The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Let me take your pulse first."

Before he could answer, Tang Xixue reached out and took his pulse to check his condition.

Her fingertips were slightly cool as they rested on his wrist, like a snowflake falling on a hot stone, causing him to tremble slightly.

Tang Xixue listened intently to the pulse for a while, then switched to her other hand and carefully examined it again.

"The pulse is deep, slow, and wiry, with the cun pulse being particularly weak, indicating that cold pathogens have been lodged in the lower jiao for a long time."

Just as he said, he did indeed have a cold-related illness.

This illness arose when Feng Zhuo, the commander-in-chief of the northern frontier, was assassinated that year, causing chaos in the army. Yan Ci, a military advisor, personally led the troops to defend the border to the death.

He marched and fought in the freezing cold, the chill seeping into his bones from his skin, but he never gave up.

He held on until Emperor Tang Xiye arrived and turned the tide of the battle, but he also fell ill with a cold.

Whenever it gets cold or rains, the chill is unbearable, penetrating to the bone, as if I've fallen into an ice cave.

"Acupuncture can cure cold ailments in the legs."

Tang Xixue spoke slowly, not knowing why Yan Ci had contracted a cold.

Because Yan Ci never blamed her, nor did he ever say anything to her.

"In addition, you need to take medication. You also have a cold-related ailment and cannot tolerate the cold."

Tang Xixue released his wrist, got up and went to get the medicine box and needle kit.

Yan Ci watched her busy figure, a tender look appearing in his eyes.

"A-Ce is such a grown man, yet he still doesn't know how to take care of himself."

Tang Xixue said with a hint of helplessness, but her tone revealed concern.

"Yes, it's my fault for not keeping warm."

Yan Ci replied that he knew it wasn't the young prince's fault.

It's already the best that his little prince can come back.

"If you feel unwell in the future, remember to come to me. If A-Ce's salary isn't high, then I won't charge you for your consultation."

Tang Xixue opened the medicine box, inside which various medicinal herbs and utensils were neatly arranged, without a single mess.

The needle case was made of dark brocade, and when unfolded, it contained a row of silver needles.

They vary in length and thickness, with needles as fine as cow hair at the tip, yet incredibly sharp.

"Actually, my salary is quite good."

Yan Ci couldn't help but smile.

His young prince is a real penny-pincher; he actually refused to accept his consultation fee.

"I wanted to find you before, but Grand Strategist Yan is so busy with important matters that he's always nowhere to be seen."

Tang Xixue said with dissatisfaction, she had wanted to treat him for a long time, but he was really busy.

Today he's discussing matters on the eastern front, tomorrow he'll be inspecting the northern border; seeing him is even harder than seeing the Emperor.

Since he was currently free from military duties, she quickly sought to treat him to prevent him from disappearing again.

"Your Highness, this is an old ailment of mine, but it's really nothing serious, it doesn't bother me at all."

Yan Ci blushed and said somewhat awkwardly when he thought about having to take off his clothes for acupuncture.

"What's more, there are so many Hidden Dragon Guards watching over us."

"Don't panic, close the window, and the Hidden Dragon Guards won't be able to see you."

Tang Xixue deftly closed the window, the shutters shut with a soft thud.

The sliver of sunlight was blocked outside, darkening the bedroom and leaving only the sweet, warm scent of pears filling the room.

"Wait, why did they close the windows?"

The Hidden Dragon Guards outside the window exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions incredibly varied.

"Is Grand Strategist Yan really that bold?"

The group exchanged glances, all seeing the same confusion and horror in each other's eyes.

"What, what is our Military Advisor Yan doing behind His Majesty's back?"

A young Hidden Dragon Guard asked in a low voice, his eyes wide open.

"Have you all taken off your clothes?"

The other swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly.

"I didn't get too close before, but I heard something about taking off clothes... and something about whether it was okay or not..."

"Is it because our Emperor is incompetent? Is Grand Strategist Yan trying to share His Majesty's burdens?"

"My goodness, should we report it or not?"

The older one, who was usually the most composed, panicked and didn't know where to put his hands.

"Report? How should we report it? Tell His Majesty that because he's not very capable, Military Advisor Yan is favoring the young prince in his room on his behalf?"

"Do we still want our heads?"

"Not report it? What if His Majesty finds out later..."

Several people shivered at the same time, feeling a chill on the back of their necks.

"Your Highness, it would have been better if you hadn't closed the window. Now that you've closed it, things are even more complicated."

Yan Ci was almost in tears.

Is it too late for him to open the window now?

He's in a completely inexplicable situation.

"Perhaps Your Highness would like to have your meal first?"

Yan Ci spoke, his voice carrying the last vestige of struggle.

"I want to go to Xishi Street later to eat tofu pudding, taro balls, malt candy, and also fried basil."

Tangxi Xue now only wants to live each day to the fullest.

Every single day was earned by her; she snatched it from the hands of Heaven.

When she was young, she and Yan Ci often sneaked off to the West Market, which was a shared memory for the two of them.

"Little glutton."

Yan Ci said with a light laugh, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence.

All his tension and embarrassment had vanished, leaving only a gentle warmth.

"Then I'll take the young prince down there in a bit."

As Yan Ci spoke, he unbuttoned his outer robe, his slender fingers resting on the lapel, his movements somewhat hesitant.

Then he turned around, took off his clothes, and stood with his back to her.

His shoulders and back had smooth lines, and his spine protruded slightly, like an undulating mountain ridge.

Feeling her gaze fall on him, his fingertips trembled slightly, and his breathing became erratic.

"Am I just supposed to stand here like this?"

He asked.

"Come here, lie down on the couch."

"Let's finish this quickly, I can't wait for the big meal."

Tang Xixue said, her heart filled with anticipation for the delicious food.

His tone was as light and cheerful as a bird about to be released from its cage, eager to fly away right now.

"Um."

Yan Ci lay on the couch, covering his upper body with his outer robe, revealing a pair of long legs.

His legs were long and straight, and his skin was so white it was almost translucent.

There was only a slight bulge at the kneecap, where coldness accumulated and it felt icy to the touch.

His light gray eyes, with slightly reddened corners, and his long eyelashes trembled as he nervously glanced at her.

"A-Ce, don't look at me like that, all shy and timid. It makes me feel like I'm doing something improper."

Tang Xixue looked at Yan Ci's flushed face and his trembling fingers gripping his robe.

Why do I suddenly have this feeling of an empress favoring a newly arrived concubine?

She held the silver needles, feeling both amused and exasperated.

"Your Highness, I am not ashamed or timid."

Yan Ci hurriedly took out his dark-colored cloud-viewing fan, unfolded it with a "whoosh," and completely covered his face.

But now he held it up in front of him, covering his face and only revealing his eyes.

Those eyes were bright and sparkling, like stars reflected in water, gazing at her through the fan.

Just then, a heartbroken boy's voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Ah Xue...don't you want me anymore? Why are you eating wild game outside? Aren't I your feast?"

Feng Zhuo stood outside the master bedroom and heard the noise inside.

A pair of big eyes instantly welled up with tears, just like a stray puppy that had finally found a home only to discover that its owner had another dog.

"My elder brother told me to wait for you in the North, but I couldn't wait to see you, so I came back."

"Could you... could you please not eat any other fancy meals?"

"I'm delicious, really! I'm not kidding! Once you've tasted it, you won't want to eat anything else..."

Before he could finish speaking, Feng Yi covered his mouth.

"Shut up!"

Feng Yi was completely numb.

The cabbages from my own garden are worth so little!