On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 12

The former Emperor greatly favored the small of a woman’s back, and palace staff, to cater to the Emperor’s preference, specially improved the palace kneeling posture.

Grandma Gao’s face carried a mysterious sense of pride. “Our kneeling posture is different from the outside.”

Liu Qinglan had seen people perform courtesies a side curtsy was sufficient and looked quite simple. Kneeling seemed even simpler just flop down on both knees, maybe with a bit of knee pain.

Grandma Gao stood in the courtyard, her posture perfect, speaking with authority. “What you’re referring to is the way a palace maid performs a ceremony when she has made a mistake. When meeting His Majesty normally, it’s not done like that. Especially the Imperial Consorts to gain the Emperor’s favor, there’s a great deal of nuance to the full set of courtesies and kneeling postures. Milady, please stand properly, and this servant will begin teaching.”

The other concubines gradually withdrew after paying their respects, with Consort Yu being the last to leave.

Liu Qinglan couldn’t help but glance towards her, only to have her calf struck lightly by Grandma Gao’s thin whip.

Grandma Gao’s whipping technique was skilled it wouldn’t leave a mark, but it would definitely cause a sting.

“Milady, please concentrate.” Her stern face was quite frightening.

Liu Qinglan moved the corner of her mouth, inwardly letting out a “meow,” but outwardly she dared not show any protest.

Consort Yu, today, had shed her usual air of dejection; her entire person was radiant, with a graceful and immaculate appearance. She seemed to be in good spirits, her rosy little lips slightly pursed, revealing a faint smile.

However, in Liu Qinglan’s eyes, she could clearly see that the mass of black mist had also grown stronger; it seemed its power had increased overnight.

A pressure abruptly bore down. Liu Qinglan snapped back to attention the black mist had noticed her. She thought it would rush over and attack like last time, but it only glanced at her scornfully, as if too lazy to strike.

Liu Qinglan didn’t know that the black mist wasn’t truly lazy it was because there was a ten thousand year old ancient peach blossom nearby that it dared not offend, which was why it had quieted down.

Consort Yu walked farther and farther away. Liu Qinglan tried to use her old method of transforming into a wisp of air to follow, but the distance was limited; she couldn’t maintain it once she left Xinchen Palace. While at a loss, Liu Qinglan suddenly saw Miss Yan Mo, the Empress’s personal attendant, emerge from a side door. She quietly trailed Consort Yu.

It seemed the Empress had also noticed. Liu Qinglan retreated to the courtyard and focused on her practice.

The sun climbed higher. Grandma Gao moved the practice location to the cool shade of the corridor.

“Milady has a delicate constitution and must not be sunburned.”

Liu Qinglan wanted to stick out her tongue: You understand that much!

There was a well in the backyard of Xinchen Palace, and its water was refreshingly cold and palatable. When Yan Mo appeared, carrying a plate of cherries that had just been soaked in the well water, Liu Qinglan was startled.

Hadn’t this person just gone to follow Consort Yu? How did she suddenly appear from the backyard again?! Even if she had doubled back, Liu Qinglan had been in the courtyard the whole time and hadn’t seen her enter.

Liu Qinglan was completely baffled and kept staring at her. Yan Mo noticed and paused slightly, hesitating. “Imperial Concubine Yue, are you… perhaps craving cherries?”

“It is time for practice now, Milady must not indulge.” Grandma Gao was unyielding.

Yan Mo smiled sweetly. “Quite right. This servant will take her leave now.”

“Wait…” Liu Qinglan couldn’t resist her curiosity and finally spoke.

Yan Mo was surprised and looked over.

“Miss Yan Mo, have you been staying in Xinchen Palace this whole time?” A bead of sweat glistened on Liu Qinglan’s delicate nose.

“Of course. How could this servant sneak off elsewhere?” Yan Mo seemed quite confused as to why Imperial Concubine Yue would ask her this question.

Liu Qinglan’s heart surged; there were far too many strange occurrences in this Inner Palace!

Yan Mo carried the cherries, red and dripping, into the room.

Xie Xuanzhao was sitting behind a writing desk, holding a brush, her brow furrowed as she faced an open book.

“Miss, these are fresh fruits soaked in ice water. Please have a taste.” There was no one else around, only the two of them, mistress and servant, so Yan Mo changed her form of address.

Xie Xuanzhao slowly put down her brush, picked up a cherry, and stood by the window. The situation in the corridor was visible to her.

“You paused in the corridor for a long time just now. Did Imperial Concubine Yue ask you something?”

Yan Mo lowered her gaze. “Imperial Concubine Yue asked if I had been here all along. She seems to have discovered something.”

