A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 127

Liu Ruyan turned her head, the cold wind tousling the dark strands at her temples. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, so much so that the white plum blossoms blooming behind her paled in comparison.

Shen Wei sighed inwardly. During her pregnancy, she had been unable to attend to Prince Yan. The prince spent half of each month in Qixue Pavilion, and in the remaining days—aside from visiting the Crown Prince’s residence for official matters—he had begun frequenting Liu Ruyan’s quarters more often.

Liu Ruyan was reclusive by nature, but her beauty was undeniable. In the entire rear palace of Prince Yan’s estate, even across all of Yanjing, she was undoubtedly the most stunning woman. Before marrying Prince Yan, she had been hailed as the "Number One Talented Beauty of Yanjing," renowned for both her intellect and her looks.

Not only Prince Yan, but even Shen Wei found herself captivated by her.

Winter was Liu Ruyan’s season, her beauty blooming amidst the snowflakes.

In a cool tone, Liu Ruyan replied to Li Yao, "After the heavy snow, the plum blossoms will fall and wither pitifully. Gathering these petals, grinding them into powder, and making incense will at least extend their lifespan."

Xue Mei silently crouched on the ground, collecting the petals.

She hated winter the most. Every time Liu Ruyan had some eccentric idea, Xue Mei, as her maid, had to scramble to fulfill it.

Today, it was gathering plum blossoms for incense. Tomorrow, pruning the plum trees. The day after, sweeping snow off the branches. She was run ragged, her hands covered in chilblains—and her monthly wages hadn’t increased a single coin.

Seeing Liu Ruyan dressed so lightly, Shen Wei kindly reminded her, "The weather is freezing, Lady Liu. You should wear more layers. Falling ill in winter is hard to recover from."

Liu Ruyan glanced at Shen Wei indifferently.

Amid the snow-covered landscape, Shen Wei was bundled up snugly. Her pregnancy had rounded her face, making her resemble a plush, pampered cat in the snow.

Liu Ruyan disliked Shen Wei’s gaudy attire and replied calmly, "My health is fine. There’s no need for your concern."

Faced with Liu Ruyan’s aloof tone, Shen Wei wasn’t the least bit offended. Instead, she found it oddly fascinating. My, this aloof, unapproachable demeanor of hers is really something.

Unable to help herself, Shen Wei stole another glance. Liu Ruyan’s skin was so pale it seemed poreless, her nose elegantly high-bridged, her eyes strikingly beautiful.

Li Yao, anxious to prevent any conflict between the two concubines, hastily opened a food box and offered a steaming plum blossom pastry. "Lady Liu, Yao’er and Lady Shen made these pastries. Please try one!"

At the sight of the small pastry, a flicker of anger crossed Liu Ruyan’s flawless face.

Her willow-leaf brows furrowed as she turned to Shen Wei with disdain. "As the ancients said, ‘When heaven and earth stand silent, the mountain rain ceases—how many lifetimes must one cultivate to become a plum blossom?’ And yet, you dare turn plum blossoms into pastries? How utterly… how utterly vulgar!"

Plum blossoms were noble and proud, the most exquisite flowers in the world.

And this Shen Wei had the audacity to turn them into common pastries.

Shen Wei, inexplicably scolded, was at a loss for words.

You grind them into powder for incense—how is that any better than me making pastries?

"Xue ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‍Mei, let’s go!" Liu Ruyan’s mood had soured. She couldn’t bear to look at Shen Wei’s plump face any longer.

To Liu Ruyan, Shen Wei was nothing but a pretty face with no substance.

Xue Mei lifted her head from the snow, clutching a basket full of petals, and struggled to keep up with Liu Ruyan.

Having crouched too long in the cold, her legs were numb. She nearly stumbled after a few steps, saved only by Cai Lian’s quick support.

Cai Lian and Xue Mei had once worked together and shared some camaraderie. Seeing Xue Mei’s gaunt face and the chilblains on her fingers, Cai Lian couldn’t help but whisper, "Xue Mei, you’ve had it rough."

She discreetly slipped her own chilblain ointment into Xue Mei’s hand. Winter was harsh, but Shen Wei had taken pity on the servants in Qixue Pavilion, gifting them ointments and warm fabrics.

Truthfully, among all the servants in Prince Yan’s estate, those in Qixue Pavilion had the most comfortable winters.

Xue Mei forced a smile, tucking the ointment away. "I’m fine."

Wuwu… She wasn’t fine. She was miserable.

...

Leaving the palace gardens, Shen Wei and Li Yao continued on to visit Zhang Miaoyu.

As they walked, they spotted two servants carrying a tightly wrapped mat, hurrying toward the rear courtyard.

The ground was slippery, and one servant stumbled. The mat rolled open, revealing the emaciated corpse of a woman inside—her clothes thin, her body skeletal, her skin tinged blue.

Her eyes were wide open, unseeing.

Li Yao shrieked in terror. Shen Wei quickly shielded her with her cloak.

"Forgive us, Mistress! We’ll take the body away at once!" The servants scrambled to gather the corpse back into the mat, hauling it out through the back gate.

Li Yao trembled, tears welling in her eyes. "Auntie, I’m scared..."

Shen Wei soothed her. "Don’t be afraid. Let’s go rest in the Flower Fragrance Courtyard."

Holding Li Yao’s hand, Shen Wei glanced at the rolled mat and sighed inwardly. This winter was especially cruel. While she lived in comfort—warm rooms, thick clothing—the low-ranking concubines of the estate suffered.

Their charcoal rations were withheld, their wages docked. They were forced to weave and embroider in the bitter cold, selling handicrafts just to survive.

Every year, several unfavored concubines froze to death.

Women like Liu Ruyan, even without Prince Yan’s favor, lived well because of their noble backgrounds. But those without family or support were trapped forever in their tiny courtyards, surviving on scraps.

When they died, they were tossed out in a mat, buried in unmarked graves.

Li Yao asked innocently, "Auntie, don’t the aunties in the southwestern courtyards have charcoal? Why don’t they use it? Did they run out?"

Shen Wei couldn’t bring herself to explain the harsh realities of the rear palace to an eight-year-old. She merely brushed off the question.

Li Yao, noticing her evasion, secretly resolved to visit the Princess Consort that night and ask her to send more charcoal to those concubines. Then they wouldn’t freeze to death.

...

Night fell, and snow drifted silently, blanketing the courtyard in white.

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Inside, the room was warm and cozy. Prince Yan had once again chosen to stay in Qixue Pavilion. The two hadn’t yet retired, instead nestled together on the heated divan, chatting. A plate of plum blossom pastries sat on the table—Prince Yan had eaten several upon arrival, savoring their flavor.

His large hand rested on Shen Wei’s rounded belly, feeling the child’s lively kicks. He chuckled. "This one’s active—just like me. They’ll be a mischievous one."

Throughout her pregnancy, Shen Wei had diligently reminded Prince Yan of their child’s presence, nurturing his paternal affection.

Watching her belly grow day by day, feeling the baby’s movements for the first time—Prince Yan had been awed. Even unborn, the child already felt like a part of him.

He couldn’t wait for the birth, to finally hold this precious child in his arms.

Prince Yan was feeling the baby's movements in his consort's womb when Cai Lian's hurried footsteps approached outside. Cai Lian rushed into the warm chamber and spoke through the gauze curtains:

"My lord, Xue Mei from Qixue Pavilion has come. She says Consort Liu Ruyan has suddenly developed a high fever and fallen unconscious. Xue Mei requests your presence at once."