“Spread your legs!”
A cold voice rang out. Shen Lingshu opened her eyes and saw an old matron dressed in palace attire, her icy hands moving over her body.
“You…”
As soon as Shen Lingshu spoke, someone covered her mouth. She struggled, but two matrons on either side pinned down her hands and feet. Only then did she realize she was completely naked.
“Second Miss Shen, cooperate, and you’ll suffer less!”
The old matron’s hands explored every inch of her body, especially the most private areas. It felt like a brutal gynecological examination, the rough movements so painful she couldn’t think straight.
She was treated like livestock awaiting slaughter. Only after the process ended did the matron leave, tossing her clothes at her.
“Shen Lingshu, superior figure, broad and rounded pelvis, suitable for bearing sons!”
As the matron’s announcement echoed, Shen Lingshu expressionlessly put on her clothes, her mind in chaos. She had transmigrated—no, transmigrated into a drama!
She was about to star in The Harem Chronicles. When she accepted the role, she thought the growth arc of the female lead’s rival was compelling. Though only a supporting character, she rose from cannon fodder to the position of empress, surviving countless near-death experiences!
No, to be precise, she was a shield for the male lead’s white moonlight—a target empress!
In ten years, she gave birth to seven children, all of whom died young amidst schemes and plots!
Her life was tragic. By her thirties, her body was as worn as an elderly person’s. She was nothing but a breeding tool her entire life, enjoying the title of empress yet receiving not a shred of dignity.
She tried so hard, so very hard, to survive…
“Miss Shen, this old servant apologizes for the offense.”
Behind a screen, her legitimate elder sister, Shen Lingyi, was also undergoing the inspection.
The same matron who had been cold and stern now wore a smile, her movements gentle—a world apart from how she had treated Shen Lingshu.
Both shared the surname Shen, one legitimate, one illegitimate—favoring the high and trampling the low.
In the Palace of Gathered Elegance, Shen Lingshu gazed at the antique room, her heart sinking.
“Congratulations, Second Miss Shen. Consort Rou has decreed that you shall enter Lin Prince’s Mansion to serve His Highness.”
Matron Gao’s congratulatory announcement rang out. Shen Lingshu instantly beamed, handing over the prepared pouch to Matron Gao. “Thank you for Her Ladyship’s grace.”
Matron Gao discreetly accepted the reward and added, “The sedan chair will arrive shortly.”
“Thank you, Matron Gao.” Shen Lingshu quietly slipped her another pouch.
Once Matron Gao left, Shen Lingshu turned around, her smile vanishing instantly.
According to the original plot, after entering the mansion, she would be given a floral bath by Side Consort Fang to cleanse her body. Unfortunately, it was laced with a drug that would render her infertile!
“Congratulations, sister, on entering Lin Prince’s Mansion as a concubine. Serve Prince Lin well in the future, and don’t disgrace the Shen family.”
A sweet voice chimed in. Shen Lingshu turned to see Shen Lingyi in a pink palace dress, as innocent and charming as described in the script—a girl who had grown up pampered!
If not for the emphasis she placed on the word “concubine” and the glee in her eyes, others might have mistaken it for sisterly affection.
“Congratulations to you too, sister, on entering the Crown Prince’s residence as a side consort.”
Shen Lingshu lowered her eyes to offer congratulations. In the Shen family, the female lead was meek and submissive.
“You should indeed congratulate me. Unlike a concubine, a side consort is recorded in the imperial genealogy.”
Shen Lingyi leaned close to her ear, explaining the difference between a concubine and a side consort, her face full of pride as she looked at her, feigning pity as she said, “From now on, it will be difficult for us sisters to meet.”
A prince’s concubine did not even have the right to return to her parents’ home.
“My sister is about to enter the Lin Prince’s Mansion. Unlike me, who still has to go home tomorrow to prepare my dowry, I won’t keep you company any longer.”
When Shen Lingyi mentioned the dowry, her eyes held a look of superiority. What did it matter if she was beautiful?
Wasn’t she still just carried into the prince’s mansion in a soft sedan chair?
Shen Lingyi paused in her steps, turned back, and said, “By the way, I wish my sister an early pregnancy, so you may gain status through your child.”
To wound someone, strike at their heart. Throughout the entire Mu Ning Kingdom, who didn’t know that Prince Lin was without heirs? In the vast rear courtyard of the prince’s mansion, the Emperor and Consort Rou had bestowed upon him no fewer than eight or ten concubines and aunts, yet not a single one had given birth to a child.
