On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 5

Back at Yuefei Palace, Lu Lu couldn’t wait to speak up: “My Lady, didn’t we agree to give the Empress a show of force?!”

Lu Lu looked righteous, gripping her little fists.

Liu Qinglan, having achieved her own objective, was happy enough to hum a tune. Now, being questioned by Lu Lu, she suddenly remembered the task the Emperor had given her.

Today, when she went out to the Empress’s Chenxin Palace, the Emperor had specially dispatched over ten palace servants to boost her presence, and instructed her to take her time and not rush.

The stage was set, but the results were not entirely satisfactory.

Liu Qinglan scratched her head and guiltily lowered her gaze.

Seeing her shoulders slumped, Lu Lu grew a little bolder and said, “And, My Lady, how could you volunteer to go to the Empress’s residence to learn the rules?!”

Liu Qinglan looked up, curious, “What’s wrong?”

“Nanny Gao from Chenxin Palace is notoriously strict and ruthless! How many young palace maids have suffered under her, crying all day long!” Lu Lu emphasized, “Nanny Gao is most loyal to the Empress. You are now the Empress’s arch nemesis, so she must have many methods ready for you!”

Liu Qinglan’s ears twitched, “Huh? How am I the Empress’s arch-nemesis?”

“We met today, and didn’t we get along great! The Empress looked so gentle toward me!”

Fine, that was just the effect of the talisman.

Thinking of this, Liu Qinglan’s ears drooped again, looking dejected.

Seeing her resemble a wilted eggplant, Lu Lu thought she had finally been intimidated by her words. So, striking while the iron was hot, she softened her tone and said, “However, you are now the Emperor’s most favored concubine. It’s just a matter of saying one word if you don’t want to go. Even if you don’t learn the rules, it doesn’t matter.”

Liu Qinglan rubbed her fingers, “Wouldn’t that be bad?”

She chose to come down the mountain to the human world because she wanted to learn human rules and become a human.

Lu Lu was very firm, “My Lady, you absolutely must not chicken out. If you do, everyone will come and bully you.”

Liu Qinglan immediately straightened her back. She had demonic power; she was very confident!

After everyone had dispersed, Xie Xuanzhao still sat in her spot. A faint scent of rouge lingered in the air.

Yan Mo walked over holding Xueduan and placed it in Xie Xuanzhao’s arms.

The cat, having just woken up, lazily lay on the beauty’s lap. Its deep blue eyes suddenly narrowed its pupils into needle like slits.

It caught a whiff of a scent in the air, very similar to its own kind.

The cat immediately felt like its territory was being invaded. Its snow-white paws gently tightened their grip on its owner’s clothes, fearing abandonment.

As imperial cats, their competition was fierce, and being abandoned by their master could happen in a minute.

Xie Xuanzhao gently stroked the cat’s white fur with her fingers, her expression, however, was cold and glamorous.

“Yan Mo, go and investigate the background of this Consort Yue. Also, go and summon Attendant Yu.”

She had noticed Attendant Yu looked haggard earlier and wanted to ask about her recent condition, but Consort Yue’s arrival had interrupted her.

Yan Mo left to follow the command.

With no one else in the front hall except the attending palace maids, Xie Xuanzhao slowly calmed down.

She had witnessed the infighting and schemes in the inner courts of large families since she was young, and marrying into the royal family meant facing even more complicated situations. Therefore, she didn’t believe there was anyone truly as pure as a blank sheet of paper in this land.

This Consort Yue must be something.

Xie Xuanzhao’s expression hardened. She absolutely could not be misled by the other party’s beauty.

Her performance today was too relaxed; she ought to reflect and be vigilant.

Xie Xuanzhao slowly stood up and walked out of the front hall.

By the red-wood corridor were several pots of freshly bloomed peonies, rich and luxurious.

She stood in front of the flower pots, gazing at the layers of the palace grounds beneath her feet.

As the legitimate Empress, Chenxin Palace was situated high up, second only to the Emperor’s sleeping quarters.

Therefore, from where Xie Xuanzhao stood, she could overlook the six concubine palaces.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed. The newly favored concubine was not her real worry; what truly troubled her was the person behind the scenes who was tattling and betraying her.

Xie Xuanzhao knew she had cared for the concubines under her charge and never unreasonably chastised them, yet she didn’t expect to still arouse some people’s discontent.

She was too naive, forgetting that they were ultimately destined to be in opposing positions.

Xie Xuanzhao sighed. If she had a compatible and agreeable person by her side for companionship, her life wouldn’t be so dull and tasteless.

In the afternoon, Liu Qinglan used the excuse of being too tired and needing a nap. Lu Lu didn’t doubt her, lowered the curtain, and stood guard at the door to let her rest in peace.

When everything was quiet, Liu Qinglan swiftly changed back into her original form and lightly jumped out of the window.

She moved silently, crossing the courtyard, crawling through a dog hole, and eventually reaching the beautiful cook.

As a mountain demon, Liu Qinglan was used to eating fresh plants, so she wasn’t very keen on human food cooked with various seasonings.

She still preferred plants glistening with morning dew. Except for melon seeds, of course.

The beautiful cook Taoxi’s room was in a secluded corner of the Imperial Kitchen. Because Taoxi was responsible for preparing special dishes for the various consorts, mainly making pastries and sweet soups, her room was not as strictly guarded as the front rooms.

Liu Qinglan quickly spotted the peach tree.

Because it possessed spiritual energy, the peach tree was lush, green, and vibrant. Beneath the dense leaves were small, greenish peaches, quite adorable.

And the reason this peach tree was growing so robustly was entirely thanks to the Peach Blossom Demon possessing it.

Liu Qinglan’s attention was completely captured by the peach tree. She used her claws to push aside the branches and finally saw the Peach Blossom Demon’s true form.

A single, vibrant, pink peach blossom bloomed proudly on the branch, never fading throughout the year.

Feeling someone staring at it, the little Peach Blossom Demon slowly opened its hazy eyes, its face full of charm and allure, like a spring breeze in the spring.

Liu Qinglan curled her long tail and stood on two feet, squatting on the branch, letting the falling peach blossoms scatter all over her.

Standing high up, Xie Xuanzhao unintentionally caught a glimpse of this scene.

On a branch of a lush green tree stood a snow-white cat. Peach blossoms, fluttering all over the sky, fell all over it. Green and white, white and red, the entire world seemed to be imbued with the charm and romance of spring.

Xie Xuanzhao felt her breathing shallow. This magnificent sight seemed to have walked out of a painting, feeling unreal.

She had lived so many years, seen countless palace landscapes, yet had never encountered a scene like this.

Especially that snow white cat. Its fur was glossy and dense, sleek and smooth, white as the first snow of early winter.

Xie Xuanzhao blinked, thinking to herself: Whose palace pet is this? I’ve never seen it before.