Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Dog Has Become a Spirit

"I have no control over it," Shen Fuyu replied carelessly; in truth, if Shen Tangyu ever behaved obediently, she would find it far more suspicious. Let her make trouble then—it's only a problem if she doesn't, and that would truly be a loss for her!

Shen Liyu dared not say another word. Shen Fuyu paced around the chamber, finding nothing worth tidying, and finally tossed out a casual remark as she prepared to leave: "All right, let's go. The imperial physician said that during my pregnancy, I should see more pleasing sights and avoid staring at ugly faces too much, or else the child might turn out ugly."

Her words provoked laughter from the maids who had always been mocked by the lady for their looks. Now even the eldest miss was being insulted, and it felt oddly satisfying.

"What are you laughing at, ugly thing?" Shen Fuyu frowned and turned back. These girls truly couldn't keep their composure; would it kill them to laugh in private? One had even betrayed her before to help Shen Tangyu, and now dared to laugh aloud when Shen Tangyu was being mocked.

She wondered where this fickle maid got such audacity—anyone present could dispatch her with ease.

Once again, the green tea maid received pointed criticism.

Inside, Shen Tangyu could hold back no longer. She flung her pillow to the floor, and after Shen Fuyu departed, stormed out of her room, her face dark with rage. Shen Liyu was sitting quietly on the divan.

"Smack!"

Shen Tangyu marched over and slapped Shen Liyu across the face without a word, then, feeling unsatisfied, slapped her again. "You think you're so clever now? Siding with that wretch and daring to disregard me!"

Half of Shen Liyu's face reddened from the blows. The few palace maids assigned to serve her jumped in fright. Shen Liyu gently touched her cheek and murmured, "I wouldn’t dare, sister."

"You wouldn’t dare? I think you’re more daring than ever!" Having been repeatedly trampled by Shen Fuyu, Shen Tangyu had long harbored rage. Today, she could bear it no longer. Her face had nearly been ruined, all thanks to that wretch's deliberate actions! And now she was mocked for it!

Humiliated and furious, she glared at Shen Liyu, who had never before sought attention, quietly following her into the palace, only to cling to Shen Fuyu’s favor. Wasn’t this just to embarrass her?

Shen Liyu kept her head bowed, silent and wooden.

After delivering two slaps, Shen Tangyu felt her anger recede. Seeing Shen Liyu’s bowed head and fearfulness, she felt much better, reassuring herself that dealing with Shen Fuyu required patience. That wretch had some skill; she couldn't be underestimated. Better to watch for a few more days and strike at the right moment.

Shen Tangyu returned to rest. Shen Liyu finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. Days like this would surely not be scarce in the future.

"Sister, would you please fetch me some water?"

She said little, merely asked the maid to bring a basin, and pressed a damp cloth to her face. Thankfully, she didn’t have to share a room. Since she couldn’t afford to provoke anyone, she would simply avoid them all.

Silver Bell reported everything that happened in the side hall to Shen Fuyu and cautiously asked, "Madam, should we just ignore it?"

"Why bother with them?" Shen Fuyu lounged against her cushions, lazily eating fruit. "I’ve only been away from the palace for a few days, and you’ve turned into some old housekeeper, fretting over everything."

Silver Bell: … As long as you’re happy.

"Where’s Qin Shihuang?" Shen Fuyu glanced around, not seeing her beloved dog. She called out, "Hasn’t he missed me these past few days?"

"Woof woof!" Qin Shihuang bounded in from the adjoining room, barked twice at Shen Fuyu, then settled at her feet, tongue lolling.

Shen Fuyu looked down and noticed the dog had a small bundle tied to him.

"What’s this?"

"Oh, that’s something I made out of boredom these past few days," Silver Bell replied quickly. "You don’t know, madam, Qin Shihuang is so clever! I’ve never seen a dog as smart as him!"

Shen Fuyu sensed something amiss.

Qin Shihuang, with practiced ease, pulled out thumb-sized wooden blocks from his bundle and laid them out in order before Shen Fuyu.

"…Master is hungry."

Shen Fuyu read the words carved onto the blocks.

Qin Shihuang wagged his tail furiously.

"I was planning to teach him to roll over, but instead he learned to recognize characters!" Silver Bell beamed with pride.

Shen Fuyu pressed her hand to her forehead, cursing herself for her carelessness. She’d sent Qin Shihuang to the mystical spring for a bath, bestowing him with intelligence, and in just a few days the dog could now read and write!

"Now he can use these carved blocks to communicate with me!" Silver Bell was delighted.

Shen Fuyu was exasperated.

Shouldn’t this magical dog be at risk of being seized by the authorities? It was the first time in her centuries of life she’d ever kept a pet!

Qin Shihuang nudged Shen Fuyu with his head and then arranged a few more blocks.

Wants a wife.

"Ugh." Shen Fuyu nearly smacked the dog. "Wife, my foot! If you keep this up, I’ll finish you off, you hear me?"

"Whimper…"

Oh dear, now the dog was acting aggrieved!

Qin Shihuang tucked his tail and brought out a few more blocks.

Sorry.

Shen Fuyu was at a loss for words, sighing deeply as she watched Silver Bell gleefully interact with Qin Shihuang. The girl had always been meticulous, but when it came to the dog, she was incredibly careless. A dog that could read—what ordinary dog could do such a thing?

But the effects of the mystical spring were irreversible. She could only regret ever letting Qin Shihuang bathe there.

"Enough, feed him and let him go play outside." Shen Fuyu waved her hand, deciding to pretend none of this had happened. If she didn’t care, it didn’t exist. "How have things been in the palace while I was away?"

"Nothing much has happened. His Majesty has mostly been staying with Lady Hui these past few days," Silver Bell thought for a moment. "But Lady Hui will likely be more restrained now. Yesterday she crossed paths with the Empress and was punished to kneel for a day for disrespect."

"The Empress finally decided to show herself," Shen Fuyu propped her chin lazily. That was good—another person with high anger value to spar with. Her happiness seemed boundless!

Aside from anger value, Shen Fuyu was also curious. The Empress had avoided everyone for so long; did she finally change her mind and give up her secret dealings?

As the New Year approached, Daxun and Yunjing would send envoys to each other. Jing Lanxi was a princess of Yunjing, and all her actions represented her homeland. So, in these coming days, what would she do?

"Never mind, the Empress isn’t that important." Shen Fuyu didn’t plan to waste time thinking about it. Anger value was all that mattered—why bother scheming? "Where’s my suona? Take it out and polish it. Tonight, I’ll play a tune for His Majesty."