Volume One, Chapter 19: Becoming a Concubine?

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As a concubine, Leng Yueheng mulled over the role of a concubine in the prince’s mansion. It was scarcely better than being a maid, but she was clear-eyed about her position. A fourth-rank minor official’s illegitimate daughter aspiring to ascend straight to princess? Foolish daydreams.

Fortunately, the prince’s household currently had only one ailing princess, so serving as a concubine was still a way to level up. Dreams must be kept alive.

“Good!” Yan Beiyuan’s lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile as he stepped out the door.

Nanny Zhuang stood under the corridor, listening to the sounds from inside, shaking her head helplessly. It seemed everything was destined.

The next day, Leng Yueheng was writing a money-making plan with a brush on paper.

Being a concubine in the prince’s mansion required funds—daily expenses, winning hearts, holiday entertainments, none of it came without money.

Nanny Zhuang returned from gathering news.

“Miss, Guo Ximei has been released,” she reported calmly.

“What? How did she get released?” Zhu Qing stomped her foot in anger.

Ignoring Zhu Qing’s indignation, Nanny Zhuang continued, “Master spoke with the Jingzhao Prefecture, saying it was all a misunderstanding. Miss Guo did not insult Prince Ji; you must have heard wrong.”

Leng Yueheng remained unusually composed, not even looking up. She had transmigrated here to enjoy life, not to make enemies and quarrel everywhere. Guo Ximei had been punished in her own way.

After this incident, no one dared to talk back to her. As for the gossip behind her back, it was harmless. What was face worth? Even the dog prince didn’t care; why should she?

Her father wanted to save the Guo family’s face, and she was willing to oblige.

Yet Leng Yuejiao was far from satisfied with this outcome.

She stormed off to confront Leng Xuanru but was scolded instead.

Leng Yuemei was quietly observing.

As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Leng household, she no longer dared to leave the mansion. Former close friends now sneered at her in secret.

But she was inwardly pleased; that despicable Leng Yueheng had finally gained a notorious reputation. After all this time, Prince Ji had never stood up for her. Who would want her now?

If not for that wretched woman, perhaps Young Master Xiao would have looked her way a little longer.

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Their father had been frowning lately, undoubtedly because of Leng Yueheng. But why had he not punished that wretched woman? Leng Yuemei hoped her father would despise that mother and daughter pair.

The thought of Leng Yueheng being isolated and betrayed brought her immense satisfaction.

With that in mind, Leng Yuemei devised a plan...

Leng Xuanru’s days were indeed hard. Recently, after finishing his official duties each day, he hurried home, harboring some resentment toward Leng Yueheng.

Yet he despised Madame Jiang even more. He had already discovered that she colluded with the Chancellor’s mansion to poison Leng Yueheng. But the Chancellor’s mansion was not someone he could afford to offend.

“Climbing up to Prince Ji’s favor, Lord Leng is surely destined for promotion?”

“Lord Leng truly knows how to raise capable daughters!”

“Lord Leng, please don’t be angry! We only wish to ask where your ladies learned their skills?”

“Lord Leng, don’t leave! The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet is in a few days; your ladies must perform for us!”

...

Leng Xuanru’s political rivals wore solemn official robes yet spoke with biting sarcasm, leering expressions, and lewd gestures.

He felt his daily court sessions were like working at a brothel, constantly harassed by these men’s words, unable to retort.

The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month left Leng Xuanru conflicted. Not attending was impossible, yet attending meant preparing for ridicule from his peers.

On the fourteenth day, Leng Yuemei finished her early meal and hurried out with her maid.

By noon, Leng Xuanru anxiously summoned his wife and daughters to the Minghui Hall for a discussion.

The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet was a day inherited by the Great Jing Kingdom to host officials and their families in celebration with the royal family.

All officials ranked fifth grade and above in the capital were required to bring their wives and daughters to the palace.

Leng Xuanru was troubled—whether to go or not was a dilemma. Going meant facing mockery; not going was defying imperial orders.

“Master, you should ask for leave! I have no face to attend!” Madame Jiang said disdainfully, glaring at Leng Yueheng.

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“Father, I don’t want to enter the palace either!” Leng Yuejiao pouted.

Leng Xuanru cast a sideways glance at Leng Yueheng, his eyes clearly reproachful.

Leng Yueheng calmly leaned back in her chair, about to speak.

“Father... please stand up for me!”

Suddenly, Leng Yuemei burst in, crying, hair undone, makeup smudged, and clothes disheveled—utterly miserable.

Leng Yueheng barely held back a laugh. What on earth had happened?

With tears streaming like falling petals, Leng Yuemei threw herself at Leng Xuanru’s feet as if her mother had died.

“What’s going on?” Leng Xuanru was already vexed.

“Father, I have no face to show anyone.”

“Second sister, were you insulted?” Leng Yuejiao, ever the verbal fighter, exclaimed in surprise.

Hearing this, Leng Yuemei was so furious she forgot to cry, her face full of shame and anger.

“Fourth sister, what nonsense are you talking about? I was only bullied!” she hurriedly explained.

“Isn’t that the same thing?” Leng Yuejiao did not understand what was wrong with her words.

Leng Yueheng watched the two speak past each other and couldn’t help but smile. She stepped in to clarify, “Fourth sister, second sister means you were insulted by a woman!”

After explaining, Leng Yueheng felt something was still off. Never mind! She crossed her arms and enjoyed the spectacle unfolding before her.