On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 16

A soft, white lump rose beneath her palace skirt. Liu Qinglan scooted backward, quietly trying to press the restless little tail back in place.

As she made this small movement, Liu Qinglan’s face was flushed, truly feeling both shy and fearful, yet a tiny figure in her heart was yelling with hands on hips: You uncooperative little tail, hurry up and retract!

Xie Xuanzhao remained close to her. Seeing her suddenly shift backward and rub her little bottom against the back of the chair, she couldn’t help but chuckle, “Why are you blushing again? Is the weather too hot, or is it because… hmm?”

Her tone was seductive and enchanting, and the breath exhaled from her vermillion lips carried a hint of fragrance. The air around them seemed to grow warm. Xie Xuanzhao lowered her gaze, staring at the fair, tender face right before her. The flush of color made it appear even more delicate and lovely, like red and white cherry blossoms, seemingly breakable with a puff of air.

Xie Xuanzhao’s phoenix eyes deepened even further, her gaze intense and warm.

Liu Qinglan was trapped by her in the small space of the chair, unable to advance or retreat. She only felt the surrounding air was hot and ambiguous, and she would soon collapse if they continued to stare at each other like this.

Xie Xuanzhao looked at the young girl in front of her who seemed about to burst into flames; sweat was beading on her forehead, showing how terribly embarrassed she was. Sigh, Xie Xuanzhao inwardly sighed, this little girl is too shy. She could only slowly release her hand resting on the armrest of the chair and gracefully stand up, no longer teasing her.

As the Empress Dowager rose, Liu Qinglan breathed a huge sigh of relief, finally able to inhale.

Today, Liu Qinglan received more spiritual energy than ever before, simply unprecedented.

She didn’t know how, but the Empress’s attitude had changed completely from her previous aloofness, becoming so intimate. Liu Qinglan touched her hair, utterly perplexed. Well, if she couldn’t figure it out, she wouldn’t bother, as long as it was good for her. She thought happily, the sweet taste of the dessert still lingering in her mouth, her mood was excellent.

It would be even better if she could slack off and skip the practice this afternoon…

As this thought arose, Liu Qinglan’s dark, rolling eyes darted around. With nothing to fear, she looked at the Empress, “C-can I take an afternoon nap here for a little while?”

Although she could absolutely go back to Yuefei Palace to rest, wouldn’t it be much better to laze around and sleep in the spirit filled Xinchen Palace? Moreover, she sleeps for a long time once she falls asleep. Liu Qinglan had already planned on sleeping through the entire afternoon, thus avoiding Madam Gao’s training. It was simply killing two birds with one stone!

The more Liu Qinglan thought about it, the more wonderful it seemed, and she couldn’t help but give herself a thumbs-up in her heart.

Xie Xuanzhao swallowed imperceptibly. What, is she inviting me to sleep with her?…

At this moment, many fragrant, lingering scenes flashed through the Empress’s mind. The small flame in her heart, which had been suppressed for years, began to burn.

But wait, how could someone who blushed so much her head practically steamed at a single comment propose such a suggestive request? Xie Xuanzhao managed to cool down for once, snapping out of her momentary fantasy. She looked at the little pet concubine in front of her, who was waiting anxiously for a reply, “I seem to recall that you still have to practice curtsying with Madam Gao today, don’t you?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Qinglan knew her clever plan wouldn’t work. Her ears drooped, and she nodded with a look of distress, “Yes, I do.”

A hint of mischief flashed in Xie Xuanzhao’s eyes; she understood her intent she wanted to slack off. “That won’t do. You must practice seriously. It’s for your own good.” Given her current status and capabilities, it was difficult to completely protect her, so she still needed to know the necessary rules to survive long-term in the Inner Palace and prevent others from finding faults to use against her.

Liu Qinglan sighed dramatically, “Alright, I’ll go practice right now.” She was also afraid the Empress would get angry and never allow her to come to Xinchen Palace again, which is why she acted so compliant.

Xie Xuanzhao watched her turn and scamper away. It’s over; she finds even this small back view incredibly adorable now.

The afternoon training passed both slowly and quickly. Xie Xuanzhao left at some point and went somewhere unknown. Although Liu Qinglan was very curious, her energy couldn’t keep up, so she gave up.

She looked at the fierce looking Madam Gao in front of her, then thought of the beautiful Empress’s stunningly gorgeous face. She let out a small “meow” in her heart it truly was the difference between hell and heaven!

