A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 37

Shen Wei turned her head upon hearing the words.

Crumbs of lotus pastry still clung to the corner of her mouth, and she held a half-eaten pink peach blossom pastry in her hand, leisurely sitting on the edge of the pavilion by the water. Her feet dangled carefreely, swaying back and forth.

There was not a trace of despair in her demeanor.

She was full of energy and vitality, her spirit shining brightly.

Zhang Yue was momentarily stunned. She had never expected Shen Wei to remain so composed even in the face of impending doom.

"Your end is near, and yet you still have the appetite to eat?" Zhang Yue was almost amused by her anger, feeling particularly irritated.

She wanted to see Shen Wei weeping in sorrow, not this lively and foolish display before her.

Shen Wei smiled faintly. "A person is made of iron, and food is steel. One must eat to have the strength to deal with matters."

Zhang Yue sneered, "Stop pretending to be calm. Shen Wei, deep down, you must be panicking. Prince Yan has no feelings for you. He has never trusted you."

Shen Wei rolled her eyes, about to retort, when she caught sight of Prince Yan hurrying toward the pavilion out of the corner of her eye.

Shen Wei had been waiting for Prince Yan!

Originally, she had planned to stage a scene of "heartbroken despair leading to a suicide attempt by jumping into the water" to evoke Prince Yan's guilt.

But she hadn't anticipated Zhang Yue's untimely interference.

However, it wasn’t a big problem. Shen Wei could easily switch scripts and still put on a good show.

Immediately, Shen Wei transformed into a dramatic performer. She staggered to her feet, her eyes reddening as she said, "Even if Prince Yan wishes to kill me, I would accept it willingly. I come from a humble background, and being favored by Prince Yan was already a blessing from heaven... In the days to come, I can no longer accompany Prince Yan. After my death, I will turn into a gentle breeze, brushing against Prince Yan's face, cooling him from the summer heat."

Such a lovestruck declaration made Zhang Yue burst into laughter.

Zhang Yue clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably. "Oh heavens, Shen Wei, you’ve actually fallen in love with Prince Yan? Everyone in the inner court knows that Prince Yan is a cold and heartless man. I once advised you not to become his concubine, but you still threw yourself at him like a moth to a flame... Hahaha, now you’ve brought this upon yourself. You deserve it."

Shen Wei's eyes reddened, as if she had suffered a great blow. Tears streamed down her face. "Prince Yan has misunderstood me, and I cannot defend myself. After my death, Zhang Yue, you must take good care of Prince Yan."

Zhang Yue rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically, "Of course, I will take good care of Prince Yan. Unlike you, I don’t crave his meager affection. What I desire is the wealth and status he can give me. In the future, when I bear his child, I will rise in status and live a life of security. With a bit of luck, I might even replace the Princess Consort."

Shen Wei looked shocked. "How can you treat Prince Yan as a tool for wealth and power! He is the finest man in the world! I won’t allow you to treat him this way!"

With that, Shen Wei lunged forward angrily, intending to slap Zhang Yue.

But Zhang Yue was quick and easily dodged Shen Wei's weak attempt.

Zhang Yue raised her hand, her voice menacing. "On the brink of death, and you still dare to lay a hand on me? Today, I’ll make sure you don’t live to see tomorrow."

Zhang ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌‍Yue swung her arm with all her might, aiming a fierce slap at Shen Wei.

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But before her hand could reach Shen Wei’s face, Zhang Yue was kicked hard into the pond, sending water splashing everywhere.

Fortunately, the pond wasn’t deep. Zhang Yue struggled to her feet, only to see Prince Yan standing by the pavilion.

Prince Yan was tall and imposing, dressed in a silver robe with a jade belt around his waist. Hanging from his belt was the mugwort sachet Shen Wei had made for him.

His handsome face was filled with rage as he held the trembling Shen Wei in his arms, shouting furiously, "Guards! Drag this wretched woman out of the pond and give her twenty lashes daily until she dies!"

Zhang Yue’s face turned pale, her body trembling with fear.

She hadn’t expected Prince Yan to appear so suddenly. Her mind buzzed with panic as she was dragged out of the pond by the guards, pleading desperately, "Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! I was wrong!"

Overwhelmed by the fear of death, Zhang Yue begged for mercy, but it was futile. She was dragged out of the Glazed Pavilion like a dead dog.

The cool morning breeze swept through, causing the white curtains of the pavilion to sway gently.

Shen Wei’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Prince Yan, who stood so close to her.

She took a step back, tears glistening as they fell. "Has Your Highness come to send me off? With a cup of poisoned wine? Or a white silk ribbon?"

Her eyes were filled with pain and sorrow.

Prince Yan’s heart ached.

When he had rushed to the Glazed Pavilion, he had overheard the conversation between Shen Wei and Zhang Yue from afar. Every word Shen Wei spoke was filled with love for him.

In the inner court of the palace, there were many women like Zhang Yue, driven by greed and ambition. But Shen Wei was different—she sought only Prince Yan’s love, nothing more.

This rare and precious love was almost lost because of his misunderstanding!

Prince Yan felt both remorseful and relieved, grateful that he hadn’t killed Shen Wei in his anger. He took Shen Wei’s hand and said softly, "It was my mistake to misunderstand you. From now on, I will not let my emotions cloud my judgment."

