The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"cough."

A faint hint of embarrassment flashed across Tang Xixue's face, but she quickly regained her composure and her gaze swept across the hall.

"Well... since I'm already here, I can't just leave empty-handed, can I?"

Kong Sangling's eyes darted around, wanting nothing more than to get rid of this imposing old lady as soon as possible. Her gaze fell on the fluffy ball in the corner, and she immediately had an idea.

"Here—this is for Your Highness!"

She ran over quickly, picked up the cat and its nest—the small bamboo basket lined with soft cushions—and stuffed it into Tang Xixue's arms without saying a word.

"We were just wondering where to put this little white kitten, Your Highness, why don't you take it home and raise it? It seems very well-behaved!"

"Ling'er!"

Kong Sangyu suddenly frowned, called out to stop him, and a genuine worry flashed in his azure eyes.

He kept a close eye on Tang Xixue's movements as she caught the cat, afraid that if she became displeased, she might carelessly discard or even throw the fragile little life to the ground.

In his preconceived notion, Princess Mirror was willful and capricious, far removed from words like kindness and gentleness.

Especially... he subconsciously touched his wrist, where the chilling cold of the lake water in late autumn still seemed to linger.

The time-traveling woman who possessed her body back then had ruthlessly pushed him, who was afraid of water, into the icy lake. The suffocating feeling of being on the verge of death is still unforgettable.

Everyone thought he was from the Kongsang tribe and was naturally good at water, but they didn't know that he had a huge fear of water and was extremely afraid of it.

That day, he almost drowned, and in his heart, she was truly a wicked woman.

However, the expected brutality did not occur.

Tang Xixue took the warm and soft little thing with some surprise, but her movements were unexpectedly gentle.

The little white cat shifted restlessly in her arms, raised its wet, round blue eyes, and stared at her for a moment without meowing or stretching out its claws.

Instead, it tentatively rubbed its little head against her sleeve, making a soft "meow" sound.

"Huh?" Tang Xixue's eyes suddenly lit up, like a star falling into a clear pool, rippling with surprise.

She carefully adjusted her position to make the kitten more comfortable, her fingertips gently brushing against its fluffy white fur.

"She's quite the shy little snowball, and very well-behaved indeed."

Her smile was genuine and bright, without a trace of gloom, which stunned Kong Sangyu for a moment.

"This little dumpling... is really cute."

She gazed at the little white cat's round face, its fluffy, scarf-like neck fur, and its eyes that shone with a subtle blue luster under the changing light, her affection for it evident.

"Alright, I'll accept today's compensation."

Before Kong Sangyu could react and snatch it back, Tang Xixue turned around with the cat bed in her arms, her snow-white robes flashing a clean arc.

"Let's talk another day."

another day?

Is there another day?

Kong Sangyu was speechless for a moment.

He watched in disbelief as the little white cat that had been so affectionate with him found a comfortable spot in Tang Xixue's arms, curled up peacefully, and even began to purr softly. His eyes widened in astonishment.

"It...it actually likes her?"

This realization left him feeling quite frustrated and surprised.

Everyone says that all things have a spirit, but why is it a bit stupid?

"Brother, Princess Mirror... isn't actually that bad, is she?"

Kong Sangling leaned closer, watching Tang Xixue's departing figure, and muttered to herself.

"She's so beautiful, and the way she holds the cat is so gentle..."

Kong Sangyu withdrew her gaze, glared at her younger sister with annoyance, and said in a tone of disappointment:

"Judging by appearances is shallow! I bet you'll be the kind of person who gets sold out and then happily helps the seller count the money."

Outside the palace, the wind and snow had not yet stopped.

Mu Liang, holding an umbrella, saw Tang Xixue emerge carrying a bamboo basket. Inside the basket, a ball of snow-white down rippled slightly, and her cold, stern eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Your Highness, are you thinking of getting a cat?"

He asked in a low voice, while tilting the umbrella more towards her to shield her and the little dumpling in his arms from the wind and snow.

"Ah Liang," Tang Xixue looked up, her eyes sparkling, her smile radiant, as if she had found a priceless treasure, "We've really struck gold this time!"

"Um?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Mu Liang's eyes.

It's just a cat, though it's cute, why is it making Your Highness so happy?

"This is no ordinary cat."

Tang Xixue lowered her head and lightly touched the faint ice-blue lines on the kitten's forehead with her fingertips. These lines were only faintly visible under certain lighting conditions.

She recalled the description she had seen in the Book of Fate:

"Mountains and seas possess spirits, born to accompany their master. It resembles a white cat, pure white as snow, with blue eyes that hold the sea within, and cloud patterns hidden on its forehead. When it encounters the true master, it becomes docile and spiritual, able to command all beasts and suppress mountains and rivers, auspicious omens that protect the nation's destiny and secure its borders... It is the divinely ordained guardian beast of the Azure Wave Immortal Dynasty, Kong Sang Yu."

She raised her eyes and looked in the direction of the Azure Palace, her smile deepening.

"Kong Sangyu, you truly are a chosen one, blessed by destiny. You sit in the palace while opportunities come your way." She shook her head, her tone a mixture of sigh and envy, "Unlike me, I've always been destined to sit at home while trouble comes my way."

This time, we really have to thank Princess Ling.

Unintentionally, she received an unexpected and wonderful gift.

Although Mu Liang didn't know the extraordinary nature of the little white cat in her arms, seeing her relaxed brows and bright eyes, she was clearly genuinely happy.

For him, the reason was not important.

Your Highness's happiness is the best outcome.

"I'm glad Your Highness is pleased."

"To be able to meet Your Highness is a blessing it has earned through three lifetimes of good deeds."

Mu Liang's voice was deep and steady, falling into the snowy night. Each word was not deliberately crafted with tenderness, but because of its unreserved sincerity, it was more precious than any gorgeous words.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xixue's smile softened slightly.

She looked down at the little white cat in her arms, her fingertips gently stroking its furry forehead.

"Little dumpling, since you're going to be following me from now on, you should at least have a name."

She spoke very softly, as if handling a fragile treasure.

"Don't you think so?"

Meow~

The little white cat tilted its head back, its sapphire-like round eyes clearly reflecting her face, and responded very softly, its voice trembling slightly as if it were being coquettish.

It is incredibly intelligent. Its previous owner was certainly good, but this one is even better.

It really likes the scent on her.

Tang Xixue paused slightly, her gaze shifting, as if starlight and snow color were settling together in her eyes.

"How about I call you 'Silver Sky'?"

She lightly touched the kitten's cool nose with her fingertips, her voice as gentle as a spring stream melting snow.

"When the silver sky reflects the snow, the snow loses its color; when its eyes reflect the sea, the sea loses its depth."

The name "Silver Sky" not only describes its snow-white body but also subtly reflects the iridescent blue of its eyes, like a clear blue sea and sky.

The character "空" (kong) signifies spiritual clarity and purity, untouched by worldly dust.

The name contains the scenery, and the scenery embodies the spirit.

"Meow~"

The little white cat, Yin Kong, seemed to understand, letting out a happy meow and even sticking out its pink little tongue to gently lick her fingertip.

His blue eyes narrowed into crescent moons, clearly showing his great fondness for the new name.

"Then it's settled. From now on, Silver Sky will be mine."