On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 14

Xie Xuanzhao looked at the little consort in front of her who had suddenly and inexplicably flushed again, and she smiled inwardly.

She must have never been treated with such compassion before, which is why she was touched and shyly blushing. Xie Xuanzhao affectionately curled her soft, boneless, fair little hand in her own palm. From now on, she would definitely treat her well and give her enough security.

Xie Xuanzhao’s hand was slightly larger, just barely able to cup Liu Qinglan’s small fist.

Liu Qinglan, on the other hand, was simultaneously despising herself for her lack of principles and shamelessly enjoying the Empress’s caress. She was also agonizing over whether to tell her that she had actually been living quite well and was not a delicate little flower at all, but a domineering cat that ruled the mountain!

The kind that could swat four small insects to death with one paw, very powerful!

The pearl curtain outside the screen suddenly rattled, and Yan Mo’s voice, carrying a hint of urgency, reached them, “Empress, your servant has something to report.”

Xie Xuanzhao was slightly startled, then understood something. She slowly released her hand and pushed the remaining large plate of red cherries in front of Liu Qinglan, her tone carrying a hint of coaxing, “Qinglan, you eat some cherries here first. We’ll have a meal together later. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as her fingers let go, the spiritual energy quickly left with her. Liu Qinglan felt her hand become empty. She raised her head, looked at the Empress, her eyes showing reluctance, and said, “Then you have to come back quickly.”

She truly looked like she couldn’t be without her for a moment. Xie Xuanzhao reached out and dotingly pinched her little cheek, uttering two words that left much to the imagination: “As you wish.”

When Liu Qinglan heard these two words, her heart suddenly sweetened, as if she had been fed a mouthful of honey by the stunning beauty in front of her. However, she was too embarrassed to show it in front of others. It was only after the Empress turned and left that she dared to giggle to herself with a hint of secret delight, her eyes sparkling.

Xie Xuanzhao had walked a few steps but couldn’t help but look back at her. She saw her secretly snickering to herself, and her heart was instantly hooked again. How could there be such a lovable young girl in this world! She had previously suspected that the little consort was faking her innocence and cuteness, but now it seemed she had completely misunderstood her.

The thought of “Qinglan is truly too adorable” completely occupied the Empress’s mind, so much so that she didn’t react when she saw the nervous and scared looking Yan Mo.

Yan Mo’s heart skipped a beat when she saw her mistress’s radiant face, and she quickly called out in a low voice, “Mistress, your servant just followed Consort Yu all the way and discovered a very bad thing.”

Xie Xuanzhao was brought back to her senses by her serious and urgent voice. She first glanced around, “Were you seen by anyone on your way back?”

“Your servant disguised herself as her older sister, so no one suspected anything.” The person in front of her, identical to Yan Mo, was Yan Mo’s twin sister.

She and Yan Mo were elite guards trained by the Xie family since childhood, sharing the single name “Yan Mo.” This meant one of them was destined to become the other’s shadow. When they had to make the choice at the age of ten, the younger sister proactively took on the role of the shadow. This meant that all dark and dangerous matters had to be handled by her, while the older sister only needed to play the role of the Head Maidservant beside the eldest daughter of the Xie family.

While Yan Mo accompanied Xie Xuanzhao inside a comfortable room to practice calligraphy, paint, and discuss poetry, the younger sister was rigorously practicing martial arts. When Xie Xuanzhao married and became the Crown Princess, Yan Mo became the accompanying maid, and the younger sister also followed all the way. However, she mostly stayed hidden inside, only occasionally coming out to handle tasks under Yan Mo’s identity.

Like this time.

Xie Xuanzhao took her hand and entered her sleeping quarters. After ensuring there was no one around, Xie Xuanzhao finally asked, “What did you discover?”

While they were talking, a wisp of energy quietly drifted in. This was an illusion created by Liu Qinglan. She had heard Yan Mo’s voice earlier and, remembering the strange incident during the day, couldn’t help but want to know what was going on.

The younger sister first curtsied. Due to her long-time life in the dark, she was inherently solitary and vigilant. Even in the Empress’s chamber, her voice remained low, “Consort Yu went to Lianyan Lake, which is near the Cold Palace and sparsely populated. Your servant personally saw her embracing the Emperor’s male favorite, Lin Yulang, and then…”

“And then what?” Xie Xuanzhao’s heart tightened, not to blame Consort Yu, but fearing that the girl, being naive, was being tricked and played with by this man.

Yan Mo’s tone held a slight awkwardness, “Then the two of them committed that illicit act in broad daylight.”

Liu Qinglan, who accidentally overheard the biggest gossip of the back palace: Pure like me, I don’t understand, I don’t understand.

Xie Xuanzhao clenched her fingers, her eyes filled with worry, “These two are so audacious. Did you see clearly? Was Consort Yue willing?”

