The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Join forces? Form an alliance?

That's a joke.

Rivals in love are birds of a feather; they'll eat alone sooner rather than later.

Xie Jinlian's Butterfly Sword hung in mid-air, its tip pointing directly at the person on the bed.

The sword trembled slightly, emitting a clear, melodious sound, as if the sword energy was releasing his surging anger.

He had simply practiced his sword outside that morning.

Some people took advantage of the situation.

If he had returned even a moment later, that bastard He Lichen probably wouldn't have even called him "Brother Xie" anymore, and would have directly started calling him "Master".

Why even bother joining forces?

Let's just break up completely.

He, this sword immortal who has lived in Kunlun for so long, is still too naive.

You can't outsmart the Grand Tutor, who has eight hundred cunning schemes.

"Even the Imperial Preceptor resorts to such brothel tactics."

Xie Jinlian glanced at the couch, her tone indifferent.

"I thought the Hall of Fate only taught astrology and fortune-telling, but I didn't expect them to teach this too."

"Entering the main hall and undressing."

He paused, the smile on his lips as cold as the snow on the summit of Kunlun Mountain.

"Is this the kind of purification practice the Hall of Fate employs?"

He was so angry he laughed.

It would be better to form an alliance with his younger brother.

At least he could sense his younger brother stealing food immediately; they were on the same wavelength and he couldn't hide from him.

Unlike some people who appear upright, aloof, and detached from worldly affairs.

In reality, he has an insatiable possessive streak and is more secretive than anyone else when it comes to eating alone.

He Lichen slowly raised her eyes and looked at the sword hanging in front of the bed.

"Brother Xie, you are mistaken."

His voice was clear and cool like a jade chime, yet it carried a hint of languidness after satiation.

That languor was well hidden, but to Xie Jinlian it sounded like ostentation.

"There's no way around it... Zhizhi really likes it."

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The curve was so faint, yet it was enough to make Xie Jinlian tighten her grip on the sword hilt.

"We each relied on our own abilities; I'm simply outmatched, Brother Xie!"

The next instant, He Lichen gently waved his long sleeves.

An invisible burst of energy emanated from his sleeve, light yet perfectly timed to send the suspended Butterfly Sword flying.

The sword twirled several times in the air before landing steadily back in Xie Jinlian's hand.

He withdrew his gaze and looked down at the person in his arms.

The movements were extremely light and slow.

He straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, smoothing out the crumpled collar bit by bit.

That look seemed to be a declaration of unquestionable ownership.

"What's wrong?"

His voice was calm and unhurried, as if he were asking a casual question.

"Zhizhi has been with you for so long, and you still haven't been able to satisfy her... is that because you don't know how?"

He looked up and met Xie Jinlian's gaze.

That single glance held the unspoken declaration of war.

"Then let's not get in the way of others...make her happy."

Xie Jinlian's knuckles turned white as she gripped the sword hilt.

He didn't speak.

But the chill around him grew even colder.

"Brother Huaixian, please be careful with your money."

Tang Xixue took a deep breath. Her Huai Xian brother was indeed highly skilled and daring!

Not just anyone would dare to be so close and aggressive in front of her master.

"I've already held back nine-tenths of my strength."

He Lichen took the blue and white floral robe that had been prepared beforehand, unfolded it, and personally draped it over Tang Xixue's shoulders.

The movements were gentle and delicate.

This dress was specially prepared by Xingyu for her younger sister.

A moon-white background with indigo patterns, woven with the tides of the sea and the hidden marks of stars and moon.

Wearing it made her already exquisite face appear even more ethereal.

He Lichen looked down at her, the smile in his eyes deepening.

On the other side of Beichen, there was a girl named Tangxi Ye who kept calling her "good sister" but secretly harbored feelings for her "sister Qing" in her heart.

On Zhiyue's side, there was also a brother named Xingyu who seemed to be her childhood sweetheart.

Not to mention Xie Jinlian—the Kunlun Sword Immortal who was inseparable from her day and night; the only thing missing was for the two to announce it to the world.

There's also the young general who's his childhood sweetheart, the obedient and innocent Pei Yanchuan, and the beautiful butterfly who openly proposes to him in front of all the nations of the Nine Provinces...

