The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"They say I'm a cursed star, destined to bring misfortune to all my relatives."

"So all these years, I've only dared to watch you from afar, and I haven't even dared to get close."

Bei Chenji's voice was low and hoarse, carrying an indescribable bitterness.

He wanted to see her.

I'm going crazy.

If you ask how much longing I feel?

Not many, just twelve two-hour periods in a day.

But he dared not see her, nor dared he approach her.

"A cursed lone star, bringing misfortune to family and friends. Those close to him will be harmed, and those he loves will perish."

He feared that his strong fate might bring trouble upon her.

He feared that his blood-stained hands would defile her.

"If getting close to you will harm you, then I will be a lonely star in the eternal night, shining only where you cannot see it."

How could he, standing in the abyss of darkness, possibly pull her down?

But at this moment, she was in his arms, as cold as a handful of melting snow.

He suddenly realized:

What he feared most was never seeing her again.

"Xue'er".

Bei Chenji called out softly.

"I only wish that you will always stand in the sunlight."

Seeing that her complexion had improved somewhat, he restrained himself from releasing her.

"These hands have been stained with too much blood; they are unworthy to hold yours. But when you are in trouble, they still want to draw their swords for you."

He is like a datura flower blooming on a cliff.

The wind may have broken its branches, but it chooses to bloom in the coldest of times, displaying its most vibrant beauty.

Aloof, pure, and captivating.

Knowing that getting close would bring wind and snow, I still couldn't resist breaking off a branch and hiding it in my bosom.

"Someone like me doesn't deserve your love. But I can't help it, I can't help but like you."

"The person I used to hate wasn't you. I've only ever softened towards you time and time again."

He stated his inner thoughts word by word.

He knew that no one would like him, and no one would choose him.

But... he wanted to tell her that she was fine, and that he liked her too.

Tang Xixue finally understood after hearing his words.

I understand why he always stands in the corner; I want to get closer, but I never do.

It felt like something gently bumped into my chest.

It felt both tingly and numb, like a little deer running rampant in my chest.

I learned that he was a lone star.

But she didn't let go.

"I'm not afraid of you... and don't push me away."

She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying herself in his broad embrace.

My cheek was pressed against his chest, and through his clothes, I could feel his steady and powerful heartbeat.

The heartbeat was like a war drum, like thunder, yet it carried a reassuring rhythm.

"Little Imperial Uncle".

She spoke in a muffled voice, as soft as melting snow.

"I'm about to die, please let me live a little longer."

Tang Xixue's words sounded like a joke, and even had a hint of coquetry.

But Bei Chenji knew that she never joked with him.

She was never one to joke about life and death.

The more casually she spoke, the heavier the burden behind it all seemed, making it hard to breathe.

"Xue'er, if you die, I will drag the entire world down with you. If you live, I will protect the world and bring you peace."

Bei Chenji felt his heart tremble with pain.

The fear of losing her swept over him again, like a tidal wave crashing over him, almost suffocating him.

"Is it... is it the Heavenly Fire Formation from last time?"

"Or... is it that Heaven cannot tolerate you?"

He asked softly, but a dark storm was churning in his purple eyes.

The storm contained anger, resentment, heartache, and an almost insane obsession.

"Xue'er, don't be afraid, your little royal uncle is here."

Bei Chenji wrapped his strong arms around her tightly.

He pulled her completely into his arms, as if he wanted to build a wall around her with his body.

If the Emperor Star cannot protect her.

Even if it means perishing alongside the heavens, he, this cursed lone star, will drag her out of the abyss of darkness.

Even if it means being shattered to pieces, even if it means eternal damnation!

He doesn't care.

In this world, the only person he cared about from beginning to end was her.

"Little Imperial Uncle..."

Tang Xixue felt a lump in her throat when she heard his words.

Tears welled up in his eyes, warm and hot, and slid down his cheeks, dripping onto his clothes.

He remained the same taciturn, unsophisticated, yet quietly supportive young imperial uncle.

He was willing to share his most treasured portrait of his mother with her.

He would shield her from all open and hidden attacks from deep within the palace walls.

It was the boy who pulled her from the brink of death in the snowstorm of the North.

He is someone she can trust.

"I can't find my soul."

Tang Xixue's eyes were red-rimmed, like a wounded little raccoon.

"I thought it would be on the begonia jade pendant... but it's not..."

She nestled in his arms, curled up in the only safe place.

She revealed her most vulnerable and vulnerable side to him.

She just wanted to live.

Hope had finally appeared, but it turned into disappointment.

It felt like being violently pushed off the clouds, watching helplessly as the ground drew ever closer, yet unable to grasp anything.

"Xue'er..."

Bei Chenji's voice was low and deep, filled with suppressed pain.

"How can my little prince extend your life?"

He asked earnestly.

Looking into her dim eyes, his heart ached so much he could hardly breathe.

The pain felt like a thousand arrows piercing my heart.

"Would you accept my life?"

To die for her was the thing he was most willing to do in his life.

"I won't drink the Meng Po soup on the road to the underworld. I'm afraid I won't be able to find you in my next life."

"Xue'er. If there is an afterlife, let me meet you first, okay?"

Bei Chenji thought that if they met again in the next life, he would not send her away again.

I will never give her up to anyone else.

I will no longer hide in the shadows and only dare to watch from afar.

"I don't need to give my life to you, little imperial uncle."

Tang Xixue shook her head.

"Just... let me hold you a little longer."

"Give me a bit of your luck."

Her voice was soft and sweet without being cloying, yet it made you want to keep tasting it.

Tang Xixue rubbed against his chest like a spoiled cat.

His whole body was tense.

Every muscle became stiff.

But that warmth seeped into his bones little by little.

"The closer the better."

Like willow catkins drifting in the spring fields, gently brushing against his heart.

"Xue'er..."

Bei Chenji felt a sudden dryness in his mouth.

"You can get as close as you want."

He held her as he sat on the couch, making her more comfortable.

A thick velvet blanket was laid on the soft couch, warm and soft, like a cloud.

"The young imperial uncle looks cold, but his body is like a volcano."

Tang Xixue felt the chill in her body being dispelled by the scalding heat.

Little by little, it warms up, starting from the fingertips.

Like the first ray of sunlight piercing through the thick fog in the early morning.

That warmth, inch by inch, pulled her back from the brink of death.

"Xue'er, just hug me..."

Bei Chenji's voice suddenly froze.

Because her restless little hand had somehow reached his waist, her fingertips slightly cool, and landed on his firm abdominal muscles.

Like a snowflake falling on scorching hot rocks, it sent a shiver down his spine.

Her fingertips grazed lightly, like a feather brushing across the water.

He quietly stopped her, saying, "Don't touch me like that..."

There was no blame in that voice, only extreme restraint.

And, an almost uncontrollable, deep-seated throbbing.