A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 179

Shangguan Qian wore a puzzled expression—killing pigs?

Was Prince Heng’s preference really this peculiar?

The steward, observing Shangguan Qian’s stunned silence, sighed inwardly before cupping his hands in farewell. "Miss Shangguan, if you truly wish to win His Highness’s heart, you must strive in this direction."

Shangguan Qian remained rooted to the spot, unable to snap out of her daze for a long while.

...

Five or six days later.

The winter afternoon sun cast a warm glow, and the plum tree in the courtyard had begun to sprout buds. Two young eunuchs were trimming the weeds in the garden. Shen Wei, who disliked the cold, had little interest in admiring the blossoms. Moreover, her pregnancy made movement cumbersome, so aside from necessary walks and outings, she spent most of her days curled up in the warm pavilion, reviewing account books.

That day, Cai Lian delivered a letter.

It was from Shen Wei’s younger brother, Shen Xiuming, sent from the south. Leaning back on the soft divan, Shen Wei sipped a steaming bowl of warming soup before unfolding the letter.

The letter was lengthy. One part detailed Shen Xiuming’s struggles and hardships as an official in the south, and how he had overcome the treacherous politics of the bureaucracy with sheer tenacity.

Another portion expressed his deep concern for Shen Wei. Upon learning of her pregnancy, Shen Xiuming had secretly shed countless tears, terrified that something might happen to her this time.

"The wives and concubines in the Prince's Mansion are like tigers," he wrote. "How will my frail and helpless sister endure their bullying?"

Shen Wei silently set the letter down.

She dared not tell him that the "frail and helpless" sister had already become an unstoppable force within the mansion...

"Put this letter away for safekeeping," Shen Wei instructed Cai Lian.

But after a moment’s thought, she changed her mind. "Burn it." Shen Xiuming had mentioned the treacherous politics of the southern court and even criticized the Prince Consort and others for their cruelty. To avoid leaving any evidence, burning the letter was the safest option.

Winter nights fell early. By the time Prince Yan finished his court duties and stepped into the Glazed Pavilion, darkness had already enveloped the sky.

These past few days, he had been shuttling between the Ministry of War and the Eastern Palace, overseeing the production and refinement of composite bows while assisting the Crown Prince with state affairs. The exhaustion weighed heavily on him.

The Glazed Pavilion was bathed in warm, golden light. Shen Wei had already prepared hot water and a warming pouch for Prince Yan to soothe his chilled hands.

The room was cozy.

Shen Wei sent servants to bring in the evening meal, while Prince Yan went to the nursery to see his daughter.

Little Leyou was still crawling on the woolen rug. Sensing a familiar presence, she joyfully stretched out her tiny hands and babbled, "Huu—Huu—Wan—Huu Wan—"

Prince Yan paused, wondering if he had misheard.

Little Leyou opened her mouth again and called out, "Huu Wan..."

Realization dawned on him—his daughter was calling for him! In an instant, warmth flooded Prince Yan’s heart. He scooped up his chubby little girl, and Leyou instinctively nuzzled against him, continuing her sweet, incoherent babble: "Huu Wan..."

Her teeth were still coming in, making her pronunciation unclear—"Father" came out as "Huu Wan"—but Prince Yan was utterly delighted.

When Shen Wei entered the room, Prince Yan happily announced, "Weiwei, Leyou called me Father!"

Shen Wei feigned surprise, leaning in to listen as Leyou repeated her garbled "Huu Wan."

"Good girl, now call me Mother," Shen Wei coaxed, poking her daughter’s soft, plump cheek.

Little Leyou opened her mouth but stubbornly persisted: "Huu Wan..."

Shen Wei sighed in mock exasperation, while Prince Yan burst into hearty laughter.

The sound of his daughter’s sweet, childish voice dissolved the fatigue that had weighed on him these past days.

Listening to Prince Yan’s triumphant laughter, Shen Wei silently grumbled to herself. You’re so pleased, but you have no idea how much effort the wet nurse and I put into teaching her those two words.

In the past, all children in Prince Yan’s household—except those of the side consorts—were raised by the Prince Consort herself. While she doted on her own children, she neglected those of the other concubines, resulting in delayed milestones like walking and speaking.

Even when they finally learned to speak, the children would tremble in fear before Prince Yan, their timid cries of "Father" laced with dread.

Now, an infant not even a year old was calling him "Father" with such innocent affection—soft, sweet, and utterly trusting. No wonder Prince Yan was overjoyed.

After holding his daughter, he joined Shen Wei for dinner. That night, as they lay side by side, Prince Yan’s mind lingered on his daughter’s voice. His expression softened, and he gently touched Shen Wei’s rounded belly.

If one daughter brings so much joy, wouldn’t two be even better?

Prince Yan began mentally composing names for their next daughter, his fingers absently tracing Shen Wei’s stomach. Suddenly, he noticed something odd.

"I recall that when you were five months along with Leyou, your belly seemed smaller," he mused.

At the same stage, Shen Wei’s bump appeared more pronounced.

Shen Wei smiled and whispered something in his ear.

Prince Yan’s face lit up. "Truly?"

Shen Wei wasn’t entirely certain, so she deferred to the imperial physician. "The elderly doctor sent by the Empress examined me several times. He said it’s twins—he shouldn’t be mistaken."

Prince Yan was overjoyed. In high spirits, he discussed potential names with Shen Wei, their conversation meandering until sleep overtook them.

In the Glazed Pavilion, by Shen Wei’s side, Prince Yan slept soundly and peacefully every night.

...

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‍next morning, Prince Yan left for the palace on imperial orders. Shen Wei, drowsy and slow to rise, struggled with increasing fatigue as her belly grew. More often than not, she only stirred awake after Prince Yan had departed.

The day was bitterly cold, but the plum blossoms in the courtyard had burst into full bloom, filling the air with their fragrance. A maid gathered a few particularly lush branches and arranged them in a vase. As Shen Wei sipped her warm rice porridge, the scent of plum blossoms enveloped her.

After breakfast, she exercised in the warm pavilion. Childbirth had always been a perilous ordeal, and having endured it once, she dreaded the added agony of twins. Prenatal yoga helped ease her backaches and cramps while strengthening her pelvic muscles for a smoother delivery. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Cai Ping scurried in, her voice hushed. "Mistress, there’s news from the Marquis’s residence!"

Shen Wei handed her a cup of hot tea to warm up.

Cai Ping relayed the details.

Some time ago, acting on Shen Wei’s orders, Cai Ping had sent a clever maid into the Marquis’s household. With the grand wedding preparations underway, the household was short-handed, and the quick-witted maid was soon assigned to serve Zhao Qing.

For days, Zhao Qing showed no unusual behavior. The maid secretly searched the room—checking the bedding, chests, and cabinets—but found nothing suspicious.

Then, yesterday, the maid deliberately started a small fire in Zhao Qing’s quarters. The flames were quickly extinguished, but not before the maid caught Zhao Qing prying open a brick in the corner wall, retrieving something, inspecting it, and then hiding it again.

Cai Ping explained, "Zhao Qing blamed the maid for the fire and reassigned her to another courtyard."

Shen Wei tightened her grip on the teacup, a faint smile playing on her lips. So, the hidden item is stashed in the wall.

In ten days, the Marquis of Southern Garrison would marry Zhao Qing, and the grand celebration would draw nobility from across the capital—including Prince Yan’s household. Shen Wei planned to seize the opportunity to steal that mysterious item from its hiding place.

Shen Wei couldn't help but wonder—when Shangguan Xuan eventually discovered that Zhao Qing was nothing but an empty-headed fool, would he still love her?