The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The scarlet figure, like a solitary flame, moved through the snow-covered plum grove outside the corridor.

The wind swept through the deep doorway, lifting the snow-white hem of the girl's cloak and making it flutter.

She didn't stop walking; her steps were crisp and decisive, revealing a kind of dashing and unrestrained grace she had never shown before.

"Miss, why bother with her?"

Li'er, the maid beside Shen Yan, pouted and muttered under her breath, her tone full of resentment as she watched the receding crimson figure.

"Her behavior... how could someone like the young master truly care about her? This marriage is inevitable sooner or later..."

"Li'er, be careful what you say. She is still your brother's fiancée."

Shen Yan interrupted gently.

Even so, her gaze lingered on the direction where Tang Xixue had disappeared, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

The coldness and indifference of that brief exchange just now do not overlap with the clingy and noisy shadow in my memory.

The unfamiliarity caused a chord in her heart to tighten almost imperceptibly for a moment.

She said nothing more, but stood quietly under an old plum tree beside the mountain gate.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a simple yet elegant carriage rolled over the cleaned mountain road and came to a steady stop in front of the gate.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Shen Xian, dressed in a bamboo-leaf sky-blue school uniform with a dark gray cloak over it, stepped down from the carriage.

He was exceptionally talented and had a calm demeanor. Even in this place where geniuses gathered, his noble and dignified bearing, like that of a gentleman, still made people forget the mundane world.

Although he is still studying at Lintai, he has already taken up a real post and is now the Minister of Justice of the Ministry of Justice. He is a young minister who is highly valued by Emperor Tangxi Ye.

"Cloud painting?"

Upon seeing Shen Yan waiting in the cold wind, Shen Xian was slightly taken aback, then stepped forward.

"It's freezing cold, why are you waiting here? Be careful not to catch a cold."

"Brother."

Shen Yan looked up and called out softly.

In that instant when their eyes met, it was as if stars suddenly lit up in her calm, lake-like eyes, rippling out soft, warm waves.

She lowered her head slightly, revealing a section of her fair and graceful neck, her voice soft and gentle:

"I haven't seen my brother for a long time, and I've been thinking of him. Since I had nothing else to do, I waited for a while. It's nothing."

"You."

Shen Xian shook his head helplessly, but his eyes held a warm smile.

He always showed extra care and indulgence to his adopted sister, with whom he had grown up since childhood, whose talent and character he trusted and admired.

"In that case, let's go in together. Today is the Xuanke Grand Examination, presided over by the Imperial Preceptor, which is no small matter. Are you all prepared?"

"Um."

Shen Yan nodded slightly, a barely perceptible blush rising on her cheeks, like a light rouge brushed on white porcelain. Her voice was low but firm.

"We dare not be negligent and have already made thorough preparations."

The two walked side by side, slowly towards the gate of Lintai Mountain.

The man is upright and handsome, like a pine or bamboo; the woman is gentle and elegant, like an orchid or a fragrant herb.

The morning light stretched their shadows long, casting them onto the clean bluestone slabs, creating a harmonious scene reminiscent of a natural masterpiece.

This scene caught the attention of the many scions of prominent families who had not yet dispersed, immediately eliciting a chorus of suppressed sighs and envy.

"Look, Young Master Shen and Miss Shen have arrived together..."

"The bond between the siblings is as strong as ever. It's truly rare to see such a considerate young master Shen."

"What's so strange about that? Miss Shen is a top-notch woman in terms of talent, appearance, and character. Standing next to Young Master Shen, aren't they a perfect match, complementing each other beautifully?"

"In my opinion, among the younger generation in the capital, there are very few who can rival the two of them in terms of talent and demeanor."

"That's true, it's really...enviable."

The whispers drifted away on the wind, carrying undisguised longing and admiration.

In the eyes of everyone, the Shen siblings undoubtedly represent the perfect example of what a noble family upbringing can achieve—talented and beautiful, with a promising future.

