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

Meanwhile, the news of Zhang Yue serving the Prince Yan last night spread throughout the inner quarters of the prince's mansion.

It is said that Shen Wei from Fangfei Courtyard was unwilling to accept this and waited at the door that night, hoping to lure Prince Yan to stay. However, Prince Yan paid her no attention.

The next day, Prince Yan sent Eunuch Fugui to deliver a bottle of medicine to Shen Wei, but he sent fourteen bottles to Zhang Yue! The disparity was obvious to anyone with eyes.

For a time, everyone sighed: Prince Yan had found a new favorite and had grown tired of Shen Wei, his former lover.

The same script had played out countless times in the inner quarters of the prince's mansion.@@novelbin@@

Alas, Shen Wei had ultimately followed the path of those before her, fading into obscurity like a withered night-blooming cereus. Shen Wei had enjoyed favor for two months but had not conceived a child. Her future would only grow bleaker.

In Kunyu Courtyard, the Princess Consort was reviewing her two sons' studies when she heard the rumors about Shen Wei and Zhang Yue.

The Princess Consort smiled faintly, "All this fighting is for naught. Granny Liu, how long do you think Zhang Yue will hold the prince's favor?"

Granny Liu replied, "Zhang Yue is the daughter of a merchant family. Although her family has fallen from grace, she is well-mannered and educated. With luck, she might hold the prince's attention for a month or two."

The Princess Consort sighed.

She hoped Zhang Yue would prove herself and conceive a child soon.

As for Shen Wei, she would spend the rest of her life confined within the four walls of the courtyard, lonely and forgotten.

But who could Shen Wei blame? She had chosen this path herself and must bear the consequences of her choices.

In Qixue Pavilion, Liu Ruyan was playing chess with Liu Qiao'er.

After hearing the maid's report about the happenings in Fangfei Courtyard, Liu Ruyan set down a white chess piece and shook her head sadly, "A prince's favor is like flowing water, fleeting as a dream."

Liu Qiao'er shared the same sentiment.

When Shen Wei was favored, she had been radiant and glorious. But Prince Yan was fickle, and in just one night, he had lost interest in her.

Zhang Yue received fourteen bottles of medicine, while Shen Wei received only one. The difference was clear to anyone with eyes.

Liu Qiao'er sighed, "I've come to understand that only by avoiding competition and conflict can one find peace."

Liu Qiao'er and Liu Ruyan exchanged glances, feeling a sense of mutual understanding.

As they continued their game, Liu Qiao'er felt an itch on her neck—she had been bitten by a mosquito again.

Liu Qiao'er exclaimed in surprise, "Sister, do you also have so many mosquitoes in your courtyard?"

Liu Qiao'er had come to Liu Ruyan's place not just to play chess but also to escape the mosquitoes. Although she was a concubine, she had offended Prince Yan by refusing his advances, and her status had been reduced to that of a lowly servant.

Servants received fewer mosquito-repellent coils, and the ones they got were pungent and ineffective.

"I dislike mosquito coils," Liu Ruyan said indifferently. "Their smell is not as elegant as plum blossoms."

Liu Qiao'er: ...

Liu Ruyan's courtyard had many trees and a small pond, which attracted swarms of mosquitoes. Although mosquito nets provided some protection, the incessant buzzing was still annoying.

Only mosquito coils could effectively repel the pests, but Liu Ruyan refused to use them.

Liu Qiao'er silently suppressed her complaints.

As noon approached, Liu Qiao'er stayed in Liu Ruyan's courtyard for lunch. Having endured a long period of plain meals, Liu Qiao'er was craving some meat and had come to Liu Ruyan's place hoping for a treat.

But when the meal was served, it consisted entirely of vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a bottle of plum blossom wine.

At a glance, the meal looked bland and unappetizing.

Liu Qiao'er, who had been craving meat, fell silent.

Liu Ruyan said calmly, "I don't care for meat. Buddhism teaches purity of the six senses, so I always eat vegetarian food."

Liu Qiao'er held her chopsticks, unable to bring herself to eat for a long time.

She suddenly missed the days when she had been favored, when she enjoyed delicacies every day, the best mosquito coils in summer, the finest charcoal in winter, and snacks like dried fruits, honey, and pine nuts...

As soon as this thought crossed her mind, Liu Qiao'er quickly shook her head.

Being favored might bring material comfort, but it could also lead to a tragic end.

