The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Xue'er... do you know the saying, 'Playing with fire will get you burned'?"

Bei Chenji should have known long ago.

She has a personality that makes her very good at taking advantage of opportunities.

Now that he has confessed his feelings in a moment of desperation, this heartless little thing has him completely under her thumb.

In the past, when he pretended to be fierce, she would retreat pitifully, like a frightened kitten, timidly retracting her paws.

Now... all she does is bully him!

Let him know the consequences of saying one thing and meaning another.

"Oh—what are you playing with fire for? I don't understand."

Tang Xixue gently pinched her jade-like fingers.

It was as if a cluster of dry firewood had been lit, and sparks flew all over him.

"Um."

Bei Chenji let out a muffled groan.

Who taught this little rascal to be so troublesome?

"Oh."

I was so angry I almost laughed.

Does that little rascal really think he's a pushover?

The next instant, the world spun around.

He pinned her down.

"Xue'er, do you know you have offended me, and deserve to die?"

Her purple nightgown spread out, like twilight enveloping her, layering her long purple gauze skirt, like a flower closing its petals, imprisoning the moonlight and the spring in its heart.

He leaned over her, his long hair cascading down, the dark strands brushing against her cheeks, cool and carrying the scent of mandala emanating from him.

He enveloped her completely, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

It is full of wild and domineering allure.

"Are you ready to accept my punishment?"

Her purple eyes were now as dark as an abyss, reflecting her image.

Her fair and delicate skin was dazzling, causing a surge of heat to rush to his head and making him breathe heavily.

"Then... how will my youngest uncle execute me?"

Tang Xixue looked at him with her eyes still wet.

Her eyelashes were curled and thick, like butterfly wings covered in dew, unable to fly, nor wanting to fly.

"Naturally—to be beaten to death."

Bei Chenji's breath landed on her lips, hot and rapid, like a storm that had been suppressed for too long, ready to overturn at any moment.

He bent down.

Just now.

A hurried figure suddenly burst into the Frost and Snow Hall, looking rather aggrieved.

"Cousin...cousin...someone is bullying me!"

The sound was urgent and crisp, like a string of exploding firecrackers, crackling and popping as it rolled into the warm room.

"Cousin, you must stand up for me! My wife has been stolen!"

"..."

Hua Rongshi's voice abruptly stopped when she saw the scene on the bed inside the warm pavilion.

Like a lark singing merrily, suddenly having its throat grabbed.

He stared wide-eyed, his mouth agape.

He froze on the threshold, like a piece of wood struck by lightning.

The pink gauze sleeves still fluttered in the wind, and the peach blossom hairpin in her hair swayed slightly, the beads clinking together and making a soft sound.

The next moment, there was a heart-wrenching cry of alarm.

"Aaaaah, cousin, how could you do this to me? You're cheating on me!"

Hua Rongshi's voice changed tone, filled with disbelief and despair.

"You old cow eating young grass... You're so shameless! You actually tried to force yourself on my wife!"

"You beast, I'll fight you to the death!"

"I never imagined—you were the one who stole my wife!!!"

Without a second thought, Hua Rong rushed upwards without hesitation.

Her pink gauze sleeves fluttered in the wind, and as her clothes danced, she resembled a small peach blossom bursting open.

Bei Chenji's face darkened instantly.

His cold, stern face was clouded with dark clouds, like the sky before a storm.

He glanced down at the person in his arms, and quickly pulled over the cloak beside him to cover that inch of snow-white skin.

The movements were swift and ruthless, as if they were protecting a priceless treasure.

"Hua Rongshi, get out."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, each word chillingly cold.

He exuded a chilling aura that seemed almost tangible, causing the temperature inside the warm pavilion to drop several degrees.

He raised his hand and exchanged a palm strike with Hua Rongshi.

"Bang—"

The palms collided, producing a dull, loud thud.

A strong wind swept by, causing the candlelight to flicker violently, almost extinguishing it.

