On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 28

The curtain was lifted, and Lulu (Green) entered, carrying the medicine and leading Consort Yu and Bright Consort Kang into the room.

Liu Qinglan blinked, looking at the delicate little beauty, Consort Yu. Her complexion was rosy, and a faint allure shone in her eyes, a complete change from her previous slump.

Consort Yu noticed she was being observed, lowered her gaze, and retreated to Bright Consort Kang’s side.

Seeing her hesitant, Bright Consort Kang had no choice but to step forward herself and offer a polite smile. “I heard that Your Ladyship caught a cold. Recently, this concubine obtained an exquisite ‘Linglong’ (delicate/ingenious) incense burner. It’s tiny and can be carried on your person. If Your Ladyship’s nose feels blocked, smelling it will clear it up. This item is excellent, and this concubine dared not keep it for herself, so I specially brought it to show my filial respect to Your Ladyship.”

Liu Qinglan sniffled, ignoring her overly formal way of speaking, and her gaze fell on the silver-chained, carved Linglong incense burner. It was indeed exquisite and small enough to be worn as a pendant. “Is it really effective?”

Consort Yu, standing nearby, said timidly, “The incense is blended according to the Imperial Physician’s advice, specifically for treating nasal congestion from a cold. I see Your Ladyship constantly looking like you want to sneeze, so it should be helpful.”

Bright Consort Kang, seeing Liu Qinglan’s interest, stepped closer and said, “Your Ladyship can try it right now. This little item is quite useful.”

Liu Qinglan was about to reach out to take it, all while swiftly forming a transparent barrier with her demonic power on her fingertips.

Suddenly, the palace dress behind her was tugged, and Lulu, facing them, quickly stepped forward, saying with a smile, “Your Ladyship hasn’t had your medicine yet. Please have the medicine first, then try this incense.”

She held up the tray and bowed to Bright Consort Kang. “The little incense burner can be placed here for now, and Your Ladyship can use it later.”

Bright Consort Kang looked at Lulu with a half-smile, then obediently placed the small incense burner on the tray. “I sincerely wish for Your Ladyship to recover quickly, I have no other intentions.”

“Our Ladyship understands the Bright Consort’s sincerity,” Lulu said respectfully, lowering her head. She then placed the tray on the nearby low table and presented the bowl of medicine to Liu Qinglan.

Liu Qinglan looked at the bowl of black, bitter looking medicine and felt a shiver run down her spine. She quickly averted her gaze and motioned for Lulu to put the medicine bowl back.

“I still have something to discuss with Consort Yu. I’ll drink it later.”

Consort Yu’s body trembled slightly as she asked, with feigned weakness, “What does Your Ladyship need to instruct?”

“We are both common born women without any solid backing in the palace. I see you living alone in the secluded Consort Palace, which must be lonely. Why not move into the Qinglan Palace and keep me company?” Liu Qinglan leaned forward, watching her without blinking.

Consort Yu’s face was pale, and she refused fearfully. “This concubine dares not disturb Your Ladyship, and furthermore, I have grown accustomed to living in the Consort Palace and do not wish to move.”

Bright Consort Kang looked at her strangely. That place was desolate and remote, hot in summer and cold in winter; how could it compare to the Qinglan Palace? Although she herself disliked Consort Yue, looking at the Inner Court, Bright Consort Kang had to admit that Consort Yue had a decent personality and should not be too difficult to get along with. Therefore, she truly could not understand why Consort Yu refused without hesitation.

“Are you worried about losing your freedom by moving here? I won’t restrict you. You can live in the side hall, do whatever you like, and have complete freedom of movement,” Liu Qinglan continued to probe.

Consort Yu resisted the suggestion with her whole body. “This concubine still prefers to stay in the Consort Palace. Thank you for Your Ladyship’s kindness.”

“I see. In that case, forget it,” Liu Qinglan conceded, watching Consort Yu breathe a long sigh of relief.

Xie Xuanzhao, lying inside, heard the entire conversation clearly and thought, Consort Yu is so unwilling to leave the Consort Palace, there must be a reason there that makes her unwilling to move. Next time, I must have my sister investigate more closely.

Yan Mo went to the Imperial Kitchen to instruct the cooks to boil a few ears of corn. She then waited behind the pavilion not far from Qinglan Palace. When she saw Consort Yu and Bright Consort Kang emerge together, she knew their visit was over and went confidently to fetch the corn.

