On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 65

The statement sent shockwaves through the imperial court. Ministers whispered frantically, their voices filling the hall with a low roar of speculation.

Prince Ding, his face twisted in irony, spoke up. “Her Majesty the Queen claims the late Emperor has a posthumous child. May I ask which concubine it is? Has the Imperial Physician verified this? Is there a record in the Imperial Diaries?”

Xie Xuanzhao stood composed at the head of the hall. “Yesterday, Physician Zhang examined Consort Yue and found her to be four months pregnant. According to the timeline, the conception would have occurred during the hunt at Mount Huo. The attendants have checked the diaries, the Emperor did indeed summon Consort Yue during that period. Many in the palace witnessed it.”

Prince Ding’s expression stiffened, momentarily speechless. While it was no secret the Emperor preferred the company of men, he still maintained a vast harem of beauties. As outsiders, they couldn’t truly know the inner workings of the Emperor’s private life.

Physician Zhang, who had been waiting outside, was summoned. He entered, knelt in greeting, and then addressed the assembly: “Consort Yue is indeed four months pregnant.”

The court erupted in clamor once again.

Xie Xuanzhao signaled for silence. “Gentlemen, since the late Emperor has an heir, we must naturally wait. We shall wait for Consort Yue to give birth to the child before establishing a new monarch.”

“Consort Yue carries the dragon seed, but we do not know if it is a princess or a prince,” Prince Ding interjected impatiently. “If it is a princess, what does Your Majesty intend to do?”

Xie Xuanzhao did not answer directly. “We shall discuss that once the child is born. For now, are there any further objections?”

“We obey the Queen’s command. We shall wait for the birth of the new monarch,” the ministers echoed in unison. Prince Ding was left with no choice but to concede.

Shortly after, Xie Xuanzhao moved Liu Qinglan into Chenxin Palace under the pretext of caring for the royal heir. She also ordered the Xie family to find suitable midwives to be on standby.

Yan Mo, waiting by her side after the arrangements were finalized, reported: “As you ordered, Your Majesty, the other concubines have been sent to the imperial temple in the suburbs under the guise of vegetarian prayer. New identities have been arranged for them; they are now free to marry as they wish.”

Xie Xuanzhao nodded, her fingers tracing the fabric of a newly tailored Empress Dowager robe. “Have the Internal Affairs Bureau prepare two sets. Order the second one to fit Consort Yue’s measurements. Tell them that as the mother of the new sovereign, there will be two Empress Dowagers in the palace, East and West.”

Yan Mo bowed quickly. “Understood.”

Under Xie Xuanzhao’s management over the past fortnight, the palace quickly returned to a state of calm. As the concubines departed, the number of maids exceeded what was necessary. Xie Xuanzhao took the opportunity to issue an edict releasing all palace maids of marriageable age. Suddenly, the vast palace felt much quieter.

Standing on high, Xie Xuanzhao looked out over the court she had governed for years. She smiled, satisfied. This palace would finally become a true home for her and Liu Qinglan, the two rightful mistresses of the inner court.

Hearing footsteps, she turned to see Liu Qinglan walking toward her with a sweet smile. Xie Xuanzhao’s eyes softened. She reached out, drawing Liu Qinglan to her side as they gazed at the scenery together.

“Qinglan, though others saw you as a favored consort before, you never truly received the treatment you deserved,” Xie Xuanzhao said seriously, taking her hand and pulling her into an embrace. “From now on, you are the true mistress of this palace. I will make sure you know what it means to be truly cherished.”

Liu Qinglan leaned against her, filled with joy. “As long as I can stay by your side, my life is complete~”

During Liu’s “pregnancy,” Xie Xuanzhao ruled from behind the curtain while the head of the Xie family served as regent. With all outsiders cleared out, everything ran like clockwork.

As the woman carrying the future ruler, Liu Qinglan became the most protected person in the empire. Every morning, physicians checked on her, and the imperial kitchen consulted her on every meal. These updates were shared with the court to keep the ministers at ease.

Liu Qinglan spent her days lying on a soft couch by the parasol trees in Chenxin Palace, tasting sweets made by Tao Xi, wrapped in warm blankets under the golden sun. Even the chatty Lu Lu had been kept busy by Yan Mo, leaving Liu in blissful peace.

Since the night they shared the “Child Bearing Peach,” Liu had felt a change, as if something had taken root and sprouted inside her. Xie Xuanzhao, who knew a bit of medicine, found the pulse changed every single day.

“Our Fei Fei species has a short gestation,” Liu guessed. “We give birth in three or four months. One day of pregnancy for us is like several days for humans.”

Xie Xuanzhao pondered this, remembering the night of the hunt when a snake demon had taken Liu’s form to “serve” the Emperor. She calculated the dates. “Qinglan, can you use your magic to make your pulse appear as though you are four months pregnant?”

“That’s easy,” Liu replied.

And so, the scene in the court with Physician Zhang had been perfectly orchestrated.

One evening, as the winter sun set in hues of gold, Xie Xuanzhao returned to Chenxin Palace. She found Liu Qinglan asleep on the couch, a half-finished embroidery of a baby’s red bib lying nearby.

Xie Xuanzhao picked up the fabric, smiling at the crooked stitches. She sat beside the sleeping “cat,” removed the fan covering her face, and kissed her lightly on her slightly rounded belly. In the spring, when the flowers bloom, I will hold our child, she thought, her heart overflowing with anticipation.

She picked up the needle and continued the embroidery where Liu had left off. The finished bib would be a collaborative effort: half crooked and clumsy, half delicate and fine, a gift from both mothers.

When the moon rose, Xie Xuanzhao lifted Liu in a bridal carry. Liu woke slightly, rubbing her eyes. “Put me down, I can walk,” she murmured.

“Let me hold you while I still can,” Xie Xuanzhao whispered. “In another month, I might not be able to lift you.”

At the palace gates, Yan Mo stood with Lu Lu, watching a figure prepare to leave. It was Yan Mo’s twin sister, her shadow who had lived in the darkness for over a decade.

Now that the palace was safe and belonged truly to Xie Xuanzhao, the shadow had made a request: “I want to go out and see the world. To travel the rivers and lakes alone. I hope the Mistress will grant me this wish.”

Xie Xuanzhao had agreed without hesitation. “You have no name. From the moment you walk out, you are no longer Yan Mo’s shadow. You are yourself. I give you the name ‘Ling’.”

Under the willow tree by the gate, the two identical sisters smiled at each other.

Lu Lu looked on in shock. “This is… your twin?”

The sister reached out, her expression cold but serene. “Hello. My name is Ling.”