Chapter 3
### Chapter 3: The Night Watch (1)
Zhang Yue stood frozen in place.
It suddenly dawned on her that Shen Wei was no longer just a maid on equal footing with her.
A wave of displeasure washed over Zhang Yue, quickly followed by a twinge of resentment and jealousy. Here she was, still crammed into a crowded servant's dormitory with a dozen other maids, waking before dawn to fetch flowers and boil water. Meanwhile, Shen Wei, who had entered the manor at the same time, was now a favored concubine of the prince, enjoying a spacious residence and the company of her own maids.
That surge of jealousy flickered and faded, and Zhang Yue consoled herself—an unfavored concubine, trapped for life in the confines of the inner courtyard, was hardly better off than a maid.
With that thought, her heart felt lighter.
Zhang Yue slightly bent her knees, awkwardly offering her respects. "This servant pays her respects to Mistress Shen. I still have matters to attend to in the flower room, so I shall take my leave."
Shen Wei smiled faintly. "Go ahead."
Holding a flower pot, Zhang Yue walked away, her mind heavy with thoughts.
As she reached the corner of the courtyard, she suddenly stopped and turned back to look. In the corner of the courtyard, Shen Wei, dressed in a flowing green gown, stood slender and fair as snow, completely shedding any trace of a maid.
Zhang Yue felt a hollow ache in her heart and silently prayed for Shen Wei to fall out of favor soon; she wanted to see Shen Wei's downfall.
An unfavored concubine lived a life worse than that of a maid.
"The prince is here!" Cai Ping's eyes lit up as she quietly reminded Shen Wei.
Shen Wei hid in the corner, secretly observing the man she would soon serve.
At the entrance of the prince's manor, the Princess of Yan, accompanied by two secondary concubines, five concubines of lower rank, and several servants, respectfully awaited the arrival of Prince Yan.
The black and gold flag of Prince Yan fluttered in the spring breeze, while armored guards formed two lines on either side.
As Prince Yan stepped into the manor, he stood tall and handsome, with a straight nose. After a month of southern inspections, his skin had tanned to a healthy wheat color, exuding an air of nobility and authority with every movement.
Shen Wei felt quite satisfied.
With looks like his, he would undoubtedly be a top star in the modern entertainment industry.
Her gaze lingered on Prince Yan's face, taking in his prominent nose and strong physique. She clicked her tongue. "No wonder they say Prince Yan is fierce in bed; with a nose like that... tsk."
She had studied a bit of physiognomy.
A man with a high nose and strong limbs was bound to have a strong appetite in that regard, particularly impressive.
Looking at the delicate women at the entrance, either too plump or too thin, she guessed their physical condition was likely mediocre.
Shen Wei didn’t linger too long and turned back to her own Fangfei Garden.
On her way back, she began to summarize Prince Yan in her mind: "Born into wealth, with brothers who are friendly and respectful, a peaceful inner courtyard, and good health—a life of ease."
Men like him, raised in royal courtyards, were accustomed to the flattery of women, each one bending over backward to please him.
To win his heart, she would need to carve her own path—both physically and spiritually.
"Master, aren't we going to pay our respects to the prince?" Cai Ping followed Shen Wei, a bit surprised.
Cai Ping had thought Shen Wei would find a way to present herself to Prince Yan, hoping to entice him to stay the night in Fangfei Garden.
But Shen Wei merely glanced and then walked away.
Shen Wei tapped Cai Ping's forehead lightly, smiling. "The prince is the head of the household; tonight, it should naturally be the princess who serves him. If I go to steal him away, it would only upset the princess."
Of course, she wanted to vie for favor, but there was no need to rush.
Opportunities favored the prepared; she needed to be thoroughly ready.
...
At the entrance of the prince's manor.
Prince Yan surveyed the scene, taking in the gentle and virtuous princess, the plump Zhang concubine, the childhood friend Liu concubine, and several other concubines.
But he didn’t see Liu Ruyan.
Prince Yan asked the princess, "Where is Ruyan?"
The princess sighed softly and replied, "Yesterday's wind was strong; Sister Ruyan has been suffering from a headache and has called for a doctor. She is still resting in her room."
Liu Ruyan, born into a scholarly family, was stunningly beautiful and exceptionally talented.
When she first entered the prince's manor, she had captured Prince Yan's favor, and the two shared a harmonious and loving relationship.
The princess had once engaged in a fierce, covert rivalry with Liu Ruyan.
Later, the prince married the simple and lovable Zhang concubine, and took in the childhood friend Liu concubine, gradually accumulating several other concubines. Liu Ruyan lost her exclusive favor and gradually became disheartened, seeing through the illusions of the world.
