Chapter 1
**Chapter 1: The Mighty Prince Yan Scares Off the Young Ladies**
“Shen Wei, let me give you some advice: don’t become the prince’s concubine.”
“I’ve heard the prince is incredibly vigorous; no concubine can withstand him.”
The voices around her were too loud. Shen Wei pressed her throbbing temples, still struggling to shake off the shadows of the car accident. Just yesterday, her company, which she had painstakingly built, went public. After four years without a break, she decided to treat herself to half a day off. But as she crossed the street, a car came roaring by and knocked her down.
When Shen Wei opened her eyes again, she found herself in an unfamiliar ancient world.
The owner of this body was also named Shen Wei, born into poverty. To raise money for her ailing mother’s medicine, she sold herself into the Prince Yan’s residence as a maid.
The original Shen Wei was stunningly beautiful, and the princess had taken a liking to her, wanting to elevate both her and another beautiful maid, Zhang Yue, to be the prince’s concubines.
In the room, the lovely Zhang Yue wore a frown, complaining in Shen Wei’s ear, “I’m a good girl; why should I become a lowly concubine?”
Being a concubine to the prince sounded like a path to a bright future. But Zhang Yue had heard the rumors: although the prince was extraordinarily handsome, he was also cold-hearted and ungrateful. His interest in women lasted at most three months. After the initial favor, even the most beautiful women would fall from grace, their allure fading like a fleeting dream, leaving them to live out their days in loneliness in the inner chambers.
Moreover, the prince was particularly vigorous in bed, and the delicate concubines often fainted from exhaustion during their nights with him, suffering greatly.
“Let’s beg the princess to retract her favor when we see her. I’d rather marry a stable hand than live a life of a concubine to the prince,” Zhang Yue continued to ramble, resolute in her decision not to become a concubine.
In the gaps of Zhang Yue’s chatter, Shen Wei quickly assessed her situation. In this ancient society, where imperial power reigned supreme, she was now the most lowly maid, the lowest existence in the prince’s residence.
If she was lucky, she might marry a stable hand and give birth to children who would continue as maids. If she was unlucky, her master might decree her death one day, leaving her body to rot in the wilderness, unclaimed.
As a top achiever from the 21st century, Shen Wei was unwilling to be a mere pawn in this ancient world. She wanted to strive, to fight!
If she didn’t push herself to the limit, she might as well be dead! Opportunities wouldn’t just fall from the sky; the idea that one could live a life of ease was nonsense. Without striving, one would have nothing. Destiny was in her own hands, and her future had to be earned.
In her past life, she had worked tirelessly to turn a nearly bankrupt company into a publicly traded one; in this life, she could still strive, carving out her own bright future in this ancient world.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Shen Wei made up her mind—she would become the prince’s concubine. She would climb step by step.
Outside, an old matron sent by the princess urged, “Shen Wei, Zhang Yue, the princess is calling for you. Why aren’t you coming out?”
The wooden door creaked open, and Shen Wei and Zhang Yue stepped out.
The old matron led them to the princess’s residence, Kunyu Courtyard.
The princess came from a prestigious family, marrying the prince at sixteen and bearing him two sons and a daughter. After ten years of marriage, they had developed a respectful relationship.
As Shen Wei entered the main hall, she followed the etiquette she remembered and respectfully bowed to the princess.
She discreetly observed the princess seated in the main seat. Dressed in a dark red embroidered gown, her hair elegantly styled, the princess exuded a subtle authority.
The corners of her eyes bore fine lines, and her complexion was slightly yellow, showing no signs of makeup. Clearly, the princess had accepted the reality of her “aging and fading beauty.” Her position was secure; she no longer needed to rely on her looks to attract her husband.
The princess set down her celadon teacup and glanced over Shen Wei and Zhang Yue’s faces. Shen Wei was charming, while Zhang Yue was strikingly beautiful; both were exceptional beauties.
The prince had shown little interest in the women of the inner chambers, resulting in no new births in the residence for the past two years. As the head of the household, the princess needed to find a way to expand the family and maintain her reputation as a virtuous wife.
“Shen Wei, Zhang Yue, are you willing to become the prince’s concubines?” the princess asked straightforwardly.
Zhang Yue’s face turned pale as she knelt and bowed her head. “Replying to the princess, I already have someone I care for deeply; I cannot betray his feelings.”
Zhang Yue’s beloved was a young stable hand in the prince’s residence, and they were deeply in love.
The princess sighed inwardly.
“Once you enter the deep palace, it’s like diving into the sea.” Nowadays, young girls were all too clever, with bloody examples laid bare before them; wealth and power could not blind their eyes.
The princess turned her gaze to Shen Wei. “And you?”
Shen Wei performed a bow and respectfully replied, “I am willing to serve the prince and help the princess with her worries.”
The princess paused slightly, her hand holding the teacup hesitating as she scrutinized Shen Wei, seeing ambition in her eyes.
She couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
Another woman who overestimated herself. She fancied her beauty would win the prince’s heart. Unfortunately, in the inner chambers of the Prince Yan’s residence, beauty was the least valuable asset.
Even the stunning concubine Liu Ruyan, who had once enjoyed the prince’s favor for two years, had now become just another bland presence in the inner chambers. The prince visited Liu Ruyan’s courtyard less than five times a month.
Their conversations were limited to music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with little intimacy.
“Since that’s the case, I shall elevate you to concubine status, grant you residence in Fangfei Courtyard, and reward you with fifty taels of silver,” the princess said, lifting her teacup and blowing away the floating tea leaves.
Shen Wei’s heart leaped with joy.
The first step in her entrepreneurial journey—an independent office and a startup fund of fifty taels of silver!
Gratefully, Shen Wei expressed her thanks and followed the old matron out.
In the main hall, the princess took a sip of Bi Luo Chun tea and asked the matron Liu, “This girl is beautiful; how long do you think the prince will favor her?”
Liu matron replied with a smile, “She’s beautiful, indeed, but lacks any talent or wit—just an empty shell. I suspect Shen will only enjoy the prince’s favor for half a month at most.”
In the inner chambers of the Prince Yan’s residence, there were many beauties.
Shen Wei was not the most beautiful; her humble origins and lack of education and etiquette would ultimately reduce her to one of the most ordinary members of the inner chambers, trapped there for the rest of her life.
If Shen Wei were lucky, she might bear a son or daughter. But concubines had no right to raise children; any offspring would only serve to enhance the princess’s status.
“Ah, how pitiful,” the princess said with a hint of sympathy, then instructed Liu matron, “In a while, buy some more beautiful maids to bring into the residence. When the old ones lose favor, we must add some new faces.”
Liu matron replied respectfully, “Yes.”
“Counting the days, the prince will be back from his southern tour soon,” the princess said in a flat tone, showing no emotional reaction to her husband’s return.
Liu matron asked, “Princess, should we spruce up the residence with some fresh, beautiful flowers and plants to welcome the prince back?”
The princess shook her head lightly. “There’s no need for such useless and costly things.”
After ten years of marriage, the princess had fought fiercely with the concubines and maids. But gradually, she had seen through the inner chamber’s rivalries and had become indifferent.
No one could remain favored forever; the prince’s affection was fleeting.
Even the most loving couples would eventually grow tired of each other. It was better to focus on raising children; they would be her future support.
Not only had the princess come to this realization, but the concubines and secondary wives, who had been scheming and fighting for favor, were also beginning to see the light.
What was the use of vying for favor?
It was better to be like a salted fish, unbothered by praise or blame, watching the world go by with a smile.
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