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

Prince Heng turned his attention toward Shen Wei.

To suppress Shen Wei was to suppress Prince Yan.@@novelbin@@

As Prince Heng finished speaking, curious eyes turned toward Shen Wei, filled with wonder, sympathy, and pity.

Shen Wei paused her drinking, feeling like misfortune had descended without her fault.

She had crafted a background as the humble daughter of peasants, naturally ignorant of music and poetry.

If she truly shone at the Spring Banquet today, it would bring disaster—Prince Heng would resent her, Prince Yan would doubt her peasant roots, and even the gentle Princess Consort would view her with suspicion.

Yet, if she refused to perform, Prince Heng would likely ridicule her low birth and mock Prince Yan's poor taste in women.

It seemed like a no-win situation.

Having worked in the corporate world for years, Shen Wei knew the principle of surviving in difficult situations—[when it’s time to shine, shine; when it’s time to lay low, lay low. If you can’t avoid it, find someone to take the heat].

Without much thought, Shen Wei quickly identified someone to take the fall for her.

She anxiously gazed at Prince Yan, seated at the main throne, her expression restless, her beautiful eyes brimming with unease, resembling a helpless girl bullied.

Small, pitiful, and helpless.

By targeting Shen Wei, Prince Heng indirectly challenged Prince Yan. As a husband, Prince Yan would never allow his woman to be humiliated.

As expected, Prince Yan, half-squinting his handsome eyes from the main seat, spoke coldly, "My concubine is not some street performer. Third Brother, you overstep."

Protecting Shen Wei was also protecting his own pride.

Prince Heng clicked his tongue and took a sip of cold wine, "Greedy."

Prince Heng's resentment naturally shifted to Prince Yan, while Shen Wei remained unscathed.

"Shen Wei, Second Brother really dotes on you, defending you in public," Zhao Yang said with a hint of envy.

If only Yan Yunting could treat her better, Zhao Yang wouldn't feel so bitter in love.

Sometimes Zhao Yang couldn't understand—born noble, beautiful, and childhood friends with Yan Yunting, they should have been a perfect match.

Yet why did Yan Yunting fall for the plain Tantai Rou?

Zhao Yang felt bitter and drank several cups of wine.

Not far away, Yan Yunting noticed her frequent drinking and frowned. Though he wanted to dissuade her, he ultimately remained silent.

After several rounds of drinks, the previously dismissed performance troupe returned. The lute-holding maiden donned a light pink silk dress, and the dancers also wore matching wide-sleeved gowns.

With spring flowers in full bloom, the music and dance resumed.

Shen Wei enjoyed the performance while stealthily eating. The pastries at the Spring Banquet were intricately designed, and Shen Wei indulged in several.

While eating, Shen Wei's gaze suddenly paused. She spotted the masked lute maiden's wide sleeves, seemingly reflecting a silver glimmer.

It looked like a dagger.

Shen Wei was shocked; bringing a dagger to the Spring Banquet, could this be the rumored assassin? Before Shen Wei could react, the lute maiden suddenly tossed her instrument aside.

A flash of cold light!

Other dancers and musicians lurking in the corners also drew their swords.

"Assassins!"

"Protect the Crown Prince!"

People screamed, and the next moment, someone was silenced by a swift slice, blood spattering everywhere. The lute maiden gripped her dagger, darting toward the Crown Prince's seat. Other assassins targeted Prince Yan and Prince Heng.

Chaos ensued; some called for protection, others fled in panic. It was Shen Wei's first encounter with an assassination, and the bloodstained corpses at her feet made it far more thrilling than any horror game.

But Shen Wei wasn't worried. She knew Prince Yan had a group of fierce Tiger Guards, skilled fighters. Soon, the Tiger Guards arrived, engaging in battle with the assassins.

Princess Zhao Yang was terrified, scurrying for cover.

She hastily hid but still worriedly glanced at Yan Yunting. Yan Yunting, with some martial skills, calmly wielded a wooden stick as a weapon and instinctively moved toward Zhao Yang.

