A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 164

Prince Heng's thin lips curled into a teasing smile.

Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since he last saw Shen Wei. What a coincidence to run into this cunning little fox in the vast imperial palace today.

"Second Brother, what a pleasant surprise." Prince Heng fanned himself with a white jade folding fan, his charming eyes crinkling with amusement as he cheerfully stepped forward to greet Prince Yan.

The summer sun blazed overhead, casting its scorching rays along the long palace corridor. Prince Heng's face was all smiles, as if he and Prince Yan weren't mortal enemies locked in a life-and-death struggle in court, but rather a pair of affectionate brothers.

Prince Heng leaned closer, his gaze falling on the little infant nestled in Prince Yan's arms. The baby's face was plump and fair, with big, dark, round eyes that bore a striking resemblance to Shen Wei's.

The child was utterly adorable, evoking an irresistible surge of tenderness in anyone who saw her.

"My, what a beautiful little niece." Prince Heng snapped his white jade fan shut, intending to gently tap the baby's cheek with its edge.

But before the fan could even graze the swaddling clothes, Little Leyou's lips suddenly quivered, and she burst into loud, heart-wrenching wails, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.

Prince Heng: "..."

A setup! This was absolutely a setup!

This little girl wasn't even a year old—barely five months! She couldn't even speak, yet she'd somehow mastered her mother's trick of feigning distress without being taught!

A chilling aura instantly enveloped the surroundings as Prince Yan's eyes glinted with a murderous coldness.

Prince Heng felt utterly wronged, his handsome face flushing red. "Second Brother! I didn't even touch your daughter! Her crying has nothing to do with me!"

Little Leyou continued to bawl, her cries so pitiful they tugged at the heartstrings.

Shen Wei quickly stepped forward, her voice gentle and soothing. "Your Highness, let the wet nurse take her. She must be hungry."

Prince Yan shot Prince Heng a dagger-like glare before the accompanying wet nurse took the wailing Little Leyou into her arms, turning away to nurse the child.

Only then did the ear-piercing cries subside.

Prince Yan remarked coldly, "Father Emperor tasked you with negotiating border trade policies with the Southern Chu envoys. It seems you have plenty of free time."

Murderous intent churned in Prince Yan's heart. His daughter had been perfectly content in his arms, giggling without a care—until this harbinger of misfortune, Prince Heng, came near and frightened her into hysterics.

"Ah, Southern Chu is just a minor state. A day or two's delay won't matter." Prince Heng's eyes curved into crescents, his ever-present cheerful smile directed at everyone.

His gaze flickered briefly to Shen Wei, who stood beside Prince Yan. Today, she was dressed elegantly, her hair neatly styled, exuding a radiant and dignified charm.

There wasn't a trace of the rustic air of a peasant girl about her. Instead, she resembled a peony blooming under the morning sun—the more one looked, the more captivating she became.

Prince ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍Heng inwardly scoffed.

Every time he saw Shen Wei, this woman seemed to grow even more beautiful—vibrant, spirited, and full of life. He even mused that in the dazzling splendor of Yanjing City, Shen Wei's beauty could rank among the finest.

Now that she had become Prince Yan's concubine, Prince Heng had heard that Shen Wei even managed the entire household in place of the ailing Princess Consort, keeping the inner quarters of Prince Yan's Mansion in impeccable order. By all accounts, Shen Wei was now riding high, basking in glory.

But... Prince Heng simply couldn't stand to see Shen Wei thrive!

He wanted to drag this cunning, hypocritical woman down from her pedestal and expose her deceitful true nature to the world.

Clearing his throat, Prince Heng deliberately raised his voice to remind Prince Yan, "Appearances can be deceiving. Some people claim affection while harboring ulterior motives—how hypocritical."

Prince Yan: "..."

Shen Wei: This troublemaking dog.

Prince Heng thought to himself, I've made it so obvious. If Second Brother has even a shred of sense, he'll surely see through Shen Wei's falsehoods. With that, he clasped his hands in farewell and said cheerfully, "Mother is expecting me. Second Brother, I'll take my leave now."

