The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The moon sets and the stars fade; the pear tree remains asleep.

Inside the Weaving Moon Palace, the warm pool was filled with steam, like smoke and mist, creating a warm atmosphere throughout the room.

Tangxi Xue immersed herself in the pool, letting the warm water flow over her shoulders and neck, gradually melting away the fatigue of the day.

She closed her eyes, and all she could hear was the soft sound of water, her own breathing, and the distant sound of the tide coming from outside the palace.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she got up and changed into a clean silk nightgown.

The nightgown was light and soft, with a moon-white fabric embroidered with subtle waves, which could be vaguely seen as she moved.

She pushed open the door to the bedroom.

A gentle sea breeze drifted in.

The sound of the tides washing over the beach echoes from afar, like the breath of this sea kingdom, long and steady.

Above the window frame hangs the string of seashell and pearl wind chimes that Xingyu gave her.

A sea breeze blows, and seashells gently collide, making a delicate, clear sound, tinkling and melodious, as if someone is softly singing in your ear.

"Meow--"

The little white cat, Yin Kong, meowed once, lazily lay down in its little bed, flicked its tail, and squinted at her.

Tang Xixue curved her lips into a smile, her gaze falling on the bed.

The gauze bed curtains hung down, creating a hazy, indistinct effect, and one could vaguely see someone inside.

She raised her hand to brush it aside and met a pair of eyes as cold and aloof as frost.

He Lichen was wearing only a thin undergarment, leaning against the couch reading a book.

He carried the scent of cold plum blossoms after his bath, a light and subtle fragrance, like the tidings of spring in the snow, faint yet lingering.

Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, making her face appear even more ethereal and otherworldly.

His dark eyes seemed to hold the shadow of a crane in the frosty sky; with just one glance, he seemed capable of stealing one's soul.

He looked up at her.

When that gaze fell upon her, she suddenly felt that the brilliance of all the luminous pearls in the room was not as bright as the light in his eyes.

"Zhizhi, the spring chill and dew are heavy."

He put down his book and reached out to lift the pale blue brocade quilt beside him. He moved over to the side, making room for himself.

"I've already warmed Zhizhi up."

His voice was clear and melodious, as gentle as a spring breeze. He was clearly an ethereal being, yet his words warmed the heart.

"It's windy outside, come inside quickly."

Tang Xixue looked at him, at the gentle smile in his eyes, and suddenly felt like teasing him.

"Brother Huaixian, aren't you afraid—my master will come and chop you down with his sword?"

She burrowed into the covers and winked at him. But as soon as she finished speaking, she leaned against his shoulder from the bottom of her heart.

The shoulder was warm, carrying the faint scent of cold plum blossoms from him, which made one feel at ease.

He Lichen let her lean on him, a slight smile curving his lips.

"How could that be?"

His voice was soft, yet carried a certain certainty.

"Brother Xie is a magnanimous person."

Before the words were finished, footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

"Zhizhi, in your heart, is your teacher such a petty person?"

Tang Xixue froze.

The voice was clear and gentle, yet it carried a profound meaning.

She turned her head sharply and saw Xie Jinlian coming over after finishing his bath.

He changed into clean inner clothes, his long silver-white hair not yet completely dry, draped down his back, making his face appear even more aloof and jade-like.

The guards outside the palace, led by Yue Zhongtian, had already tactfully withdrawn. They had already tacitly accepted that these two were the Empress's beloved concubines, and none of them stopped them.

"Master, Master..."

Tang Xixue's voice was somewhat unsteady.

"W-why are you here?"

Her first instinct was to hide He Lichen beside her.

Where can they hide?

The tatami mat is only this big, and there are only two of us.

Xie Jinlian had already lifted the bed curtains and gotten onto the couch.

His movements were fluid and graceful, as if this were his own private chambers.

"I'll keep Zhizhi company."

He lay down on her other side, his tone as calm as ever.

"What? Now that you have Huai Xian, Zhi Zhi thinks her teacher is superfluous?"

Tang Xixue smelled vinegar.

The vinegar flavor was subtle, hidden beneath the calm tone, like a green plum—you only know how sour it is after taking a bite.

She quickly reached out and took his hand.

That hand was warm, with distinct knuckles, and stiffened slightly when she held it in her palm.

"The little lotus is never superfluous."

She held his hand and said earnestly.

Xie Jinlian lowered her eyes, looking at the two clasped hands, and the faint, almost imperceptible curve of her lips subtly curved upwards.

He didn't speak.

But the hand she was holding gently gripped hers in return.

He Lichen watched this scene quietly from the side.

He didn't say anything.

