The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The carriage, carved from warm jade, was spacious and serene, and the incense burning inside was the Dream Essence Fragrance, made by Hua Rongshi herself.

The fragrance is sweet and lingering, like peach blossoms washed by morning dew, falling into water and creating ripples.

Strands of it linger around the tip of the nose, calming the mind and soothing the soul.

Tangxi Xue is now in poor health and cannot withstand such a long and bumpy journey.

She needs a child of good fortune by her side to nurture her with that good fortune.

Yun Boyan couldn't be too far away, so he sat beside her, keeping watch within arm's reach.

Suddenly, he heard her murmur in her sleep.

"Little Lotus..."

Her voice was soft and sweet, still lingering with sleepiness.

Yun Boyan slowly opened his eyes and quietly gazed at her in the dim light.

She was asleep, a slight smile still lingering on her lips, as if she had encountered something joyful in her dream.

She lifted a corner of the thick, soft snow blanket, probably because she felt hot in her sleep.

He reached out and covered her with the blanket.

His fingertips carefully avoided her skin, only holding the edge of the blanket, pulling it up little by little, and tucking it under her shoulder.

Then his hand remained there, not immediately withdrawing.

"Does my brother only have a place in my sister-in-law's heart?"

His voice was very low, only he could hear it.

"And what about me?"

"Is there even a tiny bit... of my space?"

His gaze fell on her lips.

Her lips were a light cherry pink, slightly pursed, like a crabapple blossom about to bloom under the moon.

He stared for a moment, recalling the soft touch of her lips, and felt as if he had been burned, hurriedly looking away.

The prayer beads began to be twirled between the fingers again, but the thoughts that had been twirled were more numerous than the scriptures.

Beyond the dream.

It remains the otherworldly paradise of Kunlun Ruins, with the lotus pond that has never dried up in the depths of the Ember Sea.

The water glistens, and the lotus leaves stretch out in abundance.

The riverbank is adorned with a profusion of flowers: pink peach blossoms, pure white magnolias, pale pink apricot blossoms, and snow-white pear blossoms.

Spring's beauty is evident on the branches, each displaying its own unique charm.

In this fairyland, they blend together to form a painting with just the right shades of ink.

Tang Xixue sat in a small boat formed from a floating cloud. The boat was as light as a feather, gliding through the lotus pond, brushing past one graceful lotus leaf after another.

She reached out and gently touched the lotus petals that brushed past her.

It has a warm, smooth texture and a cool, refreshing feel, like the moisture from a lotus pond.

It was clearly a dream, yet what I saw and felt felt just like reality.

"Weaving."

Someone called her.

The voice was deep and gentle, like the sound of pine trees rustling through a valley stream.

Xie Jinlian sat down next to her.

Her long, silvery-white hair was not tied up, but fell loosely over her shoulders and back, like willow branches covered in snow in winter swaying gently in the wind.

He wore a long, silver robe with a silk sash tied around his waist.

His features were exquisite, his face handsome and refined, and his silver eyes held a faint smile as he quietly gazed at her.

"The moon is hazy tonight, and the wind is gentle and the clouds are light."

He spoke, his voice slowly falling.

Tang Xixue tilted her head to look at him, her eyes reflecting the moon over Kunlun, and him.

"So—is the moon prettier, or am I?"

Her voice carried a hint of amusement, and a touch of stubbornness—knowing the answer yet still insisting on asking.

Xie Jinlian looked at her, her smile deepening.

"The moonlight, though three parts of it, cannot compare to even a fraction of your eyes and brows."

Tang Xixue smiled with satisfaction upon hearing this. Her smile, blooming in the moonlight, was even more beautiful than a pond full of lotus flowers.

She snuggled closer to him, her body softly resting in his arms.

"Little Lotus, I miss you."

Her voice had a slightly coquettish nasal tone.

Xie Jinlian reached out and steadily pulled her into his arms. His arms wrapped around her shoulders and back, drawing her close.

"I'd like to knit too."

