A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 178

Cai Ping nodded eagerly, "Rest assured, my lady, this servant will handle everything properly!"

Having failed to satisfy her mistress in previous tasks, Cai Ping secretly vowed to do better this time. She absolutely must not disappoint her lady again!

...

South Garrison Marquis's Mansion.

No sooner had Shangguan Xuan stepped through the gates than he was summoned by the old madam's maidservant to the Hall of Longevity and Peace. Inside, the silver-haired matriarch lay on her sickbed, her face clouded with worry.

"Xuan'er, has that Sun woman returned?" the old madam asked urgently.

Shangguan Xuan dismissed the surrounding servants and sat by the bedside, shaking his head helplessly. "Sun Qingmei has already left Yanjing, and her whereabouts are unknown. The Zhao Yang Princess, being close to her, is demanding the return of Sun's remaining dowry funds."

The old madam coughed in anger, sipping ginseng soup to soothe her throat before fuming, "I knew it from the start—Sun Qingmei is nothing but a selfish, ungrateful woman! When the Sun family fell into decline, our marquis's household graciously elevated her status by bringing her in. Yet she repays us by stirring up trouble all the way to the Emperor! What does it matter if her dowry was used for household expenses?"

Without Sun Qingmei managing affairs, the old madam's grand sixtieth birthday celebration had descended into chaos.

Her thoughts then turned to the empty coffers of the marquis's mansion, and her frown deepened. "That Zhao Qing, a country girl, isn't even comparable to Sun Qingmei. At least Sun Qingmei brought a fortune with her—Zhao Qing has nothing but the hollow title of Princess of Pingyang."

The idea of the noble marquis's household marrying a rustic girl displeased the old madam greatly. The best solution would have been a "co-wife" arrangement—marrying Sun Qingmei to replenish the household's wealth and Zhao Qing to elevate its prestige.

Who could have guessed Sun Qingmei would be so unreasonable as to ruin the plan?

"Mother, though A-Qing comes from humble origins, she is exceptionally clever. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince hold her in high regard," Shangguan Xuan protested, unwilling to hear Zhao Qing disparaged. In his heart, she was a woman of great merit.

The old madam massaged her temples. "Fine. Marrying Zhao Qing does benefit the household, but where will the money for the wedding come from?"

The marquis's mansion employed many servants, and the second and third branches of the family spent extravagantly, leaving the household finances in dire straits. After Sun Qingmei's departure, the temporary servants had scattered like birds and beasts, leaving the mansion understaffed.

Where would the funds for the wedding banquet come from?

Shangguan Xuan already had a plan. "Mother, don't you still have five thousand taels of silver in your quarters? That was part of your dowry when you married into the household. Why not give it to me for the wedding expenses?"

The old madam's dowry had been substantial when she married into the marquis's household decades ago. Five thousand taels remained—enough to host a respectable wedding banquet.

"That's my safety net!" the old madam exclaimed, never expecting Shangguan Xuan to set his sights on her private savings.

Shangguan Xuan reasoned patiently, "After your passing, this money will go to your children anyway. Now that I have the Emperor's favor and bear the responsibility of restoring the household's glory, five thousand taels is nothing in the grand scheme."

The old madam's face darkened.

Her savings for her twilight years could not be handed over for Shangguan Xuan's wedding. A woman without financial security would lose her footing in the marquis's household.

"Don't even think about it!" she snapped coldly.

Shangguan Xuan persisted. "What use does a woman have for so much money? Contributing to the household would benefit everyone—"

Before ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‍he could continue, lively footsteps sounded outside. Shangguan Qian, his younger sister, rushed in excitedly. "Brother, the steward from Prince Heng's residence is here! You must go meet him at once!"

Shangguan Xuan frowned. The steward from Prince Heng's residence?

Since the decline of the South Garrison Marquis's Mansion, the noble families of Yanjing had kept their distance, and few princes sought their company. Suppressing his confusion, Shangguan Xuan left the Hall of Longevity and Peace, heading to the main hall to receive the steward.

