On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 22

After grabbing the snow white, fluffy cat tail, Liu Qinglan gave this genuine little kitten a wicked smile.

Xuetuan’s (Snowball’s) cat face was horrified. It bared its claws and began desperately shrinking backward.

“Meow meow meow meow meow…”

The previously quiet hall was immediately plunged into a cacophony of meows, some belonging to Xuetuan, and some belonging to Liu Qinglan…

Xie Xuanzhao wiped her face behind the screen. When she suddenly heard meowing from outside, and it seemed like more than one cat, she quickly lifted her skirt and walked around the screen to see what was happening.

Liu Qinglan hadn’t expected this little kitten to be fiercer than her, the ‘Mountain King.’ A slight tease, and it started showing its claws, becoming utterly savage.

Having provoked a small fierce cat, Liu Qinglan quickly realized she couldn’t afford to mess with it. Instantaneously chickening out, she had no choice but to sacrifice herself to quickly soothe the beautiful Empress’s little pet cat.

“Meow wu meow wu…”

“Meow meow meow…”

After a round of “beast language” communication, Liu Qinglan sighed. She obediently crouched on the chair and exposed her own snow white, long tail, letting it hang down.

Xuetuan happily scampered over and began using its paws to grab the fluffy tail in front of it.

Liu Qinglan, feeling utterly resigned, swung her tail left and right, serving as a living cat teaser for Xuetuan.

Xuetuan was delighted, batting at it like a fluttering butterfly.

Liu Qinglan had sharp ears and was constantly paying attention to the movement behind the screen. As soon as Her Majesty the Empress’s footsteps approached, she reacted instantly, whoosh, transforming her tail back, and then, with lightning speed, jumping off the chair.

The moment Xie Xuanzhao stepped out from behind the screen, Liu Qinglan had already bent down, picked up the bewildered Xuetuan, and was scratching the cat’s chin with her finger to prevent it from being fierce again.

Seeing Liu Qinglan holding her cat, Xie Xuanzhao smiled slightly, “Do you like cats?”

Xuetuan was being scratched under the chin by Liu Qinglan and was very pleased, squinting its eyes in enjoyment.

Liu Qinglan, however, quickly stuffed it back into Xie Xuanzhao’s arms, “Don’t like them, don’t like them.” I only like myself, meow~

You just like being contradictory. Xie Xuanzhao was well aware of the principle that “when a woman says she doesn’t like something, she actually does,” especially the one in front of her.

Xuetuan lay in Xie Xuanzhao’s familiar embrace, completely docile and well-behaved, as if the fierce kitten from just now wasn’t it.

Liu Qinglan was so angry her teeth hurt. You scheming cat!

Meanwhile, outside the palace, several returning concubines and palace maids were discussing how arrogant Consort Yue had been today, relying on the Emperor’s favor and not even bowing properly to Her Majesty the Empress.

The story spread like wildfire, reaching the Emperor’s ears.

Today, Lin Yulang was attending to the Emperor. He had just received news from Concubine Yu and subtly informed the Emperor about the situation at Chenxin Palace.

The Emperor’s plan worked for the first time, and he was quite satisfied, “It seems this daughter of the mountain is naive and rash, and has her own way. Xie Xuanzhao has always been arrogant, and now she has finally met her match.”

Lin Yulang saw the Emperor praising this little favored concubine. Feeling uneasy, fearing the Emperor would grow more fond of her, he spoke up, “The Empress is, after all, a daughter of the Xie family and possesses great cunning. Although Your Majesty has been openly favoring Consort Yue recently, I fear the Empress might seek to deal with Consort Yue in her anger. Therefore, Your Majesty should not overdo it. Perhaps you should give Consort Yue the cold shoulder for a few days to prevent her from meeting the same tragic end as Lord Tan, who was beaten to death by the Empress for provoking Consort Kangzhaoyi.”

