The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Auspicious New Year.

Before the mountains and rivers, at the Chaotian Square.

After the snow, the sky was clear and blue.

Sunlight streamed through the thin clouds, shimmering like gold.

In the distance, Mirror Lake is frozen solid, reflecting the majestic palaces and the rosy clouds in the sky, creating a scene of crystal clarity between heaven and earth.

Today is the grand ceremony for offering sacrifices to Heaven in the Northern Star Empire.

The people look up to him, and all the officials arrive together.

Above Chaotian Square, banners fluttered in the wind, billowing like waves.

On the black flag, the gilded emblem of the Chenyao royal family shimmered with dazzling golden light under the sunlight.

Outside the square, the people stood at a distance, only able to gaze at the solemn and majestic palace from afar.

The crowd surged, yet no one dared to make a sound or overstep their bounds.

It was a deep-seated reverence—reverence for heaven and earth, reverence for imperial power, and reverence for this ceremony that had lasted for hundreds of years.

Inside the hall, officials stood in order of rank.

The court attire was solemn, the crowns were neat, and everyone was impeccably dressed.

The noble families arrived with their relatives. The women were adorned with jewels and dressed in fine clothes, but they dared not speak loudly, only occasionally whispering to each other.

The envoys from various countries took their seats in their designated places, some looking around curiously, some talking in hushed tones, and some observing everything in the room with serious expressions.

As Shen Yan stepped into the square with Prime Minister Shen Zhangzheng and his eldest son Shen Xian, all eyes quietly turned to her.

She wore a blue dress today, looking quiet and elegant, with a magnolia beaded flower in her hair, exuding the grace of a well-bred lady.

Although she was adopted, she had honed herself into an impeccable woman over the years, and her every move exuded the grace of a noble lady, earning her the reputation of being a model of aristocratic daughters.

"Miss Yunhua, I heard you were feeling unwell before, are you feeling much better now?"

A young master from a prominent family came forward and greeted him warmly.

His gaze fell on her face, filled with an undisguised eagerness.

"Miss Shen, you look great today."

"Still radiant."

Shen Yan bowed slightly, a polite smile playing on her lips:

"Thank you for your concern, young master. Yunhua is now safe and sound."

She paused, her gaze sweeping lightly over her surroundings:

"Thank you for your concern, gentlemen."

Her graceful demeanor and gentle tone perfectly embodied the upbringing of a well-bred young lady.

But deep down, she was still secretly gritting her teeth.

The poisonous insects that day caused her so much suffering.

For many days, I couldn't go out to see anyone, attend any events, or make any connections.

Fortunately, she recovered before the sacrificial ceremony; otherwise, missing such a grand event would have been a lifelong regret for her.

As an adopted daughter of the Shen family, she knew better than anyone else that opportunity never waits for anyone.

She has to seize every opportunity.

"Everyone, please follow the rules and refrain from making noise."

A clear voice rang out, carrying a hint of official seriousness.

Shen Xian, dressed in brocade robes and wearing a jade belt, stood beside Prime Minister Shen.

He stood tall and straight, with refined features, and exuded the noble and aloof air unique to the eldest son of a prominent family.

That aloofness is not arrogance, but a deep-seated respect for rules that has been ingrained in one's bones since childhood.

He was very serious and meticulous.

They always appear to be strictly adhering to etiquette and propriety.

"Let's go."

Shen Xiang, also known as Shen Zhangzheng, strode forward, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

He had a mature face and gentle, jade-like features, yet his brows revealed a seriousness that had remained unchanged over the years.

The seriousness was almost rigid, as if everything in the world should be orderly and orderly, allowing no room for error.

He wore a blue official robe, with long sleeves that flowed smoothly, and dark-patterned brocade layered with silver gauze that shimmered with a low-key yet luxurious luster in the sunlight.

The garment is embroidered with a pattern of cranes and clouds intertwined with branches, and every stitch is exquisite and meticulous.

A silver belt inlaid with jade at the waist, fastened with a cloud-patterned buckle, gave him an imposing air.

