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

The next morning, Prince Yan visited the Fangfei Courtyard before going to court and specially accompanied Shen Wei for breakfast.

Shen Wei, now highly favored and having recently risked her life to shield Prince Yan from an assassin, had the servants of the manor scurrying to please her. The breakfast served in the Fangfei Courtyard was exquisite and delicious.

On the small dining table were delicacies like shrimp and chicken congee, simmered for hours, pigeon and kelp soup for replenishing energy, and stir-fried vegetables.

Shen Wei, with her left arm injured and unable to hold a bowl, could only use her right hand to scoop the porridge while she kept her head down. Prince Yan picked up the porridge bowl, stirred it gently with a porcelain spoon, and personally fed Shen Wei.

Shen Wei's face blushed a rosy hue, her lips parting slightly in shyness, "Your Highness, such a trivial task doesn't need your attention. Let Cai Ping handle it."

Prince Yan smiled indulgently, "Be good, open your mouth."

Shen Wei obeyed silently.

After finishing a bowl of porridge, Shen Wei said she was full. Prince Yan's time for court was approaching, so he got up to leave the Fangfei Courtyard.

Before departing, Prince Yan strolled around his vegetable garden.

Two ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‍months prior, he had planted the seedlings himself. Now, the garden was flourishing with thriving bok choy and radish sprouts, while eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes were in bloom, soon to bear fruit.

Satisfied with the view, Prince Yan adjusted his court attire and set off for the morning session.

After Prince Yan left, Shen Wei had another bowl of porridge and half a plate of stewed pigeon. Her figure remained slim, and she needed to gain weight.

Feeling content, Shen Wei leisurely strolled around the courtyard to aid digestion and checked on the ongoing renovations of the Fangfei Courtyard. As the days grew hotter, signaling the approach of summer, the overall style of the courtyard was transitioning towards a summer theme.

"Lady, the Princess Consort is here!" Cai Ping hurried over to inform.

Shen Wei raised her eyebrows slightly, then, along with the maids and eunuchs of the Fangfei Courtyard, she stood respectfully at the entrance to welcome the Princess Consort.

It was unusual for the high-ranking Princess Consort to visit the dilapidated courtyard where consorts resided, which didn't align with her status.

However, since Shen Wei had heroically saved Prince Yan the previous day, news of her courage had spread across Yanjing. As the legitimate wife of the Prince Yan's manor, the Princess Consort had to pay a visit to Shen Wei, at least to maintain the facade of propriety.

The courtyards for the consorts were located in the most remote corner of the southwestern side of the manor. As they walked, they passed by withering plants and trees, with moss creeping over the old eaves.

Holding her nose, the Princess Consort showed clear distaste for the unsanitary surroundings. Eventually, they arrived at the Fangfei Courtyard.

The elegant and pretty little courtyard surprised the Princess Consort, almost as if she had mistaken it for someplace else. The walls of the Fangfei Courtyard had been entirely renovated, painted with beautiful lotus and lotus leaf patterns, with pink crape myrtle blossoms peeking over the walls.

Above the eaves hung two lovely lanterns, and beneath the eaves, the ground was covered with soft green grass. Wearing a tender yellow robe, Shen Wei stood gracefully at the entrance, her face glowing like a painting come to life.

The Princess Consort was slightly taken aback.

She had expected Shen Wei's courtyard to be merely ordinary, but never imagined it could be so finely decorated.

"Greetings to the Princess Consort," Shen Wei, accompanied by her maids and eunuchs, bowed.

The Princess Consort maintained her composure and entered the Fangfei Courtyard.

The sight within further amazed the Princess Consort. The place resembled a small paradise, with crape myrtle trees planted along the edges and bougainvillea in full bloom beneath them. Lush grass carpeted the ground, with a winding pathway of pebbles circling the entire courtyard.

Not far away was a small vegetable garden where eggplants were blossoming and crops were thriving. In the pond, lotus leaves gleamed vividly, and although summer hadn't arrived, tiny lotus buds were just breaking the surface.

The entire Fangfei Courtyard radiated a lively vitality, at odds with the gloomy, rigid atmosphere of the Prince Yan's manor.

"Shen Wei, your action of risking your life to save the Prince was truly commendable," the Princess Consort applauded, clapping her hands. A dozen maids immediately approached, each carrying a tray arranged in two lines.

The trays were filled with precious jewelry, pearls, jade ornaments, silk fabrics, and gold and silver ingots.

Shen Wei's heart pounded at the sight of all the wealth. So much money!

The Princess Consort slowly continued, "Our mother, knowing about your brave act to save the Prince, sent 100 taels of gold and a hundred-year ginseng as a reward for your merit. The Zhao Yang Princess gifted you ten bolts of silk, and as for myself, I offer you two boxes of pearls and two pairs of jade bracelets."

Shen Wei, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude, quickly bowed her thanks.

Nanny Rong, along with Cai Lian and Cai Ping, received the bounty and stored it in Shen Wei's personal vault.

The Princess Consort enquired about Shen Wei's well-being for a while before adding, "Healing your body is of utmost importance; you should soon bear children for the Prince."

Hearing this, Shen Wei's body stiffened slightly. With a wry smile, she looked down, "Your Highness, of course, I wish to give birth to the Prince's children, but... unfortunately, luck hasn't been on my side, and so far, I haven't been able to conceive."

She had been favored for two months, and to avoid pregnancy, she had been taking contraceptive potions. Otherwise, given Prince Yan's extraordinary stamina and frequency, Shen Wei would have likely been pregnant by now.

