The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The gates of the Mirror Night Snow Lodge were wide open.

The orange light flowed out from inside the door, spreading a warm glow on the snow-covered bluestone steps.

Lanterns swayed gently under the eaves, their light and shadows floating in the misty night, enveloping the mansion in a hazy and soft tranquility.

Icicles hanging from the eaves reflected the lamplight, shattering into tiny starlight that fell on the shoulders of passersby.

Tangxi Ye stepped into this mansion for the first time, bathed in that orange light.

This is the Jingye Xuelu, a name he personally inscribed and combined with the names of himself and his beloved.

The mirror is her, the night is him.

Countless times, after reviewing memorials in the imperial court, he would stare at the vermilion seal on the imperial desk, lost in thought, imagining what she would look like living there.

The boots crunched softly on the snow.

The sound was soft, yet exceptionally clear in the quiet night, each step feeling like it was treading on his own heart.

His heart had been hanging in suspense for so long that he had almost forgotten it could beat so hard and so fast.

perturbed.

An unprecedented sense of unease.

He had seen countless armies, the clash of swords in the imperial court, and the grand gathering of emperors from all over the land, but he had never felt so tense as he did at this moment.

It was a kind of trepidation, like the fear of returning home, because you were afraid that once you opened the door, everything would just be another illusion.

"Your Majesty, this way please."

Qingdai appeared inside the door, bowed slightly, and led him to the flower hall.

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of barely suppressed joy.

As you walk through the corridor and around the screen, the lights gradually brighten.

The sweet, warm scent of pear blossoms wafted through the air, mingling with the crisp fragrance of plum blossoms drifting in from outside the window, creating a unique aroma that felt like home.

He looked up.

In the soft light and shadow, Tang Xixue sat there quietly, holding the little white cat in her arms.

Her eyes were slightly lowered, a faint smile playing on her lips, and her long eyelashes cast gentle shadows in the lamplight.

She wore only a pink gauze dress, covered with a thin snowflake blanket, which made her small face appear even more fair and jade-like.

In that instant, he felt the whole world go silent.

All sounds disappeared, all light and shadow blurred, and only she remained between heaven and earth.

His heart pounded violently in his chest, each beat like thunder, making his ribs ache.

She looked up at him.

Those peach blossom eyes were filled with starlight and laughter.

It was so familiar; it was the light that haunted his sleepless nights and haunted his dreams.

"Brother Xuan Yin".

Tang Xixue called out softly, her voice as clear and sweet as a silver bell tinkling in the wind.

Tangxi at night is like waking from a dream.

He snapped out of his ecstasy, strode into the flower hall, and was in front of her in a few steps.

The majesty of the emperors and the composure of the court were all shattered at this moment.

He just wanted to get close to her and make sure she was still there.

"Weave it!"

Tang Xiye bent down and pulled her into his arms, trembling as he held her close, his eyes reddening.

The embrace was warm and real; her hair brushed against his cheek, carrying the unique, cool fragrance of crabapple blossoms.

Clear and gentle, just like her.

It turns out last night wasn't a dream.

She really is back.

The one he was holding, kissing, and loving was truly her.

Those lingering, out-of-control scenes that I thought were just delusions were actually real.

Only at this moment did he dare to truly believe it.

"So, my brother thought it was a dream?"

Tang Xixue's voice came from his arms, carrying a hint of sullenness.

She gently struggled, raised her star-filled eyes to look at him, her eyes filled with aggrieved accusation.

"Then what about Zhizhi?"

Tang Xixue was so angry that she pushed him away and turned her head away, refusing to look at him again.

Good, good, she's almost gone, but he thinks it's all a dream.

Her legs were so sore she could barely walk, while he was having a sweet dream.

"Let's just pretend it was a dream."

Tang Xiye panicked instantly.

"Zhizhi, I didn't... I didn't mean to deny it..."

He quickly began to explain, his voice filled with urgency and panic.

The usually composed emperor was now like a child who had done something wrong, at a loss for what to do, and even his voice was trembling.

He wanted to hold her hand, but was afraid she would pull away; he wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

Those hands that once held the reins of power now seemed to have nowhere to go.

