On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 32

The osmanthus trees throughout the city were beginning to bloom, filling the streets of Kyoto with a thick fragrance. The royal hunting party, arranged in neat ranks, moved slowly toward the outskirts of the city, preparing to depart for Mount Huo.

The Emperor sat upon his imperial sedan, flanked by a handsome, fair-faced, clean-shaven eunuch. Through the half-rolled curtains of the carriage, the valiant figure of Lin Yulang could be seen riding alongside the procession.

Sensing the Emperor’s gaze, Lin Yulang looked back with a gentle smile and said, “Your Majesty, please sit steadily.”

The Emperor nodded, then asked uneasily, “Is the Empress sitting peacefully in her phoenix carriage?”

Lin Yulang’s hand stiffened. He glanced behind him, truly not daring to tell His Majesty that his wife was currently riding a horse with heroic spirit, followed closely by the Xie Family Army.

Seeing his expression, the Emperor understood. His face darkened with displeasure, yet he felt helpless. Half of the hunting party consisted of the Xie Family Army.

If he were to embarrass the Empress in public, he would be insulting the Xie family’s prestige. When that happened, remonstrances from the court would surely fly in like snowflakes, leaving him overwhelmed and exhausted. More importantly, the Emperor himself had secrets held over his head by Xie Xuanzhao, he truly could not move a muscle against her.

Thinking of this, the Emperor waved his hand. “Forget it, forget it. Let her be.”

The autumn wind was brisk, and the sky was clear for ten thousand miles, a very comfortable day.

Liu Qinglan leaned against the edge of the carriage window, a sheer lotus root colored gauze draped over her arms. Because it was a grand occasion, Lulu had dressed her meticulously, she looked every bit the elegant daughter of a prestigious family.

Feeling a bit awkward, she tugged at the soft gauze and tried to negotiate with Lulu. “I can wear this on the road, but once we reach Mount Huo, I don’t want to wear this anymore.”

Lulu spoke patiently, “The consorts all take this trip very seriously. Look at Consort Kang; she’s wearing a brocade madder red skirt embroidered by a master of Shu embroidery. And look at the other ladies, each one is dressed to the nines, all hoping to catch His Majesty’s eye on the road. My Lady, you won’t go wrong listening to me.”

Lulu rambled on for a long time, only to realize her mistress wasn’t listening at all. The girl was leaning so far out the window she was practically falling out.

Curious, Lulu looked out as well.

A fiery red colt approached the carriage, its coat sleek and glossy, looking powerful and sturdy. Riding atop it was a tall woman dressed in fiery red martial attire. Around her frost white wrist was coiled a long python-skin whip. Her face was beautiful and bold, her phoenix eyes shimmering with light.

Truly, her “eyebrows outshone the daylilies, and her red skirt outdid the peonies.”

Liu Qinglan leaned on the window frame, her gaze infatuated as the Beautiful Empress appeared beside her carriage. All surrounding sounds and scenery vanished, her heart and eyes were filled only with the radiant beauty before her!

Xie Xuanzhao leaned over slightly, resting a hand on the edge of Liu Qinglan’s window, her expression cold and elegant.

“Consort Yue, mind yourself. Do not lean out the window, it is unrefined.”

The invisible tail behind Liu Qinglan wagged. I won’t! I want to look at you, look at you!

So, she continued to lean on the window, staring obsessively at the beautiful Empress, nearly drooling at the corners of her mouth.

Xie Xuanzhao lowered her gaze, looking at the little beauty beneath the autumn-colored tassels. She was indeed dressed beautifully today.

She subconsciously swallowed her own saliva, suppressing the urge to pinch that small face. Looking straight ahead, she whispered, “I am still angry.”

Liu Qinglan gripped the window frame, leaning out most of her body, but the distance was a bit far, she couldn’t reach.

“What are you doing?” Xie Xuanzhao was startled by her exaggerated movements. The girl was practically hanging off the carriage. She glanced around; people were already noticing the commotion.

Liu Qinglan finally leaned into her ear and said, “Kissing you!”

Ever since the Beautiful Empress taught her how to do it last time, Liu Qinglan would cling to her and offer kisses whenever she had the chance, as if they were free.

Xie Xuanzhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at her passion. You have to look at the setting, girl!

Liu Qinglan lost herself in the moment. Relying on her own agility, she grabbed the Beautiful Empress’s sleeve and strained her body forward.

Although Xie Xuanzhao knew this was inappropriate, she couldn’t bear to push her away. With a sweep of her phoenix eyes, the surrounding soldiers lowered their heads, not daring to look.

They couldn’t help but wonder: How is the Eldest Miss planning to prank this favored consort now?

“My Lady!”

Inside the carriage, Lulu turned around just in time to see her mistress nearly tumbling out of the window.

Liu Qinglan was scrambling for the Empress’s sleeve, but just as she was about to land the kiss, her hand slipped. She fell straight out of the window.

The curtains of the carriages following behind were lifted by various consorts. They witnessed the Empress, still on her horse, whip out her long lash and wrap it around the waist of the falling “Pet Consort.” Before she could kiss the dirt, she was swept up onto the horse.

To everyone else, the Empress looked full of disdain, but they didn’t know how gently she was actually holding the little consort.