Shangguan Qian followed closely behind.

"Little sister, why are you tagging along?" Shangguan Xuan turned to find her trailing him like a shadow.

With a playful pout and flushed cheeks, Shangguan Qian tugged at his sleeve. "Elder brother, don't mind me—I just want to see."

Prince Heng was renowned in Yanjing as a handsome and noble figure, charming and debonair. Though his residence housed many concubines, he had yet to take a principal wife.

In the past, with the marquis's household in decline, Shangguan Qian had not dared to aspire to the position of Prince Heng's wife. But now that the household was regaining its former glory, as the marquis's legitimate daughter, she was surely a worthy match for the illustrious prince.

When they arrived in the main hall, the steward from Prince Heng's residence stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Marquis, my lord has heard of your impending marriage to the Princess of Pingyang—a match made in heaven. He has sent this humble servant to present an early wedding gift."

The steward handed over an exquisitely carved box.

Shangguan Xuan raised an eyebrow, offering polite words before accepting it. "The wedding has yet to take place—Prince Heng is too kind."

Upon opening the box, he was met with a stack of banknotes.

Shangguan Xuan's expression turned to shock, while Shangguan Qian, watching eagerly, nearly gasped.

Ten thousand taels! Such extravagance—truly befitting Prince Heng!

Shangguan Qian's admiration for the prince soared, and she couldn't help but fantasize about becoming his princess consort, ensuring a lifetime of wealth and privilege.

The steward spoke smoothly, "My lord enjoys His Majesty's deep favor and oversees river transport, so he lacks nothing. Marquis, your military achievements in defending the nation are unparalleled. Please accept this humble token."

Ten thousand taels would solve the marquis's household's urgent financial woes.

Shangguan Xuan was no fool—he knew Prince Heng was attempting to win him over. Though he wished to avoid entanglement in the princes' power struggles, the money would allow him to marry Zhao Qing in grand style.

After an internal struggle, he finally accepted the gift. "Please convey my gratitude to Prince Heng."

The steward offered a few more pleasantries before taking his leave.

Unable to restrain herself, Shangguan Qian chased after him, blocking his path. The steward maintained his polite smile. "Lady Shangguan, is there something else?"

Her cheeks flushed, Shangguan Qian hesitated before shyly retrieving an embroidered pouch from her sleeve. Adorned with delicate silk flowers and exuding a faint fragrance, it was clearly a token of affection.

"Steward, could you please deliver this to Prince Heng?" she murmured bashfully. "At last year's Spring Banquet, His Highness saved me from beneath a horse's hooves. I have never forgotten his kindness."

A young maiden's heart was impossible to conceal.

The steward sighed inwardly—this young lady must be out of her mind. Of all people, why set her sights on his master?

He accepted the pouch. "I will relay your sentiments to His Highness."

As he turned to leave, Shangguan Qian stopped him again. "Wait—might I ask what kind of women His Highness favors?"

Confident in her beauty and accomplishments, Shangguan Qian ranked among Yanjing's most admired young ladies, with countless admirers. She was certain that, given time, Prince Heng would inevitably fall for her charms.

The butler hesitated for a moment, but seeing the sincerity in Shangguan Qian's eyes, he decided to be honest. "In recent years, His Highness Prince Heng's preferences have changed. He now favors women who are beautiful and slender in figure."

Shangguan Qian's confidence soared—she was undeniably beautiful!

The butler added, "They must also be skilled at acting."

Shangguan Qian was puzzled. Did the prince have a fondness for opera performers? She silently resolved to start learning opera the very next day.

The butler continued, "And they must be proficient in horseback riding."

Shangguan Qian secretly rejoiced—she was quite adept at riding. Having been born into a military family, all children were trained in horseback riding and archery from a young age. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Finally, the butler raised a finger and declared emphatically, "But above all, they must know how to slaughter a pig!"