The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Wen Song stood to the side, looking at Xie Jinlian's increasingly pale face, filled with worry, hesitant to speak.

He opened his mouth, but finally couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, your leg has only just recovered; you shouldn't overexert yourself..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a clear voice.

"Brother, let me do it!"

Yun Boyan stepped forward, extended his hand, and said with a determined look, "You can do it, and so can I."

Xie Jinlian gazed into her younger brother's eyes, which were exactly the same as her own.

It was the same silver-gray, the same cool and aloof, but it had an added touch of undisguised stubbornness.

He paused for a moment, then finally handed over the half-finished soul lamp in his hand.

"Then you must be careful."

His voice was soft, but every word was solemn.

"We cannot afford to fail at the last minute."

He could no longer hold on.

His spiritual energy was overdrawn, and even his fingertips were trembling slightly.

He was afraid that he wouldn't be in good condition and wouldn't be able to condense the soul lamp perfectly.

He felt at ease leaving it to Ayan.

"Okay. Leave it to me."

Yun Boyan took the soul lamp with careful and skillful movements, as if he were receiving a rare treasure.

He closed his eyes, using his spiritual power to envelop the wisp of starlight, gently and slowly merging it into the lamp.

The movement was as gentle as if one were carefully protecting a fragile snowflake.

Xie Jinlian took a few steps back, leaned against the pillar, and breathed slightly.

He gazed at his younger brother's focused profile, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, did our eldest sister... go back?"

After the Nine Extremes Alliance meeting, Yunmian disappeared without a trace.

He had assumed she had returned to Lian Ge, but there hadn't been a single message from her in all these days.

Yun Boyan's hands continued moving, but his expression became somewhat subtle.

"Her situation is a bit special. You'll find out later, brother."

Xie Jinlian glanced at his younger brother indifferently, his gaze not heavy, but carrying the unyielding air of an elder brother.

"Just say it. Don't keep me in suspense."

Yun Boyan was silent for a moment before finally confessing honestly: "It's because my elder sister used forbidden techniques to hunt down Sang Tingke of the Heavenly Punishment Hall last time... and now she's still being struck by lightning."

"She was struck by lightning as soon as she stepped out of the house, so she temporarily went to the Temple of Fate on Holy Spirit Mountain to avoid the storm."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jinlian's lips twitched slightly.

"Okay, I understand."

His tone was calm, with an air of nonchalance.

"Eldest sister is bored because she can't go out, so she went to the Palace of Fate to look at the Book of Fate."

He knows Yunmian too well.

The heavenly punishment could not harm her, but it did prevent her from moving around.

Mount Shengling is a lawless land, beyond the reach of the Heavenly Dao. She's probably holed up in the Palace of Fate, passing the time flipping through the Book of Fate.

"Sir, why don't you take a rest?"

Songjun stood to the side, holding the food that had long since gone cold, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

"Your body... still needs rest."

"No need."

He Lichen waved his hand, his handsome face, like that of an immortal, was somewhat pale, but his eyes remained clear and bright, unwavering.

He can still hold on.

He could endure it all for Zhizhi's sake.

"The Temple of the Holy Spirit Mountain is off-limits to unauthorized personnel."

He spoke slowly, his voice like a clear spring gurgling over stones.

"My senior brother is there, so your eldest sister will probably be turned away."

Yun Boyan continued his work, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"How is that possible?"

His tone was as certain as if he were stating a fact.

"There is no place in this world that she cannot go."

"Oh."

He Lichen chuckled softly, unconcerned.

"A closed door? I don't believe it."

Yun Boyan raised his eyes and glanced at him indifferently.

"My eldest sister could tear down your entire Siming Hall and bring your eldest brother back to Lian Ge."

He Lichen's smile froze slightly.

"Is your eldest sister some kind of female bandit?"

He gave a wry smile, thinking to himself, "My senior brother will definitely be able to protect the Hall of Fate."

Although Ling Zixian may seem lazy, his methods are never lacking.

"I do not believe your exaggeration."

"We'll see."

After calmly finishing speaking, Yun Boyan lowered his head again, focusing on the soul lamp in his hand.

Xie Jinlian leaned against the pillar, watching her younger brother and He Lichen exchange words, but never offered any rebuttal.

She silently added in her heart, "I'd better let your eldest brother fend for himself. Your elder sister is no pushover."

The Imperial Palace, Chengtian Hall.

After Tangxi finished reviewing the last memorial, she put down her vermilion brush and rubbed her slightly sore brow.

The candlelight illuminated his profile, making his features sharp and distinct, but a subtle weariness lingered in his eyes.

The moonlight outside the window was perfect, with shimmering light dancing in the air.

He suddenly remembered the crabapple tree that was in full bloom.

When the flowers bloom, Tang Xixue stands under the tree and looks up. Petals fall into her hair, but she doesn't brush them away; she just smiles with her eyes crinkled.

"Shen Cuo".

He stood up, put on a black cloak, and walked outside.

"Prepare the horses and leave the palace."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Shen Cuo's voice came from behind him, tinged with a hint of apprehension.

Tangxi paused in her steps and looked back.

"What's wrong?"

Shen Cuo lowered his head, his voice growing softer and softer.

"Princess Mirror... has already left Baiyujing."

"You were busy with the Heart of the Sun and Moon, so... I didn't tell you."

The hall suddenly fell silent.

Tang Xiye stood on the imperial steps, moonlight filtering in from the palace doors and falling on the hem of his black robe, where the tassels swayed gently.

The light enveloped him completely, cool and serene, giving him a somewhat lonely air.

"Zhizhi...she's gone?"

His voice was soft, filled with disbelief.

"Yes."

Shen Cuo reluctantly agreed.

"I heard from Military Advisor Yan that they went to Yunchuan."

"Furthermore, the wisp of soul that Your Highness was searching for in Baiyujing has been found."

Tang Xiye remained silent for a moment.

He turned around, walked back to his desk, and took out an exquisite white jade box from the drawer.

The box lid was lifted, revealing neatly arranged rows of radiant spiritual pearls—the Hearts of the Sun and Moon.

He ordered people to search everywhere and even personally took the initiative to seize it, going through countless efforts.

He put each and every one of them in by hand.

Each one is filled with his love.

"I also want to give her a surprise..."

He muttered to himself, his tone dejected.

He thought that with He Lichen, Xie Jinlian, and those other fox spirits by her side, he could do these things with peace of mind.

Who knew that after he spent half a day busy, his precious Zhizhi had run away?

"Shen Cuo".

He suddenly spoke.

"Your subject is here."

"Summon Yan Ci to come and handle government affairs."

Tang Xiye gently closed the white jade box, put it into her sleeve, turned around and strode towards the palace gate.

"Prepare the horses."

"Your Majesty, what's wrong...?"

"I will go after her."

Tang Xiye didn't turn her head, her voice coming from outside the hall, carrying an undeniable certainty.

"No matter how far she runs, I will bring her back."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of bitter resentment.

"She wants to abandon me? Is she trying to seduce me and then discard me?"

He already belongs to her.

She ran away!!!

After he catches her, he will definitely...

Let her know the consequences of abandoning him!