Chapter Fourteen: The Welcome Banquet

Page 1/3

Shen Tubai had never known the medicine to be so potent. Several times she tried to escape, only to be caught by the leg and pulled back by him. It wasn’t until dawn that Shen Tubai fell into a deep, soundless sleep.

She slept until noon.

“Awake,” Li Tinghan said with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth as he sat by the table, looking quite pleased. “Come, eat.”

Shen Tubai responded softly, but as soon as she moved her foot, she pulled at her private area, her face flushing with embarrassment as she sat back down.

Li Tinghan’s smile deepened, tinged with a hint of teasing. “Someone once claimed to be quite skilled in matters of love, yet now it seems that reputation might be undeserved.”

“Your Highness~” Shen Tubai retorted, shy yet angry, her tone coquettish. Li Tinghan immediately fell silent.

He strode over to the bed and gently stroked her hair. “Your status is too low; you can never attain a rank with titles. But from today onward, you shall be the legitimate concubine of the Prince’s Mansion.”

“The Wutong Garden in the rear courtyard is still vacant. Though modest in size, it’s close to the main courtyard. It will be enough for you to live there alone...”

Speaking these words, Li Tinghan’s expression was sincere, as if he had considered every detail for her. For a moment, Shen Tubai could not help but drown in those gentle eyes.

Then, with the next sentence, he dragged her back to reality. “You were sent by Wen Niang, so I will treat you as the maid she brought. When she enters the Prince’s Mansion, you must assist her well.”

“Today I will not give you the medicine. If in the future you bear a child, you may keep it with you for now. When Wen Niang comes in, she will raise the child. This will at least give you some dignity.” Li Tinghan spoke each word tenderly, as if bestowing a grand favor upon Shen Tubai.

Little did she know, every word was like cutting flesh from her own body.

Shen Tubai nodded blankly. She had forgotten that to these nobles, she was nothing but an object. How could she expect anyone to truly consider her?

Li Tinghan, failing to notice anything amiss, saw her head bowed and assumed she was moved to secretly wipe away tears. He kindly gave her some privacy.

Once he left, Shen Tubai picked up the cold tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp. Rejuvenated, she changed her clothes, and the weariness seemed to vanish completely.

She opened the door to find two young maids waiting outside.

Page 2/3

“Servants Chunchan and Chunlan greet Miss Shen.”

The two bowed in unison, and Shen Tubai’s fatigue vanished entirely.

“Miss Shen”—this would be her title for many years to come. The day had come earlier than she expected, and all the preparations of recent days were not in vain.

But it was still not enough. Instinctively, Shen Tubai placed her hand on her lower abdomen. Only after giving birth to a child would she truly secure her footing in the Prince’s Mansion. She just didn’t know if she was that lucky.

“Miss, the courtyard has been cleaned. Please take a look and see if there’s anything else you need,” said Chunchan, a little older and quick to speak before Chunlan, eager not to lose face.

Thirteen-year-old Chunlan was born within the mansion, somewhat quiet and not competitive by nature.

Besides Chunchan and Chunlan, who would serve her closely, four other maids were assigned for menial tasks, along with two housemaids for cleaning and two young eunuchs.

Shen Tubai surveyed the courtyard. The Wutong Garden had clearly been uninhabited for a long time. Though the weeds were cleared, it still looked old and dreary.

Fortunately, it was located in the southeast corner, not adjacent to other courtyards, so it was relatively quiet.

Supporting Chunchan’s hand, Shen Tubai stepped into the main hall. The table was piled high with fine silks, brocades, ornaments, and jewelry.

Chunchan read the situation and quickly explained, “After the ladies of the rear courtyard serve the Prince, he always rewards them. This is customary.”

Shen Tubai nodded slightly, then stepped out again, frowning. “Though it’s right to clear away the dead branches and leaves, the bare courtyard still feels desolate.”

Chunchan hurriedly replied, “Yesterday, I already requested seeds from the steward. But since it’s autumn, plants are hard to find. It will take some time before the garden can be replanted.”

“I see.” Shen Tubai did not press further. Smiling, she placed a purse of money into Chunchan’s hand. “It must have been hard for you all to clean the courtyard on short notice.”

“This afternoon, select some suitable ornaments from those rewarded by the Prince to display. Take this money to enjoy some wine. If you handle your duties well, there will be more rewards.”

“Yes, thank you, Mistress,” Chunchan led everyone in expressing their gratitude, though she felt a bit uneasy inside.

Page 3/3

Shen Tubai’s lowborn status was no secret within the Prince’s Mansion. She had thought those from such places would be either shallow and reckless or petty and small-minded. After all, the Wutong Garden would depend on her to manage. Yet, unexpectedly, her mistress was quick to spend.

Others felt a chill in their hearts. The mansion was full of gossipers. If this woman had not gained favor with the Prince, her status would be no better than theirs.

Before coming, many had secretly looked down on her. But seeing how she handled things, clearly not someone to be trifled with, and with the silver she distributed, many cast aside their reluctance and grudgingly saw her in a better light.

Some bold ones dared glance up at Shen Tubai’s face. Seeing her ethereal beauty, they felt her good days lay ahead, and she would work even harder.

As everyone in the Wutong Garden reveled in harmony, a heavy cough came from the gate.

Shen Tubai looked up to see an unfamiliar maid, carrying some fabrics and ornaments with a group behind her. She gave a perfunctory bow and loudly announced, “I am Yin Zhu, sent by Concubine Lu to deliver some items to Miss Shen.”

Before Shen Tubai could reply, Yin Zhu covered her mouth and nose disdainfully with a handkerchief, as if the air in Wutong Garden was poisonous. She didn’t forget to scold, “Concubine Lu said that Miss Shen has served the Prince well, and these are rewards for you.”

“Concubine Lu hopes that Miss Shen will work diligently and not overstep the bounds of being a concubine.”

“Isn’t Concubine Lu a concubine herself? How can she speak such reprimanding words?” someone murmured quietly in the crowd, just as Yin Zhu paused.

For a moment, the courtyard fell so silent one could hear a pin drop. Yin Zhu’s proud expression froze instantly.

Just as she was about to summon the person for a proper scolding in her anger and humiliation, Shen Tubai casually diverted the conversation, “Thank you, Concubine Lu. I will remember the advice.”

To Shen Tubai, Concubine Lu’s words were merely an attempt to gain the upper hand verbally. Such words were meant to be heard and then forgotten; no one would take them seriously. The items delivered were real, so it was not worth fighting over mere words.

Yin Zhu snorted coldly but soon regained her haughty demeanor. “Concubine Lu said that since Miss Shen has entered the Prince’s Mansion, you are all sisters now. Tonight, Concubine Lu has graciously prepared a small banquet to welcome you. She hopes you will not be late.”

“Of course,” Shen Tubai replied promptly. Only then did Yin Zhu wave her handkerchief and leave.