Lord Tan was the male favorite who was caned to death by the Empress for provoking Consort Kangzhaoyi.

The Emperor still felt a chill when he thought about it. He pondered and nodded, “It was difficult to find a reliable person, and I cannot sacrifice her like this. I will first promote her to Concubine (Fei), neglect her for a few days, and then make further plans.”

And so, when Liu Qinglan walked out of Chenxin Palace, she learned that she had inexplicably been promoted.

The maids in Yuefei Palace, including Lulu and the others, were overjoyed. They busied themselves packing, preparing to move to a larger palace.

Liu Qinglan was still completely bewildered. She hadn’t completed the task the Emperor had given her; on the contrary, she had defected on the very first day!

Lulu, who had been constantly worried that the Emperor would neglect and abandon her because the Lady wasn’t proactive and was timid and cowardly, was especially relieved to see the situation turn for the better. She held Liu Qinglan’s hand, “Lady, see! You only opened your mind once, and His Majesty promoted you to Concubine (Fei). Your future is certainly boundless! If you can manage to have a little Prince, you will be elevated with your child, and then you…”

While Lulu was lost in her future fantasies, Liu Qinglan was still clueless, “But I didn’t do anything.”

“It’s right that you didn’t do anything!” Lulu happily shook her hand, “This is the principle of ‘no move is better than any move’!”

Liu Qinglan, now even more bewildered, could only nod vaguely. What else could she say? This palace was really quite fun, hehe~

“But what’s the difference now that I’m Consort Yue (Yue Fei)?” Liu Qinglan couldn’t help but ask, looking around at the joyous palace maids, feeling a bit confused.

Lulu patted her hand, “There are many benefits. Firstly, the monthly stipend has increased. Secondly, we will have a bigger and more beautiful palace. Lastly, our food will definitely improve, and you can even choose your own imperial chef!”

Liu Qinglan’s heart fluttered upon hearing this. So many benefits, how wonderful.

In the small courtyard of the Imperial Kitchen, Tao Xi was preparing celebratory pastries for the Lady’s promotion. Suddenly, a voice came from outside, “Is the chef in?”

Tao Xi walked out and saw Yan Mo, the head maid of the Empress, standing before her.

She remembered Yan Mo’s cold eyes that night and the threatening words she spoke. She immediately became reserved and scared, “Y-Yan Mo Gugu (Auntie), what are your orders?”

Yan Mo gave her a strange look, “Why are you so afraid?”

The Peach Blossom spirit, hearing the voice, opened her hazy eyes from her nap and peered down.

Tao Xi quickly waved her hands, “N-Not afraid.” But her whole body was recoiling, looking ready to turn and flee at any moment.

Yan Mo paused, vaguely guessing the reason, “Hmm… Actually, what I told you last time was just a joke, don’t take it to heart.”

Tao Xi immediately shook her head like a rattle, “I… I don’t remember what you told me last time. I didn’t see anything, and I certainly didn’t notice any charcoal missing from the kitchen.”

After saying that, she saw Yan Mo’s expression freeze. She immediately covered her mouth, regretting it so much she wanted to bite her tongue. What nonsense did I just say!

Yan Mo suddenly gave a pleasant smile, “I see. Little Chef, don’t be afraid. I just came to ask for a bag of water chestnuts. The few swans Her Majesty the Empress keeps only like the wild water chestnuts you prepare.”

Tao Xi had seen her expression of utter coldness. Now, seeing her smile pleasantly, why did she feel even more terrified…

“B-But you already took a bag last time.”

Yan Mo said lightly, “It was stolen. So I need to prepare a new one. Those swans are very picky eaters.”

“Ah, someone even steals raw water chestnuts…” Tao Xi looked confused but had no choice but to go back inside to prepare them.

The Peach Blossom spirit heard everything clearly from above. She looked at Yan Mo waiting in the courtyard and didn’t see the black aura around her. This one is not the same person who came crying and wrote a suicide note that night.

