On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 49

Liu Qinglan let out a soft “Hmm?” as she suddenly recalled that night under the peach blossoms, watching with her own eyes as that mass of black energy transformed into an egg.

What is this Infant Soul energy doing, of all things, seducing a Sharp Nosed Viper!

She immediately said, “I’ll go take a look!” She prayed in her heart that Jiang Wenwen hadn’t run into any trouble.

Xie Xuanzhao was also curious as to how a large white cat could be led away by an egg. She followed close behind Liu Qinglan. “I’m not at ease with you going alone. It’s better if we go together as companions.”

Seeing that the Empress had also been alerted, Tao Xi hurriedly reminded them, “But the procession is about to depart. If both Your Majesties go…”

Xie Xuanzhao signaled for Liu Qinglan not to rush off just yet. She turned to Tao Xi and said, “Go back first. Do not spread word of the disappearance of Concubine Yue’s mother.”

Having delivered the message, Tao Xi bowed and took her leave.

Liu Qinglan suddenly realized that a grown human being lured away by an egg was a bizarre tale, yet why did the beautiful Empress not seem surprised at all?

She couldn’t help but ask, “Sister Empress, why aren’t you asking why my mother would be lured away by an egg?”

Xie Xuanzhao had been preoccupied with her own curiosity. Because she knew they were spirits (yaos), she found any strange or eccentric occurrence perfectly reasonable. She immediately arched an eyebrow and said in a tone of feigned wonder, “It is quite strange, isn’t it?”

The little kitten spirit stared intensely at the solemn Empress: Why do I feel like you don’t find this strange at all?!

Fearing further questioning, Xie Xuanzhao grabbed her wrist. “I’ll go with you in a moment. We’ll leave Yan Mo to watch over things here. I’ll go fetch a horse, you go tell Lu Lu to guard this place and make sure no one notices you’ve left.”

Liu Qinglan hadn’t thought things through so meticulously, so she immediately did as told.

Xie Xuanzhao rolled up her sleeves and prepared two sets of outfits suitable for riding. She then commanded the Xie Family Army to keep the secret, telling them to turn a blind eye and let them out, promising they would return shortly. In the meantime, no word was to be breathed.

The Xie Family Army obeyed without question. Though they had doubts, they dared not disobey, quietly allowing the two to depart along the riverbank.

Yan Mo and Lu Lu stood guard by the Phoenix Carriage, pretending the two consorts were still inside.

The procession soon set off. Lu Lu anxiously lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out, but seeing no sign of their return, she couldn’t help but ask, “Where on earth did Concubine Yue go with the Empress? They are always stuck together, the more I look, the stranger it seems!”

Yan Mo gave a low cough. “We shouldn’t meddle in the masters’ affairs. Just serve them with all our hearts.”

Lu Lu could only sigh, waiting with a worried face for her lady’s return.

Meanwhile, Yan Mo spread out some xuan paper, brought out her prepared painting tools, and began to paint with furrowed brows. Though the carriage swayed slightly, it didn’t hinder her steady hand.

Lu Lu was gradually drawn in, leaning closer to watch as she slowly outlined the silhouette of a cat.

“So cute.” Lu Lu’s hand moved restlessly against the edge of the paper; she was nearly pouncing on it.

As Yan Mo finished the long tail with a final stroke, she said, “This is the Empress’s favorite cat.”

Lu Lu leaned in for a closer look, tilting her head in confusion. “But, I don’t think it looks like Snowball.”

She had seen the Empress holding Snowball at Chenxin Palace and knew its tail wasn’t this long, nor was it quite this adorable.

Yan Mo’s lips curled into a smile. “You have a good eye. This indeed isn’t Snowball. It seems this cat has a special destiny with the Empress; it appears often but vanishes just as quickly. Her Majesty misses it dearly, so I thought I’d paint a ‘Cat Playing with Butterflies’ so she can see it every day.”

Lu Lu was filled with admiration, her eyes sparkling. “No wonder Auntie Yan Mo is so trusted by the Empress. If only I had a fraction of your thoughtfulness.” She then pointed at the painting. “Why haven’t you painted the eyes?”

Yan Mo set down the ink brush and picked up a cinnabar one. “This cat has green eyes. As the saying goes, ‘adding the eyes brings the dragon to life.’ I don’t want to use ordinary stone blue, it wouldn’t capture its mystical agility. But malachite is hard to find on the road, so I’ll have to finish it back at the palace.”

Lu Lu tilted her head, listening in a daze. Terms like “stone blue” and “malachite” were foreign to her, but her eyes continued to shine. “Yan Mo, you’re amazing! You know so much!”

Yan Mo coughed softly. “It’s nothing, really. The Empress taught me all of this. If you had grown up by her side as I did, you would know these things too.”

Lu Lu suddenly clapped her hands, saying joyfully, “My name is a color! See? It must be fate!”

“It is quite a coincidence.” Yan Mo thought about it; her own name contained “Ink” (Mo), and the other’s was “Green” (Lu).

She smiled gently. “Since we share such fate, I’ll teach you how to paint today!”

Lu Lu’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? You’re really willing to teach me? I’m very clumsy.”

“It’s fine. It’s just to pass the time. Don’t be nervous, we can practice on scrap paper first. I’ll teach you to draw butterflies they’re simple. Later, we can add them to the painting. We can finish this ‘Cat Playing with Butterflies’ together, what do you think?” Though she asked, Yan Mo had already tucked the brush into Lu Lu’s hand.

Lu Lu held it with excitement. “This is my first time holding a brush!”

“Painting requires a calm heart, just like writing. Don’t get too excited.” Yan Mo watched her with amusement, her hand gently covering Lu Lu’s. “Follow my lead, stroke by stroke.”

