On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 29

The sweet aroma of the beautiful Empress rushed over, diluting the bitter smell of the medicinal decoction in the bowl.

Liu Qinglan was sitting on her knees, leaning back into her embrace. Xie Xuanzhao held her loosely from behind. The small blanket wrapped around her had long since slipped down, covering Xie Xuanzhao’s spread skirt, with the two layers overlapping.

A… even sweeter way to feed medicine? Liu Qinglan leaned back, anxiously guessing what position it might be. Surely, it wasn’t adding honey directly to the medicine!

Then, Liu Qinglan watched with wide eyes as the beautiful Empress picked up the medicine cup with one hand, brought it to her lips, and took a mouthful.

She… she drank it herself! Immediately realizing what the beautiful Empress was about to do next, the tips of Little Vixen Liu’s ears flushed bright red. She nervously wiggled her little bottom, her round eyes darting around.

The terrible thing was that she was sitting right in the beautiful Empress’s fragrant embrace, and there was nowhere to hide.

Xie Xuanzhao looked down at the little beauty nestled against her chest, feeling that she was acting like an agitated small animal at the moment. But this time, she wouldn’t let her off easily. Having restrained herself for a long time, the Empress reached out and gently pinched Liu Qinglan’s shapely chin, tilting her face towards herself.

Liu Qinglan’s fresh, fair, and delicate little face was now rosy, a mix of the flush from her illness and the blush of shyness and arousal, like peach blossoms. Her misty, large eyes were filled with enchantment and desire.

Despite her unease, her eyes betrayed Liu Qinglan’s true feelings at the moment.

She was both nervous and expectant, yearning for the spiritual energy from the beautiful Empress and craving her caress. But it was her first experience, so she couldn’t help but feel shy and restless. Yet, her gaze couldn’t help but reveal her admiration.

Being gazed upon like this, Xie Xuanzhao’s heartstrings vibrated, playing a heavenly, harmonious melody. She leaned down and, under Liu Qinglan’s watchful gaze, kissed her rosy lips.

Liu Qinglan’s mind was buzzing. Her lips were filled with the beautiful Empress’s sweet scent, and the abundant spiritual energy surged along with its owner’s emotions, inciting a rush of passion.

Never having experienced such a thing, Little Vixen Liu completely stiffened. In her ecstatic daze, she had only one thought: so kissing is this sweet.

Xie Xuanzhao held her lips. Seeing her completely stunned and unresponsive, she had to use her own lips and tongue to nudge open Liu Qinglan’s mouth.

The decoction, mixed with the beautiful Empress’s saliva, slowly flowed into her mouth. Liu Qinglan’s entire face burst into flames, and she instinctively swallowed it all.

Xie Xuanzhao separated their clinging lips and looked down at her.

In her intoxicated state, Liu Qinglan poked out her bright red little tongue and licked the corner of her mouth, a look of “I want more” plastered across her face!

Xie Xuanzhao chuckled softly. Without even taking another mouthful of the medicine, she gently pinched her fair chin, lifted her face, and met her descending deep kiss.

Liu Qinglan opened her lips and gasped deeply, which only made it easier for Xie Xuanzhao to drive straight in.

Warm, sweet lips and tongues intertwined, and a faint scent of medicine permeated their mouths.

Liu Qinglan’s fingers tightly gripped the beautiful Empress’s sleeve, like a drowning person clutching a straw, desperate and dependent. She was fully immersed, tilting her head back to receive the continuous stream of passion and spiritual energy from above, like a small animal earnestly drinking spring water, wholeheartedly and devotedly.

Tongues entwined, lips and teeth connected, saliva mingled. Xie Xuanzhao’s phoenix eyes grew deeper. Her fingers tightened, almost wanting to melt her into her embrace.

Little Vixen Liu was naturally alluring and was now completely limp in the Empress’s soft, fragrant arms, red as a shrimp, looking like a little doll who would let her have her way.

A snow-white tail quietly emerged from behind her palace gown, happily wagging on the bedding. The tip of the tail lifted slightly, then naughtily dropped.

Plop, a sound that startled the two who were lost in passion.

Xie Xuanzhao vigilantly raised her body and looked around, simultaneously reaching out to shield Liu Qinglan behind her.

Liu Qinglan shrank under her arm, hastily tucking away her tail, her face burning with embarrassment. Meeow, you uncooperative little tail!