"Zhizhi's soul is incomplete, and she is already extremely weak."

A cold voice rang out, carrying a sharp questioning tone, like an icicle piercing the warmth of the room.

He Lichen had gotten up at some point and was standing in the depths of the lamplight.

His moon-white robe made him appear even more refined and otherworldly, but his clear, cold eyes were now filled with a chilling intent.

He gazed at Tangxi Night, each word like a knife.

"We all cherish her like a precious gem, afraid she might melt away."

His voice deepened, filled with barely suppressed anger.

"She has a good older brother, but I don't know what terrible thing he did that made Zhizhi fall into a coma and not wake up until nightfall."

"Xuan Yin, do you know that Zhi Zhi's destiny star was extinguished?"

His words were like icicles piercing my heart.

"At this moment, she only has a soul and a spirit left, which may dissipate into the world at any time."

Tang Xiye's expression changed instantly.

Last night he harassed her relentlessly, again and again, until she fainted...

He thought it was a dream, a time to be unrestrained and carefree.

But that wasn't a dream.

That was his knitting.

It was the snow on his tender heart.

"I'm sorry, Zhizhi, I'm so sorry!"

Tang Xiye immediately turned around, gently took her hand, and spoke in a soft voice.

His usually cold eyes were now filled with heartache and self-blame.

"Does it still hurt?"

He held her hand, his fingertips gently stroking the back of her hand, as if caressing a fragile treasure.

Tang Xixue turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Tang Xiye leaned slightly closer to her ear and whispered an apology.

His warm breath brushed past her ear, carrying a hint of cautious flattery.

"It's my fault, Zhizhi. You can hit me or scold me, just don't ignore me."

The effects of the Drunken Immortal's medicine had long since worn off.

He thought it was a beautiful dream and refused to wake up.

If he knew it wasn't a dream, he would have restrained himself.

How could he bear to torment her so pitifully, and insist on dragging her down with him?

"snort."

Tang Xixue finally turned her head and glared at him.

"It hurts so much!"

Her legs are still incredibly sore, a pain she'll never forget.

She frowned slightly, looking extremely aggrieved, which made people feel very sorry for her.

"Where does it hurt?"

Tang Xiye asked worriedly, her gaze scrutinizing her closely, full of concern and regret.

Tang Xixue's face turned red instantly.

It was as if a piece of the setting sun had been cut off and draped over her cheek.

"Is this something I can ask here?"

She glared at him, a blush spreading across the corners of her eyes, both ashamed and annoyed.

Several sharp glares fell upon Tangxi Ye.

He realized something and his ears instantly turned red.

A hint of youthful embarrassment appeared on that usually dignified face.

"Then brother will carry Zhizhi back to her room and apply medicine to her."

Tang Xiye's voice was deep, with a hint of coaxing gentleness.

But within that gentleness lay a tender affection that only she could understand.

"What brother?"

A cold voice suddenly rang out.

Xingyu's gaze was like a deep sea current, shooting straight at Tangxi Ye.

His long, ice-blue silk robe gleamed with a cold, eerie light under the candlelight, and his aura suddenly darkened.

"Are we related by blood? I am her brother."

He was incredibly jealous, his voice carrying a hint of gritted teeth.

What kind of wild brother is that outside!

Little Pearl, however, was particularly fond of it.

He was clearly her rightful older brother, raised by their father and mother since childhood, and had protected the empire for her for twenty years.

Now look what's happened, some random guy has come along and dares to call him that so affectionately right in front of him.

"Sea King, what is your relationship with my Zhizhi?"

Tang Xiye sat down directly next to Tang Xixue, holding her hand and gently comforting her while his sharp gaze swept over Xingyu.

Then, he scanned the flower hall.

I didn't notice it when I came in, but I'm only realizing it now.

It's so lively!

The Imperial Preceptor isn't at the Star-Picking Tower; he's come here instead.

The Kunlun Sword Immortal is not in Kunlun Ruins, but in this small snow hut.

And then there's the enigmatic and wicked Weaver Moon Sea Emperor.

None of them are easy to deal with.

"I am Little Pearl's brother, not someone like you who has no legitimate claim to the throne."

