A Concubine’s Competitive Life in the Prince’s Household

Chapter 1

"Shen Wei, listen to my advice and don't become the Prince's concubine."

"I heard the Prince has an extremely strong physique, and none of his concubines can withstand it."

The voices in her ears were too loud, and Shen Wei pressed her throbbing temples, still not fully recovered from the shadow of the car accident.

Just yesterday, Shen Wei's hard-earned company went public, and after four years without a break, she decided to give herself half a day off. But as she crossed the street, a car roared toward her and sent her flying.

When Shen Wei opened her eyes again, she found herself in an unfamiliar ancient world.

Her new body also belonged to someone named Shen Wei, a woman from a humble background. In order to raise money for her seriously ill mother's medical fees, Shen Wei sold herself into Prince Yan's Mansion as a maidservant.

The original Shen Wei was strikingly beautiful, and the Princess of Yan had taken notice, plotting to elevate both Shen Wei and another beautiful servant girl, Zhang Yue, to become concubines of the Prince.

In the room, Zhang Yue, with her delicate features, looked worried and was grumbling next to Shen Wei: "What's the point of being a lowly concubine for me, a pure maiden?"

Becoming a concubine of the Prince seemed like an enviable opportunity.

But Zhang Yue had heard rumors that despite the Prince's stunning appearance, he was a cold and heartless man.

His interest in women only lasted a maximum of three months. After the initial favor, even the most beautiful woman would be cast aside, turning from a treasured red spot to a mere mosquito bite, or from an ethereal moon to plain boiled rice. They would spend their lives in the mansion's inner quarters, lonely and neglected.

Moreover, the Prince was said to be exceptionally virile, capable of seventeen rounds of intimacy in one night. The delicate bodies of the concubines often couldn't withstand his vigor and would faint midway, leaving them miserable.

"When we see the Princess later, let's kowtow and beg her to revoke the favor. I'd rather marry a stable hand than become the Prince's concubine and live a life of solitude," Zhang Yue continued to chatter, determined not to become a concubine.

While Zhang Yue prattled, Shen Wei quickly analyzed her current situation.

In this ancient society, the imperial power was supreme—she now held the lowest status as a maidservant in the Prince's Mansion.

If she was lucky, she might marry a stable hand or gatekeeper and have children who would remain servants.

If she wasn't lucky, one day her master might decree her death, and she would be left to rot in the wilderness, unburied.

As a striving powerhouse from the 21st century, Shen Wei had no intention of becoming a passive fish in this ancient world.

She would strive, she would fight!

She would strive until she couldn't anymore, and then strive even harder!

Heaven doesn't drop free pies; those who claim to be indifferent are just fools. Without struggle, one has nothing. Destiny is in one's own hands, and one's future is earned through hard work.

In her previous life, she had relentlessly strived, turning a struggling company on the verge of bankruptcy into a publicly listed one; in this life, she could still strive and carve out a magnificent future for herself in ancient times.

Without hesitation, Shen Wei had already made up her mind—she would become the Prince's concubine.

She would climb step by step.

Outside the room, the old matron sent by the Princess of Yan urged: "Shen Wei, Zhang Yue, the Princess summons you, why haven't you come out yet?"

The wooden door creaked open, and Shen Wei and Zhang Yue appeared.

The matron led them to the Princess's residence, Kunyu Courtyard.

The Princess of Yan hailed from a prestigious family, married the Prince at sixteen, and had borne him two sons and one daughter. After ten years of marriage, they were at least respectful to each other.

Shen Wei entered the main hall and followed the etiquette from her memory to respectfully greet the Princess of Yan.

She subtly observed the Princess, who was seated at the main seat. The Princess wore a dark red dress embroidered with cloud patterns and had her hair elegantly piled up, exuding a faint aura of authority.

The Princess's eyes had fine lines, and her skin was slightly yellowish, without any makeup to conceal it. Clearly, the Princess had accepted her "aging beauty" and no longer needed to rely on her appearance to attract her husband, as her position was secure.

