On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 39

Liu Qinglan lowered her hand, looking at the beautiful Empress beside her with a look of confusion.

Xie Xuanzhao scanned their surroundings before walking to the base of the peach blossom tree. She reached out to touch the trunk and flicked a few leaves. After confirming it was a real tree, she spoke: “For peach blossoms to bloom in autumn is truly bizarre. Since it is just the two of us here, I fear this place is not safe to linger in.”

“There’s no danger here.” Seeing her so cautious, Liu Qinglan couldn’t help but press a hand to her forehead, attempting to pull the Empress back toward her.

However, Xie Xuanzhao caught her wrist instead. Pressing a finger to her own red lips, she hissed a “Shh,” her brows knitting together. “Listen. There is the sound of an axe dragging on the ground.”

Only then did Xie Xuanzhao’s words snap Liu Qinglan out of her frantic thoughts about forming a “love bond.”

The crowd of “fair weather friends” around them, the various animal spirits had all gone quiet, hiding in the brush without making a sound.

The sound of the axe scraping against the earth drew closer. A white rabbit spirit whispered softly, “The hunter of this mountain forest is coming; we have to go. He won’t harass humans. You’ll be fine staying by your beautiful Empress.”

Liu Qinglan quickly sent a message via demon power: “Go then, get back to your burrows and don’t come out.”

Once the little animals had scurried away, Liu Qinglan grabbed the Empress’s sleeve and hid timidly behind her. “Why is he dragging his axe on the ground?” she whispered. The sound was gratingly harsh.

Xie Xuanzhao replied calmly, “Because the Imperial family enjoys hunting at Mount Huo, they keep a group of ‘Imperial Hunters’ here specifically to guard and manage the mountain. Now that the Emperor has entered the mountain, they should technically be at home awaiting orders. For him to be out now means someone gave him a command to handle business. Dragging the axe is a way to create a daunting presence.”

Liu Qinglan looked ahead. As the footsteps neared, the newcomer was indeed a hunter, wearing a tiger-skin skirt and carrying his tools.

The Imperial Hunter responsible for this sector naturally recognized the Empress, he had seen her from afar every year during the Great Hunt.

“Your Majesty,” he said, seeing Xie Xuanzhao. He immediately knelt in salute, the blade of his axe glinting with a cold light. “A patrol of guards passed through earlier and claimed a ‘demon tree’ was discovered here. I was ordered to come and fell it.”

Xie Xuanzhao nodded. “Huo Qing, you’ve arrived at the right time. I discovered it as well.”

Hearing this, Liu Qinglan nearly bristled in shock. What?! You’re going to chop down the peach tree?!

“Empress Sister, you can’t…” Liu Qinglan was so anxious her tail almost popped out. Give me back my love bond! The little fox-spirit was practically about to faint.

Xie Xuanzhao turned and briefly squeezed her hand to reassure her, whispering, “Do not be afraid. Since you were the one who brought me to find these blossoms, I won’t let anything happen to it.”

Only then did Liu Qinglan feel slightly relieved, though she remained hesitant.

Noticing her conflicted expression, a dark glint flickered in Xie Xuanzhao’s radiant phoenix eyes, though her face remained as calm as water. “Let me deal with this man first.”

Liu Qinglan nodded vigorously, suddenly feeling the security of having a powerful backer.

After finishing his salute and stating his purpose, Huo Qing picked up his axe again and said respectfully, “Your Majesty, I must carry out my orders. The Captain of the Guard will be coming to inspect shortly.”

Xie Xuanzhao’s eyes lifted. “No rush.”

Huo Qing paused, looking conflicted. “Your Majesty, this is an order from above. I must obey. The Captain will be here any moment.”

“Then we shall wait for the Captain here. I will give the explanation myself. Huo Qing, how is your wife faring lately?” Xie Xuanzhao asked casually, surprisingly striking up a conversation.

Seeing her standing there, Liu Qinglan acted like a loyal subordinate, dragging a large stone to the foot of the peach tree and wiping it clean with her silk handkerchief. “Empress Sister, sit down while you talk.”

You must save this peach tree!

Hidden deep within the foliage, the Peach Blossom Spirit watched the scene with amusement. So, this was how the Little Fox and the beautiful Empress interacted. She decided to stay still for now to see if this Empress was truly as kind as rumored in the palace and if she was worthy of the little Phibui’s (Feifei’s) devotion.

Thus, the Peach Blossom Spirit remained motionless, letting the flowers bloom proudly across the branches.

Xie Xuanzhao pinched Liu Qinglan’s fingers. “Qinglan, you sit and rest. I have no need.”

Liu Qinglan scratched her ear, feeling a bit embarrassed. How could I?