“I was watching her practice the whole time. It’s impossible for her to know anything.” Xie Xuanzhao’s delicate eyebrows slightly knitted, dismissing Yan Mo’s guess.

“This servant must have overthought things.” Yan Mo quickly bowed her head, complying with her mistress’s opinion.

Xie Xuanzhao bit into a cherry; the juice was full and the taste sweet and delicious.

She ate a few, then suddenly felt bored, lowering her head to look at the large plate of cherries that remained. “Yan Mo, is it time for a meal yet?”

“There’s still half an hour. If Milady wants an earlier meal, this servant will go and hasten it.” Yan Mo was puzzled and looked at her mistress.

Wiping the juice from her fingertips with a silk handkerchief, Xie Xuanzhao asked, seemingly offhandedly, “His Majesty hasn’t summoned Imperial Concubine Yue, has he?”

“His Majesty never dallies with concubines during the day, Milady, you know this.” Yan Mo was even more confused.

Xie Xuanzhao curved her lips into a smile. She knew this, of course; she had only asked for reassurance. “In that case, keep Imperial Concubine Yue here for the meal today, and let her not bother returning to Yuefei Palace. The sun outside is too strong, and coming and going is troublesome.”

Finally, the real purpose was revealed. Both mistress and servant let out a sigh of relief.

Yan Mo understood, withdrew, and went to execute the order.

Liu Qinglan continued to look at her strangely. Yan Mo pretended not to notice, went straight to Grandma Gao, and said, “Her Majesty the Empress asked me to inquire, when will the practice end?”

Grandma Gao was filled with apprehension and respectfully replied, “We are to practice until lunchtime.”

“Her Majesty has instructed that Imperial Concubine Yue should go inside. She wants to see the results of this half-day’s work.” Yan Mo had a serious expression.

Grandma Gao glanced at the time it hadn’t been long since they started… but she dared not disobey and could only agree.

Liu Qinglan immediately stood straight after their conversation ended.

Grandma Gao walked up to her and said expressionlessly, “Milady’s practice is sufficient for now. We can resume after the afternoon rest.”

A little person inside Liu Qinglan was clapping and jumping; she hadn’t seemed to practice much today at all!

She looked back at the room with a hint of reluctance. If only she didn’t have to practice and could stay here every day…

“Imperial Concubine Yue, please hold your step.” Yan Mo, a smile on her face, called out to the certain person who kept looking back. “The Empress is keeping you for a meal. Please come inside.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Qinglan was overjoyed. “Really?”

“How could this servant deceive you?” Yan Mo suppressed a laugh and turned to lead her into the room.

What a piece of good luck! Liu Qinglan lifted her skirt and followed very obsequiously. At this moment, she was just a mischievous little cat trailing along.

The Empress’s room was decorated with great elegance. Smoke hued soft silk hung to the floor, and sandalwood shelves leaned against the wall, holding countless valuable antiques. In the center of the room was a huge screen embroidered with a picture of green bamboo and a hundred birds, separating two worlds.

Liu Qinglan stepped on the complexly patterned carpet, followed Yan Mo, and walked around the screen.

That was a different world altogether.

The corridor past the screen connected to a waterside pavilion. Pushing open the wooden-paned door, the first sight to greet them was miles of lotus ponds; a breeze wafted through, providing great coolness.

Liu Qinglan slightly widened her eyes. Compared to her Yuefei Palace, this was the difference between heaven and earth, not even on the same level. It was truly too luxurious, too indulgent.

She was somewhat excited. No wonder the spiritual energy here was so concentrated, with both mountains and water it felt like a miniature version of half the country was enclosed within.

Xie Xuanzhao had already changed out of her complicated ceremonial robes, wearing only a sheer, watery-red tunic, revealing her fair neck and bosom. Two full mounds were poised to spill out, full of alluring charm. She was currently lying askew on a lounging couch, her pair of phoenix eyes sweeping over the young favorite consort before her. “Qinglan, eat some cherries.”

Yan Mo presented the washed cherries, which were a vibrant red like ruby agate. She laid out the cushion and withdrew with lowered eyes.

Liu Qinglan cautiously sat down beside Xie Xuanzhao.

This powerful figure was looking at her with eyes full of smiles, and Liu Qinglan’s little heart began to thump loudly.

“These are fresh cherries brought in this morning. Try them.”

A delicate hand holding cherries, white snow contrasting with red plums. Xie Xuanzhao watched her intently, watching her put a cherry into her rosy little mouth.

The gaze was too intense. Liu Qinglan bit into the tender flesh of a cherry, and under the powerful scrutiny of Xie Xuanzhao’s aura, she gave her an awkward but polite smile.