The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Snow cottage in the mirror night.

Green bamboo covered with snow, its sparse shadows lying obliquely.

Those verdant bamboo stalks were soaked with the chill of winter, their leaves covered with a thin layer of frost, rustling softly in the wind and scattering a few wisps of fine snow.

Several red plum blossoms quietly bloomed in the corner of the wall, their crimson petals layered upon each other, adding a breathtaking touch of color to the pure white world.

A delicate fragrance permeates the crisp air, subtle and elusive, like a hazy old dream suddenly brought to your eyes by the wind.

"Your Highness, you're back!"

Li Shuang's voice was filled with undisguised joy as she immediately came forward to greet them.

She was wearing a pale yellow dress and reached out to take off the cloak from Tang Xixue's shoulders. There were still some unmelted snowflakes on the cloak, which gradually melted in the warmth of the room.

"Was the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven successful?"

"The sky is clear and the air is fresh, the wind and smoke have cleared, but the lake breeze is slightly cool, and occasionally a crow is startled from a branch."

Tang Xixue said casually.

"Your Highness got up early this morning and didn't even have breakfast. I've made you some pear soup, please try it."

Li Shuang led her into the courtyard.

On the wooden table in the courtyard sat a light brown earthenware charcoal stove, its fire burning gently and slowly, licking the belly of the stove.

The flames were orange-red, flickering and swaying, gradually dispelling the winter chill.

Tang Xixue sat down on the bamboo chair, which had been carefully cushioned. When she sat down, she sank into the softness.

The off-white ceramic teapot on the stove was bubbling away, the steam rising like a thin mist, mingling with the cool fog in the courtyard.

"It looks pretty good."

Tang Xixue leaned slightly forward, looking into the pot.

The pear chunks are like jade, translucent and white, gently tumbling in the boiling water; the longan is crystal clear, its amber-colored flesh sometimes sinking and sometimes floating; the goji berries are bright red like agate, each one like a ruby ​​scattered in the soup.

They blend together, each infusing its own sweetness and warmth into this pot of tea.

Li Shuang had already filled the porcelain cup halfway and presented it to her with both hands.

The soup was clear and light amber in color, and when the light shone through, the fine lines at the bottom of the cup could be seen.

A few dried osmanthus flowers floated on the surface of the cup, golden and small, with a faint, sweet fragrance.

The fragrance was extremely light and faint; you could only smell it when you got very close.

"Your Highness, please try these chestnuts and the freshly baked rice cakes; they're especially fragrant and soft."

Li Shuang attentively served her from the side.

In a rough earthenware dish beside the stove, chestnuts are piled up like a small mountain, their shells slightly cracked to reveal the golden chestnut meat inside.

The chestnuts were plump and full, as if they held the warmth of the sun. The rice cakes were cut into small squares and neatly arranged to the side.

Bake until both sides are slightly browned, the crust is crispy, the inside is soft and chewy, and it has an enticing sheen.

Qingdai brought warm water and asked Tangxi Xue to wash her hands.

After drying her hands, Tang Xixue picked up her chopsticks and began to taste.

"Your Highness, Military Advisor Yan has arrived."

The sound of light rain broke the brief silence in the courtyard.

"Please let him in."

Tang Xixue held her teacup and looked up toward the courtyard gate.

Yan Ci, dressed in a white robe with ink patterns, arrived through the snow.

The white robe was simple and plain, with only black flowing cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. It was understated yet exuded a sense of refined elegance.

He walked with composure, his back straight, like a bamboo stalk that refused to bend in winter.

"A-Ce, please sit down. Your brother isn't here, so please make yourself at home."

Tang Xixue said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Yan Ci sat down on the bamboo chair and handed over a detailed intelligence report with his slender fingers, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

"Your Highness, this is information about the Weaving Moon Sea Kingdom."

"Thank you for your trouble, A-Ce."

Tang Xixue took it and lowered her eyes to read it.

The steam from the teacup rose gently, forming a thin mist around her face.

"Xingyu, age 27, is the current Sea Emperor of the Zhiyue Sea Kingdom."

Yan Ci began his introduction with a clear, gentle voice, neither hurried nor slow, yet possessing a reassuring quality.

He ascended the throne at the age of seven and reigned for twenty years.

Tang Xixue raised an eyebrow slightly and looked up from the intelligence report.

"Oh?"

"To ascend the throne at the age of seven is quite intriguing."

She picked up the teacup and handed it to Yan Ci.

The movement was so natural, the warm touch of the teacup coming from his fingertips, bringing him a touch of winter warmth.

"It is said to be a palace coup in the Zhiyue Sea Kingdom twenty years ago."

Yan Ci took the teacup, the warmth spreading from his palm and reaching his heart.

He lowered his eyes to look at the clear tea in the cup, speaking in a calm and unhurried manner.

"The only direct descendant of the Moon Clan princess disappeared without a trace, the old Sea Emperor abdicated, and the entire direct line of the Moon Clan vanished overnight. Amidst the chaos, Xingyu was thrust onto the throne, where he remained for twenty years."

