The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Last night I was poisoned by the Drunken Immortal, and Shen Yan is definitely involved."

The sounds of Tangxi Night Talk were like icicles falling to the ground, each word freezing into frost.

"I am not worthy of her coveting me? Her intentions are despicable."

His expression was indifferent, but a chilling killing intent surged in his eyes.

"Announce to the world: Shen Yan colluded with a cult and plotted wicked deeds. The Tangxi clan no longer has such a person."

"Dispatch Minister of Justice Shen Xian to apprehend him. If he resists, kill him on the spot."

Tang Xiye gave a cold laugh.

Whether it's Sang Tingke or Yin Shi, whoever saves her confirms her unclear ties to the cult.

"Yes."

Yan Ci nodded, silently memorizing the orders, and then issued them one by one.

"Summon the Imperial Advisor over here."

As soon as Tangxi finished speaking, Shen Cuo accepted the order and left.

Before long, Shen Cuo returned to the outside of the palace, knelt on one knee, and reported:

"Your Majesty, the Star-Picking Tower is empty. The guards say that the Grand Preceptor has left without a word, and we do not know where he is."

After saying this, Shen Cuo lowered his head and retreated, his figure as swift as a streak of ink.

His Majesty today is more unpredictable than ever before.

At this moment, he, the commander of the guards, only wished to hide himself as far away as possible.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager urgently summons you back to the palace."

Another announcement came from outside the hall.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiye got up and left.

Yan Ci stared at the stack of memorials that had just been placed on the table, remained silent for a moment, then silently picked them up and turned to leave.

"Your Majesty, what should be done about the Purple Palace?"

"Renovation. Everything was lost."

Tang Xiye didn't turn her head back, her voice carrying a hint of gritted teeth.

Yan Ci paused slightly, glancing back at the mess in the room.

It was truly a case of a raging storm leaving nothing behind.

As soon as Tang Xiye stepped into Qianqiu Palace, she met the deep gaze of Empress Dowager Bai Yining.

She scrutinized him from head to toe, finally focusing on the undeniable marks on his neck.

"What's wrong?"

Empress Dowager Bai Yining spoke, her voice neither hurried nor slow, yet carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"My beloved Zhizhi has just returned, and you're already in such a hurry?"

She scolded him playfully, but a hint of satisfaction was clearly hidden in her eyes.

This son has finally come to his senses.

Empress Dowager Bai Yining nodded inwardly, but on the surface she still maintained that critical look.

"This reckless behavior...has he even studied properly? Will it satisfy Zhizhi?"

Tang Xiye stood there, stunned by her mother's words.

"Mother... what are you saying?"

"You still want to keep this from me?"

Empress Dowager Bai Yining raised her chin, pointed to his neck, and looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"If you're going to hide it, at least cover your neck properly before you do it. I'm not that blind."

She paused, her tone becoming more meaningful.

"Zhizhi called me last night to let me know she was safe. I was just about to tell you about it, but you, of all people, saw her before I did."

Tangxi Ye's breathing suddenly stopped.

"Zhizhi...did I let you know I was safe last night?"

Tang Xiye's voice was as light as a feather, with a hint of disbelief and trembling, as if afraid of shattering a dream.

Empress Dowager Bai Yining nodded, a gentle smile spreading across her eyes.

"My dearest Zhizhi is always so thoughtful. She sent this message because she was afraid I would worry."

"Let me guess, was it you who initiated it last night, or was it Zhizhi who did?"

Tang Xiye was stunned.

Empress Dowager Bai Yining nodded to herself.

"Alright, that's enough. Judging from your distracted look, you've definitely been taken advantage of."

Tang Xiye felt a sudden boom in her mind.

All the gloom, anger, and humiliation vanished in that moment.

His skin flushed red inch by inch, and those red marks suddenly became burning hot, so hot that his soul trembled.

My heart was pounding like a drum, and I was overwhelmed by an overwhelming sense of joy.

Last night... last night it really was his Zhizhi.

His weaving.

He became Zhizhi's man.

Hers, the first, the only.

That night, he held her and tossed and turned several times.

From the depths of the brocade tent to the heart of the warm pool, from the setting moon to the deep stillness of night.

Every inch of her skin, every breath, every moment of surrender, etched her deeper into his very bones.

He thought it was a dream, which is why he was so unrestrained and insatiable.

It wasn't a dream after all.

It turns out that the tenderness of that night was real.

At that moment, his soul and bones melted.

"Shen Wujiu!"

Tang Xiye strode out of the hall, her voice trembling.

"Quickly, tell people not to throw anything from the Purple Extreme Palace! Don't touch anything!"

Shen Cuo stood under the corridor, looking completely bewildered upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, the moment you left Shanheque, they started cleaning up. By now... it's all gone."

Shen Cuo scratched his head.

