The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The carriages of the various kingdoms moved slowly forward, rolling over the snow covered in the morning light, and headed towards the continuous palaces nestled among the distant mountains.

The sounds of jade bells, horses' hooves, and fluttering banners intertwined to form a magnificent prelude, foreshadowing an unprecedented grand event in the Nine Provinces.

A particularly luxurious carriage quietly followed in the procession.

The vehicle is made of sunken starwood, with a dark, star-like glow flowing throughout. The walls are engraved with the royal emblem, which is a symbol of the Starry Empire, intertwined with the sun, moon and stars.

Midnight blue silk veils hung from the car windows, and sunlight shone through, creating a deep, dark glow like the night sky.

Behind the gauze curtain, a tall and upright figure sat upright.

Emperor Xingze, Si Xingzhou, possessed a handsome yet almost stern appearance.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze piercing through the veil, landing on the gilded carriage that was gradually disappearing into the distance, until it vanished around the corner of the palace.

"This—is this Princess Jingyue, the one who's been pestering A-Zhe so much, driving him crazy?"

A low murmur echoed in the quiet carriage, almost inaudible.

His long eyelashes drooped, concealing the dark emotions surging in his eyes.

The morning light filtered through the starry veil, sculpting lines of light and shadow on his perfect profile, but it couldn't penetrate the deep pools in his eyes.

He doted on his younger brother, Si Xing Zhe Yue, the most.

His younger brother, who was frail from childhood and had a pure heart like crystal, was the only unreserved warmth in his cold and ruthless career.

Anything that makes Zhe Yue frown or feel annoyed is no different from dust in his eyes, and he never hesitates to brush it away.

Outside the car, a sudden, resounding sound of bowing in unison filled the air, like a thunderous roar.

"Respectfully seeing off the Imperial Preceptor!"

Si Xingzhou looked up and saw that the snow-white figure was already stepping on the flying snow, and in a few steps, she traversed the palaces and buildings, heading towards the star-gazing platform at the highest point of the Mountain and River Palace.

With wide sleeves fluttering in the clouds, his solitary figure seemed to shut out all the noise and prying eyes of the world beneath his feet.

He Lichen—this man who even all the emperors of the Nine Provinces had to show respect to—actually bowed down before the world for that absurd princess.

A faint, cold smile curved his lips, its meaning unreadable.

"Your Majesty Xingze, please move to the Tianchen Palace!"

Mirror Moon Lake is as vast as a mirror, with the central island floating in emerald green and crimson.

Nine magnificent palaces stand according to the celestial directions, with soaring eaves and swirling clouds and mist. These are the "Nine Palaces of Heavenly Emperors," which only the emperors of empires are allowed to enter.

The envoys from other countries were settled in the layered palaces at the foot of the mountain according to their rank, like stars surrounding the North Star.

The wheels creaked as they crossed the long bridge spanning the lake.

As Si Xingzhou gazed out the window at the layered buildings and jade-carved railings, his mind was filled with images of the vastness of the world and the expanse of rivers and mountains.

The vast land of China is divided into distinct regions.

Each continent has its own hegemon who establishes its dominance and controls its own destiny.

The Northern Star Empire of the Purple Extreme Heaven Continent reigns supreme over the world, while the Azure Cloud Continent of the Azure Wave Empire listens to the tides of the Mirage Sea.

The ancient kingdom of Lotus Song in the Flaming Continent is bathed in fire, while the divine kingdom of the Moonlit Continent reflects the shadows of its suspended city.

In the Misty Snow Continent, the Cloud River Empire is sealed by snow; in the Floating Cloud Dream Continent, the Dream Splendor Empire is locked in its fragrant dreams.

The Nine Netherworld Continent's Thousand Machines Mysterious Kingdom forges souls with divine craftsmanship; the Silver Dust Star Continent's Star Ze Empire's destiny is illuminated by divine light.

The mirror-like waters and the sacred isle weave the moon, the sea kingdom's tears become silk.

The nine provinces are like a chessboard, and the myriad nations are like countless stars.

The nine supreme emperors who rule this vast land and are ordained by Heaven will soon gather at the Mountain and River Pavilion on the central island of Mirror Moon Lake—the Nine Extremes Alliance.

"I heard from A-Zhe that Tangxi Xuan Yin bullied him—"

Si Xingzhou withdrew his gaze, his fingertips tracing the cold star-patterned embroidery on his cuff.