However, Shen Wei pretended not to know about the contraceptive potions.

The Princess Consort's pity flashed briefly in her eyes. The poor woman was unaware that the man beside her had secretly replaced her tonic with contraceptive potions.

Prince Yan was ultimately a calculating man.

Even though Shen Wei harbored deep affection for the Prince, he merely treated her as a bed warmer and a plaything.

"Take good care of yourself," the Princess Consort said, not wanting to linger further, and prepared to leave.

Shen Wei respectfully saw the 'money goddess' off.

As the Princess Consort left with her maids and Granny Liu, she glanced back at Shen Wei, who stood gracefully at the entrance. For a moment, the Princess Consort saw a reflection of her younger self in Shen Wei—full of vibrancy and spirit.

Alas, time had eroded her edges and ambitions.

Granny Liu followed the Princess Consort and whispered, "Your Highness, Zhang Yue, of the side courtyard, has recovered significantly from her injuries and is ready to serve the Prince."

Zhang Yue, remarkably resilient, had been severely beaten but had healed remarkably quickly.

The Princess Consort replied indifferently, "Elevate Zhang Yue to consort and grant her residence—there's an empty courtyard next to the Fangfei Courtyard, known as the Rose Courtyard; let her stay there."

With the arrival of a new consort, Shen Wei, the old favorite, should gradually make way for the new.

The Princess Consort had been married to Prince Yan for ten years and knew all too well the fickleness of his affections. Prince Yan's love was temporary; no woman would become his exception.

...

Shen Wei received a substantial bounty and happily counted her new wealth of gold and jewels. Her little vault was growing ever more substantial.

As a savvy leader, Shen Wei understood the principle: "If I thrive, I won't forget my people."

She summoned Nanny Rong, Cai Lian, Cai Ping, Ji Xiang, and De Shun.

Shen Wei gifted Nanny Rong twenty taels of silver. Nanny Rong, being of advanced age and carrying significant responsibilities, deserved this reward for managing the maids and eunuchs, fulfilling duties assigned by Shen Wei, and instructing her in proper etiquette.

"Thank you, Lady!" Nanny Rong was deeply moved.

Shen Wei smiled, "Lately, you've been working hard. I'll gift you a small piece of the hundred-year ginseng. You can cut a bit every day to make tea, which will help strengthen the spleen and lungs."

Tears welled up in Nanny Rong's eyes.

The hundred-year ginseng, presented by the empress, was of notably high value, with even a single ginseng root being precious medicine. Her mistress generously bestowed her with a small piece of the ginseng, a gesture truly touching.

Shen Wei also rewarded Cai Ping and Cai Lian with fifteen taels of silver each, saying, "Your clothes are a bit worn. Later, you can each choose a bolt of cloth from the storeroom. Summer is here; it's time for new garments."

Cai Lian and Cai Ping kowtowed repeatedly.

Fifteen taels of silver was more than their annual salary. Not only were they generously awarded silver, but they also received precious fabrics from their mistress.

Where else could they find such a lavish mistress?

Regarding Ji Xiang and De Shun, these two eunuchs were quiet and diligent workers. The successful renovation of Shen Wei's courtyard couldn't have happened without their hard work.

Shen Wei rewarded each with fifteen taels of silver and gifted them some high-quality spices. Eunuchs, having undergone castration, often carried a faint odor, so they preferred using spices to mask the smell.

These superior spices, however, were expensive, far beyond what their paltry salaries could afford.

Shen Wei's gifts were perfectly timed and genuinely appreciated.

Shen Wei knew the best way to secure loyalty and hard work from employees was through financial rewards.

In modern society, many company bosses demand endless sacrifice from their employees, constantly painting grand visions without increasing wages or offering overtime pay. Over time, employees grow disgruntled and often resign.

Shen Wei was a great leader, sharing success and setbacks alike. If Shen Wei had a chunk of meat, her staff would have a bowl of soup.

“Alright, you may all go about your duties now.” Shen Wei dismissed the maids and eunuchs, leaving only Cai Lian to attend to her.

Shen Wei took a sip of the newly acquired Biluochun tea, the rich aroma filling her mouth. She squinted her eyes and said to Cai Lian, “Cai Lian, go to the Household Department and fetch a set of scholar’s implements for me.”

Cai Lian gladly accepted the order. She was efficient in her task and soon returned with the required ink, brush, paper, and inkstone.

That afternoon, after completing her practice of the Eight-Section Brocade, Shen Wei glanced at the sunset in the sky and guessed that Prince Yan would visit her tonight, as he often did. With that in mind, she spread out the ink and paper and began to grind the ink herself, holding the brush and starting to write.

By the time Prince Yan finished his official duties and stepped into Fangfei Courtyard, golden sunlight still tinting the sky, he did not allow Cai Lian to announce his arrival. Instead, he walked straight into the room.

What greeted him was the sight of Shen Wei sitting at a small table near the window, writing diligently. The side profile of her face was charming, and her pert little nose was smudged with ink, giving her the appearance of a playful kitten. The table was piled with scrolls, densely covered with her calligraphy.

Beside the delicate window, calmly practicing calligraphy, the scene exuded a serene, harmonious beauty. The fatigue that had built up within Prince Yan throughout the day melted away as soon as he saw Shen Wei.

“Your arm isn’t fully healed yet; what are you up to now?” Prince Yan’s voice, deep and resonant like fine wine, drifted into Shen Wei’s ears.