He activated the Mirror Dream so that he could see her.

Even if it's just in a dream, and the meeting is brief.

That's enough to ease this temporary pain of longing.

It's just that his body is weak; otherwise, why would he have sent Ayan to deliver the lantern?

Tang Xixue snuggled closer to him, finding a more comfortable corner, then looked up with a haughty expression.

"I don't believe it."

She pursed her lips, deliberately keeping her tone indifferent.

"I haven't heard from my master for many days. He must have forgotten about me long ago."

Xie Jinlian looked down at her, a helpless smile flashing across her face.

He knew she was doing it on purpose, saying it intentionally, waiting for him to coax her.

"You and Huai Xian..."

She wanted to continue speaking.

Before he could finish speaking, his lips were sealed with a kiss.

It was a determined, passionate kiss.

No more restraint, no more forbearance.

Like a river frozen for thousands of miles, it suddenly shattered.

His lips covered mine, carrying the crisp scent of snow lotus blossoms, and the burning heat he had suppressed for so long.

"Ugh—"

Tang Xixue did not dodge; her hand climbed onto his clothes, her fingertips tightening slightly.

"Zhizhi, don't mention other people."

His voice emanated from his lips, low and hoarse, carrying a barely perceptible hint of grievance.

"I know—they seduced you..."

He clearly wanted to restrain himself.

In the dream, he should have just glanced at her, exchanged a few words with her, and eased his longing.

But once you touch her, those carefully maintained aloof exteriors peel away layer by layer.

He couldn't help himself; he became increasingly demanding, wanting more and more.

Where is the aloofness of a sword immortal now?

Clearly, he was a banished immortal who had fallen into the mortal world, tainted by human love and affection, and could never return.

His ruthless Dao heart, which he cultivated, had long since shattered into pieces.

"Master."

Tang Xixue looked at him with a smile, her voice soft and sweet, sending a shiver down his spine.

She tilted her head slightly, her breath brushing against his chin.

"You're seducing me too..."

She had a sly smile on her face.

Xie Jinlian's breath hitched slightly, her eyes churning with a mixture of emotions: tenderness, longing, and restraint.

"Yes, Zhizhi, you're right. I was seducing you, so, did you take the bait?"

"Zhizhi hasn't even tried being my teacher—how do you know who's the best?"

He blushed as he spoke, yet he still uttered words that were both offensive and lewd.

"Oriori...didn't you want to test your sword?"

"Let's try it tonight."

He lowered his head, a few strands of hair brushing against his forehead, like clouds occasionally lingering on a mountain peak.

He kissed her, this time deeper and more tender than before.

"Ugh—"

She was like the sweet fragrance of crabapple mixed with honey, or like the morning dew infused with the juice of berries.

Sweet and soft, with its unique aroma, it's so delicious that you can't stop eating it after just one bite.

He savored it bit by bit, as if he were enjoying the most precious delicacy in the world.

Without rushing or being rough, I gently and patiently absorbed every bit of her sweetness into my heart.

It was as if this kiss was a way to make up for all the days and nights of separation.

The moonlight flowed quietly.

The lotus pond shimmered with light, and the lotus leaves swayed silently.

The small boat rested in the center of the lotus pond, surrounded by graceful lotus flowers and a sky full of stars.

Their breaths mingled.

He paused briefly and looked down at her.

She was in his arms, her snowy cheeks flushed pink, her eyes tinged with crimson, and her lips a beautiful color.

"Master... let's give it a try..."

Tang Xixue was slightly out of breath, and when she looked up, all she could see was him.

Xie Jinlian looked at her, her eyes filled with tenderness.

"Zhizhi, close your eyes."

He called her softly, his voice as gentle as moonlight.

Her long, silvery-white hair cascaded down, intertwining with her dark hair, creating a striking contrast, like ink splashed on snow.

"Slow down..."

She spoke softly and gently.

"Um."

Xie Jinlian chuckled softly and agreed.

"I will listen to Zhizhi in everything I say."