A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 128

Prince Yan still harbored some lingering affection for Liu Ruyan. When she fell ill with a cold, he decided to visit her out of past sentiment.

"Your Highness, let this concubine accompany you," Shen Wei said, slowly rising with a hand on her waist, instructing Cai Lian to fetch her cloak.

Prince Yan gave a faint smile and clasped Shen Wei’s warm hand. "It’s snowing outside, and the cold is biting. Weiwei, you should rest. This prince will go to Qixue Pavilion and return shortly."

Shen Wei wanted to see him off, but Prince Yan stopped her. She could only watch "reluctantly" as his tall figure gradually vanished into the vast expanse of snow.

"Cai Lian, bring me the tea oil," Shen Wei said, her smile fading the moment Prince Yan left.

She intended to apply the tea oil to her belly to minimize stretch marks.

...

The snow continued to fall at night, blanketing the stone paths of the prince’s residence.

Prince Yan had barely stepped out of Liuli Pavilion when he suddenly paused. He turned to the young eunuch beside him. "Return to Liuli Pavilion and fetch some plum blossom pastries for Qixue Pavilion."

Prince Yan adored the plum blossom pastries Shen Wei made—crispy, fragrant, with a delicate hint of plum blossoms mingling with the wheat aroma of the dough.

Since Liu Ruyan was ill, bringing her a few pastries might offer some comfort.

The eunuch obeyed, dashing back through the snow to retrieve the treats.

Prince Yan trudged through the snow toward Qixue Pavilion. Snowflakes swirled around him, enveloping the pavilion in a dreamlike haze, as if it were a celestial palace from myth. For a moment, Prince Yan’s expression softened, lost in memories of his first encounter with Liu Ruyan.

That year, snow had blanketed Yanjing.

Prince Yan was riding back to the capital when his horse spooked in a plum grove, nearly colliding with a woman admiring the snow beneath the trees. He caught Liu Ruyan before she could fall, their eyes meeting as plum petals drifted down around them. Snowflakes danced in the air—a moment frozen in time.

Later, Liu Ruyan entered Prince Yan’s residence as a concubine, and the two shared a brief but sweet romance.

Now, Prince Yan strode into Qixue Pavilion with his hands behind his back. The court physician hurried forward to bow. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Prince Yan motioned for him to rise. "How is Ruyan’s condition?"

The physician replied, "The cold has invaded her body, causing fever. This humble one has prescribed medicine for her ailment. With regular doses, she will recover swiftly."

Xue Mei had already gone to prepare the medicine.

Prince Yan lifted the silver-white gauze curtain and stepped into Liu Ruyan’s serene bedchamber. The room was elegantly arranged—a half-read copy of The Collection Among the Flowers lay on the desk, fresh white plum blossoms adorned a vase, and a delicate plum-scented incense wafted from the burner.

Liu Ruyan lay quietly in bed, her dark hair fanned across the pillow. A white cooling cloth rested on her forehead, her face as pale as ice, like a slumbering snow maiden.

Illness made her resemble the delicate beauty of Xi Shi, evoking pity.

Prince Yan sat by the bed, studying her tranquil face, nostalgia stirring in his heart. Scenes of their past happiness flickered through his mind.

"Cough… cough…"

Half an hour later, Liu Ruyan’s brows furrowed slightly. She coughed twice, then slowly opened her eyes. Her vision cleared, and she saw Prince Yan’s handsome face.

"Your Highness…" she murmured.

That soft call melted Prince Yan’s heart.

"I’m here," he said gently. "Rest well, Ruyan."

Just then, Xue Mei entered with the medicine. To everyone’s surprise, Prince Yan took the white porcelain spoon himself and fed Liu Ruyan the bitter brew.

The medicine was foul, but Liu Ruyan’s heart was sweet.

Gazing at the man before her, she seemed to see again the dashing youth from the plum grove. Their past felt like a fleeting dream.

Xue Mei stood quietly to the side, inwardly rejoicing. Prince Yan personally feeding her mistress medicine—their chemistry was palpable, just like in the beginning.

She rubbed the chilblains on her fingers, thinking with relief that their hardships were finally over. Liu Ruyan would surely regain favor, and Xue Mei, her loyal maid, would rise alongside her!

Once the bowl was empty, Xue Mei happily took it away and handed it to another maid. Qixue Pavilion had four maids in total, but Liu Ruyan disliked crowds, allowing only Xue Mei to attend her closely.

In the room, Prince Yan helped Liu Ruyan lie back down. "Winter is harsh, and your constitution is weak. You should dress more warmly when admiring the snow and plums."

Liu Ruyan’s beautiful eyes shimmered with grievance. "Does Your Highness believe this illness is solely due to the cold?"

Prince Yan was puzzled. "Is there another reason?"

She lowered her lashes. "I fell ill because of Shen Wei."

Prince Yan was baffled.

How could Liu Ruyan’s fever be Shen Wei’s fault?

Liu Ruyan sulked. "White plums are pure as jade, blooming proudly in the snow. Yet that woman plucked them to make pastries. This concubine was so aggrieved that it made me ill."

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She refused to admit her sickness stemmed from inadequate clothing—Shen Wei’s offense was the true cause.

Prince Yan was at a loss for words.

Outside, the eunuch returned with a food box, presenting it respectfully. "Your Highness, as you commanded, this servant retrieved the plum blossom pastries from Liuli Pavilion. Lady Shen said the remaining ones were stale, so she had Cai Lian prepare fresh ones."

He opened the box, revealing a small white plate with four perfectly arranged pastries, still steaming.

The eunuch couldn’t resist flattering Liu Ruyan. "Lady Liu, His Highness treats you so well. Though he loves these pastries himself, he thought to share them with you. Truly, you hold great importance in his heart."

Prince Yan: "…"

Liu Ruyan: "…"

Her nose tingled, tears welling in her eyes. She stared at Prince Yan in dismay. "Is Your Highness mocking me? Knowing how I cherish plums, you bring these vulgar pastries to insult me?"

Twin trails of tears fell.

Disappointment filled Liu Ruyan’s heart.

She turned away, her slender shoulders trembling with quiet sobs.

Prince Yan massaged his temples in exasperation—that wasn’t his intention at all!

"Ruyan, let me explain," he said.

But Liu Ruyan refused to listen, sinking deeper into melancholy.

In the past, during their happier days, Prince Yan might have softened to console her.

But in recent years, with the crown prince’s illness forcing Prince Yan to shoulder the kingdom’s burdens, he had grown more authoritative and weary. Returning home, he had little patience left for his concubines’ dramatics.

Now, seeing Liu Ruyan’s tears no longer moved him—only irritated him. The flicker of pity he’d felt vanished under her unreasonable tantrum.

It’s just a few plum blossoms. Must you make such a scene?

Prince Yan stood abruptly and strode out without another word.

Xue ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‍Mei gaped, watching helplessly as his figure disappeared into the snow. She rushed back inside, finding Liu Ruyan still weeping. Silently, Xue Mei pinched her own philtrum.

Their golden opportunity had slipped away—Prince Yan had come to Qixue Pavilion, only to leave again.

Xue Mei asked in exasperation, "My lady, how could you have angered Prince Yan into leaving again!"