Volume One, Chapter One: Li Chaoyang Returns, Xiao Qingyu Panics

“Elder Sister! Elder Sister!” Xiao Qingshan rushed into Chengfeng Palace in a flurry.

Xiao Qingyu was lounging lazily on a chaise, peeling lychees with slow, deliberate movements. She lifted her gaze slightly, her willow brows knitting in gentle reproach.

“What has happened to make you so frantic and careless? You’ve lost the composure befitting an emperor! If the ministers saw you like this, who knows how many memorials of impeachment you’d receive.”

“Elder Sister, Li Chaoyang is coming back!”

The three words, “Li Chaoyang,” made Xiao Qingyu freeze. The lychee she had just put in her mouth lodged at the back of her throat. Caught off guard, she lurched forward, lost her balance, and her head struck the hard floor.

Coughing, she covered her mouth with one hand and propped herself up with the other, struggling to stand.

“...What did you just say? Say it again!” she asked, unwilling to believe her ears.

Xiao Qingshan took a deep breath to steady himself. “Elder Sister, news from the front: Li Chaoyang’s Northern Jie army has won a great victory. They’ll soon be returning to the capital!”

She gripped Xiao Qingshan’s sleeve tightly. “Is this news truly confirmed?”

He nodded vigorously. “Elder Sister, Li Chaoyang’s triumphant return is a fact. You must give me some advice!”

Xiao Qingyu forced herself to calm down, feigning composure. “You’re the sovereign of the land—what is there to fear?”

With a guilty expression, she added, “Besides, it’s time you handled things on your own. You cannot rely on me for everything.”

“The camellias in Xiushan are blooming. I promised Tang Xinyu from the Minister’s residence we’d go admire them together. If anything happens in the palace during this time, seek cousin Zhao’s help. Elder Sister will be away for a while.”

“Lingzhu, hurry and pack my belongings!”

Xiao Qingshan darted forward, blocking her path. “Tang Xinyu hasn’t returned from Jiangnan yet, Elder Sister, don’t try to fool me.”

“You can’t leave me alone!”

“Are you afraid of Li Chaoyang too?”

“...Why would I fear him? What’s so frightening about him?”

In truth, Xiao Qingyu was terrified.

Back when Li Chaoyang served as Grand Tutor, she remembered only the burning pain in her palm. Ever since, whenever she caught sight of his silhouette, she would quickly avoid him.

How many times had he harshly scolded and admonished her?

—

After the coup, Xiao Qingyu altered the imperial edict, placing Xiao Qingshan on the throne. Li Chaoyang remained at their side, favored by the late emperor—he surely knew the contents of that edict.

Once he returned, life would no longer be so carefree.

“Elder Sister...I’m scared!”

“Don’t worry, I am here.”

“Elder Sister, why do you look so nervous?”

“I am not nervous!” Xiao Qingyu insisted, trying to appear calm.

“Promise me you won’t sneak away when I’m not paying attention.” Xiao Qingshan clung tightly to her sleeve.

“Rest assured, I won’t leave. In future, be steadier in your actions; if those old ministers catch you off guard, it will be troublesome.”

“How was court this morning?”

“I reviewed memorials late into the night and rose a quarter hour late. The Prime Minister scolded me in front of all the officials. I’m the emperor, yet he showed no mercy.”

“That old man never lets go. Sooner or later, he’ll be stuck in bed unable to rise.”

“Qingshan, you’ve suffered.”

“It was my own wish to become emperor, so I don’t feel wronged. Since Mother passed, you’ve protected me; now, it’s my turn to protect you.”

Xiao Qingyu pondered. “Go back for now. Let me think of a plan.”

In the sixth year of Changzhao, the late emperor died, plunging the court into turmoil.

The eldest prince, Xiao Tingyu, and the third prince, Xiao Mu, both coveted the throne. Xiao Tingyu, ambitious and restless, was especially dangerous.

She knew that if Xiao Tingyu succeeded, he would never spare them, nor their maternal grandfather’s family.

Xiao Qingshan confided his desire to ascend the throne.

Xiao Qingyu understood well—he only wanted the emperor’s power to protect her and the Zhao family.

Xiao Tingyu never anticipated that Xiao Qingyu would alter the edict and seat Xiao Qingshan on the throne.

The edict sent Xiao Tingyu to Shu, bringing a measure of calm to the palace.

But the ministers were displeased with the new emperor, and their resentment extended to her as well.

Just as peace settled in, Li Chaoyang’s return threatened to plunge the palace back into chaos.

Whenever Xiao Qingyu recalled Li Chaoyang’s piercing, deep gaze, chills ran down her spine.

—

If she truly met him, she feared her nerves would betray her. No, this wouldn’t do...

“Lingzhu! Go find some artists and have them paint many portraits of Li Chaoyang for me.”

“I’ll do so at once, Your Highness, but why do you want portraits of the Regent?”

...Could it be that Her Highness harbors feelings for the Regent? But she swallowed the thought.

“I haven’t seen him in five years. I worry that when he returns, I’ll lose my composure. Having his portraits will help me familiarize myself with his face before he’s back in the capital.”

Lingzhu returned, carrying a stack of portraits. “Your Highness, will these be enough?”

Xiao Qingyu nodded, scanning the collection. “Put them all up on the walls!”

Lingzhu arranged the portraits, hanging them one by one.

The images showed him in various poses: riding a tall horse, bow drawn in heroic vigor; wielding a brush in scholarly concentration; raising a cup, drinking and composing poetry with unrestrained boldness.

One frontal portrait was particularly striking. The subject had sword-like brows and brilliant starry eyes, his handsome features radiating an imposing aura.

What astonished Xiao Qingyu was the hint of a smile on his face—she couldn’t recall ever seeing Li Chaoyang smile.

Looking at the portraits, she felt a strange unfamiliarity.

They all depicted him as he was five years ago; she wondered what he looked like now.

This thought unsettled her.

No! With these portraits facing her bed, she’d see his face every morning upon waking—it was too unnerving.

Memories of their childhood together surged up like a tide, impossible to dispel.

“Lingzhu, move these portraits over there!” Xiao Qingyu called out anxiously.

Lingzhu obeyed.

Xiao Qingyu frowned again. “No, that’s where I eat. I’d see him during meals.”

After much fussing, she finally pointed to a corner. “Put them there instead!”