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

On a scorching summer day, apart from brown sugar jelly, the King of Yan now also enjoys eating [sugar-coated tomatoes]. The recipe is simple: fresh tomatoes are cut into small pieces, sprinkled with sugar, and then chilled in cold water for a moment before serving. When the sugar melts, it blends with the sweet and sour flavor of the tomatoes, creating a refreshing and delicious treat that’s perfect for beating the heat.

Zhao Yang thought she was hearing a tall tale. She pointed at the bright red tomato and asked, "This... this was grown by my second brother himself?"

Shen Wei nodded with a smile. "The left half of the vegetable patch is entirely cultivated by His Highness."

Zhao Yang gazed at the lush green vegetable patch. The crops on the left side were clearly thriving—plump eggplants, vibrant tomatoes, and verdant cabbage leaves.

"I... I want to grow vegetables too!" Zhao Yang Princess exclaimed with newfound enthusiasm.

Shen Wei had been waiting for this very moment. She pointed to a newly prepared small vegetable patch nearby and said, "In that case, let me teach Your Highness how to plant."

Cai Lian and Cai Ping brought over the farming tools, and under Shen Wei’s guidance, Zhao Yang planted two small bok choy seedlings, an eggplant sprout, and a tomato plant.

As Zhao Yang looked at the freshly planted seedlings, her eyes sparkled with joy, and a sense of quiet accomplishment welled up in her heart.

When the eggplants ripened, she would pick the first one and send it to Yan Yunting.

Yan Yunting always said she was "a pampered lady who never lifted a finger," "unfamiliar with the hardships of common life," and "ignorant of the struggles of the people." By planting vegetables herself, Zhao Yang felt she was finally "experiencing the life of the common folk," and Yan Yunting was sure to change his opinion of her!

After finishing the planting, Zhao Yang was exhausted, her forehead glistening with sweat and her fair cheeks flushed.

Shen Wei led her to a pavilion by the lotus pond to rest. The pavilion was exquisitely designed, situated next to a shimmering pond. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of lotus blossoms, and Zhao Yang’s lingering heat dissipated.

Shen Wei also served a specially prepared herbal tea, bitter yet sweet, with an endless aftertaste. Zhao Yang sipped the cool tea, enjoying the gentle breeze, the beautiful lotus pond, and the company of Shen Wei, who was as lovely as a flower. Zhao Yang felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation.

She loved spending time in Shen Wei’s courtyard.

So relaxing!

So carefree!

No wonder her second brother doted on Shen Wei. With such a comfortable and free environment, anyone would love to come here to unwind.

"Here’s some mint sago jelly, Your Highness. Would you like to try it?" Shen Wei had Cai Lian bring over a bowl of the summer dessert.

Zhao Yang naturally remembered the delicious mint sago jelly. She often craved it after returning to the palace, but the imperial chefs could never quite replicate it.

Zhao Yang eagerly took a bite, but her delicate brows furrowed slightly. "It’s a bit bland."

It wasn’t as tasty as the dessert she had during the Eastern Mountain hunt.

Shen Wei looked apologetic. "I’m still struggling with the ingredient ratios. I heard there’s a new dessert shop on Yanjing’s main street that specializes in mint sago jelly, along with many other fresh snacks. If Your Highness would like, I can send a maid to buy some—though the journey might affect the taste."

Zhao Yang tilted her head in thought for a moment before decisively saying, "It’s simple then. Shen Wei, you’ll accompany me to that shop."

No one could refuse the princess’s command, and Shen Wei gladly accepted.

Shen Wei boarded the princess’s carriage and headed to the "Wei Xue Ice City" shop on East Main Street.

...

East Main Street was bustling with activity.

Vendors lined the streets, hawking a variety of goods. In the most prosperous part of the street, there were two dessert shops.

One was called "Zhang Fu Ji," and the other was "Wei Xue Ice City."

Zhang Fu Ji had been in business in Yanjing for over a decade, serving delicious pastries and desserts to the city’s elite. It was quite famous.

Wei Xue Ice City, on the other hand, had just opened less than three days ago, offering only two types of desserts and a handful of snacks.

The difference in their business was stark. Zhang Fu Ji was packed with customers, while Wei Xue Ice City was nearly deserted.

The owner of Zhang Fu Ji, surnamed Zhang, was a southerner who had built his business from the ground up. Through shrewdness and hard work, he had gradually expanded Zhang Fu Ji into a thriving enterprise.

