On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 47

Xie Xuanzhao felt that this little cat was sometimes as pure and innocent as a child, yet at other times, she was as direct and bold as a seasoned veteran. Take this moment, for instance: looking up with a serious face, she asked a question that was…

How on earth was one supposed to answer that!

Liu Qinglan inched closer, mimicking her actions by poking Xie Xuanzhao’s waist with her finger. Her voice was soft and light, “Can I? Please?”

Xie Xuanzhao’s phoenix-like eyes instantly grew deep, a faint, predatory glint flashing within them. She looked down, her fingers tenderly tracing Liu Qinglan’s features, and asked with composed amusement: “Well then… do you know how?”

“Know how to do what?” Liu Qinglan tilted her head, a picture of innocence.

Xie Xuanzhao leaned in close, her breath like the scent of orchids: “To tease.”

Teasing? Liu Qinglan honestly admitted she didn’t know how, but she wanted to learn.

Xie Xuanzhao’s lips curled into a smile. “Once we return to the palace, you should carefully study the books and albums I gave you. You’ll learn naturally then.”

“I want you to teach me hand in hand.” Liu Qinglan looked remarkably well-behaved, expressing her utmost dedication as a student!

The smile on Xie Xuanzhao’s face deepened. “The days ahead are long; there’s no rush.”

“Mhm, no rush.” In truth, Liu Qinglan was quite anxious, her heart felt as though it were being scratched by a cat’s paws. What was it like for human women to be stirred by passion? Would it be the same as her own experience? But the beautiful Empress didn’t have a tail.

Xie Xuanzhao saw through her but didn’t call her out. She helped tidy both their clothes, such matters required a sense of anticipation and mystery to truly be full of zest when the moment finally arrived. This was what people called flirting.

By the Stream

The royal procession returning to the capital had paused by a stream. Under a temporary wooden shed, imperial chefs and cooks were busy preparing the midday meal.

Since they were on the road, it was impossible to whip up a full imperial banquet. After some discussion, the chefs decided to make clear noodles paired with fresh shrimp and cucumber dumplings.

Tao Xi, along with several other cooks, was making purple sweet potato cooling cakes to serve as desserts for the noble ladies during the journey.

Today, Tao Xi had a peach-blossom shaped wooden hairpin tucked into her hair, looking quite elegant and moving.

While peeling the skin off boiled purple sweet potatoes, she kept an eye on the steamer on the nearby stove. After a while, the cooks responsible for serving the food returned one after another. Seeing her still busy, they called out, “Everyone who needs serving has been served. It’s time for us to rest and have a bite ourselves. Tao Xi, come over here.”

Once the masters’ food had been sent out, what remained was for their own consumption. Tao Xi placed the peeled sweet potatoes in a basin, planning to mash them into a paste later to make the cakes.

Soon, the cooks all went outside the shed to eat, leaving only the sound of water bubbling on the stove, steaming a tray of “Crystal Linglong” buns.

The Hidden Watcher

In a nearby tree, Meimei sat cross-legged deep within the branches, resting with her eyes closed.

Because of her special identity, she could only follow the group secretly. She could have returned to the capital first, but remembering the conversation she overheard regarding Lin Yulang’s intentions, she felt things wouldn’t end so simply. Thus, she stayed.

During the day, the Black Egg lacked vitality without the moonlight. It lay deep inside Meimei’s sleeve, fast asleep.

Though she disliked it, she couldn’t drive it away. Meimei had no choice but to let it stay there, as long as it didn’t cause trouble.

The kitchen shed was close by, and the aroma was pervasive. Meimei was trying her best to resist the temptation of the food when she suddenly heard a hissing sound.

It sounded like a snake flicking its tongue.

Detecting something unusual, Meimei snapped her eyes open. She saw a small patterned snake slithering out of the grass beneath the tree, its tail slightly upturned.

Meimei quietly gripped her sword hilt, watching as the snake slid into the wooden shed.

The Unlikely Encounter

The Deinagkistrodon (Sharp-nosed pit viper) followed the scent until she finally found the source.

It was a nest of eggs next to the tray of Crystal Linglong buns.

Jiang Wenwen quickly snatched an egg in her mouth and was about to turn and leave when she noticed the buns.

Curious, she climbed up and used her tail to pry open the steaming wooden lid. Inside were freshly steamed crystal buns, exquisite and delicate. This familiar feeling compelled her to steal one.

