All Chapters of The Emperor’s Only Consort: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Outside the hall, a gentle breeze rustled the branches of the begonia trees. Inside, the warm aroma of freshly prepared dishes slowly filled the air. The memories came back to her naturally. Many years ago, in this very palace. Noble Consort Su sat to one side, patiently working at her embroidery, while the Empress Zhao smiled as she peeled fresh lychees with her own hands. Little Qingyuan’s cheeks were puffed out with fruit, and sweet lychee juice dribbled down the corners of her mouth. Little Mingshu quietly took out a handkerchief and wiped it away for her little sister. Little Xiao Heng had just returned from horseback archery practice, his cheeks still flushed from exertion. Sitting down beside Qingyuan, he asked earnestly, “Qingyuan.” Qingyuan looked up: “Hmm?” “If one day you could only choose one person to stay with,” he said, pointing first at Mingshu, “would you choose your sister?” Then he pointed at himself. “Or would you choose me?” Qingyuan froze, looking

Early the next morning, before dawn had fully broken, a faint wash of grey light seeped through the windows.Xiao Heng was the first to wake. He turned onto his side and watched Qingyuan for a long while before carefully slipping out of bed.Outside the bed curtains, Qingdai, Li Dequan, and several attendants were already waiting with everything needed for the morning.One palace maid stepped forward with a basin of warm water. As she bent to set the copper basin onto its stand, the rim touched the wooden frame with a soft knock.Xiao Heng turned at once. The sudden movement startled everyone in the room.The maid froze, her hands still resting on the basin, while Li Dequan immediately raised a hand to keep the others silent.But Xiao Heng was not looking at them. His gaze had already gone to the bed. Beneath the quilt, Qingyuan stirred faintly. Her brows drew together for a moment before slowly relaxing again.Only when she showed no sign of waking did the tension in the room ease.“

Passing through the moon gate, Shen Yuyan followed the narrow covered corridor toward the rear courtyard.Before she reached the kitchen, the aroma reached her first: warm and rich, it carried the faint sweetness of freshly baked pastry mingled with the savory fragrance of crab.Inside, Qingyuan stood beside a long wooden table, her sleeves neatly rolled back. Qingdai was at her side, arranging the already-shaped pastries one by one onto porcelain plates.Neither of them noticed Shen Yuyan at first.Qingdai was still fussing beside her: “His Majesty told you to rest, and the moment you woke up, you came straight to the kitchen.”“I slept through half the morning already.” Qingyuan continued kneading the dough without looking up, “How much longer do you expect me to sleep?”“You could at least have waited until tomorrow.”Only then did Qingyuan look up, a trace of resignation in her eyes. “And do what in the meantime? Go back and stare at the walls? Or lie in bed until I grow mold?”Qi

It had long been nothing unusual for uncle and nephew to disagree on matters of governance. Neither had ever found it easy to persuade the other, but with the Emperor’s ruling, the matter was settled.Several more memorials followed.Just as the morning court was drawing to a close, Zhao Heyu, the Left Vice Censor‑in‑Chief, stepped forward from the ranks of the Censorate: “Your Majesty, this subject has one further matter to report.”Xiao Heng remained impassive: “Go on.”“It concerns Prince An’s heir.”Zhao Heyu bowed, “The young heir is still a child. Your Majesty’s affection for the late Prince An’s only son is only natural. But precisely because he is Prince An’s sole heir, his upbringing, conduct, and understanding of propriety cannot be treated lightly.”Another censor stepped forward: “This subject has heard that Prince An’s heir has lately been visiting Chengqian Palace with increasing frequency. He often takes meals there, studies there, and receives guidance and rewards from

Word eventually reached Chengqian Palace, blurred and reshaped by the many mouths through which it had passed.Qingdai hurried into the hall, indignation written plainly across her face.Qingyuan glanced up from the book in her hands: “What happened?”“News from court has spread through the palace. They brought up Prince An’s heir again, and said that Your Highness…” Qingdai stopped.Qingyuan turned a page without hurry: “Is too low?”Qingdai’s fingers tightened around the edge of her sleeve: “Your Ladyship.”Qingyuan glanced at her, then lowered her eyes to the book again: “I heard you.”“They said it as if—” Qingdai stopped herself, visibly restraining her temper, “And you’re not angry?”Qingyuan closed the book at last, reached for the teapot, and poured a cup. Then she pushed it toward Qingdai: “Drink some.”Qingdai blinked, momentarily taken aback.Qingyuan’s expression remained calm: “You’re angrier than I am.”“Your Ladyship…”Qingyuan pushed the cup a little closer, a faint sm