On The Self-Cultivation Of A Favored Concubine - Chapter 9

Liu Qinglan watched with wide eyes as the Empress put the emerald green hairpin back on, and the heart full of anticipation she had just held instantly sank.

At this time, the little demon spirit, Liu, who had just come out of the mountains, did not know that there was a word in human interaction called “tease.”

In other words, she had no idea that the Empress was playing a trick to amuse her!

Liu Qinglan’s gaze was unfocused, her mind preoccupied with the thought that from now on, she could only rely on herself. It was absolutely impossible to expect this boss of the back palace to voluntarily give her a personal item, so she would still have to sneak it away, just as she had done with the round fan.

It was fortunate that the Empress hadn’t discovered the round fan hidden in her sleeve.

Liu Qinglan comforted herself, feeling slightly better.

But she didn’t want to keep being a thief, meow woo woo…

Liu Qinglan looked at the Empress with a slight sense of grievance. Her demands were not high, just a tiny little thing would satisfy her. She didn’t even need these things just being allowed to stay by her side and constantly bask in her spiritual energy would be wonderful.

Xie Xuanzhao gracefully straightened her hair, her phoenix eyes filled with a smile as she looked at the aggrieved little darling before her. There was a film of moisture in those round, dark eyes, as if golden tears were about to fall the next moment.

Alas, it seemed she truly adored herself… or rather, her emerald green hairpin.

Xie Xuanzhao raised her hand and finally pinched her fair, soft cheek, which was still a little baby-fat. The texture was superb.

Her face remained impassive as she said, “Consort Yue, practice diligently. Come here every day from now on, and don’t be lazy, understood?”

Liu Qinglan blinked and nodded obediently.

Xie Xuanzhao did not like staining her nails with lacquer, so her pair of delicate hands were clean and neat. Her slightly long fingernails were bare and clean, showing a hint of cherry blossom pink, full of a rosy hue. Her finger was now resting precisely on Liu Qinglan’s snowy white cheek. Without a trace, she very carefully pinched the tender, pink little cheek beneath.

Then, completely satisfied, she withdrew her hand, wearing a look that suggested nothing had happened, and she absolutely had not just taken a bite of this little beauty’s tofu.

Liu Qinglan, in her characteristic slow way, slightly widened her eyes, astonished. The boss of the palace had pinched her cheek just now!

And it was done stealthily!

Completely unaware that her actions had been noticed by the other party and still believing she had acted without leaving a trace, the Empress turned and left with a look of composure, hiding her merits and name.

Liu Qinglan, a beat late, raised her hand to touch her cheek. It felt as if tiny flames were burning on contact.

If this had happened before, and a demon had pinched her fluffy, Fei Fei (mythical beast) face, she definitely would have swatted them away with a claw!

But now, she not only didn’t object, but she even felt a little fluttery.

Consort Yu, guided by the head palace maid, Yan Mo, stepped into the Chen Xin Palace. What she saw was the newly favored concubine, who was currently being ‘punished’ by standing, holding her scented cheek and lost in wistful thoughts.

Consort Yu trembled all over, then cautiously looked at Consort Yue, who seemed to have become silly and lost her soul. Everyone said the Empress’s methods were skillful, it seemed to be true. In just one day, this little favored concubine appeared to have gone mad.

“Consort Yue, don’t let your eyes wander. The Empress is already waiting for you in the main hall,” Yan Mo coughed lightly, reminding the person who had forgotten to walk.

Consort Yue immediately collected herself, following Yan Mo anxiously towards the main hall.

She was originally just a small girl from the south of the river, washing clothes by the riverbank. After several twists and turns, a relative in the capital heard she was beautiful, and since he had connections, he successfully got her into the palace.

Unfortunately, her background was humble, and the Emperor didn’t like her much. Since entering the palace, Consort Yue’s life had been no different from that of an ordinary palace maid. She had recently started to resign herself to her fate: she would be content if she could just live out her days in the back palace, well-fed and clothed, slowly growing old.

But things didn’t seem to be as simple as she thought.

For some unknown reason, the Empress had set her sights on her again.

Consort Yue bit her lip, her heart filled with dread. When would these noble ladies finally leave a commoner girl like her, whose life was as insignificant as a mustard seed, alone?

Liu Qinglan was brought back to her senses by a wisp of aura. She shivered and looked at the delicate beauty passing in front of her.

Consort Yue originally had delicate eyebrows and a beautiful face, with the innocent, gentle temperament of a budding green lotus in early summer. But at this moment, a dark aura, full of decay, swirled around her. Liu Qinglan felt a palpable sense of autumnal frost and desolation wash over her.

Yan Mo lifted the door curtain and led Consort Yue inside.