She reached out and grabbed the spoon resting in the medicine cup, saying guiltily, “I… I accidentally knocked the porcelain bowl…”

Xie Xuanzhao lowered her guard. It turned out to be a false alarm.

Afraid of a repeat of the previous encounter, Liu Qinglan quickly handed the spoon to the beautiful Empress in a servile manner. “You… you should use this to feed me.”

Xie Xuanzhao raised her hand, her eyes deep, and gently wiped away the moisture left on the corner of her mouth from their passionate kiss. She asked in a hoarse voice, “Was that way of feeding not sweet?”

It was too sweet, so sweet it made her heart flutter and feel so shy!

Liu Qinglan leaned against her and tugged at her sleeve. “I… I’m sick. It wouldn’t be good to pass it on to you, so… so let’s use the spoon to feed me!”

So she was worried about her. Xie Xuanzhao curved her lips, her heart warming. “It’s too late if it were going to be passed on anyway.” She reached out to hug the little beauty who was trying to escape, took the spoon from her hand, and then pulled her back into her embrace.

“You have nowhere to hide today. Come, take your medicine obediently.” Xie Xuanzhao curled a strand of her loose black hair, held her slender waist, and picked up the medicine cup again.

Liu Qinglan let out a soft meeow in her heart, allowing herself to be held down and not daring to move. Inside, however, she was tingling and highly expectant.

Just, Tail, you must be cooperative this time. Hold it in for this vixen! Don’t mess up my important task of absorbing spiritual energy!

Liu Qinglan made one last desperate struggle. “You… you must feed me properly this time, one sip at a time. No more sucking my tongue!”

Such a direct statement made the blood in Xie Xuanzhao’s body instantly heat up another degree. “Alright, alright, whatever you wish.”

She took another mouthful of the decoction, lowered her head, and kissed her red lips again.

Liu Qinglan was very obedient this time and swallowed the medicine in one gulp.

One mouthful, two mouthfuls… When only a few sips were left, Xie Xuanzhao suddenly shook her shoulders and muffled a laugh against Liu Qinglan’s shoulder.

Liu Qinglan licked her tongue, which felt numb from being sucked. Her face was flushed. Damn it, she said she wouldn’t suck it! “Don’t laugh!”

Xie Xuanzhao held her soft, warm waist, loving the feel of her. She simply rested her chin on her little shoulder, shaking with laughter.

Clearly, she was the one who initiated it every time, but she pretended as if nothing happened.

After she had her fill of laughter, Xie Xuanzhao took another sip of medicine and slowly passed it into Liu Qinglan’s mouth. Little Vixen Liu, who had just been embarrassed and annoyed, immediately reverted to her original state. Her eyes were glazed over, and she collapsed in the soft, fragrant arms, her tongue unconsciously flicking, not letting her leave.

Xie Xuanzhao’s eyes twinkled with amusement. Wasn’t she always the one to start this way? But this person seemed unaware of it. She kissed her more deeply, playing with her lips and tongue.

Liu Qinglan felt both annoyed and reluctant, letting herself be held by the beautiful Empress, receiving her affection in a semi-passive, semi-active way.

Finally, the bowl of medicine was finished in a flurry of affection.

Little Vixen Liu was also ravaged, her skin rosy, her hair disheveled, and her clothes messy, like a small flower after a great wind, sitting on the bed, inviting imagination.

Xie Xuanzhao lovingly rubbed her chin, where a faint red mark was left from where her fingers had pinched it earlier.

“It doesn’t hurt, really.” Liu Qinglan said casually, indicating it didn’t matter.

Xie Xuanzhao leaned down and gently pressed a kiss on that faint mark, focused and devout. Liu Qinglan’s heart tingled again, and her toes curled up.

This kiss was more deeply stirring than the passionate French kissing just now.

The atmosphere suddenly quieted down.

Liu Qinglan snapped out of her daze and leaned against the beautiful Empress, slowly savoring the moment.

Xie Xuanzhao was also calming the surging passion within her, so the two were tacitly silent.

A moment later.

Xie Xuanzhao heard a rustling sound by her ear and couldn’t help but look towards the source of the sound curiously.

She saw the little beauty next to her holding an ear of corn, happily munching on it!

Xie Xuanzhao: …

Seeing that she had been discovered, Liu Qinglan guiltily moved an ear of corn toward her with her paw. “I can only share one with you! No more.”

