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

...

On the other side, Cai Lian followed Shen Wei's instructions, carrying half a bolt of Fuguang brocade, quietly heading to "Wangfeng Cloth Store," the most famous textile shop in Yanjing.

After some bargaining, she managed to sell the half bolt of Fuguang brocade for one thousand taels of silver.

Cai Lian tucked the banknotes away, put on a white veiled hat, and, following Shen Wei's advice, quietly strolled around the streets a few times before sneaking back to the mansion.

Before long, a portly middle-aged man in sumptuous robes entered Wangfeng Cloth Store.

This man was a steward from the Heng Prince's Mansion, and he spoke with an arrogant tone: "Shopkeeper, bring out your best fabrics!"

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍shopkeeper didn't dare to delay, respectfully inviting the steward into the VIP lounge and having his staff fetch the finest fabrics currently available.

The steward from the Heng Prince's Mansion immediately took a liking to the half bolt of Fuguang brocade.

Next month, preparations were underway for a spring banquet at the Yan Prince's Mansion, and Prince Heng was on the guest list. Prince Heng and Prince Yan had always been at odds, and Prince Heng had preemptively instructed his steward to purchase the finest materials to be made into clothing, all in an effort to outshine Prince Yan in grandeur.

The Fuguang brocade was smooth and shimmered faintly with a silver hue, making it the perfect choice for Prince Heng's attire, one befitting his royal status.

The steward pulled out his silver: "I'll take this bolt—but why is it only half?"

The shopkeeper, being shrewd, smiled and explained: "This year, the region producing Fuguang brocade suffered a disaster, so half a bolt is already quite something."

The steward didn't think much of it.

He paid for the cloth and left.

...

Cai Lian, carrying the one thousand taels of banknotes, quietly entered the mansion through the back door. As she walked, she suddenly spotted a maidservant from the flower room, Zhang Yue.

Zhang Yue was clutching a package, furtively looking around before sneaking out of the mansion.

Cai Lian frowned inwardly—what was Zhang Yue up to?

Cai Lian was a bold and meticulous young woman, and she felt a growing sense of unease. Ever since Shen Wei moved to Fangfei Courtyard, Cai Lian had encountered Zhang Yue several times outside the courtyard.

Zhang Yue's furtive behavior seemed like she was spying on Fangfei Courtyard.

Thus, Cai Lian quietly followed Zhang Yue and saw her run to a pharmacy in Yanjing, where she stayed for a long time before leaving.

Upon returning to Fangfei Courtyard, Cai Lian handed the one thousand taels of banknotes to Shen Wei.

Shen Wei couldn't help but caress the banknotes with delight: "The radish and cabbage seedlings in the courtyard are ready for harvest. Cai Ping, go to the kitchen and ask for some fresh meat, peppers, and a copper pot. Tonight, I want to cook hot pot in the courtyard."

It had been a month since they started growing vegetables, and it was time to begin the initial harvest.

Cai Ping was full of questions: "Hot pot? What is hot pot?"

Shen Wei smiled: "You'll find out tonight."

Though puzzled, Cai Ping dutifully followed Shen Wei's list of items and went to the kitchen to fetch the ingredients.

Given Shen Wei's current favor, whatever ingredients she requested, the kitchen would provide.

This was the privilege of a favored concubine.

After Cai Ping left, Shen Wei took out the materials for making a face mask and began leisurely preparing it. Cai Lian assisted, and noticing her mistress's peculiar expression, Shen Wei asked: "Did you encounter any trouble while selling the cloth?"

Cai Lian shook her head and, out of caution, honestly told Shen Wei: "My Lady, today I saw Zhang Yue at the back gate. She was hiding something in her arms and sneakily went to a pharmacy in Yanjing. I don't know what she was doing."

Shen Wei pondered for a moment, then took out a few taels of silver from her personal stash: "Cai Lian, we still need some spices for the hot pot. Go to the shops in Yanjing again. While buying the spices, investigate why Zhang Yue went to the pharmacy."

Shen Wei believed in being cautious, especially since she had already noticed Zhang Yue's suspicious behavior.

Zhang Yue had been a "former colleague" of Shen Wei's, repeatedly advising Shen Wei not to become a concubine and eagerly waiting to see her downfall.

Zhang Yue's complex psychology, Shen Wei could understand—it's like being envious of a friend's success while also pitying their struggles.

One's own failure is dreadful, but a colleague's success is even more heart-wrenching.

Shen Wei needed to be prepared in advance.

"My Lady, rest assured. I will go immediately," Cai Lian said, clutching the silver and quickly leaving the mansion to investigate.

As dusk approached, Cai Lian hurried back to Fangfei Courtyard.

Meanwhile, Shen Wei was directing the preparations: Ji Xiang and De Shun, the two young eunuchs, were setting up the hot pot frame. Cai Ping and Nanny Rong were slicing meat, preparing vegetables, and making the hot pot broth.

Seeing Cai Lian return, Shen Wei called her into the room.

Cai Lian reported in a low voice: "My Lady, I asked the pharmacy assistant. He said Zhang Yue brought a package of medicinal residue for him to identify. It was residue from contraceptive medicine."

Only Cai Lian and Cai Ping, as Shen Wei's confidantes, knew that Shen Wei had been secretly taking contraceptive medicine.

Every time she took the medicine, the residue was buried in a secluded corner.

No one expected that Zhang Yue would dig it up.

If it were discovered that a concubine was secretly taking contraceptive medicine, especially by Prince Yan, it could provoke a storm.

"My Lady, we must prepare in advance," Cai Lian said with concern. Initially, both Cai Lian and Cai Ping had been unwilling to serve in Fangfei Courtyard.

However, Shen Wei was generous and kind to her servants, making her the most tolerant master in the entire mansion.

