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

Cai Ping was deeply concerned. Excessive emotional fluctuations in a pregnant woman could harm the fetus. Shen Wei had been pregnant for less than two months, a time when the pregnancy was most fragile.

What if Shen Wei’s overwhelming sorrow led to a miscarriage? What then?

Cai Ping was frantic, but Shen Wei remained utterly unperturbed.

"It’s fine," Shen Wei said, reveling in her newfound freedom.

With Prince Yan no longer visiting her, Shen Wei felt a great weight lifted. She no longer had to strain her words or exhaust herself physically, and she could retire to bed early without a care.

When Prince Yan did come, she had to expend energy catering to his whims—observing his moods, playing the role of the understanding companion—only to end up with sore limbs from the exertion.

A man of boundless vigor was the hardest to please.

Shen Wei neither sought Prince Yan’s exclusive favor nor his undivided love. In an era where men kept multiple wives and concubines, chasing after love was nothing but self-inflicted torment. Cold, hard wealth was far more dependable.

As long as Prince Yan remembered her and provided her with steady riches and resources, she was content.

Licking her lips, Shen Wei recalled a delicacy she had been craving for ages and instructed Cai Ping, "Tell the kitchen to prepare a bowl of fermented rice with osmanthus ice jelly for me tonight, with extra crushed ice."

The evening was unbearably hot, and a heavy rain seemed imminent. Since Prince Yan wouldn’t be visiting, she could secretly indulge in a chilled bowl of the refreshing treat.

Seeing Shen Wei’s nonchalance, Cai Ping could only nod helplessly. "I’ll inform the kitchen at once."

...

Fangfei Courtyard.

Xiang’er stood trembling with nervousness as she watched Prince Yan stroll through the small courtyard.

Since arriving at Prince Yan’s Mansion, Xiang’er had endured constant bullying from the servants. The food she received each day was barely enough to sustain her. Within the mansion, a concubine without favor held even less status than a lowly servant.

Her parents, valuing sons over daughters, had sold her to a tavern for money. The servants in the mansion tormented her relentlessly, making her life unbearable. Unable to endure the despair any longer, Xiang’er had attempted to drown herself the previous night, hoping to end her miserable existence. By chance, Granny Liu—a servant from the princess consort’s retinue—had passed by the pond and ordered someone to fish her out.

Granny Liu sighed and told her, *"If you dare to die, why not gamble on living?"*

*"You’ve been blessed with a fair face. Find a way to meet the prince—perhaps he’ll take pity on you."*

*"If you bear him a child, you’ll have something to rely on in this mansion."*

Perhaps Granny Liu’s words had struck a chord.

The next day, Xiang’er mustered her courage, dressed carefully, and waited in the garden for Prince Yan. As dusk fell, the prince returned from court with his guards in tow. Heart pounding, Xiang’er trembled as she stepped forward to greet him.

This was the first time she had seen Prince Yan up close.

Tall, imposing, and strikingly handsome, with piercing eyes that reminded her of the majestic door gods painted on temple gates in her village.

"Your humble servant... pays respects to Your Highness," Xiang’er stammered.

Prince Yan didn’t pause his stride.

As he was about to disappear from sight, desperation seized Xiang’er. Frantically, she recalled the flirtatious widow from her village—how the woman would stand in her doorway, swaying a bright red peony-embroidered handkerchief, asking passing men if they were thirsty.

If a man said *"yes,"* the widow would smile and lead him inside.

Imitating the widow’s coy tone, Xiang’er ventured, "Your Highness, I... I have brewed tea in Fangfei Courtyard. Would Your Highness care for a cup to quench your thirst?"

Something in her words made Prince Yan halt.

What followed felt like a surreal dream—she had actually managed to invite Prince Yan to her humble quarters!

Standing beneath the eaves of Fangfei Courtyard, Xiang’er watched as Prince Yan paused by the overgrown vegetable patch. She was baffled. Why had the prince come all this way only to linger in the courtyard instead of entering her chambers?

And why was he staring so intently at the neglected garden?

But she lacked the courage to ask, her fingers knotting anxiously.

"Your Highness, it is time for the evening meal," Fu Gui, the chief steward, finally reminded him softly. "Shall I have the kitchen send the dishes to Fangfei Courtyard?"

Prince Yan nodded. "Proceed."

Xiang’er exhaled in silent relief.

Night fell, and the main chamber of Fangfei Courtyard was illuminated by bright candlelight. Plates of exquisite delicacies were laid out on the table, making Xiang’er’s mouth water.