Prince Yan ordered his servant to bring the wooden figurine. He personally poured oil over it and set it on fire.

Shen Wei gasped in shock and rushed forward, trying to extinguish the flames. "You mustn’t burn it! You mustn’t!"

Prince Yan held Shen Wei by the shoulders and said gently, "I am blessed with good fortune. I don’t need you to take on my misfortunes, Wei Wei."

Shen Wei choked back tears. "During the Spring Banquet, the assassin nearly wounded you... I thought that from then on, I would always be willing to bear your misfortunes. That’s why I secretly carved this wooden figurine. Your Highness, you mustn’t burn it."

Prince Yan’s heart swelled with tenderness.

As the mighty Prince Yan of Da Qing, skilled in both civil and martial arts, he was more than capable of protecting himself. Yet, Shen Wei’s willingness to take on his misfortunes moved him deeply, even though he didn’t want her to risk herself.

Prince Yan smiled, gently tapping Shen Wei’s nose. "I have my tiger guards to protect me, so I will always be safe. From now on, you must not do such foolish things."

The flames crackled, and soon the wooden figurine was reduced to a charred remnant.

Shen Wei’s tears welled up in her eyes as she sobbed, "Your Highness actually doubted my feelings for you... I... I will never speak to you again!"

She loved Prince Yan (or rather, his wealth) so much!

How could he doubt her love?

She was furious!

Shen Wei ran back to her chamber in distress, slamming the door shut. Prince Yan knocked several times, but Shen Wei refused to open the door.

Clearly, she was still angry with him.

Prince Yan’s heart was heavy with concern for Shen Wei. He wanted to enter her chamber and comfort her, to pour out his feelings.

But the stubborn girl wouldn’t open the door. With his busy schedule, Prince Yan couldn’t spend the entire day at the Glazed Pavilion.

Prince Yan decided to return that evening to check on Shen Wei. Before leaving, he summoned the maids and eunuchs of the Glazed Pavilion and instructed them, "Take good care of your mistress."

Nanny Rong and the others replied respectfully, "We will obey your orders, Your Highness."

Prince Yan left with a troubled heart.

A flood of gifts poured into the Glazed Pavilion. Within a day, the entire palace knew that Shen Wei had regained Prince Yan’s favor.

The servants whispered among themselves.

"Have you heard? Lady Shen wasn’t practicing witchcraft—it was a protective charm."

"A protective charm? That’s a secret spell from the south, meant to ward off misfortune for someone."

"Thankfully, Prince Yan saw through the truth."

"Lady Zhang is such a fool. Now she’s locked in the woodshed, being beaten. No one is allowed to send her medicine. She probably won’t last ten days."

"Am I the only one who thinks Lady Shen always manages to turn danger into opportunity, gaining even more favor each time?"

"I heard that Prince Yan went to the Glazed Pavilion again tonight, but Lady Shen refused to see him. She’s still angry and won’t speak to him."

The servants gossiped endlessly.

The news reached the Princess Consort’s ears as she was reviewing her two sons’ studies in the study.

Holding a sheet of paper, she asked curiously, "A protective charm?"

Granny Liu replied, "It’s said to be a secret art from the southern regions, used to ward off misfortune for others."

The Princess Consort scoffed. "That Shen woman is quite fortunate."

The Princess Consort assumed that Zhang Yue had secretly buried a wooden figurine in Fangfei Courtyard, and Shen Wei had done the same.

Later, Shen Wei’s figurine was accidentally dug up, and Prince Yan, after investigating, cleared her name. If Zhang Yue’s figurine had been discovered instead, Shen Wei would have already lost her head.

It could only be said that Shen Wei was incredibly lucky.

Granny Liu added, "Lady Shen is deeply devoted to Prince Yan. After being misunderstood, she locked herself in her room. Prince Yan has tried to visit several times, but she’s refused to see him."

Hearing this, the Princess Consort nearly laughed out loud.

A mere concubine, daring to give Prince Yan the cold shoulder? She was digging her own grave!

Prince Yan was currently feeling guilty, which was why he was willing to visit her. If Shen Wei were a smart woman, she would have immediately given Prince Yan a way to save face and forgiven him.

But Shen Wei was truly foolish, repeatedly turning Prince Yan away!

Prince Yan, born into nobility, has repeatedly been slighted by a mere concubine. He feels his pride wounded and will inevitably grow weary of Shen Wei's refusal to show proper respect.

The Princess Consort shook her head with a hint of amusement and asked Granny Liu, "Do you know how Liu Ruyan fell out of favor back then?"

Granny Liu, an experienced figure in the prince's household, naturally knew the ins and outs of such matters. She replied calmly, "Back then, a lesser consort accused Concubine Liu of poisoning, which led to Prince Yan misunderstanding her. Later, when the truth came to light, the prince realized his mistake and went to visit Concubine Liu to apologize. However, she refused to see him. Over time, she lost his favor."

A wise woman would give Prince Yan a way to save face when he humbles himself to apologize. But a stubborn woman would gradually wear down his patience, leading to her downfall.

The Princess Consort said with pity, "That ungrateful Shen Wei is destined to follow in Liu Ruyan's footsteps."

Granny Liu chimed in, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Once Miss Ye from Jiangnan arrives in the capital, Shen Wei will no longer be of any concern."