Prince Heng flicked open his white jade fan once more, casting a meaningful glance at Shen Wei before striding away.

Prince Yan's brow furrowed slightly, puzzled by Prince Heng's words. What did he mean by "appearances can be deceiving"?

Still, Prince Yan knew his scheming younger brother well. Nine out of ten words from Prince Heng's mouth were lies.

Prince Yan left the palace with Shen Wei, boarding Prince Yan's Mansion's carriage for the return journey. The road was smooth, and the carriage moved at a leisurely pace.

Prince Yan's mind lingered on Prince Heng's words. "Appearances can be deceiving"... Was he warning me that someone close to me is deceitful? Since when did Prince Heng have such goodwill?

Lost in thought, Prince Yan glanced up and noticed Shen Wei beside him also frowning slightly, her delicate face clouded with doubt.

"Vivi, what's on your mind?" Prince Yan asked.

Shen Wei bit her lip lightly, her beautiful eyes lifting to gaze at him with a melancholic expression. She seemed hesitant but finally spoke, her voice trembling with unshed tears. "Your Highness... do you not truly care for me?"

Prince Yan: "!!!"

His expression stiffened, his eyelids twitching. "How could I not care for you?"

Shen Wei lowered her head, her voice small and dejected. "But... just now, Prince Heng said... appearances can be deceiving. You treat me so well and dote on Leyou, but I come from humble origins. Perhaps you only favor my looks, or... desire my body..."

Prince Yan's temple throbbed.

It dawned on him—Prince Heng's earlier words had been nothing but sowing discord! His sweet, innocent Vivi had been swayed by those few poisonous words and had begun doubting his love!

Inwardly, Prince Yan cursed Prince Heng vehemently. That vile, scheming wretch!

How dare he disrupt their harmonious domestic bliss!

"Vivi, don't overthink it." Prince Yan took Shen Wei's delicate hand in his, patiently reassuring her. "You alone understand my heart. Naturally, I cherish you."

Prince Yan spoke the truth.

He truly adored Shen Wei, and her place in his heart only grew heavier. Only with her could he bare his soul and speak his deepest truths.

It occurred to Prince Yan that perhaps Prince Heng knew this too—which was why he had deliberately tried to shake Shen Wei's faith in him.

"Really?" Shen Wei searched Prince Yan's eyes, still hesitant. "But Prince Heng's words..."

Prince Yan soothed her. "Nothing but mischief. Pay them no mind."

Shen Wei seemed to relax, her eyes brimming with wholehearted trust as she leaned gently against Prince Yan's chest. "I believe you, Your Highness. You are the finest man in the world—you would never deceive me."

Prince Yan wrapped an arm around Shen Wei's slender shoulders, finally easing.

Thankfully, he had reacted swiftly—otherwise, his Vivi might have been led astray by those honeyed lies.

From an angle Prince Yan couldn't see, a cold glint flashed in Shen Wei's eyes. That Prince Heng is full of malice, trying to undermine Prince Yan's trust in me.

Good thing she had turned the tables on him immediately.

Prince Heng wants to sow discord? He's still too green.

...

...

Prince Heng strolled leisurely along the lengthy palace path, eventually arriving at Concubine Qian's residence. The Emperor of Da Qing was old and frail, and in today's imperial court, Concubine Qian and the Empress stood as roughly equal powers.

"Your son greets you, Mother." Prince Heng entered the inner chamber.

The attending palace maids withdrew, leaving only Concubine Qian inside. She reclined lazily on a soft divan, sorting through a stack of yellow papers.

Concubine Qian had only one son—Prince Heng. Though nearing fifty, she had aged gracefully, her features still bearing traces of the breathtaking beauty of her youth.

"Sit," Concubine Qian said without looking up, her hands meticulously folding sheets of yellow paper.

Prince Heng plopped onto the rosewood chair, tilting his head as he eyed the stack of paper. "Mother. Princess Taihua has been dead for a century—why do you visit the Autumn Cool Palace every early autumn to offer sacrifices for her?"