A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household

Chapter 1: She would strive, she would fight!

"Shen Wei, listen to my advice and don't become the Prince's concubine."

"I heard the Prince has an extremely strong physique, and none of his concubines can withstand it."

The voices in her ears were too loud, and Shen Wei pressed her throbbing temples, still not fully recovered from the shadow of the car accident.

Just yesterday, Shen Wei's hard-earned company went public, and after four years without a break, she decided to give herself half a day off. But as she crossed the street, a car roared toward her and sent her flying.

When Shen Wei opened her eyes again, she found herself in an unfamiliar ancient world.

Her new body also belonged to someone named Shen Wei, a woman from a humble background. In order to raise money for her seriously ill mother's medical fees, Shen Wei sold herself into Prince Yan's Mansion as a maidservant.

The original Shen Wei was strikingly beautiful, and the Princess of Yan had taken notice, plotting to elevate both Shen Wei and another beautiful servant girl, Zhang Yue, to become concubines of the Prince.

In the room, Zhang Yue, with her delicate features, looked worried and was grumbling next to Shen Wei: "What's the point of being a lowly concubine for me, a pure maiden?"

Becoming a concubine of the Prince seemed like an enviable opportunity.

But Zhang Yue had heard rumors that despite the Prince's stunning appearance, he was a cold and heartless man.

His interest in women only lasted a maximum of three months. After the initial favor, even the most beautiful woman would be cast aside, turning from a treasured red spot to a mere mosquito bite, or from an ethereal moon to plain boiled rice. They would spend their lives in the mansion's inner quarters, lonely and neglected.

Moreover, the Prince was said to be exceptionally virile, capable of seventeen rounds of intimacy in one night. The delicate bodies of the concubines often couldn't withstand his vigor and would faint midway, leaving them miserable.

"When we see the Princess later, let's kowtow and beg her to revoke the favor. I'd rather marry a stable hand than become the Prince's concubine and live a life of solitude," Zhang Yue continued to chatter, determined not to become a concubine.

While Zhang Yue prattled, Shen Wei quickly analyzed her current situation.

In this ancient society, the imperial power was supreme—she now held the lowest status as a maidservant in the Prince's Mansion.

If she was lucky, she might marry a stable hand or gatekeeper and have children who would remain servants.

If she wasn't lucky, one day her master might decree her death, and she would be left to rot in the wilderness, unburied.

As a striving powerhouse from the 21st century, Shen Wei had no intention of becoming a passive fish in this ancient world.

She would strive, she would fight!

She would strive until she couldn't anymore, and then strive even harder!

Heaven doesn't drop free pies; those who claim to be indifferent are just fools. Without struggle, one has nothing. Destiny is in one's own hands, and one's future is earned through hard work.

In her previous life, she had relentlessly strived, turning a struggling company on the verge of bankruptcy into a publicly listed one; in this life, she could still strive and carve out a magnificent future for herself in ancient times.

Without hesitation, Shen Wei had already made up her mind—she would become the Prince's concubine.

She would climb step by step.

Outside the room, the old matron sent by the Princess of Yan urged: "Shen Wei, Zhang Yue, the Princess summons you, why haven't you come out yet?"

The wooden door creaked open, and Shen Wei and Zhang Yue appeared.

The matron led them to the Princess's residence, Kunyu Courtyard.

The Princess of Yan hailed from a prestigious family, married the Prince at sixteen, and had borne him two sons and one daughter. After ten years of marriage, they were at least respectful to each other.

Shen Wei entered the main hall and followed the etiquette from her memory to respectfully greet the Princess of Yan.

She subtly observed the Princess, who was seated at the main seat. The Princess wore a dark red dress embroidered with cloud patterns and had her hair elegantly piled up, exuding a faint aura of authority.

The Princess's eyes had fine lines, and her skin was slightly yellowish, without any makeup to conceal it. Clearly, the Princess had accepted her "aging beauty" and no longer needed to rely on her appearance to attract her husband, as her position was secure.

The Princess set down her Qing porcelain teacup and glanced at Shen Wei and Zhang Yue's faces.

Shen Wei's charming features and Zhang Yue's delicate beauty were both exceptional.

The Prince had little interest in the women in his mansion, and as a result, there had been no new children born in the mansion in recent years.

As the head of the household, the Princess needed to find ways to continue the family line and uphold her reputation as a virtuous wife.

"Shen Wei, Zhang Yue, are you willing to become the Prince's concubines?" The Princess cut straight to the point.

Zhang Yue's face turned pale, and she hastily knelt down to kowtow: "Your Highness, I already have a lover, and I cannot betray his deep feelings."

Zhang Yue's lover was a young stable hand in the mansion, and the two were deeply attached to each other.

The Princess sighed inwardly.

It truly is as the saying goes: "Once you enter the deep palace, you're lost forever." These young girls are all so clever, and the tragic examples are glaring. Even the allure of wealth and splendor can't blind their eyes.

The Princess then turned to Shen Wei: "What about you?"

Shen Wei performed a respectful bow and replied: "I am willing to serve the Prince and ease Your Highness's concerns."

The Princess's hand holding the teacup paused slightly as she scrutinized Shen Wei, noticing the ambition in her eyes.

She couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Another arrogant young woman.

Foolishly believing her beauty could captivate the Prince's heart. But alas, beauty is the least valuable asset in the Prince's mansion.

Even the stunningly beautiful concubine Liu Ruyan, who had been the sole favorite for two years, had now become a bland figure in the mansion. The Prince visited Liu Ruyan's courtyard less than five times a month.

Their interactions were limited to discussions of poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with very little intimacy.

"In that case, I will elevate you to a concubine and assign you to Fangfei Courtyard, along with a reward of fifty taels of silver." The Princess lifted the teacup, blowing off the floating tea leaves.

Shen Wei's heart skipped a beat with joy.

The first step in her entrepreneurial journey—having her own "office" and a "startup fund" of fifty taels of silver!

Shen Wei joyfully expressed her thanks and followed the matron out.

In the main hall, the Princess took a sip of Biluochun tea and asked Granny Liu beside her: "This maid is beautiful, don't you think? How long do you suppose the Prince will favor her?"

Granny Liu chuckled and answered: "Beautiful indeed, but uneducated and shallow, merely a pretty doll. I suspect Concubine Shen will remain in favor for at most half a month."

In the Prince's mansion, there were countless beauties.

Shen Wei was not the most beautiful, came from a lowly background, and lacked literacy and etiquette. Such a woman would ultimately become just another ordinary figure in the mansion, trapped there for life.

If Shen Wei was lucky, she might bear a son or daughter. But concubines had no right to raise their children, and any child she bore would ultimately benefit the Princess.

"Ah, what a pity," the Princess said with a hint of sympathy, then instructed Granny Liu, "Purchase some more beautiful maids and bring them into the mansion after some time. When the old ones lose favor, we need new faces to take their place."

Granny Liu respectfully replied: "Yes, Your Highness."

"Calculating the days, the Prince's southern tour should be concluding soon." The Princess's tone was calm, showing no emotional fluctuation at the impending return of her husband.

Granny Liu asked: "Your Highness, shall we renovate the mansion and add some fresh, lovely flowers and plants to welcome the Prince's return?"

The Princess shook her head indifferently: "Why bother with such futile and costly matters?"

Ten years of marriage had once seen the Princess embroiled in struggles with concubines and consorts. But over time, she had come to understand the futility of such conflicts and adopted a more indifferent approach.

No one could remain in favor forever, and the Prince's love was fleeting.

Even the most loving couple would eventually grow tired of each other. It was better to focus on the education of her children, who would be her future support.

Not only the Princess, but the concubines and consorts who had once fought desperately for favor had also come to this realization.

What was the use of vying for the Prince's affection?

It was better to be a passive fish, indifferent to praise and criticism, and watch the world unfold with a smile.

Chapter 2: Shen Wei was simply courting trouble

Fangfei Courtyard.

The old mama, in accordance with the standards for concubines, arranged for Shen Wei to have two maidservants and then departed.

Zhang Yue stealthily followed and pulled Shen Wei to a corner.

Zhang Yue warned in a low voice, "Shen Wei, you're jumping into a fire pit! Last year, there was a beautiful maidservant in the Prince's Mansion who voluntarily served the Prince Yan for a few days, only to be forgotten by him. That maidservant went mad not long ago and drowned herself."

In Zhang Yue's eyes, Shen Wei was simply courting trouble.

Isn't it better to just be a maidservant?

"I have my own plans," Shen Wei replied with a faint smile.

Zhang Yue sighed, feeling sympathetic yet contemptuous. "I need to get back to the flower garden. You take care of yourself."

Zhang Yue was already waiting to see the joke that would be Shen Wei.

Shen Wei entered Fangfei Courtyard. The courtyard wasn't large, with only four small rooms. It had been uninhabited for a long time, and wild grasses were growing rampantly.

"Greetings, Mistress Shen," the two young maidservants stepped forward to greet her.

Shen Wei sat on the main seat, examining the two girls in front of her. The maidservants were about fifteen or sixteen years old, one named Cai Ping and the other named Cai Lian.

If "Fangfei Courtyard" were a newly established company, then Cai Ping and Cai Lian would be her initial employees.

Shen Wei instructed the maidservants to bring paper and brush. She spread out the rice paper and held the writing brush firmly: "I've just arrived at the Prince's Mansion and am not yet familiar with it. I ask you, when will the Prince Yan return?"

In Shen Wei's mind, she regarded the Prince Yan, whom she had never met, as her target customer. To successfully close a deal with a customer, one must understand their preferences.

Know thyself and know thy enemy, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.

Cai Ping and Cai Lian exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing sympathy and a touch of disdain.

Although young, these two maidservants had grown up serving in the Prince's Mansion, having seen countless women who sought to climb the social ladder by attaching themselves to the prince.

These women were beautiful, received the prince's favor, and then quickly faded away like scattered flowers.

"Reply to the mistress," Cai Lian, being slightly older and more composed, said, "The Prince Yan left a month ago to accompany the Crown Prince on a southern tour. He should return in two days."

Shen Wei pondered and quickly jotted down notes on the rice paper: "How old is the Prince Yan? What is his family background? What are his likes and dislikes? What foods does he enjoy? What are his daily hobbies?"

Cai Lian was momentarily taken aback.

She suddenly felt that this mistress before her was a bit different from those before her who were merely beautiful.

Cai Lian replied respectfully, "The Prince Yan is the second son of the current emperor and is twenty-eight years old. His harem includes one princess, three concubines, several lesser consorts, and several maidservants. The Prince Yan enjoys horseback riding, archery, reading..."

As the sun moved from its zenith towards the horizon, dusk approached.

Cai Lian and Cai Ping spoke until they were parched, sharing all the information they knew with Shen Wei.

Shen Wei asked so many questions that, in addition to inquiring about the Prince Yan's information, she also thoroughly inquired about the backgrounds of the other consorts and concubines in the harem, as well as the prominent families in the capital.

