The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The fairy boat descended again.

The garrison commander looked up at the flying ship that had returned, a look of doubt on his face.

He glanced at the pure white fairy boat, then at the ethereal white figure at the bow, and was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Your Excellency, is the Immortal Ship lacking in spirit crystals?"

He steeled himself and stepped forward, asking respectfully.

"We have some in the Northern Frontier camp. Please feel free to use them if you need them, sir."

He Lichen stood at the bow of the boat, his long robe and wide sleeves fluttering gently in the night breeze. He lowered his eyes to look at the guard, his voice as cold as shattered jade thrown into ice.

"Is Feng Zhuo, the young master of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion, in this camp?"

The garrison commander paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, the young general is in the camp."

He paused, a troubled look on his face. His expression changed rapidly, but it did not escape He Lichen's eyes.

"It would be inconvenient for the Grand Preceptor to summon the young general. He is currently... unwell."

The phrase "feeling unwell" was used vaguely, as if afraid of revealing some secret that shouldn't be said. Beneath that ambiguity, a deeper heaviness was clearly hidden.

He Lichen's gaze darkened slightly.

"I observe the stars and see that the young general's celestial orbit is turbulent."

His voice wasn't loud, but the garrison commander's expression changed drastically.

"Take me there quickly, there might still be a way to turn things around."

He Lichen turned around and reached out her hand towards the building.

Those hands were long and slender like jade, with distinct joints, and the palms were warm.

Tang Xixue had already put on her snow-white veil and ran out to follow him. He gently held her hand, and the warmth from his palm could not warm her cold heart at that moment.

The veil of her hat fell down, obscuring her face, but not her slightly trembling fingertips.

The garrison commander dared not stop them.

"Your Excellency, please invite him in quickly."

He personally led the two of them, walking briskly into the depths of the military camp.

Behind them, the celestial boat hovered silently in the night sky.

Xie Jinlian stood by the window, watching the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as an ancient pool. The candlelight reflected on his face, flickering and indistinct.

Wen Song whispered, "Your Majesty, aren't you going?"

Xie Jinlian shook her head.

"The person she needs to see is not me."

He paused, then looked up at the flickering red star deep in the sky.

The star is still burning.

Though faint, it refuses to die out.

"Hopefully... it's not too late."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his long, silvery-white hair gently swaying in the night breeze.

"After all, the living can never win against the dead."

His voice was low, yet softened by the night breeze. Like the lowest string of a zither, a gentle pluck sends its lingering notes echoing in the silence.

"That little thing had better be strong, so I don't have to go down and rescue it."

Upon hearing this, Wen Song's lips twitched.

This was the first time he had ever seen his lord so preoccupied with a love rival.

Xie Jinlian gazed at the star, her eyes swirling with emotions, which ultimately culminated in a barely audible sigh.

A rival who has already won over Tangxi Xuexin's heart cannot be allowed to die so easily.

One wrong move, and that's how that unrequited love could end.

Absolutely not!

The moment the curtain was lifted, the candlelight flickered slightly in the night breeze.

Feng Yi was sitting by the bed, watching over his younger brother's pale face. Hearing the noise, he raised his eyes, his anger surging.

"Who gave you permission to trespass into my tent? Get out! Receive your punishment!"

Before he could finish speaking, his anger instantly froze on his face when he saw who it was.

He Lichen stood at the tent entrance, his moon-white robe gleaming softly in the candlelight. Beside him stood a young girl wearing a veiled hat, surrounded by the faint, cool fragrance of crabapple blossoms.

The fragrance was crisp and gentle, subtle yet impossible to ignore.

"General, the Imperial Advisor has arrived!"

The guard peeked out from behind and hurriedly explained.

"He might be able to save Young Master Feng!"

He was a member of the Feng family, and at this critical juncture, there was no time to worry about reporting the situation. In this urgent matter, he acted swiftly and led the man in directly.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yi abruptly stood up.

He took three steps forward in two, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands in a salute.

"This humble general, Feng Yi, greets Your Excellency, the Imperial Preceptor!"

His voice was deep and earnest, rough and grating, like sandpaper rubbing against bamboo and wood.

"Please, Your Excellency, save my brother!"

"Our Zhenbei Marquis's mansion will surely repay you handsomely!"

He Lichen nodded slightly.

"Send all bystanders back and declare martial law."

His voice remained clear and cold, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.

Feng Yi immediately stood up and gave the order in a deep voice.

"All of you, step back. Guard the tents well and don't let anyone disturb you."

"Yes, General!"

The commander immediately withdrew. The moment the tent flaps fell, they shut out the howling wind and snow outside, and also blocked out all prying eyes.

Only a few people remained in the tent.

The candlelight flickered, shining brightly and dimly.

A person was lying on the tatami mat.

Dressed in red, she lay there quietly, like a flame about to burn out.

Tang Xixue's breath caught in her throat at that moment.

She rushed to Feng Zhuo's side and grabbed his wrist.

Those hands were so cold.

It was as cold as if it had just been dug out of the snow, as cold as if it would never warm up again.

"My brother suffered a sword wound to the heart when he was young."

Feng Yi's voice came from behind, hoarse and heavy, so rough that it made one's heart tighten.

"Although I survived, my heart was damaged and I couldn't handle the shock. Then I suddenly heard the news of my beloved's passing..."

He paused, his voice choked with emotion, barely able to continue.

"His heart and pulse were shattered."

The moment those four words were uttered, Tang Xixue's tears welled up.

She examined the pulse, which was so faint it was almost imperceptible.

It's faint and elusive, like a gossamer thread, drifting aimlessly, as if it might break at any moment.

A subtle, sharp pain shot through my chest.

She was in so much pain she couldn't breathe.

She recalled that sword strike from years ago.

The time-traveling woman used her hand to stab the blade aimed at Feng Zhuo's heart. At that moment, she was trapped in darkness, unable to do anything.

She could only watch helplessly as the red figure fell, and as the fiery young man lost his breath before her eyes.

Now, it is because of her that the sincere young man has fallen once again.

To him, she was a decisive blow.

"I cannot save him."

He Lichen's voice rang out, clear and cold like shattered jade and scattered pearls, yet carrying a resolute power.

"But she can."

He gazed at the slender figure wearing a veil, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"General Feng, please go and borrow a medicine box. We came in a hurry and were not prepared."

Feng Yi gazed at the girl's retreating figure, his eyes flickering slightly.

He didn't ask anything.

They didn't say anything.

He turned and left.

Go borrow the medicine box.