Just as Yan Yunting reached for Zhao Yang's sleeve, Tantai Rou beside them suddenly shrieked, collapsing weakly, clearly fainting from fear.

Ignoring Zhao Yang, Yan Yunting quickly scooped up the unconscious Tantai Rou and left.

Zhao Yang stood frozen, amidst the flashing swords, her eyes fixed solely on Yan Yunting's retreating figure.

Her heart ached as if pierced by needles.

"Princess!" Shen Wei, intending to flee, spotted the dazed Zhao Yang and quickly pulled her aside.

Bang, an assassin's blade barely missed, slicing off a lock of Zhao Yang's hair. If not for Shen Wei's intervention, Zhao Yang might have been slain.

"Take the Princess and go!" Shen Wei loudly instructed Zhao Yang's maids. The frightened attendants hastily led the stunned Zhao Yang away.

Cai Lian, pale-faced, clutched Shen Wei's arm, "My lady, let’s hide too!"

Shen Wei remained unfazed.

As Prince Yan's beloved concubine, how could she flee while he was in danger? Quickly surveying the chaos, Shen Wei noticed the Tiger Guards gaining the upper hand in their fight with the assassins.

On the main seat, Prince Yan stood guard over the Crown Prince, his eyes sharp.

The Princess Consort had fainted; Zhang Miaoyu hugged a braised pork hock, trembling under a table and sneaking a bite; Liu Qiao'er had hidden far away behind a tree.

Only Liu Ruyan sat calmly, unruffled. Her maid, Xue Mei, had fainted, yet Liu Ruyan remained serene.

Shen Wei told Cai Lian, "You hide first; I need to protect the Prince."

Cai Lian was stunned, watching helplessly as Shen Wei dashed toward the main seat.

Shen ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍Wei "hurriedly" approached, her gold hairpin falling unnoticed, as if her only concern was Prince Yan. Running too fast, she accidentally kicked Prince Heng, who was dodging assassins, out of the way.

Shen Wei didn't notice it was Prince Heng, and the chaotic scene meant no one else saw it.

Prince Heng stared in bewilderment at Shen Wei passing by, then looked down at the small footprint on his robe.

This petite concubine had kicked him!

She seemed gentle and respectful, yet her true character was so wild?

Prince Heng retreated to a safe corner, curious to see what Shen Wei intended.

"Your Highness!" Shen Wei dashed toward Prince Yan.

Just then, the lute maiden's dagger aimed for Prince Yan's heart. Shen Wei, with a mind like a computer, quickly analyzed—Prince Yan was highly skilled; a slight move would annihilate the lute maiden.

He didn't need Shen Wei's protection.

But Shen Wei had to play her part as the devoted concubine.

"Your Highness, be careful!" Shen Wei sped up, fearing she'd be too late and the assassin would be killed before her act.

Prince Yan, unafraid of the assassination, had his shadow guards ready to eliminate the intruders. With a sword in hand, he was about to strike the lute maiden.

But unexpectedly, Shen Wei's anxious call reached his ears.

In the next moment, the delicate Shen Wei courageously threw herself in front of Prince Yan, closing her eyes in fear, prepared to shield him from the assassin's blade.

Shen Wei had calculated the angle—the assassin's blade would pierce her left arm, causing only minor injury.

Pfft—

Her left arm was stabbed by the sharp dagger.

Shen Wei: Ow! That hurts!

Prince Yan: Heavens! She risked her life for me!

Prince Heng, watching from a corner: She’s acting!

In that instant, Prince Yan’s heart trembled, his nose slightly tingling. He knew Shen Wei loved him, but not that she would sacrifice herself for him.

In the face of mortal danger, one’s instinctive reaction couldn’t be faked. Shen Wei had rushed to save him...

Overwhelmed with emotion, Prince Yan swiftly stabbed the lute maiden with a sword, ending her. Exhausted, Shen Wei collapsed, pitifully into Prince Yan's arms.

Eyes closed, pretending to faint.