On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 66

Greeny hurriedly and sincerely reached out to shake fingertips with her.

“Come back to see the Miss every year, and send word that you are safe while on the road. If anything happens, write back,” Yan Mo instructed from the side, not quite at ease. “It would be best if you had a companion to look after one another.”

Ling withdrew her hand and nodded. “I’m leaving.”

Her sleeves fluttered in the cold, biting winter wind. As the younger sister stepped out of the palace gates, the Black Egg hopped out from her sleeve, taking a deep breath of the cold, crisp air. “Finally out! It was suffocating staying in there.”

Ling strode forward, her mood joyful and her steps light. Hearing Black Egg’s words, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile, for those words mirrored her own feelings.

“Let’s go.” Without looking back, she strode toward the city gates, heading off to wander the world.

Black Egg hopped, tumbled, and crawled along the way, chasing after her footsteps from behind. “Wait for me!”

Yan Mo stood under the willow tree, watching her sister’s receding back until she was out of sight. Only then did she turn to the curious Greeny and say, “Let’s go back. After the Ladies have retired for the night, I will explain it to you.”

Greeny swallowed her questions and followed Yan Mo back to Chenxin Palace, looking back with every step.

The two masters of the palace were still dining. Liu the Little Temptress, who was currently nurturing a pregnancy, found her tastes leaning more and more toward her original nature, she liked eating dried small fish, fresh meat, and sweet, fragrant corn.

Xie Xuanzhao had consulted the imperial physicians, since these foods were perfectly fine, she felt at ease letting Little Cat Liu eat her fill.

Liu Qinglan leaned against the beautiful Empress, her legs resting leisurely on the soft couch and her hands clutching a small hand-warmer. She peacefully enjoyed the delicacies the Empress fed her with chopsticks.

Watching her gobble up the food mouthful by mouthful, Xie Xuanzhao’s sparkling phoenix eyes overflowed with love and gratification. “Our Little Cat is so good, eating so obediently with such a great appetite.”

Feeling the warmth from the heater seep into her abdomen, Liu Qinglan’s little tail perked up proudly. “Of course! I have to raise the little cubs. I must eat a lot to grow them big, white, and chubby, okay?”

Xie Xuanzhao leaned down to shower her lips with kisses like raindrops, licking away the residual meat sauce. “Yes, yes, yes. Little Cat is the best.”

In the leisure of pregnancy, the sweet days flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve.

The palace had already prepared the reunion dinner and fireworks. Xie Xuanzhao arranged everything properly before returning from the front hall.

“Because of the national mourning, New Year’s Eve isn’t being celebrated grandly this year, everything is simplified,” Yan Mo reported. “The palace servants have already gone back for the holidays. Your Grace should also rest early.”

Xie Xuanzhao nodded and looked at Yan Mo. “Yan Mo, how long has it been since we returned to the Xie family home?”

Yan Mo paused, then said, “It has been about four or five years.”

“It’s been that long already.” Xie Xuanzhao stood up. “Let us prepare. We are going back to the Xie residence for the reunion night.”

Under the warm canopy, Liu Qinglan, who had slept all afternoon, was sitting on the bedding with a needle and thread, clumsily sewing small clothes for a doll.

Xie Xuanzhao sat on the edge of the bed and watched her needlework, laughing helplessly. “You’ve practiced for so long, yet your cat paws are still so clumsy.”

The Little Temptress put down the needle and scratched her ear. “These paws of mine are for catching fish and bugs. It’s already good enough that I can even pick up such a thin embroidery needle.”

“Take your time with the needlework. Let’s get ready and head to the Xie residence.” Xie Xuanzhao helped her up and carefully changed her into casual clothes.

Liu Qinglan’s waistline had filled out slightly, and with the good food lately, she had become quite plump and radiant. Her eyes gradually took on a hint of charm and maturity; because she was becoming a mother, her demeanor had also become much steadier.

However, in front of the beautiful Empress, she was still a vibrant and adorable young girl.

Xie Xuanzhao gently pinched her chubby cheek, the texture was excellent. “The Xie residence is where I grew up. My maiden chamber is still kept for me, we will stay there tonight.”

Liu Qinglan let the Empress help her into her sleeves and asked curiously, “Who else is at the residence besides your elder brother?”

“The Xie family is a large clan. My uncle’s family lives adjacent to us. The main house is now headed by my elder brother. He is not yet married, so he is currently the sole head of the household.” Finally, Xie Xuanzhao placed a fluffy, snow white hat on her. “It’s snowing tonight. Dress warmly, we are leaving now.”

Yan Mo had already arranged the travel. Since it was a low-profile trip, no one was notified.

Sitting in a delicate, fragrant carriage and escorted by Xie family guards, Xie Xuanzhao and Liu Qinglan passed through streets and alleys before finally arriving at the gates of the Xie residence.

Fine snow fluttered down. Every household in the capital had their doors closed for the festival, leaving the streets quiet. Red plum blossoms bloomed by the roadside, their deep vermilion petals releasing a faint, lingering fragrance.

Xie Xuanzhao jumped down from the carriage and reached out to help Liu Qinglan down, standing with her before the Great Gate of the Xie residence.

The stone lions at the door were already covered in a layer of white snow, which shimmered under the light of the glass lanterns, clear and cold.

The Xie residence was a century old aristocratic estate, solemn and ancient, quiet and stable. The trees planted in the courtyards were lush and tall, reaching straight into the dark sky.

Sensing the scent of vegetation, Liu Qinglan was delighted. She followed the beautiful Empress into the ancient mansion.

