“Your humble concubine pays respects to the Prince.”
Side Consort Fang entered the study and, while performing the ritual greeting, said, “I have specially brought sweet soup for the Prince…”
“Do you still remember this Prince’s rules?”
Prince Lin’s brush never paused, his cold and distant words cutting her off.
“Please forgive this concubine’s offense.”
Side Consort Fang immediately knelt down. The Prince never allowed concubines to bring soup or water to his study. Previously, a concubine had sent sweet soup to the study in an attempt to gain favor, and the Prince had directly placed her under house arrest.
Side Consort Fang explained, “This concubine was only concerned for the Prince’s health. Please rest assured, Prince, I have already reprimanded the maidservants. They will not speak a word of what happened this afternoon.”
Prince Lin: “Qingwu, send the red coral from the treasury to Autumn Crabapple Courtyard.”
“Thank you for the Prince’s reward.”
Side Consort Fang stood up, a flicker of joy flashing in her eyes. She had done the right thing by silencing them.
“I wonder if Concubine Shen served satisfactorily today? Concubine Shen is beautiful and has a face that promises sons. She will surely be able to bear children for the Prince soon, continuing the lineage and adding to the Prince’s household.”
Side Consort Fang cautiously observed Prince Lin as she inquired. Most importantly, Shen Lingshu’s face bore a fifty percent resemblance to the late Princess Consort Lin. What was the Prince’s attitude?
Prince Lin’s brush moved like a swimming dragon, but his thoughts returned to the afternoon.
Always one to value rules, even in matters of the bedchamber, he treated them as routine duties.
Today, having been drugged… it was exceptionally different.
The steamy bathtub blurred the woman’s face. He had taken her wildly, yet she had not uttered a single complaint.
Prince Lin’s eyes darkened, his lips parting slightly: “Acceptable.”
It seemed Concubine Shen was no different from the other concubines. Good, she posed no threat. Satisfied, Side Consort Fang left.
No sooner had Side Consort Fang left than Nanny Hua arrived.
“This old servant pays respects to the Prince.” Nanny Hua performed the ritual greeting.
Prince Lin set down his brush and said, “Qingwu, bring a stool for Nanny Hua.”
“Prince, were you plotted against today?” Nanny Hua asked directly.
She had been ordered to enter the Prince’s residence for over a month. If not for the sake of heirs, the Prince maintained a frequency of visiting the rear courtyard only once every five days. It was utterly impossible for him to favor a concubine in broad daylight, and without even reaching the bed, taking her urgently on the daybed.
Prince Lin replied in a low voice, “Yes.”
There were only three adult princes in the Kingdom of Muning. He ranked second, with an elder full-blood brother, the Crown Prince, above him, and a covetous third prince below.
Although the Crown Prince’s status was noble, the Empress had passed away early, leaving the position of Empress vacant.
The third prince’s birth mother, Consort Shu, as the highest-ranking consort in the rear palace, managed the six palaces. Her growing ambition was to elevate the third prince to the throne.
To win him over and seize his weaknesses, the third prince would stop at nothing!
Today’s hidden loss would definitely be repaid in full to the third prince.
“It is good that the Prince is unharmed. The Concubine Shen who served today has a face that promises sons. She will surely be able to bear children for the Prince soon.”
Nanny Hua paused before asking, “Concubine Shen, she…”
The late Princess Consort Lin, Gu Qiurong, had died in difficult childbirth, a pain in the Prince’s heart. There had been those who deliberately imitated Princess Consort Lin’s appearance before, but the Prince had always been angered.
“She was somewhat wronged today.”
Prince Lin’s expression showed no abnormality. Nanny Hua did not press further, saying, “Serving the Prince is their good fortune. How can there be talk of wronging?”
Nanny Hua presented a booklet, saying boldly, “This old servant dares to request that the Prince visit the rear courtyard every two days.”
Prince Lin looked at the booklet in his hand, his eyes darkening: starting from Side Consort Fang, it listed all the names of the concubines in the rear courtyard, even marking each concubine’s menstrual cycle. It was a rotation every two days, ensuring equal favor.
…
“Auntie, it’s time to pay respects to the Concubine.”
Zhuxin’s soft voice rang out. Shen Lingshu opened her eyes and saw that it was still dark outside. Sleepily, she asked, “What time is it?”
