The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Meow~"

A soft, sweet meow rang out, so gentle it seemed to melt into one's heart.

The little white cat, Yin Kong, suddenly appeared from nowhere and, with a light leap, landed steadily in Tang Xixue's arms.

It found a comfortable corner, rubbed its little head against her palm, and then nestled down contentedly, making a satisfied "gurgling" sound.

The voice was soft, gentle, and incredibly lovely.

"Is this the little cat that His Highness keeps?"

Yan Ci gazed at that ball of white, his eyes flickering slightly.

He was in charge of receiving intelligence from all sides and had already heard the news that Tang Xixue had raised a little white cat.

Now that we've met, it's a sight to behold.

A fluffy little snowball nestled in the equally white embrace of Tangxi Snow, lazily squinting its eyes and occasionally swishing its tail.

It truly looked like a peaceful and idyllic scene.

"Its name is Silver Sky."

Tang Xixue nodded slightly, her fingertips gently stroking the little white cat's back.

The movements were gentle, one after another, unhurried and slow, yet exceptionally patient.

Li Shuang handed over a small dish of boiled chicken breast, which had already been shredded into small strips.

Yin Kong immediately let out a "woof" and leaned his little head over, eating with great relish.

"So cute."

Yan Ci's lips curled up slightly, but his gaze seemed to be fixed on nowhere.

Li Shuanghou stood to the side, silently lowering her eyes.

She always wondered if the "cute" that Yan Junshi mentioned referred to the cat, or something else entirely...

She dared not think.

I didn't dare to look.

She shouldn't have known so much...

Otherwise, she would just keep randomly tapping on things every day.

Although eating anything will only ensure her nutritional balance.

"Your Highness, Young Master Pei has moved all his belongings from the Hall of Longevity."

Pear Frost reported in a low voice.

"Okay. Remember to prepare enough charcoal for his room and change to warmer bedding. Don't mistreat him."

Tang Xixue didn't even raise her head, still gently stroking the little white cat in her arms.

Since Pei Yanchuan is willing to follow her, she will naturally treat him well.

"Yes."

Li Shuang responded, a warm feeling rising in her heart.

Their prince never mistreated them.

Not to mention Pei Yanchuan's room, even in the rooms of the other families, there has never been a shortage of bedding or a lack of charcoal fire.

Those time-traveling women in the past didn't care about their lives at all.

They were busy vying for favor, busy scheming, and busy dealing with the messes they had made; how could they care about the well-being of these servants?

Those few of them have had very low incomes and have had a tough time these past few years.

In winter, there wasn't enough charcoal, so the girls had to huddle together for warmth; their blankets were thin, and they often woke up from the cold at night.

I can withstand the chill of the morning and the coolness of the evening, but I get punished every day.

But now, His Highness has returned.

They finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

They took good care of their basic needs and provided them with plenty of rewards.

Adding clothes where needed, adding charcoal where needed, and repairing houses where needed—nothing was overlooked.

Their prince is always so good.

"There were some palace servants who had dishonest practices before."

Tang Xixue's beautiful fingers continued to gently stroke the little white cat as she spoke without changing her expression.

"Chao Han, send them to the Imperial Execution Station."

"I will not tolerate disloyal people here."

The voice was soft and clear, yet undeniably authoritative.

Upon hearing this, Chao Han immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

"Yes, sir."

In those years, His Majesty never mistreated Princess Changsheng in the Hall of Longevity.

However, some palace servants who fawned on the powerful and belittled the weak lined their own pockets and cut back on expenses.

Even Pei Yanchuan's house, with its broken windows and damaged door, was never repaired.

The money intended for repairs was all embezzled.

In those years, all their energy was spent dealing with the time-traveling woman, leaving them no time to care about an insignificant Pei Yanchuan.

Those people deserved their fate.

Chao Han thought silently.

"Did Young Master Pei also move out with His Highness?"

Yan Ci raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of profound meaning.

"That's going to be interesting."

His Majesty's jealousy jar is definitely going to be kicked away.

When he arrived, he saw the four large characters on the plaque outside: "Jingye Xuelu".

He wouldn't say who was secretly possessive.

The results of it?

Pei Yanchuan moved in without any hesitation.

If His Majesty doesn't go mad, who will?

"What, Ah Ce wants to move in too?"

Tang Xixue looked up at him, her gaze carrying a faint smile.

The cup in Yan Ci's hand almost flew out of his hand.

"Your Highness!"

His voice even changed tone.

"You can't say that."

He quickly put down his cup and raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"For the sake of our years of friendship, please don't hurt me, and treat me gently."

He paused, then added, his tone pleading.

"Think about it, who was covering for you all along..."

