A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 78

Shen Wei revealed an innocent smile, adopting a deliberately indifferent attitude as she said, "Your Highness need not worry, this concubine is in good health. Back in my hometown, the woman who lived next door could get up and work in the fields the very next day after giving birth—Cai Ping, fetch me another bowl of iced milk pudding, the colder the better."

Cai Ping silently went to retrieve the dessert.

Prince Yan: ...

Prince Yan rubbed his temples. His Weiwei was indeed different from his other wives and concubines, but this only made him worry more.

Shen Wei loved gardening, swinging on the swing, climbing ladders to peek at bird nests, playing by the water’s edge, indulging in playful mischief, and eating chilled treats. At night, she would also keep him company in passionate embraces... Now that Shen Wei was pregnant, all these physically demanding activities had to stop!

The problem was, this was Shen Wei’s first pregnancy, and she knew nothing about prenatal care.

A sense of responsibility welled up in Prince Yan’s heart—Weiwei doesn’t understand how to care for herself during pregnancy, so it’s my duty to teach her.

Setting down his chopsticks, Prince Yan instructed, "From now on, the dishes served at the table must be those that nurture and protect the pregnancy."

Shen Wei looked puzzled. "But back in my village, the women worked even with big bellies!"

Seeing her naive expression, Prince Yan felt even more compelled to educate her. "You are my woman, and the child in your belly is mine. My child shall not suffer before even being born."

Shen Wei nodded as if half-understanding, then flashed him a sweet, trusting smile. "Your Highness would never harm me—I’ll follow your arrangements!"

The deep trust from the woman he loved filled Prince Yan with immense pride.

Watching Shen Wei set aside the fried dumplings and obediently sip a bowl of bird’s nest soup, Prince Yan was thoroughly satisfied.

After the meal, Shen Wei tugged at Prince Yan’s sleeve, pulling him to the waterside pavilion to enjoy the cool evening breeze. The moon shone brightly, and a gentle wind carried the faint fragrance of lotus blossoms across the pond. Shen Wei leaned against the railing, reaching out to pluck a fresh green lotus seed pod.

Prince Yan’s eyelids twitched.

His other pregnant wives and concubines took meticulous care of themselves, walking with utmost caution. But Shen Wei? She was leaning over the railing to pick lotus seeds! What if she fell into the water and caught a chill? What if something happened to the child in her womb?

"Stop moving around. Just sit and enjoy the breeze with me," Prince Yan scolded, pulling her back and pressing her onto a cool bamboo chair beside him.

Shen Wei widened her almond-shaped eyes. "I was just picking a lotus pod! I wanted to peel the seeds for you."

How thoughtful—even while pregnant, she wanted to serve him lotus seeds herself.

Prince Yan gently stroked her still-flat belly. "The first three months of pregnancy are the most unstable. You mustn’t act recklessly."

Shen Wei arched her willow-leaf brows, then gazed at Prince Yan with sparkling admiration. "Your Highness is a man, yet you know so much about pregnancy! You’re truly learned!"

Prince Yan’s lips curled into a faint smile.

Being admired and trusted by the woman he loved—what greater satisfaction could there be?

As the cool night breeze drifted by, Shen Wei sat obediently beside Prince Yan, listening as he lectured her on prenatal care. Years ago, Prince Yan had been exasperated by his pregnant wives and concubines, but in the process, he had unconsciously absorbed much knowledge about pregnancy. Now, he put it to good use, explaining the do’s and don’ts to Shen Wei, who listened with rapt attention, occasionally praising him.

Men all share a common flaw—they believe themselves clever and dislike women who outshine them.

By pretending ignorance, Shen Wei had successfully drawn Prince Yan into her pregnancy care. His involvement gave him a sense of accomplishment, and through that, he developed affection for the child in her womb.

After all, this child was the fruit of Prince Yan’s personal "guidance."

Just like the vegetables he tended in the garden, Prince Yan grew attached to things he had invested effort in.

...

While Prince Yan and Shen Wei chatted by the water, beneath the night sky, Cai Lian carried a box of pastries back to Liuli Pavilion.

