The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

When Yan Ci saw that he and Tang Xixue were finally the only two left in the bedroom, the weight that had been hanging over his heart for so long finally lifted.

He breathed a sigh of relief; his shoulders and back were no longer so tense, and even his breathing became smoother, as if he had stepped down from the edge of a knife and landed on solid ground.

"Your Highness, your spirit may very well appear in the place where you once lived."

"I have thought it over carefully, and it is most likely in the palace, either the Hall of Longevity or the Hall of a Thousand Autumns."

Yan Ci's voice returned to its usual calm and steady tone, clear and articulate.

"Those souls, having lost their original forms, will naturally seek out the place where they are most deeply connected to you."

"Most of them are attached to old objects, or your usual utensils, or items given to you by others. In short, they are things that have carried feelings or obsessions."

"I see."

Tang Xixue nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

Her first wisp of soul was hidden in the pearl bracelet that Xingyu made by hand.

Each bead on that bracelet was picked up one by one by Xingyu when he dived into the deep sea, and strung together into that delicate string.

Those were no ordinary pieces of jewelry; hidden within them were all the longing and yearning.

"Stop looking, my brother has already gone far away."

Seeing that Yan Ci was still looking out the window, Tang Xixue smiled and reminded him.

"That's good."

Yan Ci glanced out the window quietly. The figure in black had disappeared at the end of the corridor, and the sound of horses' hooves had dissipated into the wind and could no longer be heard.

It seems he has temporarily escaped death.

He recalled how His Majesty had once told him sternly that Zhizhi was just his younger sister.

He spoke with such conviction and righteous indignation that even he almost believed a fraction of it.

At least His Majesty at least pretended to be a brother and sister back then.

Now, they don't even act anymore.

They entered directly into the room, spent the night in the boudoir, and even combed her hair and gave her hairpins in a smooth and natural manner.

How can this still be considered a younger sister?

She's clearly a precious little princess, someone you cherish and pamper like a precious gem.

It's a treasure that you'll remember even if someone else glances at it twice.

"After we finish breakfast, we'll sneak back to the palace and search for them."

Tang Xixue had lived in the palace for so many years, and was familiar with every blade of grass and every tree.

Yan Ci's words make sense; if the soul wants to cling to something old, the imperial palace is the most likely place.

"Very well, I will make the arrangements."

Yan Ci has not yet purged the Heavenly Dao Apostles within the territory of Beichen.

Those people were lurking in the shadows, like snakes hiding in the grass, ready to pounce and bite at any moment.

Therefore, he did not bring Tang Xixue back to the palace in a grand manner, but instead made all the necessary arrangements and entered the palace discreetly.

Scouting the way, covering the rear, and providing support—each had their own role, and the process was interconnected.

The strategist, through careful planning, concealed profound wisdom within seemingly casual words, transforming sharp wit into strategies for stabilizing the world.

He was always meticulous in his planning, and he could set up a flawless scheme without making a sound.

"That……"

Tang Xixue's voice was drawn out, with the last note rising slowly.

"Your Highness, what is it?"

Yan Ci inquired.

Then, under his questioning gaze, Tang Xixue uttered a sentence that made his expression change on the spot:

"While your brother is away, A-Ce, hurry up and take it off."

"???"

Yan Ci wore a white robe with ink patterns and wide sleeves, and his long silver-gray hair was half-tied up in a silver ink crown.

The black hair ribbon with silver patterns swayed gently as he stepped back.

It drew a thin, shimmering silver streak in the morning light, like the tail of a startled fish.

"Take it off? Take off what?"

Yan Ci was almost about to flee, having already taken half a step.

He leaned towards the door, his mind filled with only one thought—to run.

But before he could take a step, Tang Xixue swiftly grabbed his belt.

"Your Highness, please let go."

Yan Ci almost turned into dust and evaporated on the spot in an instant.

He froze there, unable to move forward or backward.

Like a cat being grabbed by the scruff of its neck, its limbs are stiff, only its eyeballs can still move.

"Of course it's taking off clothes, what else could it be?"

Tang Xixue blinked her bright eyes, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.

The smile was bright and sly, with the corners of the eyes slightly upturned, carrying a hint of mischief, as if watching a good show.

"What? A-Ce can't take it off? Do you want me to help you?"

Her delicate fingers hooked around his belt, and she gave it a gentle tug.

The belt fell off with a soft, almost imperceptible sound.

The belt was made of dark brocade, with a white jade belt hook in the middle, which fell to the ground.

A clear, crisp sound rang out, particularly distinct in the quiet bedroom.

"Your Highness, spare my life!"

"If you take off my clothes today, Your Majesty will skin me alive tomorrow."

Yan Ci reached out and grasped her soft, boneless hand, his palms sweating with nervousness.

His palms were burning hot, but his fingertips were icy cold. He felt as if he were being roasted over a fire, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

"What are you afraid of? Everyone here is one of us. Didn't my brother return to the palace?"

Tang Xixue offered words of comfort.

"Zhizhi, don't do this."

Yan Ci's voice was kept extremely low, as if he was afraid of being overheard by someone.

"The Hidden Dragon Guards are still guarding outside."

He glanced quickly out the window and could vaguely see several black figures standing under the eaves.

They were all upright, sharp-witted, and shrewd.

Walls have ears, and this place doesn't even have a wall between us.

"His Majesty is only twenty-five... and he's already failing?"

"Or perhaps I could ask Liu Fengchun to give His Majesty a proper treatment when we get back?"

"He will surely be able to regain his former glory."

Yan Ci's tone was filled with worry as he carefully planned for her.

"Besides, aren't there morning chills and evening coolness?"

"They are generally in good health. They are by your side every day, so they are strong, healthy, and full of vigor."

"You are not suited for excessive sexual activity at this time; your health is weak and you should rest and recuperate."

"Your Highness, stop teasing me."

Yan Ci truly surrendered.

Inside the young princess's boudoir, her clothes were disheveled, and her belt lay on the ground.

The curtains were half-drawn, and a faint scent of photinia lingered on the bed.

No one who comes in here can explain this scene.

"Don't you know how possessive His Majesty is?"

Yan Ci's feelings for her were never entirely innocent.

Those secrets that can't be revealed are like a seed buried in the soil of my heart.

He tried his best to hide it and pretend nothing was wrong.

They thought that with time, it would rot in the mud and never sprout again.

But now that she was grabbing his robe like this, those thoughts seemed to be uprooted.

"Pfft."

Tang Xixue couldn't help but laugh when she saw the strategist, who had been so confident and composed not long ago, now looking so flustered.

The laughter was clear and crisp, like a bell, which made the two white cats on the couch prick up their ears and their round eyes darted back and forth between the two people.

"No... what are you thinking, A-Ce?"

"We might not be talking about the same thing."

Tang Xixue smiled, her eyes crinkling with laughter, the morning light reflecting in them, sparkling like a pool of clear spring water.

"Didn't you say last time that these legs suffered from a cold-related illness in northern Xinjiang when you were young?"

"I was just thinking of giving you some treatment?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ci's handsome face instantly turned bright red.

He stood there, stunned, his Adam's apple bobbing, but he couldn't utter a single word.