Having failed her kiss and nearly falling, Liu Qinglan felt she had lost all face. With a “meow” in her heart, she burrowed into the Beautiful Empress’s arms.

Might as well soak up some aura and enjoy some “tofu” while she was at it~

Xie Xuanzhao was both annoyed and amused even now, the girl didn’t forget to seduce her. She patted the little beauty’s back as a comfort, though her face remained cold and expressionless.

“Get down.”

In front of the crowd, the act had to be played out. Besides, she really was supposed to be angry.

Liu Qinglan gave a soft whimper and reluctantly let go, obediently rolling down from the Empress’s arms.

Xie Xuanzhao suppressed the itch in her heart as she watched the little beauty land gracefully, looking up at her with aggrieved, watery eyes. Her face practically screamed, “I want kisses, I want hugs.”

Xie Xuanzhao gave a low cough. “Consort Yue, do not lose your decorum. Have you forgotten everything I taught you?”

Her voice carried an innate authority.

Liu Qinglan’s heart thumped. It seemed she really was angry, not just pretending. But I did exactly what she said! She scratched her head, looking at her with unease and guilt, looking like a pup that had been severely scolded.

The concubines further back couldn’t hear the conversation, but from the looks of it, the Empress was taking the opportunity to discipline the currently favored consort. One by one, they settled in to watch the show.

The soldiers of the Xie Army were used to their Eldest Miss’s domineering ways, so they thought nothing of it. Forget a mere consort, even if the Emperor himself provoked her, the Empress would scold him just the same.

Lulu had jumped down from the carriage and walked over in a panic. Seeing that Liu Qinglan was unharmed, she apologized to the Empress, “Our Lady is out of the palace for the first time and was over-excited. She acted impulsively and offended the Empress, please forgive her.”

“Take your mistress back to the carriage. No more playing around,” Xie Xuanzhao commanded, glancing around. “Continue forward, do not delay.”

Lulu hurriedly helped Liu Qinglan back into the carriage.

After another round of nagging, Liu Qinglan squatted on the carriage seat, chin resting in her hand, one arm draped over her bent knee, looking unhappy.

Didn’t get the kiss, didn’t get enough hugs, didn’t get to soak up enough aura.

“Ahem.” Lulu coughed beside her.

Liu Qinglan was impatient. “Stop bothering me.”

“Ahem!” Lulu coughed again, more pointedly.

“Just what are you…” Liu Qinglan swung her hand around, then froze as she saw the Beautiful Empress outside the window.

Xie Xuanzhao held onto the window frame, riding alongside the carriage, looking every bit the cold beauty. “Consort Yue, where is your sitting posture?”

Internally, she thought: So Qinglan sits like this in private. How cute.

Liu Qinglan quickly switched from a squat to a proper seat, legs pressed together. After sitting elegantly, she gave the Empress an embarrassed smile.

Hurry up and forget that I was just crouching like a little dog, hurry and forget it.

Xie Xuanzhao maintained a blank expression. “Consort Yue, you are too undisciplined. I shall be responsible for supervising you on this journey to ensure you do not lose decorum before the Emperor. Understood?”

Liu Qinglan understood the meaning behind those words, the Empress was going to ride beside her carriage the whole way! That meant she could see her all the time!

Suddenly she was happy again. If she couldn’t squat like a dog, then she wouldn’t. She sat up straight and obedient, “Yes, yes, Empress Sister, please supervise me.”

Lulu face palmed nearby. My Lady, why didn’t you even try to resist? You agreed so quickly, you’re too submissive!

Xie Xuanzhao raised a brow and repeated, “I am still angry.”

Liu Qinglan had become completely immune to this emphasis. She nodded. “Yes, yes, I already know.”

“Hmm?!” The little girl is getting bold, Xie Xuanzhao narrowed her eyes, looking at her with a murderous glint.

Liu Qinglan instantly turned into a “fawning lackey,” leaning in with a servant like attitude. “Empress, are you tired? Would you like to sit in my humble carriage for a while?”

Xie Xuanzhao looked at the small fragrant carriage. Lulu was inside, she wouldn’t be able to “eat any tofu” if she went in, so she wasn’t interested.

Seeing the Empress’s lack of interest, the Little Fox Spirit began racking her brain. “Then, shall I fan you?”

Xie Xuanzhao looked at her soft, delicate hands and couldn’t bear to see her tire herself out, so she shook her head.

“Then how about a back rub?” The little servant humbled herself, but internally she was giggling. To give a back rub, I’d have to sit on the horse and serve her closely! Please say yes!

The Empress looked around. To flirt with her in broad daylight under everyone’s gaze? She’d have to be mad. She shook her head again.

Still not working? Liu Qinglan scratched her ear. “Then I’ll boil some water, let it cool, and personally bring it to you.”

And feed it to you, how about that?

Liu Qinglan blinked. You know what I mean, right?

Xie Xuanzhao thought about it and felt it was quite good. She said with feigned grace, “Mhm, that will do.”

Liu Qinglan let out a long breath, finally having made the Beautiful Empress happy. She turned around and looked at the already stunned Lulu. “Lulu, hurry and get your best tea. I’m going to boil a pot right now.”

She rolled up her sleeves, looking full of enthusiasm.

Lulu looked at her mistress’s fawning, lackey like behavior and felt it was almost too much to watch.