That silver represents the accumulated wisdom of a century-old family, and that jade embodies the integrity of the head of all officials.

Wherever he went, people bowed in respect.

"I have met Prime Minister Shen."

He simply nodded slightly, and the young noblemen and officials who had been whispering just moments before fell silent instantly under his gaze.

It was an aura of authority cultivated from long-term high positions.

Not angry.

"Today is the grand ceremony to worship Heaven. Please check carefully and avoid any mistakes."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every official in the Ministry of Rites.

"Yes, sir."

The officials from the Ministry of Rites responded in unison, respectfully.

Just then—

A clear, silvery laugh suddenly rang out.

The laughter was childlike and innocent, like the first warbling of a nightingale in spring, breaking the solemnity of the entire room.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

A little girl, about four or five years old, was running happily toward them.

She wore a light green top paired with a beige ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a few tender green leaf buds embroidered on the hem, making her look playful and cute.

Her two small hair buns were adorned with green beaded flowers, which swayed gently as she ran, like the two freshest dewdrops on a spring branch.

She ran happily and laughed crisply, completely oblivious to the solemn atmosphere surrounding the scene.

"Is this country girl so ill-mannered?"

Shen Yan frowned slightly and lowered her voice:

"She looks like Pei Yanchuan's younger sister."

She had once seen Pei Yanchuan sweeping snow outside the Plum Blossom Courtyard with his younger sister.

That small figure, wrapped in an old cotton-padded coat, was smiling more happily than anyone else.

As soon as Shen Yan finished speaking, Shen Xian's gaze suddenly fell on that small figure.

—Is that his half-sister?

The little figure ran happily, completely unaware that all eyes were on her.

so cute.

Shen Xian subconsciously took a step forward.

He knew the importance of the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, and that such an occasion could not tolerate the slightest mistake.

If that child offends a noble person, the consequences will be unimaginable.

He planned to go forward and take her away to settle her in.

"Whose child is this?"

Shen Xiang's voice rang out, tinged with doubt.

Very few people would bring such a young child to such an occasion.

Only members of the Chenyao royal family would bring their young heirs.

The next moment, Shen Xian stopped in his tracks.

At that moment, Shen Xiang's indifferent and serious face suddenly froze.

"Ranran, slow down."

A gentle voice rang out, like a spring breeze rustling through the willow branches by the lake:

"Come to your mother's side."

Mei Ruohuan, dressed in an elegant robe, walked gracefully towards them.

She wore a plum blossom hairpin in her hair. The plum blossom was exquisitely carved, with layers of petals, as if it had just been plucked from a branch.

Time never defeats a beauty—she remains breathtakingly beautiful, her eyes and brows imbued with the composure and gentleness bestowed by time, her scholarly air making her unforgettable.

She took Pei Ningran's small hand and gently pulled her back to her side.

They were wearing new clothes given to them by Tang Xixue.

The fabric is soft and warm, and the color is elegant. It is both warm and beautiful, making the mother and daughter look even more gentle and charming.

"Slender and graceful..."

Shen Zhangzheng gazed at that familiar yet unfamiliar figure across the crowd.

He seemed frozen in place, like a statue unable to move.

Beneath his official robes, his fingers were curled up together.

Those fingers once held the reins of power over the world, reviewed countless memorials, and wielded the power of life and death.

But at this moment, they were just curled up, trembling slightly.

He thought she had perished in the fire five years ago.

He thought he would never see her again in this lifetime.

He thought they were separated forever.

Mei Ruohuan heard that voice.

The voice pierced through the crowd, through time, through the long years, and landed directly in her ears.

She held Pei Ningran's hand with one hand and looked up at the sound.

That figure remained as upright as a pine tree, as handsome as ever.

But those eyes, which were always calm and undisturbed, were now shockingly red.

"Hold your humility."

She called out softly.

The sound was very soft, so soft that only the speaker could hear it.

Then, she lowered her eyes.

I stopped looking at him.

She took Pei Ningran's hand and walked in another direction.