"Very good, thank you for your interview," Shen Wei organized the thick stack of rice paper, now having a general understanding of the Prince's Mansion.

As the sky darkened, the kitchen sent the evening meal to Fangfei Courtyard.

Two dishes and one soup, which was quite decent.

Shen Wei enjoyed her meal and then walked around Fangfei Courtyard in the evening. The moonlight was dim, and she observed the overgrown weeds and the dilapidated walls, her brow furrowing.

Fangfei Courtyard, located in the southwest corner of the Prince's Mansion, was in a remote area. Several other courtyards nearby housed over a dozen mistresses who had fallen out of favor.

Other mistresses, having lost their favor, had given up and neglected their courtyards, merely lamenting their fate while staring at the crumbling walls. Under the moonlight, the various courtyards resembled haunted houses.

"No, the facade must be renovated!" Shen Wei resolved, determined to give Fangfei Courtyard a whole new look.

A well-dressed person and a finely caparisoned horse. A store that attracts customers must have an exquisite facade.

No customer would want to enter a shabby store.

Shen Wei had originally planned to wake up the two maidservants tonight to help pull weeds and clean the courtyard. However, since today was their first day on the job, asking them to work overtime on their first day would leave a bad impression.

Better to start tomorrow.

Shen Wei returned to her sleeping quarters and removed her hairpins in front of the mirror. The silver mirror was of good quality, clearly reflecting Shen Wei's appearance.

The original owner not only shared the same name but also the same looks, with a round face, beautiful peach blossom eyes, and a smile that made her eyes curve like crescents.

"Skin lacks water, the body is too thin, malnourished." Shen Wei pinched her cheeks, realizing she needed to slowly recuperate her health.

To gain the Prince Yan's favor, one needed both an outstanding appearance and a healthy body.

Earlier, Cai Lian had mentioned that the Prince Yan's prowess in bed was particularly strong, and the delicate mistresses in the harem often couldn't withstand his affections, fainting halfway.

Shen Wei would have to work hard to build up her physical strength!

After finishing her bath, Shen Wei went to bed. As she lay down, she began to examine her bed—a red sandalwood carved wooden frame bed, slightly old and chipped at the edges.

"The bedroom also needs to be renovated, styled with something new," Shen Wei thought.

Shen Wei sighed inwardly, clutching the fifty taels of silver gifted by the Princess of Yan. Her mind filled with various renovation plans, she slowly closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

...

The next morning, Cai Ping and Cai Lian yawned and got out of bed, preparing to assist Shen Wei with her washing and grooming.

But they saw their mistress, Shen Wei, already dressed in short attire, running around the courtyard at dawn. Her hair was tied high, her face flushed, running with heavy breaths.

Cai Lian was surprised, "Mistress, what are you doing?"

Shen Wei finished her jog, taking the handkerchief Cai Lian handed her to wipe her sweat: "Exercising."

Health was the capital for seeking favor.

Work hard in studies and exercise daily.

After finishing her jog, Shen Wei started doing squats. After thirty squats, she wiped her sweat and went to have her breakfast.

In Kunyu Courtyard, the old nursemaid brought tea to serve the Princess of Yan, who had just woken up. She massaged her temples and asked, "Is Shen Wei settling in comfortably at Fangfei Courtyard?"

The old lady replied, "It's quite strange. Shen Wei sent a maidservant to the flower garden this morning to ask for many flowers and vegetable seeds. She also had several young eunuchs bring tools to repair the courtyard walls."

"Repairing the courtyard walls?" The Princess of Yan paused mid-sip of tea.

Unlike other mistresses, who either quietly stayed in their courtyards waiting for the prince's summons or bought cosmetics and adorned themselves, this Shen Wei was rather unique.

The old matron wasn't concerned, "Fangfei Courtyard had been uninhabited for a long time, and the walls were damaged. Perhaps Shen Wei is worried that heavy rains will collapse the walls and decided to repair them in advance—she comes from a peasant background, so her perspective is limited."

The Princess of Yan sneered.

Indeed, only a woman from a peasant background would care about damaged walls and ask for vegetable seeds.

Let her do as she pleases; she won't stir up much trouble anyway.

The Princess of Yan, who did not consider Shen Wei to be of great importance, concentrated her attention on her children. She instructed the elderly female attendant, "Send someone to the school to keep an eye on them. Do not let the two children cause trouble in class. This year is the Empress's birthday, and the children must perform well in front of the Empress."

The old nanny asked, "When Prince Yan returns from his southern tour the day after tomorrow, should we let the two children have a day off to welcome him?"

The Princess of Yan frowned and shook her head, "Missing school isn't worth it."

The old woman sighed inwardly.

In recent years, the Princess of Yan had become increasingly uninterested in the Prince Yan, her entire focus on raising her children. The consorts and mistresses in the harem had also become more subdued.

The Prince's Mansion had become tranquil, a stagnant pool of calm.

No woman would likely stir up any trouble in the Prince's Mansion again.

...

Fangfei Courtyard.

After two days of hard work, Fangfei Courtyard had transformed from a simple room into a fully furnished space.

Shen Wei distributed a portion of the fifty taels of silver gifted by the Princess of Yan to the hardworking eunuchs and gave three taels each to Cai Ping and Cai Lian.

The eunuchs were overjoyed and thanked her profusely.

Cai Ping and Cai Lian were also thrilled, as three taels were equivalent to three months of their pay.

Shen Wei smiled inwardly. She wasn't a stingy boss. She rewarded her employees for their labor, creating a mutually beneficial relationship, ensuring that they would work more diligently next time.

"Mistress, our courtyard looks so beautiful," Cai Ping clutched her reward, genuinely praising.

The wild grasses and dead trees had been cleared, and many vibrant flowers were brought in from the flower garden, along with some peach trees. The dilapidated walls had been repaired, and Shen Wei had even painted vivid patterns on the outer walls herself.

Although not as luxurious as the Princess of Yan's courtyard, Fangfei Courtyard had a unique charm.

Shen Wei also planned to change the plants in the courtyard every season: peach trees in spring, lotus in summer, osmanthus in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter.

However, Cai Ping curiously pointed to the cleared, yet still barren vegetable plot: "My lady, are you planning to plant vegetables?"

Shen Wei took a sip of tea to soothe her throat, staring at the vegetable plot, her lips slowly curving into a smile: "It serves a purpose. It's waiting for the right person to plant in it."

Cai Ping was puzzled.

Shen Wei set down her teacup and told the two maids: "His Highness Prince Yan is returning today, and I want to sneak a peek."

Now a concubine of Prince Yan, and thus only a step above a maidservant, she was not qualified to welcome him back to the mansion.

But Shen Wei wanted to get a head start on understanding Prince Yan, observing his appearance and speech.

"This..." Cai Lian and Cai Ping looked troubled.

Shen Wei spoke with a gentle smile: "I'm just going to take a look, I won't get in his way. Let's be discreet and not get caught."

Since Shen Wei insisted, the two maids could only nod in agreement. As noon approached, the sound of ceremonial music echoed from the entrance of the Prince's Mansion.

Prince Yan had returned.

Shen Wei sneaked out of Fangfei Courtyard and hid in the corner of the main hall's courtyard, observing from the shadows. Her mind flashed with information about Prince Yan.

The Emperor of Qing had a scanty lineage, with only three sons. The Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince and Prince Yan, while the youngest Prince Heng was born to the Imperial Concubine.

The Crown Prince and Prince Yan were brothers, raised together since childhood, their bond unbreakable. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Prince Yan would become the new Emperor's right-hand man.

In other words, aligning herself with Prince Yan could bring Shen Wei an illustrious future.

"Shen Wei, what are you doing here?" A voice of confusion suddenly came from behind her.

Shen Wei turned around to see Zhang Yue, her former colleague, carrying a pot of flowers.

Zhang Yue naturally knew that Shen Wei had come to seek out Prince Yan.

Just like the new concubines who had been elevated before, they would intentionally show themselves, throwing themselves into his arms, hoping to make a favorable impression on Prince Yan.

Zhang Yue felt both pity and disdain, her tone becoming sharper: "I suggest you give it up. Even if you manage to charm the Prince, you won't be able to keep him—"

Before she could finish, Cai Ping beside Shen Wei frowned and chided: "You don't even pay your respects to your mistress, yet you dare to speak so boldly. Where do you get such nerve!"

Chapter 3: Serving in the Bedchamber

Zhang Yue was struck dumb.

It was only now that she realized Shen Wei was no longer her equal as a servant girl.

Zhang Yue felt displeasure welling up inside her and suddenly harbored a sense of resentment and jealousy. While she herself still resided in the servant's large communal dormitory, sharing a room with over a dozen other maids who had to wake up before dawn to tend to chores like moving flowers and boiling water, Shen Wei, who had entered the household at the same time as her, had already been elevated to a concubine of the Prince, enjoying a spacious dwelling and the service of personal maids.

That tinge of jealousy flickered and vanished quickly. Zhang Yue consoled herself internally—an unloved concubine, trapped for life within the confines of the Four-Square Back Courtyard, was even less free than a maid.

Thinking this way, she felt much better.

Zhang Yue gave a slight curtsy, awkwardly offering her greetings: "Servant girl Zhang greets Mistress Shen. I still have duties in the greenhouse and must take my leave now."

Shen Wei smiled faintly: "Go ahead."

Holding a flowerpot, Zhang Yue walked away, her thoughts heavy.

At a corner of the courtyard, Zhang Yue suddenly stopped, turning her head for a backward glance. By the corner of the yard, Shen Wei in her emerald green long gown, slim and curvaceous, her skin as white as snow, bore no trace of her former servant identity.

Zhang Yue's heart felt hollow. All she could do was silently pray that Shen Wei would lose the Prince's favor soon so she could watch Shen Wei's downfall.

A fallen concubine's life was even worse than that of a servant girl.

"The Prince is here!" Cai Ping's eyes lit up as she whispered to Shen Wei.

Hiding in a corner, Shen Wei furtively observed the lord she would soon serve.

At the main entrance of the Prince's Residence, the Princess Consort was accompanied by two consorts, five secondary consorts, and numerous servants, all respectfully welcoming Prince Yan.

The black, gold-embroidered Prince Yan banner fluttered, caught by the light spring breeze. Armored guards stood in two rows on either side.

Prince Yan strode into the residence. He was tall, with an extraordinarily handsome appearance and a high, straight nose. After a month-long southern inspection tour, his skin had been tanned to a healthy wheat color. His every movement exuded nobility and authority.

Shen Wei approved.

This appearance, placed in the modern entertainment industry, would undoubtedly make him a top-tier star.

Shen Wei's gaze lingered on Prince Yan's face, taking in his high nose and robust figure. She clicked her tongue: "No wonder they say Prince Yan is fierce in bed. That high nose... tsk."

She had learned a bit about physiognomy.

