The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The light poured from her palm, like silver frost tempered by moonlight, covering his brow and falling into his eyes.

Inch by inch, the chill fades, giving rise to warmth.

His once snow-white hair turned jet black at a speed visible to the naked eye.

From the roots to the tips, from the temples to the forehead, the hair was dyed back to its original color.

The ink-black hue cascaded down like a waterfall, reflecting his handsome features, as if we were seeing him for the first time.

His complexion, which had been as pale as paper, gradually regained its color.

It was as if someone had used a paintbrush to recreate the appearance of life on his face.

His faint life lamp suddenly lit up at that moment.

The flame flickered twice, as if in disbelief.

Then, it burned steadily.

It is no longer something that could go out at any moment.

Ling Zixian stood aside, watching this scene, and suddenly chuckled softly.

"Theories on paper are ultimately superficial; nothing beats experiencing life firsthand."

He shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes.

"The most wonderful thing about destiny in this world is never that it can be calculated, but that it can be lived out."

He Lichen did not hear what he said.

He only had eyes for her.

He gazed at Tangxi Xue, his eyes overflowing with tender affection, like the first ripples of spring water, like the flowing moonlight.

His gaze was so tender it could drown you, as if he wanted to melt her whole being into his eyes.

"Weaving."

He called her softly, his voice as light as a petal falling onto the water.

It doesn't cause ripples, yet it spreads out in gentle concentric circles.

"I have no way to repay your life-saving grace."

He paused, a smile appearing on his lips.

That smile was so gentle it was intoxicating.

"Huai Xian, I am willing to offer the rest of my life as your betrothal gift."

"Is it alright?"

Tang Xixue met that gaze.

There was expectation, trepidation, and deep affection hidden for too long in those eyes.

She smiled softly.

That smile was as soft as a spring breeze, so sweet it melted your heart.

"Brother Huai Xian".

She called to him.

That voice was soft and gentle, and once it touched my heart, it never truly faded away.

May you have carefree years to come, year after year.

He Lichen gazed at her, his eyes like spring mountains.

"With weaving around, every season is a beautiful sight, and every year is a fragrant time."

He spoke softly, his voice gentle and warm.

That smile held a deep affection known only to himself.

"What a coincidence."

A clear, cool voice suddenly rang out, carrying a hint of profound meaning.

"That's what I think too."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Xie Jinlian stepped forward slowly, a faint smile on her lips, like a spring breeze.

But the spring breeze clearly concealed the intent of a sword.

He walked slowly, each step unhurried.

"The Grand Preceptor staked his remaining life on this game, and he played it beautifully."

He stopped beside Tangxi Xue.

He looked down at her, his gaze filled with tenderness.

When he looked up again, his eyes were calm and serene.

"But I wonder, now—in this game—how should I place my pieces?"

His voice was light and calm, neither hurried nor slow.

He Lichen leaned against the cloud sedan chair, his face still pale, but he showed no sign of backing down.

He met that gaze.

"Thank God, you are mistaken."

He spoke softly, his voice composed.

"A game of chess requires two players to play in order to have a winner and a loser."

He paused, his gaze passing over Xie Jinlian and landing on the figure behind him.

"But Huai Xian believes that in this game, it was never you or me who made the moves."

Xie Jinlian's eyes flickered slightly.

That one moment was extremely light and faint.

"Oh?"

It's her.

He Lichen's gaze fell gently on Tang Xixue.

There was a hint of certainty in his eyes.

"Whoever she chooses to go to will be the winner."

His voice was soft, like a feather falling.

"Others' moves are merely wishful thinking."

Xie Jinlian remained silent for a moment.

Then, he chuckled softly.

"The Imperial Advisor certainly sees things clearly."

His tone suddenly changed, becoming as light as a cloud, yet each word was clear and distinct.

"I just wonder if the Grand Preceptor has considered this."

"She stood by my side from beginning to end."

He stretched out his hand.

Gently take Tang Xixue's hand.

He raised his eyes and looked at He Lichen.

In that gaze, there was a hint of provocation, as well as an undisguised possessiveness.

"You're too kind."

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"In this game—the outcome was decided before the pieces were even placed."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment after those words were spoken.

Their eyes met, and a thunderous force raged between them.

He Lichen smiled.

The smile was faint, as faint as moonlight falling on flowers.

"Thank God, you are absolutely right."

She is indeed standing beside you right now.

He paused.

"But this game of chess has only just begun."

There was no provocation, no struggle, only pure and gentle tenderness.

"The game is not yet halfway through, and the outcome is still undecided."

"There's no rush to become an immortal."

He leaned back gently on the cloud sedan chair, closed his eyes, as if he were extremely tired.

But the smile on his lips lingered for a long time.

That smile clearly conveyed the message that there's plenty of time ahead.

Xie Jinlian's gaze narrowed slightly.

Holding Tang Xixue's hand, he unconsciously tightened his grip a little.

Tang Xixue lowered her eyes and looked at the hand he was holding.

Then I looked at the figure resting with eyes closed on the cloud sedan chair.

She gently curved the corners of her lips into a smile.

"The two of you."

Her voice, clear and soft as a spring, gently echoed in the silent hall.

"I want to play this game myself."

Xie Jinlian was slightly taken aback.

He Lichen opened his eyes and looked at her.

They both looked at her at the same time.

"The chessboard is mine, the pieces are mine, and the wins and losses are mine."

Tangxi Xue's smile was as bright as the first snow after a storm.

"You two—are both mine."

She looked up and met their gazes.

"Playing is playing, and making a fuss is making a fuss."

"If anyone truly hurts anyone—"

"You won't want to know the consequences."

As soon as she finished speaking, the two of them immediately became quiet.

Xie Jinlian looked at her, his gaze filled with helplessness, yet also with an undisguised doting affection.

He sighed softly, but there was no resentment in his sigh, only willing indulgence.

"It's all yours, alright?"

His voice softened, like melting snow in spring, flowing gently without any temper.

He Lichen's long eyelashes cast a faint shadow beneath her eyes, concealing all her emotions.

"Um."

He responded softly, his voice gentle and warm.

"Stop making a fuss."

He looked up at Tang Xixue, and in that single glance, there was nothing but her.

It was as if everything that had just happened was merely a passing breeze, leaving no trace.

He stopped making a fuss.

At least, I won't make a scene in front of her.

Bai Duo stood outside the hall, gazing at the two figures inside, locked in a fierce confrontation.

He glanced at his own emperor's calm and collected face, then suddenly patted his chest hard.

"Thank goodness, our Emperor is just her brother..."

He let out a long breath, the relief almost overflowing from his throat.

"The area around His Majesty is more terrifying than a deep-sea whirlpool!"

He muttered to himself and couldn't help but look back.

There was a sense of relief at surviving the ordeal, and a touch of schadenfreude.

fortunately.

Fortunately, he was only a subject.

"Let them fight it out, it has nothing to do with our Heavenly Star Palace anyway. If you're not keen on watching the show, this commander will prepare some fruit and watch it unfold."