The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"You—you mustn't spout such slander!"

Kong Sangling couldn't help but speak up, her face flushed red, but her voice weakened due to her guilty conscience.

"That...that matter might not have been done by people from our mountains and seas..."

Even so, she felt inexplicably timid under Tang Xixue's calm yet penetrating gaze.

When Princess Jing was infatuated with the princes of various countries and dressed up in heavy makeup that was hard to describe, she never had such an aura that made people afraid to look directly at her.

Now that she has shed her glitz and glamour, all that remains is a cool and composed aura as pure as ice and snow, which makes it hard for people to breathe.

Kong Sangling even drifted off for a moment, thinking that her brother, who was so handsome, seemed to be only... barely a match for Tang Xixue?

Kong Sangyu's smile was faltering; the slight curve at the corner of her mouth resembled a meticulously crafted mask about to shatter.

He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting small shadows beneath them, and silently walked to the corner of the hall. He gently and carefully placed the little white cat in his arms into a bamboo nest lined with soft cotton padding.

"Sister," he said, his back to Tang Xixue, his voice lowered, carrying the clear and gentle tone unique to young people, yet also with a hint of helpless weakness, "could we change the compensation? We... really don't have any money."

"Sister Xue," Kong Sangling leaned closer, blinking her bright eyes, her tone sincere, "believe me, my brother didn't lie. Our Shan Hai Xian Dynasty's annual revenue, after deducting necessary expenses and offerings, is almost entirely invested in the Zhiyue Court. There really isn't much surplus left in our hands."

"The Moon-Weaving Garden..."

Tang Xixue softly repeated these three words, her eyes flickering almost imperceptibly.

The wind and snow outside the palace seemed to fade into the distance in that instant, with only the crackling candlelight inside illuminating her serene profile.

"Yes! Tsuki-tei!"

Upon hearing this, Kong Sangling immediately perked up, her face beaming with pure pride, as if recounting the most remarkable feat in the world.

"That was the most, most, most kind-hearted Heavenly Physician Weaver, who personally established the charity hall! It was specifically for taking in homeless orphans and abandoned babies from all over the Nine Provinces."

Her voice was clear and melodious, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

"The Heavenly Physician once said that their fates are full of twists and turns, like pearls covered in dust or moons that have lost their luster. Entering this Moon Weaving Courtyard, we wish to weave a shelter from the wind and rain for these lost gems of the world, a pure land where they can grow in peace, hoping that they can eventually brush away the dust and regain their brilliance."

Her gaze as she looked at her brother's retreating figure was filled with reverence: "My brother is one of the most loyal followers of the Heavenly Physician!"

The most important thing about Shan Hai is selling intelligence; it should have been a way to make a fortune every day.

But Shan Hai not only has to support its people, but also its beasts. In addition, all the revenue it earns is invested in the bottomless pit that is Zhiyueting.

Kong Sangyu had already settled the cat and turned around.

The candlelight danced on his exquisite features, and his eyes, as blue as a clear blue sky and sea, shone with an almost devout clarity when he heard the name of the Heavenly Physician of Destiny.

"Why would Prince Yu do this?"

Tang Xixue gazed at him, her tone calm, revealing little emotion.

This black-hearted glutinous rice ball, isn't its heart black?

What kind of trick is this of his?

Kong Sangyu stared at her for a moment, then suddenly turned his head away, a faint blush rising at the base of his ears, whether from embarrassment or annoyance, it was hard to tell, but his tone was resolute, carrying the stubbornness unique to young people:

"What's wrong with a few more followers admiring a person as kind as the Heavenly Physician?"

He paused, his voice lower but more resolute.

"Back then, the Coral Plague ravaged Biluo Yunzhou, leaving countless people in despair. It was she who, disregarding her own safety, came to Biyuntian when all other doctors avoided her. Afterwards, she cared deeply for the vulnerable and orphans, establishing the Weaving Moon Court to give so many helpless children a home and a way to survive..."

"She is the purest and kindest light in this filthy world."

He suddenly looked up, staring directly at Tang Xixue, his blue eyes revealing a clear hint of dissatisfaction and provocation directed at her personally.

"The Heavenly Physician has such a compassionate heart, saving lives and bringing glory to the world... Hmph, someone like you... would never understand."

Tang Xixue: "..."

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of wind and snow tapping against the windows.

Looking at the blue-haired youth in front of her, who was so righteous and stubborn as if he were defending his lifelong beliefs, Tang Xixue was at a loss for words.

The feeling was truly subtle—one moment being praised to the face of the same person with the most fervent words, and the next moment being pointed at and ruthlessly belittled.

It was truly a double dose of ice and fire, leaving one speechless.

"Okay, you understand, you understand best, of course."

She glanced at Kong Sangyu with a half-smile, then said nothing more.

However, doubts already lingered in his mind, and he planned to thoroughly investigate the accounts and current situation of the Weaving Moon Pavilion when he returned.

While we might not be able to completely trust Kong Sangyu's words, the sweet rice ball girl beside him, with her clear eyes and simple mind, is not someone who would lie.

She never expected that a casual move she made back then would unknowingly gain her such a... truly fanatical follower.

All of the annual revenue and surplus of the entire Shanhai Group are invested in a charity. This is beyond just being charitable; it is a dedication that knows no cost.

It should be known that the intelligence business of Shan Hai spans the Nine Provinces, and its enormous annual revenue is enough to make countless powerful clans and families envious.

Despite possessing such immense wealth, she lived in such poverty that she could barely afford to keep a cat. This Prince Yu had certainly opened her eyes to a whole new world.

"Alright then," Tang Xixue's gaze shifted to his waist, "I'll remember the matter of compensation for now. But since we've come all this way, there's no reason for us to leave empty-handed."

She lightly raised her slender finger and tapped the gleaming white jade flute at his waist:

"This item catches my eye; let's use it to atone for today's mistake, shall we?"

"you--!"

Kong Sangyu instantly blushed like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her fair cheeks turning a light red, even her ears turning crimson, both ashamed and annoyed.

"Sister, you...you're committing robbery! This is absolutely, absolutely impossible for you."

He instinctively turned to the side, tightly protecting the flute with his hand, the movement so quick it stirred up a gentle breeze.

The jade flute was flawless and translucent, its body carved with intricate and exquisite Kongsang tribal totems and cloud and water patterns. Under the candlelight, it shone with a warm and restrained radiance, making it clear at a glance that it was no ordinary item.

"Not to mention you, even... even when Sister Yan wanted to borrow it for a look, I never agreed." His tone was urgent, his blue eyes full of vigilance and determination.

Beside her, Kong Sangling tugged at Tang Xixue's sleeve, stood on tiptoe, and whispered urgently, "I'll explain this in a low voice:"

"Your Highness, that...that is not just a beast-taming flute, but also a token of our Kongsang clan's direct lineage, which has always been...always given only to the beloved to signify a vow of love."

She still feels lingering fear when she thinks of the flute she accidentally lost.

"..." Upon hearing this, Tang Xixue paused slightly.

A token of love?

This was something she hadn't expected.

If she had known this beforehand, she would never have said it.

This wicked glutinous rice ball is a bit too possessive; she can't possibly accept his affections.