A man with a high nose and a strong physique invariably had strong needs in that area, exceptionally so.

Glancing at the delicate women at the entrance—some too plump, others too thin—their physical conditions likely left much to be desired.

Shen Wei didn't linger long and turned back toward her own Fangfei Courtyard.

On her way back, Shen Wei started to mentally summarize Prince Yan: "Born into wealth, sibling harmony, a peaceful harem, good health, a life of smooth sailing."

A man raised within the royal complex, accustomed from a young age to the swarm of beautiful women vying for his attention, with every woman eager to please him.

To capture his heart, one must take an unconventional path—physical compatibility, intellectual harmony.

"Master, shall we not go to greet the Prince?" Cai Ping followed Shen Wei, a bit surprised.

Cai Ping had expected Shen Wei to seize the opportunity to catch the Prince's eye, tempting him to spend the night in Fangfei Courtyard.

Unexpectedly, Shen Wei merely took a glance and left.

Shen Wei tapped Cai Ping's forehead, smiling lightly: "The Prince is the head of the household. This evening, it's natural that the Princess Consort should attend to him. If I were to steal him now, it would only upset the Princess Consort."

She certainly intended to vie for the Prince's favor, but not in a rush.

Opportunities are given to those who are prepared. She needed to make comprehensive preparations.

...

At the entrance of the Prince's Residence.

Prince Yan surveyed the gathered crowd. Before him stood the gentle and virtuous Princess Consort, the rotund Concubine Zhang, the childhood sweetheart Concubine Liu, and several secondary consorts.

He didn't see Concubine Liu Ruyan.

Prince Yan asked the Princess Consort: "Where is Ruyan?"

The Princess Consort sighed softly and replied: "Yesterday was windy, and Sister Ruyan suffered from relentless headaches. She consulted a physician, and now she's still resting in her room."

Concubine Liu Ruyan, born into a scholarly family, was exquisitely beautiful and well-read, brimming with talent.

When she entered the Prince's Residence, she alone enjoyed the Prince's favor. The two were deeply in love, their relationship harmonious and affectionate.

Back then, the Princess Consort and Liu Ruyan had secretly fought bitterly, each vying for supremacy.

Later, the Prince married the amiable Concubine Zhang and took in the childhood sweetheart Concubine Liu. He also took on multiple secondary consorts and concubines. With the loss of his exclusive favor, Liu Ruyan gradually grew disheartened, her spirit broken.

It wasn't just Liu Ruyan; other women in the harem gradually ceased their struggles for favor.

Prince Yan suppressed his inner discontent and asked the Princess Consort again: "Are Chengke and Chengzhen still in the study?"

Mentioning their two sons, the Princess Consort's face glowed with pride: "Your Highness, recently Chengke and Chengzhen have been diligent in their studies, and even their tutor has praised them profusely."

Prince Yan felt disappointment.

On his Southern inspection tour, he had experienced arduous travel and immense exertion. Returning to the Prince's Residence, he naturally hoped to see his children, embrace his wife and concubines to relieve exhaustion, and hear praise from his consorts.

But his children hadn't come to welcome their father, his favored concubine was bedridden and did not appear, and the rest of the consorts had not even offered a word of comforting concern. Prince Yan was rather displeased.

Yet, he couldn't express this openly.

A grown man of twenty-seven still yearning for the affection and praise of his wife and children would only elicit ridicule.

The Princess Consort didn't forget to mention Shen Wei: "Your Highness, recently I elevated a maid to the position of concubine. That maid is quite beautiful. If you have the time, you might visit Fangfei Courtyard to see her."

Prince Yan showed little interest.

No matter how beautiful a concubine was, in front of him they either trembled with fear or fawned obsequiously. After a few liaisons, the novelty wore off, leaving him entirely uninterested.

Returning to the Prince's Residence, having dealt with his official duties, night fell, and Prince Yan stayed the night at the Princess Consort's residence.

After the arduous southern tour and busy official duties, Prince Yan had gone for an entire month without sleeping with a woman.

That night, Prince Yan wished to share a tender moment with the Princess Consort. The attending matron tactfully withdrew.

Prince Yan wrapped his arms around the Princess Consort's slightly plump waist. By the dim candlelight, he saw the Princess Consort's still-radiant face. In recent years, the Princess Consort had neglected her upkeep, and the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were clearly visible.

There was a hint of aging.

Once, when she saw him, the Princess Consort would still wear makeup and arrange her hair. Now, she couldn't even be bothered to maintain herself.

Prince Yan felt rather stifled.

"Your Highness," the Princess Consort hadn't shared a tender moment with Prince Yan for a long time, but she didn't forget about tomorrow's important matter, "Tomorrow I must visit the Palace to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress, and I dare not delay..."

Prince Yan was in good physical condition, often practicing horse riding and archery, and at his prime of youth and vitality, with strong needs.

The Princess Consort knew she couldn't endure it and would delay tomorrow's visit to the Palace.

Prince Yan, already with little interest, felt his enthusiasm wane even further as the Princess Consort gently refused.

"Very well, let's rest," Prince Yan slept clothed.

Among the women of his harem, from the Princess Consort to the concubines, none could satisfy him.

Meanwhile, in the southwestern corner of the Prince's Residence, inside Fangfei Courtyard. The bright moon hung high in the sky, and both maidservants had gone to sleep, but Shen Wei was still exercising in her bedroom.

She had her own fitness plan: [Morning: ten laps of jogging, squats. Afternoon: practicing Baduanjin. Before sleep: dancing the "Pamela Fitness Routine."]

Having secretly seen the robust Prince Yan today, Shen Wei became even more determined to stick to her workout regimen. With the Prince Yan's physique, his sturdy build, most women couldn't handle him!

She had to work hard to improve her physical fitness!

Squatting, spinning, jumping, sweat beaded on Shen Wei's forehead. After half an hour of exercise, Shen Wei finally showered and rested.

Her sleeping posture was also intentional. Shen Wei didn't lie on her side; lying on the side would thicken the shoulders and distort the face. The best sleeping position was flat on the back.

But lying flat would make the buttocks flat, so Shen Wei used a small soft pillow under her waist to maintain her figure.

A true fitness enthusiast, even while sleeping, worked on her figure!

...

A few nights later, in the Prince's study.

Having finished his official duties, Prince Yan was considering his plans for the evening.

Fu Gui, the Prince's personal eunuch, politely inquired: "Your Highness, where shall you reside tonight? I can make arrangements accordingly."

Prince Yan pondered for a moment: "Go to Qixue Pavilion."

Concubine Liu Ruyan's headache had improved, and Prince Yan intended to visit her that night.

Prince Yan walked into Liu Ruyan's courtyard, bathed in moonlight.

Liu Ruyan, with an aloof and noble temperament and a wealth of scholarly knowledge, preferred white the most, so the entire courtyard was arranged like a snow cave.

"Greetings to Your Highness," bathed in moonlight, Liu Ruyan in her silver long gown, stood gracefully at the entrance to welcome him.

Prince Yan observed Liu Ruyan.

He used to like Liu Ruyan very much, finding her disposition cold and noble, her talents outstanding. However, after spending more time together, their conversations increasingly failed to resonate.

For example, when Prince Yan saw the moon in the sky, he pointed to it and casually remarked: "What a full moon."

Liu Ruyan's face was filled with sorrow, her tone reminiscent of a poetic youth: "There are joys and sorrows in life, just as the moon waxes and wanes. Even when the moon is full, it will eventually wane."

For instance, when Prince Yan saw the blooming peach blossoms, he commented, "The peach blossoms in spring are truly beautiful."

Liu Ruyan lowered her beautifully expressive eyes: "The flowers are stunning when they bloom, but no one pays them any mind when they fall. A rainstorm scatters the petals, which is truly pitiful."

Prince Yan was at a loss for words.

He simply wanted to enjoy the moon and the flowers, not dwell on joys and sorrows. Her remarks were a real buzzkill!

These kinds of gloomy interactions grew more frequent, and he gradually lost interest in Liu Ruyan.

Now, having not seen her for several days, Prince Yan took hold of Liu Ruyan's hand and showed concern: "Is your health well lately, Ruyan?"

Liu Ruyan's hand was ice-cold!

It was as cold as a piece of ice.

Prince Yan frowned inwardly. He liked holding warm hands, and the coldness of Concubine Liu's hand was unbearable.

"Yes, Your Highness, this humble servant is in good health," Liu Ruyan replied calmly, leading Prince Yan into the room.

As Prince Yan stepped into the Qixue Pavilion, he was greeted by a sea of plain white. White curtains draped the windows, and a white carpet covered the floor, giving the room the feel of a cold, lifeless cave. In the courtyard, row upon row of plum trees were planted.

Liu Ruyan admired the noble and pure appearance of plum blossoms, so countless plum trees filled the courtyard.

However, plum blossoms only bloom in winter. In spring, the bare branches of the plum trees were dotted with only a few green leaves, making the courtyard look barren and desolate.

Prince Yan disliked this ugly courtyard, which was also attached to the stark white pavilion. He almost felt like he had entered a funerary hall.

What's more, Liu Ruyan always wore a white dress, no matter the occasion.

Though beautiful as a painting, her appearance was somewhat unsettling.

"Your Highness, let this humble servant assist you in changing clothes," Liu Ruyan said with her usual composed demeanor, her icy fingers brushing against Prince Yan's neck.

Prince Yan shivered from the cold.

He pulled away her hand: "Your hands are cold. Have the maids bring some hot water for you to soak them and warm up."

A shudder ran through Liu Ruyan's delicate frame, and her eyes seemed to glisten with tears of grievance: "Your Highness, do you disdain me?"

Prince Yan: I'm not!

According to the imperial physician, women with a cold physique need to soak their hands in hot water to maintain health. I'm only doing this for your benefit, Liu Ruyan!

But Liu Ruyan seemed certain that Prince Yan despised her, and her eyes gradually turned red.

Prince Yan rubbed his temples, too lazy to explain further: "I have official duties to attend to. I'll visit you another day. Rest early."

Liu Ruyan lowered her gaze, her voice filled with sadness: "Yes, Your Highness."

Liu Ruyan saw Prince Yan out the door. Dressed in a long, silver-white gown, she swayed in the night breeze, as if ready to be carried away by the wind at any moment.

After Prince Yan had walked a distance, he turned back and glanced at the Qixue Pavilion, catching sight of the woman in white standing at the door.

Even with a courage as stout as his, he was still startled.

He reminded himself mentally that she was his concubine, Ruyan, not a ghost.

Amen!

After Prince Yan left, Xue Mei, the maid serving Liu Ruyan, couldn't help but grumble: "My lady, Prince Yan rarely comes to our Qixue Pavilion. Why didn't you persuade him to stay? It seems he's heading to Concubine Zhang's courtyard."

Back when Liu Ruyan was in the prince's favor, he would almost stay here every night.