Shen Lingshu’s face darkened as she watched her retreating figure, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips. When the Crown Prince discovered that Shen Lingyi was not his savior…
When the Crown Prince was deposed and reinstated twice, only to be placed under house arrest in the end, she hoped Shen Lingyi would still be able to laugh.
…
Lin Prince’s Mansion, Autumn Crabapple Courtyard.
“Lady Hai Jiaren pays respects to the Side Consort.”
“Lady Shen Lingshu pays respects to the Side Consort.”
Hai Jiaren and Shen Lingshu both bowed and greeted Side Consort Fang, the highest-ranking woman in the Lin Prince’s Mansion.
“Raise your heads.”
Side Consort Fang’s cool voice rang out.
Hai Jiaren and Shen Lingshu slightly lifted their heads.
On the main seat, Side Consort Fang wore a purple long skirt embroidered with butterflies among flowers. Her jet-black hair was styled high in a cluster of buns, adorned with pearls and jade, exuding an air of wealth and elegance.
Side Consort Fang’s gaze swept over the two of them, appraising them.
Lady Hai was plump, with a slender waist and wide hips—clearly well-suited for bearing children.
As for Shen Lingshu, who was said to have a face that favored sons…
Side Consort Fang paused as she lifted her teacup, taking another look. Her features bore a striking resemblance—about fifty percent—to those of the late Princess Consort Lin?
Side Consort Fang took a light sip of tea, concealing her thoughts, before saying, “Now that you have entered the Lin Prince’s Mansion, your most important task from now on is to serve the Prince well and conceive an heir as soon as possible.”
“Matron Gui, take Concubine Hai and Concubine Shen to the side hall to bathe and cleanse themselves. Serve them well.”
Side Consort Fang gave the order, smiling warmly as she said, “Since they are to serve the Prince, they must be at their best. A bath with flower petals, fragrant and alluring—the Prince is sure to like it.”
“Thank you, Side Consort.”
Hai Jiaren rose to her feet, her face beaming with joy.
“Thank you, Side Consort.”
Shen Lingshu lowered her eyes, as Matron Gui’s voice sounded beside her ear: “This way, please, both Concubines. The jasmine-scented bath is for Concubine Shen, and the rose-scented one is for Concubine Hai.”
In the side hall, separated by a screen, two bathtubs filled with the fragrance of jasmine and roses steamed with warmth, their scents filling the air.
“How fragrant.”
Hai Jiaren took a deep breath and praised, “Matron Gui, please thank the Side Consort for me. I love roses the most.”
Hai Jiaren discreetly tried to slip some silver to Matron Gui, but Matron Gui’s face turned cold: “Concubine Hai, there’s no need for silver. It might lead to misunderstandings.”
“…”
Hai Jiaren held the pouch, her hand freezing in place.
“Undress, lie on the couch, and undergo the inspection.”
Matron Gui’s icy voice rang out. Hai Jiaren saw the matrons approaching to remove their clothes. Clutching her chest tightly, Hai Jiaren asked, “Matron Hai, we’ve already been inspected at the palace.”
“This old servant must check whether either of you two concubines is menstruating. Otherwise, how can you properly serve the Prince?”
Matron Gui signaled to the maidservants, and Hai Jiaren was immediately stripped of her clothes by two women flanking her on either side.
“I haven’t started my monthly cycle.”
Hai Jiaren’s face flushed as red as a boiled shrimp. In no time, even her undergarment was removed. A cool breeze swept over her, and despite the July heat, goosebumps rose on her skin.
“Whether it’s come or not, this old servant must see for herself.”
Matron Gui’s hands reached out, moving from top to bottom…
Shen Lingshu even saw Matron Gui humiliate Hai Jiaren with touches and pinches, making her eyes well up with tears.
“Concubine Shen!” After inspecting Hai Jiaren, Matron Gui turned to Shen Lingyi, with the two maidservants watching intently.
Shen Lingshu simply loosened her clothes: “I’ll do it myself.”
A crimson undergarment, embroidered with mandarin ducks frolicking in water, accentuated her skin, fairer than snow.
Hai Jiaren, who was just putting her clothes back on, watched this scene, clutching her garments tightly. Her nails dug into her flesh. With Shen Lingshu standing out like this, would there ever be a chance for her to shine?