Surrounded by a faint scent of ink, Lu Lu’s palms began to sweat, and her heart started to throb. She didn’t know what was happening to her.

The scenery along the riverbank was beautiful. In the distance, maple leaves turned half the mountain red, nearby, autumn wildflowers bloomed by the stream.

A whip lashed out nimbly, curling around a flower and pulling it back into a pair of slender, fair hands.

“Do you like it?” Xie Xuanzhao sat on horseback, looking at the little beauty ahead who was sniffing the flower.

Liu Qinglan nodded happily, not at all looking like someone searching for her “suffering” mother.

Xie Xuanzhao smiled. She had spirited the girl away just to catch some fresh air, with only the two of them.

She flicked the whip again, this time gathering several blossoms into a bouquet and placing them into Liu Qinglan’s arms.

Within moments, Liu Qinglan was cradling a large bundle of autumn flowers. The fragrance was intoxicating. She sniffed each one, taking deep breaths, and nodded solemnly. “They’re so fragrant!”

“And why are they so fragrant?” Xie Xuanzhao teased.

Liu Qinglan replied earnestly, “Because they were given by the beautiful Empress~”

Smack! Xie Xuanzhao kissed the little beauty’s cheek, wanting to pull her into a tight embrace. “Then give me a smile.”

Liu Qinglan leaned her head back and curved her eyes at her.

Xie Xuanzhao held the reins with one hand, set down the whip, and gently poked the soft, white cheek. “The kind of smile with little dimples.”

The little spirit obediently grinned, showing a row of snowy white teeth and even making a little crunch-crunch biting motion. Xie Xuanzhao couldn’t help but laugh, poking the flickering dimple. “Mischievous~”

“Speaking of which… where is your mother?” The Empress, lost in their private world, finally remembered the mission at hand!

Liu Qinglan sat up straight in an instant, her face awkward. “Ahem, right. Where is my mother?”

If Xie Xuanzhao didn’t know they were spirits, she would have thought the girl was unfilial. She also gave an awkward cough, she had forgotten her mother-in-law as well. Heavens forgive her.

At this moment, Jiang Wenwen was pitifully suffering the cold rejection of her “sister.”

Jiang Wenwen asked tentatively again, “Then… can you give this egg to me?”

The black egg immediately hopped onto the “sister’s” shoulder, making a very fierce “little girl” face!

The sister’s expression remained indifferent. “That depends on its own wishes. I am nobody to it.”

Jiang Wenwen wiped away tears. “Pity this old woman, with no kin and now being despised. Where shall I go in the future…”

When she peeked from behind her handkerchief to see the reaction, she found the person and the egg were already gone!

Jiang Wenwen scrambled up. Despite her aged appearance, she moved like the wind, chasing after them. “Wait for me! Don’t abandon me again!”

Not far away, Xie Xuanzhao pulled the reins, listening intently. “Is someone shouting?”

Liu Qinglan’s ears were sharp; she had already heard it and could even smell the snake spirit aura of Jiang Wenwen. “My mother seems to be nearby. Let’s head over!” Judging by the voice, she sounded energetic; Jiang Wenwen should be fine.

As they approached, Liu Qinglan used her spirit power to signal Jiang Wenwen that they had arrived.

Jiang Wenwen could only sit down, helplessly watching the sister and the egg disappear into the thicket.

Xie Xuanzhao arrived on horseback and soon spotted the large white cat sitting on a grass pile. She dismounted, then caught Liu Qinglan as she hopped down, ensuring she landed safely before walking over together.

Jiang Wenwen was in no mood to watch these two show off their affection. She let out a deep sigh.

“Mother, what are you doing sitting here? Where is that egg?” Liu Qinglan asked.

Jiang Wenwen played dumb. “Egg? What egg?”

“Then why did you just wander off, making the Empress and me search everywhere?” Liu Qinglan said this aloud, while using her spirit power to scold internally: You little flower snake, you’re making this cat worry too much!

Jiang Wenwen shot her a look: Oh ho, look who’s talking about being a handful.

Liu Qinglan was calm: The beautiful Empress gives me the right.

Jiang Wenwen: Go away. I don’t want to see your lovey-dovey acts. I need to heal my wounds.

Liu Qinglan was shocked: You’re injured?

Jiang Wenwen was deadpan: A broken heart.

Thus, Liu Qinglan spoke up, “Mother doesn’t seem to want to return with us, but you are old now. We can’t be at ease leaving you alone out here. Right, Sister Empress?”

In front of the mother, Xie Xuanzhao boldly pulled the little beauty by her fragrant shoulders and nodded firmly.

Jiang Wenwen just wanted to cry. Enough is enough! You’re getting more and more out of hand! I haven’t even held anyone’s hand yet!

Seeing the mother remain unmoved, seeming to acquiesce to her intimacy with her lovely daughter. Xie Xuanzhao felt a surge of secret triumph. She said sincerely, “We are here to take you back. There are wild beasts in these mountains, it’s better to return early.”

Otherwise, you might get carried off.

Jiang Wenwen turned her head away, looking like a stubborn child. “I don’t need you to escort me. I’ll go back myself!”

“How can we be at ease then?” Xie Xuanzhao mused, then said, “How about this: I’ll have my people escort you back.”

Jiang Wenwen immediately turned to her. “Your people?” Wasn’t Yan Mo her subordinate?!

“Yes, there are Xie Family soldiers nearby. I will dispatch a few to escort you all the way back to the procession.” Xie Xuanzhao observed her reaction and added pointedly, “Once you are back, Yan Mo will take good care of you.”

Jiang Wenwen stood up immediately, not forgetting to act shaky. “Arrange it quickly, arrange it quickly.”

Watching from the side, Liu Qinglan rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Miss Yan Mo, I am so sorry!