The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

In the afternoon, the Mirror Water Palace was as still as a deep pool.

The room was bathed in a warm, amber glow.

Tangxi Xue was sleeping very soundly.

Her eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, her eyelashes were quietly covering her face, and a faint smile lingered at the corners of her lips, as if she were having a sweet and beautiful dream.

The sunlight fell on her face, making her sleeping face appear even more peaceful, like a crabapple blossom in spring slumber, with a touch of contented languor.

Chao Han has been guarding the bedside for two whole hours.

He gazed at his emperor's weary sleeping face, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

His Highness remained unconscious, and he remained on edge, unable to relax.

Very light footsteps came from outside the door.

Xingyu pushed open the door and entered, the sunlight outlining a pale golden silhouette behind him.

The chill from outside still lingered in his clothes, but the moment he stepped into the palace, it was quietly melted away by the warmth of the incense in the pear-scented tent.

Chao Han quickly stood up and asked in a low voice:

"Sea Emperor, how is our Empress...?"

Xingyu did not answer immediately.

He sat down by the couch, his slender fingers gently resting on Tang Xixue's wrist, using his spiritual power to carefully sense her.

After examining the patient for a while, he raised his eyebrows slightly.

He withdrew his hand, tucked the blanket around her, and whispered:

"She's just been through a lot, let her sleep."

His gaze fell on the hickey on Tang Xixue's neck.

The sunlight was so strong that the marks became even more glaring, like a string of red plum blossoms fallen on the snow.

He looked away, unable to bear it any longer.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed, both painful and suffocating.

His little pearl is now incomplete in spirit; she has a delicate constitution that needs to be carefully nurtured with fine wine and dew, and cannot withstand the slightest wind or rain.

How could one resist the emperor's potent drugs and his uncontrollable, excessive demands for pleasure?

"Her health is too weak; she can't handle too much."

"From now on, when you serve them, please be more restrained."

Morning chill and evening coolness exchanged a silent glance.

"Yes."

In the sunlight, their faces flushed red, and they both lowered their heads, wishing they could bury their heads in the ground.

The moon in the sky stood at the entrance, transformed into a quiet stone sculpture.

His older and younger brothers seem to be very accepting of serving Her Majesty the Empress.

Shouldn't he try to fit in a bit more?

Xingyu didn't say anything more.

He simply sat by the couch, gazing at Tang Xixue's peaceful sleeping face, his heartache slowly creeping into his eyes.

Last night, in order to bind Emperor Shengchen and warm his sister's bed, he personally sneaked into the Ziji Palace.

When he arrived, he found that his younger sister had already finished her business and had eaten quite a lot.

Tang Xiye's luck was pouring into her body almost like it was free.

His little pearl clearly overate and fainted.

He easily pulled her back to safety.

God knows, if he hadn't gone, would she have been subjected to that bastard's relentless demands all night long, until dawn?

"Isn't Emperor Shengchen supposed to be aloof and abstinent?"

Xingyu gritted her teeth, her voice extremely low, yet every word was filled with anger.

"Isn't the harem empty?"

"Who spread the rumor that Emperor Shengchen is impotent?"

"He's clearly very capable."

"What a hypocrite!"

"What a hypocrite!"

The older brother, who was originally quite magnanimous, was really shocked when he witnessed that scene.

"Let's go, I don't want to stay in this godforsaken place for another second."

"Isn't your Mirror Night Snow Lodge nearby? Let's go there."

"Okay, we'll arrange it right away," Chao Han replied.

Sunlight fell on Tangxi Xue's face, making her sleeping face appear even more serene.

As Xingyu watched, the fire in her heart slowly died down, leaving only a tender tenderness.

He raised his hand and gently brushed away the stray hairs on her forehead.

"Why does Little Pearl...indulge him like this?"

"So what if I sleep with you... I can sleep with you in some vegetarian food too."

The ceremonial guard from the sea kingdom quietly withdrew in the afternoon.

The imperial processions of various countries set off one after another to return home, and carriages and horses streamed along the long street outside the Shengchen Hall.

Meanwhile, the guards from the Sea Kingdom disappeared silently into the crowd without anyone noticing.