Not only did Prince Yan not stay a single cup of tea time this visit, but he also left without even having a cup of tea.

Liu Ruyan's lips curved into a resigned bitter smile. Her slender fingers traced her breathtakingly beautiful face as a solitary tear trickled down: "All I wish for is a heart of gold, and to grow old with the one I love. Unfortunately, it's just a dream... He dislikes my cold hands. Yet, he doesn't know that my heart is even colder."

In this world, where is there an eternal, ever-lasting love?

Just fleeting grace from a sovereign, leading to a life of solitude.

The maid Xue Mei scratched her head, diverting the topic: "My lady, spring is here. Why don't we plant some other flowers in the courtyard? Perhaps Prince Yan will be pleased to see them."

Liu Ruyan shook her head calmly: "Everyone wants to be the blooming peony, but I only admire the noble elegance of the plum blossom."

Maid Xue Mei:...

You're happy, that's what matters!

Prince Yan left Concubine Liu's Qixue Pavilion and headed toward Concubine Zhang's Fragrant Blossom Courtyard. Concubine Zhang, whose real name was Zhang Miaoyu, was a simple-minded foodie.

No sooner had he set foot at the entrance of the Fragrant Blossom Courtyard than Prince Yan was greeted by the rich and greasy aroma of pork trotters.

Chapter 4: Serving in the Bedchamber (2)

“Your Highness, it seems that Concubine Zhang is eating braised pork elbows again.” Fu Gui, the personal eunuch, said hesitantly.

Before she married into the prince's household, Concubine Zhang had a voracious appetite. After becoming a concubine of Prince Yan, her love for food only grew stronger.

The more she ate, the heavier she got, and now she had become quite plump.

Prince Yan used to stay in Concubine Zhang's room. When he slept, he could always smell the greasy aroma of braised pork elbows.

During their intimate moments, the plump Zhang Miaoyu would press heavily on the prince's body.

Prince Yan: ...She's gotten heavier!

My back!

Fat people tend to snore, and Prince Yan had been woken up by Concubine Zhang's snoring more than once. Poor sleep affected his official duties the next day.

Gradually, he lost interest in this chubby concubine.

“Is the prince going to stay with Concubine Zhang tonight?” Fu Gui asked cautiously outside the HuaXiang Courtyard.

Prince Yan covered his nose to block out the greasy smell of pork elbows: “No.”

He turned and left.

He hated pork elbows!

If Zhang Miaoyu could pay a little more attention to her appearance, Prince Yan would certainly continue to like her. But she simply had no self-control!

Fu Gui had no choice but to follow Prince Yan to the next concubine's room.

In the HuaXiang Courtyard, a maid puffed her way in: “My lady, the prince just came to our courtyard and stood at the door for a while before leaving. Should we go after him?”

Zhang Miaoyu held a fragrant large pork elbow with her chubby hand and said nonchalantly: “My mother once said, if a man loves you, he will love everything about you unconditionally. Whether you are tall or short, fat or thin, a man will love you. If the prince really loves me, he won't mind my weight.”

When she first married into the mansion, Zhang Miaoyu and Prince Yan got along well.

They had also spent some beautiful days together.

But gradually, as she grew heavier and heavier, the prince gradually distanced himself from her. Zhang Miaoyu was originally very distressed and wanted to lose weight. But after communicating with Liu Ruyan, who was also out of favor, she gradually understood.

Men are all fickle creatures, their love is too short-lived.

It's better to eat pork elbows.

As the sky grew darker, Prince Yan visited a few courtyards and became increasingly bored. He prepared to return to his main residence and spend the night alone.

Fu Gui, following behind him, turned his eyes and respectfully reminded: “Your Highness, a new mistress has moved into the Fangfei Courtyard. It is said that she is exceptionally beautiful. Why not pay a visit tonight?”

Prince Yan came to a halt.

Gesturing "since we are here," he decided to visit the Fangfei Courtyard.

Newcomers are different from the old ones in the mansion, with an extra touch of freshness. Of course, based on Prince Yan's previous experience, this freshness of new arrivals would soon be extinguished, and they would become ordinary members of the harem.

Escorted by guards and led by eunuchs carrying lanterns, Prince Yan walked toward the southwest corner of the mansion. The southwest corner had more than a dozen courtyards, all inhabited by concubines.

Prince Yan didn't particularly like the courtyards in the southwest corner, which were somewhat run-down. Although the concubines were beautiful, their courtyards lacked care, with weeds growing wildly and dull decorations in the bedrooms.

Prince Yan could tolerate visiting these courtyards one or two times, but coming daily was truly uncomfortable. Especially at night, the southwestern courtyards were dark and quiet, like a cemetery.

As he walked, Prince Yan stopped. Among the dimly lit courtyard walls, he saw a distinctive one.

At the entrance of the courtyard, two beautifully colorful carp lanterns were hung high. Under the moonlight, clusters of pink roses bloomed outside the courtyard walls, and on the white walls were exquisite and beautiful patterns.

Compared to the gloomy courtyards around it, this one was like paradise.

“Your Highness, this is the Fangfei Courtyard of Mistress Shen Wei,” Fu Gui introduced actively.

Prince Yan immediately became interested.

A uniquely charming courtyard.

Prince Yan entered the gate of the Fangfei Courtyard, the bright moonlight illuminating the small courtyard.

Prince Yan saw several trees with bright red peach blossoms, and the courtyard was free of weeds, with neatly planted hydrangeas, irises, campanulas, and clove vetch. In the corner of the courtyard wall, there was a swing, and the eaves hung with clear wind chimes.

Although the courtyard was small, it looked quite charming.

The Fangfei Courtyard was full of vigor, in stark contrast to Liu Ruyan's lifeless courtyard.

Fu Gui cleared his throat and announced the prince's arrival.

The door opened, and two maids, Cai Ping and Cai Lian, came out. The two girls knelt down, and Cai Lian, nervous, said: “Your Highness arrived suddenly, and our mistress is still bathing... please wait a moment, Your Highness.”

Fu Gui frowned: “How dare you make the prince wait!”

Prince Yan glanced at Fu Gui.

Fu Gui, sharp as he was, immediately kept quiet. Prince Yan pushed the door open and went in, with Fu Gui and the two maids guarding outside.

Prince Yan stepped into the main bedroom of the residence and couldn’t help but brighten up. The bedroom was filled with a subtle fragrance. Although there were no expensive furnishings, everything was delicate and beautiful.

The floor was covered with soft carpets, and a vase on the table contained fresh pink peach blossoms. The table was adorned with delicate handmade trinkets. The screen was slender, and the window view was like a painting.

Behind a thin white gauze curtain, steam was rising, and Shen Wei was bathing, barely visible.

Shen Wei's voice sounded a bit tense: “Please forgive me, Your Highness, I am still bathing...”

Her voice was soft and timid, like a shy little bird.

Prince Yan was immediately aroused and lifted the gauze curtain.

The room was brightly lit, and the bath was filled with white steam. Prince Yan examined the woman in the tub, her wet black hair scattered over her shoulders, clinging wetly to her rounded shoulders. The woman was alluring in appearance, with skin as white as congealed fat, and it was faintly visible through the water surface, exposing her slim waist.

She was exceptionally beautiful.

Her teary eyes made Prince Yan think of a lost deer in the mountains.

After his southern tour, Prince Yan had not been fully satisfied for a long time. Suddenly, a beautiful woman appeared before him, and he swallowed hard, his gaze darkening.

“Your... Your Highness...” Shen Wei pretended to be shy and lowered her head.

Her face was shy, but her heart sighed inwardly.

After much anticipation, I finally got this man here. Although it was sudden, Shen Wei had been prepared.

Prince Yan was fully interested, bending down to scoop the naked Shen Wei out of the tub and gripping her chin: "What's your name?"

Her white skin was exposed to the slightly cold air, and Shen Wei shivered, leaning weakly against Prince Yan: “I... I am Shen Wei.”

The water in the tub churned.

Shen Wei's wet hair spread across the bed.

“Your Highness...” Shen Wei looked at him shyly, her eyes glistening with tears.

Her pretense of reluctance was utterly alluring, igniting Prince Yan's passion. He lowered his head...

...

Time slowly passed, and the moon gradually set. Outside the door, Cai Ping and Cai Lian listened, their faces red.

Mistress Shen... her voice was too beautiful, more melodious than the orioles of spring.

The two maids were itchy just listening, let alone the hot-blooded Prince Yan.

However, Cai Ping rubbed her aching knees, and the time was too long—Mistress Shen looked delicate, yet she could endure so much!

Inside the room, the atmosphere lingered.

Prince Yan felt completely satisfied. The woman was slender like a willow, yet unexpectedly, she could perfectly match him! Compared to other women who would faint after half an hour, Shen Wei could play with him until the depths of the night!

Rare indeed!

Prince Yan finally felt satisfied. The more he cherished her, the more he kissed Shen Wei's cheek: “You’ve worked hard.”

Shen Wei's eyes lit up as she sneakily glanced at Prince Yan and said hoarsely: “Your Highness worked hard on his southern tour. Serving Your Highness is my duty.”

Prince Yan's body trembled slightly. He held Shen Wei's hand and his dark eyes deepened: “How did you know that I worked hard on my southern tour?”

Shen Wei lowered her head, timidly answering: "Your Highness, I am from the south. My family only moved to Yanjing a couple of years ago. When I was young, I saw officials on a southern tour. Within a month, they had to inspect the affairs of various prefectures and counties, clear up cases of injustice and wrongful convictions, and tirelessly work for the people."

As she spoke, Shen Wei boldly reached out and stroked Prince Yan's handsome and thin face, feeling a mixture of love and pity: “Your Highness has tanned and lost weight.”

No man dislikes a woman who understands him.

Physical pleasure is fleeting. It can keep a man for a while but not forever.

You need to show concern through words and actions. Shen Wei's goal was to become Prince Yan's "flower that speaks," his spiritual refuge, the only harbor he wanted to rely on when tired.

Only in this way could she truly establish herself in the prince's mansion.

Prince Yan's eyes were fixed.

After his southern tour, his elder brother, the crown prince, had sent generous gifts to express his comfort, and his mother had sent some supplements. His princess and concubines had only casually said, "The prince has worked hard."

Only Shen Wei, the little concubine in his arms, clearly mentioned specific details like "looking darker" and "getting thinner."

Prince Yan was deeply moved, his nose inexplicably tingling with emotion.

It was as if he were a little boy eagerly awaiting praise, and finally, he received his reward in the form of candy from Shen Wei.

He couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her. This woman truly loved him... If it wasn't love, how else could she have noticed these small details?

Prince Yan held Shen Wei tightly, finally getting a restful night's sleep.

Shen Wei, hearing the even breathing above her, secretly gritted her teeth and massaged her sore waist.

"Damn man, almost killed me," she muttered under her breath.

Thankfully, she had been exercising every day recently; otherwise, she really might have fainted halfway through.

