A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 158
Though the Empress and Prince Yan had placed the Princess Consort under house arrest, they still permitted visitors to see her.
The Princess Consort frowned impatiently, unable to recall who this person was, and asked, "Who is Xiang'er?"
Granny Liu replied, "She was the concubine you brought into the Prince's Mansion—also a peasant girl."
With Granny Liu's reminder, the Princess Consort finally remembered Xiang'er. Back when Shen Wei was pregnant, the Princess Consort had sought out a beautiful peasant girl to divert Prince Yan's favor away from Shen Wei.
When the plan failed, Xiang'er lost her usefulness, and the Princess Consort promptly forgot about her.
As the Princess Consort dressed, an idea sprouted in her mind—it was easier to deal with the king of hell than his minions.
Shen Wei now held control over the household, basking in her success. If Xiang'er could stir up trouble and make Prince Yan see Shen Wei's "incompetence in managing the household," perhaps the Princess Consort could regain her authority.
Now, the Princess Consort was filled with regret.
Back when she firmly held the reins of the household, she hadn’t cherished it. She even considered managing the household a distraction from caring for her child, so she neglected her duties and left everything to the steward, Fu Gui. But now that she had lost control, she realized how empty-handed she truly was.
Only after losing something does one learn to value it.
"Bring her in," the Princess Consort ordered Granny Liu.
After changing her clothes, the Princess Consort received Xiang'er in the main hall. Before long, Granny Liu led in a frail woman. The Princess Consort took a closer look and nearly failed to recognize her.
Xiang'er had grown alarmingly thin, little more than skin and bones, her eyes dull. She wore a tattered gray dress, her hair wrapped in an old cloth.
"Greetings to the Princess Consort," Xiang'er said, dropping to her knees with a thud.
Xiang'er was at her wit's end. Without Prince Yan's favor, her monthly allowance had been stolen by maidservants. Her younger brother had fallen ill, and her parents repeatedly demanded money from her for his treatment.
Xiang'er was penniless. Now that Shen Wei controlled the Prince's Mansion, Xiang'er dared not approach her—after all, she had openly defied Shen Wei many times before.
Her only hope was to beg the Princess Consort for help.
Xiang'er kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, "Your Highness, my brother is gravely ill and needs a large sum of money. I beg you to spare some silver so I can save him. If you would only help me, I would serve you like an ox or a horse, even if it means being crushed to dust!"
Thud—thud—thud—
Her forehead struck the floor until it split open, blood trickling down.
Seated on the high seat, the Princess Consort idly twisted a string of jade prayer beads and said coolly, "Crushed to dust, you say? Do you mean it?"
Xiang'er lifted her head, blood streaking her face. "Every word is true!"
The Princess Consort counted the beads one by one, then spoke slowly, "You’ve offended Shen Wei—you won’t last long in the mansion anyway."
Tears streamed down Xiang'er’s cheeks.
A cold smile curled on the Princess Consort’s lips as she drawled, "I promise your family ten taels of silver every year. Hide a dagger on you, go to Shen Wei’s Glazed Pavilion to beg for help, and then… take your own life in her courtyard."
A concubine’s death in a consort’s quarters was no small matter.
Rumors would spread that Shen Wei had "forced a concubine to suicide." With no witness left to defend her, Shen Wei would be drenched in slander. Would Prince Yan tolerate her then? Would the Empress?
With the stain of "driving a concubine to death," Shen Wei’s reputation would be tarnished, and the household authority would inevitably return to the Princess Consort.
Kneeling on the ground, Xiang'er’s tears soaked her face. "Ten taels every year… Your Highness, you must not deceive me."
The Princess Consort smiled. "My word is gold. I will not lie."
Xiang'er closed her eyes, clenched her teeth, and nodded.
As if steeling herself, Xiang'er slowly rose and stumbled out of Kunyu Courtyard in a daze. The Princess Consort remained seated on her high throne, watching the frail figure disappear. After a long moment, a cold smirk curved her lips.
One life in exchange for regaining control—it was more than worth it.
Shen Wei was nothing but a lowly peasant girl who had lucked into Prince Yan’s favor and the household authority. She knew too little of the schemes and intrigues within the mansion’s inner walls.
The gloom that had weighed on the Princess Consort for days finally lifted. She clicked her prayer beads one by one, lips curling in anticipation of the good news to come.
...
Before dawn had fully broken, Xiang'er slipped out of Kunyu Courtyard. Head bowed, she tried to make herself invisible, moving cautiously back to her own quarters.
In less than a year at the Prince's Mansion, Xiang'er had been worn down to a shell of herself.
A worthless life.
If her death could buy even a shred of her parents’ affection, it would be worth it. Born into a family that favored sons over daughters, Xiang'er had received little love. Perhaps, by proving her worth, they would finally see her value.
She even thought, with bitter sorrow, that her death might make them regret their past neglect.
The morning dew still clung to the grass, dampening the hem of Xiang'er’s pants as she quickened her steps.
But as she turned a corner in the corridor, she froze. Her pupils dilated in terror as she stumbled back.
In the pale dawn light, Shen Wei stood like a ghost at the other end of the walkway, expressionless, lips pressed thin. Dressed in resplendent robes, she was like a peony blooming at daybreak—radiant and piercing.
Xiang'er’s blood ran cold.
A chill crawled up her spine, raising goosebumps along her arms. A voice inside her wailed in despair: Shen Wei knows everything! She knows it all!
The Princess Consort’s cold instructions, the plot to frame her—Shen Wei was aware of every detail!
"Return to your quarters and stay there," Shen Wei said, her voice calm.
Yet to Xiang'er, it struck like thunder.
Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground.
Shen Wei turned and walked away.
Xiang'er lifted her head with difficulty, her vision filled only with that dazzling figure, brighter than all the flowers in the garden. Only then did she realize—she and Shen Wei were no longer of the same world.
Dazed, Xiang'er staggered to her feet and stumbled back to her small courtyard. At the gate, Cai Lian and Cai Ping had been waiting for some time.
"Are you… here to send me off?" Xiang'er asked, her face lifeless.
Cai Ping rolled her eyes and snapped, "Never seen someone so ungrateful. Since our mistress took charge, she’s had the walls and roofs of every courtyard in the southwest repaired—even your shabby little hovel, so you wouldn’t get drenched when it rains. And how do you repay her? By running to the Princess Consort to plot against her. Shameless, heartless wretch!"
Xiang'er hung her head in shame.
It was true. Since Shen Wei assumed control, she had allocated funds for repairs. With the rainy season approaching, Xiang'er had slept dry in her room for once.
But… her brother was sick. She had no choice but to betray Shen Wei.
Cai Lian stopped Cai Ping’s scolding and spoke gently to Xiang'er, "If you behave, our mistress will spare your life. But if you choose the wrong path, you’ll only be seeking death."
Xiang'er clenched her teeth in silence.
Cai Lian continued, "Your younger sisters were all sold into servitude by your parents. The money was saved for your brother’s dowry. Your brother isn’t sick—your father lied to extort money from you."
Xiang'er’s eyes widened in horror. "No… that can’t be! My sisters are still so young—the youngest is only five!"
Cai Lian replied, "There are no walls without chinks. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to inquire about the truth outside."