Huo Qing watched them, thinking to himself: My wife was right, the Empress truly looks after the concubines.

“You needn’t be constrained. This Imperial Hunter is one of ours,” Xie Xuanzhao said with an unreadable smile, looking at the startled Huo Qing. “Huo Qing, wouldn’t you say so?”

Huo Qing immediately lowered his head. “Yes, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful to you and willing to serve.”

Liu Qinglan sat down, utterly baffled, while Xie Xuanzhao stood beside her. Dressed in fiery red hunting attire with a python-skin whip at her waist, she looked heroic and radiated a powerful aura.

Liu Qinglan suddenly felt like a fox flaunting the majesty of a tiger; her previous fear and panic had vanished completely.

Huo Qing chose his words carefully. “This lady… appears to be Consort Yue.”

Liu Qinglan kept her eyes on her toes, sitting obediently on the rock and leaving everything to the Empress.

“Indeed. I came out hunting with her and we found this peach tree.” Xie Xuanzhao reached out to touch the trunk. “For this tree to bloom in autumn, and so beautifully at that, suggests it is not an evil tree but an auspicious one, a sign of a peaceful reign. Therefore, it cannot be easily cut down.”

Huo Qing understood the Empress’s meaning: she wanted to protect this strange tree. “I will certainly ensure this tree is preserved when the Captain arrives.”

Xie Xuanzhao nodded. “I appreciate the effort.”

“Your Majesty, my wife misses you dearly. She has recently given birth to a son and is currently at home,” Huo Qing gathered his courage. “I wonder if later, Your Majesty might…”

Xie Xuanzhao nodded, glancing at the still-dazed Liu Qinglan. “Later, Consort Yue and I will go visit her together.”

Huo Qing glanced at this newly promoted consort of unknown origin, hesitating. “She…”

“She is my person. It is fine,” Xie Xuanzhao said calmly, her tone carrying a faint, oppressive weight.

Sensing the Empress’s displeasure, Huo Qing immediately withdrew his gaze from Liu Qinglan, not daring to look again.

A moment later, the Captain of the Guard arrived after receiving the message. Huo Qing repeated exactly what Xie Xuanzhao had told him.

As an experienced hunter who lived in the deep mountains, his knowledge of the taboos and wonders of nature was considered far superior to that of the noble sons raised in the capital. The Captain didn’t dare make his own decision, and seeing the Empress present, he could only say: “Since that is the case, I leave this tree in your care. If anything goes wrong, the responsibility falls on your head.”

Huo Qing nodded in agreement, and the matter was settled.

Liu Qinglan let out a long sigh of relief, tugging at the Empress’s sleeve. “That scared me to death just now.”

Xie Xuanzhao helped her up, adding seemingly offhandedly, “You seem to care a great deal about this peach tree.”

“She’s very important! She’s…” Liu Qinglan stopped herself just in time. Seeing the hunter still staring intently, she quickly shut her mouth.

Xie Xuanzhao understood the cue and, pretending not to care in the slightest, turned to Huo Qing and said, “We shall go to your home for a visit now.”

Huo Qing bowed and led them along the path toward his residence.

Liu Qinglan watched the man’s retreating back. She had seen him a few times before, so he was an Imperial Hunter, no wonder he lived here year round.

A few years ago, this man had suddenly brought back a beautiful bride and seemingly went into seclusion. Because she hadn’t seen him for a year or two, Liu Qinglan had thought the hunter had moved away, and her memory of him had faded.

Now, walking along the road, the pieces of information began to trickle back to her.

Huo Qing’s home was nestled within a bamboo forest, a row of bamboo huts that were exceptionally clean and tidy.

From a distance, they saw a woman sitting in the courtyard with a toddler stumbling around her knees. She was busy with embroidery, occasionally looking up at the child with a gentle, loving smile.

Huo Qing stepped forward ahead of them, bending down to scoop up his child.

Xie Xuanzhao and Liu Qinglan stood at the entrance. Watching the harmonious family of three, Xie Xuanzhao curled the corners of her mouth and said to the oblivious Liu Qinglan beside her, “I often think that the Three Palaces and Six Courtyards are far inferior to the carefree happiness of ‘one life, one world, one couple.’ This is what truly brings peace to the heart.”

Liu Qinglan stared blankly. Is this what a human home is supposed to look like?

Huo Qing walked over carrying the child, while the young woman beside him looked up with an expression of pleasant surprise. “Your Majesty!”

She walked over to Xie Xuanzhao and performed a formal salute.