Shen Wei cursed inwardly, but as she leaned her head against Prince Yan, she felt like she was embracing her most beloved treasure trove of gold and silver, and soon, she too drifted off into a deep sleep.

Chapter 5: Teaching the Prince of Yan to Grow Vegetables

The next morning, the chirping of colorful parrots greeted the dawn outside the window. Prince Yan had the habit of waking up early, and he naturally opened his eyes.

In his arms was something warm.

He looked down and saw Shen Wei, who was nestled in his embrace, sleeping soundly. Her black hair spilled over her rounded shoulders, and her pointed nose tipped down to slightly swollen lips.

Prince Yan couldn't help but gently clasp Shen Wei's waist. Such a slender waist, yet it had endured him... He couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness.

Still half-asleep, Shen Wei felt a sudden weight pressing down on her. She opened her eyes in a daze, and Prince Yan's handsome face filled her vision.

She paused for a moment, then her fair face flushed with a tinge of red as she shyly said, "To wake up and see Your Highness immediately fills me with joy."

Her eyes were pure, filled with unconcealed love.

Eyes cannot lie.

Prince Yan, who had seen countless people, could naturally see that the fervor and affection in Shen Wei's eyes were not an act. She truly felt happiness, and she truly adored him.

It had been a long time since Prince Yan had witnessed such pure affection.

He didn't want to disappoint her, so he leaned down and kissed her forehead: "I still have official duties. I'll come back to see you tonight."

Shen Wei shyly burrowed herself under the quilt, only revealing a pair of round, glossy eyes, and eagerly said, "Then... I'll wait for Your Highness. Your Majesty has promised, so you can't go back on your word."

Seeing her expectant gaze, Prince Yan couldn't help but laugh heartily.

The maids entered the room to help Prince Yan change his clothes, and he soon left the Fangfei Courtyard.

On the bed, Shen Wei sat up with a grimace, her whole body aching.

Did Prince Yan think she liked him?

Tsk tsk, eyes can also deceive.

Shen Wei hugged Prince Yan as if he were a golden ingot shining with brilliance. She didn't love Prince Yan, but she loved gold ingots with all her heart and soul!

For the next three consecutive nights, Prince Yan stayed in the Fangfei Courtyard.

In no time, Shen Wei's prominence in the inner mansion soared.

...

In the Kunyu Courtyard, Granny Liu accompanied the Princess Consort in embroidery.

Granny Liu, while helping the Princess Consort sort out the embroidery threads, muttered, "Your Highness, His Highness has spent three nights in Shen Wei's room... Should we send her some contraceptive medicine?"

The Princess Consort was embroidering chrysanthemums—white petals and tender green leaves, with elegant chrysanthemums blooming on the handkerchiefs.

Like a chrysanthemum, she was light and serene, unassuming and uncompetitive—this was the Princess Consort's current demeanor.

The Princess Consort said indifferently, "It's unnecessary; let nature take its course."

Flowers do not bloom forever; they wither in no time. Over the past ten years, the Prince Yan's mansion had seen many women like Shen Wei.

Everyone thought they could monopolize His Highness's favor, but in the end, they gained nothing.

"Just watch it as a joke," the Princess Consort said with a mocking smile.

Even if Shen Wei was lucky and conceived Prince Yan's child, given her lowly birth, she wouldn't be qualified to raise the child—unless Shen Wei managed to become a concubine.

Unfortunately, with her humble origins, Shen Wei's highest position would only be that of a lesser concubine.

...

In the Qixue Pavilion, Concubine Liu Ruyan was reading a book.

Maiden Xue Mei was whispering in her ear: "My Lady, I hear His Highness stays in Shen Wei's place every night... Shall we think of a way to summon His Highness here?"

Xue Mei genuinely had Liu Ruyan's best interests at heart.

However, Liu Ruyan was indifferent and easygoing, much like a chrysanthemum.

Liu Ruyan spent her days reading books, playing the qin, and occasionally collecting fallen flower petals, digging a hole to bury them, and penning memorial verses for the petals.

"Serving with beauty can only last for so long," Liu Ruyan said calmly, still engrossed in her reading. "That Shen Wei is also pitiful. She's in a situation akin to being boiled in oil, yet she thinks she's living in a world of blooming flowers. Alas."

Liu Ruyan felt sympathy for Shen Wei.

Xue Mei: ...

I don't think Lady Shen is pitiful at all!

The bountiful delicacies, exquisite silks, and jewels bestowed by Prince Yan filled the Fangfei Courtyard! Shen Wei was also very generous, not hoarding the treasures, generously rewarding Cai Lian and Cai Ping with numerous ornaments.

Xue Mei also wanted to receive her mistress's rewards!

But Liu Ruyan was uninterested in fame and fortune, shunning wealth. She never gave Xue Mei any rewards and even required Xue Mei to wear white while serving her.

Xue Mei, wearing white every day, felt like she was attending a funeral.

Poor Xue Mei had been serving Liu Ruyan for five or six years, yet her family's debts were still unpaid.

"Alas..." Xue Mei sighed in secret, wistfully thinking, "If only I could serve in the Fangfei Courtyard."

The Princess Consort and Liu Ruyan did not hold high hopes for Shen Wei, and all the lesser concubines and consorts in the inner mansion were waiting to see her fall from grace.

Shen Wei, however, was not foolish.

She had studied the situation in the Prince Yan's inner mansion and discovered that it was quite peculiar: there were no abortions, no frame-ups, and all the concubines, including the Princess Consort, were indifferent to favor, each lying flat like salted fish. Even the Princess Consort didn't consider Shen Wei a threat, completely disregarding her.

Everyone was eagerly waiting to watch her fail.

Shen Wei sighed: What a waste!

She was determined to outshine these lazy fish!

Who said pursuing favor was useless?

The newly planted rare green peonies in the garden, the golden sandalwood carved four-poster bed in her room, the pearls and ornaments in her treasure chest, the green flowing silk dress she wore... all these were the fruits of her efforts in pursuing favor.

Even the two maids serving her received raises in their basic salaries and bonuses.

How wonderful!

Serving with beauty indeed doesn't last long. But Shen Wei was determined to become the longest-serving veteran in Prince Yan's inner circle.

Veteran employees get used to each other over time, and Prince Yan would get accustomed to Shen Wei's presence. Even if new employees occasionally appeared, they wouldn't be able to shake Shen Wei's position.

Cai Lian, holding a towel, watched Shen Wei practicing the Eight Pieces of Brocade in the courtyard. Cai Lian couldn't help but remind her, "Your Ladyship now has undivided favor from His Highness... I humbly advise you to bear His Highness's child as soon as possible to secure your position."

Cai Lian, having received promotions and raises, was increasingly loyal to Shen Wei.

She didn't want Shen Wei to follow the path of other consorts, and thus offered her heartfelt advice.

"Don't rush," Shen Wei swung her arms, practicing the third movement of the Eight Pieces of Brocade. "My body is malnourished right now; it's not suitable for pregnancy."

The original owner of this body came from a poor family and was lean and slender.

Shen Wei needed to nourish her body before considering having a child. Otherwise, with her current frail frame and the primitive childbirth conditions in ancient times, she would likely suffer a difficult childbirth, even risking her life.

Her goal was to retire gracefully; she couldn't die early.

Cai Lian shook her head secretly.

Though her mistress was generous, being born into a farming family, she lacked vision and foresight.

His Highness's favor was fleeting; concubines without children lived worse than maids.

At dusk, Prince Yan entered the Fangfei Courtyard.

He didn't let his eunuchs announce his arrival, walking straight in. He happened to see Shen Wei squatting by the vegetable patch in the courtyard, holding a small hoe, apparently busy with something.

Prince Yan's brows furrowed.

From Shen Wei's posture, it seemed she was burying something. Prince Yan couldn't help but think of Concubine Liu Ruyan, who, every spring, had a peculiar hobby—burying flower petals.

Prince Yan truly did not understand, what was the point of burying fallen petals? Didn't they just rot in the dirt?

Could it be that Shen Wei was also like Liu Ruyan? Prince Yan's heart sank at the thought, and disappointment flickered in his eyes.

One Liu Ruyan was enough; he really didn't want to see a second one.

"Your Highness, you're here!" Apparently hearing the commotion behind her, Shen Wei happily ran over, her pretty face smudged with a bit of dirt.

Other concubines would only respectfully greet Prince Yan with "Paying respects to His Highness."

Shen Wei, however, was different. She would always joyfully greet him with "You're here," whenever she saw him.

The change of a few words carried profound meaning.

Shen Wei was subtly instilling in Prince Yan the idea that the Fangfei Courtyard was "home." Every time Prince Yan visited the Fangfei Courtyard, it was like coming home.

Prince Yan saw her rosy cheeks, charming yet innocent, and his disappointment faded, replaced by an uncontrollable sense of affection.

Prince Yan tenderly wiped the dirt off Shen Wei's cheek: "Weiwei, what are you doing?"

Shen Wei swung the hoe, her eyes crinkling into crescents: "Planting vegetables!"

Prince Yan was momentarily stunned. It took him a long while to process—planting vegetables?

Shen Wei took Prince Yan's hand, leading him to her newly created vegetable garden.

Prince Yan looked down at their intertwined hands—Shen Wei's hand was always warm, soft, and fragrant, and holding it felt very comfortable.

The other women in the Prince Yan's mansion were almost identical, always following protocol, restrained and reserved in bed.

Only Shen Wei was different. She would actively hold his hand, revere him, love him, and spare no effort in bed to please him.

Prince Yan: She truly loves me.

Shen Wei and Prince Yan arrived at the vegetable plot, a square piece of land with freshly turned spring soil. Shen Wei had already sown some green vegetable seeds, with unplanted pepper and eggplant seedlings nearby.

Shen Wei explained with a smile, "Coming from a humble background, I used to work in the fields with my siblings when I was young. Seeing this empty plot in the yard, I thought it would be a waste to plant flowers instead of vegetables."

Prince Yan, accustomed to a privileged life, was well-read, had ridden horses, fought in battles, written books, and accomplished many things.

But gardening? He had never done that before.

Shen Wei had analyzed Prince Yan's character—he had gone on a southern inspection for the crown prince, empathized with the people's conditions, and even gotten sunburned. This suggested he was not a frivolous playboy; he had political acumen and understood the importance of agriculture to the nation.

Therefore, Shen Wei planting vegetables would not provoke his dislike.

As expected, Prince Yan's interest was piqued: "How should we plant?"

Shen Wei picked up some bok choy seeds and scattered them into the soil: "First, scatter the seeds, cover them lightly with soil, and given the good spring weather, water and fertilize them. The vegetables will grow quickly. For these eggplant and tomato seedlings, dig a small hole..."

Shen Wei explained to Prince Yan in detail.

Finally, she handed two vegetable seedlings to Prince Yan with a bright smile: "Your Highness, why not try planting them yourself? It's quite fun."

