On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 26

A light red gauze curtain hung down to the floor, faintly revealing the misty steam behind it, like swirling smoke. At the edge of the bathtub was a little beauty soaking. Two fluffy ears peeked out from under her flowing long hair, drooping contentedly. Her arm was resting on an imperial phoenix robe nearby, exposing sharp claws that were scratching as if holding back something, leaving several marks.

A snow white long tail was draped lazily behind her, occasionally hitting the water, splashing up a few drops.

A flowering branch extended in through the half-open window. At the tip of the branch, a single, newly bloomed flower stood gracefully, bathed in the soft moonlight.

Suddenly, several pink peach blossoms drifted in with the wind, floating and swaying until they landed on Liu Qinglan’s ears, which had already perked up alertly.

Liu Qinglan reached up to brush off the peach blossoms, sensing the aura of a Peach Blossom Spirit on them.

“Hmm?” She looked up, puzzled, only to see more and more crimson peach petals dancing in mid-air, forming a soft pink whip that slowly hovered in front of her.

Liu Qinglan hesitated before reaching out and grasping the peach blossom whip. At the same time, she alertly retracted her exposed cat ears and long tail.

Based on her experience of survival in the mountains, danger was approaching.

A slender, agile figure quietly landed on the edge of the window, then crouched there, motionless.

Liu Qinglan rolled her eyes and met her sister’s gaze eyes as cold as a winter night.

She was wearing a veil, but Liu Qinglan still recognized her as Yan Mo’s sister. Because her eyes were very distinctive, like a lone wolf on the desolate plains, possessing a pure sharpness.

The two stared at each other in silence in the moonlight. Liu Qinglan felt like prey being targeted. She didn’t understand why the sister was staring at her with such sternness.

Silence. Only a dense silence existed between them.

So much so that the black mist rushing to the scene also stopped in this eerie atmosphere, daring not to approach.

Liu Qinglan felt the peach blossom whip in her hand tremble, seemingly excited about something.

She timidly and slowly slid further down into the bathwater. This was just too… too strange…

The sister silently flipped down from the window and approached Liu Qinglan step by step.

Liu Qinglan was barely clothed at the moment, shrinking her entire body into the water, only daring to expose her head, watching the approaching sister with wide, dark eyes.

What… what was she going to do?

The sister stopped at the edge of the bathtub, slowly reached out her hand, and then grabbed the phoenix robe resting on the edge.

This was the robe Liu Qinglan had just “borrowed” from the beautiful Empress!

Realizing what she was about to do, Liu Qinglan’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but reach out, “Don’t…”

The sister picked up the robe, looked at it, and confirmed it belonged to the Empress. She let out a cold snort, then decisively confiscated it!

Liu Qinglan nearly cried in the bathtub, her hard won robe obtained with the nerve racking urge to have a nosebleed was taken away just like that.

Holding the confiscated robe, the sister gave Liu Qinglan a meaningful look, then turned and leaped out the window, disappearing into the dark night.

Seeing her leave with the beautiful Empress’s robe without looking back, Liu Qinglan was furious!

The furious Little Demon Liu’s power surged. Her cat eyes instantly changed color, and the peach blossom whip in her hand vibrated, scattering a few crimson petals.

The black mist, which had just arrived, witnessed this scene. Its scalp tingled. This was bad! Why had the Cat Demon’s power suddenly become so strong?!

The dissatisfied Little Demon Liu, eyes wide, letting the emerald color fill her pupils, gave a sinister smile, “Perfect, I’m very angry!”

The previously soft peach blossom whip in her hand instantly became stiff and straight like a steel needle, striking the lurking black mist.

With a loud boom, it was instantly shattered.

The black mist fell to the ground, sizzling, but quickly reformed. However, it dared not approach Liu Qinglan again and fled in a panic.

Liu Qinglan retracted the peach blossom whip and snorted. Then, looking back at the empty edge of the bathtub, her heart suddenly ached.

“Niangniang, what’s wrong? Did you fall?” Lulu, who heard the commotion, called out with worry from outside the door.

Liu Qinglan sank back into the bathtub. If only it was just a fall. Sitting heartbroken in the water, all she could think about was the beautiful Empress’s personal clothing, failing to notice that the water had long since turned cold.

After sitting like this for a while, she let out a huge sneeze, which finally prompted her to climb out of the bathtub.

Liu Qinglan put her palace dress back on, then sneezed again.

She looked toward the window. The peach blossom whip, lacking spiritual support, had gradually dissipated, leaving only a few petals fluttering slowly in the night breeze.

Liu Qinglan’s mind, previously filled with unspeakable thoughts, finally cleared up slightly, and she realized the seriousness of the black mist.

It seemed she needed to rush out tonight to find the Peach Blossom Spirit and ask about the situation.

The sister stood below the stone steps of Chenxin Palace, clutching the Empress’s phoenix robe. Noticing the black mist fleeing in panic, she was somewhat surprised.

It seemed this Consort Yue was not simple. Most importantly, she actually had the audacity to steal the Empress’s phoenix robe her ambition was clear.

Seeing that Qinglan Palace had returned to calm, she turned to go back.

The palace maids of Chenxin Palace had all returned to their rooms to rest, leaving only the night guards.

The sister removed her veil, rolled down her sleeves, tidied her robe, and composed her expression before entering as Yan Mo.

The night guard palace maid did not suspect anything and bowed her head to open the door, “Auntie Yan Mo, it’s so late, and you still have to tidy up Niangniang’s clothes. You must be tired.”

The sister softly “Enn” and said no more.

Stepping into the inner hall, it was quiet all around.

Xie Xuanzhao had finished washing up and was lying on the couch reading a book, preparing for bed.

Yan Mo sat to the side embroidering. She recalled the events of dusk. Consort Yue had hurried away at the end; she wondered what had happened. Later, when tidying the clothes, she found the Empress’s outer robe was missing.

The more Yan Mo thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong, and finally, she couldn’t help but ask, “Niangniang, did you give your outer robe to Consort Yue?”

Xie Xuanzhao stopped reading, resting her hand on her forehead. Recalling the scene of Liu Qinglan taking her outer robe in the end, she couldn’t help but smile.

“If she likes it, I’ll give it to her.” It wasn’t easy to finally give it away.

Yan Mo then lowered her head and didn’t ask further. As long as the Master was happy.

The wind chime sound they had agreed upon beforehand came from outside the door.

“It seems the sister is back, Yan Mo, go take a look.” Xie Xuanzhao looked up and gestured.

Yan Mo put down her embroidery and obediently entered the secret room.

The sister was standing by the stone table, slowly rolling up her sleeves. Her sword was placed horizontally on the stone table.

Yan Mo walked over, looked at her, and then focused her attention on the very familiar-looking robe next to the table.

Hmm? Wasn’t this the robe the Empress gave to Consort Yue at dusk? How did it end up with the sister?

Yan Mo was very surprised and looked at her cold and proud sister, “You…”

The sister spoke calmly, “Consort Yue stole the Empress’s robe and I caught her red-handed. You should take the robe back later, and be careful not to let it be stolen again in the future.” She spoke earnestly, with a hint of subtly seeking praise.

Yan Mo struggled: Actually…

“No need to thank me, it was merely a small effort.” The sister flipped onto the stone table and began to meditate leisurely, just like a person who secretly accomplishes a great feat.