When the surroundings were clear, Bright Consort Kang looked at Consort Yu with utter confusion and asked, “Consort Yue invited you to live in Qinglan Palace. This is a good thing. Why did you refuse?”

Consort Yu lowered her eyes and said timidly, “This concubine is not blessed enough to enjoy such a privilege and dares not move there.”

“Sigh.” Bright Consort Kang felt this person was too timid. If it had been her, she definitely would have accepted. But why didn’t Consort Yue invite me? The more Bright Consort Kang thought about it, the more disgruntled she felt, and she was no longer in the mood to speak with Consort Yu. She returned to her own palace.

Consort Yu watched her leave, her originally delicate eyes slowly becoming profound as she thoughtfully looked back at the Qinglan Palace, which was hidden among the trees.

Liu Qinglan finally finished dealing with the two women. She first let out a huge sneeze, then re-wrapped herself in her small blanket, rolled onto her side on the bedding, and leaned over to look at Empress-Dowager who was lying inside.

Xie Xuanzhao rolled over, resting her head on her arm. The beautiful woman was lying on her side, her eyes curved in a smile as she looked at the little beauty peeking out from the bedding.

Liu Qinglan slightly lifted her chin, her expression clearly saying “seek praise.” “Didn’t I say that well?” She had said everything exactly as instructed.

Xie Xuanzhao didn’t speak, just looked at her mischievously.

“Your Ladyship, who are you talking to? But why did you suddenly invite Consort Yu to move in? It’s a good thing she refused, or there would have been so much trouble if she had actually moved here,” Lulu picked up the medicine bowl again, stood by the bed, and chattered on, even standing on her tiptoes to see what was behind the bedding.

Liu Qinglan got nervous, almost forgetting that Lulu was still there. She quickly pulled the quilt back over and turned around to block Lulu’s view. “I’m talking to you.”

“Your Ladyship, it’s time to drink your medicine. As for this small incense burner, this servant finds it very strange, so I’ll just put it away,” Lulu pouted.

Liu Qinglan looked at it. “Just leave it here. I’ll deal with it.”

“Your Ladyship must be careful. Who knows what kind of spices they put inside,” Lulu murmured. “The people who should come don’t, and the ones who shouldn’t all show up.”

Liu Qinglan lightly coughed, signaling Lulu to stop talking.

The beautiful Empress will be upset now~

Lulu did not grasp her Mistress’s meaning and eagerly offered the medicine bowl. “Your Ladyship, let this servant feed you the medicine.”

Liu Qinglan felt a tug on her palace dress from behind. She coughed again. “N… No need. I’ll drink it myself. Lulu, you go out first.”

“Your Ladyship, why have you become so distant?” Lulu moved closer, looking at her with a wronged expression.

Liu Qinglan, wrapped in a small blanket, sat on the bed, with Lulu in front and the beautiful Empress behind, feeling even more wronged.

“Your Ladyship, I’ve brought you the corn,” a voice like a heavenly melody came from behind the curtain.

Liu Qinglan happily reached out and beckoned to Yan Mo, “Come in quickly, come in quickly,” like a fortune cat.

Yan Mo entered, holding a plate of boiled corn, its sweet fragrance lingering, and smiled gently. “I heard Your Ladyship finds medicine bitter, so this servant specially prepared sweet corn to moisten your mouth instead of preserved fruits.”

Liu Qinglan looked at her, moved. “Yan Mo, you are truly too kind. You even knew I like corn.”

Lulu beside her: …Why does this feel like the taste of losing favor!

Yan Mo placed the corn next to the medicine bowl, exchanged a knowing glance with Liu Qinglan, then turned to Lulu. “You just finished boiling the medicine, haven’t you had time to tidy the kitchen? I’ll go with you to clean up. Come on.”

Lulu was speechless, with so many things she wanted to tell Liu Qinglan, but her wrist was already taken by Yan Mo. Before she could react, she was led out of the room.

Lulu stopped. “Wait, I haven’t checked to see if there’s anything wrong with that corn.”

“I brought the corn in right in front of you. If something were wrong, the evidence would be conclusive, and I wouldn’t be able to escape. I wouldn’t do such a foolish thing,” Yan Mo said with a smile. “Stop worrying. Why would I harm your mistress?”

“But…”

“Let’s go.”

Lulu was confusedly led away, then she suddenly remembered something. If Yan Mo was here, wouldn’t the Empress be…

She looked back at the sleeping chamber with great anxiety. What on earth are the two Ladies doing in there!

