A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 132

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Just as Prince Yan was anxiously awaiting Shen Wei's delivery, an uninvited guest arrived outside the Liuli Pavilion.

Under the cover of night, a gaunt figure slowly approached the pavilion.

Moonlight spilled down, illuminating Xiang'er's haggard face.

Her eyes were dark and sunken, fixed intently on the Liuli Pavilion. Without Prince Yan's favor, Xiang'er had endured a life of hardship, nearly perishing in the bitter winter. Fortunately, she had scraped by with enough charcoal to survive the coldest months.

As winter gave way to spring, Xiang'er wandered through each day like a lifeless husk. Consumed by resentment, she refused to accept her fate. Upon learning that Shen Wei was in labor that night, she stumbled toward the Liuli Pavilion in a daze.

Jealousy gnawed at her—she wanted to seize the chaos to kill Shen Wei, then drown herself. But the pavilion was tightly guarded, its servants vigilant, leaving Xiang'er no chance to get close.

Helpless, she clasped her hands and gazed at the night sky, murmuring, "Heaven, grant me this—let Shen Wei bear a daughter."

Numbly, she consoled herself: Prince Yan was a man, and all men "valued sons over daughters."

If Shen Wei delivered a girl, perhaps his interest in her would wane.

Xiang'er crouched beneath a tree outside the pavilion, waiting in silence, her heart festering with curses. Then, deep into the night, a sharp infant's cry pierced the darkness.

She scrambled to her feet, straining toward the pavilion as the voices of maids reached her ears.

"Lady Shen has given birth! It's a girl."

"Quick, bring the prepared tonic inside."

"A daughter is still a blessing. Lady Shen is kind—her fortune will surely follow."

Xiang'er stood frozen, her lips slowly twisting into a grin that widened uncontrollably. "Hahaha... Heaven has answered! She bore a useless daughter, hahaha..."

But as she laughed, tears streamed down her face, and she crumpled into the shadows, sobbing uncontrollably.

...

...

After the agonizing ordeal of childbirth late into the night, Shen Wei, exhausted and in pain, fainted from sheer fatigue.

By morning, she still hadn't awakened.

Yet the Liuli Pavilion remained immaculate, every detail in perfect order. Prince Yan had waited until midnight, only retiring to a side chamber once he was assured of Shen Wei's safety.

Spring sunlight poured in, filling the pavilion with warmth as Shen Wei lay unconscious in bed. Cai Lian opened the windows to let the last traces of blood-scented air dissipate, then partially closed them again. She lit delicate incense and trimmed a few fresh sprigs of yellow winter jasmine, arranging them in a white porcelain vase.

The bedding on Shen Wei's bed had been replaced entirely with clean, soft linens in pale hues.

"Sister Cai Lian, Prince Yan is coming to see our lady," Cai Ping whispered as she tiptoed into the room.

Cai Lian nodded. "Quickly, freshen her face."

Cai Ping obliged.

Though weakened from childbirth, Shen Wei had given strict instructions beforehand: if she fainted after labor, her room must be kept pristine, and her face cleansed.

Even in exhaustion, she refused to let Prince Yan see her in disarray.

Cai Lian carefully wiped Shen Wei's face clean, then smoothed her tousled black hair with a jade comb. Meanwhile, Cai Ping dabbed a faint touch of rouge onto Shen Wei's lips with high-quality pigment.

The effect was subtle—enough to lend a natural, delicate flush. After their meticulous efforts, the sleeping Shen Wei exuded a fragile, ethereal beauty.

Heavy footsteps sounded outside. "The Prince is here," Cai Ping murmured in warning.

The maids swiftly tidied their supplies just as the bead curtain parted and Prince Yan entered.

Cai Lian and Cai Ping bowed their heads in greeting.

Prince Yan took a seat at the bedside, his dark eyes fixed intently on Shen Wei. He clasped her slightly chilled hand and asked Cai Lian, "What did the imperial physician say?"

Cai Lian answered calmly, "Your Highness, the physician examined Lady Shen this morning and confirmed she is unharmed. With proper rest, sunlight, and nourishment during her confinement, she will recover swiftly. The wet nurse has just fed the young mistress, who now sleeps soundly in her cradle."

Prince Yan exhaled in quiet relief.

The maids withdrew silently, leaving him alone with Shen Wei.

Morning light filtered through the window screens, filling the room with a soft glow and the faint fragrance of blossoms. Shen Wei lay peacefully, her eyes lightly shut, long lashes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks.

Her skin was pale, her lips faintly tinted—still as striking as ever, yet now tinged with a fragile loveliness that stirred protectiveness.

Prince ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‍Yan struggled to name the emotions swirling within him. The night before, when Shen Wei's labor dragged on, fear had gripped him—he had finally found a woman who matched him in body and soul. If he lost her, the days ahead would be robbed of joy.

But now, mother and child were safe.

He could no longer deny it: he was growing dependent on Shen Wei.

He remained at her bedside for an hour until, nearing noon, Steward Fugui hurried in with a report: "Your Highness, the Eastern Palace summons you to discuss the imperial examinations."

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The spring examinations were a matter of state, the court's primary means of selecting talent. Every year, Prince Yan handpicked promising scholars from the pool—men who would serve his cause.

Prince Yan rose to his feet, casting a reluctant glance at Shen Wei, who lay unconscious on the bed.

He instructed Steward Fugui, "Pass down my orders: elevate Lady Shen of Liuli Pavilion to the rank of concubine. Assign two additional maids and two eunuchs to Liuli Pavilion, and have the Imperial Household Department send more nourishing tonics to restore her health."

In truth, Prince Yan wished to promote Shen Wei to the position of secondary consort.

However, according to imperial regulations, if a prince wished to elevate a concubine to secondary consort, he first had to discuss the matter with the Emperor and Empress. Only after their approval could the Ministry of Rites draft the formal procedures, and Shen Wei’s name would then be added to the imperial genealogy—completing the ceremony.

Prince Yan planned to bring up the matter of her promotion to the Empress after Shen Wei’s child reached its first month.

Steward Fugui’s eyes widened as he silently calculated: with the original servants in Liuli Pavilion, there would now be one senior matron, four maids, four eunuchs, and two guards—a level of staffing even Secondary Consort Liu Ruyan did not enjoy!

His Highness clearly intended to raise Shen Wei’s status even further!

None of the other concubines who had borne children in the inner courtyard had ever received such treatment.

Lady Shen’s future was boundless!

Ever astute, Steward Fugui accepted the order with enthusiasm: "This old servant will see to it at once!"