Because the dinner hour had passed, the Xie residence was peaceful. Only the silhouettes of servants playing and resting early could be seen on the closed windows, accompanied by faint sounds of laughter and the clinking of cups.

Xie Xuanzhao reached out and took Liu Qinglan’s slightly cold hand. “Let’s go see my brother, then we’ll go rest in my maiden chamber.”

Liu Qinglan nodded, staying close and obedient by the Empress’s side.

The corridors were long, lanterns swayed, and shadows danced. Together, they traversed the long corridor. Outside was the flying fine snow; time was peaceful.

The hall was brightly lit with candles. Before they even got close, they heard a girl’s sweet, soft voice pleading: “Just for a little while, Patriarch, please agree. Let me go play.”

“No, it’s snowing outside,” the Head of the Xie family replied in a cold, aloof tone, maintaining his dignity.

“I’ve spent a whole month preparing these fireworks. It wasn’t easy to get them. I want to set them off!” the girl continued to plead.

The Head of the Xie family seemed about to say something, but his voice became muffled and broken, as if something had blocked it.

Liu Qinglan’s cat ears were very sharp, and she also caught a familiar scent. She quickly pulled the Empress’s hand and signaled for her to hide outside the door to peek at the scene inside.

They saw exquisite lotus lanterns filling the table, their small wicks flickering. Two silhouettes were projected onto the wall.

The Head of the Xie family sat in a redwood armchair. Straddling his lap was a young woman with waist-length hair. She was holding his shoulders and carefully kissing his lips, her actions carrying a sense of cautious pleasing and entreaty.

Finally, the Head of the Xie family said, “Go then, but be careful.”

Seeing this, Xie Xuanzhao was very gratified. “Brother finally has a ‘companion who understands him’ by his side.”

She held Liu Qinglan’s hand and stepped into the hall, startling the two people inside.

The girl, who had been about to excitedly set off fireworks, saw the newcomers and her eyes lit up. She immediately flew to Liu Qinglan’s side. “Boss Liu, you came to see me!”

Liu Qinglan reached out and tugged at her sash. “Little Fat Bird, are you going to set off fireworks? Take me with you.”

The Head of the Xie family stood up, nonchalantly wiping his thin lips. “Sister, why have you returned?”

Xie Xuanzhao looked at him with a half-smile. “I came to see you, Brother. It seems I worried for nothing, seeing as you already have a beauty to keep you company.”

The Head of the Xie family smiled slightly. “They are going to set off fireworks. Aren’t you going to watch?”

“Of course we are, but we won’t disturb you, Brother.” After speaking, Xie Xuanzhao stepped out. Seeing Liu Qinglan standing under the corridor looking excited, she pulled her along. “Let’s go to the back courtyard.”

Liu Qinglan watched the Little Fat Bird dragging fireworks out into the courtyard, reluctant to leave. “But…”

“Brother is with her here. We’ll go to the back courtyard, there are fireworks there too. I’ll set them off with you.” Xie Xuanzhao rubbed her fingers, her voice low and soft, successfully coaxing the little beauty to the back.

Xie Xuanzhao’s maiden chamber was decorated similarly to Chenxin Palace, elegant, simple, and low-key yet luxurious.

Snow continued to fall steadily. Yan Mo and Greeny had already lit a small stove and placed it under the corridor before tactfully retreating.

Xie Xuanzhao crouched by the fireworks and lit them with a fire starter. As the fireworks bloomed in the night sky, she quickly ran back to the corridor and embraced the seated Little Temptress from behind.

Together, they gazed at the brilliant fireworks in the night sky. Liu Qinglan’s eyes were sparkling. “This is the first New Year’s Eve I’ve ever spent. I’m so lucky to be with my beautiful sister.”

Xie Xuanzhao held her close, sharing her warmth. “We will have countless New Year’s Eves in the future. I promise you, I will watch the fireworks with you every year.”

A huge, magnificent firework exploded in the cold night sky, a shower of sparks against the snowy backdrop, like a world made of glass.

Outside the window, fireworks were still going off. The Little Temptress lay across the bed, soaking in the atmosphere of the room where the Empress had lived before her marriage.

Xie Xuanzhao sat before the bronze mirror, slowly removing her hairpins and letting down her hair. Wearing only her inner robes, she stepped onto the soft carpet with bare feet and walked toward Liu Qinglan.

“Did you live in this room when you were little?”

Xie Xuanzhao slipped into the covers, sharing the quilt with her. She lay down, resting her head on the pillow, gazing at the familiar yet strange canopy. “Yes, I lived here from age three until I was married. Not a single object or painting here has been moved, it’s exactly as it was.”

Liu Qinglan turned over, resting her head on her hands, and looked at the Empress sideways. In the flickering light of the fireworks outside, her face was partially hidden in shadows. “Speaking of which, when we went to Mount Huo last time, I didn’t get to show you my old nest.”

“There will be a chance in the future. What is a Fei Fei’s nest like?” Xie Xuanzhao asked curiously.

Liu Qinglan smiled shyly. “It’s just a nest made of dried grass and twigs. The Little Fat Bird taught me how, though she built hers in a tree and I built mine in a cave.”

“Is that nest still there?”

“I didn’t pack it up when I left, so it should be.” The Little Temptress gazed at the Empress’s stunning face. Her feet under the quilt began to restlessly nudge and rub against the other woman’s calf.

Xie Xuanzhao turned around to face her, reaching out to press down on her restless little hand. “Is it alright?”

As she spoke, the final firework bloomed outside, illuminating the little beauty’s flushed face and shimmering, watery eyes.