The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Oh, the puppy's back in his wild ways again?"

Yan Ci tapped his folding fan lightly in his palm, and couldn't help but smile.

What an interesting little wind dog! It makes you want to play with it.

"What puppy! Get lost! I'm not a puppy."

Feng Zhuo said angrily, his cheeks flushed, "Even the clouds that have burned through the twilight are nothing compared to this."

"I...I knew all along that it wasn't Ah Xue, hmph."

He stiffened his neck, but his voice gradually lowered, the last trace of stubbornness blown away by the wind.

He was just... trying to fool himself into thinking that Ah Xue was still alive.

He simply couldn't bear to let go of that thought.

"I'm not stupid, I just lack your sieve-like mind."

Feng Zhuo's voice suddenly became soft and gentle.

"My heart is filled with Ah Xue."

The moment he finished speaking, his face turned red, the blush mirroring the last orange glow of the setting sun.

He really loves her.

"Yes. I understand."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xixue's eyes softened with tenderness, her heart melting at the warmth of his directness.

What she craved most was this kind of burning, passionate love.

The blazing wind, as intense as a raging fire sweeping across the wilderness, and the open expanse, as bright as the moon in the sky, instantly burned away the uneasy wasteland in her heart, and instantly warmed it.

Let her truly know that she is deeply loved.

She can trust him forever.

I can always be certain that she loves him.

There is no need to hesitate, no need to pry into your heart.

There's no need to measure the depth of this affection.

He only burned for her.

It was burned for snow.

"That's true."

Looking at Feng Zhuo's expression, Yan Ci surprisingly refrained from further teasing.

"Someone like you is quite unique next to the young prince. You're even kind of adorably silly."

He had to admit that there was a reason why Feng Zhuo could hold a place in Tang Xixue's heart.

No wonder Tang Xixue has loved this puppy since she was a child.

Youth is forever sincere, forever passionate, and forever loves recklessly.

In the coldest of the North, this most intense fire, this most dazzling flame rose, was born.

That icy, snow-like figure was burned away inch by inch.

"No matter what, Ah Xue doesn't think I'm stupid."

Feng Zhuo knew he wasn't as clever as them, but his feelings for Tang Xixue were genuine.

"Ah Xue, I...I brought something for you."

He immediately shoved a box into Tang Xixue's hands, as if afraid she wouldn't want it.

"What is it?"

Tang Xixue opened it out of curiosity and saw a neat stack of silver notes and land deeds inside.

"Tsk, our young general has come all the way to deliver a dowry."

A single sentence from Yan Ci brought forth the scorching heat and waves that washed over him once more.

But this time he didn't run away. Instead, he stared at Tang Xixue with longing in his eyes.

"Fool, you've kept all the dowry yourself, just wait for the betrothal gifts."

Tang Xixue couldn't help but smile as she gently placed the full box of dowry he had prepared back into his palm.

She glanced at them a few times; those estates all seemed to belong to General Feng Yi of the Northern Garrison.

This older brother is really generous.

"Oh……"

Feng Zhuo obediently put the box away and silently made a mental note of it.

So, she kept the dowry for herself.

This is his first marriage, so he doesn't have much experience.

But his Ah Xue actually wants to give him a betrothal gift!!!

He doesn't need a betrothal gift; he can pay for it himself.

"Ah Xue, there's no need to prepare betrothal gifts. I... I can't wait to marry you."

Feng Zhuo gazed at her, his eyes shining like a burning field, wishing he could move in immediately.

Feng Yi covered her eyes; she really couldn't bear to look.

He silently took another half step back, trying to hide himself, almost shrinking into the inconspicuous shadows.

In the corner, Mu Liang and Feng Yi stared at each other.

Mu Liang was very curious as to why General Feng wanted to take her place as a bodyguard.

"Ah Zhuo can choose a room to stay in first."

Tang Xixue looked at him, her tone filled with doting affection.

"Mmm-hmm! I... I'll go move right now!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhuo was so happy he almost jumped up on the spot, but he restrained himself for fear of breaking the roof with his excitement.

Only the corners of my lips, no matter how hard I press, I can't get them down.

Then, the young general caught a glimpse of the fleeting envy in Yan Ci's eyes.

They were childhood sweethearts, but some made their moves without regret, while others were indecisive.

On Yan Ci's chessboard, he calculated the general trend of the world and the depths of people's hearts.

That one step, however, was one he had pondered for years—whether or not to take it—but ultimately found it difficult to proceed.

So she could only stand by and watch as others made swift moves, winning her smiles.

He himself guarded that chess piece he dared not place, concealing his entire youth.

"Let's go outside and see, the snow has stopped."

Tang Xixue reached out and ruffled Feng Zhuo's hair, the gesture natural and affectionate.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Xue."

The young general was filled with joy.

If he had a tail, he would surely be spiraling into the sky right now.

"On my way back, Ah Zhuo and I saw that the mountains and rivers were all red."

Feng Yi looked up at the window, his voice deepening.

"This...is not ordinary snow."

"right."

Tang Xixue nodded slightly, her gaze passing through the window as she looked out at the vast天地 (heaven and earth).

"This is a challenge from Guixu Palace."

She stepped out the door and stood facing the sunlight.

Her fox fur cloak billowed high in the morning breeze, while her long pink dress fluttered gracefully as she stood proudly alone.

The begonia flower hairpin in her hair was so lifelike, it seemed as if it would bloom into a full branch of beauty at any moment.

Two little white cats crouched inside the door, baring their teeth and hissing at the outside, their fur standing on end like two startled dandelions.

They refused to step out of the door, remaining huddled inside, warily watching the red snow outside.

A pair of sapphire-like eyes stared wide open, the pupils constricted to thin slits.

"Yin Kong, what's wrong with you guys?"

Tang Xixue turned around and looked at the two little white cats who seemed to be facing a formidable enemy. Suddenly, she missed Kong Sangyu.

He understands cat language.

Only he knew what these little ones were afraid of.

"Come on, are you worried about getting your little paws dirty? I'll carry you then."

Tang Xixue bent down to hug Yin Kong.

Before the fingertips could even touch that snow-white little body, the little white cat hurriedly took two steps back.

Its blue eyes were filled with terror, and it made low whimpering sounds.

"Meow—"

Then, as if it had made up its mind, it suddenly leaped out of the door, grabbed Tang Xixue's skirt, and desperately dragged her into the house.

That strength wasn't great, but its stubbornness was so unwavering that it softened one's heart.

"Meow."

Seeing this, Yin Kong's younger brother also ran out and, imitating his brother, grabbed the other side of her skirt.

Two furry little creatures, one on the left and one on the right, gripped the ground tightly with their four paws, leaning back and using all their might to pull her into the house.

They can't speak, but their anxious expressions clearly say, "Don't go out, it's dangerous outside."

"It's okay, don't worry. If you're scared, just stay home."

Tang Xixue lowered her head and looked at the two snow-white little things biting her skirt and refusing to let go, and a soft feeling welled up in her heart.

They were so small and so afraid, yet they still tried to stop her.

No matter how fierce the wind and snow are outside, there will always be someone to hold up this umbrella.

As soon as she finished speaking, a clear and pleasant voice rang out.

"Your Highness, look... this Chi Xue is alive."

Pei Yanchuan, dressed in a blue and white long robe, stood under the corridor with a stack of books in his arms. His slender figure was like a green bamboo in the snow.

He gazed at the crimson snow dust covering the ground, his eyes calm as still water, his voice resounding.

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.