He simply took her other hand and gently cupped it in his palm.

Tang Xixue was suddenly a little dazed as the two men held her hands on either side of her.

When did her two jealous little devils become so harmonious?

"Zhizhi is currently in a state of mental and physical exhaustion, so she should rest early."

Xie Jinlian spoke calmly.

He raised his hand and gently brushed it away.

The candle went out.

Only the hazy glow of the luminous pearl remained in the hall, softly illuminating the bed.

The light was gentle, like dewdrops formed from moonlight, quietly enveloping the three of them.

Tang Xixue lay in the middle, with one person on each side.

She could feel their breath, smell the crisp snow scent emanating from him, and also the cool fragrance of plum blossoms.

The two auras intertwined, yet did not clash.

She suddenly felt a warm aura surging from both sides, gently enveloping her.

The warmth was very light and gentle.

Little by little, it dispelled the chill that had seeped into my bones.

Her eyes welled up slightly.

It turned out to be the case.

It turns out that their magnanimity and concessions were for her sake.

After He Lichen's destiny star lit up again, his own fortune was once again fed back from the destiny star.

At this moment, he generously gave it to her.

Xie Jinlian was the same.

"Weaving."

He Lichen called her softly.

"Um?"

"If there's nothing else, we'll set off together back to Baiyujing tomorrow."

His voice was very soft, as if he was afraid of breaking the tranquility of the night.

"The ceremonial guard of the Sea Kingdom is naturally not as fast as the flying boat, so we can go ahead."

Tang Xixue nodded.

"Yes, we need to check on Mother's condition. If she is alright, we will set off."

"Actually, traveling with my brother won't take up much time, right? The sea route is faster too!"

As she spoke, she suddenly felt the two hands holding her tighten slightly.

"What's wrong?"

She asked.

"It's nothing."

The two spoke in unison.

Tang Xixue: "..."

She suddenly felt that the two of them might have some shady dealings going on.

"Go to sleep."

Xie Jinlian said calmly.

He turned to the side and pulled her closer to him.

At the same moment, He Lichen also turned slightly to pull her closer to himself.

Tangxi Snow stood frozen in the middle.

On the left is the pristine snow of Kunlun Mountain, and on the right is the ethereal moon of the heavens.

Both forces were very light, yet neither was willing to yield.

She looked at the gauze bed curtains above her head and suddenly felt like laughing.

Is this what they call magnanimity?

It contains an enormous amount!

The vinegar jar has already been overturned, and they're still here competing to see who can swim the fastest.

She got it.

Being magnanimous means that neither of them is willing to let go, but neither of them admits that they are fighting for it.

"that……"

She spoke hesitantly.

"Why don't you two discuss it first and decide which side I'll be on tonight?"

The words fell.

Both sides fell silent at the same time.

Then, she felt the two hands that were holding her loosen.

"Which side does Zhizhi want to join?"

He Lichen's voice was as clear and gentle as ever.

"Knitting is up to you."

Xie Jinlian's voice remained calm and composed.

Tang Xixue: "..."

She suddenly felt like she was choosing a card.

"I……"

She paused, then suddenly smiled.

I belong to myself.

She held one person in each hand and lay them flat in the middle.

"But tonight, you belong to me."

The words fell.

The hall was quiet and still.

Then, she felt two gazes fall on her at the same time.

"Zhizhi, you've gone astray."

He Lichen sighed softly, but his tone was full of indulgence.

"I learned it all from you guys."

"You guys are the bad ones, making things so difficult for me."

Tangxi Xue spoke with righteous indignation.

"Heh, it's your teacher who's bad."

Xie Jinlian chuckled softly.

"We knit the best."

"Go to sleep."

He stopped arguing and simply gently embraced her.

He Lichen stopped moving, but tightened his grip on her hand.

She fell into a deep sleep surrounded by this gentle embrace.

She slept soundly and peacefully.

However, the other three did not sleep all night.

One of them stared at the top of the tent, counting her breaths.

One of them closed his eyes and listened to her heartbeat.

No one moved.

Nobody was asleep.

Ten thousand miles away, at the main altar of the Heavenly Punishment Hall.

The sword flashed like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the night.

With a single sword strike, Yun Boyan shattered the majestic statue of the sun and moon, causing it to collapse with a deafening roar.

The falling stones and rising dust shook the entire hall.

He sheathed his sword and stood there, his silver-white robe fluttering in the night wind.

"no?"

"Brother...could he really not be able to make it?"

He suddenly frowned.

At that moment, a faint, shimmering light flickered deep within the ruins.

That was the spirit pearl buried under the rubble.

Crystal clear and radiant.