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

The imperial examination results had only been announced the day before, yet as a woman confined to the inner chambers, how could her news be so swift?

Shen Wei buried her face in Prince Yan's chest, her voice choked with emotion and sorrow: "The ancestral rules must not be broken. Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness in allowing our child to stay by my side for two more months."

Prince Yan's eyes brimmed with tenderness and affection.

Shen Wei could have begged him—pleaded for their daughter to be raised by her side. Yet, for the sake of his reputation and to uphold the traditions left by their ancestors, she had never dared to voice such a request.

She was always so selfless and considerate, putting Prince Yan above all else.

With a low chuckle, Prince Yan pinched Shen Wei’s plump cheek and said, "Weiwei, I’ve prepared a surprise for you today."

There were two surprises. One was the imperial decree from the empress, elevating Shen Wei to the rank of secondary consort. The other was Prince Yan’s arrangement to summon her younger brother, Shen Xiuming.

Shen Wei feigned ignorance.

Outside, the secondary consorts arrived one after another. Zhang Miaoyu had already taken her seat at the banquet, while Liu Qiao'er entered Liuli Pavilion with her maid in tow.

This was Liu Qiao'er’s first visit to Liuli Pavilion. The sight before her was one of lush spring scenery—vibrant flowers and plants filled the courtyard, and colorful koi fish swam lazily in the pond. Though she had heard of the pavilion’s grandeur, she had never imagined it to be this magnificent.

Yet, Liu Qiao'er quickly dismissed her awe. Shen Wei’s favor came at a price—the loss of her child.

What did it matter if she was doted upon? With her lowly birth, her child could only be raised by the Princess of Yan. And given the princess’s venomous nature disguised as piety, the child would surely be ruined.

"Your humble consort greets Your Highness," Liu Qiao'er curtsied to Prince Yan.

Prince Yan had not visited Liu Qiao'er in a long time. Now, as he glanced at her, he saw how gaunt she had become—her cheekbones protruded sharply, and her pale, emaciated face, framed by a plain gray dress, looked almost ghostly under the bright spring sun.

If a child were to see her, they might burst into tears. Frowning, Prince Yan asked offhandedly, "Why have you grown so thin? Have you not been eating?"

Liu Qiao'er stiffened.

She hastily lowered her head. "This humble one eats sufficiently. Your Highness need not worry."

With hurried steps, she retreated to the banquet table, her heart pounding with fear.

She knew Prince Yan still cared for her—why else would he inquire about her well-being?

But she dared not hope for his affection again. All she wanted now was to live quietly, ensuring the survival of her family and child. His love would only make her a target.

Liu Qiao'er took a seat in the farthest corner. Soon after, Liu Ruyan arrived.

Despite the radiant spring sunlight, Liu Ruyan was dressed in an ethereal silver gown, her sleeves fluttering like mist. Her breathtakingly beautiful face still bore traces of illness, and she coughed faintly as she walked—frail as the legendary beauty Xi Shi.

With a sympathetic glance at Shen Wei, she too took her seat at the banquet. Behind her stood Xue Mei, her wide, curious eyes darting around.

What a grand courtyard!

What a splendid residence!

Even the maids of Liuli Pavilion wore fine fabrics!

Xue Mei couldn’t help but envy them. She would gladly serve here, even as the lowest-ranking maid.

Before long, the Princess of Yan made her belated entrance. Today, she was adorned in lavish attire, exuding the dignified air of the manor’s mistress. The wrinkles on her face had been concealed with Qixiang Studio’s jade powder, leaving her complexion radiant.

"Greetings to Your Highness," the princess curtsied gracefully to Prince Yan.

Prince Yan acknowledged her with a nod.

Entering the hall, the princess spotted the rosewood cradle—inside, the infant slept peacefully, unaware that she would soon be taken away to be raised by the princess.

With a smile, the princess remarked, "Lady Shen, your daughter is quite lovely—just like you, a natural beauty."

Shen Wei’s face paled, but she remained silent.

Seeing Shen Wei’s suppressed misery filled the princess with satisfaction. When she had first elevated Shen Wei as a concubine, she had expected her to fall out of favor quickly. Yet, against all odds, Shen Wei had repeatedly escaped misfortune and secured Prince Yan’s lasting devotion.

Outwardly, the princess appeared indifferent, serene as a plum blossom. But deep down, jealousy festered. Now that she had finally gained the upper hand, how could she not rejoice?

At noon, the full-month banquet commenced.

A long pearwood table was set in the courtyard, and the maids of Liuli Pavilion served dishes in perfect order. The table was laden with delicacies—spring bamboo shoots for Prince Yan, braised pork knuckle and desserts for Zhang Miaoyu, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and crab-stuffed oranges for the princess, plum blossom wine for Liu Ruyan, crispy pastries for Liu Qiao'er...

Every guest found their favorite dish.

Before the princess lay five exquisitely presented "crab-stuffed oranges." Traditionally, the dish involved hollowing out an orange, filling it with crab roe, meat, wine, and vinegar, then steaming it.

The princess, however, had developed her own version—replacing the crab meat with perch and venison for a richer flavor. This recipe had never been shared beyond her closest confidantes.

Yet now, these five oranges before her contained perch and venison as well.

A flicker of suspicion arose in the princess’s heart.

How had Shen Wei learned of her secret preference?

Before she could ponder further, Prince Yan raised his cup from the head seat, his deep voice resonating:

"Today, we celebrate our child’s full-month banquet. Though delayed by two months, it remains an occasion of great importance to this prince."

"I ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍have named the child Li Luan, with the childhood name Le You."

The guests raised their glasses in toast.

Liu Ruyan’s eyes glimmered with nostalgia. Years ago, when she had given birth to a daughter, Prince Yan had named her "Qiong," while Liu Ruyan had chosen the childhood name "Nanzhi"—another term for plum blossoms.

The past unfolded vividly in her mind.

Now, the man she had once loved had bestowed a name upon another woman’s child, likely having long forgotten Li Nanzhi. Disappointment welled in her heart.

Meanwhile, the princess felt an inexplicable unease. By imperial naming conventions, boys of this generation bore the character "Cheng"—such as Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen.

For girls, single characters related to jade were customary, like Li Yao or Li Qiong. While strict for boys, the rule was looser for girls—they need not always carry a jade-related name.

Yet Shen Wei’s daughter had been given the single character "Luan."

Luan—a mythical bird, kin to the phoenix, symbolizing nobility.

Prince Yan had bestowed such a grand name upon Shen Wei’s daughter?

A foreboding sense crept into the princess’s heart.

...

Meanwhile, at the gates of Prince Yan’s manor, Granny Liu alighted from her carriage with her maids, having been sent by the princess to purchase supplies for the child’s upbringing.

As she stepped down, she spotted two figures by the entrance—Shen Xiuming and Shen's Mother, dressed so plainly they could pass for common peasants.

Recognizing Shen Xiuming, Granny Liu rolled her eyes.

Today was the full-month banquet for Shen Wei’s child, yet she had invited her shabby family? How dare such lowly folk set foot in the prince’s manor?

Marching to the gates, Granny Liu snapped at the guards: "What are you gaping at? Drive these two away at once!"