On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 40

The two of them, each harboring their own secret thoughts, returned to the peach blossom tree.

The blossoms on the branches were still blooming as fiercely as fire, a scene of decadent crimson.

Xie Xuanzhao looked up, gazing at this peculiar tree. Remembering how much Liu Qinglan had seemed to care about it earlier, she asked, “Is apprenticing under a peach blossom tree a custom of your hometown?”

Liu Qinglan stole a glance at her and nodded. “Yes. It must be done under a peach tree.”

Xie Xuanzhao took in all her little movements, pondered for a moment, and then said, “Coming here empty handed makes the ceremony too simple. Since you are sincere about taking me as your ‘boss,’ by my rules, the ceremony must be grand.”

Liu Qinglan let out an “Ah?” “How grand does it have to be?”

Xie Xuanzhao looked at her and began to approach step by step. Liu Qinglan felt that the squinting Empress before her looked very much like a big tailed wolf with ill intentions. She hurriedly backed away, nervously clutching her hands behind her backside to prevent her tail from popping out in fear.

Backing away further and further, she eventually hit the trunk of the peach tree with a “thud.”

Xie Xuanzhao raised her hand, bracing it against the trunk and trapping the little beauty under her arm. Exhaling a breath as fragrant as orchids, she said, “Didn’t you say that in your parts, taking a boss requires a jar of fine wine?”

Having been too anxious and forgetting to prepare the wine, Liu Qinglan forced herself to stay calm. “It’s fine without it, those are just formalities.”

“That won’t do. On such an auspicious day, how can there be no wine?” Xie Xuanzhao said unhurriedly. “Auspicious rites are best performed under a moonlit night. Prepare a jar of grape wine, and the two of us shall share a cup. Only then will it count.”

Liu Qinglan looked conflicted; this was starting to sound very strange. “Is it really that much trouble? We don’t have so many rules here!”

“Well, in my rules, there are exactly this many requirements.” Xie Xuanzhao tilted her head. “If you find it troublesome, I will prepare it. You only need to appear here when the moon hangs over the willow branches.”

Liu Qinglan immediately replied, “No, I must prepare the wine. After all, I am the one asking you to be my boss!”

“Very well. Go back and prepare the wine. Also, change into a red palace dress and wear red embroidered shoes. Do you remember?” Xie Xuanzhao agreed quickly, not being polite at all.

“Wh… why do I have to change into red clothes?” Liu Qinglan looked at her in confusion.

Xie Xuanzhao said solemnly, “It’s festive.”

Once they settled the plan, Liu Qinglan confirmed again, “You really have to come tonight. Don’t leave me waiting here in vain.”

Xie Xuanzhao nodded with a smile. “I’ll definitely come. Whoever doesn’t come is a puppy.”

“Then it’s a deal!” Liu Qinglan clapped her hands happily, a hint of secret joy on her face. She hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly, she thought the beautiful Empress might refuse!

Xie Xuanzhao watched her joyful expression, the smile in her eyes deepening.

As they rode back together, the two finally remembered today’s task. The Emperor and the others were likely still at the palace waiting for the results!

Xie Xuanzhao sat on her horse, looking up at a line of autumn geese flying past in the sunset.

“Qinglan, you catch a few sika deer and foxes to take back. I’ll shoot a wild goose.”

It was currently autumn, the season for geese to migrate south, there were many in the sky. Shooting one goose to bring back was quite ordinary and couldn’t be called the work of a master.

Liu Qinglan didn’t doubt the Empress’s intentions at all and nodded. “Okay.”

In truth, she didn’t even need to “catch” them. Liu Qinglan used her demonic power to send a voice transmission, and the deer and foxes came running out.

“Just follow me back for a trip, and then I’ll release you. We’re just putting on a show for them,” Liu Qinglan instructed them one by one.

These were all spirits who had practiced cultivation, they were more than capable of protecting themselves and were happy to do this favor for Liu Qinglan.

Xie Xuanzhao caught one goose, tied its legs and wings with red silk, and handed it to Liu Qinglan. “This is for you.”

“Why give me a goose?” Liu Qinglan took it clumsily, staring blankly at the equally confused goose.

“This is the Nacai (the gift of a goose),” Xie Xuanzhao said calmly.

The first of the “Six Rites” of a human marriage proposal.

Xie Xuanzhao looked at Liu Qinglan holding the goose in her arms. She appeared calm on the surface but felt gratified inside: She accepted the proposal gift.

Liu Qinglan, looking dazed, held the goose in both hands and rode back on the same horse as the Empress, followed by two deer and a fox.