“Niangniang, pull in your stomach,” Madam Gao suddenly spoke, her gaze fixed on her belly, which was slightly bloated from eating too much at noon. “Niangniang, you must watch your diet and not be greedy. Obesity is a great foe of beauty.”

Her eyes were so sharp! Liu Qinglan inhaled deeply, trying hard to pull in her stomach, but her cheeks puffed out like an angry pufferfish.

Madam Gao paused, “Niangniang, you cannot puff out your cheeks.”

“All the air rushed up just now; I can’t help it,” Liu Qinglan exhaled the air in her mouth, but her abdomen bulged out again.

“…”

Madam Gao was somewhat exasperated. After a while, she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence, “Niangniang, just stay as you are. Don’t inhale anymore.”

Liu Qinglan grinned at her, showing her teeth, “Okay!”

Madam Gao felt she must be doing it on purpose. Sigh, these concubines are getting more and more cunning and difficult to manage.

Because she was fed an excessive amount of food by the Empress at noon, plus the large plate of cherries she unconsciously ate earlier, Liu Qinglan felt unwell as soon as she returned to Yuefei Palace.

Lulu saw her head straight for the latrine area the moment she came back and immediately followed her anxiously, stopping just outside the lowered curtain.

“Niangniang, did you eat something outside?” Lulu immediately guessed the truth. “Are you alright?”

Liu Qinglan anxiously tried to undo the ties of her palace skirt, but the waistband was too complicated and ended up in a dead knot. She instantly felt like crying.

Lulu outside was still anxiously speaking: “Didn’t I tell you not to easily eat others’ food? If you’re like this, how will you serve the Emperor tonight?”

Liu Qinglan struggled with the knotted waistband, sweating profusely. Finally, she gave up and transformed back into her original form.

A snow white cat quickly appeared, jumped onto the edge of the commode, stood on four paws, and began to ‘umm umm’ (defecate).

A moment later, Liu Qinglan felt refreshed. She changed back into human form. Her palace skirt was loose because of her hurried movements just now. Liu Qinglan had only conjured the skirt using the style provided by Lulu to be lazy, so she could easily take it on and off.

She walked out with her clothing slightly disheveled. Lulu’s eyes widened slightly. How did she get into this state so quickly?

“Niangniang, what exactly did you experience?!” Lulu looked at her with a grave expression.

Liu Qinglan hesitated, her pretty face blushing, “Never mind, never mind. It’s nothing.”

She held up her skirt and walked back to the inner room, throwing aside the etiquette Madam Gao had taught her. She jumped onto a chair and sat in a cat-like squat, looking profoundly serious.

Lulu initially tried to persuade her, but now she was used to it.

Liu Qinglan’s expression was blank, “Lulu, if the Emperor sends someone, just say I’m not feeling well and can’t go to serve him tonight.” Anyway, her existence was just a pretense, dispensable.

Lulu agreed and then said, “His Majesty sent many treasures again today. Your servant took the liberty of mentioning that Niangniang was detained in Xinchen Palace. I believe His Majesty will stand up for Niangniang.”

After she finished speaking, Liu Qinglan had no reaction. Lulu looked at her expression again, only to see her mistress’s eyes unfocused, her mind wandering. She thought something must have happened.

Indeed, something unpleasant had happened on the way back to Yuefei Palace. Just like humans, cats have urgent needs, especially after eating a lot.

Liu Qinglan had the ‘three urgencies’ (call of nature) dramatically on her way back. Seeing that her residence was still some distance away and surrounded by flower gardens, small bridges, and flowing water, her nature took over, and she began to think about relieving herself right there.

As a wild Fei Fei who grew up in the mountains, being free, unrestrained, and unconventional was her way of life; she never paid attention to such matters. Only after cultivating into a spirit did she learn that humans do not ‘umm umm’ in broad daylight but must do so in a carefully constructed small house. Since she was determined to earnestly be a human, she certainly had to follow local customs and change this bad habit.

Liu Qinglan had changed very well, but she couldn’t stand how urgent the need was this time. Her eyes rolled. I can’t do it as a human, so changing back into a small animal is fine!

So, she dismissed the accompanying palace maids, ran alone behind a willow tree by a small bridge, and, seizing the moment when no one was watching, whoosh, she transformed back into her original form and leaped into the nearby bushes.

In her utmost urgency, she even found a small tea bush, placed her paws on the dead branches, struck a pose, and prepared to start her wild and free relief.

Then, she met a pair of deep, beautiful phoenix eyes.