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

The vegetable patch wasn’t large, so it wouldn’t take much time to tend to it.

Moreover, Zhao Yang had noticed that Shen Wei’s complexion was even fairer and more delicate than hers, a princess. She figured it must be because Shen Wei often worked in the garden, sweating under the sun, which gave her such radiant skin.

Zhao Yang gripped the hoe, recalling the methods Shen Wei had taught her, and began planting the vegetables step by step.

After working for nearly an hour, she finally finished planting the seedlings.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Zhao Yang looked at the slightly crooked seedlings and felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment—it was a feeling of joy and relaxation.

She glanced at herself in the mirror, noticing her rosy cheeks, and thought she looked quite pretty. After finishing her work and wiping away the sweat, Zhao Yang sat down for breakfast.

As a noble princess, her breakfast was naturally lavish, with a table full of delicious dishes. However, Zhao Yang was usually a picky eater and rarely ate more than half a bowl of rice porridge in the morning.

Perhaps because she had worked so hard in the garden, Zhao Yang felt unusually hungry today. To Yun'er’s astonishment, she drank two full bowls of multigrain porridge, ate half a plate of ham, and finished half a plate of fruit.

Yun'er was stunned, suddenly recalling the strange remedy Shen Wei had suggested...

Could it be that Shen Wei was some kind of miracle doctor?

Since Zhao Yang Princess visited the "Wei Xue Ice City" shop, its business had been booming day by day.

After the shed selling lemonade was set up, even ordinary folks could enjoy the refreshing drink.

Ye Qiushuang meticulously calculated the shop’s daily earnings and had them delivered to Shen Wei.

Shen Wei lounged leisurely on a recliner in the glass pavilion, a cup of tangy lemonade by her side. She skimmed through the account books—at this rate, the shop’s initial investment would soon be recouped. After that, as the hidden owner, she could simply sit back and watch the money roll in.

Making money was truly a joy.

Nothing in the world brought more happiness than earning money.

Along with the account books, Ye Qiushuang had sent a letter. In it, she recounted a recent incident.

[The boss of the neighboring Zhang Fu Ji, unwilling to lose business, had secretly sent his employees to steal ingredients from the shop’s kitchen in the middle of the night, hoping to replicate the desserts. Ye Qiushuang, however, had anticipated this and set up an ambush with her staff. They caught the thieves, gave them a beating, and threw them out.

Still unwilling to give up, Zhang Boss tried to bribe a customer to fake food poisoning, aiming to spread rumors that Ye Qiushuang’s shop sold toxic desserts.

Just as Zhang Boss was hesitating whether to proceed with the plan, Ye Qiushuang barged in with her team and presented evidence of his scheme.

Zhang Boss was horrified and dared not make another move. He was also impressed by Ye Qiushuang’s foresight. Admitting his mistake, he offered to turn himself in to the authorities but pleaded for Ye Qiushuang to take care of his loyal employees.]

After reading the letter, Shen Wei asked Nanny Rong, “What does Ye Qiushuang plan to do with Zhang Boss? Send him to the authorities?”

Nanny Rong replied calmly, “Ye Qiushuang said that Zhang Boss started from nothing and built Zhang Fu Ji into what it is today, which is admirable. Wei Xue Ice City has high-quality dessert recipes and a strong reputation, while Zhang Fu Ji has mature management experience and a larger shop space. Instead of fighting to the death, it’s better to cooperate for mutual benefit.”

Ye Qiushuang had investigated Zhang Boss’s background.

He was a decent merchant with a conscience, treating his employees well. He also had two young children at home. If he hadn’t been pushed to the brink, he wouldn’t have risked taking action against Wei Xue Ice City.

Previously, Zhang Boss had looked down on female merchants, believing women should stay at home and raise children. However, after witnessing Ye Qiushuang’s exceptional business skills, he changed his mind and even wanted to entrust his long-time employees to her care.

Shen Wei set down the account books. “For Zhao Yang Princess’s birthday banquet, let Ye Qiushuang and Zhang Boss collaborate on the desserts. If the cooperation goes well, they can work together more in the future. Nanny Rong, make sure to remind Ye Qiushuang to always have a backup plan.”

