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

Men’s words are as deceitful as ghosts.

Even ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍though Shen Wei exercised daily and had significantly improved her physical fitness, the inherent difference in strength between men and women made it difficult for her to keep up.

Shen Wei couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. No wonder so many women in the prince’s rear residence chose to laze around like salted fish—Prince Yan was as fierce as a tiger.

She, the overachiever, was forced to work overtime every night, and her back was killing her.

Shen Wei gently persuaded him, “Your Highness, perhaps you should rest in the main chamber tonight.”

Fu Gui, standing nearby, also whispered a reminder, “Your Highness, you are scheduled to stay in the Eastern Palace for the next few days to discuss border affairs with the Crown Prince. For the sake of your health, it would be wise to retire early tonight.”

Prince Yan felt a slight twinge of dissatisfaction.

However, this faint displeasure vanished when Shen Wei presented him with two pillows and sachets.

Shen Wei smiled sweetly, “Your Highness, I’ve specially made two mugwort-filled pillows and two sachets to help you sleep better.”

Cai Lian and Cai Ping stepped forward, holding the two soft mugwort pillows and two delicate sachets.

Prince Yan examined the pillows. They were round and adorable, covered in beautiful green patterned velvet, looking soft and cozy.

The sachets were a jade-like green, embroidered with summer roses, exuding a faint, elegant fragrance.

As Prince Yan touched the mugwort pillows, warmth spread through his heart. It was the first time a woman had ever given him pillows.

Prince Yan said, “Fu Gui, take these.”

Fu Gui immediately stepped forward and carefully stored the pillows and sachets.

Prince Yan held Shen Wei’s soft hand, his eyes filled with tenderness, “Rest well, Wei Wei. I’ll visit you again once I’ve finished my official duties.”

Shen Wei nodded obediently.

After seeing Prince Yan off, Shen Wei returned to her bedroom to continue her exercise routine, improving her flexibility and stamina.

Her physical condition still needed work, so she had to keep training!

...

In the main chamber of the prince’s residence, Prince Yan had the porcelain pillow on his bed replaced.

In Qing State, sleeping on a porcelain pillow was a symbol of nobility. It was cool and refreshing in the summer, but Prince Yan disliked the hard surface and the sweaty soft pillows that came with prolonged use.

The mugwort pillows Shen Wei had given him were not only soft but also cool, dissipating heat and repelling mosquitoes, aiding in a good night’s sleep.

Prince Yan leaned back on the mugwort pillow, inhaling the faint scent of mugwort, and soon fell asleep.

...

In the Rose Courtyard, after Prince Yan left, Fang Er and Cui Er happily entered the room.

The maids poured ginseng soup into Zhang Yue’s mouth, and she barely managed to wake up. She lay weakly in the bathtub, feeling as if her bones had been crushed.

“How can Shen Wei endure the prince?” Zhang Yue began to question her life.

Previously, when Zhang Yue saw Shen Wei serving the prince, she remained lively and full of energy. Zhang Yue had thought the rumors about Prince Yan being “a tiger in bed” were exaggerated.

But after her night with the prince, Zhang Yue realized the rumors were true!

Prince Yan was simply too strong!

Most women couldn’t handle him.

“Congratulations, Mistress, congratulations!” Fang Er and Cui Er helped Zhang Yue bathe and dress, repeatedly offering their congratulations.

Zhang Yue asked weakly, “Did the prince go to Fangfei Courtyard again tonight?”

Zhang Yue couldn’t understand why the prince never stayed in her room. She and Shen Wei were both concubines—what difference did it make where he slept?

Fang Er shook her head, whispering gleefully, “I secretly watched from the doorway. The mistress of Fangfei Courtyard tried to lure the prince into her courtyard, but he didn’t go. He returned to the main chamber to rest.”

It seemed the prince was already losing interest in Shen Wei.

Zhang Yue breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of triumph flashing in her eyes, “It seems the prince’s heart is no longer with Shen Wei.”

...

The next morning, Prince Yan woke up refreshed. After breakfast, he prepared to go to the Eastern Palace to discuss official matters. Recently, tensions had flared up at the border between Qing State and Yue Kingdom, and the rear of Qing State had much work to do.

Prince Yan planned to stay in the Eastern Palace for a few days to discuss military supply matters with his elder brother, the Crown Prince.

Before leaving, Prince Yan not only wore the mugwort sachet Shen Wei had given him but also instructed his guards to bring the two mugwort pillows.

The pillows were soft and fragrant, perfect for summer sleep, and the sachet’s faint scent kept mosquitoes at bay.