Jingye Xuelu is located not far from Shanheque.

The Tianxing Guard and Yuelan Guard had already secretly been stationed around the area, protecting this courtyard completely.

Now that the Heavenly Punishment Hall believes Princess Mirror is dead, they naturally won't keep an eye on this place, making it an extremely quiet haven.

Tang Xixue was personally carried into the Snow Lodge by Xingyu.

As the sun began to set, light and shadow filtered through the branches of the old plum tree in the courtyard, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

The fragrance of plum blossoms floated gently in the air, blending with the warmth of the afternoon to create a tranquil and comforting atmosphere.

"Your Highness—"

Li Shuang was the first to rush out, but the moment she saw the person in Xing Yu's arms, she covered her mouth and swallowed back her gasp.

Those big, round eyes instantly filled with tears.

Qingdai followed closely behind, and her face, which had been pale for many days, finally regained its color.

She gazed at Tang Xixue sleeping peacefully on the bed, tears streaming down her face, yet she desperately tried to force a smile.

Wei Yu stood by the door, raised her hand to press the corner of her eye, and took a deep breath to stop herself from crying out loud.

Fu Yi's body was still not fully recovered, and as she leaned against the door frame, her eyes were wet with tears.

None of them made a sound.

She just stood there quietly, gazing, letting tears silently stream down her face.

These days, the Mirror Night Snow Pavilion is completely white.

They were all dressed in plain white clothes, without wearing any accessories.

White silk hung under the eaves, and incense and candles were offered on the table. The whole courtyard was deathly still, like a magnificent tomb.

Only the morning chill and evening coolness remain. Every day he goes out to avenge His Highness, always returning covered in wounds, never dressed in mourning clothes.

They thought His Highness was dead.

I thought I would never see that smiling face again in this lifetime.

But at this moment, His Highness is lying there.

She just took a nap, and when she woke up, she opened her eyes and called their names with a smile.

"I knew it! Our prince is incredibly lucky; Heaven couldn't bear to take him away!"

Li Shuang lowered her voice, but couldn't suppress the tremor in it.

Her big, round eyes glistened with tears, as bright and dazzling as the sunlight after a rainstorm.

"Uh-huh."

Qingdai nodded in agreement.

She originally exuded a sickly aura, like a rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly, unsure of where to land.

But at this moment, looking at the person on the bed, she suddenly felt at ease.

"quick--"

Suddenly remembering something, Li Shuang turned around abruptly, her voice low but filled with barely suppressed joy.

"Quickly remove all that white stuff! It'll be so unlucky for His Highness to see it when he wakes up!"

"Oh no, we have to change our clothes too! This is so unlucky!"

As she spoke, she laughed first.

That smile blossomed from her tears, like the first forsythia in spring.

Wei Yu nodded calmly.

"Okay, let's tidy up the house first."

She turned to Qingdai.

"Qingdai changed her clothes and went to stand guard by His Highness's side. Someone must serve His Highness."

Then he looked at Fuyi.

"Fuyi is still recovering, but now that Your Highness is back, you can finally focus on your recovery, right?"

Fuyi didn't speak, but just stared at the person on the bed. Her eyes were still moist, her nose felt sore, but the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.

Their Highness.

They're finally back.

The sunlight gradually slants westward.

Inside the Mirror Night Snow Pavilion, the plain white items were removed and replaced with vibrant colors.

The white silk under the eaves was gone, replaced by elegant light gauze and beautiful lanterns.

A faint aroma of food wafted in the air.

Li Shuang was busy in the kitchen, saying she was going to cook a delicious meal for His Highness so that he could eat something hot when he woke up.

Qingdai stood guard by the bed, occasionally tucking the blanket around His Highness, gazing at his sleeping face with a gentle smile.

The little white cat, Yin Kong, was sunbathing on the mat in the house, and it also brought its younger brother, Bai Tang, along.

The whole courtyard was filled with the lively atmosphere of Chinese New Year.

A figure dressed in pure white stepped into the courtyard.

Pei Yanchuan came to pack his luggage.

The sunlight fell on him, making his plain white robes appear even more aloof and cold.

