On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 8

Liu Qinglan’s eyes nervously tracked the stunning beauty walking toward her, thinking: Why is she looking at me with such a serious expression? Did she find out I secretly drank her water and took her round fan?!

While staring at the emerald hairpin in the Empress’s bun, Liu Qinglan was formulating her response.

The round fan hidden in her sleeve felt like a burning hot iron against her skin. I should have been more discreet. Looks like I can’t be so blatant next time.

Xie Xuanzhao’s gaze intentionally or unintentionally swept toward Liu Qinglan’s sleeve. She probably wouldn’t generously admit to what she had just done.

If she exposed her now…

Xie Xuanzhao raised her hand, and following Liu Qinglan’s line of sight, adjusted the emerald hairpin in her bun. It probably wouldn’t be as fun.

Xie Xuanzhao’s gaze lingered on the pair of snow white wrists of the little favored concubine before her; the more she looked, the more she liked them.

However, it was this little concubine who liked her first. Clearly, she was pursuing her.

Xie Xuanzhao curved the corners of her lips and smiled, “Don’t think that doing this will make me indulge you. The rules you must learn, the greetings you must pay, you still cannot skip any of them, understand?”

Liu Qinglan didn’t quite grasp the meaning of her words, but fortunately, she asked if she understood. She immediately straightened her back and, in the tone of a soldier reporting to a superior, said, “Understood!”

Her demeanor was spirited, valiant, and endearingly straightforward.

Xie Xuanzhao internally gasped, Aiyo, where did the Emperor find this character? It looked like her future days wouldn’t be boring.

She suppressed the urge to reach out and pinch the opponent’s fair and tender cheek, nodding with a look of reserve, “Follow Governess Gao and practice diligently. I want to see the results in three days.”

Beads of fine sweat appeared on the tip of Liu Qinglan’s nose. She tremulously asked, “If I don’t learn well, will there be a punishment?”

Her eyes were anxious, and her face was flushed crimson. To Xie Xuanzhao, paired with this nervous and shy expression, the question seemed to carry a deeper, suggestive meaning.

Xie Xuanzhao followed her line of sight, raised her hand again to adjust the emerald hairpin in her bun, and her tone was soft and seductive, “What kind of punishment does Qinglan want?”

Liu Qinglan automatically ignored the Empress addressing her by name. She furrowed her delicate brows. Did I misunderstand the meaning of the word ‘punishment’?

Who would want to be punished?

But since Her Majesty the Empress asked this, she must have her reasons.

If I directly refuse and say I don’t want it, will I anger her?

I just stole her round fan, and now if I anger her, I probably won’t be able to cling to her coat-tails.

After thinking it over, Liu Qinglan said with a heavy heart, “Empress Sister can punish me however you like!”

“Really…” Xie Xuanzhao chuckled softly, her eyes gentle, “If you behave well, I won’t punish you, I will reward you.”

Phew, it seemed she had correctly fathomed the Empress’s intention!

Liu Qinglan felt she had escaped a disaster. Her mouth quirked up, and the small dimples on her cheeks gradually appeared, “I will definitely perform well!”

Xie Xuanzhao’s gaze was somewhat fixed. She saw that pair of small dimples.

Very sweet.

But in an instant, the little beauty’s smiling face was retracted, and the small dimples disappeared.

It turned out that Liu Qinglan’s cute dimples only appeared on her cheeks when she smiled.

Looks like I’ll have to make her smile more in the future.

As soon as Liu Qinglan finished speaking, she noticed the Empress’s expression becoming serious again. She immediately reined in her smile, and the invisible tail behind her was also cautiously tucked away.

It looks like I can’t get carried away and let my tail wag too much in the future, Liu Qinglan deeply reflected on herself.

A leaf drifted down gently from a Wutong tree branch, and an emerald hairpin appeared in Liu Qinglan’s field of vision.

The jade green color was like the reflection on a deep mountain cold pool, cool, serene, and clear. Its style was simple yet unique. Just moments ago, it was still nestled in the Empress’s hair bun; now, it lay horizontally in her palm.

Liu Qinglan looked up, her crow-colored long eyelashes trembling slightly, looking confusedly at Her Majesty the Empress.

She didn’t quite understand why the Empress suddenly took out the hairpin and placed it right under her nose.

Is she showing it off?

Could it be that she wants me to compliment her treasured hairpin?

It must be.

Liu Qinglan quickly reached a conclusion, once again fathoming the Empress’s intention. While mentally giving herself a thumbs up, she began to compliment her with a slight exaggeration, “What a beautiful hairpin! The craftsmanship and the style you, can tell it’s no ordinary hairpin at a glance!”

Xie Xuanzhao smiled. She truly liked it, otherwise, why would she have been staring at it just now?

She quietly listened as Liu Qinglan praised the hairpin with flowery words, and then leisurely asked, “Do you like it?”

“I like everything Empress Sister has!” Liu Qinglan seized the opportunity to flatter, feeling that she had secured a firmer hold on her coat-tails.

I am simply too clever! I must have an extra chicken drumstick tonight.

Xie Xuanzhao curved her red lips, wearing a mischievous smile, “Is that so? Too bad, I won’t give it to you.”

After speaking, she tucked the hairpin away again and put it back into her hair bun.

As she put it on, she admired the little favored concubine’s face, which was flushed red with annoyance.

The author has something to say:

Little Liu: I’m just trying to figure out your intention and make you happy, I definitely don’t have any other meaning!

Her Majesty the Empress: Is that so 🙂 Smile for me.

Little Liu obediently complied, her smile blossoming brightly.