Prince Yan appreciated it when women put thought into their gestures for him.

The prince’s rear residence had become stagnant, with his wives and concubines rigidly adhering to their roles. Only Shen Wei dared to openly express her love for him, which pleased Prince Yan greatly.

As he reached the entrance of the prince’s residence, Prince Yan remembered the injury on Shen Wei’s thigh.

He instructed Fu Gui, “The anti-swelling medicine we previously sent to Fangfei Courtyard wasn’t effective. Go to the imperial physicians and have them prepare a bottle of high-quality blood-activating and stasis-dispelling medicine for Fangfei Courtyard.”

Fu Gui replied respectfully, “As you command, Your Highness. May I ask if we should discard the remaining fourteen bottles of the previous anti-swelling medicine?”

Prince Yan thought for a moment. It would be a waste to throw away the unused medicine. He remembered Zhang Yue from Rose Courtyard, who had fainted the previous night.

He knew his strength was too much for her frail frame.

“No need to discard them. Send all of them to Rose Courtyard,” Prince Yan said briefly before mounting his horse and galloping toward the palace with his guards.

Fu Gui sighed inwardly.

The high-quality medicine went to Fangfei Courtyard.

The leftover medicine went to Rose Courtyard.

It seemed Zhang Yue of Rose Courtyard was just a fleeting interest. The prince clearly didn’t care much for her.

Fu Gui carried the two types of anti-swelling medicine to the rear residence. He first went to Fangfei Courtyard, enthusiastically delivering the high-quality medicine prepared by the imperial physicians to Shen Wei.@@novelbin@@

“Thank you, Eunuch Fu. Cai Lian, give Eunuch Fu some of the new spices I received,” Shen Wei said as she accepted the medicine.

Cai Lian handed a small packet of expensive spices to Fu Gui.

Fu Gui sniffed it—it was high-quality spice from the Western Regions, capable of masking any unpleasant odors. Even eunuchs in the palace rarely had the chance to use such luxury.

Fu Gui was deeply moved and added, “Mistress Shen, this medicine was personally prepared by the imperial physicians. Though it’s only a small bottle, its effects are exceptional. It shows how much the prince cares for you.”

Shen Wei smiled softly, “Please convey my gratitude to the prince for his kindness.”

Fu Gui replied, “You’re too kind, Mistress Shen.”

As Fu Gui left Fangfei Courtyard, he checked on the vegetables he had planted. The lush eggplant seedlings had grown, bearing five or six eggplants of varying sizes.

One of the eggplants looked particularly plump and round.

Fu Gui eagerly plucked it, planning to taste it for lunch. After all, it was an eggplant he had grown himself—it was bound to be delicious!

Fu Gui carried the eggplant to Rose Courtyard to deliver the items.

Zhang Yue was overjoyed and greeted him at the door with enthusiasm.

Fu Gui handed Zhang Yue the fourteen bottles of anti-swelling medicine, explaining that it was the prince’s wish for her to recover well.

Zhang Yue’s lips curved into a smile. The prince was so generous—he had sent her a whole fourteen bottles of medicine!

“Eunuch Fu, will the prince visit me again tonight?” Zhang Yue asked eagerly.

Fu Gui shook his head, his tone polite, “The prince is busy with official matters these days and may not have time. Mistress Zhang should focus on recuperating.”

Zhang Yue thanked him repeatedly.

She wanted to give Fu Gui a tip, but she was short on funds—her monthly allowance as a concubine hadn’t been issued yet.

However, if she didn’t give Fu Gui something, she might face his displeasure in the future. Zhang Yue’s gaze fell on Fu Gui’s hand, spotting the plump purple eggplant.

Zhang Yue stifled a laugh. The eggplant must have been a gift from Shen Wei.

How stingy of Shen Wei to give Eunuch Fu a measly eggplant—it was laughable.

After some thought, Zhang Yue selected one of the fourteen bottles of anti-swelling medicine Prince Yan had sent her and handed it to Fu Gui, “Eunuch Fu, I don’t have much to offer. Please accept this bottle of medicine. It’s certainly more valuable than this ugly eggplant.”

Fu Gui’s expression froze.

The eggplant he had grown himself was round and plump—how could it be ugly?

Fu Gui felt a surge of anger but kept his composure as he left Rose Courtyard.

As he passed the pond in the prince’s garden, Fu Gui casually tossed the bottle of anti-swelling medicine into the water.

Clutching his beloved eggplant, Fu Gui headed to the kitchen.