On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 44

Liu Qinglan climbed out of bed and dressed herself, only to find the Sharp nosed Viper, now back in her original snake form, curled up nonchalantly next to the teapot, with no intention of leaving.

This snake was incredibly vain. Even in her true form, she didn’t forget to wear a palace flower on her head; she was just one copper mirror away from preening herself.

Liu Qinglan glanced outside. “You should leave quickly. LuLu will be coming in soon.”

The Sharp nosed Viper lazily flicked her tail. “Oh, I already told her to go brew some sour plum soup. Remember to drink it later, it’s for the hangover.” She shifted her body and suddenly asked, “Do you remember the name I used when I used to travel the human world?”

Liu Qinglan looked at her. As the first spirit from Mount Huo to venture out, this snake was very familiar with the mortal realm. Later, she returned and lived in seclusion, never mentioning a word about her travels. When Liu Qinglan was about to leave for the palace, she had intended to ask for advice, but the snake was hibernating at the time. Furthermore, she was a loner and didn’t mingle with the foxes, rabbits, cats, and birds.

Liu Qinglan sat down in front of her and poked her tiny tail. “What name did you use in the human world?”

“Jiang Wenwen.” She lifted her tail, using the tip to adjust the flower on her head with a face full of mysterious pride.

Liu Qinglan didn’t understand what she was so proud of. Then, remembering something, she asked, “Speaking of which, you’ve never told me about your past. And why did you break your rule to help me last night? Being at my beck and call… that doesn’t sound like you.”

The Sharp nosed Viper chuckled. “Of course it wasn’t for you. I came out because I thought it would be fun. And as it turns out, it really was! Haha!” She laughed so hard the flower fell off her head.

Liu Qinglan watched her speechlessly. She wanted to solemnly tell her that the palace was no place for games, it was dangerous! She only remained safe because she had clung to the “thigh” of the beautiful Empress.

Thinking of the beautiful Empress, a look of mysterious pride also appeared on Liu Qinglan’s face.

Jiang Wenwen giggled. “Oho, look at this. A cat has fallen in love. How extraordinary.”

Liu Qinglan simply covered the snake with an outer robe, indicating she no longer wished to speak to her.

Jiang Wenwen crawled out from under the clothes. “Alright, I’ll stop teasing. I really must go. See you on the road!”

With that, she slithered away at top speed, over the windowsill and back into the mountain forest.

Liu Qinglan rushed to the window and leaned out, wanting to catch her just to ask: Why see you “on the road”?!

“Your Ladyship, the sour plum soup is ready.” LuLu pushed the door open at that exact moment. The timing was perfect, it seemed Jiang Wenwen had scented LuLu’s approach and made a hasty exit.

Liu Qinglan had no choice but to let it go. She turned around as LuLu placed the soup on the table.

“Your Ladyship, we are departing today. Everything is packed, only your room is left.” LuLu watched her obediently drink the soup while she began skillfully tidying the room.

Halfway through, LuLu suddenly turned back with a gossipy smile. “Your Ladyship, where is that pomegranate-pattered silk dress you wore last night? Did you leave it with His Majesty?”

Liu Qinglan looked down at what she was wearing. This was an illusion she had created based on what Jiang Wenwen wore while impersonating her. So, last night’s pomegranate dress…

Uh, could it have been taken by the beautiful Empress?!

Liu Qinglan froze. Erotic images flashed through her mind her and the Empress kissing but how did they get from under the peach blossoms to her own bed?

And since her clothes were gone, did that mean she had been stripped naked last night?!

The thought made Liu Qinglan’s face turn bright red with shame. Oh my, how could she strip me so thoroughly! Thinking of herself lying naked under the covers, Liu Qinglan shook her head. Wait…when she woke up, she was in her original Feifei (mythical cat) form, and Jiang Wenwen was pulling her ears!

Liu Qinglan’s face went from blushing red to ghostly white.

She instinctively touched her ears and moved to cover her hidden tail. Could the beautiful Empress already know she was a small animal?!

“Your Ladyship, do you need to use the latrine?” LuLu asked curiously.

At this moment, Liu Qinglan felt like a bell that had been struck dumb, she felt as if the sky was falling. She shook her head stiffly. “LuLu, keep packing. I want some peace and quiet.”

This “quiet” lasted until the hour of departure.

Liu Qinglan walked out of the wing like a wandering soul and approached the carriages.

According to custom, the Empress’s procession would lead. The concubines waited to one side for the Empress to pass first.

Xie Xuanzhao was not wearing her hunting leathers today. Everyone understood: the Empress intended to return in the Phoenix Carriage.

A pair of phoenix embroidered shoes entered her field of vision. Liu Qinglan quickly looked up, glancing at the beautiful Empress with a mix of guilt and nerves.

Oh dear, I’m a spirit. She must know. Will she despise me? Or does she not know yet?

Liu Qinglan was torn. Looking at Xie Xuanzhao’s radiant face, she was hesitant to speak yet looked pitiful.

Seeing those watery eyes that looked ready to cry, Xie Xuanzhao’s heart softened. She assumed Liu Qinglan was still shaken by the incident with Lin Yulang last night and wished she could pull her into her arms to comfort her.

