The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Returning to the Hall of Longevity, Tang Xixue stood before the hall's entrance, gazing at the still intact and magnificent palace before her, and a sudden pang of sadness welled up in her eyes.

The pale purple palaces gleamed with a warm glow under the sunlight.

The upturned eaves are covered with pure white snow, like a white veil gently draped by the years.

Strings of icicles hang from the eaves like a crystal beaded curtain, shimmering like shattered diamonds and frost in the sunlight.

It's still there.

The future she saw in the Book of Fate was a place that was already in ruins.

The raging fire consumed everything, even the bricks and stones were burned to ashes, leaving only broken walls and ruins weeping in the wind.

But at this moment, it still stands here, quietly, like a white crane with its wings folded, waiting for her to return home.

"As long as His Majesty is here, the Palace of Longevity will always exist."

Yan Ci didn't know what kind of future she had seen; he simply told her the facts.

But Tang Xixue knew the weight of those words better than anyone else.

This is not a matter concerning a single palace.

It is a person who has poured all their longing into waiting, building it brick by brick.

"Yes, Brother Xuan Yin will protect it."

Tang Xixue's gaze swept over the small bridge, flowing water, pavilions, and towers in front of the palace.

Every scene was painted by Tangxi Ye and her together.

He drew the picture, and she added color and ink. The two discussed it for a long time before it turned out like this.

The Hall of Eternal Life held extraordinary significance for her.

Time moved as slowly as raindrops falling from the eaves, one by one, onto the bluestone slabs, blooming into flowers.

"That's natural. During the time His Highness has been away, His Majesty has stayed at the Palace of Longevity every night."

Yan Ci spoke.

"Oh? He used to run away really fast when we asked him to stay overnight."

Tang Xixue was somewhat surprised, yet a touch of emotion welled up within her.

Her imperial brother!

She used to whine, beg, and plead with him to spend more time with her.

He would always solemnly say "it's against etiquette," and then walk away faster than anyone else.

She thought to herself, still fuming, that her brother was probably the most unromantic person in the world.

If it weren't for the drunken immortal bewitching his mind, making him believe it was all a beautiful dream.

He might cling to his identity as the elder brother for the rest of his life.

"His Majesty has always had you in his heart, but he was afraid that you would be criticized, that it was just unrequited love, and that you... had no improper thoughts about him."

Yan Ci had long realized that Tang Xiye was in love with her.

But he was also willing to suppress his feelings and keep himself outside the boundaries that were best for her.

"When I was young, I was very dutiful to my elder brother."

Tang Xixue smiled gently upon hearing this.

When she was young, she didn't understand love, but she liked her elder brother too much and wanted him to belong to her alone.

It wasn't until they grew up that they confirmed in the Book of Fate that they were not biological siblings.

The possessiveness that had been suppressed in my heart for so long could no longer be hidden, like a spring bud breaking through the soil.

Brother Xuan Yin is so wonderful, why can't he belong to her alone?

It's not just the daytime that belongs to her...

And the nights, they should be hers too.

"There's nothing we can do... My brother is just too handsome."

"Aside from beauty, I will not accept any bribes."

Upon hearing Tangxi Xue's words, Yan Ci was left speechless, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Does His Majesty know that because he is too beautiful, he risks being kept as a mistress and monopolized by others?

"Love is something that needs to be expressed not only through words but also through actions."

Tangxi Xue spoke of it lightly, but Yan Ci blushed with embarrassment.

He quickly turned his face away, pretending to look at the red plum tree in full bloom under the eaves.

My heart started racing uncontrollably.

Is what Your Highness said... truly true?

Why did he feel that something about what he said sounded off?

"Hurry up, A-Ce, come in!"

Tang Xixue had already reached the palace gate. She turned around and called out, her voice clear and melodious like a mountain stream.

"ah???"

Yan Ci was still lost in thought.

The word "Come in" made him explode, and his mind felt like it was on fire.

"Go in what?"

He blurted it out, and his voice changed.

"Go into the hall! What else?"

Tang Xixue looked at him in confusion, wondering why he was blushing.

This person was fine just now, how come he suddenly looks like he's been burned by fire?

"Your Majesty, I will come in now."

Yan Ci took a deep breath, trying to appear as normal as possible.

He felt utterly heartbroken at that moment!

