A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 100

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The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

After concluding the inspection, Prince Yan rode away from Yunzhou with his guards. His heart yearned for home, burning with urgency to see Shen Wei again. For this reason, he deliberately abandoned the slow carriage and chose to return on horseback instead.

His black cloak fluttered as his steed galloped fiercely.

A cloud of dust rose along the official road as the figure of Prince Yan, riding at full speed, vanished into the distance toward Yanjing City.

By the side of the road, an extravagantly luxurious carriage stood inconspicuously. The pale silk curtain lifted slightly, revealing a woman veiled behind it. Her phoenix-like eyes, tilted slightly upward, exuded an alluring charm.

She watched the imposing figure of Prince Yan disappear into the distance.

A maid inside the carriage whispered, "His Highness Prince Yan was inspecting Yunzhou. Why didn’t you find a way to meet him? With your peerless beauty, he would surely fall at your feet."

The woman chuckled, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "The situation is still uncertain."

She intended to marry the most exalted man in the world.

With the Crown Prince gravely ill, Prince Yan and Prince Heng were locked in a covert power struggle, and it remained unclear who would emerge victorious. She would wait—wait until the new emperor ascended the throne, and then she would enter the imperial harem in glorious triumph.

To compete for favor, seize power, and reign supreme among the imperial consorts—

She would one day become the most revered woman in the world.

The maid, recalling rumors about Prince Yan, spoke again, "I heard His Highness is currently very fond of a concubine, who is even with child."

The woman smiled faintly, unconcerned. "A mere concubine is beneath my notice."

...

In the Kunyu Courtyard of Prince Yan’s estate, silence reigned. Servants moved about softly, careful not to disturb the Princess Consort as she prayed before the Buddha.

The tranquility was only broken when a slender figure appeared at the courtyard’s entrance.

Xiang’er stood nervously at the gate and said in a small voice, "I... I wish to see the Princess Consort. Could... could you announce me?"

Xiang’er had been purchased by Granny Liu and brought into the estate to divert Prince Yan’s affection from Shen Wei. But the prince remained devoted to Shen Wei alone, and the Princess Consort, occupied with her feud against the old maidservants, had long forgotten this newly elevated concubine.

In the inner quarters, without favor, there was no livelihood. Xiang’er was scorned by the maids, and the silver and fabrics bestowed upon her by the Princess Consort had been pilfered by the servants. Nights were plagued by insects, meals were withheld, and her suffering had become unbearable, forcing her to swallow her pride and seek help from the Princess Consort.

"A concubine like you dares to demand an audience with Her Highness?" The maid at the door scowled, disdain dripping from her voice.

Xiang’er lowered her head, humiliated.

If this continued, she would truly starve to death. She had thought becoming a concubine in the prince’s household would guarantee a warm meal, but her hardships were no better than those she had endured at home.

Granny Liu, hearing the commotion, came to the gate and snapped, "What’s all this noise? Disturb the Princess Consort, and I’ll have you punished!"

The maid immediately fell silent.

Seeing Granny Liu, Xiang’er clutched at her like a lifeline. She rushed forward, gripping the old woman’s sleeve as tears streamed down her face. "Granny Liu, you told me the prince would surely visit me... but I’ve been here so long, and he hasn’t even glanced my way."

Granny Liu pulled her sleeve free and replied coldly, "The time isn’t right. Return to your quarters. From now on, do not come to Kunyu Courtyard without explicit permission from the Princess Consort."

Xiang’er’s eyes welled up. "But... but..."

Granny Liu had already turned away. To her, Xiang’er was merely a pawn in the inner court struggles—one that had failed to serve its purpose. Her fate was now her own to endure.

Heartbroken, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍Xiang’er walked back to her desolate courtyard, tears falling freely. Though summer flourished with life, the rear courtyard was overgrown with withered grass, its chill under the bright sun as oppressive as a grave.

...

In the Kunyu Courtyard’s prayer hall, the Princess Consort offered the final stick of incense before rising with Granny Liu’s assistance.

"Your Highness, Xiang’er came to see you, but I sent her away," Granny Liu murmured.

The Princess Consort raised a brow. "Xiang’er?"

Granny Liu explained, "The concubine we brought in earlier—the one you named Xiang’er. Unfortunately, the prince has never stepped foot in her courtyard."

The Princess Consort vaguely recalled such a person. She said indifferently, "Pay her no mind. There’s no need to bring in any new concubines for now."

Prince Yan had once rebuked her for constantly introducing new women into the household. Since that was the case, the Princess Consort decided to halt such arrangements.

The day would come when Prince Yan tired of Shen Wei but found no fresh diversion. Then he would realize the wisdom of her actions.

Closing her eyes, the Princess Consort thumbed her prayer beads. "I only ever act for His Highness’s sake, yet he never sees my devotion. No matter. Granny Liu, accompany me to the study to review the children’s lessons."

With Granny Liu supporting her, the Princess Consort headed toward her sons’ courtyard.

Before she even entered, she heard the boys’ carefree laughter. Under the broad daylight, Cheng Ke and Cheng Zhen were not in their study but were instead by the pond, catching fish.

The two old maids sent by the empress did nothing to stop them—instead, they watched with indulgent smiles.

Folly and indulgence!

The Princess Consort was incensed. Was the empress trying to ruin her sons?

She stormed into the courtyard and demanded coldly, "Cheng Ke, Cheng Zhen, have you completed today’s assignments?"

Li Chengke paled, the fish in his hand slipping back into the water. He stammered, "M-Mother, my brother and I have already finished the work assigned by our tutor."

The Princess Consort pressed, "And have you prepared for tomorrow’s lessons?"

Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen lowered their heads in silence.

The two old maids exchanged glances before one spoke firmly, "Your Highness, the young masters are still children. Their studies should allow for some leisure."

The Princess Consort snapped, "My sons require no instruction from outsiders like you."

"We serve by the Empress Dowager’s decree, tasked with accompanying the young masters. If Your Highness has objections, you may take them up with Her Majesty."

The argument raged on.

Li Chengke and Li Chengzhen crouched by the pond, fingers idly stirring the cold water, their eyes dull and detached as the adults quarreled.

...

...

Night fell as Prince Yan galloped back to the estate. Dismounting, he gazed at the grand and solemn residence, his heart swelling with warmth and eagerness. His steps quickened as he strode inside.

Fu Gui, the steward, greeted him at the gate and directed servants to lead the horse away.

"Your Highness, you’ve returned earlier than expected," Fu Gui said, eyeing the prince’s travel-worn appearance with concern. "Ah, Your Highness’s robes are torn! You should have taken the carriage."

Prince Yan scanned the courtyard. Perhaps his early arrival had gone unnoticed, for neither Shen Wei nor any of his other consorts had come to welcome him.

Reading his expression, Fu Gui quickly explained with a smile, "Your Highness, Lady Shen has been invited by the Zhao Yang Princess to stay at Luoyue Lake. She will return tomorrow."