Behind Consort Yue, the persistently swirling dark aura seemed to possess a consciousness. It suddenly took a turn and rushed straight towards the completely unsuspecting Liu Qinglan.

Just as Liu Qinglan was about to use her demonic power to block this fiercely approaching dark aura, a single peach blossom petal drifted down from the air.

The pink petal directly cleaved the dark aura, then drifted to the ground and vanished into nothingness.

Liu Qinglan slightly opened her cat-like eyes and clearly saw the dark aura re-coalesce. However, having tasted pain, it no longer dared to attack and instead returned to envelop Consort Yue.

Liu Qinglan was unskilled in the arts and had no idea what the origin of this dark aura was, but having just witnessed its power, she began to worry about Consort Yue.

In the imperial kitchen not far away, the ancient peach tree under the peach blossoms slowly let out a trace of blood.

However, in the eyes of the kitchen maid, Tao Xi, this trace of blood was merely peach resin, which could be consumed for beauty and youthful appearance. She held a small knife, her eyes focused, scraping off the excess peach resin, preparing to make a peach resin soup for Consort Kang later.

The Peach Blossom Demon longed to touch her focused eyebrows at this moment, but she knew she could not perform this simple action.

Consort Yue, who was completely unaware of the undercurrents, stepped into the main hall and knelt down anxiously to salute, not daring to look at the bright and generous Empress across from her.

Xie Xuanzhao didn’t know why this little consort feared her so much. Almost every time they met, she was so frightened she couldn’t speak a complete sentence.

“Sit next to me.”

“This concubine dare not!” Consort Yue was close to prostrating herself and knocking her head.

Xie Xuanzhao shook her head helplessly. “You don’t need to fear me so much. I summoned you here because I wanted to ask if anyone has been bullying you in the palace recently?”

Consort Yue still did not dare to look up. “Replying to the Empress, no. This concubine is completely fine.”

“Then why do you look so haggard and thin, like someone starving?” Xie Xuanzhao looked at the top of her head that was visible. Her entire head of black hair looked like withered grass, having lost its usual luster, appearing as if a large handful could be easily grasped and pulled out.

Consort Yue said weakly, “This concubine is truly fine. Your Ladyship does not need to inquire further.”

Seeing that she truly did not want to speak, Xie Xuanzhao had to drop the matter for now. “Since nothing is wrong, you may return for now.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.” Consort Yue felt as if she had been granted a general amnesty. She quickly retreated, stumbling once as she rose.

After she had left, Xie Xuanzhao turned to Yan Mo and instructed, “Send someone to deliver some tonics to her, and also investigate who Consort Yue has been in contact with recently.”

Yan Mo assented.

Xie Xuanzhao looked out the window. Governess Gao was already standing in the courtyard, continuing to instruct Liu Qinglan.

“Yan Mo, go and handle a task for me first.”

The day’s practice was finally over. The dog tired Liu Qinglan finally returned to her Moon Fei Palace.

Lu Lu had already come out to greet her, first shedding a few tears. “My Lady, how could they treat you like this? Look how tired you are. Tomorrow, this servant will go tell His Majesty. As soon as His Majesty speaks…”

“Shush.” Liu Qinglan quickly interrupted Lu Lu. “I’m fine. I have to go again tomorrow.”

Lu Lu looked at Liu Qinglan with a complicated expression, as if thinking, “Has this child been abused into madness?” and said, “My Lady, you have suffered!”

Liu Qinglan squatted on the chair. Although she had taken human form now, many of her animal habits remained. For example, the action of sitting was difficult for this little animal.

For a Fei Fei, squatting was absolutely the most comfortable position.

Since everyone around her now was one of her own people, Liu Qinglan squatted openly, even boldly letting her tail emerge from behind her palace skirt, releasing her nature, and beginning to wag it energetically.

She had been holding it in all day and was finally completely relaxed and comfortable.

Lu Lu had spoken about it many times, but to no avail, and could only turn a blind eye and slowly accept this mistress with somewhat peculiar living habits.

Liu Qinglan narrowed her eyes, but before she could relax for long, a palace maid suddenly announced from outside the door.

“My Lady, it’s Aunt Yan Mo, who serves the Empress!” a small palace maid hurriedly announced.

The tail behind Liu Qinglan quickly retracted. Lu Lu quickly urged, “My Lady, don’t let them see you squatting!”

Liu Qinglan quickly jumped off the seat and established a standing posture before Yan Mo entered.

Yan Mo ignored the fawning and awkward smile on her face, lifted the small box in her hand, and said in an indifferent voice, “This is bestowed upon you by the Empress. Consort Yue, keep it well.”

Lu Lu stepped forward to take it.

Yan Mo avoided her and said, “The Empress said that Consort Yue must accept it with her own hands.”

Liu Qinglan looked at the box curiously. What kind of mysterious thing had she been given?