Not just Liu Ruyan, but the other women in the inner courtyard also gradually ceased to vie for favor.
Prince Yan suppressed his displeasure and asked the princess, "Are Chengke and Chengzhen still at school?"
Mentioning their two sons, the princess's face lit up with pride. "Your Highness, recently, Chengke and Chengzhen have been studying diligently; even the tutor has praised them."
Prince Yan felt a pang of disappointment.
After a month of exhausting inspections in the south, he had hoped to return to the manor to see his children, embrace his lovely wife and concubines, and hear their praises.
But the children hadn’t come to greet him, the concubine was bedridden, and none of the other concubines had even offered a word of concern. Prince Yan felt quite dissatisfied.
Yet he couldn’t voice it.
A twenty-seven-year-old man still yearning for the care and praise of his wife and children would only invite ridicule.
The princess didn’t forget to mention Shen Wei. "Your Highness, I recently promoted a maid to concubine. She is quite beautiful; if you have time, you might want to visit Fangfei Garden."
Prince Yan was uninterested.
No matter how beautiful a concubine was, in his presence, they either trembled in fear or fawned over him. After a few nights, the novelty wore off, and he found it hard to muster any enthusiasm.
After returning to the manor and finishing his official duties, Prince Yan stayed the night in the princess's courtyard.
After a month of hard work, he hadn’t shared a bed with a woman.
Tonight, he wanted to enjoy some tender moments with the princess, and the attending matron wisely withdrew.
Prince Yan wrapped his arms around the princess's slightly plump waist, and in the dim candlelight, he saw her still charming face. In the past two years, the princess had neglected her appearance, and the fine lines around her eyes were now quite visible.
She seemed a bit aged.
In the past, when the princess saw him, she would dress up and apply makeup, but now, she didn’t even bother with basic upkeep.
Prince Yan felt a lump in his throat.
"Your Highness~" The princess, perhaps unused to such intimacy, shyly lowered her head, leaning softly against his chest.
Prince Yan, in his prime, was physically strong from riding and archery, with a robust appetite.
Before long, they found themselves in bed.
In less than half an hour, the princess was too exhausted to lift her hands. Prince Yan, having gone without for so long, was too vigorous for her to handle.
"Your Highness, I have to visit the Empress tomorrow," the princess gently refused his advances, nearly fainting from fatigue.
Prince Yan frowned slightly.
The princess, long burdened with household affairs and lacking exercise, was rigid in bed, as unyielding as a salted fish, unable to satisfy Prince Yan's strong desires.
Prince Yan was still unsatisfied.
He looked at the princess, who had fallen asleep, then glanced down at his lingering desire, letting out a helpless sigh.
He fell asleep fully clothed, his interest waning. Not a single woman in the inner courtyard could satisfy him.
Meanwhile, in Fangfei Garden on the southwest side of the manor, the bright moon hung high in the sky. The two maids had already gone to bed, but Shen Wei was still in her room, exercising.
She had her own fitness plan: [Morning jogs for ten laps, squats, afternoon practice of Ba Duan Jin, and before bed, doing "Pamela's Workout."]
Having secretly seen the strong and robust Prince Yan today, Shen Wei was even more determined to work out. With a physique like his, most women wouldn’t stand a chance!
She had to work hard to improve her own physical condition!
Squats, spins, jumps—Shen Wei was sweating profusely. After half an hour of exercise, she finally took a shower and rested.
There was also a proper way to sleep. Shen Wei didn’t lie on her side, as that would make her shoulders broader and her face misshapen from the pillow. The best sleeping position was on her back.
However, lying flat would flatten her backside, so she placed a small soft pillow under her waist to maintain her figure.
A true competitor, even in sleep, had to keep her body in shape!
...
A few nights later, after finishing his official duties in the study, Prince Yan was approached by the chief eunuch, Fugui, who respectfully asked, "Your Highness, where do you plan to stay tonight? I can make arrangements in advance."
Prince Yan thought for a moment. "Let’s go to Qixue Pavilion."
With Liu Ruyan's headache improving, Prince Yan intended to visit her tonight.
Stepping into the moonlight, Prince Yan walked into Liu Ruyan's courtyard.
Liu Ruyan, proud and aloof, well-versed in poetry, adored the color white, so her entire courtyard was arranged like a snow cave.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects." The moonlight spilled down as Liu Ruyan, clad in a silver gown, gracefully stood at the entrance to greet him.
Prince Yan appraised Liu Ruyan.
He had once been quite fond of her, appreciating her cool demeanor and exceptional talent. But as time passed, their conversations grew increasingly mismatched.
