Cold-faced Empress

Fu Shi roughly knew that his wife, Zhang, had blackmailed him out of Fu Siying by exploiting her weaknesses. Zhang had assured him that Fu Qing's family wouldn't dare to say a word, but what was going on now?

When the Emperor and Empress Dowager found out, they questioned them on the spot!

Fu Shi was truly speechless. Could he really say he had something on Fu Siying and was therefore deliberately blackmailing her?!

Seeing that Fu Shi didn't utter a single word of rebuttal, the Emperor's anger intensified: "A prestigious family of rammed earth builders, are you so poor that you can't even afford to eat, and you need to borrow so much silver from your eldest brother who has already separated from the family? Look at the clothes your wife and children are wearing, and then look at the attire of Fu Siying and her two siblings. Don't you feel even a little bit of shame and remorse?!"

Fu Shi was shocked and kowtowed: "Your humble servant knows his mistake!"

"Poor Fu Siying, she was just now trying to cover up the misdeeds of your second uncle's family. All three of her siblings are outstanding in talent, upright in character, and kind in temperament, but what about your children?" Recalling Fu Fangwei's irrelevant answers when she entered the palace to interpret the dream, the Emperor was deeply disappointed. "Your daughter is ambitious and eager for quick success, and your son has not yet entered officialdom and has made no achievements. Fu Shi, you have disappointed me greatly!"

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Fu Shi felt as if struck by lightning. No reprimand was more severe than the word "disappointment." Not to mention that almost the entire family had been criticized.

He lay pressed tightly to the ground, trembling like a leaf.

Fu Siying glanced sideways at her second uncle's back, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Were you happy to receive those three thousand taels of silver? Did you realize that fortune and misfortune are intertwined?

After severely reprimanding Fu Shi, the Emperor not only ordered Fu Shi to return the three thousand taels of silver to Prime Minister Fu the next day, but also deducted half a year's salary from Fu Shi's salary and ordered Fu Shi to formally apologize to Prime Minister Fu.

Fu Shi obediently kowtowed to thank the Emperor for his "reward".

Fu Siying pretended to weep while covering her face, but she felt incredibly relieved. She had promised her mother that tonight would be the last night the three thousand taels of silver would stay in the family home, and she had kept her word!

Seeing Fu Siying silently shedding tears, the Empress Dowager felt pity for her and instructed the old nanny beside her to personally lead Fu Siying to change her clothes.

Fu Siying thanked him with tears streaming down her face.

He straightened up, his eyes bloodshot, and abruptly turned his head to stare at Hu Lingjing, who was still in shock beside him.

Before she could speak, Consort De and Grand Princess Sumin were already extremely nervous, and Hu Lingjing was so flustered that she dared not meet her gaze.

“Hu Lingjing,” Fu Siying said coldly, “you are the most ill-mannered woman I have ever seen in my life!”

Hu Lingjing blushed instantly upon feeling humiliated. Fu Siying's comment echoed throughout the hall, and countless people looked at Hu Lingjing with mockery and condemnation.

With a single sentence, Fu Siying forcefully pinned the blame on Hu Lingjing, then turned and followed the Empress Dowager's old nanny away. Behind them, Hu Lingjing shouted and Princess Sumin expressed her dissatisfaction, but no one echoed them, not even Consort De uttered a word.

Fu Shi gave Hu Lingjing, with whom he had no prior interaction, a deep look before leaving the main hall, exhausted. What awaited him was only the fear and unease of his family.

As the old nanny led the way, she comforted Fu Siying with heartache: "What happened today has nothing to do with you, young lady. Please don't blame yourself. Only those who have done wrong should blame themselves. You and your family are upright and honest gentlemen."

Fu Siying followed the old nanny into a side hall: "Thank you for your guidance, nanny."

"It's not so much a lecture, just a few words of comfort. Miss Fu, please wait a moment. This old servant has already sent someone to fetch your clothes. The Empress Dowager specifically instructed that you must outshine all the beauties," the old nanny smiled kindly, "although this old servant believes you already outshine all the beauties."