A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 131
In the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei reclined on a chaise lounge, reflecting on the past year’s achievements. Under Ye Qiushuang’s management, her two shops, "Weiyan Records" and "Qixiang Studio," had yielded substantial profits. Shen Wei now planned to expand further by opening additional branches.
Her elder sister, Shen Qiang, had managed the fertile farmland in the southern mountains exceptionally well. Last autumn, the harvest had been bountiful, and this spring, Shen Qiang was preparing to gather farmers for sowing once again.
With the imperial examinations approaching, Shen Xiuming had made remarkable progress under the tutelage of Scholar Yang Xuanji. Shen Xiuming regarded Yang Xuanji almost as a father figure, even promising to care for him in his old age—a gesture that moved the childless scholar to tears and inspired him to teach with even greater dedication.
In short, everything was moving in a positive direction.
Shen Wei gently touched her belly. The day of her delivery was drawing near. She summoned Nanny Rong, Cai Ping, and Cai Lian to discuss the final arrangements.
"How are the preparations for the birth coming along?" Shen Wei asked.
Nanny Rong replied calmly, "Rest assured, my lady. Two experienced midwives with impeccable backgrounds have already been brought into the prince’s residence and settled in the side courtyard."
Cai Ping added, "My lady, all the medicinal herbs prescribed by the imperial physician—those to aid labor, stop bleeding, and restore vitality—have been procured. When the time comes, I will personally oversee their preparation in the kitchen. I’ve also gathered everything the little one will need: fresh clothing, silk blankets, a cradle, and toys."
Cai Lian said, "I will maintain order in Liuli Pavilion to ensure everything proceeds smoothly."
Shen Wei sighed inwardly.
In her past life, she had been a relentless workaholic—chopping firewood, herding cattle, cooking, delivering food, juggling part-time jobs, and balancing work with studies. But she had never been pregnant, never given birth.
For a woman, childbirth was akin to walking through the gates of the underworld. Shen Wei had to do everything in her power to ensure a safe delivery.
...
A crescent moon hung in the night sky, casting a faint glow over the early spring evening, which carried a slight chill.
Inside Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei and Prince Yan dined together.
Though her due date was near, Shen Wei had little appetite and set down her chopsticks after just a few bites.
Noticing her reluctance to eat, Prince Yan felt a surge of husbandly duty. He had the kitchen prepare fish head and tofu soup, then personally fed her spoonful by spoonful.
"Your Highness, I’m about to vomit," Shen Wei complained. During her pregnancy, she detested fish—even the smell made her nauseous.
Prince Yan found her pickiness endearing. With patience, he coaxed, "At least have some tofu?"
Shen Wei shook her head sullenly. "The tofu isn’t good either. It’s stuffy in here—I’d like to take a walk outside."
Over time, Shen Wei had shed her initial reserve around Prince Yan. Occasionally, she allowed her more capricious, feminine side to show. Far from being annoyed, the prince had grown increasingly tolerant of her quirks.
Unable to stomach the soup, Shen Wei excused herself, intending to check on the vegetables she had recently planted in the courtyard. But after just two steps, she heard a soft pop, as if something had burst, followed by a warm rush spreading from her abdomen.
Her skirt was soaked.
Her mind went blank for an instant.
"Oh, my lady! Your waters have broken! Let me help you back inside!" Nanny Rong, standing at the door, gasped in alarm and quickly supported Shen Wei toward the bedchamber.
Once her waters broke, movement had to be minimized.
Regaining her composure, Shen Wei lay down on the bed. Cai Lian had already rushed to fetch the midwives, while Cai Ping gathered the necessary supplies. A rhythmic pain pulsed in her belly, though it was still mild.
"Don’t be afraid, Weiwei. The physician will be here soon," Prince Yan said, his brow furrowed with concern.
Beads of sweat dotted Shen Wei’s forehead. She gazed deeply into Prince Yan’s eyes, gripping his hand tightly as she declared with resolve, "Your Highness... if I face complications during labor, you must prioritize the child. Save the baby, not me."
Prince Yan frowned, an inexplicable tightness gripping his chest. "Nonsense!"
Tears welled in Shen Wei’s eyes as she stared at him with deep affection. "Your Highness, to you, Shen Wei may be insignificant. But to me, you are the love of my life."
Even in labor, Shen Wei was performing, pouring on the sentimentality.
She wanted Prince Yan to know: I’m risking my life to bear your child. How could you not be moved?
"Your Highness, the midwives have arrived. Please wait outside," Nanny Rong announced as she hurried in with the two midwives.
For a moment, Prince Yan didn’t want to let go of Shen Wei’s hand.
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He knew the perils of childbirth.
Not long ago, the wife of the Ministry of Revenue’s vice-minister had died in labor, along with the unborn child. At the time, the news had left Prince Yan unmoved. But now, with Shen Wei in the same peril, an unfamiliar panic seized him.
What if... what if something went wrong?
He couldn’t bear to think further. His heart ached sharply.
...
News of Shen Wei’s labor quickly spread through the prince’s residence, reaching Kunyu Courtyard.
The Princess Consort was tutoring her two sons. Having topped their class in the winter imperial academy exams, the boys had made her proud—a testament, she believed, to her diligent guidance.
"My lady, Shen of Liuli Pavilion has gone into labor," Granny Liu reported as she entered.
The Princess Consort paused in her prayer beads, offering a faint smile. "Let’s go see. Let us hope she delivers a son."
Granny Liu smirked. "Whether the child is a boy or girl, it will be handed over to you after the first month."
To the Princess Consort and Granny Liu, Shen Wei was nothing more than a caged bird—a tool for bearing the prince’s heirs. No matter how hard she struggled, the child would ultimately be raised by another.
How pitiful.
Under the cover of night, the Princess Consort arrived at Liuli Pavilion, now brightly lit. The faint metallic tang of blood hung in the air, punctuated by Shen Wei’s occasional cries of pain.
Prince Yan sat stiffly in the main hall, his brows knitted, his gaze repeatedly darting toward the inner chambers.
Li Yao and Zhang Miaoyu were also present, their faces etched with worry. Zhang Miaoyu, who shared a close bond with Shen Wei, had even abandoned her beloved braised pork knuckle to rush over and await news.
Li Yao’s eyes were red from crying, terrified that Shen Wei might not survive the night.
The Princess Consort glanced at her daughter and sneered inwardly. My own flesh and blood, trembling with fear over a lowly concubine. Does Li Yao intend to call Shen Wei ‘Mother’ now?
Ungrateful wretch. She never should have given birth to such a disloyal daughter.
"Greetings to Your Highness," the Princess Consort said with perfunctory courtesy.
Prince Yan barely acknowledged her, motioning for her to rise.
The Princess Consort settled leisurely into a vacant chair. Two plates of exquisitely crafted pastries sat on the table. She picked one up and nibbled delicately.
The pastries were delicious. She helped herself to a second.
Prince Yan, consumed with anxiety over Shen Wei’s ordeal, looked up and saw his wife serenely enjoying her snacks. His displeasure deepened.
While Shen Wei fought for her life in the birthing chamber—even the usually gluttonous Zhang Miaoyu was too worried to eat—the Princess Consort sat undisturbed, savoring her treats.
It was clear: the Princess Consort cared nothing for the concubines in the inner court. If she showed such indifference toward Shen Wei, how could she possibly treat Shen Wei’s child with kindness?
Prince Yan secretly resolved that Shen Wei and his child must never be entrusted to the Princess Consort for upbringing.
