Chapter 80: It’s Fine to Be Unworldly, But Not to Court Death

Shen Tangyu spent the entire day plotting in her own quarters in the side hall. By dinnertime, she had little appetite; after changing her medicine, she intended to rest. But just as she drifted into a drowsy sleep, the incessant clamor outside made it impossible for her to doze off.

"Someone come here!" Shen Tangyu called out irritably, but only a young palace maid entered.

"Miss, is something the matter?" the maid inquired.

Seeing it was only her, Shen Tangyu frowned. "What is all that noise outside? Why is it so loud? I can't sleep at all!"

The maid bowed her head and replied, "His Majesty has arrived. It's always like this whenever he visits."

It was always this lively whenever the Emperor came, though each time was somehow different.

"Long live His Majesty! May His Majesty be blessed every day!"

"His Majesty is wise! His Majesty is wondrous! His Majesty is the best medicine!"

"His Majesty is handsome! His Majesty is strong! His Majesty’s might brings a smile to Her Ladyship!"

The voices of the palace staff rang out in unison, loud and clear, each holding a small baton-sized stick coated with fluorite powder. Under the Lady Xian’s afternoon direction, they struck exaggerated poses and chanted their slogans with perfect coordination.

Another joyous day indeed.

Three slogans, as Lady Xian had requested: loud, forceful, and brimming with spirit.

And Lady Xian herself, dressed in a watery blue palace gown, stood at the entrance, thoroughly pleased with her attendants’ performance, waiting for Qin Zhiyi’s arrival.

From a distance, Qin Zhiyi saw the spectacle and heard the slogans: Damn it all!

"Your Majesty!" Shen Fuyu had no intention of letting Qin Zhiyi escape. Even from eight yards away, she rushed to seize his wrist. "You’re here! Please come inside! Did you like the little show I prepared for you today?"

"Let go of me. Tonight, I’ll sleep in the Golden Throne Hall."

"You said you’d warm my bed tonight! Come, come, come! Hurry inside!" she exclaimed joyfully, dragging Qin Zhiyi toward the room.

To hell with that!

Qin Zhiyi felt more and more like a commoner at the village gates, spontaneously learning to curse without a teacher.

This wretched woman was absolutely pretending to misunderstand him on purpose!

Dragged relentlessly toward Xianyue Palace, Qin Zhiyi’s heart sank into despair, while the palace attendants continued to shout their three resounding slogans.

A sense of hopelessness, mingled with embarrassment, surged inside him.

Why had he come to Xianyue Palace? This place was hell on earth!

And he wasn’t alone in his discomfort—Shen Tangyu, convalescing in the side hall, was equally exasperated by the commotion.

"Is it always like this?" Shen Tangyu could hardly believe it. The noise was bad enough, but the shameless slogans those servants shouted! Wasn’t it just a blatant display to flaunt how favored Shen Fuyu was by the Emperor?

The young maid nodded. "Her Ladyship takes the matter of sharing His Majesty’s bed very seriously. She always has us rehearse new ways to welcome him."

"I see." Shen Tangyu bit down slightly, seething. That wretch, Shen Fuyu! Even while pregnant, she still seeks favor, still flaunts it for her to see!

Suddenly, as Shen Fuyu pulled Qin Zhiyi along, she paused, causing him to stumble unexpectedly at the doorframe.

"Why did you stop?" Qin Zhiyi steadied himself against the frame, quick reflexes saving him from a bruised face.

"I'm just happy," Shen Fuyu replied cheerfully, delighted by the surge of anger she sensed. "Your Majesty, you really are careless! If I didn’t hold your hand, would you not watch your step?"

Wasn’t she the one dragging him the whole way?

Shen Fuyu squinted with a smile and led him inside, seating him at the table and pouring him a drink. "Your Majesty, have a taste!"

Qin Zhiyi regarded her with suspicion. Was there something wrong with this wine?

"Your Majesty, must you look at me with such doubt?" Shen Fuyu frowned, hands on her hips. "I do have my dignity!"

"I don’t believe you," Qin Zhiyi retorted coldly.

Could a woman with dignity orchestrate such an entrance?

"Whatever," Shen Fuyu pouted.

Qin Zhiyi was long used to Shen Fuyu’s unfounded teasing. The wine itself was likely harmless, but what might happen afterward depended entirely on her whims.

"All right, I’ve prepared a dance and a song, and I want you to enjoy them with your wine," she announced.

"I’d rather not watch," Qin Zhiyi replied, growing anxious and contemplating escape.

But Shen Fuyu promptly blocked his calculated escape route. Did she look like someone who would let her prey (his anger) get away?

"Your Majesty, do you truly dislike me so?" Shen Fuyu suddenly put on a pitiful face, tears welling up as she bit her lip. "I haven’t seen you in days."

He mustn’t soften!

Qin Zhiyi could feel a faint spike of anger, but Shen Fuyu was not yet satisfied.

"Didn’t Your Majesty once say that you’d grant me whatever I wished? I had a dance and song rehearsed just to perform for you…"

The most dangerous hunters often appear as prey.

"Fine, then sing," Qin Zhiyi sighed. He couldn't go back on his word; he was the Emperor, after all. He gloomily drank two cups of wine, took a deep breath, and steeled himself.

He’d survived the blaring suona before—surely a song and dance couldn’t be worse.

The fish had bitten the hook. Shen Fuyu’s eyes brightened as she clapped her hands. At once, a dozen palace maids and eunuchs filed in, forming neat ranks in the open space. Meanwhile, Shen Fuyu fetched her little suona from the stand.

The piercing notes of the suona resounded. The maids and eunuchs began to dance in rhythm, belting out a song that was both off-key and shrill.

"No matter how I try, I can’t escape this colorful world. Turns out I’m just a drunken butterfly…"

The suona’s wail was deafening, and to make sure Qin Zhiyi heard every word, the palace staff sang at the top of their lungs the song and dance Lady Xian had taught them that very afternoon.

Her Ladyship had promised: perform well, and there’d be rewards!

"This is the song and dance you mentioned?" Qin Zhiyi frowned, turning to Shen Fuyu in disbelief. This was an assault on the eyes! What were they even dancing? It wasn’t even a proper folk dance!

But the clamor in Xianyue Palace was overwhelming. Shen Fuyu, engrossed in her suona, couldn’t hear a word he said—she could only see his mouth moving and could easily tell he was furious.

Qin Zhiyi wanted to leave.

Shen Fuyu promptly pressed him into the chair, brandishing the suona above his head. The force was all too familiar, pinning him in place, making him endure the wailing, ghostly chorus and the wild, frenzied dance of the palace attendants.

The suona’s vibrations rattled his skull.

Was this a performance for the living? Song and dance might lack refinement, but this was an ordeal fit for the underworld!

Not even the prisoners in the imperial dungeon suffered such torment!

"Did you not hear me speaking?" Qin Zhiyi finally shouted, unable to contain himself. "Is it so hard to act like a human being?"