Why would you think of going there?

The young prince clearly only invited him into the palace, but he had his own thoughts in his mind, and he was painting a picture of begonias in spring.

Even now, he felt that replying was extremely presumptuous.

It's as if... as if they're teasing the young prince.

He closed his eyes, suppressing all those chaotic thoughts.

"Your Highness, you may feel it for yourself."

"If you don't feel anything special, you can reach out and explore."

Yan Ci's voice returned to its usual calm and steady tone, though a thin layer of red remained on the tips of his ears.

"Um."

Tang Xixue nodded in response, her gaze already fixed on the furnishings inside the hall.

The Hall of Longevity remains as clean and tidy as ever.

The vase on the table held her favorite crabapple blossoms.

The pink and white petals are as thin as cicada wings under the sunlight, and the veins are as clear as a fine brush painting.

On the small table beside the couch were the books she usually read.

Even the incense burned in the incense burner was her favorite snow-covered spring letter.

The fragrance was as crisp and clear as snow, yet it carried a subtle warmth.

Like a cup of hot tea that someone quietly slips into your hand on a winter's day.

Even though she has not returned, everything here remains the same.

"What were you daydreaming about outside, A-Ce?"

Tang Xixue asked casually.

Her wide, pink gauze sleeves fluttered gently in the wind, like a drifting cloud falling to earth.

Inside the hall, the blue-purple gauze curtains swayed in the wind, and the fragrant mist enveloped her in a dreamlike world of light and shadow.

She stood there, like a crabapple blossom in full bloom.

It wasn't the kind of grand, spectacular bloom.

Instead, it blooms quietly and undisturbed, yet its beauty is so stunning that it's impossible to look away.

"I wasn't thinking about His Highness."

Yan Ci blurted out, then quickly added:

"real."

His features are the kind that appear refined at first glance, but seem unfathomable upon second glance.

The corners of her eyes are slightly upturned, and her pupils are a very light gray, like a lake in late autumn with a thin layer of frost on it, clear and transparent.

At that moment, his eyes were slightly lowered, and he dared not look at her.

That is the eye of the white fish in the Tai Chi diagram.

It is cool and clear, yet it contains the profound mystery of Tai Chi.

"Oh—if A-Ce says no, then no."

Tang Xixue drew out the last syllable meaningfully, her smile sly and lively.

Yan Ci closed his eyes, feeling utterly foolish.

Now, nothing I say is right.

How did he get himself into such a dilemma?

Sure enough, once the young prince made a move, his game was doomed to complete defeat and utter collapse.

"Your Highness, let's begin."

He rediscovered his voice and tried to make it sound as calm as still water.

"Most of the old items from the Hall of Longevity are in the Mirror Night Snow Pavilion. I have examined those items."

Tang Xixue walked around the hall, her fingertips gently brushing against the familiar furnishings, and she already had the answer in her heart.

The furnishings here were newly arranged by Tangxi Night, with each item carefully selected and each place thoughtfully placed.

Those old items were sold to the Seven Generations Pavilion before, and later Yan Ci personally led his army to buy them back.

If her soul relied on old objects, it certainly wouldn't be hiding here.

"No, it seems they're not here."

Tang Xixue turned around and looked at Yan Ci.

"Shall we go take a look at the Thousand Autumns Palace?"

"it is good."

Yan Ci nodded, letting out a sigh of relief.

"The Empress Dowager is also eager to see the young prince."

He strode ahead to lead the way, his pace quickening compared to when he arrived, making the strategist appear to be fleeing in disarray.

Tang Xixue followed behind him, as if strolling leisurely.

"Your Highness, I have made all the arrangements."

Yan Ci knew that she had a deep relationship with the Empress Dowager, so he didn't waste any time.

After making the arrangements, he led Tang Xixue quietly along the deserted palace path toward Qianqiu Palace.

"A-Ce, look—where the snow has melted, the sounds of spring are already heard."

The flowering trees on both sides of the palace road have already sprouted buds, and clusters of flowering branches sway gently in the wind, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

"Thump—"

In the distance, the faint sounds of bells and drums could be heard, long and drawn out, like the steady heartbeat of this ancient capital.

Tang Xixue looked up at the sky, where a corner of clear blue sky was revealed.

Her mother was waiting for her.

Her spirit is also waiting for her.