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

Shangguan Qian scrambled into the carriage, loudly declaring she would return home to complain to the old madam.

Sun Qingmei had no choice but to say to Shen Wei, "Lady Shen, I must return to the marquis' estate first. The weather is stifling today—it may rain tonight, so please avoid going out after dark."

Shen Wei, noticing Sun Qingmei was drenched, gently reminded her, "Madame Sun, don’t forget to drink a bowl of ginger soup to warm yourself once you return."

The marquis' carriage sped away.

Shen Wei returned to the lakeside villa. Zhao Yang had arranged everything meticulously, ensuring the maids had thoroughly cleaned the guest quarters for Shen Wei to stay a few days.

As for Mo the Divine Physician, Zhao Yang had warmly invited him to reside in the outer courtyard so he could treat the Crown Prince. Mo initially refused, but when Zhao Yang produced a jar of aged liquor, the wine-loving physician immediately agreed and settled happily into the outer quarters.

...

Before long, night had fallen.

Shen Wei, often drowsy since her pregnancy, retired early to her room. The villa by Luoyue Lake was quiet, with only the soft rustling of the wind and the guards patrolling outside.

Zhao Yang, feigning exhaustion, dismissed her attendants early.

Seizing the opportunity, she slipped away in secret. It was her first rendezvous with Yan Yunting, and she took it seriously. She had dressed carefully in her favorite gilded gown, adorned with the white jade plum blossom hairpin Yan Yunting had gifted her, and draped a black cloak over her shoulders.

Shrouded in darkness, she slipped out through the back gate. The meeting place was the eastern pavilion by Luoyue Lake. Holding a lantern, she made her way there.

The lakeside was deserted at night, enveloped in blackness. Zhao Yang sat in the pavilion, setting the lantern aside. The moon was hazy, and the wind howled across the lake, sending chills through her.

But she wasn’t afraid—her heart fluttered with anticipation for Yan Yunting’s arrival.

Perhaps tonight, he would confess his feelings. Perhaps he would ask for her hand in marriage.

Zhao Yang lost herself in sweet imaginings. In the future, Yan Yunting would become her consort. They would have two children, and their marriage would be harmonious...

Time slipped by unnoticed, and the wind grew fiercer. The moon vanished behind clouds, plunging the world into darkness, with only the dim glow of the lantern in the pavilion.

"Why hasn’t he come yet?" Zhao Yang waited and waited, but Yan Yunting never appeared. The lake at night was a pitch-black abyss, its depths unfathomable.

She sat alone in the pavilion.

At first, she heard only scattered raindrops, but soon the downpour intensified, drowning the world in a torrential storm. Thunder cracked, and a gust of wind snatched her lantern away.

The candle inside flickered out.

Zhao Yang was plunged into terrifying darkness.

The privileged princess, accustomed to comfort, found herself alone in the storm for the first time. Her heart pounded in her throat as the wind and rain roared around her, leaving her trembling with fear.

"Yan Yunting still isn’t here!" She felt a pang of bitterness. He had promised not to break his word, yet he left her waiting in the storm for so long.

The summer storm came and went swiftly.

The deluge eased into a drizzle, but Zhao Yang was soaked and shivering. A sliver of hope lingered—maybe he had been delayed...

Refusing to leave, as if defying her own disappointment, she hugged her knees and stubbornly waited in the pavilion.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when, half-asleep, she heard faint footsteps. Her face lit up with joy as she lifted her head. "Yan Yunting, you’ve finally come!"

The rain had not yet ceased.

A thin, shadowy figure slipped into the pavilion. A rough, irritated voice grumbled, "Damn this wretched weather, soaking me to the bone! Ruined my plans for the night!"

Zhao Yang froze—it wasn’t Yan Yunting.

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the pavilion. In that fleeting light, she saw a stranger’s gaunt, weasel-like face.

The man, seeking shelter from the rain, soon noticed the figure huddled in the corner.

By the lightning’s glow, his eyes fell upon Zhao Yang’s pale face.

In the dead of night, a drenched, beautiful woman—her soaked robes clinging to her delicate frame—was an irresistible temptation.

The man’s lips curled into a grin. He was a wandering thief who had intended to steal tonight but was forced to take shelter from the storm.

Who would have thought he’d stumble upon a lakeside fairy? His yellowed, broken teeth showed as he leered. "Well, well, luck’s on my side tonight."

...

**Boom—**

Lightning split the sky, followed by deafening thunder. Rain drummed against the roof as Tantai Rou, pale and weak, lay propped against her pillow.

The room reeked of medicine.

Tantai Rou whispered weakly, "Brother Yunting, you needn’t stay. I only coughed up a little blood—I’ll be fine after resting."

Yan Yunting set the medicine bowl on the table and said gently, "Sleep first. I’ll stay until you doze off."

Gratitude and longing flickered in Tantai Rou’s eyes.

After drinking the medicine, she drifted into a heavy slumber. Yan Yunting drew the bed curtains and quietly left the small courtyard.

Tantai Rou’s family was humble. Her father had been dispatched on official business and wouldn’t return for days. Only an elderly servant attended to her, and without means to afford a physician, her illness had worsened.

Yan Yunting raised his umbrella, frowning as rain pounded against it. He gazed into the distance.

He had already missed his meeting with Zhao Yang.

In such a storm—cold and miserable—the pampered princess wouldn’t linger long in the pavilion. She must have grown impatient and left.

With a silent sigh, he resigned himself to apologizing tomorrow, once the skies cleared.

If he humbled himself, Zhao Yang would surely forgive him.

It had always been this way. No matter how badly he erred, she would always wait for him, ready to welcome him back.

"Tomorrow, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‍I’ll bring her a box of rouge as an apology," he murmured to himself before turning toward the Yan Family estate, braving the downpour.

...

**Luoyue Lake Villa**

Shen Wei had barely fallen asleep when shouts from outside startled her awake. In the courtyard, the maid Yun'er cried out in alarm:

"Someone, come quickly! The princess is missing! Hurry!"