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

Prince Yan had visited her once, and after Xiang'er received his favor, more and more servants flocked to curry her favor. Even the Princess Consort sent Granny Liu with rewards, praising her for her service.

Having endured countless hardships since childhood, constantly belittled and mistreated by her parents, Xiang'er was now overwhelmed by sudden wealth. As she gazed at the silks, jade hairpins, and emeralds presented to her, her vanity soared.

She even began to believe she would soon stand on equal footing with Shen Wei and eventually move into a grand courtyard of her own.

Shen Wei smiled faintly. "I’m leaving the estate to visit family."

Xiang'er beamed, deliberately running her fingers over the jade hairpin in her hair. "Sister, you’re dressed so plainly for a family visit. Didn’t the Princess Consort send you any rewards?"

Shen Wei: ...

After studying Xiang'er for a moment, Shen Wei concluded that the girl had no sense at all. Perhaps it was precisely this "foolishness" that had convinced the Princess Consort to bring her into the palace.

Ignoring her, Shen Wei left the estate with Cai Lian without looking back. Xiang'er pouted, displeased. "I’m a concubine, and so is she. How dare she dismiss me like that?"

A maidservant beside her quickly chimed in, "Don’t trouble yourself, Mistress. Lady Shen is with child—how could she possibly serve His Highness in her condition? Tonight, you should wait at the gate and lure Prince Yan to Fangfei Courtyard. Let’s see how long Lady Shen can keep up her arrogance."

Xiang'er brightened. "Good idea."

After all, women were all the same in bed.

Prince Yan was a man of formidable stamina, and serving him was exhausting for Xiang'er. But enduring a little hardship was worth it if it secured his favor.

Xiang'er added, "Why can Shen Wei leave the estate freely to visit family? I want to go home too."

Now that she was draped in riches, she longed to flaunt her newfound status before her parents.

The maidservant hesitated. "Prince Yan granted Lady Shen special permission to leave at will. If you wish to go out, Mistress, you’ll need the Princess Consort’s approval."

Xiang'er waved it off. "Next time His Highness visits, I’ll ask him for the same privilege."

...

...

A modest carriage rolled to a stop outside Wangshu Inn. Shen Wei, her face hidden beneath a white veil, entered a private room.

"Madam." Ye Qiushuang, having received word earlier, was already waiting inside.

Shen Wei took her seat. "Did you bring the contract?"

Ye Qiushuang nodded. "Everything is prepared."

Shen Wei handed her a list of ingredients for a foundation cream. "Gather these materials and follow the steps to make cosmetic powder. Package the powder in small cases and distribute them as free gifts to female customers who purchase sweets at Wei Yan Ji. Collect their feedback and refine the product accordingly."

Quick to grasp her intentions, Ye Qiushuang asked, "Does Madam plan to open a cosmetics shop?"

Shen Wei inclined her head. "Only if the results are promising."

Ye Qiushuang carefully tucked away the formula, excitement bubbling within her. Her greatest passion was commerce—watching a business expand and thrive filled her with profound satisfaction.

After tea was served, a merchant woman ushered in Shen Qiang, who carried a basket of vegetables.

Years of labor had darkened Shen Qiang’s skin, left scars on her face, and roughened her hands, which were cracked and blackened like tree bark. Her fingernails were stained, and her hair was wrapped in a simple blue cloth. She looked every bit the peasant woman.

"Sister Zhang, is this the lady who wants to buy my vegetables?" Shen Qiang clutched her basket, nervous and wary.

The merchant woman smiled kindly. "Speak with the lady. I’ll wait outside."

Once she left, Shen Qiang fidgeted under the gaze of the two women—one veiled and dignified, the other sharp-eyed in red.

Tentatively, she said, "These are the greens I grew. You may inspect them."

She set down the basket and pulled out two leafy vegetables, their vibrant green leaves large and fragrant.

Shen Wei picked one up and praised, "No pests, and they’ve grown beautifully."

Ye Qiushuang examined them as well, her eyes approving.

The sisters hadn’t seen each other in years, and Shen Wei’s deliberately lowered voice kept Shen Qiang from recognizing her.

Shen Qiang humbly replied, "I learned farming from my father when I was young. He had great knowledge."

Shen Wei shifted the conversation. "With such skill, half an acre is beneath you. I own several fertile fields in the southern hills, tended by over a hundred tenants. Miss Shen, I’d like to hire you to manage the orchards and vegetable plots. You’ll receive a monthly wage."

Shen Qiang was stunned.

Manage land for someone else?

In the capital, nobles and officials all owned estates, usually managed by trusted stewards or family members. Yet this veiled noblewoman wanted *her*, a stranger and a peasant, to oversee such valuable property?

The offer was tempting. When Shen Qiang had been cast out by her husband, she’d returned to her mother and brother with nothing. The guilt of being a burden gnawed at her.

But what if this was a scam?

Shen Wei read her hesitation. Calmly, she said, "We’ll draft a contract, certified by the authorities—no deception. I’ll pay you two taels of silver monthly, with bonuses for good harvests."

Shen Qiang’s breath caught.

Two taels! It would take her ages to earn that much selling vegetables.

Shen Wei continued, "My circumstances prevent me from overseeing the land myself, so I need a trustworthy manager. A few days ago, my cousin fainted outside the temple. You carried her to a physician and even paid for her medicine. That kindness proves your character."

Recognition flickered in Shen Qiang’s eyes—she *had* helped a girl recently.

Her suspicion eased.

Shen Wei pressed on, "I heard from the merchant that your mother weaves at the temple and your brother studies hard. With this wage, you could support them."

The thought of her toiling mother and imprisoned sister ached in Shen Qiang’s chest.

Gritting her teeth, she nodded. "I accept, Madam."

That was what Shen Wei had waited for.

Ye Qiushuang produced two copies of the contract. Shen Qiang, literate and familiar with agreements, scrutinized them twice before signing—under Ye Qiushuang’s name, not Shen Wei’s, to avoid revealing the truth.

Shen Wei instructed, "Manager Ye, take her to the magistrate’s office to record the contract. Then show her the southern fields and introduce her to the tenants."

Ye Qiushuang affirmed, "It will be done, Madam."

With ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍matters settled, Shen Wei discreetly left the inn and returned to the palace by carriage. Inside, Cai Ping couldn’t resist asking, "Mistress, why didn’t you reveal yourself to Shen Qiang?"

She’d expected Shen Wei to remove her veil.

Shen Wei said nonchalantly, "An extra mouth means an extra risk."

What if Shen Qiang let it slip and told Shen's Mother and her younger brother Shen Xiuming about Shen Wei’s several acres of fertile farmland and a shop?

Would Shen Xiuming still strive so hard in his studies?

Even if there was only the slightest possibility of risk, Shen Wei couldn’t take the chance—human hearts were the most unpredictable.

The carriage moved at a slow, unhurried pace back to the Prince Yan's residence. The moment Shen Wei stepped into the rear courtyard, she found the household in chaos, the atmosphere heavy as if the sky had collapsed.

Upon inquiring, Cai Lian learned terrible news!

That day, Prince Yan and Prince Heng had gone together to the Ministry of War for discussions. Unexpectedly, they were ambushed along the way by a hidden arrow—Prince Heng was struck in the thigh, while Prince Yan took an arrow to the left shoulder. Both remained unconscious to this very moment!