Yan Mo lowered her head, “From what your servant saw, Consort Yu looked quite happy. She should have been willing.”

“Lin Yulang is the Emperor’s most favored person. He has been by the Emperor’s side since the Eastern Palace. Now he is secretly involved with a woman, which shows he is not truly devoted to serving the Emperor. Moreover, this man has become arrogant due to the Emperor’s favor, owns vast amounts of land and houses outside, and is engaging in corrupt practices in court. His ambition is truly not small, and we must be vigilant.” Xie Xuanzhao remembered that Lin Yulang had a minor conflict with the Xie family while they were in the Eastern Palace, which resulted in a small grudge.

Yan Mo looked at her worriedly, “The Emperor has been deliberately cold-shouldering Mistress, and is deliberately trying to target our Xie family. If Lin Yulang causes trouble, and with the Emperor protecting him, we will inevitably be at a disadvantage.”

Xie Xuanzhao curved her red lips into a mocking smile, “That depends on who they are trying to target. Since leaving the Eastern Palace, have you seen this Emperor ever gain any advantage from me?”

Yan Mo smiled faintly, “Mistress is formidable. The Emperor is indeed not your opponent.”

The wisp of energy Liu Qinglan had transformed into was in the shape of a cat. At this moment, she was squatting on the beautiful Empress’s shoulder, excitedly listening to them criticize the Emperor.

Liu Qinglan had no awareness of being the Emperor’s favorite consort. When she heard Xie Xuanzhao unreservedly call the Emperor “this fellow,” she happily rolled over on the shoulder, her invisible tail wagging merrily.

When Yan Mo said the Emperor was no match for the Empress, Liu Qinglan stood up on her small cat body, pressed her invisible claws onto Xie Xuanzhao’s earlobe, and clapped her paws: Such an amazing beautiful older sister! Applause, applause.

Thus, in a place no one could see, Liu Qinglan was having a blast by herself, crazily and frantically rubbing against the Empress.

Xie Xuanzhao was reclining on the couch, her long, fair legs faintly visible beneath her palace dress. One arm rested casually on the armrest of the couch, her posture both domineering and alluring.

Yan Mo knelt on one knee, respectfully offering a cup of warm tea to her, “Should your servant go and question Lin Yulang?”

Her “question” definitely wasn’t a simple inquiry. To get the truth out of someone, she had many methods, ensuring the person would cry and call for their father.

Xie Xuanzhao gently shook the teacup in her hand, staring at the tea leaves floating on the surface, her eyes deep, “Don’t rush to go, lest you alert the enemy. Go monitor Consort Yu’s residence these few days. Report back if you find anything unusual. Be sure to protect her safety.”

“Yes.” Yan Mo answered, then silently retreated and returned to her secret room.

Liu Qinglan was concentrating on poking the Empress’s earlobe with her invisible claws and didn’t even notice how Yan Mo had retreated.

“Come out. I knew you were there all along.” Xie Xuanzhao suddenly spoke, her voice leisurely.

The entire cat that was Liu Qinglan trembled, and then she quickly tumbled down from the shoulder, falling onto the couch where Xie Xuanzhao had just been lying, landing on all fours in a cat-like sprawl.

Her heart was also beating quickly with nervousness and fear. Could the Empress see her? It was all her fault for her itchy paws, unable to resist touching her!

Liu Qinglan pitifully looked at the Empress, wondering how to beg for mercy and explain, only to see that the Empress was not looking at her, but at a gauze curtain.

Immediately, a person walked out from behind the curtain, and it was Yan Mo.

Liu Qinglan was completely shocked. If she hadn’t just heard their conversation, she would have doubted her own eyes. They truly were twin sisters. After putting on identical clothes, they were completely indistinguishable.

The Yan Mo who came now was the older sister. In fact, while their appearances were the same, their demeanors were quite different. The younger sister, trained in the dark since childhood, was skilled in martial arts, with sharp and seasoned eyes. The older sister, having lived a sheltered life, following Xie Xuanzhao and enjoying a life no less privileged than a young lady, had fairer skin and relatively more innocent and gentle eyes.

Xie Xuanzhao signaled her to come over, “Did you see your sister just now?”

Yan Mo nodded, her expression faint.

“It seems you rarely go to the secret room to see her lately.” Xie Xuanzhao looked at her with concern, “What happened between you two?”

Yan Mo’s eyes darkened, “Mistress, we are fine. Lunch is ready now, and your servant will bring it up to you immediately.” After she finished speaking, as if afraid the Empress would press further, she turned and withdrew.

Xie Xuanzhao looked at her frail back and sighed. This was an arrangement made by the head of the Xie family. Although Xie Xuanzhao herself opposed it, she was young then and completely powerless to change the family head’s decision. Now, it had become very difficult to change.

Liu Qinglan squatted by the couch, silently pressing the Empress’s wrist with her paw, wanting to give her some warmth.