For instance, when Prince Yan pointed at the moon and casually remarked, "The moon is so round tonight," Liu Ruyan would respond with a sorrowful expression, her tone reminiscent of a brooding artist: "People experience joy and sorrow, the moon waxes and wanes; no matter how full it is, it will eventually diminish."
Or when Prince Yan admired the blooming peach blossoms, saying, "The peach blossoms in spring are truly beautiful," Liu Ruyan would lower her lovely eyes and reply, "When they bloom, they are breathtaking, but when they fall, no one cares; a rainstorm can scatter the petals, which is truly pitiful."
Prince Yan was left speechless.
He simply wanted to enjoy the moon and flowers; he had no interest in hearing about the sorrows of life!
It was all so disheartening!
As these disheartening interactions increased, his interest in Liu Ruyan waned.
After not seeing her for a few days, Prince Yan took Liu Ruyan's hand, asking with concern, "How have you been lately, Ruyan?"
Liu Ruyan's hand was cold!
Cold as ice.
Prince Yan frowned inwardly; he preferred warm hands, and Liu Ruyan's were far too chilly.
"Your Highness, I am well," Liu Ruyan replied, neither servile nor arrogant, leading him into the room.
As Prince Yan stepped into Qixue Pavilion, he was greeted by a sea of white: snow-white curtains, a snow-white carpet—the entire room resembled a snow cave. In the courtyard, plum trees were planted.
Liu Ruyan loved the noble appearance of plum blossoms, hence the courtyard was filled with them.
However, plum blossoms only bloomed in winter; in spring, the bare branches were left with only a few crooked green leaves, making the courtyard look quite desolate.
Prince Yan disliked the ugly courtyard, which, along with the white pavilion, made him feel as if he had entered a funeral home.
To make matters worse, Liu Ruyan preferred to wear all white.
Though she was as beautiful as a painting, the overall effect was somewhat eerie.
"Your Highness, let me assist you in changing," Liu Ruyan maintained her usual composed demeanor, her icy hand brushing against Prince Yan's neck.
Prince Yan shivered from the cold.
He waved Liu Ruyan's hand away. "Your hands are cold; have a maid prepare a basin of warm water to warm them."
Liu Ruyan's delicate body trembled, her eyes glistening with a hint of grievance. "Your Highness, do you find me distasteful?"
Prince Yan: I do not!
The physician had said that women tend to be cold and should soak in warm water to nourish their bodies. He was only looking out for Liu Ruyan!
But Liu Ruyan seemed convinced that Prince Yan found her repulsive, and her eyes began to redden.
Prince Yan pressed his temples, too lazy to explain. "I have official duties to attend to; I will visit you another day. Rest early."
Liu Ruyan lowered her beautiful eyes, sorrowfully replying, "I obey your command."
As she saw Prince Yan off, Liu Ruyan, in her silver gown, swayed in the night breeze, as if she might float away at any moment.
After walking for a while, Prince Yan turned back to glance at Qixue Pavilion, spotting the white-clad woman standing at the door.
Even Prince Yan, bold as he was, felt a shiver run down his spine.
He silently reminded himself, she is my concubine Ruyan, not a ghost.
Amitabha!
After the prince left, the maidservant Xue Mei, who attended Liu Ruyan, couldn’t help but murmur, "Mistress, the prince rarely visits our Qixue Pavilion; why didn’t you keep him here? By the looks of it, he seems to be heading to Zhang concubine's place."
In the past, when Liu Ruyan was in favor, the prince would stay here almost every night.
Now, he had come once, and without even having a cup of tea, he left.
Liu Ruyan managed a bitter smile, her delicate fingers brushing against her beautiful face, a stubborn tear falling: "To find one person’s heart, to never part until old age, is ultimately just a dream... He finds my hands cold, yet he doesn’t know, my hands are cold, but my heart is even colder."
In this world, is there really such a thing as everlasting love?
It’s merely the favor of a prince, flowing like water, leaving a life of desolation.
Maid Xue Mei scratched her head, trying to change the subject. "Mistress, spring is here; why don’t we plant some other flowers in the courtyard? Perhaps the prince will be pleased if he sees them."
Liu Ruyan shook her head lightly. "Everyone wants to be a blooming peony; I only love the noble appearance of the plum blossom."
Maid Xue Mei: ...
As long as you’re happy!
After leaving Liu Ruyan's Qixue Pavilion, Prince Yan made his way to Zhang concubine's Huaxiang Courtyard. Zhang concubine, whose real name was Zhang Miaoyu, was a simple and gluttonous woman.
As he approached the entrance of Huaxiang Courtyard, Prince Yan was greeted by the rich, greasy aroma of braised pork.
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