Normally, snakes only eat live prey. However, Jiang Wenwen had lived among humans for a time, so she could accept human food especially these buns, which were very familiar to her.

Ignoring the heat of the fresh bun, Jiang Wenwen bit through the translucent skin. Rich, savory juice overflowed, and the aroma filled the air. She squinted her eyes in enjoyment, it was a familiar taste!

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind. Jiang Wenwen didn’t have time to escape, and because she had been greedy, her arms (metaphorically) were full of eggs and buns.

Left with no choice, she shifted into her human form with a “shush.”

Just as she transformed, a strange peach blossom petal red as blood, fell at her feet.

“Who are you? Why are you here?” It was Tao Xi who entered. She saw several of the buns she had worked so hard to steam were gone, and the eggs she had prepared for the dough were missing as well.

This was a royal encampment surrounded by guards. Tao Xi found it hard to imagine how an old woman like this had gotten in.

Standing before her was a wizened old woman leaning on a cane, her face covered in wrinkles. This was the appearance Jiang Wenwen used whenever she traveled the human world.

The old woman spoke, her voice sounding ancient, “Little girl, don’t you recognize me? Years ago, during the famine in the countryside, I fled to your village as a refugee. It was you who gave me food.”

Tao Xi moved closer and looked carefully, and a faint memory began to surface. “Is it really you, Granny? Why are you here?”

Jiang Wenwen chuckled, revealing a toothless mouth. “I smelled a familiar scent and snuck in. One taste, and I knew it was your handiwork!”

Tao Xi rubbed her hair, thinking this old lady was quite a miraculous person. Back then, Tao Xi was just a small child playing in the mud under a peach tree. This granny had passed by her door, seeing her in rags and looking famished, Tao Xi had quickly brought her a bowl of water.

The granny told her she had fled from a famine-stricken land and hadn’t eaten in a long time. Tao Xi had then dragged over a small stool, stood in front of her family’s stove, and cooked a pot of noodles for her. The old woman had eaten every last bit.

After that day, the old woman came almost daily to beg for food. Tao Xi, who was practicing her culinary skills at the time, satisfied her every request. Once they became familiar, the old woman began to critique her cooking, and eventually, she even gifted Tao Xi a manual of recipes.

It was by relying on this very manual that Tao Xi eventually made a name for herself throughout the countryside. She was later recruited by the Eastern Palace and successfully entered the imperial court for service, an unmatched honor for the people of her hometown.

Once Tao Xi entered the Eastern Palace, she never saw the old woman again. Counting back, it had been over a dozen years. To meet her again now and find that the old lady was still living a long life, mobile and clear headed was a shock.

Jiang Wenwen looked at her with a beaming smile. Sensing Tao Xi’s confusion, she chuckled inwardly but maintained an air of mystery. “I received guidance from a master and was able to extend my years. You needn’t find it strange.”

Tao Xi uttered an “oh” and dropped the subject. She hurriedly plated more buns and set them before Jiang Wenwen. “Granny, if you like them, these are all for you. But if you want to find me, just come openly, there’s no need to be so secretive.”

As Jiang Wenwen cheerfully began devouring the buns, she muttered indistinctly, “Well, I wasn’t sure if you were really here.”

During their conversation, the others returned. Seeing a strange old woman gorging herself on food, they were all struck with curiosity. Tao Xi explained that the woman was her mentor and begged the other cooks not to spread the word.

“Tao Xi, if you want to keep her with us on the journey, you must speak with Her Majesty the Empress and get her permission,” the head cook said, glancing at the woman who looked like she had one foot in the grave. “But seeing as she’s so old and can’t do any work, it’s better to find a place to settle her down. The Palace is no place for her.”

Tao Xi understood this in her heart, bringing her into the Palace was nearly impossible. However, she knew no one in the capital and had nowhere to place her. She looked at Jiang Wenwen with difficulty. “Granny, do you have any family?”

“It’s alright, I can take care of myself. It’s just that once you’re in the Palace, it’s hard to see you. Being able to accompany you on this stretch of the road is enough,” Jiang Wenwen said, stuffing the last Crystal Linglong bun into her mouth. she licked the corners of her lips wistfully, though she was really just pining for the food.

“How about this: come with me to plead for mercy from the Empress!” Tao Xi made up her mind.

Jiang Wenwen had returned with the intent of playing among mortals anyway, so any arrangement was fine as long as there was good food and fun to be had. She stood up shakily. Seeing this, Tao Xi hurried forward to support her arm.

