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

Zhao Yang quickly gestured for her guards to offer a seat, and Mo the Divine Physician accepted without hesitation, settling in comfortably.

Zhao Yang spoke with sincerity, “My pleasure boat accidentally collided with your skiff. I offer my sincerest apologies and hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Her apology was delivered with humility, devoid of any royal arrogance. Mo the Divine Physician found this quite pleasing and waved it off magnanimously. “No harm done.”

Seeing his relaxed expression, Zhao Yang seized the opportunity, her eyes hopeful. “Mo the Divine Physician, my elder brother, the Crown Prince, has been unwell. I’m willing to offer a generous reward if—”

Mo the Divine Physician leisurely interrupted her, his slightly upturned eyes settling on her face with an amused glint. “This humble physician has observed your complexion—furrowed brows, a troubled heart. Your Highness must have been suffering from internal heat recently. I recommend drinking more cooling tea to soothe the fire in your system.”

---

Not far across the lake, on a small pleasure boat, Tantai Rou picked up a delicate pink lotus flower and handed it to Yan Yunting with a charming smile.

That morning, Tantai Rou had learned that Princess Zhao Yang would visit Luoyue Lake. So, she deliberately sought out Yan Yunting, claiming the scenery was breathtaking and inviting him to join her for a boat ride.

Yan Yunting had recently received orders from Prince Yan—he was being reassigned to the border to assist in military affairs, a post that would likely keep him away for three to five years. Though the frontier was harsh, it was the fastest path to career advancement.

With his departure imminent, Yan Yunting wanted to spend as much time as possible with Tantai Rou in the days he had left.

Thus, he gladly accepted her invitation.

Tantai Rou’s eyes flickered with mischief as she pretended to notice the princess’s luxurious pleasure boat in the distance. A feigned look of surprise crossed her delicate face. “Brother Yunting, look—isn’t that the princess? And who is that man beside her?”

Yan Yunting turned his gaze and indeed saw the extravagant boat gliding between lotus leaves.

Zhao Yang’s bright dress stood out vividly against the emerald waters. But what truly startled him was the sight of a handsome young man in white robes seated beside her.

The man’s hand even rested on Zhao Yang’s arm. They exchanged words, laughing freely, as if sharing some private joke.

A surge of inexplicable jealousy burned in Yan Yunting’s chest.

In broad daylight, with the world watching, Zhao Yang was engaging in such intimate behavior with an outsider!

Yan Yunting’s boat drifted slowly before docking at the pier. Instead of leaving immediately, he turned to Tantai Rou. “Rou’er, there’s something I must attend to. Let me arrange for someone to escort you home first.”

Tantai Rou’s lashes fluttered gently, her voice soft and understanding. “Brother Yunting… you want to see the princess, don’t you?”

Caught off guard, Yan Yunting instinctively grasped for an excuse. “The princess, in her noble stature, meeting privately with an outsider is highly improper. As an official of the Ministry of Rites, it is my duty to intervene.”

Tantai Rou responded with a tender smile.

She stepped closer, leaning submissively against his chest. “Brother Yunting, as long as you keep me in your heart, I won’t mind if you care for the princess too. Even if I must serve as your concubine—or even a maid—I’ll be content, so long as I can stay by your side.”

Yan Yunting’s heart swelled with overwhelming emotion.

His Rou’er was always so gentle, so selfless. Willing to endure humiliation without complaint, all for his sake.

He wrapped his arms around her lightly. “Go home first. I’ll visit you tomorrow.”

Tantai Rou nodded obediently, reluctantly boarding the carriage. The moment the heavy curtains closed behind her, the sweetness in her eyes evaporated.

Her pink lips curled downward in a mocking smirk as she murmured to herself, “Off to the border for years… I can wait. But can your precious princess?”

---

Before long, the princess’s pleasure boat also docked.

Zhao Yang, Shen Wei, Lady Sun, and Mo the Divine Physician disembarked and made their way to the lakeside villa bestowed upon the princess.

Zhao Yang’s voice brimmed with pride. “This villa was a gift from my imperial father. Today’s lunch features Jiangnan cuisine—Mo the Divine Physician, you simply must try it.”

Mo the Divine Physician, a man who traveled the realm with a passion for fine food, clasped his hands in gratitude. “Many thanks for Your Highness’s kindness.”

Just as Zhao Yang was about to enter the villa, her gaze drifted toward the entrance—where Yan Yunting stood waiting.

Their eyes met.

Yan Yunting strode forward, his usually refined face now clouded with displeasure. His sharp eyes flicked toward Mo the Divine Physician, as if trying to dissect the stranger on sight.

*What kind of pretty-faced upstart dares catch the princess’s eye?*

“Yan Yunting, what are you doing here?” Zhao Yang arched a delicate brow, an imperceptible flicker of joy stirring in her chest.

Yan Yunting replied coolly, “Your Highness, engaging in public displays with an outsider tarnishes your reputation.”

Zhao Yang’s lips twitched upward. She couldn’t resist teasing him. “Oh? But you’re free to whisper sweet nothings to Tantai Rou, while I’m forbidden from speaking to another man?”

Yan Yunting’s expression darkened instantly.

Seeing this, Zhao Yang’s smile only widened. *He’s jealous!* She knew it—somewhere in that stubborn heart of his, he still cared for her.

The realization sent a thrill through her, like a seed she’d nurtured for years finally sprouting, or an ancient iron tree at last unfurling its blossoms.

Yan Yunting bowed stiffly, his tone controlled. “Your Highness, there is a matter I wish to discuss. Would you join me at the lakeside pavilion?”

Zhao Yang nearly beamed. She turned to her maid. “Yun’er, escort Shen Wei, Lady Sun, and Mo the Divine Physician inside. Treat them well. I’ll return shortly after speaking with Yan Yunting.”

Yun’er hesitated. “Your Highness, shall I send guards with you?”

Zhao Yang shook her head. “No need.”

The pavilion was close, well within sight. Yun’er acquiesced, leading the others into the villa.

As Shen Wei stepped inside, her peripheral vision caught the retreating figures of Zhao Yang and Yan Yunting.

*The princess’s feelings for him haven’t faded. With just a few words, Yan Yunting can still break through her defenses.*

*This… does not bode well.*

Suppressing her unease, Shen Wei entered the villa. The courtyard was lush with flowers and greenery, dominated by an ancient tree at its center. The pavilions boasted elegant upturned eaves, their walls adorned with rows of exquisite lanterns.

The scenery was serene. Yun’er guided them to a stone table in the garden. “Luncheon will be ready in half an hour. Until then, feel free to explore the grounds.”

Mo the Divine Physician, ever restless, immediately began wandering about. By the time Shen Wei took a sip of tea, he had already scaled the towering elm tree and perched on a high branch, surveying the landscape.

Shen Wei, mindful of her pregnancy, stayed seated at the stone table, fanning herself lightly as she waited for the meal.

Lady ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‍Sun, also not one for idle strolling, settled across from her. Her clear eyes drifted to Shen Wei’s abdomen. “Lady Shen, I’ve heard pregnancy often brings morning sickness. Have you been well?”

Shen Wei smiled. “It wasn’t too severe. I was ill for two days, but it passed.”

Lady Sun’s voice carried a wistful longing. “When my husband returns, I hope to have a child of my own.”

On her wedding night, her husband was summoned to the battlefield, leaving Sun Qingmei to guard the empty chambers of the vast marquisate alone. Though she endured the constant scrutiny of her mother-in-law and the disdainful slights of her sister-in-law, she bore it all in silence—for her husband’s sake.

She knew every family had its trials; no life was without hardship.

As long as her husband returned, her days would brighten.