The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

When the Empress of the Weaving Moon Sea Kingdom returned to her throne, the Sea Emperor Bell rang out nine times in unison, resounding throughout heaven and earth.

The sound of the bell pierced through the vast sea, through countless palaces and coral cities, reaching the ears of every citizen of the sea kingdom.

Nine tolls of the bell, and all things return to one.

From then on, the Yuezhi bloodline was restored to its rightful place.

The formal coronation ceremony will be held on an auspicious day chosen by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Maritime Kingdom.

In the Weaving Moon Palace, Tang Xixue sat at the head of the table.

Her face was still somewhat pale, but it couldn't hide her noble and elegant demeanor.

Yue Zhongtian stood beside her, dressed in a silver moon battle robe, with the long sword named Shouyuan hanging at his waist.

He looked down at the empress before him, his eyes filled with loyalty and fervor.

"Your Majesty, the Nine Extremes Alliance Meeting in Baiyujing will begin in a few days."

He spoke, his voice deep and powerful.

"Now that you have returned, it is your turn to personally represent the Kingdom of Zhiyue Sea to attend."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly solemn.

"At that time, I will personally lead the Yuelan Guard to escort His Majesty."

Tang Xixue nodded slightly, but before she could speak, Yue Zhongtian continued:

"but--"

His brows furrowed slightly, and a complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

"This humble general is worried that the Sea Emperor will cling to the Imperial Seal and refuse to let go."

He looked up at Tang Xixue, his voice carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Although the retired emperor personally handed over the imperial seal to him for safekeeping, it was only safekeeping."

He paused, then gritted his teeth and said:

"It's not about letting him—steal the country!"

Before the words were finished, a clear, crisp voice came from outside the hall.

"Oh?"

The voice was soft, yet carried a hint of mockery.

"It seems that Commander Zhongtian has a lot of opinions about me."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Xingyu wore an ice-blue robe, her long, silver-white hair cascading down her back, and the beaded veil on her forehead fluttered slightly, unable to conceal her deep, star-like eyes.

He walked slowly, holding a dark blue jade seal in his hands.

The jade seal was entirely blue, with a faint shimmering light; it was the imperial seal passed down through generations of the Yuezhi royal family.

He stopped in front of Tang Xixue and bowed slightly.

He presented the imperial seal to her with both hands.

"Here you go—"

His voice was clear and crisp, like the first ripples of a rising tide, yet it carried a gentleness he had never felt before.

"The Imperial Seal that my brother kept for our Empress has now been returned to its rightful owner."

He waved his hand, and the servants behind him filed in, carrying in a mountain of memorials.

The memorials were piled up neatly, so many that they almost submerged half of the palace.

Tang Xixue lowered her eyes and looked at the imperial seal, then reached out and took it.

The cool touch from her fingertips warmed her heart.

Yue Zhongtian immediately stepped forward and carefully examined the jade seal.

He looked at it over and over for a long time, then leaned close to Tang Xixue's ear and whispered:

"Your Majesty, it's true."

There was a hint of disbelief in his voice.

He raised his head and looked at Xingyu, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He really couldn't understand this person anymore.

So they just handed over power so easily?

This—this doesn't make sense!

Is this still the same ambitious Sea Emperor who held onto power tightly?

In those years, he dealt with Zonglantai and played games with various forces, gradually seizing control of the Hai Kingdom.

Many in the Yuelan Guard hated him to the core, and many secretly cursed him as a traitor who had stolen the country.

But now, he just handed it over like that?

Yue Zhongtian stood there, stunned, unsure how to react.

Tang Xixue held the imperial seal but did not look at the mountain of memorials.

She looked up and gazed at Xingyu.

Those misty eyes held a pitiful plea for help.

"Brother, I'm not feeling well."

Her voice was soft, with a faint hint of weakness.

"There are just too many memorials..."

She glanced at the small mountain of rocks and frowned slightly.

"I don't know much about the Sea Kingdom yet, you'll help me, right?"

Xingyu looked at her.

Looking at that pale little face, at those pleading eyes, at her frail and helpless appearance at that moment.

His heart suddenly softened.

That softness was like the first melting of spring ice, like the tide washing over the shore of the heart.

He has the right, and he is truly willing to let go.

But seeing her like this, he was truly heartbroken.

"Then we'll approve it once you've settled in."

His voice softened slightly.

"How about I have someone pick out the most important items and send them to you now?"

Tang Xixue blinked.

"Brother, is there anything like that—"

Her voice was drawn out, with a hint of coquetry.

"I have all the power, but I don't have to deal with these trivial matters—is that a good thing?"

She looked at him, her eyes filled with a sly smile.

"Look at your sister, how frail and helpless she is!"

Yue Zhongtian, who was listening nearby, was dumbfounded.

Weak and helpless?