“The end of the Yin hour. We must arrive at Autumn Crabapple Courtyard by the beginning of the Mao hour to pay respects,” Zhuxin replied while helping Shen Lingshu dress.
The beginning of the Mao hour—that was five in the morning!
What a curse.
Shen Lingshu quickly got up, but her movements were too hasty, and her legs gave way, nearly causing her to fall to the ground.
“Auntie,” Zhuxin worriedly supported her.
“It’s fine.” Shen Lingshu took a deep breath. Having just served the Prince, if she were late for the morning greetings, Side Consort Fang, with her petty nature, would surely take it out on her.
At the beginning of the Mao hour, the sky was tinged with the pale light of dawn. She hurried to Autumn Crabapple Courtyard with Zhuxin and, after announcing their arrival, was made to wait in the courtyard.
It was late July, and the morning breeze was chilly. Shen Lingshu stood upright, her eyes lowered as she waited. In truth, she had already closed her eyes to catch up on sleep!
“Auntie, Concubine Li is here,” Zhuxin whispered as a reminder.
Shen Lingshu opened her eyes, all traces of sleepiness vanishing instantly.
Madam Li, favored in the early days, was also the first to bear a child. Although the child had died young, she had discovered Side Consort Fang’s secret. The two of them were locked in a fierce rivalry, which allowed Shen Lingshu to seize an opportunity, successfully conceive, and gain the Prince’s attention.
“Greetings, Concubine Li.”
Shen Lingshu smiled and bowed, discreetly observing Concubine Li. As the Prince’s first woman, promoted from a chamber maid to a concubine, Concubine Li was slightly older than Side Consort Fang.
She wore a pink hibiscus-patterned dress. Though the color was delicate and youthful, it clashed somewhat with Concubine Li’s mature, authoritative face.
“So you’re the Concubine Shen who served the Prince last night?” Concubine Li stared at Shen Lingshu’s face, her sense of crisis deepening. With such a beautiful face, if she were to become pregnant, wouldn’t she overshadow her?
“Yes.” Shen Lingshu lowered her gaze. Concubine Li was domineering by nature, and as the Prince’s first woman, she looked down on everyone.
Concubine Li took a step forward and said, “Look up.”
Shen Lingshu raised her head. The morning glow fell on her radiant, flower-like face, and her starry eyes sparkled with life. She curved her brows slightly and let out a soft exclamation.
“What’s all the fuss about?” Concubine Li frowned. Looking at that face, she couldn’t help but want to scratch it. A seductress—who was she trying to charm?
“Concubine Li, your dress today is truly beautiful. The peonies embroidered on it are so elegant and luxurious. The Prince must be delighted by it, right?” Shen Lingshu’s seemingly innocent words and sincere, questioning gaze instantly brought a smile to Concubine Li’s face.
“Of course. After all, I am the Prince’s first woman.”
Concubine Li laughed, her body trembling with mirth, and her gaze toward Shen Lingshu softened slightly.
Caolv, who had been waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Concubine Shen, Concubine Li, the Concubine requests your presence inside.”
Inside the inner chamber, Side Consort Fang had witnessed the entire scene clearly. One moment, Concubine Li had seemed ready to scratch Shen Lingshu’s face; the next, a few words from Shen Lingshu had her laughing joyfully.
“Concubine, do you think she’s pretending, or is she truly this foolish?” Matron Gui asked doubtfully.
Side Consort Fang’s lips curled slightly at the corners. “Whether she’s pretending or genuinely foolish, as long as she can be of use to me, that’s all that matters.”
“Indeed.” Side Consort Fang lowered her gaze, allowing her maid to continue dressing her.
Caolv hurried over and whispered into Side Consort Fang’s ear about the conversation they had just had. Side Consort Fang snorted coldly. “Is Madam Li also a fool? She believes a few flattering words spoken in praise?”
Her eyes filled with disdain and mockery. Stepping out of the inner chamber, Side Consort Fang emerged with a bright smile and said, “It seems there’s no need for me to introduce you.”
“Concubine, I heard Concubine Hai has been confined to her quarters?”
After paying her respects, Concubine Li inquired, “A young girl who has just entered the manor may be a bit rash, but that’s only natural. There’s no need for you to make a big fuss, Concubine. The Prince’s heirs are what matter most.”
“Are you implying, Concubine Li, that I am being unfair in handling this matter?” Side Consort Fang raised an eyebrow.