On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 37

Yan Mo led out a brave and spirited red-maned steed, handing the reins to Xie Xuanzhao.

Clad in fiery red martial attire with a python skin whip coiled around her waist, Xie Xuanzhao flipped onto the horse. The surrounding Xie family soldiers erupted in cheers, and the head of the Xie family sat above, looking on with gratification. The scene was grand and bustling.

The Emperor watched with a sour taste in his mouth, his own imperial guard had just been completely outshined. He glanced at a nearby eunuch, who took the hint and hurriedly bowed before retreating.

Yan Mo handed over a recurve bow and feathered arrows. Xie Xuanzhao took them, slung them over her back, buckled the strap, and tilted her chin slightly. “For the sake of fairness, I will wait for Consort Yue to come out so we can head in together.”

Liu Qinglan had already been led to the inner chambers. The eunuch handed her the equipment ordered by the Emperor, saying, “Lady Consort Yue, you must show some spirit and save some face for His Majesty.”

The eunuch spoke with heavy earnestness clearly, great hopes were pinned on her.

Liu Qinglan examined the bow and arrows. She didn’t actually need them, but to avoid disrespecting the Emperor, she put them on for show. She actually looked the part. However, when led outside, a tall, sturdy horse stood before her.

A FeiFei (divine beast) has no business riding a horse, Liu Qinglan thought.

The horse was a Ferghana stallion of noble blood. Its deep black eyes glanced at Liu Qinglan, recognizing her as a FeiFei. It stomped the dust with its hoof and tossed its head high in a look of disdain.

The eunuch urged, “My Lady, please mount. His Majesty specifically chose this thousand mile steed for you. It’s even more impressive than the Empress’s ‘Clouds Treading Snow’!”

Liu Qinglan fidgeted inwardly: Can’t I just ride the same horse as the Beautiful Empress?

She coughed. “I’ll walk. I won’t be riding.”

“How could that be allowed?” the eunuch cried out in panic.

To bluff him, Liu Qinglan said, “I have my own methods for hunting; they are different from yours. The Emperor wants to see the results, not the process, right?”

The eunuch paused. That seemed to make sense.

Thus, Liu Qinglan set out in full gear, marching toward the deep forest like a valiant little soldier. The Xie family soldiers watched with curiosity, whispering a few mocks. Two legs could never outrun four.

Xie Xuanzhao tightened her reins but didn’t rush. She watched Liu Qinglan’s petite retreating figure and curled her lips into a smile.

The Emperor, thinking she was mocking his favorite consort, said unpleasantly, “Why hasn’t the Empress set out yet?”

Xie Xuanzhao tilted her chin. “To prevent anyone from saying the Empress bullies a consort, I will give her a head start of one cup of tea’s time.”

“It’s rare for the Empress to have such self-awareness,” the Emperor sneered. He couldn’t forget being bullied by her as a child. Xie Xuanzhao was three years older, when the Emperor stayed with the Xie family as a boy to avoid trouble, she had been the “boss,” bullying the little sprout mercilessly. Even now, he had a psychological shadow.

Xie Xuanzhao shot him a look that signaled him to shut up. The Emperor uncomfortably picked up his tea, becoming timidly silent.

Once Liu Qinglan was a good distance from the palace, Xie Xuanzhao whipped her horse and gave chase.

The Shared Ride

The sound of galloping hooves approached. Liu Qinglan turned around, clutching her bow, and saw the Beautiful Empress’s heroic posture on horseback.

Xie Xuanzhao’s shimmering phoenix eyes locked onto her. Seeing her holding the bow so obediently in her soldier outfit, she found her incredibly cute. Leaning down as she brushed past, she grabbed Liu Qinglan’s wrist and, with a slight pull, hoisted her onto the horse.

“Whoa!” The Xie family soldiers behind them let out a collective gasp.

Liu Qinglan’s world spun. When she reacted, she was sitting firmly in front of the Empress, sharing the same horse.

The Emperor stood up abruptly. “Go see what’s happening!”

The head of the Xie family said calmly, “Your Majesty, please remain calm. The Empress won’t eat your consort. We shall wait here for their return.”

The Emperor stared at the handsome, elegant head of the Xie family, swallowed hard, and muttered, “Cousin is right.”