Liu Qinglan looked at the fragrant boiled corn and swallowed. She reached out her paw to pick up an ear and take a bite.

A hand suddenly reached out from behind and took the entire plate of corn away.

Meow~ Liu Qinglan raised her head and lunged forward to grab it back.

Xie Xuanzhao held her hand high, watching the little beauty fluttering on her, and curved her eyebrows into a smile. “You must drink your medicine first before you can eat the corn.”

Liu Qinglan clung to her sleeve, looking at her pitifully. “You haven’t praised me yet.”

She had told Consort Yu everything just as the Empress-Dowager had asked, word for word.

Xie Xuanzhao tapped her little nose. “You still have to drink the medicine. I can only praise you once you’ve finished it.”

Liu Qinglan’s eyes darted around, first guiltily checking the door. The curtain was drawn, and everything was quiet, so no one should disturb them for now. She turned back to look at the bright and elegant Empress-Dowager in front of her, swallowed, and her face turned red before she even spoke.

Xie Xuanzhao looked at her with amusement. What little scheme is this girl plotting now? She picked up the strand of dark hair that had fallen and wound it around her finger. “The medicine must be drunk so you can get well quickly.”

Liu Qinglan held up the medicine bowl and offered it to her. “Then… then you feed me!”

Xie Xuanzhao leaned in, drawing close to her, almost nose-to-nose. “How do you want me to feed you?”

Liu Qinglan had actually thought this through long ago. She coughed primly, and her round eyes were misty. “I… I want to drink it while sitting in your lap.”

So embarrassing, the kind that made her cheeks burn and her head feel like it was steaming.

Xie Xuanzhao’s heart swelled, and the emotion in her eyes intensified. “Then sit on my lap.”

The beautiful Empress Dowager stretched out her long legs, leaning against the bed. She held the warm medicine bowl in her hand, her captivating phoenix eyes deep and mesmerizing.

A tiny person inside Liu Qinglan’s heart was kneeling on the ground, frantically wiping a nosebleed, but her actions were not hesitant. Wrapped in the small blanket, she cautiously sat down on the Empress-Dowager’s lap.

The two faced each other, looking into each other’s eyes for a moment, and the thick, melting emotions permeated the air.

Xie Xuanzhao reached out, one arm wrapping around her slender waist, and the other bringing the spoon of medicine to Liu Qinglan’s lips, her gaze deep.

Liu Qinglan opened her mouth and took a big gulp.

The tip of her tongue went numb from the bitterness.

“Is it bitter?”

“Not bitter.”

“Why is it not bitter?”

“B… because you’re feeding me.”

Aww wuwu, after saying this, Liu Qinglan immediately buried her head into the beautiful Empress Dowager’s chest.

So shy, so shy, but in reality, she was vigorously rubbing against the beautiful Empress Dowager’s spiritual energy… and also fondling her! So happy, so happy, I finally burrowed into the beautiful Empress-Dowager’s embrace.

Xie Xuanzhao looked down at the little beauty squirming like a small mud loach on her, and the little flame in her heart started to climb higher.

She truly is a little temptress. Once you get better, I must…

Do unspeakable things…

Xie Xuanzhao risked being consumed by desire, enduring the surging emotional tide, and persistently fed a few more spoonfuls of medicine to the little pet concubine who was still vigorously messing with her.

Little Temptress Liu, completely unaware of the danger, was still lighting fires everywhere rubbing here, rubbing there, feeling utterly satisfied.

A moment later.

Liu Qinglan, sitting on the beautiful Empress Dowager’s lap, lowered her head and aligned her fingers. “Hmm… should we try a different position?”

Xie Xuanzhao was imagining pressing her onto the bed and misbehaving, but at her words, her mind went blank with a whoosh, followed immediately by pink bubbles emerging, and the seductive charm swaying freely. “What position do you like? Hmm?”

Liu Qinglan was so stimulated by the alluring “hmm” at the end of the beautiful Empress Dowager’s sentence that her whole body trembled, and her tail was eager to twitch. But Little Temptress Liu, whose mind was clouded by lust, couldn’t care less right now. “You… you hold me from behind and feed me.”

“Why?”

Liu Qinglan said earnestly, “Maybe in this position, the medicine will be sweeter.”

Xie Xuanzhao curved her lips into a mischievous smile, her fox tail swaying with ill intent. “I have a sweeter way to feed you the medicine. Do you want it?”