Passing through the garden, she happened upon Xue Mei, a maid from Qixue Pavilion.

"Xue Mei, where are you going so late?" Cai Lian greeted her warmly.

The two were old acquaintances, having entered the prince’s manor as maids together. Xue Mei had been fortunate—because her name contained the character for "plum," she was chosen by Liu Ruyan of Qixue Pavilion as her personal maid.

Cai Lian hadn’t been so lucky. Without connections, she was assigned to serve low-ranking concubines, shuffled from one mistress to another—until she was sent to attend Shen Wei. Only then did her life stabilize.

"Oh, it’s you, Cai Lian," Xue Mei forced a smile.

Noticing the worry in her eyes, Cai Lian asked kindly, "Xue Mei, did Madam Liu give you trouble?"

Xue Mei sighed and explained.

She had been tormented by mosquito bites and had secretly bathed with mugwort, even carrying a mosquito-repelling sachet. But today, Liu Ruyan caught a whiff of the scent.

Liu Ruyan disliked the smell and ordered Xue Mei to bathe again, even gifting her a box of "plum blossom fragrant balm."

The balm smelled elegant—but it did nothing to repel mosquitoes.

After a moment’s thought, Cai Lian suggested, "Try bathing with mint leaves. Stuff your sachet with angelica root and camphor, then dab a layer of the plum balm outside to mask the scent."

Xue Mei nodded helplessly, eyeing Cai Lian’s plump, fair complexion with genuine envy. "I suppose that’s the only way. How I envy you, serving such a kind mistress. Now that Madam Shen is pregnant, her favor will only grow."

These days, which servant in the manor didn’t wish to work in Liuli Pavilion? Shen Wei was a rare kind mistress—those who served her diligently were always rewarded.

Cai ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‍Lian smiled. "Indeed, my mistress is truly exceptional. It’s getting late—I should bring these pastries back."

The two bid farewell.

Under the bright moonlight, Cai Lian returned to Liuli Pavilion. Gazing at the beautiful fish lanterns hanging from the eaves, a deep sense of pride and contentment welled up in her heart.

When she had first been assigned to the remote Fangfei Courtyard, Cai Lian had held prejudices against Shen Wei. But now, she found herself growing fonder of serving her by the day.

In the past, the prince’s manor had been lifeless. Maids toiled from dawn till dusk, serving their mistresses before dragging their exhausted bodies back to cramped quarters at night. Every day was the same, stretching endlessly without hope.

But since following Shen Wei, Cai Lian felt every day was joyful and fulfilling. She worked with energy, and her mind grew sharper.

Shen Wei was like the radiant sun—those who drew near basked in her warmth, feeling life brimming with meaning.

"Cai Ping, I’ve brought the pastries our mistress wanted!" Cai Lian called out cheerfully as she entered the courtyard.

Meanwhile, beneath the pale moonlight, Xue Mei returned to the cold, dreary Qixue Pavilion.

Liu Ruyan reclined on a divan, reading a book, her cascading black hair spilling over her shoulders.

The flickering candlelight cast shadows against her dark hair and snow-white sleeping robes, creating an eerie, almost chilling aura.

Silently rubbing away the goosebumps on her arms, Xue Mei entered the study. "Mistress, it’s late. Shall this servant prepare you for bed?"

Liu Ruyan set down her copy of *The Book of Songs*. "I heard Shen Wei is with child?"

Xue Mei nodded. "They say she’s a month along."

Liu Ruyan smiled bitterly. "The prince has many heirs. To him, children are merely embellishments—pleasant but unnecessary."

During those two years when Liu Ruyan and Prince Yan were most deeply in love, they were inseparable, their harmony as perfect as the music of lute and zither. Later, when Liu Ruyan became pregnant, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to nurturing the fruit of their love and longed for the prince to spend more time with her.

At first, Prince Yan would visit her every few days. But as time passed, he began using his busy official duties as an excuse to decline.

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Official duties, always official duties... With so many capable ministers under his command, he could easily have delegated the work.

In the end, it simply meant she no longer held his heart.