The guards had already returned with a bountiful harvest, including lions, tigers, and leopards.

The head of the Xie family watched his younger sister dismount. He looked at the small animals and frowned.

Unexpectedly, Xie Xuanzhao said empty-handed, “In today’s hunt, Concubine Yue has won. I admit defeat.”

The head of the Xie family asked, “Then what did you catch?”

Xie Xuanzhao pointed to the goose in Liu Qinglan’s arms. “That one.”

The Xie family soldiers, who were ready to cheer for victory, nearly dropped their jaws. The Empress had only caught a common goose!

The Emperor slapped his thigh in delight. Concubine Yue was so impressive!

Greatly pleased, the Emperor immediately bestowed a mountain of rewards. Liu Qinglan’s mind was entirely on tonight’s “binding of fate” these rewards were as fleeting as clouds to her.

The head of the Xie family was both angry and amused. Finally, he shook his head, stood up, and flicked his sleeves as he left, helpless against his headstrong sister.

After a period of rest and as the sun set, the first day of the grand hunt came to a close.

The Emperor went to a high tower to banquet the young guards who had performed well today. The monarch and his subjects drank and chatted.

Xie Xuanzhao first returned to her quarters. Yan Mo had already prepared warm water and sleeping garments for her.

“Yan Mo,” Xie Xuanzhao called her personal maid while taking off her hunting gear.

Yan Mo hurried out from behind the gauze curtain. “Your Majesty, what are your orders?”

“Go and prepare a pair of Phoenix Candles and a piece of red paper.” Xie Xuanzhao looked through the clothes Yan Mo had set out, put them back, and walked to the wardrobe herself.

“Why are you standing there? Go quickly. Also, prepare a jar of fine wine and two cups. Put them all together. I will need them shortly.” Xie Xuanzhao glanced at Yan Mo, who hadn’t reacted.

Yan Mo didn’t dare delay and hurried to comply, but her heart was full of doubt. These items… they looked very much like what would be used for a wedding…

Liu Qinglan also returned to her room. LuLu was grinning from ear to ear. “Your Majesty, you really stood out today! The Emperor rewarded you with so much. Out of all the ladies in the harem, only you received a share! Such great favor…”

While LuLu rambled on, Liu Qinglan rummaged through her chests and finally found a pomegranate-red silk dress.

“LuLu, stop talking. Quickly help me get dressed, make me look my most beautiful!” Liu Qinglan shouted urgently as she hurriedly put on the dress and sat before the bronze mirror.

LuLu was stunned, then thought that her mistress had finally come to her senses and wanted to dress up to thank the Emperor! She happily stepped forward. “Don’t worry, I’ll do your makeup and hair. I guarantee you’ll look stunning.”

Liu Qinglan urged her, “Faster, faster.” She couldn’t wait another second.

A moment later, a gorgeously dressed beauty appeared in the water-chestnut bronze mirror, with a pert nose and fair, tender skin, incredibly cute and pretty.

Liu Qinglan leaned forward and felt something was missing. She pursed her lips. “Maybe… add a bit of rouge.”

LuLu stared at her red lips, had a sudden flash of inspiration, and got an idea.

After some application, the red lips in the mirror were vivid and bright, like a ripe cherry about to drop, making one very much want to take a bite.

Liu Qinglan silently gave LuLu a thumbs-up. Perfect!

LuLu was also proud of her sudden inspiration. They really looked sweet enough to make someone want to lean in and nibble!

Liu Qinglan stood up in her red dress and red embroidered shoes. She smiled beautifully and looked at LuLu. “How is it? How is it?”

“Too beautiful, Your Majesty! You can head out now!” LuLu said excitedly. “The Emperor…” will surely not be able to control himself!

Before she could finish, the little beauty had already picked up her skirts and run out.

LuLu chased after her. “Your Majesty, how can you not take me with you…”

Liu Qinglan raised her hand and waved with her back turned, signaling for her not to follow.

LuLu leaned against the red wooden door, looking conflicted and regretful. How could she not take me!

All was silent. In the distance, the high tower was brightly lit as the monarch and subjects continued their drinking and chatting. No one knew that beneath the back wall of the palace, a slender figure was carefully navigating the long corridors, heading all the way to the mountain spring.

Tonight happened to be a full moon. Watching the moon from the mountains, it appeared exceptionally clear and large.

The moonlight was like snow, shining down on a peach blossom tree by the spring that was blooming brilliantly.

An elegant lady was already standing beneath the tree.

On a rock sat a pair of lit Phoenix Candles. The flickering shadows revealed a large red “Double Happiness” character pasted onto the tree trunk.