Nanny Rong nodded respectfully. “I will relay the message immediately. Ye Qiushuang is clever and will surely understand your intentions.”

As Nanny Rong prepared to leave, she noticed the cup of lemonade by Shen Wei’s side.

The small jade cup was filled with five or six slices of lemon. Nanny Rong frowned—how could her mistress tolerate such sourness?

Shen Wei slowly rose from her chair and stretched.

While ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Ye Qiushuang managed the dessert shop, Shen Wei still needed to find a trustworthy person to oversee her plantation in the southern mountains. For now, she had no choice but to leave it in Nanny Rong’s hands.

Shen Wei had her own matters to attend to.

Zhao Yang Princess’s birthday was approaching, and Shen Wei needed to prepare a suitable gift. Choosing a gift for a princess was no simple task.

Expensive gold, silver, or jade items wouldn’t impress her, as she had seen plenty of those. Cheap yet amusing trinkets, on the other hand, were too lowly to present.

Shen Wei took a sip of the intensely sour lemonade and fell into deep thought.

...

The summer garden of Prince Yan’s Mansion was relatively cool, but the mosquitoes were a nuisance. Xue Mei quietly followed behind Liu Ruyan.

Xue Mei had grown wiser—she had made herself a mugwort sachet and secretly bathed in mosquito-repelling herbs the night before. As a result, today, as she accompanied Liu Ruyan on her stroll, the insects stayed away.

Liu Ruyan walked to the edge of the lotus pond, her beautiful eyes admiring the blooming lotuses.

Dressed in a flowing white gown, Liu Ruyan stood by the pond like a celestial maiden descending from the moon palace, a breathtaking sight.

But Xue Mei had no mind to appreciate the view. She gently reminded her mistress, “Milady, Zhao Yang Princess’s birthday banquet is approaching. I heard the Crown Princess will be bringing Young Master Li Nanzhi to the feast. Shouldn’t we go and see him too?”

Liu Ruyan shook her head faintly, gazing at the vibrant red lotuses. “I dislike crowds. The festivities are theirs, and I have nothing.”

Xue Mei hesitated. “But Young Master Li Nanzhi truly misses you.”

The Crown Princess treated Li Nanzhi well enough, but she had her own daughter to care for. How could she devote herself entirely to Li Nanzhi?

A stepmother could never replace a birth mother.

Yet Liu Ruyan remained unmoved. Her slender, pale fingers brushed against a lotus petal as tears welled in her eyes. “It’s fate. No one can defy destiny. Li Nanzhi is better off with the Crown Princess than with a useless mother like me...”

Xue Mei lowered her head silently, sighing inwardly.

Poor Young Master Li Nanzhi, so kind and lovable, yet saddled with a mother like Liu Ruyan, who was lost in her melancholy.

...

Summer quietly slipped by, and Zhao Yang Princess’s eighteenth birthday arrived. On the day of the banquet, Shen Wei rose early at dawn to prepare herself.

As a lowly concubine, Shen Wei normally wouldn’t have been invited to such an event. However, since she had saved Zhao Yang, the Empress herself had granted her permission to attend.

Shen Wei accompanied the Princess Consort to the princess’s mansion for the celebration.

The banquet, of course, revolved around Zhao Yang Princess. Shen Wei deliberately dressed modestly, wearing a layered emerald-green dress that was understated yet elegant. Her hair was adorned with just two jade hairpins, and her makeup was light, giving her a refined and dignified appearance.

The carriage from Prince Yan’s Mansion moved slowly through the streets.

Inside the luxurious carriage, the Princess Consort, dressed in a dark brocade gown, sat in the main seat. Shen Wei sat beside her, keeping her head down and appearing cautious.

The Princess Consort sipped her Biluochun tea, studying Shen Wei’s face. It was a youthful, beautiful face, with fair, flawless skin.

The Princess Consort thought of her own face, worn from years of raising two sons and her constant melancholy. Despite her young age, fine lines were already visible at the corners of her eyes.

She no longer had the courage to look in the mirror.

Glancing at Shen Wei in the corner, the Princess Consort said coldly, “Shen, when we arrive at the princess’s mansion, do not embarrass yourself.”