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

Liu Ruyan's attire today was predominantly white, as usual.

Dressed in snow-white robes embroidered with exquisite green plum blossoms, her hair adorned with only two jade hairpins, she looked as pure and refined as frost and snow.

Liu Ruyan gave Prince Heng a fleeting glance, curtsied, and walked straight to the female seating area.

Calm and aloof, she paid no heed to external judgments.

To Liu Ruyan, the constant squabbles between Prince Yan and Prince Heng were simply meaningless.

Life was fleeting, and in the end, everyone would become dust. What was the point of power struggles?

The cold and aloof Liu Ruyan hadn't considered the dire consequences that would befall the entire prince's residence if Prince Yan's power struggle were to fail.

The Princess Consort's expression was somber. Liu Ruyan, dressed all in white for a spring banquet filled with gaiety...

Prince Heng continued to nitpick, his hand holding the jade fan swished back and forth, its soft whooshing sound filling the air, his eyes lingering on the plump Zhang Miaoyu.

Zhang Miaoyu's attire was vibrant, but her size made her look like a colorful candy wrapped in oily paper from a distance.

Prince Heng teased, "Sister-in-law Zhang Miaoyu, today's feast offers plenty of delicacies. Indulge yourself!"

Zhang Miaoyu's eyes curved into crescents, her voice sweet as honey, "Thank you, Prince Heng!"

Zhang Miaoyu lifted her skirt, her plump figure waddling like a ball, rushing to the female seating area.

It was as if she'd been starved for days, racing straight to the emergency rations.

The Princess Consort rubbed her temples.

This Zhang Miaoyu, all she ever thinks about is eating. Her brain must be filled with fat! How dense can one be?

Prince Heng's gaze shifted to the sallow-faced Liu Qiao'er, who was a secondary wife of Prince Yan. He exclaimed in surprise, "Sister-in-law Liu, is there a famine at the prince's residence? Oh, my, Second Brother is indeed known for his virtue, but even his own women are starving!"

Liu Qiao'er lowered her head and quickly departed.

Even when ridiculed to her face, Liu Qiao'er didn’t dare to defend herself. She vaguely remembered that in her previous life, when Prince Yan ascended the throne, Prince Heng rebelled in the regions. Prince Yan spent over a decade to finally drive this sticky troublemaker, Prince Heng, out of the borders of the Qing country. Prince Heng occupied a small neighboring nation, declared himself king, and frequently harassed the Qing borders.

In short, Prince Heng was no ordinary threat.

Liu Qiao'er dared not provoke Prince Heng. She needed to stay low-key and avoid drawing attention. Even if it meant surviving on meager meals every day, as long as she could keep herself alive, it was worth it.

The Princess Consort, hearing Prince Heng disparage Prince Yan's secondary wives, felt a throbbing pain in her temples.

The imagined power struggle - filled with shrewd schemes, backstabbing, and bloodshed - intricate and ruthless where all living beings were mere ants.

The real power struggle - petty taunts in your face - simple yet deadly, shameless yet effective.

To save face, the Princess Consort hastily made an excuse: "The frequent battles at the borders of Qing and Yue have left the prince's residence's women conserving resources. It’s our small contribution to the soldiers at the front lines."

Prince Heng burst into laughter. "Second Sister-in-law, no need for excuses. The soldiers at the border are well-fed and clothed, and Yanjing remains prosperous. Tsk, I see that Prince Yan is just stingy, unable to even take care of his own women."

Before the echoes of his words died down, Shen Wei arrived late, her steps slow, her attire cumbersome from her distant quarters in Fangfei Yuan.

Shen Wei respectfully curtsied, her voice clear and melodious, "Princess Consort, Prince Heng, greetings."

Prince Heng glanced back casually and almost squinted at the sight of the golden hairpins glittering on Shen Wei's head.

Early that morning, Shen Wei had started her grooming ritual.

Her black hair was styled in an exquisite flying fairy bun, topped with two shiny golden hairpins. A pink peony adorned her right side, a red flower design on her brow, and pearl accents on her cheeks. She wore a vibrant green butterfly-patterned gown.

Her figure was willowy, her beauty striking.

Though dressed lavishly, she upheld modesty by not wearing anything more ostentatious than the princess consort, ensuring she didn’t outshine her.

Prince Heng was momentarily stunned, feeling a pang of embarrassment.

Just a moment ago, he had mocked the prince's residence for being poor, only for a resplendent beauty to appear out of nowhere.

The Princess Consort felt immensely relieved.

Though she looked down upon the common-born Shen Wei, today, Shen Wei had indeed saved face for the prince's residence.

After completing her greetings, Shen Wei, supported by Cai Lian's hand, moved to the female seating area and took the seat at the very end.

Prince Heng felt uncomfortable and continued his mockery, shaking his jade fan. "With frequent wars at the Qing-Yue border, the prince's women are dressed in such opulence, failing to contribute to the soldiers at the frontlines."

The Princess Consort retorted coolly, "The soldiers at the border are well-provided, and Yanjing remains prosperous. My prince's residence is by no means lacking."

With a huff, Prince Heng moved to the men’s seating area on the left.

His dark eyes scanned the corner where Shen Wei sat, but after a brief glance, he lost interest, turning back to his wine.

Shen Wei was undeniably beautiful, but without a unique charm. Her movements were too rigid, lacking any vivacity or spontaneity.