Fu Gui, the eunuch behind Prince Yan, frowned inwardly. Madam Shen was indeed bold!

How dare she have the prince plant vegetables!

Such menial work was beneath the noble hands of a prince.

Fu Gui inwardly sighed, realizing how much the prince had indulged Madam Shen recently, letting her get away with so much.

"It does seem interesting," Prince Yan said, taking the eggplant seedling from Shen Wei and crouching by the vegetable plot.

Shen Wei surveyed the plot and used a wooden stick to mark a dividing line in the middle: "The left side of the plot will be planted by Your Highness. The right side will be planted by me—when my eggplants and tomatoes ripen, Your Highness mustn't steal my vegetables."

Prince Yan smiled faintly.

Do you think I, with my status, would steal your vegetables?

At this moment, Prince Yan's competitive spirit was roused. Shen Wei guided his hand and taught him how to use a hoe and dig holes.

Fu Gui watched from the side, his frown deepening further. Seeing the prince's noble hands clutching the hoe, Fu Gui felt like stepping forward to stop him.

"Chief Fu Gui," Cai Lian, observant as ever, quickly handed a tender eggplant seedling to Fu Gui, "Your Highness and Madam Shen are busy, why don't you try planting too? It's quite interesting."

Fu Gui waved his hands repeatedly: "I wouldn't know how."

Cai Lian smiled sweetly: "It's alright, Cai Lian can teach you!"

Cai Lian led Fu Gui to a small corner of the vegetable plot where she and Cai Ping had planted some tender green vegetables themselves.

Initially, when Shen Wei suggested that Cai Lian and Cai Ping also plant vegetables, the two maids didn't quite understand but still followed Shen Wei's instructions and planted some greens.

After these past few rainy days, the seeds had sprouted.

Seeing the vegetables they had planted with their own hands begin to grow, an inexplicable sense of fulfillment welled up in their hearts.

As Shen Wei put it—this was called "a sense of affiliation." Some organizations let their employees tend to cats, garden, or plant flowers to enhance loyalty and attachment.

Chapter 6: The Noble Consort Liu Decides to Slack Off After Rebirth

“Well... let’s try it.” Fu Gui reluctantly agreed after being urged by Cai Lian. Following her instructions, he scattered some cabbage seeds and planted an eggplant seedling.

After finishing the gardening, looking at the young sprouts in the vegetable plot, Fu Gui suddenly felt a strange sense of accomplishment. Gardening, it seems, is quite fun...

Over there, Shen Wei had already finished planting with Prince Yan.

Shen Wei took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and carefully wiped the dirt from Prince Yan's hands: “Your Highness, cabbage sprouts and radishes grow quickly, germinating within five days and maturing within a month. Eggplants and tomatoes take a bit longer, and only start to bear fruit around two or three months.”

Close by was the alluring beauty, and beside her were the vegetables he had planted with his own hands. Prince Yan’s heart skipped a beat, warming with affection.

That night, Prince Yan naturally stayed at Shen Wei’s Fangfei Courtyard, and the two of them were rowdy until the small hours of the morning, calling for water five or six times.

As dawn broke, Prince Yan got up, dressed, and left without disturbing Shen Wei, who was still sleeping. He knew his stamina was strong, and it was already quite a feat for Shen Wei to keep up with him until the late hours.

Shen Wei not only matched his desires perfectly but also knew many tantalizing techniques that left him utterly captivated.

Prince Yan tiptoed and was about to leave the Fangfei Courtyard when, passing through the lush garden, he suddenly stopped.

He walked over to the vegetable plot to inspect the sprouts he had planted the day before—the cabbage hadn't germinated yet, but the eggplant seedlings, tomato seedlings, garlic sprouts, and chili sprouts were growing quite well.

The leaves were a vibrant green, incredibly delightful to look at. Prince Yan lightly touched the tender green eggplant seedling and felt his spirits lift.

Meanwhile, Fu Gui seized the opportunity to sneak to the corner and have a look at the vegetables he had planted.

After Prince Yan and his servant left, Shen Wei soon woke up, yawning. She drank half a cup of light saltwater, ate a piece of sugar, and then prepared for a light jog.

“My lady, you were so tired last night. You shouldn’t jog this morning,” Cai Ping said with concern.

Considering how vigorous Prince Yan was, last night had left Shen Wei’s voice hoarse, and even the table had collapsed. They would need to replace it with a sturdier one today.

Shen Wei clenched her fists and stretched her muscles: “We can’t slack off. We must keep up the effort!”

If she didn’t run today, she wouldn’t run tomorrow, and she would only grow lazier. As the queen of internal competition, Shen Wei would never allow herself to slack off!

She began jogging around the courtyard, exercising on an empty stomach. Exercising without eating boosts fat loss and metabolism.

Not eating before running might also lead to low blood sugar, so she had eaten some sugar as a precaution.

After jogging, she rested for a while before having breakfast. Her breakfast consisted of eggs, fish, oats, ham, porridge, and some pickles. These foods were rich in protein and were very good for her health.

This was the privilege of being a favored concubine.

Shen Wei could request whatever she wanted from the prince’s kitchen, and, thanks to Prince Yan’s influence, the chefs would fulfill her demands.

The other concubines in the prince’s mansion, if they wanted a substantial meal in the morning, the kitchen would almost never comply, only sending the standard meals, often with some short measurements.

“My lady, why did you ask Prince Yan to plant vegetables?” Cai Ping asked as she served Shen Wei, puzzled.

Shen Wei took two spoonfuls of porridge: “So that the prince will think of me.”

Cai Ping was still confused.

How would planting vegetables make the prince think of her?

Shen Wei secretly smirked to herself.

Psychologically speaking, people always develop expectations and affection for things they’ve invested effort in.

Shen Wei glanced at the vibrant green sprouts in the courtyard and her smile widened.

...

After spending several consecutive nights at Shen Wei’s place, Prince Yan hadn’t forgotten the other ladies of the prince’s mansion.

Especially Princess Consort.

As his wife, Princess Consort was supposed to receive Prince Yan at least twice a month. Today, after finishing his official duties, the prince spent the night with her.

They slept clothed, without any intimate moments.

Princess Consort leaned against the pillow, reporting matters in a business-like tone: “Next month, the mansion will host a spring banquet. The Crown Prince, the Fourth Princess, and Prince Heng will all attend the banquet at the mansion. Your Highness, I’d like to go to Yanjing’s tailor shop to purchase some new fabrics for our sisters. We can’t wear old clothes at the spring banquet.”

Prince Yan’s mind was still on official business; tomorrow, he would accompany the Crown Prince to participate in the ploughing ceremony.

He casually replied, “You are the mistress. You can decide.”

Princess Consort lowered her eyes: “There’s also one more thing. This afternoon, Concubine Liu fell into the water and fainted. When she woke up, she seemed to be greatly affected by something and has been acting out. If Your Highness has time tomorrow, please go and see Concubine Liu.”

Concubine Liu, née Liu Qiao'er.

She had been Prince Yan’s childhood sweetheart. After marrying Prince Yan, she had been quite domineering in the prince’s mansion, bullying the other concubines. It wasn’t until she gave birth to twins two years ago that her health deteriorated, and she had to listen to the imperial physician’s advice and slowly recover.

Over the past two years, she had been diligently recovering her health, building her strength.

Princess Consort speculated that Concubine Liu was preparing to vie for Prince Yan’s favor again. Her supposed accident and subsequent distress were likely just ways to attract Prince Yan’s attention.

“I will visit her tomorrow,” Prince Yan said, also remembering Concubine Liu. It had been quite some time since he last saw her.

The maidservant blew out the lamp, and the hall fell silent.

Princess Consort lay in her bedding, quietly sighing to herself. Concubine Liu, with her good background and various methods of attracting favor, would likely cause trouble for the hapless Shen Wei.

In the dead of night, the sound of rain outside grew louder, dripping on the glazed tiles, waking Prince Yan.

He listened to the rain with his ears perked up.

Somehow, he suddenly thought of the vegetables he had planted at the Fangfei Courtyard. Spring rain is precious, and now that the seeds have been drenched, they should germinate, right?

Prince Yan decided he would make time tomorrow to go to the Fangfei Courtyard and check on his vegetables!

The rain drizzled down over the entire Yanjing, landing in the various courtyards of the prince’s mansion.

At Liu Ruyan’s Qixue Pavilion, the candle in the study was still burning. Xue Mei, the maidservant, was struggling to stay awake, yawning nonstop.

“My lady, it’s raining. Why don’t you rest?” Xue Mei was so sleepy that she was pinching her thigh to stay awake.

But since her mistress wasn’t sleeping, her maidservant couldn’t sleep either.

The window was open, and Liu Ruyan, dressed in a snow-white long gown, gazed sadly at the rain outside, a bitter smile on her lips: “One rainy night, how many petals have fallen? These flowers are so pitiful, blooming for only a few days before being mercilessly beaten down by the rain.”

Xue Mei wanted to bang her head against the wall.

Aren’t falling petals a normal thing?

I want to sleep!

The rain also fell on Concubine Liu’s Mingyue Courtyard.

Concubine Liu’s personal maidservant stood at the door, concerned. Since falling into the water that afternoon, Concubine Liu had locked herself in her room.

Inside, Concubine Liu was curled up on the bed, trembling with fear. She looked around nervously at her familiar surroundings before accepting the reality of her rebirth.

“Heaven is merciful, heaven is merciful, heaven is merciful!” Concubine Liu shed tears, biting her lip hard.

She was alive!

She hadn’t been cut into pieces!

Concubine Liu curled up, her lips trembling: “I will never fight for favor again. My children, my family, my life—all were destroyed by that woman.”

In her previous life, Concubine Liu, relying on her status as Prince Yan’s childhood sweetheart, had caused chaos in the prince’s mansion. After giving birth to twins, her health was severely compromised, and she had to follow the imperial physician’s advice to recuperate.

Two years later, she pretended to fall into the water, regaining Prince Yan’s favor and becoming the most prominent woman in the prince’s mansion after the princess consort herself.

The other women in the mansion, all trying to keep out of trouble, were looked down upon by Concubine Liu, who believed that women who didn’t fight for favor were worthless.

Later, when the Crown Prince’s family was implicated in a scandal, Prince Yan ascended to the throne, and she was also ennobled as a consort. In the palace, Concubine Liu continued to vie for the emperor’s favor, fighting with other noble consorts until that horrific woman entered the palace...

She was stunningly beautiful and extraordinarily intelligent, immediately capturing the emperor’s heart and gaining favor in the imperial court. Concubine Liu fought with her for half a year before losing her child, becoming disfavored by the emperor, and seeing her family exiled, while she herself was mutilated and left for dead.

When she finally died, Concubine Liu realized—fighting for favor only makes oneself a target.

Princess Consort, Liu Ruyan, Zhang Miaoyu, and the others, who stayed out of conflicts and let things be, had all ended up with relatively happy lives.