He walked slowly, his knee injury not yet fully healed, each step fraught with difficulty.

He thought, with His Highness gone, he had no reason to stay here any longer.

He should go back to Beichuan.

He lowered his eyes, refusing to look at the vibrant colors under the eaves.

All that excitement had nothing to do with him; he was just a magnolia tree that had lost its soul, still blooming, but not knowing for whom it bloomed.

The maids no longer wore plain clothes, and he respected their choice.

They have the right to live a good life.

But what about him?

he does not know.

He will not commit suicide.

His Highness had led him out of the snowstorm, giving him warmth and light so that he could live.

In this world, someone will always remember her.

To be forgotten is the true death.

As he passed by Tang Xixue's master bedroom, he subconsciously glanced in that direction.

Just one glance.

He then stopped.

Inside the open, carved wooden window, the honey-colored sunset bathed the couch in its glow.

Tang Xixue was lying on the bed, fast asleep.

Qingdai stood guard beside her, placing a newly picked plum blossom into a celadon vase by the window.

Sunlight fell on her fingertips and on the red plum blossom.

The fragrance of pear blossoms wafted from inside the room, carrying a hint of sweetness, lingering in the afternoon light and shadow.

Pei Yanchuan's vision blurred instantly.

He staggered to the window, step by step, as if he had used up all his strength.

He leaned against the window frame, trying to get a better view.

Those eyebrows and eyes.

That outline.

That sleeping face, so familiar it made his heart tremble.

is her.

It's really her!

His Highness is still alive!

As he looked at it, tears began to fall from his eyes.

No matter how bitter or difficult things were for him in the past, he never shed a single tear.

But the thought of her suffering made his heart ache unbearably.

But at this moment, looking at her, his tears were mixed with joy.

The joy of something lost and then found again.

Joy that grows from despair.

He stood there outside the window, motionless.

His gaze was incredibly intense, fixed on Tang Xixue through the window and the hazy light and shadow.

It's like gazing at his light.

His Highness.

"Young Master Pei, why are you spying on our Highness here?"

Chao Han sat on the steps outside the door, the sunlight illuminating his slightly raised eyebrows and eyes.

"Isn't this inappropriate? It's like being a lecher."

Everyone in the Changsheng Palace tacitly agreed that Pei Yanchuan was their princess's male favorite.

Therefore, Chao Han only made a teasing remark about his somewhat overstepping behavior.

If any other man had dared to peek through their prince's window, his sword would have been drawn long ago.

Pei Yanchuan did not turn around.

He spoke softly, his voice extremely low, as if afraid of disturbing the sweet dream within the boudoir:

"Commander Chaohan, His Highness has returned?"

There was a tremor in his voice.

It's unbelievable.

There is the ecstatic joy of losing something and then getting it back.

There is a chilling feeling, like finally seeing a sliver of light from the deepest abyss.

"Look, didn't Young Master Pei see it?"

Chao Han also lowered her voice and followed his gaze into the window.

"Although Your Highness escaped death, you are not in good health now... and need to rest more."

"Your health isn't good, but if you take good care of yourself, you'll get better."

Pei Yanchuan took over the conversation, and a genuine light finally appeared in his eyes.

"As long as she's alive..."

Before he could finish speaking, tears welled up in his eyes again.

This time, however, he didn't bend down to wipe his tears; he simply let them stream down his face.

Sunlight fell on the tear stains, reflecting a translucent light.

He had tears in his eyes, yet he was also smiling.

That smile blossomed from her tears, more radiant than sunlight.

"right!"

Chao Han nodded heavily, looking at Pei Yanchuan's appearance with empathy.

Who among them hasn't lived like this these days?

"Young Master Pei seemed to be in a hurry just now, is there something urgent?"

Pei Yanchuan stood still as a pine tree and shook his head.

In the sunlight, his plain white robes fluttered gently in the wind.

"It's nothing."

"Nothing's wrong."

Nothing happened.

Nothing matters anymore.

He gazed at the peaceful sleeping face inside the window, and a very faint smile finally appeared on his lips.

Just live.

As long as she's alive, that's enough.