Prince Heng and Prince Yan had been at odds for years, so he was well aware of Prince Yan's character. Prince Yan had been cold and indifferent to his harem lately, showing extreme callousness. This Shen Wei might be in favor now, but it was uncertain how long her fortune would last.

...

At the women's seating area, Shen Wei slyly popped a candied fruit into her mouth. Since early morning, she had been busy dressing up and hadn't had more than a few bites to eat.

Once the spring banquet began, she wouldn't dare eat much, so it seemed she'd be going hungry today.

Behind Shen Wei, Cai Lian served her attentively, sneaking glances at Prince Heng across the room, feeling increasingly puzzled. "Ma'am, Prince Heng's fabric is made of shimmering brocade... I find it very familiar."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wei also peeked at Prince Heng's outfit. The fabric's pattern...

Shen Wei's eyes widened in surprise. This looked exactly like the half-bolt of shimmering brocade she had secretly sold off. The quality and design reassured her that she hadn't mistaken it.

Shen Wei used a folding fan to conceal her face, whispering, "Cai Lian, when you sold that half-bolt of brocade, was anyone following you?"

Cai Lian replied, "Don't worry, Lady. That day when I left the prince's residence, I wore a veil and plain clothing. After selling the brocade, I took several detours around the streets before returning. No one would have noticed."

Shen Wei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

...

At the other end of the women's seating area, Maid Xue Mei was pouring tea for Liu Ruyan. Glancing at the strikingly beautiful Shen Wei, then at the snow-white Liu Ruyan, the contrast was stark.

Xue Mei couldn't help but murmur, "Lady, you wear silver and light colors all year round. Why not switch to something more vivid?"

Liu Ruyan shook her head calmly, "Brilliance can be vulgar."

She loved white, purity and nobility embodied.

To Liu Ruyan, Shen Wei's jewelry and attire were all bestowed by Prince Yan. To her, Shen Wei was no longer an independent individual but a plaything for Prince Yan to dress up.

It was truly pitiful – completely losing oneself.

Liu Ruyan felt sympathy for Shen Wei.

Xue Mei thought otherwise.

In her opinion, despite her vivid attire, Shen Wei looked anything but vulgar! Her beauty was striking just right, standing out in the crowd.

Shen Wei looked beautiful, and her maid Cai Lian also looked refined. The two of them together appeared especially pleasing.

Xue Mei lowered her eyes, glancing at her own simple maid attire. Each month she sent her earnings home, and the noble and aloof Liu Ruyan had no taste for luxury.

Liu Ruyan had never given Xue Mei any money but occasionally shared some leftover fine tea.

In Xue Mei's view, good tea or bad tea tasted the same, and she would've preferred some cash.

...

The spring banquet was about to begin, and guests arrived one after another. Their ranks soared, all important individuals honoring the high status of Prince Yan.

Shen Wei sat in a corner, her gaze wandering aimlessly.

Soon, a seat beside her was occupied by a delicate girl in green robes. It seemed this maiden had never been to such a grand occasion and appeared timid.

A man in a black silk robe approached and spoke softly to soothe her, "Don’t be afraid, Rou. Today, in the open presence of so many, she won't dare trouble you."

The green-robed girl stammered, "Yunting, I shouldn't have come today. If I offend the princess....."

She ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍lowered her head fearfully.

Yan Yunting comforted her, "Don’t worry, I’m here."

After conversing for a while, the black-robed man departed.

Feeling nervous, Tantai Rou sipped a mouthful of tea and noticed the radiant Shen Wei beside her for the first time.

Her gaze landed on the glittering golden hairpins on Shen Wei's head, after a while she timidly approached and greeted respectfully, "I’m.… I’m called Tantai Rou. What is your name?"

At the mention of "Tantai Rou," Shen Wei's eyes lit up, remembering the gossip a maid, Cai Ping, shared with her recently.

In recent times, Tantai Rou’s name had become widely circulated in Yanjing.

But it wasn’t because of her astounding beauty or noble birth. On the contrary, Tantai Rou was merely a distant relative of the Princess Consort, whose father had recently been appointed to a tiny government office in Yanjing.

Tantai Rou had only recently arrived in Yanjing when Yan Yunting, the Vice Minister of Rites, fell head over heels in love with her at first sight.

Who was Yan Yunting? He was a renowned young talent in Yanjing, a trusted advisor to the Crown Prince, and a man with an extraordinary future ahead of him.

The divine-like Yan Yunting had developed a deep affection for a woman of ordinary looks and modest background, which left many puzzled.

Everyone in Yanjing knew that the Fourth Princess had harbored a long-standing infatuation for Yan Yunting and had pursued him relentlessly for years. Upon learning that Yan Yunting had feelings for Tantai Rou, the Fourth Princess was simultaneously furious and bitter. She repeatedly sought ways to torment Tantai Rou.

This incident became the talk of the town, providing gossip for Yanjing's citizens during their leisure hours.

Shen Wei maintained a composed demeanor as she introduced herself: "I am Shen Wei, a concubine of Prince Yan."

Hearing the word "concubine," Tantai Rou's expression turned peculiar, a flash of disdain briefly appearing in her eyes.

Seeing Shen Wei adorned in gold and silver, dressed as lavishly as a peony, Tantai Rou had assumed she was the daughter of some noble family… Only to discover that this fine young woman had become a concubine.

Tantai Rou no longer engaged with Shen Wei, standing up and moving to an adjacent empty seat, putting one empty seat between them.