Shen Jingyi was fully dressed and seated before the dressing mirror, allowing Chun Tao to put on her jewelry for her.
Her right hand remained at her waist, kneading it gently.
She muttered, “Nanny, my waist really aches.”
Nanny Qin looked at her with distress and suggested, “Why don’t you lie down on the bed, Your Ladyship? This old servant can massage it for you. It’ll feel better. Otherwise, when you go to the main courtyard to present tea later, you’ll really suffer.”
When Shen Jingyi heard this, her little face immediately fell. She said pitifully, “But my waist really hurts… I can’t even kneel properly. How am I supposed to present tea? It’s all Prince Xuan’s fault—like he hadn’t eaten meat in years. He tormented me most of the night.”
As she complained about Prince Xuan, she failed to realize that she herself had been just as enthusiastic the night before.
She lay face down on the bed and let Nanny Qin massage her. Sure enough, after a while, she felt much better.
Shen Jingyi climbed out of bed, tidied her clothes and hair, and then walked out of the room.
When she reached the side hall, she saw that Prince Xuan had already returned and was seated at the dining table waiting for her.
Her eyes flickered as an idea formed.
She placed her hand back on her waist, rubbing it as she slowly walked over to greet him. Her voice was soft and gentle.“Your concubine greets Your Highness.”
Prince Xuan looked up when he heard her voice.
Although he had already witnessed Shen Jingyi’s beauty the previous night, seeing her again still made a flash of amazement cross his eyes—especially when he recalled how bold she had been last night.
His body reacted instantly. He hurriedly cut off the images forming in his mind. He couldn’t think about that anymore.
“Rise. Come and have breakfast,” Prince Xuan said softly, suppressing the unusual look in his eyes.
Shen Jingyi’s eyes lit up.
She truly was hungry. She hadn’t eaten much the day before, and after last night’s intimate exertions, she desperately needed to replenish her energy.
As she walked over, she saw the table laid out with crystal-clear shrimp dumplings, steaming soup dumplings, beautifully shaped bite-sized flower rolls, fragrant shredded chicken congee, soft and sticky rice porridge, osmanthus cakes, red bean pastries, yam-and-date paste cakes, and six small dishes of refreshing side dishes.
Looking at the table full of sumptuous food, Shen Jingyi was delighted. Just as she was about to sit down, her mind suddenly recalled Nanny’s reminder—to serve the prince during meals.
She hurriedly stood straight again, silently cursing this detestable ancient society.
Still, she wore a sweet smile on her face and said coquettishly, “Your Highness, let your concubine serve you breakfast.”
Prince Xuan looked at her little eyes glued to the food and found it amusing.
This temperament clearly didn’t belong to someone who served others. He thought, Forget it. There’s no shortage of servants in the manor anyway. Let her be.
Having someone so lively in the inner residence isn’t bad. No need to change her.
With his decision made, he said, “Sit and eat together. There’s no need to serve. You must be hungry too.”
Hearing this, Shen Jingyi truly beamed with joy. Not having to serve was naturally the best outcome.
She quickly sat down. “Mm, thank you, Your Highness.”
Before starting herself, she first picked up a shrimp dumpling and placed it into Prince Xuan’s bowl.
Only after she saw him pick it up and eat it did she begin to eat heartily.
After all, this was her superior. Of course she had to curry favor—otherwise life in the inner residence would be difficult.
After they finished breakfast, Shen Jingyi spoke in a soft, delicate voice, “Your Highness, my waist really hurts. I can’t even walk.”
As she spoke, she gently leaned against Prince Xuan, wearing a pitiful expression.
Seeing her like this, Prince Xuan couldn’t help laughing.
He lightly patted her shoulder and said, “Alright, stop pretending. I’ll accompany you to present tea. Once that’s done, we’ll come back.”
Shen Jingyi smiled sheepishly when he saw through her little trick, but her goal had been achieved.
A new concubine entering the household must present tea to the principal wife—it was a rule, so it had to be done.
When the two arrived at the main courtyard, they saw that the Princess Consort and all the women of the rear court—slender and plump alike—were already seated.
The entire hall was filled with drifting fragrances and lively chatter.
Shen Jingyi moved with careful, graceful steps, following closely behind Prince Xuan.
The moment her slender, graceful figure entered the hall, she immediately became the focus of everyone’s attention.
Their gazes were intense—envy, jealousy, disdain, all intertwined, threatening to drown her.
Yet she remained calm, the corners of her lips slightly raised in a faint smile.
At that moment, Shen Jingyi was like a flower in full bloom—delicate and radiant, yet dignified and elegant.
Her beauty was like the brightest star in the night sky, impossible to ignore.Her temperament was like the first ray of morning sunlight—warm, gentle, and full of vitality.
She stood out uniquely in the hall, drawing everyone’s eyes.
“Your concubine greets Your Highness,”
The Princess Consort, accompanied by several concubines who practically reeked of sour jealousy, stepped forward gracefully to pay their respects.
“Rise,” Prince Xuan said indifferently, waving his hand without even looking at them as he passed by and took the main seat.
The Princess Consort didn’t mind.
Dressed in a richly embroidered crimson palace gown, she returned to her seat with a gentle smile, though her eyes never left Shen Jingyi.
Consort Su’s eyes burned with resentment, her silk handkerchief nearly torn apart in her grip.
As for Concubine Li, Concubine Liu, and the others, their gazes were complex, each harboring different thoughts.
Once everyone had taken their seats, Prince Xuan swept his gaze over them, frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice, “Begin.”