Suddenly, a peach blossom petal drifted down, landing right on the tip of Jiang Wenwen’s foot. It burned with a searing pain, as if a heavy iron weight had smashed down.

That damned peach blossom again! Jiang Wenwen’s eyes twitched. Since she first met this little cook, she had been unable to touch her. Every time the beautiful cook reached out to touch her, these dead blossoms would suddenly appear, making her whole body ache.

As if avoiding a venomous snake, Jiang Wenwen recoiled from Tao Xi’s hand. “No need, no need! I can walk myself.” Only then did the burning pain in her toe fade.

Jiang Wenwen trembled as she followed behind Tao Xi, not daring to let a single stray thought enter her mind.

The Peach Blossom Demon gave a cold snort and settled back to sleep peacefully inside the peach blossom hairpin on Tao Xi’s head.

The Scene at the Phoenix Carriage

When they reached the Phoenix Carriage, Yan Mo was directing the palace maids to clear away the food and dishes. The carriage itself was quiet.

“Auntie Yan Mo, I have a request for Her Majesty. I wonder if you could pass word?” Tao Xi stepped forward and spoke respectfully.

Yan Mo finished instructing the last maid before turning to look at the two of them. “The Empress is not here. If you have something to say, you can discuss it with me.”

Tao Xi pointed to the old woman beside her. “This is my mentor who was once kind to me. She came to seek me out today. She has no family or kin, and now that she is old and has nowhere to go, I wonder if…”

Jiang Wenwen stood there, staring blankly at the woman before her. Her features were gentle and her eyes soft, she was completely entranced.

It’s her. It’s definitely her.

Before Tao Xi could finish her sentence, Jiang Wenwen suddenly pulled out a handkerchief and began weeping into it. “Kind lady, please have pity on me…”

Yan Mo frowned slightly. Watching the blubbering old woman, her expression turned cold. “Enough. You are before the Phoenix Carriage, how dare you be so insolent with your wailing?”

Guess that trick won’t work, Jiang Wenwen thought. Still as rigid and old-fashioned as ever!

Enduring the tingling pain in her toes, Jiang Wenwen hobbled a step forward, suddenly dropped to her knees, and lunged to grab Yan Mo’s leg. “Please take me in!”

Tao Xi’s face turned white with fright. “Granny! You mustn’t lose your manners before Auntie Yan Mo! She is a favorite of the Empress!”

Jiang Wenwen didn’t care. She clung to Yan Mo’s leg with a death grip.

The gentle expression on Yan Mo’s face finally cracked. Heavens, in all her years, she had never encountered something so maddening. Yet, because the other party was an elderly lady, she couldn’t exactly kick her away.

Yan Mo looked at Tao Xi, repressing her breakdown. “Quickly, pull her off!”

But this “snake” was determined to stick to her!

Just then, Liu Qinglan and the Beautiful Empress returned from their post-meal stroll by the stream. Liu Qinglan was holding a sprig of foxtail grass, chatting and laughing excitedly with Xie Xuanzhao.

Xie Xuanzhao appeared calm and composed, but the smile and tenderness in her eyes betrayed her true mood. As the two approached, they quickly spotted the farce taking place in front of the carriage.

Liu Qinglan caught the familiar scent of the Sharp nosed Pit Viper. Looking at the old woman desperately hugging a young lady’s leg, the foxtail grass in her hand suddenly drooped.

Xie Xuanzhao frowned in confusion, her voice cool: “What is going on here?”

Yan Mo could no longer force her usual gentle smile. She looked helplessly at the Empress, her eyes screaming “Save me.” Tao Xi, meanwhile, was tugging at the unmoving Jiang Wenwen while trembling under the gaze of the mistress of the Harem.

Jiang Wenwen began communicating with Liu Qinglan using her demon powers: “Keep me here, hurry!”

Liu Qinglan: “…Let me have a moment of silence.”

Jiang Wenwen: “Consider it payback for me helping you last night!”

Liu Qinglan: “…I still need a moment of silence.”

Jiang Wenwen: “If you don’t, I’ll turn back into a snake and crawl into the Empress’s bed every single night!”

Liu Qinglan snapped back to reality. With a face full of feigned shock, she lunged forward, grabbed Jiang Wenwen’s arm, and shouted a title that nearly made Jiang Wenwen cough up blood:

“Mother!”