Does His Majesty intend to keep those things and personally grind them to ashes?

It seems His Majesty truly hates that womanizer.

Shen Cuo silently lit a candle in his heart for that unknown lecher.

"You bastards! Who gave you permission to throw things like that?"

Tang Xiye was practically going crazy.

That was his first night with Zhizhi.

Those traces, those memories, every inch of space that belonged to them.

These are all treasures he wants to keep.

"Yan Ce, go and retrieve the things from the Ziji Palace. Those belong to me and Zhizhi... Don't lose them."

Tang Xiye immediately turned to Yan Ci, her voice carrying an unquestionable command.

Yan Ci bowed slightly, his expression calm as still water.

"Your Majesty need not worry. I had already ordered all the items to be moved to the side hall and properly stored as evidence."

Yan Ci paused, his voice trembling slightly.

"The young princess you mentioned... are you sure she's still alive?"

Tang Xiye turned around, her eyes gleaming with an unprecedented light, astonishingly bright.

"She called the Empress Dowager last night to let her know she was safe. Yan Ce, you guessed right."

Tang Xiye spoke slowly, word by word, as if confirming a beautiful dream.

"My Zhizhi is really still alive."

"The person from the Purple Palace last night was her."

The words fell.

Yan Ci's hand trembled suddenly beneath his wide sleeves.

He lowered his eyes, and something was churning in those usually calm eyes.

He didn't speak, but simply gripped the folding fan tightly in his hand.

The knuckles are turning white.

"Princess Mirror..."

Shen Cuo froze on the spot.

He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.

The tears welled up in his eyes, and they were incredibly hot.

He clenched his teeth tightly, not daring to look up.

I dare not let anyone see it.

But in his heart, the heart that had been hanging in suspense for far too long finally settled down.

"Your Majesty, all remaining rebels within Beichen must be eradicated."

Yan Ci spoke each word with a voice so calm it was almost cold.

"Make an example of them, let them know who they can't mess with."

"The young prince doesn't even dare to appear openly when he comes home; it's because we're useless."

Tangxi Ye remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised her eyes.

"If they touch my Zhizhi, I will exterminate their entire clan."

The sounds of Tangxi at night are like a cold pool, yet they possess the power of thunder.

"Yan Ce, obey my command. From this day forward, the territory of Beichen shall be a forbidden area for the Heavenly Dao Apostles."

"If they are found, none will be spared."

"Can you handle this matter?"

"Your subject obeys."

Yan Ci raised his eyes, and the undercurrent in his eyes gradually subsided, turning into a calm and profound stillness.

"I have plenty of patience and methods. What they owe His Highness, I will make them pay back one by one, with interest. As for the interest... according to the rules of the Seventh Pavilion, nine out of thirteen will be returned."

Yan Ci paused, his voice slow and deep.

"Though the Nine Provinces are vast, there is no piece on my chessboard that I cannot place."

Yan Ci raised his eyes, and saw the sky as the game board and the mountains and rivers as pieces.

"Now that Your Highness has returned, it is time for me to bring this game to a close."

Yan Ci parted his thin lips slightly and uttered a sentence.

"The nine provinces are like a chessboard, where winds and clouds move; where the chessboard lands, the rise and fall of the world are determined."

A northerly wind swept by, stirring the wind chimes on the eaves.

In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the direction of Jingye Xuelu (Mirror Night Snow Lodge).

The person on the bed finally trembled her eyelashes and slowly opened her eyes.

Tang Xixue sat up, and as soon as she straightened up with the brocade quilt, two rosy clouds suddenly flew up on her cheeks.

Qingdai stood guard by the bed. When she saw that she had woken up, she was about to speak when Tang Xixue gently pressed her wrist.

"Qingdai," she said softly, her voice tinged with the languor of someone just waking up, yet clearly concealing a hint of panic, "I need to take a bath. Please prepare it."

"Yes."

Qingdai responded and withdrew, her steps light and quick, unaware of anything amiss.

After she left, Tang Xixue bit her lip and muttered a curse under her breath:

"Tangxi Xuanyin... this is too much."

"Too many..."

Tang Xixue recalled the deep voice he used to call her name repeatedly last night, and the burning heat of his body when he pulled her into his arms.

She was like a flower branch that had been repeatedly crushed.

Even when he begged for mercy, his voice was choked with tears, but he still wouldn't stop.

Before she fainted, she seemed to hear Tang Xiye say in her ear, "Zhizhi, be good, hang in there a little longer..."

What are you persisting in?

She's gone.

"asshole……"

Tang Xixue cursed again, but her voice was as soft as a cloud.

Outside the window, the wind chimes swayed gently in the twilight.

"So that's how luck can be bestowed..."

She sat there, her whole body burning up from head to toe.

I'm so full.

I'm really stuffed.

My heart and soul are filled with the gifts of someone's imperial fortune.