Xingyu said coldly.

There was an invisible contest between the two; their gazes collided in mid-air, almost sparking.

"It turns out that Zhizhi has a new older brother outside."

Tang Xiye held Tang Xixue's hand tighter.

But it didn't hurt her.

He just wanted to make sure she was still there.

"Then what brings Sword Immortal Xie here?"

He looked up and gazed at the silver-white figure.

Xie Jinlian sat upright in the chair, her long, silvery-white hair cascading down like a waterfall.

He wore a long silver-white robe, exuding a faint aura of detachment, like a deity from another world.

"I am Zhizhi's master, what's wrong with that?"

His voice was so cold it was almost freezing; every word seemed to have been ground out from the depths of a millennia-old glacier.

The madman before him was the scoundrel who had laid hands on his beloved little apprentice.

He gripped the Butterfly Sword tightly, so tightly that the scabbard could barely hold it down.

The sword trembled slightly, emitting a faint hum, as if it were about to be drawn and drink blood at any moment.

"Heh, so Zhizhi's mysterious master is Xie Jianxian."

Tangxi Night instantly felt sour.

He had heard Zhizhi talk about her master since he was a child, and he thought he was some kind of old geezer.

Good heavens, it's actually the Kunlun Sword Immortal.

Judging from his gaze, it was clearly not innocent.

This is undoubtedly a love rival.

Looking around, all I see are rivals.

They all want to take Zhizhi from him.

"Then I should also address you as Master."

Tang Xiye said without changing her expression.

Then, he turned to look at Xingyu, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"This gentleman, I call him my brother-in-law, right?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the chill in the flower hall almost solidified.

Xingyu's face darkened.

Xie Jinlian tightened his grip on the sword even more.

He Lichen's gaze was so cold it could freeze, and the chilling aura around him grew even more biting, as if it might turn into a blizzard at any moment.

Tang Xiye calmly scanned them one by one.

There was not a trace of fear in those eyes, only the composure and certainty of an emperor.

Then, he slowly began to speak.

"You're right, I'm not Zhizhi's brother."

Tang Xiye paused, then spoke each word with resounding force.

"I am her man."

One sentence was enough to provoke the entire audience.

They went berserk.

There was a moment of silence in the flower hall.

Within that silence, there was the glint of swords and the surging of undercurrents.

Several gazes clashed fiercely in the air, and an invisible pressure spread out, causing the candlelight to tremble slightly.

Tang Xiye, however, seemed oblivious and continued to deliver the final blow.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, I was Zhizhi's first man."

He looked at He Lichen, his smile deepening.

"Your Excellency, this isn't working well. Didn't you already spend your wedding night together?"

He Lichen's expression changed slightly.

A faint blush rose on that pure and otherworldly face, whether from shame or annoyance was unclear.

He lowered his eyes and didn't reply, but he was filled with regret.

He shouldn't have left that night after being drugged by the Drunken Immortal.

In front of Feng Zhuo and Si Xingxuan, he and Zhizhi could cover themselves with blankets.

Tang Xiye, however, did not let them go.

"Thank you all for your consideration, but I failed to seize the opportunity!"

He alone stirred up the entire audience.

His self-righteousness and sense of entitlement made it seem as if he were the true owner of the Snow Lodge.

Even though it was their first time stepping into this place, they acted like they were the ones in charge.

Tang Xixue sat to the side, staring blankly at her elder brother's appearance.

Her imperial brother is insane!

How domineering!

The emperor who usually sat upright on the dragon throne, never showing his emotions, the Holy Emperor who could silence all the officials in the court with a single word, was now like a young man who had just won the world, arrogant and overbearing.

"Zhizhi is mine now."

Tang Xiye turned his head, looked at her, and said each word with possessiveness.

In that gaze, there was tenderness and doting, but also an unquestionable authority.

He looked at her as if declaring to the whole world: This person is mine.

Tang Xixue looked at him, and suddenly felt like laughing at his dignified demeanor.

But the smile that had just appeared was quickly suppressed by her.

She's still angry.

She turned her head away and refused to look at him.

But the slightly upturned corners of her lips just wouldn't come down.