He remembered everything from his youth, the trouble they got into together, and the days he helped keep it a secret from his teacher.

His gaze swept over the Hidden Dragon Guards lurking in the shadows, carrying a hint of warning.

Tell them to keep their mouths shut and not to report things they shouldn't.

"A-Ce, peel the chestnuts you like yourself."

Tang Xixue lightly tapped the wooden table with her finger, a casual yet captivating gesture.

"I'm busy feeding the cat, so I won't feed you..."

Yan Ci gazed at her exquisitely beautiful hands, his ear tips turning slightly red.

Her hands were as white as snow, her fingers long and slender, like pearls and silk. Her nails were neatly trimmed and had a faint sheen.

Her fingertips were tinged with pink, like cherry blossom petals just beginning to bloom on a branch in spring.

He dared not look any longer.

But I can't help wanting to watch it.

Yan Ci remained silent.

If she dares to feed him, His Majesty will dare to give him poisoned wine.

He lowered his eyes and silently peeled the chestnuts in his hands.

She still remembered the flavors he liked when he was young.

When he was studying in Lintai, his favorite food was roasted chestnuts.

Every time I finished school, I would go to that shop on the street corner to buy a pack.

The chestnuts were piping hot as he peeled them, breathing on them to keep warm.

She used to laugh at him, saying he was the reincarnation of a chestnut spirit, unable to resist chestnuts. Even chestnuts would tremble at the sight of him.

With her delicate pink fingertips, she gently pushed a dish of honey in front of him.

The dish was made of white porcelain, small in size, and contained amber-colored honey.

The honey is thick and has a warm, lustrous sheen under the light.

Yan Ci's gaze remained fixed on her fingers.

I can't even imagine it.

If those hands weren't touching a cat...

His hand, which was holding a chestnut, suddenly stopped.

My heart almost stopped beating.

He quickly stopped himself from having any thoughts.

What is he thinking?

That's the young prince.

She is someone His Majesty cherishes.

She is someone he should not, cannot, and dare not even think about.

He took a deep breath and continued peeling the chestnuts in his hands.

But the blush on the tips of her ears lingered for a long time, as if it were branded on and could not be removed.

There is a widely circulated saying in military strategists' circles:

"The strategist devised a plan that led to a series of decisive victories, and when he stepped onto the field, his eyes were filled with tears."

He can break through countless situations, plan for the future, and understand the hearts of all people.

The only thing they couldn't break free from was their own predicament.

He can enlighten anyone and help those who are lost to see the light of day.

The only thing I can't console myself with is myself.

Therefore, he absolutely cannot enter this round.

I can't get in, and I can't afford to get in.

He lowered his eyes, intently peeling chestnuts. With a firm squeeze of his fingertips, the shell cracked open, revealing golden chestnut flesh.

But Yu Guang couldn't help but keep his eyes on her.

Tang Xixue was staring at his hand.

His fingers suddenly stopped obeying his commands.

As if drawn by something, he subconsciously dipped a piece of honey in the chestnut and held it to her lips.

The movements were so natural and so practiced.

Until the moment her lips touched his fingertips.

His scalp tingled.

The touch was incredibly soft, warm and gentle, like a petal falling on his fingertips, or like a small flame suddenly bursting up, making him tremble from his fingertips to his heart.

Deadly!

That jerk! What are you doing?!

He was screaming internally, but his face remained frozen blank.

It's all because I used to serve them so well.

Back then, the little prince was still young, and she never liked peeling chestnuts; she would just stay by his side and eat and drink for free.

He kept muttering that she was "too lazy to even exist," while feeding her the peeled chestnuts.

Back then, she would smile at him, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and say, "A-Ce is the best."

But now—

It's different now.

She has grown up.

He snapped back to his senses and glanced again at the Hidden Dragon Guards in the shadows.

There was a threatening look in his eyes that said, "You didn't see anything."

The Hidden Dragon Guards were equally terrified.

Military Advisor Yan's words are... a bit too ambiguous.

This……

Should they report it or not?

It seems that even if it's reported, it will have to go through the strategist's hands...

But if I don't report it, what if His Majesty finds out...

The group looked at each other, then fell into a deep silence.

Just then.

A sudden roar came from afar.

The sound was deep and muffled, like muffled thunder rolling across the sky.

Even through layers of courtyards and snow-covered bamboo branches, the snow still trembled and fell softly from the eaves.

Tang Xixue paused slightly as she stroked Yin Kong's hand.

"Your Highness—"

Wei Yu walked forward quickly, her steps a little hurried, the hem of her skirt stirring up a wisp of wind.

She was slightly out of breath, clearly having jogged all the way here.

"General Feng and Crown Prince Menghua are fighting at Mirror Moon Lake."