Xie Xuanzhao supported her to help her up. “This is not the palace, there is no need for such ceremony. Treat me as an old friend.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The young woman gave a shy smile and pointed to her side. “This is my child. If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s fulfillment of my wishes, I would still be…”

Huo Qing gave a low cough from the side, and the young woman smiled apologetically. “I’ll say no more. Please, come in for a cup of tea.”

Xie Xuanzhao smiled and shook her head. “No, I just came to see you. Seeing that you are living happily now, I can rest easy.”

The woman before them was originally Lady Hui from the palace. She had been sent into the palace by her family and had been perpetually depressed. Later, upon questioning her, Xie Xuanzhao discovered that Lady Hui had a childhood sweetheart, her cousin who was a hunter at Mount Huo.

With the intent to help her, Xie Xuanzhao had sent her out of the palace directly and removed her name from the Imperial Records. At the time, rumors flew through the palace claiming the Empress was jealous and had driven a concubine out.

Since the Emperor was indifferent to begin with, the matter eventually faded away.

Holding her child, Lady Hui watched the Empress and the girl beside her depart. She couldn’t help but turn to her husband and ask, “Who is that young lady?”

Huo Qing replied, “I heard she is the newly appointed Consort Yue.”

“They have such a good relationship,” Lady Hui said enviously.

Huo Qing couldn’t help but sigh in agreement. “Indeed.”

As they walked out of the bamboo forest, Liu Qinglan intentionally or unintentionally led the beautiful Empress back toward the peach blossom tree. She was still obsessed with the idea of “tying the love bond” it was all she could think about.

Xie Xuanzhao followed her, asking seemingly casually, “After going to Huo Qing’s home and seeing him with his wife, what are your thoughts?”

Liu Qinglan was zoning out, immersed in her own fantasies of the future.

She was currently imagining what it would be like if she and the beautiful Empress formed a little home like the Huo couple. She would definitely be like that young woman and give the beautiful Empress little cubs! A whole litter of them, hee hee…

However, Liu Qinglan suddenly realized a problem: Can the Empress and I have little cubs? The Peach Blossom Spirit probably knew the answer to that!

“Empress Sister, let’s hurry. We were interrupted just now, you aren’t allowed to interrupt me again this time.” Desperate to find the Peach Blossom Spirit to ask her questions, Liu Qinglan reached out to grab the Empress’s hand.

Xie Xuanzhao, however, remained unhurried. She said, “You haven’t answered my question yet.”

“What?” Liu Qinglan looked at her in confusion.

“That is, seeing the Huo couple together… do you want to be with me in that same way?” Xie Xuanzhao finally voiced her earnest intentions. She wanted the girl before her to understand what it meant to love one another, what it meant to form a marriage, what it meant to build a home, and what it truly meant to be “together.”

It wasn’t just about ambiguous kisses and touches, nor teasing sweet words, and certainly not just the allure of beauty. These were not the factors that truly determined whether two people should be together. It required their hearts to be in sync, a conscious awareness of the responsibility of sharing a home, an understanding of what they would face together, and a firm determination to walk hand in hand until their hair turned white, regardless of the hardships.

That is a true binding of fate.

Xie Xuanzhao did not want her sweet memories and physical contact with Liu Qinglan to ultimately turn into a beautiful misunderstanding, a flower in a mirror, a moon in the water leaving behind nothing but a sigh.

While the sweetness of the moment was moving, what she wanted more was true longevity.

Xie Xuanzhao looked up, her expression focused and serious. “Qinglan, do you truly understand?”

Looking at the incredibly serious Empress, Liu Qinglan was suddenly intimidated and didn’t know what to say. She lowered her head, fidgeting with her hands uncomfortably, realizing that perhaps the beautiful Empress didn’t actually want to tie a love bond with her.

But…

Liu Qinglan summoned her courage and said, “I just… want to finish the ‘Worship the Big Boss’ ceremony from before.”

Xie Xuanzhao paused. Seeing Liu Qinglan’s expectant yet pitiful expression, she realized her sudden seriousness had frightened her.

So it really was just ‘Worshiping the Big Boss.’ It seemed she had overthought it. Xie Xuanzhao turned her head away and gave a bitter smile.

“You… you’re not willing anymore?” Liu Qinglan scratched her ear, feeling lost.

Xie Xuanzhao possessed a very strong mind and quickly adjusted her emotions. She met Liu Qinglan’s eyes, gazing at her and thinking about many things.

Under the pressure, Liu Qinglan tried her best to stay calm, letting the Empress stare at her openly.

Xie Xuanzhao thought: Since she doesn’t understand, I will patiently lead her step by step. I will definitely manage to abduct her back home to be my wife.

Liu Qinglan thought: Though I don’t know what the Empress is thinking, I am definitely going to be with her and give her cubs!