Chapter 54: Just Enjoy Your Secret Happiness!

When she saw the subtle exchange of glances between the two, Shen Fuyu knew her aim had been achieved—the two families now harbored thoughts of an alliance through marriage.

Well then, she might as well add fuel to the fire!

“Ladies, I happen to have a rather good suggestion,” Shen Fuyu glanced at the two women. If there’s anything more insufferable in this world than those blissfully oblivious to their own mediocrity, she had yet to meet it. Arguing was an art; one should never force it, but rather learn to wield various identities and situations to maximize the effect. “My own elder brother and my third sister have both reached a marriageable age. Though my brother may not be as capable as my legitimate eldest brother, he is preparing for the exams and will certainly pass the first round next year. As for my third sister, she isn’t yet betrothed and is the most well-behaved among us sisters.”

“Though both are born of concubines, the Shen family’s status is high enough that to marry into it would be a step up for your houses. What do you think, ladies?”

The faces of the Left Chancellor’s Lady and the Lady Heir’s wife darkened instantly!

“What? Are you dissatisfied?” Shen Fuyu feigned disbelief, though inwardly she rejoiced—what a harvest, what a bountiful harvest! She pressed on, “The Chancellor is a scholar, not of noble lineage; the Duke of Loyalty’s estate is a hollow title without real power. For my Shen family to consider marrying off our children born to concubines is already quite generous. There’s no need to be so picky. Such a good match won’t come twice!”

“Your Highness!”

Old Madam Shen could no longer restrain herself. The more she listened, the more her anger flared. That wretched girl dared to speak such words before esteemed guests! Did she think the Shen family was so remarkable? Old Madam Shen’s face was grim as she hurried over to the two ladies, saying, “Please, don’t take Her Highness’s words to heart. She was raised in the inner chambers since childhood, spoiled by me so much that she is unaware of the ways of the world. She truly doesn’t understand these matters. Please, in consideration of her youth, don’t hold it against her.”

The Shen family was indeed wealthy and powerful now; otherwise, neither the Left Chancellor nor the Duke of Loyalty’s estate would be seeking an alliance. But even if the Shen family surpassed them, the Left Chancellor held the highest civil office, and his legitimate daughter would have no trouble marrying into the imperial family. The Duke of Loyalty’s estate might have no real power, but its ties to the imperial family made it highly respected. Yet, in Shen Fuyu’s mouth, the Chancellor was reduced to commoner origins, and the Duke’s estate was but an empty name—who wouldn’t be incensed by such words?

And yet, Shen Fuyu seemed utterly oblivious!

Though the two ladies were displeased, Old Madam Shen’s personal intervention left them little room to make a scene. Still, their initial goodwill toward the Shen family cooled considerably.

Old Madam Shen believed she had smoothed things over, but inwardly she sighed, all the more discontented with Shen Fuyu’s behavior. It was one thing to pave the way for her own brother, but to speak so wildly—no family would consent to such a marriage!

Shen Fuyu glanced up at Old Madam Shen, then suddenly curved her lips in a smile.

Old Madam Shen was momentarily stunned, not understanding her intent, when Shen Fuyu spoke: “Grandmother, why be so modest? With me in the Shen family, how can we be compared to ordinary households? When I bear a royal heir, the Shen family’s fortunes will only rise. Some people are merely too proud to lower themselves now, but they must realize that if they miss this chance, the children of Shen’s concubines will still be more valuable than the legitimate heirs of other families. They had best not regret their choices later!”

She cast a meaningful glance at the two ladies. This was the essence of mediocrity—so simple, really!

Her lofty attitude made her meaning unmistakable. With such brazen words, the situation was beyond Old Madam Shen’s power to salvage. Yet, Shen Fuyu was indeed a favored consort, and no one present could challenge her. The Chancellor’s Lady and the Lady Heir, stifling their anger, stormed out just as the Matron Cui had before them.

Old Madam Shen could hardly hold her composure now, but it was too late to beg them to stay. Her gaze turned instantly cold as she fixed it upon Shen Fuyu, whispering, “Are you determined to ruin the Shen family?”

Shen Fuyu frowned in apparent confusion. “Grandmother, do you think I’ve done wrong?”

She kept her voice low. Her goal had been achieved, so she had no intention of making a further scene and disrupting the banquet. Still, Old Madam Shen, shrewd as ever, saw at a glance what consequences would befall the family from driving out these three women—and that was precisely what Shen Fuyu wanted!

“Your Highness would do well to remember that only if the Shen family prospers can you prosper. If the Shen family falls, you will fare no better,” Old Madam Shen said, unwilling to quarrel with her now. “I don’t expect you to remember this old woman, but you still have your own brother and mother in the Shen household!”

“Grandmother is right. As a member of the Shen family, I would never do anything to harm it.” Or so she claimed.

Shen Fuyu replied perfunctorily. By then, it was time to begin the banquet; Lady Gu and Lady Yue took the opportunity to smooth things over, soothing the remaining guests, and the meal formally began. Shen Fuyu took her place at the table among the Shen women, seated beside Old Madam Shen.

But during the banquet, the Shen family hardly felt any joy.

Shen Fuyu, on the other hand, ate with great pleasure, having resolved a concern and now in excellent spirits. Alas, her “rage points” still hadn’t reached half the threshold for level forty. The system only gave the finest rewards, but the price for each upgrade grew steeper. Every new level required more rage than the last, and after level forty, the bar was nearly double what it had been at thirty-nine. Clearly, her journey was still a long one.

In the Great Xun Kingdom, it was customary to present birthday gifts to the host of the banquet at the opening of the feast—a sign of respect, and an opportunity for the giver to earn face. Only those whose gifts were unworthy of public display would choose to give them privately.

In Shen Fuyu’s view, it was all rather hypocritical.

By tradition, the host’s younger generation began the presentations. Since men were not permitted in the women’s quarters, servants carried the gifts and announced them one by one, much like reciting the names of dishes, and the gifts were presented for Old Madam Shen’s inspection. If she was pleased, she might have one handed to her for a closer look, as she did with the landscape painting presented by the eldest legitimate son of the main branch—a work by her favorite artist, Master Qiu Shuang. Old Madam Shen was delighted, lavishing it with praise.

But there were also gifts that displeased her—such as the one from Shen Fuyu’s own brother, Shen Qianyu.

No one knew where he had found such a bizarre object, but he offered it as his gift, only to have Old Madam Shen’s face fall on the spot. She waved it away at once, having it removed immediately. Shen Fuyu found it amusing as well; this brother of hers was nothing if not a genuine wastrel, forever chasing chickens and dogs. She herself had little brotherly affection for him, as their mother, Concubine Wen, was forever making her clean up Shen Qianyu’s messes.