The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"This is?"

Tang Xixue's gaze was drawn to the magnificent gemstone, and a strange yet familiar sense of belonging stirred within her.

It was as if this thing had always belonged to her, dormant deep in her memory, and had only been awakened at this moment.

"Return the item to its rightful owner."

Bei Chenji's voice lowered slightly as he carefully picked up the woven moon necklace with his fingertips and handed it to her.

His movements carried an almost solemn reverence.

Tang Xixue reached out to take it.

Their fingertips inevitably brushed against each other.

In an instant, Bei Chenji trembled almost imperceptibly, as if struck by a tiny electric current. A tingling sensation exploded from the point of contact with his skin, instantly spreading throughout his limbs and bones!

This touch was like a spark igniting a wildfire; his skin thirst suddenly and violently erupted!

He abruptly withdrew his hand, using the action of placing Yingluo completely in her palm to barely conceal the violent trembling.

"mine?"

Tang Xixue was completely captivated by the cool necklace in her hand.

She examined the unusual sapphire pendant closely, watching the eternal undulations of snowflakes inside, and felt a strange sense of intimacy.

"Twenty years ago, when I found you in the snowy plains of the North, you were wearing this necklace."

Bei Chenji opened his mouth with difficulty, his voice becoming hoarse and dry uncontrollably, as if sandpaper was being rubbed.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the overwhelming craving and pain that threatened to consume him.

Every breath tugged at the burning nerves beneath my skin.

Tang Xixue looked up at him in surprise.

She had long known that she was not of royal blood, but she never expected that she was picked up from the snow and ice by this young royal uncle in front of her.

Twenty years ago in the Northern Territory... that was the year the young prince was ambushed and barely escaped with his life.

He himself was covered in frost and snow, and his life hung by a thread, yet he still managed to rescue her from the brink of death.

She understands Bei Chenji.

He may be cold or stern in front of her, but he has never lied.

She believed him.

"Back then... your body was too weak, and your cries sounded like a kitten's."

Bei Chenji spoke slowly, his gaze falling into the void, as if piercing through time to see a faint glimmer of life in that frozen world back then.

"Back then, our Beichen Prince's Mansion was in dire straits, surrounded by powerful enemies... we simply couldn't support you."

His fingers trembled almost imperceptibly at his sides, fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and his face looked even paler under the lamplight.

Tang Xixue finally noticed his unusual behavior.

That taut jawline, that restrained gaze, and that excessively pale face…

Is he sick?

Or is it an old injury flaring up?

A slight stirring ran through her heart, but she didn't interrupt. She simply listened quietly, her grip on Yingluo's hand tightening unconsciously.

The cool, hard texture of the gemstone strangely soothed the complex emotions surging within her.

"So, your royal uncle found you... a place where you can stay for a while."

Bei Chenji said casually.

"That's really... thank you very much, Little Imperial Uncle."

Tang Xixue was silent for a moment, then spoke softly.

It turns out she was the little pearl that the young prince had picked up.

No wonder that when he was young, amidst the indifference of everyone else, he would only show her a rare and awkward tenderness.

"If you wish to leave the palace..."

Bei Chenji stared at her, his purple eyes swirling with unreadable emotions.

There is also a cautious, rekindled hope.

"You can go back to the Beichen Prince's residence. Your young uncle is now... able to support you."

This time, what he regretted was that he had personally sent her away.

If I could keep her by my side and watch that little bundle of joy grow up, would things be... different?

Is there no thick wall of indifference between them?

The skin thirst syndrome is getting worse and worse.

Cold beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, sliding across his taut skin.

Despite the chilly night, he felt as if his entire body was being scorched by invisible flames, every inch screaming with emptiness and pain.

He had to use almost all his strength to control himself and not lose his composure.

Until a pair of soft, delicate hands, like pearls soaked in silk, gently and tentatively rested on his wrist to feel his pulse.

"Little Imperial Uncle, thank you so much..."

Tang Xixue's soft voice rang out.

"I'm fine as I am. But you... don't look so good."

She moved closer and carefully took his pulse, pressing her fingertips precisely on the cun, guan, and chi positions.

As she drew closer, the crisp, cool fragrance of crabapple blossoms became increasingly clear, lingering around his nose—a clean and refreshing scent.

Bei Chenji's body stiffened for a moment.

He was always very wary and almost instinctively avoided others getting close, let alone physical contact.

But at this moment, she was the first person to touch his bare skin, and he did not feel any instinctive disgust.

even……

When her cool, soft fingertips rested firmly on his burning, throbbing wrist, an indescribable sense of comfort and satisfaction washed over him like hot spring water, instantly washing away the burning pain and emptiness that were gnawing at him!

This was an experience he had never had since he was diagnosed with skin thirst.

This illness has always been nothing but torment, never offering even a sliver of relief.

But her touch felt like a handful of real snow falling on the burning wounds of his soul.

"Xue'er, I'm alright."

He heard his own hoarse voice ring out, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

My gaze fell on her hand resting on her wrist; her fingers were slender and fair, and her nails had a healthy pale pink sheen.

"Could you... let me... shake your hand?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt it was abrupt, and his heart tightened.

For a moment, I was at a loss, unsure how to explain this sudden, seemingly presumptuous request.

He never asked anyone for a touch.

Tang Xixue didn't ask any more questions, nor did she hesitate at all.

She simply turned her wrist gently and placed her small, soft hand peacefully into his palm.

His hands were large with distinct knuckles, and they were radiating an unusually hot temperature.

When her hand fell into it, it was as if she had fallen into a raging inferno.

"Will this make you feel better?"

She asked softly, her tone filled with genuine concern.

Upon learning that her young imperial uncle was actually her savior, the one who brought her back to the world from the desolate northern border, the grievances and estrangement she felt due to his aloofness and indifference melted away like thin frost under the sun.

She is always unexpectedly soft-hearted and forgiving towards those she truly cares about.

She had already made a judgment when she took his pulse, and combined this with his unusual reaction and pulse at this moment.

This is quite consistent with the description of "skin thirst" that she had read in an old medical book.

This condition often stems from significant psychological trauma or deep-seated childhood shadows, leading to inner turmoil that manifests outwardly in the body.

It is indeed a mental illness.

"Much better..."

Bei Chenji responded in a low, husky voice, carefully closing his fingers to envelop her slightly cool hand in his burning palm.

The touch was delicate and soft; he held it very lightly, afraid that if he exerted even the slightest force, it would melt away and disappear.

He lied.

Much better.

The moment her hand was completely enveloped by his, his body, which seemed to have been imprisoned by invisible shackles for many years, suddenly got a moment's respite, followed by an even fiercer counterattack.

It wasn't pain, but a kind of greedy, almost ecstatic feeling of being soothed.

It felt so good it made my scalp tingle; every inch of my soul seemed to be letting out a satisfied sigh.

The feeling was too wonderful, so wonderful it was heart-pounding, like being tainted by the most alluring yet dangerous poppy, making him clearly aware of a terrifying addictive quality.

His body—really liked her.

I love it so much.

This realization caused his heart to race.

Even though he was extremely wary, he subconsciously felt no aversion towards her.

even……

He desperately wanted her to be closer, to have more intimate contact...

He abruptly closed his eyes, his long eyelashes casting trembling shadows on his pale cheeks, forcefully cutting off his thoughts that were already sliding into a dangerous abyss.