It was better to live a quiet, unremarkable life—low-key but long-lasting.

In Fangfei Courtyard, the gentle sunlight cast a green shade over the courtyard. The yard was filled with lush mugwort, which kept the mosquitoes at bay.

Under the shade of the trees, a set of rosewood chairs and a table were arranged. Shen Wei began practicing her calligraphy.

Shen Wei had a beauty mask on her face and a cup of honey and goji berry tea by her side as she leisurely practiced her writing.

Her calligraphy skills needed to improve gradually to give Prince Yan the illusion that he was a good teacher.

Cai Ping, the gossip enthusiast, returned with a bellyful of rumors and whispered to Shen Wei, "Mistress, everyone outside is saying that Fangfei Courtyard is still the prince's favorite."

Cai Ping was furious. Were these people blind?

The anti-inflammatory and wound-healing medicine Prince Yan had sent to Shen Wei was specially formulated by the imperial physicians. The dozen or so bottles Zhang Yue received were leftovers that Shen Wei had discarded.

Shen Wei focused on her calligraphy, "Let her enjoy her moment. There's no need to take it to heart. Cai Ping, tell Ji Xiang and De Shun to build a small pavilion by the pond. Make sure it's finished before the prince returns."

The pond in Fangfei Courtyard was filled with lush lotus leaves, and the lotus buds were about to bloom. Shen Wei wanted to build a pavilion by the water for summer relaxation.

Summer was approaching, and sleeping indoors every day was boring.

It ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍was time to explore new locations.

"Don't worry, mistress. Ji Xiang and De Shun have already gone to fetch the timber," Cai Ping said, feeling reassured by Shen Wei's calm demeanor.

Shen Wei nodded, "Cai Ping, call Nanny Rong. I have something to arrange."

Cai Ping obeyed, and soon Nanny Rong arrived.

Shen Wei put down her brush and handed a string of coins to Nanny Rong, "Take this to the Wen Temple in the outskirts of the capital and give it to my mother and brother. Nanny, you know how to act."

Nanny Rong smiled, "Don't worry, mistress. I'll go to the Wen Temple right away."

Shen Wei was continuing to pressure Shen Xiuming, ensuring he wouldn't forget his sister's "suffering" and "humiliation" and would continue to strive for success.

After Nanny Rong left, Shen Wei practiced calligraphy for another half-hour before going to the courtyard to supervise the two eunuchs building the pavilion.

She wanted to create a pavilion with an ancient aesthetic, complete with a cool bed inside.

As Shen Wei sipped her tea and oversaw the construction, a lively voice suddenly rang out from the courtyard, "Shen Wei, look what I've brought for you!"

The aroma of braised pork knuckle arrived before the person.

Without a doubt, it was Concubine Zhang Miaoyu. Zhang Miaoyu, round and plump like a dumpling, came panting into Fangfei Courtyard, holding up her skirt.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and complained, "Your courtyard is so far away. I walked for so long, and my feet hurt."

Shen Wei quite liked this chubby concubine—she was naive, loved food, and had no ulterior motives.

Shen Wei asked, "Concubine, what brings you here today?"

Zhang Miaoyu shook her head and plopped down on a chair, "Don't call me 'concubine.' It's too formal. You can call me Miaoyu—I was worried you might be upset, so I brought you some braised pork knuckle."

A maid brought out a plate of braised pork knuckle from a food box.

The pork knuckle was glistening with a rich red hue, the meat tender and falling off the bone, its aroma tantalizing.

Shen Wei smiled, "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm in a good mood."

Zhang Miaoyu looked at her with pity, "Losing favor doesn't matter. What's important is to live happily. The prince's love is too hard to win. You might as well enjoy this pork knuckle with me."

Shen Wei understood.

Zhang Miaoyu thought she had fallen out of favor and had come to comfort her.

She was truly a kind-hearted person.

However, Shen Wei, who prioritized her health, politely declined the pork knuckle.

Zhang Miaoyu pouted, "If you don't like pork knuckle, I'll bring you braised pork next time—I'll eat this one myself."

Without hesitation, Zhang Miaoyu grabbed the pork knuckle and began devouring it, her mouth soon glistening with grease.

As she ate, she curiously looked around and noticed the two eunuchs carrying in a large cool bed. Zhang Miaoyu exclaimed in surprise, "That's quite a big bed."

Shen Wei smiled without a word.

A big bed was more convenient for certain activities.