The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Deep within the Valley of Divine Medicine, there stands a thousand-year-old mimosa tree.

The canopy is like a cloud, and the branches and leaves are lush, enveloping the entire courtyard in a shade of lush greenery.

The tree is covered in vibrant, fiery blossoms, a tapestry of crimson and pinkish-white, like a rosy cloud or a mist, resembling countless tiny fans adorned with tassels hanging from the branches.

Four elderly medicine masters with white hair were sitting around a stone table under the tree, discussing matters.

They are none other than the eldest brother, Danxin Medicine King; the second brother, Qingnang Medicine King; the third brother, Xuanhu Medicine King; and the fourth brother, Taisu Medicine King.

"Reporting to our Grand Master Uncle! Our Junior Uncle has returned to the valley!"

The disciple guarding the back mountain came running up, panting, to report.

"Snap—"

The teacup in the eldest brother's hand slipped and fell to the ground.

The sound of porcelain shattering was as crisp as thunder, exploding in the tranquil courtyard.

"What did you say?! Is it...is it Junior Sister?"

The second senior brother suddenly stood up, not even noticing that the pharmacopoeia on his lap had slipped off.

His round body bumped into the edge of the stone table, making him wince in pain, but he didn't bother to rub it.

"Wasn't she... killed by those damned villains? Do you know... I won't tolerate anyone treating her case like a joke?"

The third senior brother's eyes immediately reddened, and tears streamed down his deeply lined face as he grabbed the fourth senior brother's sleeve.

The fabric was newly changed this morning; it was very crisp, but it immediately crumpled into a ball when he squeezed it.

"This disciple would never dare to deceive my senior masters and uncles!"

The disciple said earnestly.

"We also heard Junior Uncle's voice. The newcomer presented a Xuan Iron Life-and-Death Token engraved with the Weaving of Fate!"

"Quick! Let's go take a look!"

The fourth senior brother had no time to feel sorry for himself, because cracks had also appeared on his own face, which was as smooth as a stone sculpture.

It took a long time to suppress the surging bitterness in my heart.

"Junior Sister is still alive! What a relief!"

The third senior brother's voice was choked up like a child's, and his once booming voice was now trembling out of tune.

"Thank goodness she's alright, otherwise, how could our master rest in peace if he knew?"

After these words were spoken, the senior brothers fell silent.

The silk threads of the mimosa blossoms fell silently, strand by strand, landing on their frosty white beards and hair.

They remembered their master, the Old Medicine God, who doted on his junior sister the most.

The white-haired old man who taught them how to identify, collect, and refine medicinal herbs held their hands and gave them instructions one by one before he passed away.

"Your junior sister is the youngest, but she has the strongest will. Her talent is something even the heavens envy. After I'm gone, you senior brothers must protect her."

But they couldn't protect her.

When the news came that the Heavenly Physician of Destiny had been intercepted and killed by the Heavenly Punishment Hall, several elderly Medicine Kings all cried until their eyes were red.

"What are you all standing there for!"

The eldest brother was the first to come to his senses, raising his sleeve to wipe the corner of his eye roughly.

"Go quickly and greet our junior sister!"

The senior brothers got up together, no longer caring about the dignity of elders.

They moved with incredible speed, their robes fluttering, and surged toward the back of the mountain.

The chubby second brother ran panting heavily, his round belly bouncing, but he refused to slow down even a step, taking things out of his sleeve as he ran.

"Hurry, hurry up! Junior sister must be having a hard time out there. I wonder if she's lost weight."

"They must have been frightened. Quick, bring the top-grade calming pills I refined! And that bottle of Snow Ginseng Jade Dew Pills too, bring them all!"

"Junior Sister used to love Senior Sister's Osmanthus Cloud Cake the most, I wonder if she still does now..."

"Wait for this old man!"

A strong female voice came from behind.

Everyone turned around and saw an old woman dressed in a blue-green robe walking briskly towards them.

Her full head of silver hair was meticulously combed and adorned with a jade hairpin shaped like a medicinal hoe. She moved with a graceful gait, and the fragrance of herbs wafted from the swirling hem of her robe.

She carried a huge food box in each hand, walking briskly and showing no signs of aging.

Several female disciples, all around twelve or thirteen years old, followed behind her.

Dressed in light blue robes, the disciples were running around with slightly disheveled hair and rosy cheeks.