“Thank the heavens for giving me another chance at life.” Concubine Liu’s tears streamed down her face as she sobbed.

This time, she would stay out of conflict, she would be a slacker.

In the prince’s mansion, no one can forever monopolize the prince’s affections. The prince is cold-hearted, and he will never truly love any woman.

Chapter 7: Avoiding Favor and Inciting the Ruler's Wrath

The spring rain had just ceased, and the following day, Prince Yan and the Crown Prince set out for the Ministry of Revenue to participate in the "Rite of Ploughing."

Each spring, the Emperor would prepare for the "Rite of Ploughing," where he would symbolically till the soil and plant seedlings to demonstrate his respect for agriculture. However, the last two years had been plagued by the Emperor's ill health, leaving him bedridden and unable to perform the ritual. Consequently, the Crown Prince had taken on the role.

"Crown Prince Brother, Second Brother, the Censors are watching closely. We must take this ploughing seriously," Prince Heng sneered with veiled mockery.

Prince Heng, born to the noble consort, had always been at odds with the Crown Prince. The Censorate, a power base of Prince Heng, was populated mostly by his confidants. Today, their watchful eyes were trained on the Crown Prince and Prince Yan, ready to record any mistake for posterity.

The Crown Prince shot a subtle glance at Prince Heng, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

"Crown Prince Brother, don't look at me like that. Your brother is quite terrified," Prince Heng retorted, shaking his white jade fan with a sardonic smile.

The ritual music began, marking the start of the Rite of Ploughing.

The newly rained-on field was wet and muddy. Dressed in ceremonial attire, the Crown Prince stepped into the mud and nearly slipped. Thankfully, Prince Yan, quick-witted and swift, supported him, preventing a humiliating fall.

However, the Crown Prince began to cough violently, even coughing up blood.

Having suffered a severe illness during the winter, the Crown Prince's health had not fully recovered, and he was sensitive to the wind. The eunuch dispatched by the Emperor to oversee the event quickly returned to the palace to seek instructions. The Emperor, via an imperial edict, permitted Prince Yan to replace the Crown Prince in the ploughing.

Prince Heng seethed with silent frustration.

He knew this was the Emperor's way of warning him—even if the Crown Prince couldn't ascend the throne, there was still Prince Yan capable of the task. As for him, Prince Heng, he would never rule.

"Brother, rest now. I'll handle this," Prince Yan said, helping the coughing Crown Prince to the side.

The Crown Prince held Prince Yan's hand: "Yuanjing, you've never farmed before. Are you sure you can do this?"

Prince Yan thought of the vegetable plot in Fangfei Courtyard, where he had recently planted seedlings. That lively and charming woman, Shen Wei, had taught him the proper technique and posture for farming.

Shen Wei had never imagined that her attempt to curry favor would inadvertently earn Prince Yan's greater fondness.

Prince Yan's lips curved into a faint smile as he assured, "Brother, rest easy."

With the ritual music playing, in the gaze of the officials, Prince Yan took over the ploughing in place of the Crown Prince. The Censors' eyes widened, scrutinizing every move, eager to catch any flaw.

Yet they were all disappointed.

Prince Yan's grip on the plough was flawless. His actions—from digging the soil to planting the seedlings—were executed without a single mistake.

The officials marveled at Prince Yan's skills, admiring his wisdom and virtue. Truly, a virtuous prince indeed!

The sickly Crown Prince watched his brother at work, his eyes filled with relief.

He realized his weakened body wouldn't last much longer, and the billions of lives in the state of Qing would ultimately fall to Prince Yan.

The ritual music concluded, and the Rite of Ploughing ended flawlessly.

The Censors, finding no faults, were forced to pen words of praise for Prince Yan.

Prince Heng ground his teeth in frustration, his eyes dark with anger.

...

As the evening approached, the satisfied Prince Yan returned to his manor and dined with his wife. Today's successful Rite of Ploughing was thanks to Shen Wei's help.

He planned to visit Shen Wei tonight to check on the sprouts of his small cabbages and turnips, then share a night of intimacy with her. Eager, almost impatient.

"My lord," his wife gently reminded during the dinner, "While Shen Wei of Fangfei Courtyard is delightful, do not forget the others you've favored before. Concubine Liu suffered a recent mishap, falling into water. You should show her some care as well."

Prince Yan set down his jade chopsticks, his gaze turning to his wife: "I don't need my wife to dictate who I favor."

Prince Yan wasn't pleased with his wife's attitude.

As a prince, his choice of company and comfort should be his to make.

But his wife often spoke to him with a tone of command, not as a spouse but more like a mother. It was presumptuous, bothersome.

His wife sensed the chill in the air and hurriedly stood up, aware of her overstepping: "My lord, I apologize."

Prince Yan stood, leaving his wife's courtyard.

His wife's knees weakened, nearly collapsing. She steadied herself with Granny Liu's assistance, her eyes filled with sadness and despair.

Closest of kin can be the furthest of strangers. Her husband's affection for her was growing colder.

All men in the world were cold-hearted.

...

Prince Yan left his wife's courtyard and made his way directly toward Fangfei Courtyard.

As he walked, he thought of his childhood sweetheart, Liu Qiao'er, and memories of their innocent time together surfaced.

"Forget it, I'll visit the Moonlight Courtyard first," Prince Yan decided, altering his path toward the Moonlight Courtyard.

Fu Gui went ahead to announce his arrival, and Concubine Liu, trembling, came out to greet him. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her face was pale and frail.

"Qiao'er, I came late," Prince Yan stepped forward, aiming to take Concubine Liu's hand.

Looking at the handsome man so close, Concubine Liu felt a cold sweat creep down her back. Despite Prince Yan's striking appearance and tender demeanor, his methods after his ascension were terrifying.

In her past life, Concubine Liu had been falsely accused of infidelity and scheming against the princes. The look in Prince Yan's eyes had been darker than the abyss itself.

Men were heartless creatures!

The dangers of such a man demanded distance!

Prince Yan held Concubine Liu's soft hand, her palm sweaty and sticky. Though it displeased him, he didn't release her hand, and the two entered the room.

Concubine Liu nervously poured tea for Prince Yan, stuttering: "My lord, I... I am still not recovered. I fear I cannot serve you tonight."

Prince Yan came to see his woman not just for the pleasures of the flesh but also to simply talk, sharing the night peacefully.

Prince Yan reassured: "I'm here tonight just to keep you company."

Over the years, Prince Yan's feelings for Concubine Liu had waned, but there was still some remnant affection. Concubine Liu's recent misfortune, which led to her falling into the water, deserved some attention from him as a courtesy of their past.

Upon hearing this, Concubine Liu only grew more terrified.

She knew her allure. If she wanted, the prince would surely favor her again. But the dreadful memories of her previous life made her shudder.

She couldn't afford to be in the spotlight again!

"My lord... I am truly unwell. Please, go elsewhere," Concubine Liu mustered her courage and refused him once more.

Prince Yan's expression darkened.

He studied Concubine Liu intently, noting her deliberate distance. Prince Yan was astute; he knew something was amiss.

Human tolerance has its limits.

While Prince Yan cared for Liu Qiao'er, he also expected reciprocation from her.

Concubine Liu's behavior tonight had entirely exhausted the last vestiges of his feelings for her.

Prince Yan stood, his tone emotionless: "Since you're unwell, take your time to recover."

With that, Prince Yan left, his departure leaving Concubine Liu trembling in fear.

By the courtyard gate, Concubine Liu's personal maid was puzzled and asked, "Mistress, why did you push the prince away? Judging by his direction, he's heading to Fangfei Courtyard next. Shen Wei is basking in his favor now; we should act to cut her down."

Concubine Liu's lips curled in a cynical smile: "Shen Wei may be flourishing now, but when she falls, it will be far more painful."

If she, Liu Qiao'er, chose to act, she could easily reclaim Prince Yan's heart.

Her long-standing relationship with him wouldn't vanish because of a newcomer like Shen Wei.

Concubine Liu remembered clearly how, in her past life, the humble-born Shen Wei had briefly enjoyed Prince Yan's favor but it lasted only a month.

Even without her interference, Shen Wei wouldn't have the fortune for long.

...

Leaving the Moonlight Courtyard, Prince Yan became increasingly annoyed.

He had treated Concubine Liu well, even arranging for imperial physicians to attend to her during her illness.

Now that Concubine Liu was recovered, she acted so spiteful!

As a royal prince, he, dignified and noble, had been treated coldly by a concubine. His eyes darkened as he commanded Fu Gui: "Reduce the rations for the Moonlight Courtyard; allocate as per a concubine's level."

Fu Gui quickly replied: "Understood, Your Highness."

Fu Gui inwardly sighed.

Concubine Liu's actions were truly foolish. The prince was the master of this household. The sustenance of the women within relied entirely on him, as he was the sole provider.

Yet Concubine Liu dared to disrespect the prince. It was utter folly.

Seeking her ruin.

Having left Concubine Liu's quarters, Prince Yan turned his steps toward Fangfei Courtyard. Two charming rabbit lanterns hung above Fangfei Courtyard's gate, adding warmth to the night.

Seeing the pair of enchanting rabbit lanterns, Prince Yan's mood improved, and he strode eagerly into Fangfei Courtyard.

Shen Wei was still awake, climbing a ladder to return a baby swallow to its nest atop the roof. Prince Yan stood in the courtyard, gazing up at Shen Wei under the darkening sky.

She wore a pale green hanfu skirt, her face bare and her jet-black hair falling loosely over her shoulders. Her profile was radiant and beautiful. She gently placed the fallen swallow back into its nest, and the bird chirped incessantly, as if expressing gratitude.

"Your Highness, you're back!" Shen Wei stood on a ladder, spotting Prince Yan below. She seemed quite surprised and hastily began to climb down.

Accidentally (or so it seemed), she lost her footing.

Shen Wei let out a sharp scream.

Prince Yan reacted quickly, catching her firmly in his arms. Shen Wei trembled like a frightened deer.

Carefully scanning her surroundings, she realized she was unharmed. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. She gazed at Prince Yan with admiration and said, "Your Highness, you're amazing! Thank you so much for saving me!"

Chapter 8: Stealing the Prince's Food

No man dislikes being admired, and Prince Yan was no exception.

As he gazed into Shen Wei's sparkling eyes and the unmistakable adoration in her gaze, Prince Yan's self-esteem soared.

"In the future, leave such tasks to the servants," Prince Yan said, gently hooking his finger under Shen Wei’s nose. "Don't put yourself in danger."

Shen Wei sighed in mild frustration. "Your Highness, there are only two maids in Fangfei Courtyard. Cai Lian and Cai Ping are timid. I’m the bold one, so climbing the ladder is something I have to do."

The rules in the rear residence of the princely mansion were strict and hierarchical.

According to status, the order was: Princess Consort, Consort, Secondary Consort, Concubine, and Chambermaid.