Amidst those admiring gazes, Shen Yan walked with increasing ease, a gentle and impeccable smile playing on her lips.

"laugh--"

A soft, undisguised snort rang out from behind the desk by the window.

Shen Nian, the eldest daughter of the Shen family, rested her chin on her hand, taking in the scene outside the window as Shen Xian and Shen Yan arrived together.

Her red lips pursed, her tone dripping with sharp sarcasm:

"What a loving scene... Anyone who didn't know better would think that Shen Yunhua was my brother's betrothed."

"Princess Mirror, aren't you the one who can't stand anyone getting involved with my brother?"

"That adopted daughter is practically glued to him now, how can you still sit still?"

"In the past, I should have slapped her twice to teach her a lesson!"

Tang Xixue was sitting quietly in her seat.

Qingdai had carefully arranged all the brand-new writing implements that she had brought. After doing this, Qingdai silently retreated to the door of the lecture hall to wait.

Upon hearing the sound, Tang Xixue merely raised her eyes, her gaze calmly sweeping over Shen Nian, who was watching the spectacle with amusement.

It was no secret in Lintai that the legitimate daughter of the Shen family and her adopted daughter, Shen Yan, were irreconcilable enemies.

"Those who cause trouble without cause and disrupt the order of the lecture hall."

According to the regulations of Lintai, the examiner has the right to disqualify the examinee on the spot.

A clear, spring-like voice came from behind her.

Pei Yanchuan sat behind Tang Xixue, still wearing his faded green bamboo school uniform. On the table in front of him were the same old inkstone and worn-out brush with frayed edges.

He seemed to be simply stating the rules, without looking at anyone.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xixue lowered her eyelashes slightly and raised the corners of her lips slightly.

"Um."

She responded.

"I won't cause trouble."

After saying that, she turned around and looked at the boy behind her who had spoken up to remind her.

This action stunned Shen Nian, who was waiting for her reaction, and also made Pei Yanchuan, who had his eyes lowered, tremble involuntarily.

He never expected that this princess, who always did things her own way, would accept such an almost offensive reminder so calmly.

Tang Xixue's gaze lingered for a moment on his thin, old clothes and the meager stationery on his desk.

"Yanchuan, why don't you use the brush and ink I gave you? Is it not to your liking?"

Pei Yanchuan suddenly looked up, met her gaze, his heart tightened, and he subconsciously shook his head:

"It's not that I dislike it. It's just... it's too precious."

He answered cautiously.

He couldn't bear to use it.

Moreover, those things that are too eye-catching will only bring more unnecessary trouble to his already difficult situation.

Tang Xixue looked at him quietly for two seconds, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, only giving a very faint "hmm" before turning back.

This completely unexpected reaction greatly displeased Shen Nian, who had been waiting for her to lash out.

"Hey! Tangxi Xue!"

Shen Nian raised her voice in dissatisfaction, her slender fingers almost poking at him.

"Why are you wasting your breath arguing with this poor, pedantic scholar? Shouldn't your attention be focused on my brother? His fiancé is about to be stolen away, and you still have the nerve to care about what kind of junk he's using!"

Her words were sharp and loud, drawing the attention of the students who had not yet fully taken their seats in the lecture hall.

Pei Yanchuan's fingers tightened slightly around the old pen, his knuckles turning bluish-white, yet he still kept his back straight, staring straight ahead as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"If you can't stand Shen Yan, you can go and teach her a lesson yourself. I think their sibling relationship is very good."

Tang Xixue said calmly.

She has no feelings for this fiancé, and she is definitely going to break off the engagement.

It was because of the marriage agreement that the transmigrated female protagonist sought that she has brought her so much trouble.

"You, you! You'll regret this."

Shen Nian's pretty face flushed slightly with anger.

In the past, Tang Xixue would have been incredibly humble to please her future sister-in-law, but now her attitude is so terrible!