A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 168

The incense stick in the Princess Consort's hand snapped and fell to the floor, a wisp of white smoke curling upward. Her head buzzed with shock.

Pregnant?

The Shen Clan was pregnant again?

Shen Wei had given birth merely five months ago, yet she was already with child once more!

The Princess Consort's heart burned with jealousy, her fingers tightening reflexively around her prayer beads. Alongside the envy, a creeping sense of dread settled in. After returning to the manor, she had slapped Shen Wei, causing her to faint. If anything had happened to the unborn child, the blame would have fallen squarely on the Princess Consort.

Prince Yan would have been furious, and the Empress, who had long disapproved of the Princess Consort, would have surely punished her.

Granny Liu, observing the Princess Consort's distress, spoke cautiously, "Your Highness, there was no need to confront Concubine Shen so directly. Had you restrained your anger and refrained from striking her, the situation would have been entirely different."

The Princess Consort looked up, puzzled. "How so?"

Granny Liu explained, "Concubine Shen has only recently given birth, and now she is with child again—her body must be weakened. With the heir being of utmost importance, you could have apologized to the Prince and offered to relieve her of the household duties during her pregnancy."

Shen Wei already had a daughter under a year old, and with this sudden pregnancy, her energy would be stretched thin. The other concubines in the manor were hardly competent, leaving the Princess Consort with ample justification to reclaim her authority over the household.

But alas, her impulsive slap had sealed off that path.

Prince Yan was far too astute to entrust household management to a wife who would strike a concubine.

The Princess Consort's face paled, her legs giving way as she collapsed onto the prayer cushion. Only now did she realize—she had squandered a golden opportunity to regain control.

...

In the Glazed Pavilion, servants bustled about in orderly fashion.

Prince Yan had summoned an Imperial Physician from the palace to examine Shen Wei.

After a careful diagnosis, the physician confirmed that Shen Wei was one month pregnant, though the fetus was in a precarious state. Her body had not yet fully recovered from the previous childbirth, and she required prolonged rest.

Once the examination concluded and the finest medicinal prescriptions were written, the physician discreetly advised Prince Yan before departing, "Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but... you must exercise restraint."

Prince Yan: "..."

He reflected deeply—indeed, the past two months had been rather unrestrained. A man in his prime, encountering a woman who matched him perfectly in every way, had led to nightly indulgence.

Amid his regret, an undeniable joy welled up in his heart. His Wei Wei was carrying his child again, and the manor would soon be livelier than ever.

After the physician left, maids swiftly set about preparing the prescribed medicine. Shen Wei had yet to awaken, her head resting weakly against the pillow, the reddened imprint of the slap stark against her pale cheek.

Prince Yan’s gaze lingered on that vivid mark, his expression darkening. Shen Wei’s constitution was already delicate, and that single strike had nearly endangered their unborn child.

His disappointment in the Princess Consort was absolute. The gentle and virtuous woman he had once known had, without his notice, morphed into a venomous hypocrite.

Given the Princess Consort’s jealous nature, she might very well attempt to harm Shen Wei during her pregnancy. To protect both the unborn child and the future of his lineage, Prince Yan could no longer allow her to stir up trouble.

"Confine the Princess Consort to Kunyu Courtyard. She is not to leave without just cause," he commanded his attendant, his voice cold.

House arrest, in all but name.

Unbeknownst even to himself, his heart had long since tilted entirely in Shen Wei’s favor.

Night deepened, the courtyard alive with the chirping of insects. A breeze rustled through the window lattice, whispering against the silence.

Shen Wei slept until the moon hung high above the willow branches, her stomach growling as she drowsily opened her eyes. The room was bathed in candlelight, and through a sheer gauze curtain, she glimpsed Prince Yan seated at a nearby desk, brush in hand, drafting documents.

Clad in dark robes, his sharp profile softened in the flickering light.

Hearing movement from the bed, Prince Yan set down his brush and drew aside the curtain. Shen Wei sat up in a daze, her raven hair cascading over her shoulders, the swelling on her cheek now subsided. She looked like a sleepy, beautiful cat.

Grrrowl—

Embarrassed, Shen Wei patted her stomach and blinked up at him. "I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat?"

The sight was utterly endearing. Prince Yan couldn’t help but chuckle.

The kitchen promptly served the prepared supper. Though Prince Yan had already eaten, he watched as Shen Wei, ravenous, devoured two bowls of rice and half a bowl of rich bone broth—hardly the picture of a refined noblewoman.

Rubbing his temples, Prince Yan sighed. "Eat slower. The child in your belly isn’t competing with you."

Shen Wei froze mid-sip, her eyes widening as if she’d only just realized. "Ch-child?"

Prince Yan smiled, delivering the good news. "Wei Wei, we’re going to have another child."

Shen Wei stared blankly, her fingers brushing her flat stomach as though this were the first she’d heard of it.

In truth, when she had experienced abdominal pain that morning, she had already consulted the manor physician. Upon learning of her pregnancy, two thoughts had crossed her mind.

First—she never should have indulged Prince Yan’s nightly escapades without restraint!

Second—the Princess Consort posed a threat.

With this pregnancy being unstable, the Princess Consort could have used it as an excuse to reclaim household authority. So Shen Wei had devised a clever ploy, deliberately taking that slap to permanently sever the Princess Consort’s path to power.

A maid brought a bowl of bitter prenatal medicine. Grimacing, Shen Wei forced it down, then quickly popped a piece of sugarcane candy into her mouth to chase away the taste.

That night, Prince Yan and Shen Wei lay side by side.

Shen Wei caressed her stomach, still in disbelief. "How did this happen again...?"

Prince Yan clasped her hand. "With how diligently I’ve labored, it’s hardly surprising."

Shen Wei shot him a glare—less angry, more coquettish, her eyes shimmering with playful reproach. Prince Yan’s pulse quickened. Sometimes, he truly wondered if Shen Wei was a fox spirit in disguise, her every glance enough to unravel his self-control.

But with her condition and the Imperial Physician’s strict warnings, he had no choice but to suppress his urges.

As ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍the night wore on, they chatted idly. Shen Wei mentioned choosing a good name for the baby, and Prince Yan made a mental note to start pondering one in secret.

...

The next morning, Prince Yan was in high spirits. After breakfast, he visited the nursery to admire his slumbering daughter, plucked a crisp cucumber from the garden, and then leisurely departed for court.

He relished this harmonious, carefree life—and it gave him all the more reason to ensure his rise to power succeeded.

For the sake of his family’s safety and a peaceful future, he had to claim the imperial throne.

After Prince Yan left for court, Shen Wei, having eaten breakfast, still felt a dull ache in her abdomen. Following another dose of prenatal medicine, she had no choice but to return to bed.

This pregnancy had come too soon, catching her off guard. But now that it had happened, she needed to recover swiftly and maintain her health, ensuring this child wouldn’t drain her vitality.

"Madam, Nanny Qian from the Empress’s household has arrived," Cai Lian announced as she stepped into the chamber.