words, it sounds as though you can hardly tolerate those of us born outside the main line, can you?”

“That’s not what I meant!” Madam Cui’s heart skipped a beat, but then she was inexplicably angered once more. “Your Highness, forgive me, but I find your words peculiar. I pride myself on upright conduct, never mistreating anyone. I lost my child through no fault of my own—how is it that, in your mouth, I become the criminal?”

“Haven’t you heard that one hand alone cannot clap?” Shen Fuyu arched a brow, her words crisp and sharp. “You have your own failings, yet insist on blaming others entirely. Don’t you find that excessive? I see no reason to associate with you or the Cui family. If even you think this way, who in your household can be decent? How terrifying!”

“You!” Madam Cui forced back tears as she stood. She had come with the aim of forging ties with the Shen family, but now she understood why her father-in-law warned that Shen Fuyu would obstruct Cui family affairs. This woman—no, this wretch—keeping her around was bound to bring disaster!

Lady Zuo quickly rose to pull Madam Cui back, smiling apologetically. “Your Highness is still young and perhaps doesn’t understand. The grievances among noble families are complicated; it’s never easy to distinguish right from wrong in just a few words.”

“Madam Cui, you too—coming here as a guest, why bring up such unpleasant matters? Why not just sit and enjoy some tea?” Lady Zuo coaxed Madam Cui back into her seat, glancing at her. Why confront Shen Fuyu now, when the Shen family is at the height of its influence?

Madam Cui’s expression remained dark. The absence of a son was a constant thorn in her heart. She could not fathom how, all those years ago, a concubine caused her to lose her child and left her barren for life—was that somehow her own fault? Why should she be spoken to this way by Shen Fuyu, that wicked woman?

Shen Fuyu silently tallied her anger points—and felt delighted. Apologies, but she was a consummate villain; who could do anything to her? Hehehe!

“I am merely expressing my opinion. I am not angry, but Madam Cui, you’re hardly young anymore, yet act so childishly, quarreling with one of the younger generation like myself.” Shen Fuyu cast a sidelong glance at Madam Cui and Lady Zuo. If they thought to smooth things over and calm her anger—dream on! She wanted them riled!

Madam Cui, who had just regained her composure, snapped again. After all these words, Shen Fuyu still insisted the fault lay with her! Was there no justice left?

Shen Fuyu’s voice was not low; in fact, she deliberately spoke loudly. Many at neighboring tables could hear, and Madam Cui’s humiliation at Shen Fuyu’s hands was profound.

“If Her Highness doesn’t welcome me, it seems I need not remain. Farewell!”

With those words, she shook off Lady Zuo’s hand and rose to leave before the entire assembly. In all the many banquets hosted by the Shen family, never had someone left before the meal was served! Old Lady Shen, seated at the head, instantly grew grim.

“Take care on your way!” Shen Fuyu waved merrily at Madam Cui.

The Cui family hoped to grow close to the Shens? Dream on! She had shown no mercy even to the Empress Dowager—how could a mere Cui family hope to thrive?

Lady Zuo’s hand hung awkwardly in the air before she withdrew it, her impression of Shen Fuyu falling even lower. It was unbelievable that the Emperor favored such a woman. She had once hoped for a match with the Shen family, but now she saw their upbringing was sorely lacking—their daughters, she thought, were best avoided.

The wife of the heir to the Duke of Loyalty had similar thoughts. Both women’s faces grew sour, and neither spoke further to Shen Fuyu.

But was Shen Fuyu one to give up so easily? Certainly not!

Madam Cui had come on behalf of her family, seeking an alliance with the Shens. The two ladies before her had always remained neutral, likely considering marriage ties—after all, Shen Tangyu was still unbetrothed, and Shen Moyu was of age. The Shen family had two eligible daughters at just the right time.

Professional matchmaker Shen Fuyu stepped in—guaranteeing no hard feelings!

“How dull! Just a few words and off she storms—how childish!” Shen Fuyu sipped her tea, moistening her throat, and continued chatting with Lady Zuo and the Duchess, “By the way, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s household is here today, isn’t she? Why haven’t I seen her?”

Lady Zuo forced a smile, replying evasively, “Perhaps she’s with her close friends, playing elsewhere. How thoughtful of Your Highness to remember her.”

“Ah, I recall she’s a year older than I am, and yet still unmarried, isn’t she?” Shen Fuyu blinked at Lady Zuo—make no mistake, she was here to urge a marriage. She remembered well, having once been dragged to matchmaking corners herself. Now, at last, the tide had turned. “Though it’s not my place to say, but—at eighteen and still unbetrothed, there are few in the entire capital in such a situation!”

“She’s my first daughter, and I always fear she might suffer grievances in future,” Lady Zuo’s face fell slightly. This matter was not for someone of Shen Fuyu’s generation to meddle in—even if she was a noble consort, she had no right to interfere in other families’ affairs!

“In these past years, has no one caught your eye?” Shen Fuyu feigned casual conversation, then suddenly addressed the Duchess, “I recall your son has just come of age, hasn’t he?”

Lady Zuo and the Duchess exchanged astonished glances, and the Duchess smiled, “That boy is as mischievous as a monkey—never content. We have tried to choose for him, but he resists every option!”

“Ah, children’s marriages are never easy,” Lady Zuo said with a bitter smile, finding kinship with the Duchess. “It truly troubles us parents!”

With Shen Fuyu raising the topic, Lady Zuo and the Duchess both began to reconsider. Given the current circumstances, a match with the Shen family seemed less appealing than exploring other options. The Duke of Loyalty’s household, though lacking real power, had a duchess born of royal blood—her rank, even the Emperor respectfully called her “Grand Aunt.” In all the capital, the Duke’s house was the most aristocratic, and their young heir was both handsome and talented. Lady Zuo thought it over—if her daughter married into the Duke’s household, and the heir inherited the title, her daughter would become Duchess herself.