Xie Xuanzhao looked at this utterly childish little beauty and then thought about what she had just done to her, suddenly feeling a bit guilty. This… this seemed like a child still. Did she understand what their actions just now meant?

Liu Qinglan saw that she didn’t seem interested in the corn, let out a cheerful giggle, and continued munching on her own. While eating, she occasionally glanced at the beautiful Empress.

Xie Xuanzhao was helpless. She poked her on the forehead. “You, who would fight with you for corn.”

Liu Qinglan sniffled, suddenly realizing she hadn’t sneezed in a long time. She smiled brightly. “So kissing is this good! I’m not sneezing anymore. Empress Sister, we should kiss more often in the future.”

“…”

Xie Xuanzhao couldn’t help but rub her fair, tender cheek. “You can only kiss me from now on, not anyone else, remember?”

“I’m not interested in anyone else! Empress Sister is the sweetest and most fragrant!” Liu Qinglan took a bite of corn, mumbling indistinctly, “Just like this corn, delicious!”

Xie Xuanzhao, who was put on the same level as corn, rubbed her forehead helplessly. Did this girl understand love at all?!

Sometimes she was so straightforward and passionate, like a seasoned vixen, and sometimes she was silly and like a child who knew nothing.

Xie Xuanzhao looked at her thoughtfully. It seemed necessary to set up a class for her in the future and guide her properly.

Pleasant times always flew by quickly. Xie Xuanzhao had stayed here for too long. At this moment, Yan Mo also reminded her outside the room, “Your Ladyship, it’s getting dark, we should head back.”

Xie Xuanzhao tidied her wrinkled sleeve and stood up, preparing to leave.

Liu Qinglan blinked at her. “Don’t forget to come see me again. I’ll miss you.”

Xie Xuanzhao smiled. “Take good care of yourself and eat less corn.”

“Mhm, mhm.” Liu Qinglan nodded earnestly.

Lulu was outside, peering eagerly, finally relieved to see the Empress and her entourage leave. She had been on edge all afternoon.

Finally, they’re all gone! Lulu breathed a sigh of relief, watching them depart. Yan Mo, who was walking behind, suddenly turned back and looked at her with a smile. “Lulu, don’t forget to give the package to your mistress later.”

Lulu almost forgot about the large package.

Liu Qinglan contentedly finished her corn, rested on the bed, and happily replayed the kisses in her mind.

Lulu came in carrying a large package and placed it in front of her. “Mistress, this is from the Empress. She said you must open it yourself.”

“What’s inside?” Liu Qinglan curiously got out of bed, picked up the package, and examined it.

“I don’t know, Your Ladyship,” Lulu hesitated. “Should I open it for you?”

Liu Qinglan glanced at the delicate incense burner on the windowsill. She hadn’t had time to deal with the things Concubine Yu and the others had sent yet.

She bent down, carefully weighing the package. It wasn’t very heavy. It seemed like clothes?

Thinking of this possibility, Liu Qinglan eagerly opened it. Besides a few packets of precious medicinal herbs, it was indeed all clothing.

And more than one piece.

Liu Qinglan quickly rummaged through it. The phoenix robe her sister had taken was no longer there. The package contained clothes the Empress usually wore, without ostentatious patterns.

She flipped through further, her finger catching a red ribbon, and she froze completely.

Lulu watched curiously from the side. “Mistress, what is it?”

Liu Qinglan wrapped the package back up in a flash, tightly sealed, and hugged it to her chest.

“Lulu. You are not allowed to look!”

“What is it?” Lulu was full of curiosity, itching to know. But Liu Qinglan had already hugged the package and climbed back onto the bed, a silly smile on her face.

She seemed completely dazed.

On the way back to Chenxin Palace, Xie Xuanzhao finally asked Yan Mo, “What did you prepare in that large package?”

Yan Mo bowed respectfully. “I knew Your Ladyship had gifted Consort Yue an outer robe, but later I thought that the phoenix robe was too conspicuous. If people knew Consort Yue was secretly keeping a phoenix robe that only the Empress could wear, people in the palace might make trouble for Consort Yue. Therefore, I just took that phoenix robe back to Chenxin Palace. But I was afraid Consort Yue might think Your Ladyship was stingy, so I specially prepared a few other articles of clothing.”

Xie Xuanzhao nodded in satisfaction. “You are quite thorough.”

“It’s my duty,” Yan Mo bowed, hiding a smile.

Luckily, the Empress didn’t ask what articles of clothing she had prepared.