The Peach Blossom spirit narrowed her charming large eyes, thinking, How interesting.

Tao Xi washed a basket of water chestnuts with well water and prepared to pick it up. Just then, a familiar voice suddenly reached her ear, “Little Tao Xi~”

Tao Xi immediately stood still as if in meditation. That voice appeared again.

Since she first had memories as a child, this gentle and charming female voice had accompanied her as she grew up. When she was concentrating and didn’t notice a stone in front of her, when she was about to attend the imperial chef selection competition but forgot her special seasoning, and when she was lonely and bored and wanted someone to talk to, this voice would appear like timely rain.

Although she only knew the person’s voice and had no idea what she looked like, Tao Xi was content.

Because she hadn’t heard the voice calling out to her for a long time, Tao Xi was now somewhat joyful, “You’re here.”

“Mmm~” The Peach Blossom spirit gently instructed, “Little Tao Xi, when you go out with the water chestnuts, please ask Miss Yan Mo for me, ‘Are your injuries better?'”

Tao Xi nodded, “Okay, I’ll definitely ask for you.”

Yan Mo took the basket from Tao Xi’s hand. Seeing the fresh water chestnuts inside, she smiled slightly, “Thank you, Chef.”

Tao Xi waved her hand, “It’s nothing.” She bravely glanced at Yan Mo quickly. She looked healthy, with rosy skin. Although confused, Tao Xi still asked as the Peach Blossom spirit had instructed, “Miss Yan Mo, are your injuries better?”

Yan Mo froze, her expression hardening again, “Hmm?”

“Ah, I was just concerned about you, I didn’t mean anything else.” Tao Xi ran away, afraid that Yan Mo would stare at her coldly again.

Even if she lent Tao Xi ten times her courage, she wouldn’t have dared to ask if the spirit hadn’t told her to.

Yan Mo left, holding the water chestnuts, deep in thought.

While Lulu and the others were busy moving things, Liu Qinglan, the one with the most free time, squatted on a chair cracking melon seeds.

She actually didn’t really want to move because it was too troublesome. Humans build their nests so big and stuff them with so many things. Unlike her grass nest in the forest, which was simple, convenient, practical, and super easy to move.

Lulu and the others worked busily all afternoon and finally finished moving everything. “Lady, you can now set off to your new residence!”

Because Lulu and the others had joyful expressions, Liu Qinglan also became happy with them, “Alright, I’ll go see what the new home is like.”

So, the group from Yuefei Palace was cheerful, heading to the new residence of Consort Yue with a feeling of excitement akin to a spring outing.

The palace was named Qinglan Palace, specifically using Liu Qinglan’s name, which showed great care. It was covered in lush shade and had many plants. Liu Qinglan stood at the palace gate, inhaling the fresh scent of grass and wood, and her mood grew even more pleasant.

Not bad, not bad. She is very satisfied with this new residence so far.

Liu Qinglan took Lulu and the others for a quick tour, and then the palace maids went back to their respective rooms to unpack. Liu Qinglan told Lulu to go busy herself, and she continued to stroll around the courtyard.

She saw a huge silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) in the backyard. The fan-like flowers had mostly withered, but the leaves were unusually dense. Liu Qinglan looked around, and seeing no one, she had the urge to climb the tree.

Since leaving the forest, she hadn’t climbed such a tall tree in a long time. The peach tree in the Imperial Kitchen was too short and didn’t offer a sense of accomplishment.

Liu Qinglan rolled up her sleeves, tied her skirt sash tightly, and took off her shoes. With practiced and superb moves, she climbed to the very top of the silk tree.

Once up, she discovered a whole new world.

The silk tree was planted against the wall. Beyond the wall was…

Liu Qinglan was so happy she almost fainted. She saw a familiar figure standing right in front of her. She quickly poked her head out of the foliage and greeted the other person enthusiastically, “Meow meow meow~”