The Princess Consort came back to herself, though inwardly she shared everyone else’s feelings—she wished she could destroy that face.
Shen Jingyi saw everything clearly.
Her heart tightened as she thought, It seems I must be extremely careful from now on.
This rear court is truly difficult to survive in.
If the master doesn’t favor you, even the servants will bully you.If he does favor you, you become the target of everyone’s attacks.
She felt helpless and uneasy.
At that moment, a maid approached carrying a tray.
When Shen Jingyi lifted the teacup, her body stiffened.
Just as she was about to put it down, the maid swiftly removed the tray and turned away.
The tea was scalding hot.
This… a show of authority right from the start?
She screamed inwardly, desperately wanting to throw the cup away.
But she couldn’t.
She had to hold it, kneel respectfully on the cushion, and raise the cup high above her head.
“Your concubine greets the Princess Consort. Please accept this tea.”
Chu Mengyao glanced at Prince Xuan. Her expression stiffened slightly, but she forced herself to say, “From now on, we’re all one family. You must get along well with your sisters and not compete for favor or damage harmony.”
Shen Jingyi clenched her teeth and replied gently, “Yes. Your concubine will remember.”
As she spoke, she discreetly glanced at Prince Xuan and moved her fingers slightly.
Coincidentally, Prince Xuan looked over and saw her small movement.
Those slender, jade-like fingers—already reddened at the tips.
Prince Xuan’s face darkened completely. Disappointment flashed in his eyes as he looked at the Princess Consort.
He said coldly, “Does the Princess Consort not wish to drink this tea?”
Chu Mengyao knew she had been exposed.
Still, she laughed lightly. “Your Highness jokes. This is tea offered by my younger sister—how could I refuse?”
She took the cup, sipped lightly, and then quickly set it down.
“You may rise.”
“Thank you, Princess Consort.”
With Chun Tao’s help, Shen Jingyi stood up and discreetly flexed her reddened fingers to ease the pain of the burn.
Chu Mengyao then took a box from Nanny Zhao and handed it to Shen Jingyi, pretending warmth as she said, “Just take good care of His Highness and bear him heirs soon. If you suffer any grievances, you may come to me. Also, I’m rather lazy, so you don’t need to come pay respects every day. From now on, just come on the fifth day.”
Shen Jingyi accepted the box without checking its contents and said respectfully, “Yes, Your concubine will remember. Thank you for your guidance.”
She felt relieved—at least she wouldn’t have to come every day.
She then gave a half-bow to the displeased Consort Su.
“Greetings, Sister Su.”
Consort Su didn’t return the gesture and merely said coolly, “Save it. I’m not your sister.”
Prince Xuan’s frown deepened.
Shen Jingyi didn’t mind.
She didn’t particularly want to call her that anyway. They were of equal rank—she’d only used the title because Consort Su had entered the household earlier. This saved her trouble in the future.
Next, Concubine Li and Concubine Liu came forward with three servant girls to pay respects.
“Greetings, Sister Shen.”
Shen Jingyi glanced at them briefly—each had her own charm.
“Sisters, please rise.”
Once the ceremony ended, Prince Xuan ignored everyone’s expressions, stood up, and strode out with Shen Jingyi.
After the prince left, everyone exchanged glances and soon departed as well.
In the now-silent hall, the Princess Consort’s fury erupted. She swept everything off the table with a raised hand and shouted angrily, “That wretch! How dare she—this is a provocation against me!”
“Princess Consort…”
Nanny Zhao raised her hand, signaling the maids to leave the room.
“Why? Why? Nanny, did you see that? After just one night, the prince is already protecting her like this—afraid I’d swallow his precious darling whole!”
Thinking of Shen Jingyi’s beauty only fueled her hatred. She smashed two more vases.
Seeing her growing agitation, Nanny Zhao hurriedly persuaded her, “Princess Consort, you are His Highness’s lawful wife. You also have the heir. Even if she’s a secondary consort, she’s still just a concubine. Beauty fades—there’s never a good ending.”
Hearing this, a trace of cold hatred flashed in the Princess Consort’s eyes.
She stopped, calmed herself, and slowly sat back down. The veins on her forehead gradually receded.
“Nanny, you’re right. I am the prince’s rightful wife. I have the heir. Go pass word—tell the heir to return to the main courtyard for lunch.”
“Yes, Princess Consort. This old servant will relay the message at once.”
Seeing that the Princess Consort had calmed down, Nanny Zhao felt relieved and decided to personally go check on the heir.
After she left, her gaze swept over the four senior maids standing in a row—Hong Yin, Hong Yue, Hong Jin, and Hong Xiu.
“Go in and attend to the Princess Consort properly,” she instructed softly.
“Yes, Nanny,” the four replied in unison.
Entering the room, they saw the floor in complete disarray. Instead of calling junior maids to clean up as usual, they rolled up their sleeves and began tidying themselves.
Hong Yin brushed broken porcelain from a chair, occasionally glancing at the Princess Consort sitting motionless in the main seat.
Her face was pale, her expression weary, as though she were unwell.
Feeling concerned, Hong Yin softly suggested, “Princess Consort, why don’t you go rest in the inner chamber? You rose quite early today.”
The Princess Consort nodded slightly, rose slowly, and walked toward the inner room.
Hong Yin and Hong Yue hurried to support her carefully, escorting her inside.
Meanwhile, Hong Jin and Hong Xiu stayed behind, efficiently restoring order to the chaotic room and carefully sweeping up the shattered porcelain from the floor.