The wind caused the curtains to flutter like butterflies and the pages of the books on the table to rustle.

"You, you bully the weak, your victory is dishonorable."

Hua Rongshi stumbled back two steps, her steps faltering, barely managing to regain her balance.

Her pink gauze dress was still fluttering in the wind, and the peach blossom hairpin in her hair was askew.

A few stray hairs fell beside her cheeks, making her face even more beautiful, yet also giving her a somewhat disheveled look.

"King Beichen!"

After he regained his footing, he immediately raised his head, his peach blossom eyes filled with anger.

"How dare you humiliate Princess Jing like this! You are truly lawless!"

The peach blossom fan in his hand flew out, the peach blossoms on the fan surface burning like fire, shimmering with a bewitching luster under the candlelight.

However, with Tang Xixue still by Bei Chenji's side, he dared not make a move rashly. He could only hold his fan in mid-air, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

A pair of peach blossom eyes looked at her with concern, their gaze filled with anxiety, heartache, and a hint of unconcealed grievance.

"I might have to disappoint my cousin."

Bei Chenji stood up and slowly straightened his clothes.

She gathered the collar of her crimson nightgown, fastened the belt, and casually swept her long hair behind her.

Every movement was unhurried, with a calm demeanor that showed no sign of being caught in the act.

When his cold gaze fell on Hua Rong, a slight smile appeared on the corner of his lips.

"My feelings for Xue'er were beyond my control, not as shameful as you claim..."

"Xue'er, tell him, is it yes or no?"

His voice carried a hint of smugness, like a cat that had stolen some dried fish and was licking its paws in front of its owner.

"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"

Hua Rongshi looked at Tang Xixue in disbelief.

Those captivating peach blossom eyes were now filled with a cautious inquiry.

"Little Snowflake, tell me, what he said is false, right? He's lying to me."

He stared at her expectantly, waiting for an answer.

"Little Imperial Uncle, how could you bully me like this? I'm so scared!"

Tang Xixue clutched her chest, her eyelashes drooping, looking just like a pitiful little girl who had been bullied.

Her voice was soft and gentle, trembling with grievance.

Like a crabapple blossom broken by wind and rain, with teardrops still clinging to its petals, trembling precariously, it evokes a pang of heartache.

Especially the ambiguous marks on her body that had never faded.

The red marks on the side of her neck and the kiss marks on her collarbone were particularly clear in the candlelight.

It was clearly made by Tang Xiye.

In an instant, the evidence became irrefutable.

"..."

Bei Chenji felt that he had been set up.

He looked down and glanced at the little rascal beside him, who was trying hard to suppress a laugh but whose shoulders were trembling slightly.

It's both infuriating and hilarious.

"Fine, it was my fault."

He took a deep breath, as if admitting defeat.

"I was lustful and desired to commit immoral acts. I am a beast!"

He spoke each word with gritted teeth, yet it carried an air of helpless indulgence.

She insists on playing this game with him; what can he do?

"Don't be afraid, little snowflakes!"

Hua Rongshi immediately spoke up to comfort her, as if afraid that she had been frightened.

"With me here, I won't let him bully you anymore."

"Even if I can't beat him, I can hold him off. You need to run quickly. Once you're back by Emperor Shengchen's side, you'll be safe."

He stepped forward, blocking Tang Xixue's path, like a small peach blossom blooming on the edge of a cliff.

Even though they can't stand up on their own, they insist on shielding others from the wind.

Upon hearing his words, Tang Xixue couldn't help but smile.

How come I never noticed the little peach blossoms before? They're so interesting.

"Hua Rong Shi, you really are my cousin."

Bei Chenji was so angry that his chest ached.

"My cousin must be heartbroken because Shen Yan abandoned him so cruelly, which is why he's so distraught."

Hua Rong spoke rapidly, as if she were trying to cover for her cousin.

"He's not usually like this. He doesn't like you, really!"

He spoke the last few words with extra force.