Born into poverty, she had never seen such lavish fare! Yet she dared not touch a bite until Prince Yan did.

The prince’s gaze swept across the room. Though the candles cast a warm glow, the furnishings were crude and sparse.

He remembered how it had been when Shen Wei lived here—the windows spotless, the decor elegant, the courtyard free of weeds, the vegetable patch neatly tended. Fangfei Courtyard had brimmed with life.

Earlier that day, after court, he had intended to visit Shen Wei again. But passing through the garden, he’d overheard someone mention "Fangfei Courtyard," stirring memories.

He had come to revisit the past.

Yet in just a few months, the courtyard had lost its former vibrancy. Even the food on the table failed to tempt him. Had Shen Wei been here, she would have prepared dishes tailored to his tastes.

Unknowingly, Shen Wei had spoiled him.

*Clink.*

With little interest, Prince Yan set down his chopsticks and rose. "To Liuli Pavilion."

Fu Gui bowed respectfully. "This servant will lead the way."

Inwardly, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍Fu Gui sighed. The prince’s thoughts were still fixed on Lady Shen. Pretty faces were a dime a dozen, but a soul as captivating as hers was rare indeed.

Xiang’er, bewildered, could only set aside her chopsticks and escort Prince Yan out.

Standing at the gate of Fangfei Courtyard, she watched his tall figure recede into the distance, her mind adrift.

Dazedly, she returned to the table and stared at the feast before her. Unable to resist any longer, she grabbed her chopsticks and devoured the dishes with abandon.

So delicious!

Sweet pastries, succulent braised pork tender enough to melt in her mouth, savory ribs with corn, and crispy-skinned roasted meat—she had never tasted anything so exquisite!

"Congratulations, mistress," said the two maids attending her, their formerly indifferent demeanor now obsequious.

One piled more food onto her plate while the other poured tea.

Though Prince Yan hadn’t stayed the night, his visit alone marked a turning point. At the very least, he now remembered Xiang’er.

With Shen Wei—the current favorite in the inner court—pregnant and unable to serve him, Prince Yan, a vigorous man, would naturally seek another to fill the void. Xiang’er stood a good chance of becoming the next favored concubine.

Before long, eunuchs from the storeroom arrived with two chests containing mosquito repellent, summer quilts, bed curtains, and other supplies that had been withheld from Fangfei Courtyard. During Xiang’er’s days of obscurity, even her monthly allowances had been embezzled.

Now that she showed promise, the same people rushed to fawn over her.

"Mistress, please enjoy your meal. This servant will light the mosquito coils at once," one maid simpered as she busied herself.

Xiang’er sat motionless at the table.

Her gaze drifted from the lavish spread to the newly delivered luxuries, then to the two sycophantic servants. A profound sense of satisfaction swelled within her.

She was the eldest daughter in her family, where her parents favored boys over girls—treating her newborn brother like royalty while treating their daughter like a dog.

Xiang'er never expected that after arriving at Prince Yan's Mansion, she would live the kind of life her brother had always enjoyed—being waited on hand and foot, with meals served to her and clothes draped over her shoulders.

The feeling was strange, like a stone dropped into the still waters of her heart, sending ripples across the surface. Lost in thought, Xiang'er wondered—was this the life of a favored concubine in Prince Yan's Mansion?

When she first entered the mansion, she had secretly peeked outside the glazed pavilion: what a tall, magnificent building, what a spacious courtyard, and what a beautiful woman—Shen Wei.

That was a height she could never hope to reach.

"My lady, you must find a way to bear the prince’s child soon," the maidservant whispered in Xiang'er’s ear.

Suddenly, a deep longing rose within Xiang'er—she wanted to replace Shen Wei, to find a way to give Prince Yan a son. With a son, she was certain she could live a life of comfort forever.

The once simple and innocent light in Xiang'er’s eyes slowly darkened with greed. She had heard that Shen Wei was also born to lowly farmers. If Shen Wei could win favor, then surely Xiang'er could too.

Muttering to herself, her smile widened. "Yes, I must bear a son. Heaven willing, let Shen Wei give birth to a useless daughter."

Just as her parents, who favored sons over daughters, had once said: daughters are worthless, only sons are precious.

She, Wang Zhaodi—no, she now had a more elegant name, Xiang'er—would become Prince Yan’s favored concubine! Never again would she suffer the hardships of her past.