章 19: Qi Condensation Middle Stage

After cultivating for nearly a whole day in the formation-protected shed, Shen Tianyu had managed to breakthrough to Qi Condensation Middle Stage with the help of the spiritual energy in her space and the forest surrounding her. Though she could have broken through further, she also had to consolidate her power or else she would be wielding defective "false" power. Therefore, after breaking through in the early afternoon, she had spent the rest of the day consolidating her power. Thankfully, no one was around to see so no one bothered her.

One must know that although the people of the capital would not go into the forest, the spiritual power there should have attracted experts from other parts of the world. However, though the forest was indeed rich in spiritual power, it's quality is only good enough to aid those up until the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Therefore, except for those children of powerful cultivator families, accompanied by guards, no expert has ever entered the forest.

When sky was beginning to take on a purple hue, Shen Tianyu got up from the floor of the shed and dusted herself off. She then proceeded to speed walk out of the forest and back to Lavender Palace.

...

Back at Lavender Palace

There was a certain tension in the air as Shen Tianyu entered the Great Hall. Before she could ask one of the servants passing by what was going on, she heard a yell.

"Where is the girl?! It's her debut night! How can she be out so late on her debut night! She's not running away right?!" An angry voice sounded with underlying worry. "Or maybe perhaps something happened to her?" Shen Tianyu followed the voice and saw Ruo Mingyue pacing around in the center of the Great Hall, with servants bustling around preparing for the night's opening and her debut.

A light, beautiful giggle sounded behind her. "Yue, you're already so worried about her? What a good elder sister you are."

"Uh! That's not it! It's just that she already advertised she was debuting today! If she's not here, we might lose customers! That's all!" Ruo Mingyue harrumphed.

"No need to panic so much. She will be back by the time we open..." Luo Hua responded, exasperated.

"Elder Sister! Sexy Sister! I'm back!" Shen Tianyu shouted happily, waving her hands in the air.

The two women in the middle of the Hall, who were previously conversing, turned towards her. The one wearing a red robe with pink flowers embroidered on the lapels practically jumped at her. Shen Tianyu didn't move as Ruo Mingyue, or Yue Luo, which is her courtesan name and should be the name used to call her, crashed into and hugged her tight. Thankfully, Shen Tianyu was able to stay upright.

Not caring that they could have crashed to the ground, Yue Luo cried right next to her ear. "You rebellious girl! Where did you go?! We're starting business for the evening and we haven't even got you ready for your debut!"

Wincing, Shen Tianyu complained: "Elder Sister, aren't I here now? Also, your yelling is hurting my ears, you are going to make me deaf."

Yue Luo let go and held her by the shoulders at arms length. "Damned girl, you dare to talk back to your elder sister. Nevermind, I am kind so I will let this go. But now's not the time, we need to hurry and get you ready!" Yue Luo started pulling her by the hand when Luo Hua leisurely arrived in front of the couple, wearing a pale pink robe and white embroidery on the waist and lapels.

"Indeed. Tian'er, you need to get ready. By the way, you get to decide your courtesan name. Take this time to think about it, tell us when you are done preparing and you will officially be registered by that name. You may not change it without due reason from then on so consider it carefully." Luo Hua informed her in her elegant and mature voice.

Before Shen Tianyu could respond, Yue Luo had pulled her away, saying: "Yes, yes. She knows. Now hurry, we only have one shichen before we open for business."

As she was being pulled away Shen Tianyu managed to give Luo Hua a smile to convey her understanding. 'Hopefully, sexy sister gets the message.'

As the servants were busying themselves around her like a whirlwind; putting on make-up, choosing her clothes, her hair ornaments, her hairstyle, painting her nails and so on after her short bath, Shen Tianyu thought about what she wanted her courtesan name to be.

"Miss, it's done." Ming Su said from behind her, who was sitting in front of a dresser with a bronze mirror.

"Oohh... I look so pretty!" Shen Tianyu cooed as she refrained from touching her face full of make-up. "Everyone did such a good job." She praised as she turned her head to see her other angles in the mirror.

"Naturally. We prepare the courtesans for the famous Lavender Palace! It would shame the Palace if we didn't have this level of skill." An older woman in her forties or so, who was standing to the side in the room, responded proudly, puffing out her chest. The woman was wearing a simple velvet-colored robe and was a little chubbier than the servants and courtesans. This was the head of the maids of the Inner Yard, responsible for the care of the courtesans. The maids of the Outer Yard were in charge of outside chores such as keeping the Palace clean, including the gardens. Though when there are special events, such as the debut of a courtesan, both Yards work together to prepare.

Similarly, there are Outer Guards and Inner Guards, of which the former is under Che Shian's supervision. The Inner Guards are supposed to be in charge of the security of the Palace itself, and it has the largest concentration of Yaodu's members. Since it is most used by her to do certain jobs and is the group in charge of communication with the other branches of Lavender Palace. On the other hand, the Outer Guards are merely in charge of the protection outside of the building, known as the Palace, including the courts of the popular courtesans.

"Nonsense, Miss. She's just being arrogant. Miss already had beautiful features so our efforts can only make Miss prettier. That's why Miss is so beautiful now." Ming Su whispered to Shen Tianyu, somewhat annoyed at the Head Maid, who wasn't a part of Yaodu. Shen Tianyu revealed a smile directed at Ming Su in the bronze mirror to thank her. The pink-robed maid blushed and looked down at her feet.