There, Regent Prince Qi Si of Yun Chuan stood with an imposing aura, dressed in a black and red python robe.

He reached out and gently picked up Pei Ningran. The little girl smiled in his arms and hugged his neck.

Then, he took Mei Ruohuan's hand.

The movement was extremely natural and firm.

He looked up and gazed at Shen Zhangzheng.

In that gaze, there was provocation, a declaration, and the release of what had been suppressed in his heart for so many years—a triumphant feeling.

Let me introduce myself to you.

Qi Si spoke, his voice low and clear, yet reaching the ears of everyone present:

"This one is mine—"

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"The Regent's Wife"

The words fell.

The entire room fell silent.

Shen Zhangzheng's face turned ashen instantly.

He thought that even though Pei Zhao was gone, he still had a chance to reconcile with her.

But his beloved Yaoyao is now someone else's princess.

The love he once betrayed, missed, and thought was dead, now stands beside another man, holding his hand and protected by him.

Qi Si looked at Shen Xiang with a cold smile.

This man who stole his beauty and didn't cherish her.

This man caused her so much suffering.

Now, he can only watch helplessly as she belongs to him.

"Greetings to the Regent's Wife."

The envoys from various countries rose to pay their respects.

The shouts rose and fell.

The regent of Yunchuan, whom all nations tacitly acknowledge, wields even greater power than the young emperor, and can almost be considered an uncrowned emperor.

Qi Si nodded slightly and led Mei Ruohuan and Pei Ningran to their seats in the Yun Chuan Empire's viewing area.

He turned his head and looked at the figure of Shen Xiang, who was still standing there not far away, a very faint smile appearing on his lips.

"Lin'er".

He spoke, his voice softening slightly:

"Sit next to your father."

Pei Yanchuan was slightly taken aback.

He then walked forward gracefully and sat down next to the figure in the black and red python robe.

He sat beside the God of War, Qi Wang.

Then, he looked up and met the gentle, smiling gaze from Yun Chuan's seat.

The young emperor, Qi Zhan, was looking at him.

That smile was as warm as a spring breeze, but deep in those eyes, there was clearly something sharp.

"Ying Lin".

Qi Zhan spoke, his voice clear and melodious:

"It's been a long time."

Pei Yanchuan's lips curled up slightly, but the smile was so faint that it revealed no emotion whatsoever.

"Yes, it's been a long time, Your Majesty..."

He gazed at that young face, at that spring-like smile, but his heart felt icy cold.

Over the years, if he, his mother, and his sister hadn't hidden themselves well, they would have long since died at the hands of the pursuers sent by this smiling young emperor.

The suspicious emperor had long suspected that he was a descendant of the regent.

He used to look at him, his tone nonchalant: "Ying Lin, you really look like the Imperial Uncle. Could it be—you're the Imperial Uncle's biological son? He treats you much better than he treats us."

Even before Qi Si knew that Pei Yanchuan was his biological son, the astute young emperor had already made his decision.

Now—as expected, the prophecy has come true.

"I didn't expect that."

Qi Zhan smiled, his tone tinged with a hint of wistfulness:

"We'll meet again."

He lowered his eyes, concealing the cold glint in them completely.

The cold light fell upon his younger brother, Qi Wang, who was completely unaware of what was happening beside him.

If it weren't for this idiot who stubbornly hid Pei Yanchuan's whereabouts and repeatedly intercepted the tracking team...

They even helped cover it up and create a false impression, using all his military strategies to hinder Yun Chuan's pursuit.

He had already erased Pei Yanchuan and Mei Ruohuan from his life.

Qi Wang sat to the side, completely unaware of his brother's gaze.

He simply gazed at Pei Yanchuan, a clean and pure smile playing on his lips.

"Ying Lin, congratulations! You've finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel! From now on, you can return openly and legitimately."

That smile was entirely genuine.

"idiot."

Qi Zhan cursed under his breath, then looked away, still wearing that gentle, spring-like smile.

But beneath that smile lay a murderous intent unknown to anyone.

The sunlight was perfect.

The grand ceremony to worship Heaven is about to begin.