The Southern Enclosure Hunting Grounds, located in the northern outskirts of the capital, consisted of vast woodlands and marshes along the southern bank. It served as a royal hunting and military training site. At the foot of the mountains, tents of various sizes were pitched in an orderly yet scattered arrangement.
Similar to the inner residences, the area was divided into front and rear sections. The front housed the Emperor and his ministers, while the rear was reserved for the womenfolk.
Three large tents stood out—those of the Crown Prince, Prince Lin, and Prince Heng—surrounded by smaller tents scattered around. Shen Lingshu was still looking around curiously when a familiar and unpleasant voice rang out: “So it really is you, little sister!”
Shen Lingshu turned to see Shen Lingyi, dressed in resplendent attire, adorned with jewels from head to toe, exuding an air of “noble extravagance.”
“Greetings, Concubine,” Shen Lingshu curtsied gracefully, her demeanor impeccable and beyond reproach.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. It seems life in Lin Prince’s Mansion hasn’t treated you well either, Concubine Shen,” Shen Lingyi took a step forward, her gaze lingering on the white jade hairpin in Shen Lingshu’s hair. She emphasized the words “Concubine Shen,” her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“This humble concubine greets Concubine,” Side Consort Fang immediately stepped forward to pay her respects upon seeing Shen Lingyi. She had already inquired and learned that the Crown Prince had brought only Shen Lingyi as his concubine on this trip.
Moreover, she wanted to gauge Shen Lingyi’s attitude toward Shen Lingshu.
Shen Lingyi, in turn, was eager to find out how Shen Lingshu was faring in the prince’s mansion.
The two hit it off instantly, acting as warmly as biological sisters. Shen Lingshu was left aside, and when the topic turned to her having attended the prince for seven consecutive nights, Shen Lingyi’s expression darkened instantly.
After Side Consort Fang left, Shen Lingyi immediately launched her attack: “Shen Lingshu, is this how the Shen family raised you?”
“Monopolizing the prince’s favor—doesn’t that violate ancestral family rules?”
“If you delay the prince’s duty to continue his lineage, can you bear the responsibility?”
Shen Lingyi stared at Shen Lingshu’s face, thinking, “You seductress! Who would have thought you’d actually catch Prince Lin’s eye!”
“Elder Sister is from the Crown Prince’s household. Should you really be meddling in the affairs of our Lin Prince’s Mansion?” Shen Lingshu frowned, thinking, “Side Consort Fang truly spares no effort in digging pits for me!”
“What? As your elder sister, am I not allowed to discipline you?” Shen Lingyi fired off her words like a barrage, her voice low and commanding: “Kneel down at once!”
“I will not kneel.”
Before Shen Lingshu could finish speaking, two matrons behind Shen Lingyi rushed toward her, one on each side. They grabbed her and forced her downward.
“The Concubine ordered you to kneel. It would be wise for the concubine to obey,” one of the matrons lifted her leg and drove her knee into the back of Shen Lingshu’s knee. The pain shot through her, causing cold sweat to break out. Her knees weakened, and she dropped to one knee.
Shen Lingyi reached out, but Shen Lingshu dodged and turned her face away.
The next moment, the matron pressed her head down, forcing her to face Shen Lingyi. Struggling in vain, Shen Lingshu could only kneel before Shen Lingyi in a humiliating posture.
“Master!” Zhuxin stepped forward anxiously, wanting to help, but Shuqing, Shen Lingyi’s maid, grabbed her and slapped her across the face. “The Concubine has words for the concubine. As a mere maid, you should keep quiet.”
Shen Lingshu couldn’t see Zhuxin, but she heard the sharp sound of the slap clearly. A flash of anger crossed her eyes as she said, “Shen Lingyi, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Prince?”
“A mere servant—as a concubine, I could not only slap her but even kill her, and no one would dare utter a word.”
Shen Lingyi raised her hand, stroking her beautiful nails lightly across her face: “Tsk tsk tsk, such a pretty face. If it were ruined, would Prince Lin still like you?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Shen Lingshu said coldly.
“Hah.”