The Xie family head remained expressionless. The Emperor felt snubbed and thought to himself: One day, I’ll take down the Xie family! Then I’ll take you and… do this and that…

The Xie family head suddenly gave a cold laugh. The Emperor immediately retracted his thoughts, too scared to even think further.

Into the Forest

Xie Xuanzhao sped into the woods, leaving the guards and the rest behind until only the two of them remained.

Liu Qinglan was thrilled. Her first time on a horse! The scenery blurred past, the sky was vast, and mountain flowers bloomed.

Xie Xuanzhao smiled. “Do you like it?”

Liu Qinglan nodded vigorously. “I love it!”

“This is your home, you know it best,” Xie Xuanzhao said. “I’ll take you to the hilltop first, and then you can lead me around as the host.”

This played right into Liu Qinglan’s hands. She leaned back against the Empress, their hair intertwining in the wind.

“Empress Sister, when are we going back?”

“At dusk. We have the whole day. As for hunting, ignore the Emperor; he’s just childish. We’ll just bring back a few rabbits or deer later.”

Liu Qinglan coughed. “Actually… let’s not hunt at all.” She was the protector of all the little animals today.

Xie Xuanzhao wasn’t keen on hunting anyway, she just enjoyed the ride. “As you wish.”

The Animal Gathering

At the hilltop, near a majestic waterfall, Xie Xuanzhao sensed something was off. She looked back and saw a group of animals following them: wildcats, rabbits, deer, and squirrels.

They were in a formation, as if by appointment.

Liu Qinglan looked back, all her childhood friends were there. Luckily they were in their animal forms; otherwise, it would be impossible to explain.

A squirrel perched on a branch teased, “Little Liu, who did you bring back?” “Is it your wife?” “Little Liu is female, she can’t have a wife!” “Then it’s a good sister!”

Liu Qinglan wanted to argue but couldn’t speak aloud. She could only listen to them gossip about her and the Empress.

A white rabbit hopped out. “Whoa, look at that spiritual energy! This human is a treasure. Little Liu, where did you find her? Let us rub against her for a bit~”

The other small spirits, lured by the scent of spiritual energy, grew restless. They had come out to see their old friend Liu Qinglan, but found a “bonus.”

Xie Xuanzhao blinked, surprised to see a rabbit seemingly trying to jump into her arms. She didn’t know she was so popular with animals.

Suddenly, Liu Qinglan jumped and hugged her tightly, shouting, “She’s mine! Mine! None of you are allowed to rub!”

Xie Xuanzhao laughed. “Who are you talking to?”

Liu Qinglan held her even tighter. “I’m telling these animals they aren’t allowed to come over. Only I can touch you!”

Xie Xuanzhao patted her head. “Alright, alright. Only you can touch me.”

Her tone was so doting it made the eavesdropping spirits cringe. Liu Qinglan regretted not “marking” the Empress the night before. She grabbed Xie Xuanzhao’s hand. “Empress Sister, come with me. I’ll take you somewhere.”

“Where are we going?”

“To find the Peach Blossoms.”

“It’s late autumn,” Xie Xuanzhao said, confused. “Where would there be blossoms?” Yet, her feet followed the little beauty obediently.

Behind them, the animals cheered. “Boss Liu is getting married!” “Does she even know what marriage is? It’s just possessiveness!” the jealous white rabbit grumbled. “Finding the Peach Blossom Spirit to tie an affectionate bond, that is marriage!”

Liu Qinglan’s head felt like it was exploding. Stop talking! And stop watching!

“Little Liu, do you even know what an ‘Affectionate Tie’ is?” one asked via spirit transmission.

“I know! It means being together forever!” Liu Qinglan snapped back.

“It’s more than that! You share fortunes and woes, eat at the same table, and sleep in the same bed!”

“I know, I know! We’ve already done all that,” Liu Qinglan replied proudly.

The animals let out a collective “Whoa!” Boss Liu was moving fast.

The white rabbit suddenly stared at Liu Qinglan’s belly. “So, when are you having cubs?”

Xie Xuanzhao felt Liu Qinglan’s hand trembling with excitement, though she didn’t know why. She assumed it was because she was being taken to see her “home.”