At this moment, Shen Yu didn’t know whether she should feel humiliated or afraid.
The main issue was that the Empress seemed very interested in her panties.
She kept stroking her chin, staring intently.
After all, ancient people didn’t wear such things at all.
Only Shen Yu and the women of Qingfeng Village wore them, so even in the Empress’s eyes, they were a novel item.
“What is this that you’re wearing, Physician Shen? It’s quite peculiar.”
The thin, soft fabric, half-concealing yet outlining the graceful curves in a triangular shape, was adorned with lace trim that carried a hint of mature charm, with a black bow in the center.
This was Shen Yu’s custom-made exclusive design.
She had her own little quirks, after all.
Having blossomed into such an elegant figure, it wasn’t just others who might lose their composure upon seeing Shen Yu; sometimes even she herself felt that way.
“The… the desire for beauty is universal, Your Majesty. Could you please stop staring at me?”
Shen Yu’s legs were going weak under the Empress’s scorching gaze.
Her fair, well-proportioned thighs trembled slightly, the soft, snowy flesh seeming to ripple.
Her appearance only piqued the Empress’s interest further.
The corner of the Empress’s stern mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly.
“Physician Shen, move your hands. No covering allowed.”
“Y-yes.”
Shen Yu was utterly mortified.
She didn’t know where to put her hands.
The Empress’s command was as weighty as a mountain; even though she was at the peak of shame, she couldn’t reach out to cover herself.
“This is quite interesting. Much lighter and more convenient than those under-pants.”
The Empress nodded, evaluating it with a serious expression.
As a woman herself, she knew all too well how uncomfortable those rough, heavy, stifling under-pants were to wear.
Shen Yu’s soft, lightweight little triangle was not only stylish but also infinitely superior to under-pants.
It truly stirred the Empress’s heart.
“It’s… it’s a product from my hometown region, Your Majesty. Wearing it like this is light and breathable, and it also protects… health, for… eek!”
Shen Yu let out a startled cry.
“Your Majesty… Your Majesty, looking is one thing, but why are you touching it now?”
Shen Yu was truly at a loss.
Did this count as workplace harassment?
But the one harassing her was the Emperor!
If she wished, she could toss Shen Yu into the Imperial Harem at any moment and confer the title of Consort Shen…
Shen Yu felt utterly helpless.
For the first time, she truly felt how the old society could devour people.
With power and influence, one could truly do as they pleased.
Damn this imperial power, damn this dog emperor!
Wuwu, Mom, I want to go home…
Dog emperor!
You’re still touching!?
Just as Shen Yu, overwhelmed by shame and anger, was about to erupt, the Empress stopped her hands-on exploration.
She smiled gently at Shen Yu.
“Do not take offense, my dear subject. This one was merely curious. Regarding this item of yours… could you prepare a few for this one as well? Rest assured, this one will not take them for free. There will be a reward of silver.”
Seriously?
You dog emperor, after groping, you start calling me “my dear subject”?
However, upon hearing the words “reward silver,” Shen Yu’s interest was piqued.
There was no helping it; she was a bit short on funds.
The hole in Mu’en Hall’s finances was simply too vast.
Moreover, if she wanted to expand and strengthen it, that fifty thousand taels of compensation silver was merely the tip of the iceberg.
She needed more cleanly sourced silver to build up Mu’en Hall.
Because Shen Yu needed Mu’en Hall’s influence to help her build momentum in the Imperial Court, thereby providing cover for Qingfeng Village.
Currently, the noble families had suffered a setback.
The silver for suppressing bandits at the border had indeed been taken by the Imperial Court to manage the Great Plague.
However, the crisis facing Qingfeng Village was not yet resolved; it had only been temporarily delayed.
So Shen Yu still had to strive, to work hard for her family.
“If Your Majesty desires it, this subject naturally wishes to present it to Your Majesty. What need is there for a reward?”
Though stars practically danced in her eyes, Shen Yu knew that as a subject, she had to understand how to decline, to understand the concept of “three refusals and three requests.”
She had to give the Emperor ample face, to make the Emperor feel that her silver was being rewarded appropriately.
“A reward is still necessary. After all, this one is very interested in this item. Moreover, this act could be seen as taking something dear to my subject. This one certainly cannot treat my dear subject poorly.”
“Your Majesty exaggerates. As a subject, it is my duty to share Your Majesty’s burdens. Regarding this matter…”
Before Shen Yu could finish her sentence, she suddenly sensed something amiss.
Taking something dear to my subject?
What did that mean?
Shen Yu instantly became alert!
“My dear subject is truly this one’s right-hand supporter. Then, my dear subject, please remove it yourself and hand it over to this one.”
“Ah? N-no, not… the one I’m wearing?”
“Otherwise?”
The Empress wore an expression that said it was only natural.
“But… but this subject has worn this one.”
“It is of no consequence. Such a novel item, this one is quite fond of it. Besides, this one and my dear subject are both women and have become fast friends. If this one does not mind such a trivial matter, why should my dear subject be concerned?”
Hearing the Empress’s high-sounding words, Shen Yu felt utterly numb.
“Your Majesty, this subject… this subject will fetch you a new one.”
“Oh? But this is a product from the border. If my dear subject has her family send it from the border, the expenses along the way would not be insignificant. For such a small piece of fabric, is that truly necessary? This one will take this ready-made one, study it a bit, and have those below imitate it…”
“Your Majesty’s person is worth ten thousand pieces of gold. This subject dare not be negligent.”
Joking aside, how could Shen Yu possibly do such a thing? What would that make her?
“Oh? My dear subject has such thoughts… Very well, then. This one will dispatch the Fenglin Guards to the border. They can also pay a visit to my dear subject’s parents and deliver some rare items from the palace.”
“Your Majesty!”
Shen Yu felt completely manipulated, but she had no proof.
She could only remain kneeling, looking utterly wronged with tears welling in her eyes, as she presented the still-warm piece of fabric to the Empress with both hands.
“If Your Majesty does not find it distasteful…”