These are all floating on the water.

There are still countless admirers lurking in the shadows, eager to witness the snow's arrival.

If He Lichen continues to be so reserved...

Oh.

I'm afraid there won't even be any soup left.

"I've seen the Milky Way in the sky, and I've seen the vast snowfields. So, before Zhizhi, those things were nothing."

He gently tied her sash, his fingertips brushing against her waist.

The movement was extremely light, yet it made Tang Xixue tremble slightly.

It felt like a feather gently brushing against me, ticklish and tingling, spreading from my waist all the way to my heart.

"Brother Huaixian..."

She called his name softly, her voice as sweet as honey.

"Um?"

He looked up, and in his frosty eyes, there was only her reflection.

A tiny touch, yet it fills the entire space.

"You...you should calm down first before taking care of me."

She whispered a reminder.

He Lichen was slightly taken aback.

Immediately, his handsome face, so pure and otherworldly, was as white as snow dyed by the morning glow.

"Then Zhizhi, you can go out first."

His gaze lingered on her face, a hint of lingering affection in his eyes.

"Next time, when your master isn't around... we'll..."

The voice was low, like a coaxing, or a promise.

Like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, it leaves ripples in people's hearts.

Looking into her eyes, one could clearly see a cunning lurking within.

Tang Xixue's heart skipped a beat.

This person...

He's truly a heartbreaker.

"I'm still here, as if I were dead?"

Xie Jinlian's voice rang out coldly.

His sense of crisis has been heightened by the Grand Preceptor.

Damn it, how can this aloof and ethereal immortal be so good at flirting?

I used to think he was aloof and detached from worldly affairs, untouched by human concerns.

Nowadays, fireworks may seem untainted, but once ignited, they burn fiercely, more intensely than anything else.

He suddenly had the feeling that his little apprentice might be abducted to his bed at any moment.

"Weaving."

He spoke, his voice carrying a profound meaning.

"If you want to eat something meat, I can make it for you. Just don't eat those bland, watery dishes..."

"???"

He Lichen laughed in exasperation.

"Bland and tasteless? Me?"

He looked down at himself.

She wore a snow-white dress, which was rather plain.

Tall and elegant, with a cool and aloof demeanor, as radiant as the moon.

It can't be something bland and tasteless, can it?

He raised his eyes and looked at Xie Jinlian, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny and provocation.

It's as if to say, "Tell me, where am I bland and tasteless?"

Xie Jinlian ignored him.

Just looking at Tang Xixue, there was an undercurrent of emotion surging in his eyes.

"Little Lotus Flower—"

Tang Xixue had just finished dressing and stepped out of the hall when Xie Jinlian pressed her against the crystal glass wall.

The force wasn't strong, and she didn't feel any pain.

But when she looked up and met his dark, turbulent eyes, she instinctively covered her lips.

The undercurrents surging in those eyes could break through the ice at any moment.

"Let's get this straight, you're not allowed to kiss me."

Her voice was muffled, leaking out from between her fingers.

"I still have to go out and meet people..."

Xie Jinlian looked down at her.

Looking at her embarrassed and anxious appearance, and at her slightly swollen lips.

Something was churning in his eyes, but it was forcefully suppressed.

"What are you afraid of? Would your master bully Zhizhi like that bastard?"

Tang Xixue breathed a sigh of relief and looked down to see the little white cat Yin Kong swishing its tail and circling around her feet, looking at her curiously.

"Little Pearl, your mother has woken up and wants to see you."

Xingyu was already standing not far outside the hall at some point.

The sea breeze lifted his robes, and the blue and white floral patterned robe fluttered gently, making him appear even more like the moon in the deep sea, mysterious and fragile.

He bent down and placed a stack of dried fish on the table beside him, and personally prepared clean water for Yin Kong.

Attentive and thoughtful.

Meticulous care.

He took care of everything for her, from her food and clothing to her pets.

Tang Xixue looked at him, suddenly feeling somewhat dazed.

This older brother is really...

It was even better than she had imagined.

I must once again commend the parents for their excellent judgment!