Cai Lian had completely aligned herself with Shen Wei, considering her interests in everything she did.

Shen Wei stroked her chin and thought for a moment: "Invite the Prince to join us for hot pot tonight."

Cai Lian: "What about the contraceptive medicine issue?"

Shen Wei smiled: "I have my ways."

For some reason, seeing Shen Wei's confident demeanor, Cai Lian suddenly felt at ease. It seemed that nothing was beyond Shen Wei's capabilities.

Cai Lian no longer worried and returned to the courtyard to help Cai Ping and Nanny Rong prepare the hot pot materials.

...

As the moon rose above the willows, Prince Yan, having finished his official duties, entered Fangfei Courtyard with his eunuch Fu Gui and two bodyguards.

Prince Yan had not yet dined.

Exhausted from a long day, the only place he sought solace was with Shen Wei. Only here did he feel at ease and free from worries.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Prince Yan was greeted by a rich, savory aroma. The moonlight bathed Fangfei Courtyard in its soft glow, while two brightly lit lanterns hung from the eaves, illuminating the entire courtyard.@@novelbin@@

Shen Wei and her maids and eunuchs were bustling around a copper pot. The broth inside was bubbling, releasing an enticing fragrance, filled with meat slices and leafy greens.

The aroma was unlike anything Prince Yan had ever smelled before!

It was simply mouth-watering.

"Your Highness, you're back!" Shen Wei spotted Prince Yan and her eyes lit up, setting down her chopsticks to greet him.

Cai Lian, Cai Ping, and the others stood respectfully to the sides.

Prince Yan took Shen Wei's hand, curious: "What are you eating?"

Shen Wei smiled: "Hot pot!"

With that, she led Prince Yan to the table. Cai Lian and Cai Ping quickly tidied up the table, replacing the dishes and broth with fresh ones.

After a long day of work, Prince Yan was famished.

Intrigued, he gazed at the bubbling copper pot, which was divided into two sections with a partition—one half filled with tomatoes and radishes in a clear broth, the other half with a fiery red chili broth, emitting a spicy aroma.

Prince Yan disliked spicy food, and upon seeing the half-pot of bubbling chili, he frowned.

Shen Wei took the initiative, picking up a thin slice of lean meat with her chopsticks and dipping it into the clear soup for a few seconds.

The red meat quickly turned white, indicating it was cooked.

Shen Wei then placed the cooked meat into a dipping sauce dish. Knowing Prince Yan didn't eat spicy food, she had prepared a specially made dipping sauce for him.

Prince Yan's dipping sauce was a mix of sesame, chili oil, aromatic spices, scallions, and sesame paste. The meat, coated in the fragrant sauce, looked irresistible.

"Your Highness, give it a try," Shen Wei presented the cooked meat to Prince Yan's lips.

Prince Yan tentatively tasted a bite, his eyes immediately lighting up: Delicious!

"The cool spring nights are perfect for hot pot," Shen Wei smiled, "Please eat more, Your Highness."

Prince Yan ate five or six slices of pork, growing more and more fond of the dish.

Meanwhile, the eunuchs and maids around them could only watch, silently salivating.

So aromatic...

So tempting...

So want to eat...

Prince Yan enjoyed the clear soup, while Shen Wei indulged in the spicy broth.

She loved spicy food, the spicier the better. Slices of marbled pork, lamb slices, tripe, and meatballs cooked in the fiery red broth, then scooped out and dipped into her specially prepared sauce of wild pepper, were absolutely irresistible.

Prince Yan watched her enjoy her meal with evident pleasure, his gaze falling on the fiery red spicy broth, and he asked: "The meat in the chili soup—is it very delicious?"

Shen Wei nodded: "Absolutely, I love spicy food."

Curious, Prince Yan tried a piece of meat from the spicy broth, but the intense heat immediately set his tongue ablaze.

Too spicy!

Standing to the side, Fu Gui was taken aback when he saw Shen Wei already prepared, handing over a cup of homemade plum juice. The icy-sour plum juice quickly dissipated the burning sensation of the spicy soup. Prince Yan kept wrinkling his brow and refused to touch the half a pot of spicy broth again.

"Spicy food is bad for the stomach, you should eat less of it," Prince Yan advised Shen Wei.

Shen Wei brushed it off, "I like spicy food, I'm going to eat it anyway."

Prince Yan chuckled helplessly. He adored Shen Wei's personality—innocent and lively, yet true to herself. Any other concubine hearing Prince Yan tell them to "eat less spicy food" would never touch chili again.

But Shen Wei was different. She liked spicy food, and she was going to stick to her preference. This was her individuality, unlike the other demure concubines in the Prince Yan's Mansion.

"You can eat a little spice occasionally, but not too much. The imperial physician says you have a weak constitution and a delicate spleen and stomach," Prince Yan said with a smile, shaking his head as he indulged her.

Fu Gui beside him was utterly stunned.

What an impressive madam Shen! She actually made the prince compromise! Tsk tsk, it looks like the dynamics in Prince Yan's Mansion might be shifting.

Rubbing her stomach, Shen Wei felt she had eaten too much meat and was getting a bit greasy. So she stood up and ran to the vegetable patch, picking some newly sprouted cabbage and radish seedlings, instructing Cai Ping to wash them with fresh water.

"Your Highness, try this, these are vegetables I personally grew," Shen Wei placed the cleaned leaves into the clear soup pot.

The greens cooked quickly.

Prince Yan had eaten quite a bit of meat earlier and now a couple of bites of the cabbage leaves refreshed his palate, washing away the greasy feeling. However, seeing the few little leaves, Prince Yan couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, "Weiwei, the growth of your vegetables is not good—come, bring some of the greens I grew."