On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 11

Lulu noticed that from the very beginning, Liu Qinglan didn’t like that jade hairpin at all, so she simply tucked it away.
“Alright, Your Ladyship. This servant will make sure this jade hairpin never sees the light of day again.”

When Lulu said that, her expression was tragic, full of determination whatever her mistress liked, she liked whatever her mistress hated, she would hate to the bone.

But Liu Qinglan faltered.
“That seems… a bit too extreme…”

Because she herself was a spirit who had gained sentience, Liu Qinglan believed all things possessed a soul. What if this hairpin one day happened to meet some heavenly opportunity and grew a spirit of its own? If it became sentient and remembered that a creature named “Liu Qinglan” had locked it away in a dark box for ages… wouldn’t it come back to take revenge?

The more Liu Qinglan thought about it, the further her imagination spiraled. Soon she was completely immersed in her own fantasy.

Lulu stared at her mistress, who looked practically trance bound, and finally couldn’t help speaking.
“Then… how does Your Ladyship wish to handle the Empress’ gift?!”

Snapped out of her mental image of being beaten senseless by a vengeful hairpin spirit, Liu Qinglan steadied herself and said with solemn pain:
“Lulu, bring out the finest box we have. Line it with the softest silk, then place this hairpin inside very carefully. Set it on the dressing table like an offering. Let it bask in the sun every day, and listen to the larks sing.”

Lulu: … Your Ladyship, are you perhaps an idiot?

“Hurry,” Liu Qinglan urged. “It must be done today.”
Only then could she feel at ease.

Lulu stiffly bowed.
“As you command…”

When she actually followed those instructions tenderly enshrining an ordinary hairpin like a deity she truly felt like her brain had melted. Her heart was exhausted.

After dressing, Liu Qinglan stood up with satisfaction, excitement sparking in her steps.
“Lulu, let’s head out. We’re going to Chenxin Palace!”

Lulu panicked behind her.
“Your Ladyship, don’t bounce when you walk!”

Liu Qinglan immediately restrained her triumphant posture and switched to the courtly gait taught by Granny Gao swaying left and right like a limping noble lady.

The palace maids behind her desperately wanted to cover their eyes.

Upon arriving at Chenxin Palace, Liu Qinglan encountered Kang Zhaoyi, whose face was full of disdain.

Kang Zhaoyi covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed to another beauty beside her.
“In the palace one should behave properly. Even walking has rules. Look at her swaying and twisting like a cripple. Who is she trying to impress?”

The beauty, knowing exactly who Kang Zhaoyi was referring to, quickly lowered her head.
“You’re right, Zhaoyi. It’s truly disgraceful.”

Liu Qinglan understood. Kang Zhaoyi had just called her crippled.

She became unhappy and simply flicked her sleeves, strutting in boldly. The palace maids behind her instantly switched into battle mode chests out, full of “His Majesty backs us” bravado.

Thus, the entire Moonless Palace entourage marched in like an army of militant roosters.

Kang Zhaoyi almost fainted from anger.
“Didn’t Granny Gao teach you etiquette? Didn’t she teach you to salute higher-ranked consorts?”

Liu Qinglan paused and looked at Lulu. Lulu stepped forward, understanding.
“Replying to Zhaoyi. Granny Gao hasn’t taught Her Ladyship how to salute yet. She has only reached the lesson on standing posture.”

“…”
Kang Zhaoyi’s face flushed with fury.
“I’m going to the Empress this instant to demand justice!”

Oh no…she was about to bring the backer of all backers.

Liu Qinglan tugged at her own hair anxiously, not conceding.
“I’m going too!”

“Your Ladyship, why are you going?”

“To complain about her to the Empress too!”

And so, the two women marched off like quarreling school children going to their teacher to demand fairness.

Xie Xuanzhao was already seated in the hall, prepared to receive the morning greetings of the concubines. Today she wore a bright red phoenix gown radiant and poised though the jade hairpin in her coiffure looked rather plain in comparison.

A fluffy white snowball of a cat lay lazily across her knees, dozing with half-closed eyes.

Kang Zhaoyi entered first. With impeccable timing, she threw herself pitifully beside the Empress’ knee and cried behind her sleeve.
“Elder Sister, you must uphold justice for me. A mere Concubine dares act arrogantly above my head. If this goes uncorrected, the palace will soon be in chaos. Today it’s a Concubine tomorrow it will be a handmaid; soon even servants will dare trample upon their masters.”

Xie Xuanzhao’s phoenix eyes deepened.
“Stand. Who bullied you?”

Liu Qinglan arrived just in time to see the previously arrogant Kang Zhaoyi crying like a pitiful victim.

She froze.
Oh no…the Empress is looking at me…

Liu Qinglan grew so anxious she almost wanted to pop out her tail.

The Empress studied the nervous little concubine, and the situation became clear to her. The newly-entered beauty had exactly zero experience in palace scheming.

Her lips curved slightly, but when her gaze drifted to Liu Qinglan’s hair… the jade hairpin she had given her was nowhere to be seen. Her smile faded.

She didn’t wear the hairpin?
Unhappy.

Her voice became cool.
“Concubine Yue, come in.”

To Liu Qinglan, this version of the Empress felt like a true monarch of the harem overwhelming and authoritative.
She shrank instantly, tail tucked, shuffling in like a kitten caught doing something wrong.

The Empress looked into those watery, guilty eyes and nearly laughed.
“What are you so nervous for? Tell me why did you bully Zhaoyi?”

Kang Zhaoyi brightened at the Empress’ gentle tone, though displeasure still simmered inside her.

Liu Qinglan scratched her ear anxiously. In her imagination, she saw herself standing proudly, looking down at Kang Zhaoyi with arrogance:
“I am His Majesty’s most favored woman. If I don’t feel like saluting, I won’t. Hmph!”
Then she would strut away like a victorious rooster.

Behind her, the Moonless Palace maids clenched their fists in excitement.
Go, Your Ladyship! Be bold! His Majesty supports us!

But reality was very different.

In truth, Liu Qinglan drooped like a wilted plant, voice soft and aggrieved:
“Your Majesty the Empress… Granny Gao hasn’t taught me how to salute yet…”

The moment she spoke, the Moonless Palace maids collectively withered.

Kang Zhaoyi nearly spat blood.
Was this idiot pretending or actually this stupid?!

Xie Xuanzhao chose to believe she was simply stupid and that delighted her.
Her face remained composed.
“In that case, today you will learn salutes with Granny Gao. At dusk, I will come test you.”

This way, she would have another private moment with the little concubine.
An entire repertoire of 108 ways to “test” her flashed across the Empress’ mind.

She imagined it for a moment then caught herself.
When had she become like this?!
Very inappropriate. Very improper.
She must remain calm.

Liu Qinglan glanced at the still angry Kang Zhaoyi.
“Then… I’ll go now. Empress Sister, I’ll study very hard!”

Looking at the girl’s tender, luminous face and those shining, earnest eyes, the Empress’ long silent heart thumped wildly and shamelessly.

Go on, go on. Study well. I’m very much looking forward to it.

She arched her brows, smiling like a fox.