The other concubines knew that Consort Yue had “served” the Emperor last night, accompanying him in his debauchery until midnight. The music had been so loud it had even overshadowed the Emperor’s male favorites.

Thus, they all watched with various hidden thoughts, wondering how the Empress would treat this favored consort.

Liu Qinglan’s hands were hidden in her sleeves, rubbing together nervously until her palms sweated. Please don’t let her despise me right after we’ve formed a bond. That would be too tragic!

“Consort Yue.”

“Present!”

“Pfft.” The onlookers couldn’t help but laugh. However, after a cold, elegant sweep of the Empress’s gaze, they immediately stifled their laughter, not daring to mock this “little soldier” of a consort further.

Liu Qinglan stood with her chest puffed out, staring straight ahead because she couldn’t bring herself to look at the Empress. “Your Majesty, whatever your orders are, just say the word. Whether it’s climbing a mountain of swords or plunging into a sea of fire, I am willing to go through fire and water for you, without hesitation or regard for my own life!”

She must have overheard her younger sister too often, she was starting to throw idioms around randomly!

Hearing this sudden vow, Xie Xuanzhao felt warm and sweet, yet also wanted to laugh.

Her fingers began to itch, she really wanted to touch those cat ears.

Since she couldn’t touch the ears right now, she could at least hold her hand. Xie Xuanzhao gracefully took Liu Qinglan’s sweaty hand. “I know you served the Emperor last night and must be exhausted. Your carriage is quite bumpy. Since you are now the ‘apple of His Majesty’s eye,’ I cannot let you suffer such grievances. People might think I, the Empress, am jealous and deliberately making things difficult for you. Therefore, I specially permit Consort Yue to accompany me in the Phoenix Carriage for the return journey.”

She delivered this high-sounding speech, leaving the other concubines speechless. Consort Kang especially wanted to jump out and say it was against protocol for a consort to ride in the Phoenix Carriage. But seeing the Empress’s cold gaze, they knew the matter was non-negotiable. No one knew if this was a true blessing or a pretext to torment her along the way.

“Your Majesty, regarding the Emperor’s side…”

Xie Xuanzhao’s eyes went cold. “Must I report to the Emperor even when I am showing consideration for a consort? If every minor matter of the inner palace must trouble him, do you take me for a mere figurehead?”

“We wouldn’t dare.” The matter was settled.

Liu Qinglan stood there as if struck by a cold wind. No one had asked for her opinion. The Empress’s words about “serving” the Emperor, being the “apple of his eye,” and “grievances” why did they sound so ominous to a spirit’s ears?!

“Your Ladyship, let us go.” Yan Mo stood to the side, ready to lead the way. Seeing no reaction, she spoke up to remind her.

Liu Qinglan’s scalp felt numb. It was all that Sharp nosed Viper’s fault, why did she have to “serve” the Emperor?! She had left a massive misunderstanding between her and the beautiful Empress!

As she walked stiffly behind Yan Mo toward the Phoenix Carriage, she worried about how to explain everything.

Xie Xuanzhao waited for the other concubines to disperse to their carriages before approaching the Phoenix Carriage.

The palace servants had their own carriage following behind; only personal maids were allowed up.

With only their own people around, Xie Xuanzhao dropped her formal expression and smiled tenderly. “Why have you stopped?”

Liu Qinglan steeled herself and whispered, “My legs are weak. I want a hug.”

If the beautiful Empress hugs me, it means she either doesn’t know I’m a spirit, or she knows and doesn’t mind.

I’m so brilliant, she thought, giving herself mental praise.

While the little cat-spirit was proud of her clever plan, her face remained pitiful, looking very much like she was acting spoiled.

Xie Xuanzhao looked around. The Xie family guards received her signal and turned their backs.

Without needing orders, Yan Mo had already retreated to the side carriage, dragging a confused LuLu along with her. The rest of the Qinglan Palace maids remained with their original carriage.

Once everything was ready, Xie Xuanzhao gave a helpless smile and doted on Liu Qinglan by tapping her nose. “You.”

Then, she picked the little spirit up by the waist and carried her into the Phoenix Carriage. She was significantly heavier than the “Liu-Cat” she had held last night.

As Liu Qinglan breathed in the Empress’s scent and soaked up her spiritual energy, she felt so happy she could faint.

The Phoenix Carriage was large, as was the seating area. In front sat a low table covered in…

As soon as she was set down, Liu Qinglan’s eyes uncontrollably darted to the mountain of food in front of her.

Melon seeds, corn, dried fish, roasted mountain chicken, all her favorites!

Liu Qinglan let out a mental meow of gratitude. Forgetting her previous nervousness, she reached out a small “paw” to grab a piece of dried fish.

A long, fair hand suddenly pressed down on hers. Liu Qinglan looked up to see the beautiful Empress smiling at her. “You can’t eat those just yet.”

Liu Qinglan immediately sat up straight, her nervousness returning. I celebrated too early!

Xie Xuanzhao wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and leaned mischievously toward her ear. “The curtains are drawn now. No one outside can see in, and no one dares enter. Rest assured, on this journey, there are only the two of us. We have plenty of time.”

Liu Qinglan’s ears turned bright red from the breath against them, completely unaware that the beautiful Empress beside her had evolved from a fox into a wolf.