The Princess set down her Qing porcelain teacup and glanced at Shen Wei and Zhang Yue's faces.

Shen Wei's charming features and Zhang Yue's delicate beauty were both exceptional.

The Prince had little interest in the women in his mansion, and as a result, there had been no new children born in the mansion in recent years.

As the head of the household, the Princess needed to find ways to continue the family line and uphold her reputation as a virtuous wife.

"Shen Wei, Zhang Yue, are you willing to become the Prince's concubines?" The Princess cut straight to the point.

Zhang Yue's face turned pale, and she hastily knelt down to kowtow: "Your Highness, I already have a lover, and I cannot betray his deep feelings."

Zhang Yue's lover was a young stable hand in the mansion, and the two were deeply attached to each other.

The Princess sighed inwardly.

It truly is as the saying goes: "Once you enter the deep palace, you're lost forever." These young girls are all so clever, and the tragic examples are glaring. Even the allure of wealth and splendor can't blind their eyes.

The Princess then turned to Shen Wei: "What about you?"

Shen Wei performed a respectful bow and replied: "I am willing to serve the Prince and ease Your Highness's concerns."

The Princess's hand holding the teacup paused slightly as she scrutinized Shen Wei, noticing the ambition in her eyes.

She couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Another arrogant young woman.

Foolishly believing her beauty could captivate the Prince's heart. But alas, beauty is the least valuable asset in the Prince's mansion.

Even the stunningly beautiful concubine Liu Ruyan, who had been the sole favorite for two years, had now become a bland figure in the mansion. The Prince visited Liu Ruyan's courtyard less than five times a month.

Their interactions were limited to discussions of poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with very little intimacy.

"In that case, I will elevate you to a concubine and assign you to Fangfei Courtyard, along with a reward of fifty taels of silver." The Princess lifted the teacup, blowing off the floating tea leaves.

Shen Wei's heart skipped a beat with joy.

The first step in her entrepreneurial journey—having her own "office" and a "startup fund" of fifty taels of silver!

Shen Wei joyfully expressed her thanks and followed the matron out.

In the main hall, the Princess took a sip of Biluochun tea and asked Granny Liu beside her: "This maid is beautiful, don't you think? How long do you suppose the Prince will favor her?"

Granny Liu chuckled and answered: "Beautiful indeed, but uneducated and shallow, merely a pretty doll. I suspect Concubine Shen will remain in favor for at most half a month."

In the Prince's mansion, there were countless beauties.

Shen Wei was not the most beautiful, came from a lowly background, and lacked literacy and etiquette. Such a woman would ultimately become just another ordinary figure in the mansion, trapped there for life.

If Shen Wei was lucky, she might bear a son or daughter. But concubines had no right to raise their children, and any child she bore would ultimately benefit the Princess.

"Ah, what a pity," the Princess said with a hint of sympathy, then instructed Granny Liu, "Purchase some more beautiful maids and bring them into the mansion after some time. When the old ones lose favor, we need new faces to take their place."

Granny Liu respectfully replied: "Yes, Your Highness."

"Calculating the days, the Prince's southern tour should be concluding soon." The Princess's tone was calm, showing no emotional fluctuation at the impending return of her husband.

Granny Liu asked: "Your Highness, shall we renovate the mansion and add some fresh, lovely flowers and plants to welcome the Prince's return?"

The Princess shook her head indifferently: "Why bother with such futile and costly matters?"

Ten years of marriage had once seen the Princess embroiled in struggles with concubines and consorts. But over time, she had come to understand the futility of such conflicts and adopted a more indifferent approach.

No one could remain in favor forever, and the Prince's love was fleeting.

Even the most loving couple would eventually grow tired of each other. It was better to focus on the education of her children, who would be her future support.

Not only the Princess, but the concubines and consorts who had once fought desperately for favor had also come to this realization.

What was the use of vying for the Prince's affection?

It was better to be a passive fish, indifferent to praise and criticism, and watch the world unfold with a smile.