On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 27.2

This was the portrait painted by the court artist during the marriage proposal. Xie Xuanzhao had always thought the Emperor must have burned it long ago, but she never expected it to appear in this little favored concubine’s boudoir.

And it was meticulously hidden under the quilt. It was truly difficult not to let her imagination run wild.

Xie Xuanzhao ran her finger over the image of herself in the painting, looking at the little beauty playing dead beside her with a half-smile.

“Did you hide this yourself, secretly?”

Liu Qinglan nodded weakly with her eyes closed.

“Why were you hiding it in the quilt?”

Liu Qinglan remained silent.

Xie Xuanzhao poked her slender waist. “Is it pretty?”

Little Demon Liu nodded vigorously.

The smile in Xie Xuanzhao’s eyes deepened. She leaned in close to her. “Then do you want to open your eyes and see the real person?”

Liu Qinglan secretly opened a slit, looked at the beautiful Empress smiling brightly in front of her, and swallowed. “Yes.”

Xie Xuanzhao took her tender little hand, letting her fingertips touch her eyes, nose, well-shaped lips, and chin. She said in a low, soft voice, “I am a daughter of the Xie family, twenty years old, born in the year Bingchen, on the Xu-Hai day. I like beautiful clothes and ornaments, I like raising cats, and I currently live in Chenxin Palace. When you have time, come and see me.”

Liu Qinglan desperately swallowed. Is she introducing herself to me… I… I am a daughter of the Liu family, and I have lived for several hundred years, but according to the way our demons count, I am still a young Feifei (mythical creature, often depicted as a cat)! I like climbing trees, I like catnip, and I like you.

I really like you very much~

Liu Qinglan meowed, gripping the beautiful Empress’s sleeve tightly with her paws. Her whole body went limp in her embrace, her eyes hazy and intoxicated. She wanted caresses and hugs.

Xie Xuanzhao reached out and stroked her dark, glossy long hair, twisting it around her fingers. She lowered her head, gazing at her rosy face, and slowly leaned in again.

“Niangniang!”

A call suddenly came from behind the curtain.

The two who were stuck together swiftly moved apart, snapping out of their moment of passion.

Xie Xuanzhao straightened her sleeve, which had been rumpled by Liu Qinglan, and lightly coughed. “Yan Mo, what is it?”

Yan Mo, standing outside, respectfully said, “Consort Kang and Concubine Yu have arrived.”

Liu Qinglan quickly hid the portrait while they were talking, not daring to look at the cat paw print on it.

Once, when she was in her original form, she couldn’t help but use her cat paw to stamp it. This meant she belongs to me~

Fortunately, the beautiful Empress didn’t notice just now. If she had asked about the cat paw print, I wouldn’t have known how to explain.

Xie Xuanzhao frowned. “Do they know I’m here?”

“They shouldn’t know yet. Do you want to avoid them?” Yan Mo asked softly.

“You go give instructions. No palace staff is to announce my presence here. You go back first, and return after they leave.” Xie Xuanzhao made the arrangements decisively.

Yan Mo took the order and left.

Liu Qinglan quickly hid the portrait, then looked at the Empress Niangniang who had turned back, with an innocent expression. “I… I want to see Concubine Yu.”

The black mist she encountered last night was the same black mist that used to surround Concubine Yu. Now that Concubine Yu had actively come to visit, it definitely wasn’t on a whim, so Liu Qinglan decided to see her.

Xie Xuanzhao had the same intention. Too many mysteries surrounding Concubine Yu remained unsolved. Last night, her sister had returned and recounted the conversation between Concubine Yu and Lin Yulang.

Xie Xuanzhao narrowed her eyes. These two are actually plotting against the Imperial Heir. This must be guarded against.

“You stay here too, okay?” Liu Qinglan saw her getting up to leave and grew anxious, grabbing her sleeve again, not letting her go.

Xie Xuanzhao laughed for a moment, patting the back of her hand. “Don’t worry, I will stay here the whole time. It’s just that they can’t see me. I’ll find a place to hide for now and come out after they leave.”

Liu Qinglan quickly sat up, patted her bed, her eyes shining brightly. “Then you lie down inside here. I’ll sit on the edge of the bed, and the quilt will cover you. No one will see you.”

Xie Xuanzhao pondered for a moment. “That works. It’s the only way.”

She bent down, took off her embroidered shoes, and placed them under the bed, then lay down inside Liu Qinglan’s bed.

Liu Qinglan helped cover her with the quilt, and then placed a folded quilt on the outside. After completing everything, she sat outside.

The bed was filled with the clear, grassy scent of Liu Qinglan. Xie Xuanzhao was completely enveloped in this fragrance, taking a deep breath. She suddenly began to regret hiding in this aromatic haven.

The little beauty’s scent was coming from all directions, and she could still feel the sensation of having embraced her. It felt as if she were lying in her arms right now.

Xie Xuanzhao inevitably began to feel restless and let her thoughts wander, feeling a strong urge to turn over.

Liu Qinglan lightly nudged the beautiful Empress under the quilt with her small leg. “Don’t move.”

Finally, it’s her turn to say “don’t move.” She felt delighted inside.

Xie Xuanzhao gnashed her teeth. You little thing, just wait until I deal with you later.