"Do you really think I don't exist?"

The whisper, as soft as a sigh, fell into the silent carriage, yet it was colder than the frost of a harsh winter.

His younger brother, Zhe Yue, was physically weak but pure-hearted. He was a precious treasure whom he had personally protected under his wings, and he couldn't bear to say a harsh word to him.

How dare the Holy Emperor?

A faint, chilling smile brushed across his exquisitely handsome lips.

"What a coincidence. I've heard that Tangxi Xuanyin is most protective of his younger sister, spoiling her rotten..."

Princess Jingyue – Tangxi Xue.

He silently murmured the name between his teeth, as if weighing a chess piece or examining a precious object about to be dismantled.

Those who are fed up with the moon naturally have their own way of bringing about their own demise.

Making the protective older brother heartbroken is probably much more interesting than directly harming him.

The carriage came to a smooth stop at that moment.

"Your Majesty, we have arrived at Tianchen Palace."

Si Xingzhou suddenly opened his eyes, all his dark emotions instantly receding into the depths of his pupils, leaving only a frozen sea that belonged to an emperor.

He stood up, and the midnight blue gauze curtains were respectfully lifted by the waiter.

The sunlight suddenly intensified, pouring down onto his long, flowing robe draped with stars.

The robe was made of the deepest starry blue, with the vast Milky Way and the stars in the sky embroidered on it using mithril threads and stardust. With each step he took, the light appeared and disappeared, as if he were draped with the entire starry sky.

Under the sunlight, the magnificent silver crown of stars above its head glittered brilliantly.

His posture was as upright as a solitary snow-covered pine tree, and his whole being exuded an imperial majesty that commanded the respect of all people without needing to say a word.

The jade steps are hundreds of feet long, pure white and flawless, like a ladder to heaven that leads straight to the clouds.

The imperial carriages of the various kingdoms came to a stop at the foot of the steps, but he did not immediately take a step. Instead, he raised his head slightly and looked at the majestic Tianchen Main Hall at the end of the steps, which shimmered with seven-colored glazed light under the sunlight.

As the wind rustled through the palace, the golden bells on the eaves jingled softly, like shattered jade being tossed into the air.

The cold smile on his lips deepened.

Snow in Tangxi.

Let's take our time.

He flicked his sleeve and climbed the steps.

With a flowing robe, he swept across the cold jade steps, his steps steady, as he walked step by step toward the pinnacle where all the power and influence of the world converged.

Behind him, the Starry Sky Banner, belonging to the Starry Sky Empire, fluttered in the long wind.

With the annual examinations at Lintai now over, the sounds of students reciting their lessons within the vermilion gates have faded, and most of them have embarked on their journeys home with their luggage. This center of literature has once again returned to its solemn tranquility.

To supplement his expenses, Pei Yanchuan took on a well-paid odd job from Song Yun, the clerk of Lintai—assisting in organizing documents at the Shanhe Que Dian Ke Shu and registering the names of the envoys from various countries who had arrived in the capital.

At the registration desk of the Ninth Hall of Heavenly Emperor, the scent of ink and dust floated in the beam of light. He sat upright, his pen writing the growing list of names.

Meanwhile, Tang Xixue's carriage had stopped in front of the mansion on the shore of Mirror Lake, a place that people used to avoid at all costs.

The wheels rolled over the newly paved bluestone road, making a steady, remarkably smooth sound.

When she arrived last night, the area was shrouded in bamboo shadows and the paths were secluded, making it impossible for a carriage to pass.

"Your Highness, we're home."

Chao Han nimbly leaped off the carriage shaft, turned around and lifted the curtain, her face beaming with a bright smile devoid of any gloom.

"Um?"

Tang Xixue leaned forward to get off, but was slightly surprised to see that the carriage had stopped directly in front of the mansion gate.

Looking back, she saw a wide and smooth bluestone road stretching straight to the lakeside, with the remaining bamboo on both sides cleared away, opening up a bright and open view.

"The road I traveled last night..."

"Your Highness, the Hidden Dragon Guard worked through the night to widen the road and pave it with stones, and only now has it been completed."

Chao Han answered respectfully.

"Well done."

Tang Xixue nodded, her gaze shifting to the courtyard, but she froze again.

Where is there even a trace of yesterday's dilapidated haunted house?