"Wouldn't he then have absolute power in the maritime kingdom?"

Tang Xixue took a sip of tea, her gaze falling on the flickering flames in the stove.

The charcoal fire was warm, and the aroma of tea wafted through the air.

Steam rose up, mingling with the thin mist in the courtyard, creating a hazy, dreamlike scene.

"The power of the Sea Kingdom is divided into two: Tianxingque holds the power of life and death, while Zonglantai holds the power of supervision. The seven elders reside in the deep sea, using the pretext of upholding the orthodoxy of the Yuezhi to maintain a balance of power both overtly and covertly."

Yan Ci shook his head, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the cup.

"The two sides have been locked in a stalemate for twenty years, coexisting peacefully yet also growing weary of each other. Information about that direct descendant princess is simply unavailable..."

He paused, his tone resolute.

"But the token is undoubtedly Cangxue's Heart."

"There is a high probability that the young prince is the legitimate princess of the Moon Clan."

A calm smile appeared in Tang Xixue's eyes.

If you can't find any clues, let them surface on their own.

She put down her teacup and gazed at the distant, faintly visible clouds.

"The Moon-Weaving Sea Kingdom must have taken notice of the Heart of Azure Snow. I have already alerted them; they will surely take action."

"Yes. Your Highness is wise. I have already sent people to keep an eye on things."

Yan Ci's lips curled up slightly, his smile carrying a hint of appreciation.

"Wait until they walk right into our trap, then we can get the answers directly from them."

He met her when they were young. She seemed carefree, but in reality, she was shrewd and took every step very steadily.

He has a phobia of stupidity and only likes intelligent people.

"However, we found some information about that Sea Emperor."

He continued, his voice carrying a hint of assessment.

"He rarely shows himself. Whenever he does appear in the world, he is always veiled by an ice-blue gauze curtain and his face is covered by a silver tassel beaded curtain, so no one can see his true face. He is only seen to be enveloped in a clear radiance, like the moon fallen to earth, like the sea frozen into ice."

"Rumors say she is exceptionally beautiful, but few have actually seen her, so there is no way to verify it."

The Kingdom of Zhiyue is located far away in the Lingzhou Sea of ​​Jingshui, not on the mainland.

Even with the help of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, that's all they could find out.

"The Nine Realms Alliance, where emperors gather."

We'll meet sooner or later.

Tangxi Xue spoke calmly and composedly, as if she were describing nothing more than an ordinary encounter.

"Your Highness, some fruits and snacks have been sent from Shanheque."

Qingdai's voice broke the brief silence in the courtyard.

She gently placed the oval bamboo fruit basket on the table. The basket was woven from bamboo strips with fine texture, exuding a rustic elegance.

The basket is filled with colorful fruits piled up in a charming way—the red strawberries are vibrant and juicy, the golden loquats are round and plump, and the green grapes are crystal clear.

The enormous tray with its nine-square grid was the most eye-catching feature.

Each compartment is neatly arranged, categorized and arranged in a pleasing, staggered manner.

Almond cookies are golden, osmanthus cake is milky white, mung bean cake is light green, walnuts are brown, pine nuts are pale yellow, hazelnuts are dark brown...

Each cell has a different color, and each cell has a different fragrance.

The fragrances intertwined, sweet and warm, making one's heart soften upon smelling them.

"By the way, these desserts were all made by your master himself."

Qingdai remembered Wensong, who had just delivered the gifts, and how he had deliberately tried to curry favor with his lord.

"Made by Master..."

Tang Xixue's eyes brightened slightly.

The light came suddenly, like a lamp suddenly lit up in the dark night.

Her eyes, which had been calm and composed just moments before, were now brimming with surprise and anticipation.

Exquisite desserts were served in small white porcelain dishes decorated with gold trim.

The purple crystal lotus jelly is crystal clear and translucent.

She picked up a piece and gently put it into her mouth.

In that instant, her eyes lit up.

Her already bright eyes now seemed to be caressed by a spring breeze.

"It's delicious."

Her voice was as soft as melted honey.

Xie Jinlian once said that his cooking skills were better than his younger brother's.

He was not exaggerating.

Master successfully won her heart through her stomach.

"Your Highness seems to like your master very much?"

Yan Ci asked the question casually.

The two had known each other since they were young and their relationship was not distant.

"What? Is A-Ce asking for himself, or on behalf of my imperial brother?"

Tang Xixue rested her chin on her hand, her bright, watery eyes gazing at him.

"Your Majesty, I am only concerned about you."

Yan Ci's expression was dignified and serious.

"I'm worried that you'll be fooled by those frivolous and dissolute people outside."

"Then A-Ce is overthinking it."

Tang Xixue held the pastries made by Xie Jinlian.

"Him..."

She paused, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

"The best in the world..."

Yan Ci raised an eyebrow slightly.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and used the warmth of the tea to suppress the complex emotions in his heart.

It seems his emperor has suffered a complete defeat!

Someone beat them to it, and was both attentive and gentle.

His Majesty is still over there, with his brothers and sisters.

Everyone else is already the best in Zhizhi's heart.