His Majesty had been away for twenty years, and upon his return, he immediately made the seven elders of Zonglantai kneel outside the palace gates. Is this what you call weak and helpless?

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but saw Xingyu's lips curve slightly upwards.

"Little Pearl".

Xingyu looked at her, his eyes filled with undisguised doting affection.

"If you believe in your brother, then it's fine."

His voice softened slightly.

"But you should know that if you don't personally review each item, it's equivalent to delegating authority to someone else."

He paused, his tone becoming serious.

"This is dangerous."

Tang Xixue looked at him.

She spoke softly.

"I want to try to trust my brother."

The sound was very soft.

It was as light as a feather falling.

But when that feather landed on Xingyu's heart, it felt so heavy that his eyes welled up with tears.

Yue Zhongtian was frantic with worry.

He wished he could rush up and shake his Empress awake—that was power, after all!

That is the authority of the Yuezhi royal family!

How can we just hand it over to someone else like that?

That Star Encounter is a wolf in sheep's clothing!

He's using a strategic retreat to advance!

He was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. He tried to speak several times, but Tang Xixue stopped him with a single look.

Xingyu stared at her, remaining silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly began to speak.

The voice was very soft, yet every word was clear and distinct.

"Little Pearl can always trust her brother."

His voice carried a tenderness he had never shown before.

That tenderness, like a tide, slowly washed over his heart and flowed from the depths of his eyes.

He is her brother.

It started when I was seven years old.

How could he let her down?

He waited twenty years, and finally she came back.

How could he bear to let her down?

"Since Little Pearl doesn't want to be too tired, then we can train some capable confidants in the future."

His voice was gentle and appropriate.

"What do you think, brother? Let's have the government affairs handled first."

"We'll go to Baiyujing together in a couple of days. Let reliable people handle things here."

Tang Xixue nodded.

The movement was very light, yet it carried complete trust.

She didn't know if she would survive to reach Baiyujing.

But at this moment, she was willing to believe him.

I trust this older brother.

"Those elders outside?"

Xingyu suddenly remembered something and asked casually.

"Make them kneel."

She gently stroked the imperial seal, her voice as faint as the mist over distant mountains, yet it was so powerful it was suffocating.

"Day ends and night follows."

"His loyalty, witnessed by both the sun and the moon, should be clearly seen by both the sun and the moon."

Xingyu looked at her, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

This is the true empress of the Yuezhi.

This is his sister.

"elder brother."

Tang Xixue put down her teacup and stood up.

Her face still looked somewhat haggard, but her eyes were exceptionally bright.

"Let's go to the temple."

She raised her hand and gently pressed it against the snow-white heart on her chest.

"I want to try out the Heart of Azure Snow."

Her voice was soft, but carried a hint of barely perceptible nervousness.

Xingyu's gaze fell on her face.

He saw the unease in her eyes.

His heart tightened slightly.

"it is good."

He didn't ask any further questions.

Just nodded.

He would grant her almost any request.

Xie Jinlian stood aside, watching this scene.

He saw Xingyu's gaze as he looked at Tang Xixue, a gaze filled with concern, heartache, and an unconcealable tenderness.

But that tenderness was the tenderness of an older brother towards his younger sister.

There was not the slightest transgression.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This must be his brother-in-law.

fortunately.

Fortunately, she wasn't a love rival.

Otherwise, they would be a formidable rival.

He has ability, good looks, and cunning.

As he was thinking, he suddenly heard Xingyu speak.

"Thank you, Sword Immortal."

The voice was clear and crisp, yet carried a hint of politeness.

Xie Jinlian looked up and met those eyes.

He curved the corners of his lips into a smile.

"Brother-in-law."

He spoke each word clearly and distinctly.

"You can call me brother-in-law."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Xingyu stood there, stunned.

He was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

He turned his head slightly and looked at Tangxi Xue.

There was a hint of inquiry in his gaze.

Tang Xixue curved her lips into a smile and nodded gently.

That touch was very light.

But that explains everything.

Xingyu withdrew her gaze and looked at Xie Jinlian.

"Then let's go together, brother-in-law."

His voice was calm, but he had already changed how he addressed people.

When Xie Jinlian heard the word "brother-in-law," the corners of his lips couldn't help but turn up.

The smile spread from the corners of his mouth, and he looked as if he had been caressed by a spring breeze.

Indeed, when you're out in the world, you have to give yourself your own identity.

Seeing this, Tang Xixue gently took his hand.

The movement was very light and natural.

Silence speaks louder than words.

She acquiesced.

She indulged him.

She didn't know how much longer she could stay with him.

I don't know how much longer I can hold his hand like this.

I wonder how much longer I can see him laughing like this.

Let's try to cheer him up.

Even if it's just for this moment.

Her little lotus flower, if she doesn't spoil it, who will?