The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The shadow of the sun moved another three inches.

The light seeped in through the white jade carvings in the window, spreading out on the floor like tiny pieces of silver foil.

The light and shadow gradually took on the warmth of midday.

It was as if someone was slowly pouring warm honey water into a glass cup, making even the air feel soft and fluffy, with tiny golden dust floating around.

"Sister-in-law."

Yun Boyan stood to one side, the dark patterns embroidered on his silver robe appearing and disappearing in the light—flowing clouds, flying snow.

He held the glass flute, shrouded in mist and burning with dreams, and handed it to his elder brother in the white jade wheelchair.

"How about we stay for lunch?"

As he said this, his gaze swept across Tang Xixue's face before quickly looking down.

That glance was too quick, too quick for anyone to catch the emotion within it.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, the ripples barely form before they dissipate.

"I'll cook in a bit. Sister-in-law, why don't you keep brother company?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the empty palace.

Carved beams and painted rafters, exquisite furnishings.

The exquisite objects were displayed quietly, and his elder brother sat quietly as well.

"He was in this empty Firefly Palace, with no one to talk to."

Wuya and Wensong remained silent upon hearing this. What could they do if the emperor looked down on them?

They were helpless too.

If the emperor doesn't speak, they can only remain as statues.

Xie Jinlian took the Burning Dream Flute.

When my fingertips touched the misty patterns on the flute, I paused slightly.

He didn't speak, but the corners of his lips slightly turned up.

"Didn't my brother say that when we meet again, we should play a duet together?"

Yun Boyan added another sentence.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinlian's smile deepened.

He turned his head slightly.

Her eyes were covered by a white veil, yet she seemed to be able to see everything clearly.

"When did I ever say I wanted to play a duet with Zhizhi?"

His voice was deep and mellow, like a spring flowing deep in the mountains, unhurried yet possessing a calming power.

"It's always been Zhizhi playing the zither, while I wield the sword—"

He paused, a meaningful glint appearing in his smile.

"Zhizhi is testing you. Ayan gave himself away from the very beginning."

Tang Xixue stood to the side, her eyebrows curving slightly upon hearing this.

Today she wore that red dress, a fiery and dazzling red that, against the backdrop of the cool and serene colors of the hall, resembled a cluster of flames, or a red plum blossom blooming on a snowy plain.

"At that time, I didn't know you were twin brothers."

When she spoke, her voice was light and soft, yet it carried a hint of liveliness and cunning.

"When I first saw Ayan, I thought he looked exactly like my master, but I also felt that something was different. His face was not disguised and there was no fault with it, so I tested him a few times."

She looked at Yun Boyan.

Her peach blossom eyes were filled with laughter, shining like the brilliant starlight of the entire Milky Way.

"Ayan managed to catch it, but not completely."

At that time, she was actually always on edge.

They were wary of this suddenly appearing master, yet also afraid that if he really was Xie Jinlian, they might accidentally hurt him.

That contradiction pulled her in different directions, forcing her to cautiously test the waters.

But Yun Boyan's disguise was so convincing, and he had so many of the same traits as her master, that it almost made her question her life.

Now that the truth is out, looking at Yun Boyan's face, which is exactly the same as Xie Jinlian's, one can easily tell the difference.

Her master's every smile and frown was etched in her heart.

It was an indescribable feeling—not about appearance, not about voice, but something deeper.

It's an aura.

It's temperature.

It was his soul, which she could recognize even with her eyes closed.

"It seems that weaving skills are still superior."

Xie Jinlian said, holding the Burning Dream Flute.

"Ayan, your acting skills aren't very good."

Yun Boyan lowered his eyes and remained silent.

He just thought to himself: It's not that his acting is bad, it's that his sister-in-law is too smart.

So clever that there's nowhere for anyone to hide or escape.

He was playing the role of the elder brother in front of his sister-in-law, which was like walking on thin ice.

But he believes that through his observation and learning, he will surely be able to act even more convincingly.

There's nothing I can do; he just really wants to improve.

"Then let Ayan prepare lunch."

Xie Jinlian turned to Tang Xixue, her tone tinged with barely concealed pride.

That pride was subtle, yet it perfectly resembled the pride of every young person showing off their family in front of their crush.

"Ayan is a very good cook, Zhizhi can try some."

Tang Xixue looked at Yun Boyan with some surprise.

The figure in the silver robe stood in the light, exuding a cold and aloof aura, with a thin layer of frost seemingly forever lingering between his brows and eyes.

The lofty and unapproachable Holy Son of the Moon.

You can actually cook?

"Actually, my brother is also a very good cook; it's a family recipe passed down through generations."

Yun Boyan seemed to see her confusion and said calmly.

"But he's not available right now, so I'll take care of it."

His gaze fell on her, and a hint of seriousness appeared in his silvery eyes.

"My sister-in-law doesn't need to cook here."

They say the way to a person's heart is through their stomach.

He was determined to make his sister-in-law love his cooking.

"I'm really looking forward to it."

Tang Xixue curved her eyebrows into a smile.

As she said this, her gaze secretly fell on Xie Jinlian out of the corner of her eye.

She was even more looking forward to her master's cooking skills.

Xie Jinlian turned her head slightly towards Wen Song.

"Wen Song, bring out the pipa from my room."

He seemed to suddenly remember something, but his tone remained calm and nonchalant.

"By the way, Ayan, when you have some free time today, could you please give Wen Song some pointers on his swordsmanship?"

"it is good."

The thin clouds should be neatly arranged.

He almost never refused his elder brother and always granted his requests.

"How could I possibly trouble Lord Yun for guidance!"

The smile on Wen Song's delicate face froze.

All he did was say a few kind words and give the emperor a little help, didn't he?

Is Your Majesty not pleased?

Could it be that he has erectile dysfunction?

Is Your Majesty's revenge too ruthless?

This made him seriously doubt the emperor's virility, so he became angry and took his anger out on him.

How innocent Wen Song is!

"Please wait a moment, Your Majesty."

He silently turned around and walked into the depths of the bedchamber.

"What pipa?"

Tang Xixue was a little curious.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Xie Jinlian slightly curved the corners of her lips.

After a while.

Wen Song came out carrying a pipa.

As soon as the pipa appeared, all the light in the hall seemed to gather around it.

The instrument has a long, slender body and gleams with a cool, silvery light.

It is as gentle as the light formed from moonlight, like a handful of snow picked from the top of Kunlun Mountain, quietly polished by the years.

The surface of the instrument is adorned with countless tiny snowflakes, each one carved from deep-sea mithril, as thin as a cicada's wing, shimmering with delicate light under the sun.

The light shone softly, like snowflakes falling quietly on a winter night.

Crystal snow lotus blossoms entwine among them.

The petals are crystal clear, layer upon layer, as if they have just bloomed from the snow, still covered with the morning dew.

The vines meander upwards, the carving so exquisite that they seem to come alive, making one almost able to imagine their swaying in the wind.

When the wind blows, the lotus flowers and snowflakes seem to tremble gently.

"Your Majesty, I have brought you the pipa that you personally crafted for Princess Jing."

Wen Song held the pipa in both hands and respectfully handed it to Tang Xixue.

"On behalf of His Majesty, I present this to Your Highness."