He walked into the empty Wei Xue Ice City shop with a smile, his gaze eventually landing on the shop’s elegant and beautiful owner.

The shopkeeper, Ye Qiushuang, was strikingly beautiful, dressed in a simple yet elegant red-and-white dress. Zhang Boss smiled and said, "Shopkeeper Ye, have you thought about my proposal? Since your shop isn’t doing well, why not rent the space to me? It’ll save you some money."

Zhang Boss had long wanted to expand his own shop and had his eye on the neighboring storefront.

But fate had other plans—someone had rented the space and opened another dessert shop right across from him. To make matters worse, there was a large empty area next to the shop labeled "parking space," which remained unused.

This ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍was clearly competition!

At first, Zhang Boss had been worried about losing business, but he soon realized his fears were unfounded. The owner of Wei Xue Ice City clearly didn’t know how to run a business. The desserts were overpriced, and the shop’s decor was bizarre.

After a few days, the shop had barely any customers.

"I won’t rent it to you," Ye Qiushuang replied calmly, though her hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves.

Zhang Boss sneered. "Shopkeeper Ye, you’re quite pretty. You should find a man to marry instead of trying to run a business. You’re occupying the best location but can’t make a single sale. You’d be better off staying at home, raising children, and serving your husband."

Ye Qiushuang’s expression darkened, and she had her shop assistants escort Zhang Boss out.

Zhang Boss chuckled. "I bet your shop won’t last a month. Women should stay at home, have children, and serve their men—oh, I have an important guest arriving at my shop. I’ll leave you to your struggles."

At the entrance of Zhang Fu Ji, a luxurious carriage pulled up.

The carriage bore the character "Yan," indicating it belonged to the prestigious Yan Family of Yanjing.

The silk curtain was lifted, and the handsome Vice Minister of Rites, Yan Yunting, stepped out. He was dressed in a moon-white robe, exuding an air of elegance and grace.

He extended his hand to help the woman inside the carriage alight.

"Brother Yunting, is this Zhang Fu Ji? What a grand shop," Tantai Rou said timidly, her eyes filled with wonder as she gazed at the shop’s gleaming signboard.

Yan Yunting spoke gently, "You’ve always loved Yanjing’s pastries and desserts. Today is your birthday, so whatever you want, just say the word, and I’ll buy it for you."

Tantai Rou’s eyes lit up with gratitude and admiration. "I lived in the countryside as a child and always missed Yanjing’s treats. Brother Yunting, you’re so good to me."

Yan Yunting felt a surge of pity.

He knew that Tantai Rou had lived a difficult life in a poor, remote village, where she had been mistreated. It wasn’t until her father moved to Yanjing for an official post that her life improved.

Yan Yunting’s gaze grew even more tender. "Come, let’s go inside."

Zhang Boss immediately recognized Yan Yunting and greeted him with utmost respect. Just then, the sound of heavy wheels rumbled through the street.

An extremely luxurious carriage appeared.

The carriage was painted in a rich red, with gilded edges and crimson tassels swaying gently. It was drawn by two white horses, with two maids in front and behind, and two armed guards on either side.

Pedestrians quickly moved aside.

The carriage bore the characters "Zhao Yang," marking it as the carriage of Zhao Yang Princess.

The carriage stopped in front of Zhang Fu Ji.

Zhang Boss was overjoyed. He never imagined that his shop would be graced by the presence of Zhao Yang Princess! Her visit would bring immense prestige to his shop, and its reputation would surely soar!

"Brother Yunting..."

At that moment, Tantai Rou’s delicate face turned pale, and she nervously looked at Yan Yunting.

Why had Zhao Yang Princess come to Zhang Fu Ji today?

The answer was obvious.

Zhao Yang must have known it was Tantai Rou’s birthday and that Yan Yunting had brought her to Zhang Fu Ji. So, she had deliberately timed her visit to disrupt their time together.

Yan Yunting’s brows furrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He was aware of Zhao Yang’s feelings for him, but her love was suffocating.

His heart belonged only to Tantai Rou, and the more Zhao Yang interfered, the more determined he became to marry Tantai Rou.

"Don’t worry. I won’t let her do anything to you," Yan Yunting reassured Tantai Rou softly.

Tantai Rou lowered her head shyly, like a timid kitten, evoking a protective instinct in any man.