The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"This is a secret poison passed down in Fengxiao Pavilion, unknown to outsiders."

Tang Xixue offered a brief explanation, but her gaze fell on the wooden comb that Bei Chenji had hidden under his pillow, with only a corner peeking out.

She reached out and gently pulled it out.

Bei Chenji had just put his crimson robe back on and hadn't even had time to react when he felt a soft touch on his hair.

She was holding the wooden comb, combing his hair.

His pale, translucent skin shimmered with a jade-like glow, making him appear even more otherworldly in the dimly lit tent.

Her long, dark brown hair reached her waist, fluffy and messy, with each strand distinct, like a cascading stream of ink.

Tang Xixue's movements were very light and slow, the comb teeth passing through her hair.

Bei Chenji froze on the spot.

They dared not move an inch.

My heart was pounding so fast it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

She was too close.

He was so close that he could smell the faint, cool fragrance of crabapple blossoms emanating from her, and he could feel the warmth of her fingertips occasionally brushing against the roots of her hair.

My entire body is screaming.

They were clamoring for more.

He wanted her to be close, to touch her, and to stay by his side like this forever.

Skin thirst was fully triggered at this moment.

His already fragile health was further aggravated.

His breathing became erratic, his palms were damp with sweat, and even the pain from his wounds seemed to be overshadowed by an even stronger desire.

It was a longing that welled up from the very core of my being—a longing to be touched by her, to be comforted by her, and for her not to leave.

"Little Imperial Uncle".

Her voice fell softly, gentle and tender, like a marshmallow.

"Calm down."

Her hand grasped his palm.

My palms were warm, pressed against the back of his cold hands.

"It's alright now."

She paused.

"I am here."

In that instant, Bei Chenji felt something slam into his chest.

She is there.

She really is here.

She was warm, not cold.

He is not a lonely person.

While holding his hand, Tang Xixue placed her other hand on his wrist to check his pulse.

A moment later, her gaze sharpened slightly.

Numerous hidden injuries.

The meridians were already damaged, covered with wounds, layer upon layer.

Those wounds weren't inflicted in a day or two; they were accumulated over many years, and he had endured them alone for far too long.

How much pain must he be in?

But he never says it.

They never show it.

That's just the kind of person he is.

I can endure any pain, and I won't utter a sound no matter how much it hurts.

He hid all his wounds beneath his robes and locked all his loneliness in his eyes.

Tang Xixue looked at him and suddenly felt a little soft-hearted.

She recalled those years.

The young imperial uncle was somewhat blind, because the sins committed by the transmigrated woman nearly caused them to break up.

But she also remembered that in the vast snowstorm of the North, he had picked her up from the snow, wrapped her in his arms, and brought her home.

Without him, she would have died long ago in the snowstorm after her wanderings.

Heaven is merciless; how could a mere infant survive?

It's him.

It was he who, amidst the wind and snow, embraced her, so small and unloved by heaven.

now.

She gripped his hand tightly, her gaze fixed on his pale face.

It was her turn to lead him out of this endless night.

"Go prepare a medicinal bath for your prince, I will first use my internal energy to heal his injuries."

This time, Tang Xixue did not remove the needles, but instead chose to use her internal energy to unblock his meridians.

"Yes."

Qian Su responded, and as he turned around, a storm raged in his heart.

He now truly believed that Princess Mirror was really alive.

He's alive, and he's sitting here properly, healing his prince's wounds.

He's not blind—if he still can't see what his lord is thinking about Princess Jing by now, then he should really gouge his eyes out and feed them to the dogs.

Good guy.

That's really something.

As he walked out, he quickly recalled whether he had said anything bad about Princess Mirror these past few days.

His prince was so well hidden that his own people were completely unaware, while the enemy discovered his intentions first.

A sense of loneliness was hidden away.

He truly hid a deep loneliness.

The curtains were lifted and then lowered, and the candlelight flickered slightly.

Tang Xixue had already climbed onto the couch, sitting cross-legged, facing Bei Chenji.

She reached out her hand, palm facing his.

"Little Imperial Uncle, I'm using my internal energy to heal you, so please don't resist."

Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of advice.

"Otherwise—I might be injured by your shock."

Bei Chenji lowered his eyes, gazing at the hands that were pressed against his.

Her hands were small and soft, and her palms were warm.

"……Um."

He only responded with one word.

His voice was low, yet it revealed a submissive quality that even he himself was unaware of.

His internal injuries can indeed be treated with internal energy cultivation.

But he never trusted anyone else, so naturally he would never entrust his life to someone else.

Over the years, it's been dragged on and on, and now it's turned out like this.

But when facing her...

It's not a matter of trust or distrust anymore.

He was willing to give his life for her; the real her, not the fake one he loathed.

Tang Xixue closed her eyes, and her inner energy slowly flowed into his body.

That power was warm and gentle, like a babbling brook, flowing slowly along his parched veins.

Wherever it goes, those chronic illnesses and long-standing wounds are silently soothed.

Bei Chenji allowed her internal energy to circulate within his body.

Even when the needle passed through his heart, he did not resist in the slightest.

If it were anyone else, he would have instinctively stopped them.

But she wasn't just anyone; she was Xiaoxue'er, the only girl he trusted completely.

Her inner strength is very warm.

Like the first ray of sunlight shining into the endless night of winter, its warmth dispelled the chill that had accumulated in his body for many years and soothed the old wounds that he himself had almost become numb to.

He suddenly felt a little dazed.

So this is what it feels like to be treated so gently.

Suddenly, I felt incredibly jealous of Tang Xiye.

Tangxi Ye, how come he's so lucky?

Xiao Xue'er was always by his side, calling him "Royal Brother" every day, following him like a little tail, and showing him concern and care.

If only he could have raised Xiaoxue'er back then.

The practice continued for an unknown period of time.

Tang Xixue slowly finished her practice and opened her eyes.

"puff--"

Bei Chenji swayed slightly, spitting out a mouthful of black blood that splashed onto the side of the bed.

The blood was as black as ink and as cold as ice, and when it fell to the ground, it seemed to exude a chill.

But after spitting out the blood, his pale face seemed to finally show a slight sign of warming up.

"Your Highness, the medicinal bath is ready."

Qian Su hurriedly entered carrying a medicine bucket, which contained the Qingluo Yin she had obtained from Feng Yi. She had already put it into the water as instructed.

He set up the bathtub, and when he looked up, he saw that Bei Chenji had vomited blood again, his face as pale as paper. His heart tightened immediately.

"Your Highness—are you alright?"

Bei Chenji waved his hand.

"Let me check it first."

Tang Xixue raised her hand to interrupt him, got up and walked to the bathtub.

She has always been cautious.

Her fingertips lightly touched the side of the tub, and then she suddenly stopped.

The wood felt slightly rough to the touch, and where my fingertips rubbed, there were barely noticeable black grime residues.

She bent down to examine it closely, and her gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Replace this bathtub."

Her voice conveyed an undeniable certainty.

"The wood has been soaked in nectar, which clashes with the medicinal properties of the Green Vine. Using this tub for a medicinal bath will only accelerate the onset of the toxins."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tent fell silent.

Qian Su's hand gripping the medicine spoon tightened suddenly, her knuckles turning white.

He stared intently at the bucket, his eyes surging with overwhelming rage, almost grinding his teeth to powder.

Feng Yi stood to the side, his expression also darkening.

This northern frontier camp is truly leaky in every way.