The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Nestled among mountains, a gentle valley unfolds.

Snow covered the distant mountains and nearby trees, but there was one courtyard where only a thin layer of white snow covered the roof tiles.

This is the Moon-Weaving Garden.

"It seems that your sister-in-law's soul is in your Moon Weaving Court."

This was Yun Boyan's first time visiting Zhiyue Pavilion, but he knew that it was originally built by his sister-in-law.

The entire Moon Weaving Court of the Nine Provinces exists because of the Heavenly Physician Weaving Fate.

The sword light landed, and Tang Xixue stepped onto the path leading to the courtyard gate.

A few strands of moss peeked out from the cracks in the bluestone slabs underfoot. The courtyard gate was half-closed, and the door knocker was made of two bronze crescent moons.

Laughter rang out before the door was even opened.

The laughter was crisp and bright, like a babbling brook hitting a rock and splashing up glistening droplets.

The children's laughter mingled together, seeping into Tang Xixue's heart from the other side of the courtyard wall.

She reached out and pushed open the half-closed door.

The soft glow of the lanterns in the courtyard gently enveloped the entire space.

Several children were chasing and playing under the eaves, the younger ones being led by the older ones, running and stumbling but laughing innocently.

"Brother, look!"

A girl's voice suddenly rang out, clear and melodious like a silver bell.

"It's Sister Zhi!"

"Sister Zhi is back!"

In that instant, all the chasing and playing stopped.

All the children turned their heads, and all their eyes looked toward the courtyard gate.

The light shone on their faces, illuminating each one clearly.

"Sister Zhi! Sister Zhi!"

They surged forward like a flock of fledglings returning to their nest.

Their eyes were bright and shining, and their voices rose and fell, vying to call out to her.

"Sister Zhi, look how tall I've grown!"

A boy straightened his back and gestured with his palm to the top of his head.

He was half a head taller than Tang Xixue, and his shoulders were broader; he already had the silhouette of a young man standing there.

But his smile was still childlike, with a hint of pride as if he were taking credit.

"Sister Zhi, we've all grown up!"

Another girl stood on tiptoe, trying to make herself appear taller.

Her braids were neatly combed, with two red ribbons tied to the ends, making her look charming and adorable.

Their eyes were filled with surprise.

Unbeknownst to them, they almost didn't wake up.

But someone once again shielded them from the wind and snow.

"Yes. My sister saw it!"

Tang Xixue stood still, surrounded by the group of children.

Her eyes instantly reddened, but the corners of her lips turned up in a smile.

"Everyone has grown up well."

"He's also very tall."

She looked at them one by one.

The little girl who was once so thin and frail now has round cheeks and two shallow dimples when she smiles.

The little boy is now able to hold his younger siblings' hands and stand at the front.

The baby who was once in swaddling clothes is now seven years old. The child stands on tiptoe, trying to be seen.

With big, curious eyes, he looked at her and smiled.

At that moment, the soul lamp in Tang Xixue's palm suddenly lit up for a moment.

The light of the Soul Lamp shifted slightly, pointing towards the lantern that she had personally hung in the Moon Weaving Pavilion back then.

Two lamps.

One lamp was in her hand, and the other was under the eaves.

They gaze at each other across half a courtyard, their light reflecting off each other.

"Sister Zhi! This lamp has been lit all these years and has never been turned off."

A young girl, dressed in a simple cotton dress, spoke in a sweet voice with a slightly soft and playful tone at the end.

"It's waiting for you to come home too."

The children have always been very careful in protecting this lamp.

That was hung up by Sister Zhi herself, carrying their boundless hopes.

They are all waiting for Sister Zhi to come home!

Tang Xixue walked under the lamp; it was a very ordinary lantern.

It sways gently when the wind blows.

She reached out her hand.

The moment the fingertip touched the lamp, the flame that had been burning quietly suddenly moved.

A golden flame leaped from the lamp, like a swimming fish, and wrapped around her fingertips.

The touch was warm and soft.

The next moment, the lights burst into flame.

The light was dazzling yet not blinding, a blend of gilded and moon-white, spreading from her fingertips like a tree suddenly bursting into bloom overnight.

The light was drawn by the heart of Cangxue, and then merged into her sea of ​​soul.

It was a warmth that defied description, like a whole spring's sunshine folded and treasured, then returned in its entirety at this moment of reunion.

"Huh? Why isn't this lamp on?"

A boy's voice rang out.

He stood beside Tang Xixue, holding a candle in his hand, looking up at the lamp that had stopped shining, and blinked.

His tone carried a hint of confusion, but not much regret.

He simply stood on tiptoe and brought the candle flame closer to the extinguished lamp.

"But it's alright, we can just light it again."

The candlelight touched the wick, and the lamp lit up again with an orange-red light.

The boy withdrew his hand and nodded in satisfaction.

Tang Xixue remembered him; he was the oldest among the children back then, only about ten years old.

Now the boy is seventeen years old. Standing among the children, he naturally protects his younger siblings behind him, like a tree in the Moon Weaving Garden that one can rely on.

"Thank you for protecting it so well."

Tang Xixue expressed her gratitude.

The boy turned his head, revealing a clean smile, with a hint of shyness and a touch of pride after being praised.

"Of course."

"When Sister Zhi isn't here, I'm the big brother here. We all protect Sister Zhi's lamp together!"

Upon hearing these words, Tang Xixue felt a surge of warmth welling up in her heart.

Her soul couldn't bear to leave her children, so she stayed at the Moon Weaving Pavilion, her faint spirit lamp always shining upon them.

But the children were also carefully protecting that lamp.

He longed for her return with utmost sincerity, entrusting all his thoughts to that lamp.

"Sister Zhi, we've learned to cook so many dishes! Sister Zhi, please stay for dinner!"

"I also embroidered a purse for Sister Zhi! Although... although it's not very well embroidered..."

"My lamps are even better now! The one I made last time was blown apart by the wind, so I made a new one!"

The children chattered away, their voices like a flock of chirping birds, eagerly offering her all the long-held thoughts they had been holding back.

They took her hand and led her into the house, eager to show her the world they would live in as adults.

"Okay! Then Sister Zhi will have to try your cooking. Remember to boil the water before drinking it!"

Surrounded by them, Tang Xixue smiled and said.

"Ayan, come over and have dinner with us."

She turned and waved to Yun Boyan.

Yun Boyan stood at the courtyard gate, leaning against the door frame, his silver hair falling down, quietly watching her.

"I'll wait for my sister-in-law outside."

Seeing that she had successfully found this scattered fragment of soul, he felt that their efforts had been worthwhile!

He wasn't used to too much noise and had long been accustomed to the quiet of a life of seclusion.

They couldn't possibly handle this group of little ones.

"Let's go! Together!"

Tang Xixue stepped forward and pulled him inside.

Her soft little hand held his big hand, making him catch his breath for a moment.

He tried to calm himself down, not wanting his heart to beat erratically.

Otherwise, wouldn't my brother find out?