All Chapters of The Emperor’s Only Consort: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Hours of court had left his shoulders tight. Beneath her hands, the tension slowly began to melt away.He closed his eyes and murmured, "This feeling… it's so familiar."Qingyuan chuckled. "It should be. I've had plenty of practice.""Only on me," he said, the words slipping out warm and teasing.She laughed softly. "Who else would let me?"He opened his eyes just enough to glance back at her. "Is that a complaint?""No." She pressed a little harder into a knot just below his shoulder blade, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "It's a fact.""There was a time," he said, his voice taking on that slow, remembering cadence, "when you didn't know what you were doing.""Many years ago," she agreed, and the smile in her voice was audible. He remembered. How could he not?Years before…A young Xiao Heng sat on the veranda, his shoulders slumped, a pile of transcribed classical texts before him."If you keep this up, you'll ruin your eyes."He looked up at the sound

Qingyuan took out a simple black robe. The fabric was cloud-patterned brocade with a subtle sheen; though it lacked the majesty and splendor of court attire, it lent him a softer, gentler air."Hold out your arms."Xiao Heng obeyed, holding his arms out as she guided them into the sleeves. Occasionally, her cool fingertips brushed the warm skin just beneath his throat, carrying the faint scent of gardenia."All done." Qingyuan took half a step back to survey the outfit, then stepped forward again to tug gently at the fabric on his left shoulder. He smiled, pressed a featherlight kiss between her brows, then turned and strode toward the palace doors. After two or three steps, he paused and glanced back: "When I return, I want to eat your sweet milk custard."“You certainly know how to give orders.” Qingyuan shot him a glare, though her eyes sparkled. “Then come back before it cools.”Xiao Heng's lips curved into a smile. This time he did not look back.Li Dequan was waiting at a dista

Just then, Li Dequan stepped forward, holding a lacquered wooden food box, and reported softly, “Your Majesty, a package has just been delivered from Chengqian Palace.”Even before the lid was lifted, a faint smile had already spread across Xiao Heng’s lips.Li Dequan carefully lifted the lid to reveal two bowls of sweet milk custard. The glossy surface was dotted with delicate osmanthus petals, and a subtle, lingering fragrance slowly wafted through the air.Xiao Yan couldn’t help but glance over, his eyes lighting up.Li Dequan smiled knowingly. “Lady Su heard that the Young Master Xiao has been studying diligently, so she specially prepared an extra bowl.”Xiao Yan blinked. “For me?”Xiao Heng pushed one of the bowls toward him. “Go eat.”Xiao Yan made no further protest. He accepted the bowl, murmured, “Thank you, Uncle.” Then picked up the silver spoon. The milk custard melted in his mouth, its sweet, rich osmanthus flavor filling his senses, and the young man’s eyes instantly li

The pearl curtains in the rear hall rustled softly as Ming Shu stepped out.The long train of her phoenix robe swept across the polished floor, the phoenix embroidered in gold thread.The concubines immediately rose to their feet and bowed in unison.“We pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”“You may rise.” Ming Shu’s tone was as calm as ever, betraying neither joy nor anger. Without the usual formalities, she went straight to the matter at hand.After taking her seat, she cast a detached glance around the room before getting straight to the point: “At dawn yesterday, the palace maid Lanxin passed away. The imperial physician has examined the body; there were no traces of poison or external injuries. She died of natural causes.”Silence fell over the hall.No one spoke.Even their breathing was deliberately softened.After a moment’s silence, Mingshu continued, her tone showing not the slightest fluctuation: “This matter ends here. No one is to engage in baseless speculation o

Only after the attendants had withdrawn and the doors closed softly behind them did the dignity befitting an Empress begin to slip away, like an outer robe Mingshu finally set aside.She closed her eyes briefly. Her shoulders lowered by the slightest degree—a change so minute it would have gone unnoticed, yet Qingyuan saw it. She saw everything.The incense in the bronze brazier had burned down to its very end; the smoke it gave off was so faint as to be almost invisible, leaving only a wisp of a scent, lingering in the air.Qingyuan nestled herself into her elder sister’s embrace, resting her head in the crook of her shoulder, just as she had done countless times in her childhood—Just as she had as a child, Qingyuan rested her head against her sister's shoulder. Back then, whenever she stumbled or felt wronged, she would stay like this in silence until Mingshu's hand came to rest upon her back, patting it gently, one stroke after another.“What time did you go to sleep last night?” Q