Shen Wei's status was that of a Concubine, entitling her to a small courtyard and two serving maids.

Thinking of the large crowd of maids and servants in the Princess Consort’s residence, and then comparing it to the two skinny maids by Shen Wei’s side, Prince Yan felt a pang of affection.

Without hesitation, he instructed Fu Gui, "Tomorrow, select an experienced nanny and two capable eunuchs to serve in Fangfei Courtyard."

Fu Gui was momentarily taken aback.

This was the standard treatment for a Secondary Consort!

However, Fu Gui didn’t dare to object. As a servant, he absolutely couldn’t go against his master’s wishes.

He respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness. I will arrange it tomorrow."

Shen Wei’s pink lips curled imperceptibly.

This was the treatment of a favored concubine. As long as she remained in Prince Yan’s favor, she could continue to gain benefits from him.

She truly loved Prince Yan… or rather, his rewards!

Prince Yan held Shen Wei’s warm, soft hand and didn’t immediately head indoors. Instead, he was eager to check on the vegetables he had personally planted.

Following the spring rain, the seeds of radishes and cabbages had yet to sprout but already showed signs of breaking through. The pepper, eggplant, and tomato seedlings, washed by the rain, had grown even stronger.

Prince Yan was already looking forward to the day when the seedlings bore fruit.

When the vegetables he had planted himself ripened, he would taste them personally and then send some to his elder brother, the Crown Prince, and his parents.

The Emperor valued agriculture deeply and would certainly be pleased.

Shen Wei accompanied Prince Yan to inspect the vegetables. The seedlings Prince Yan planted were stronger, while Shen Wei’s seedlings were stunted.

Shen Wei frowned in distress, "Why do Your Highness’s vegetables grow better than mine, even though I planted them at the same time?"

Though she feigned confusion on the surface, she was well aware of the truth.

Prince Yan’s vegetables grew better because Shen Wei had instructed Cai Lian to secretly fertilize them at night.

If not for that, with Prince Yan’s mediocre gardening skills, these vegetables would have perished under his care.

Unfortunately, Prince Yan remained oblivious to this and believed his own planting techniques to be superior. He wrapped an arm around Shen Wei’s slender waist, his lips curling into a smile. "Wei, your strength is small, and the seedlings you planted were too shallow. That’s why they’re not growing well."

Shen Wei pouted in annoyance, her dark, shiny eyes gleaming with mischief. She deliberately gave a wicked glance to the vegetables Prince Yan had planted, clearly showing her intentions.

She planned to steal the vegetables once they ripened!

Prince Yan could see her intentions and found them both endearing and a little concerning.

This little vixen wants to steal my vegetables!

I’ll need to frequently visit Fangfei Courtyard to keep an eye on her and prevent any shenanigans.

After inspecting the vegetables, they entered the house hand in hand.

As the door closed, they began to indulge in intimacy.

The previous table in the bedroom had collapsed under their weight, and the Interior Affairs Office had sent a more sturdy pear wood table. Shen Wei shyly perched on the edge of the table, affectionately wrapping her arms around Prince Yan’s neck.

Under the light, the beauty was like a painting. Prince Yan gently kissed her.

Cai Ping and Cai Lian stood outside, their faces red as they listened.

Several times, they heated the water and brought it into the room for their masters to bathe.

After Cai Lian had prepared the bathwater, she stealthily glanced at the apricot-colored canopies of the bed. The layers of canopies draped over the bed were soft and billowing, with only a pale, slender hand drooping between them.

The hand was flushed.

Muted and suggestive.

Cai Lian just glanced once and her face turned scarlet. The prince and mistress were quite adventurous...

Cai Lian prudently lowered her head, bowing deeply as she left to take her night shift.

Cai Lian had a feeling that her Mistress Shen would remain in favor for a long time. The entire mansion was waiting to see Shen Wei’s downfall, but they would be disappointed.

For the next half month, Shen Wei continued to bask in prosperity. Though still a concubine in title, the resources in Fangfei Courtyard were now on par with those of a Secondary Consort.

Prince Yan’s rewards kept coming, and the Princess Consort even sent some gifts to commend her for her service.

In those fifteen days, Prince Yan spent seven nights in Shen Wei’s Fangfei Courtyard, two nights in the Princess Consort’s quarters, one night with Liu Ruyan, and the remaining nights at the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace.

Shen Wei wasn’t idle either. Besides serving Prince Yan, she spent the rest of her time improving herself—exercising, maintaining health, beautifying, and learning etiquette from Nanny Rong.

One day, Cai Lian rushed in, relaying the Princess Consort’s summons to Shen Wei: "Mistress, the Princess Consort requests your presence."

Inside the room, Shen Wei was applying a face mask in front of the mirror.

Given the limitations of ancient technology, it wasn’t possible to make modern skin-whitening masks. However, as a striving individual, Shen Wei was naturally well-informed.

In her previous life, she had come from a humble background, rising from a small village to a modern metropolis, where she had excelled and become the top student in her profession. She had majored in commerce but had also taken elective courses in beauty to improve her demeanor.

During the beauty course, the professor had discussed ancient skincare techniques and had jokingly told the class, "Learn more. Making face masks, soap, extracting penicillin, and making granulated sugar—these skills might come in handy if you ever time-travel."

Shen Wei had studied diligently, never expecting that her knowledge would actually come in handy after her time-travel.

Creating an ancient face mask wasn’t too difficult. She used substances like black seeds, soapberry, angelica, and other herbs, grinding them into powder and mixing them with water. After applying it to her face for the duration of an incense stick and then washing it off, her skin would become smooth, fair, and delicate.

Shen Wei was lazily applying the mask when she asked, "What does the Princess Consort want from me?"

Cai Lian replied, "The Spring Banquet of the mansion is approaching. The Princess Consort has purchased a batch of fine fabrics to distribute to all the concubines and maids."

Shen Wei was a bit disappointed, "Let me wash my face first, and I’ll go right away."

It turned out it was just a fabric distribution.

She had thought that her recent rise to prominence might have earned the Princess Consort’s disdain and that she wanted to take this opportunity to make things difficult for her.

Shen Wei found it dull, with no challenge whatsoever. These palace concubines seemed to be content with their lot, lacking ambition. As a striving individual, she truly found no opportunities to shine.

Ah, being invincible is such a lonely thing.

After tidying up, Shen Wei left Fangfei Courtyard and headed to Princess Consort’s Kunyu Courtyard to pay her respects.

As she passed by the mansion’s greenhouse, Shen Wei didn’t notice a maid inside giving her a look of envy.

"Shen Wei, you really are having a grand time," Zhang Yue muttered, holding a flowerpot and glaring at Shen Wei as she passed by.

Shen Wei enjoyed Prince Yan’s exclusive favor, and her status had risen, enjoying almost the same privileges as the Princess Consort. In contrast, Zhang Yue looked down at her rough hands.

Day after day of labor had left her hands calloused, and her once-beautiful, fair face was beginning to yellow.

At night, crammed into the stinking maid’s quarters, Zhang Yue often felt at a loss. If she had agreed to become Prince Yan’s concubine, would she have been as privileged as Shen Wei?

Her own failure was regrettable, but her colleague’s success was even more heart-wrenching.

Zhang Yue bit her lip and could only comfort herself repeatedly: "Prince Yan’s affection is fleeting. Shen Wei will eventually fall out of favor."

...

Shen Wei arrived at the Princess Consort’s courtyard, the last to show up.

It wasn’t that she deliberately arrived late but that the Princess Consort had deliberately informed her last. Shen Wei slyly smiled to herself. The Princess Consort appeared serene and indifferent, but she had her own share of schemes.

As Shen Wei looked around, she noticed Liu Ruyan in white, Zhang Miaoyu, the plump Consort, Liu Qiao’er, the pensive Consort, and more than a dozen other Secondary Consorts and Concubines. The ladies were chatting, and the courtyard buzzed with lively conversation.

The moment Shen Wei appeared, the courtyard fell silent.

All eyes turned to Shen Wei. She was dressed radiantly, stunningly gorgeous, her face as charming as a peach blossom, her eyes bright and captivating.

In contrast, the other concubines and maids wore appealing dresses but appeared dull, their complexions pale and their expressions lackluster.

Shen Wei curtsied gracefully, "Greetings to the Princess Consort, greetings to all the sisters."

The Princess Consort sat majestically in the main seat, her expression kind. "Now that everyone is here, let’s begin distributing the fabrics. Shen, Prince Yan favors you greatly, so you may choose first."

Shen Wei looked flustered, "I absolutely dare not. My status is lowly; how could I presume to select first?"

Being made the first to choose was clearly an attempt to humiliate her.

The Princess Consort gently sipped her tea and said slowly, "Prince Yan favors you the most, so you are well deserving of this honor."

If Shen Wei refused again, it would be disrespectful to the Princess Consort. Reluctantly, she had to curtsey and say, “Then I humbly accept.”

She was the first to step forward and choose the fabric.

Her eyes lingered over the fabrics.

The quality of the fabrics was immediately apparent to the naked eye. The best fabrics shimmered with a luminous radiance, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight. The lesser fabrics were duller and less attractive in pattern.

After glancing around, Shen Wei pointed directly at the finest piece of fabric, her excitement evident as she said, “Cai Lian, we’ll take this one.”

It was the most expensive brocade, known as Floating Light Silk, of which there was only one bolt. The main color was a pale silver, and the material was soft, shimmering with a beautiful silver glow under the sunlight.

Cai Lian, who was knowledgeable, discreetly gave Shen Wei a warning look: "No!" This kind of fabric is only for the use of the Princess Consort and Prince Yan!

Although Shen Wei was the object of Prince Yan’s exclusive affection, she was merely a lowly concubine, not someone who should wear such expensive Floating Light Silk.

“Sister Shen Wei, you’d better choose another fabric instead,” Concubine Zhang Miaoyu kindly advised.

Zhang Miaoyu was plump, but her heart was good.

She couldn’t bear to watch this beautiful younger sister dig her own grave.

Shen Wei turned back and looked at the other onlookers. Liu Ruyan showed sympathy, Liu Qiao'er’s expression was disdainful, and the other concubines were watching the spectacle with amusement.

Only Zhang Miaoyu had spoken out to warn her.

Truly, a well-meaning act.

Shen Wei, however, turned back, her expression full of the arrogance of a petty victor: “I’ll take this one. Cai Lian, hold onto it.”

Cai Lian gritted her teeth and held the bolt of fabric, her heart sinking.

My lady, you’re beyond saving...

“You do have good taste,” the Princess Consort sipped her Biluochun tea, seemingly praising Shen Wei, but her lips curved into a concealed smirk.

Shen Wei came from a humble background, with narrow-minded vision.

Seeing something good and daring to take it—how insatiably greedy.

A beautiful but foolish woman like her won’t enjoy her moment in the sun in the prince’s estate for long.