Before leaving, Xie Xuanzhao had personally used scissors to cut the character out of red paper. She brought a jar of wine and two wine cups, having prepared everything early.

The moonlight shifted, and Liu Qinglan emerged from the forest holding her skirts. She looked up and saw the beautiful Empress also dressed in red, looking peerless and stunning under the moon.

She held her breath and stepped softly to Xie Xuanzhao’s side, saying, “I’m here.”

Xie Xuanzhao came back to her senses and first quietly admired the little beauty in red.

In the moonlight, her phoenix eyes were deep and shimmering, burning with passion and affection.

Liu Qinglan also gazed at her intently, utterly lost in her beauty.

“A beautiful night, a beautiful scene, and fine grape wine. Qinglan, let us begin.” As Xie Xuanzhao spoke, her gaze uncontrollably fell upon Liu Qinglan’s specially painted red lips full and succulent, inviting imagination.

The little fox spirit was too tempting tonight.

“We must first bow to the peach tree,” Liu Qinglan said, tugging at the Empress’s sleeve with a shy expression.

This didn’t look like an apprenticeship ceremony at all!

Xie Xuanzhao complied and knelt with her before the peach tree.

Liu Qinglan clasped her hands, praying devoutly, “Peach tree, O peach tree, I have brought her here today. I hope you can fulfill our wish.”

Xie Xuanzhao curled her lips into a smile. Are you sure you’re just taking a boss?

The peach tree seemed to have a soul. Hearing Liu Qinglan’s prayer, the blossoms on the branches rustled, and in an instant, they danced through the air, covering their hair, sleeves, and feet.

Xie Xuanzhao watched this curiously. It was too strange; there must be something Liu Qinglan hadn’t told her.

“Are you willing?” Liu Qinglan suddenly looked at her, her eyes shy, expectant, and fervent.

Xie Xuanzhao had a faint guess. She leaned in until their foreheads touched and softly, tenderly spoke three words: “I am willing.”

The Peach Spirit woke from deep within the leaves and said, “Your fate is now bound. But Qinglan, as a demon spirit, you must leave your mark on the Empress. From now on, she will carry your scent, and all spirits will know that this human woman belongs to you.”

Sweetness welled up in Liu Qinglan’s heart. “Okay.”

But of course, not right now. Leaving a mark was such a private matter; Liu Qinglan planned to do it when she and the Empress were alone.

The blossoms danced, and the scene under the moonlight was lingering and poetic.

Xie Xuanzhao saw the look of satisfaction on Liu Qinglan’s face and knew her “ceremony” was over. Now, it was time for her own.

She slowly poured two cups of wine from the prepared jar, one for herself and one for her.

“To complete this ritual, we must drink the wine in these cups together.” Xie Xuanzhao gave her a gentle smile.

Liu Qinglan caught the scent of the wine. She suddenly realized a problem: she had never drunk alcohol before. But looking at the beautiful Empress before her, she swallowed. “Okay.”

She raised the cup and downed it in one go. As the wine entered her stomach, a wave of warmth rose within her.

Xie Xuanzhao couldn’t stop her in time and was caught between laughter and tears. “That’s not how you drink it. I’ll teach you.”

She refilled Liu Qinglan’s cup and then hooked her own arm through the other’s.

Liu Qinglan looked at this with curiosity, her arm hooked. “What a fun way to drink.”

Xie Xuanzhao gazed at her, her eyes crinkling. “This is called the ‘Cross-cupped Wine,’ also known as the ‘Nuptial Wine.'”

“Then… what is the meaning behind it?” Liu Qinglan found the ceremony quite peculiar.

“Let’s drink first. I’ll explain later.”

Under the moon, the two sat facing each other, arms entwined, and finished the wine.

With two cups in her stomach, the warmth intensified. The alcohol seeped into her limbs and bones, making her eyes hazy and her body soft. Before she drifted off, she only saw the red character under the tree, shimmering in the light of the Phoenix Candles. It was truly festive.

Seeing her drunk and dazed, Xie Xuanzhao quickly reached out to support her softening body. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You really have no tolerance for wine.”

Liu Qinglan gave a faint pat and mumbled something, then went silent, leaving only the sound of her sleeping breath.

Xie Xuanzhao held her under the peach tree, her fingers gently stroking her red lips. She whispered, “Qinglan, we are considered married now. From now on, you are truly mine. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand. I will make you understand in the future. I believe you will like it.”

She leaned down, cradling the back of Liu Qinglan’s head, and bestowed a deep kiss. Just as she was about to continue, her fingertips suddenly brushed against something furry… an ear?