Shen Lingyi sneered, gripping her face with both hands, her slender nails almost digging into her flesh. She said coldly, “Shen Lingshu, don’t think that just because you’ve entered Lin Prince’s Mansion, you can rest easy and put on airs in front of me!”
“Pah.”
Shen Lingyi spat, enunciating each word: “Remember, you’re just a lowly concubine. Whatever this Concubine orders you to do, you do it obediently. Otherwise…”
“This Concubine could crush your life like an ant.”
Shen Lingyi flung her face away as if disgusted by the filth, stood up, and said, “Nanny Wu, supervise the concubine as she reflects. She is not to rise until she has knelt for a full two hours.”
“Yes,” Nanny Wu replied.
Shen Lingyi’s luxurious gown brushed past Shen Lingshu. Outside the tent, the faint sound of Shen Lingyi chatting warmly with others could be heard.
Two hours later, Nanny Wu finally left. Having knelt for two hours, Shen Lingshu couldn’t even stand up, collapsing weakly to the ground.
“Master!” Zhuxin’s tearful voice rang out. She said angrily, “I’ll go tell the Prince and ask him to seek justice for you.”
Shen Lingshu grabbed Zhuxin and shook her head. “It’s useless. Help me to the bed to rest.”
“Master, the Prince would never let you be bullied like this,” Zhuxin said as she helped Shen Lingshu to the bed, carefully lifting her skirt to reveal bruised knees.
Zhuxin’s heart ached, tears streaming down her face.
“These petty squabbles between women are nothing more than catfights in the eyes of men, not worth mentioning.”
Shen Lingshu lowered her gaze. “Besides, Shen Lingyi is the Crown Prince’s Concubine. The Prince respects the Crown Prince and wouldn’t bother him over such trivial matters. There’s no need to make the Prince think I’m troublesome.”
“Moreover, with so many people coming and going, someone must have seen me being punished. It would be hard for the Prince not to find out. If I endure in silence, perhaps the Prince will think I’m obedient and sensible.”
“Then, when the Prince sees, he will surely seek justice for you,” Zhuxin said, gently applying a cloth to her legs and massaging them to ease the discomfort.
“The Prince won’t come today.”
Shen Lingshu’s voice was firm.
“Why?” Zhuxin was puzzled. Whether at the mansion or along the journey, whenever the Prince had free time, he would always come to see her.
Shen Lingshu said nothing more, only adding, “Bring a warm egg to apply to your face. In the future, if something like this happens, don’t foolishly rush forward.”
“Thank you, Master,” Zhuxin said. Though she had been struck, she didn’t regret it at all. Such a good master deserved her protection.
That evening, the Prince indeed did not come. Instead, he sent Qingwu to relay a message: the Prince was required to attend the Emperor and had no time to visit.
“Master, tomorrow, the Prince will surely come tomorrow,” Zhuxin comforted her.
Shen Lingshu smiled. The next day, news arrived that the Prince had gone to Hai Jiaren’s tent, infuriating Zhuxin so much she kicked a table!
“Ouch!” Zhuxin cried out in pain, hopping on one foot while clutching the other.
“Zhuxin, why take your anger out on a table?” Shen Lingshu watched helplessly, steadying her.
“This servant feels heartbroken for you,” Zhuxin said, pursing her lips. It seemed the Prince could not be relied upon.
“Zhuxin, can’t you see it? Side Consort Fang and Shen Lingyi have joined forces.”
Shen Lingshu hadn’t expected this girl to still remember the kneeling punishment incident. She patiently explained that from now on, as she would be following by her side and as her status would rise in the future, Zhuxin’s abilities would also need to improve.
“Huh?”
Zhuxin realized belatedly, saying, “Oh right, today I saw the Prince was about to come see you, but was intercepted by the concubine, and then he went to Lady Hai’s place instead.”
Zhuxin: “Then, then are we just going to let it go?”
“Of course not. In the future, we’ll settle the score with interest.” Shen Lingshu’s determination to climb higher grew even stronger. If she were a concubine, or even held a higher status, would Shen Lingyi dare to be so arrogant today?