At the very back followed a little girl of eight or nine years old, who was beautiful and lovely, with two round buns in her hair.

Holding a snow-white rabbit in her arms, she stumbled and staggered as she ran, but still tried her best to keep up with her senior sisters with her short legs.

"Senior Sister Liu!"

Several medicine masters called out in unison.

This is the matriarch of the Liu family in Divine Medicine Valley, whose maiden name is Liu Xinyi.

Magnolia flower is a good medicine for clearing the orifices and dispelling cold, just like its nature.

She appears gentle and calm on the outside, like a magnolia in bloom, but inside she is ruthless and decisive.

When that brat Liu Fengchun sees her, he has to respectfully call her Great-Grandma.

When her master was alive, she was the one who actually managed all the affairs in the valley. Although the current master of the Divine Medicine Valley is Si Xingxuan, many affairs are still handled by her senior sister.

"You old folks, you're quick on your feet."

When the eldest sister, Liu Xinyi, arrived, she glared at her junior brothers before she could even catch her breath.

"I almost missed the news of my junior sister's return. Were you still trying to keep me in the dark?"

"Senior Sister Liu, we just received the news too..."

Fourth Senior Brother said awkwardly.

"Alright, alright, let's go."

Liu Xinyi waved her hand.

"The food box contains freshly made cloud cakes and several other pastries from this morning. I wonder how she's been doing all these years away?"

None of the junior disciples responded.

They knew that although Senior Sister Liu didn't say it, she cared about Junior Sister more than anyone else.

When Junior Sister left the valley, Senior Sister Liu stood at the valley entrance until that figure completely disappeared into the wind and snow before she turned around.

When I turned around, my eyes were red.

The female disciples behind her couldn't hold back any longer.

"Master, Master, has Junior Uncle Zhiming really returned?"

The girl, clutching the medicine box, asked cautiously, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"I heard that Junior Uncle's medical skills are even better than Senior Uncle's!"

"While each of my senior masters specializes in their own field, my junior master is a polymath!"

The youngest little girl is holding a white rabbit.

"Rabbit also wants to visit Junior Uncle... Will she like Rabbit?"

"Yeah, she's really something."

Liu Xinyi glanced back at them, and unusually, she didn't put on a stern face, but simply smiled and responded.

The group rushed over and saw the carriage.

The carriage curtain was just lifted by a pale white hand.

First, the little white cat Yin Kong peeked its head out from the gap in the curtain, its round, sapphire eyes curiously looking around.

Then it nimbly jumped off the carriage shaft, its fluffy tail held high.

Immediately afterwards, a snow-white figure bent down and stepped out of the carriage, stopped, and turned around.

Tang Xixue raised her eyes and saw them.

Under the mimosa tree, sunlight filtered through the flowers and leaves, falling like scattered gold on her brow.

She had clearly grown up since she left the Divine Medicine Valley. What was once a young girl had now blossomed into a graceful and stunning young woman.

But those starry eyes remained clear and bright, just like when we first met.

A wisp of hair fluttered in the wind as she smiled radiantly at the crowd, her smile as gentle as shimmering autumn water.

She was like a moon gently cradled by clouds, cool and gentle, making people want to get close yet dare not be presumptuous.

"Senior brothers and sisters! Long time no see, how have you been?"

Tang Xixue spoke up.

The female disciples all held their breath.

"Ah! Junior Martial Aunt is so beautiful!"

The youngest girl loosened her grip, and the white rabbit jumped down from her arms.

He ran to Tang Xixue's feet, tilted his head back, and rubbed his nose against her skirt.

"Bunny, come back quickly!"

The little girl covered her mouth in fright and was about to go forward to catch it when she saw Tang Xixue bend down and gently pick up the little white rabbit.

"What adorable little dumplings!"

The little white rabbit nestled quietly in her arms, its long ears pressed against its back, looking determined not to leave.

"Junior Sister!"

The eldest brother took the first step, his voice trembling.

"Welcome home..."

Tang Xixue looked at the faces filled with expectation and heartache.

"Eldest sister, eldest brother, second brother, third brother, fourth brother."

She called them over one by one.

"Alright, alright, Zhizhi, you must be tired from your journey."

"It's good that you're back!"

The senior students were moved to tears, weeping with joy.

Several female disciples hid behind Liu Xinyi, excitedly sizing up this legendary senior uncle.

"Greetings, Junior Uncle!"

The youngest girl peeked half her head out from behind Liu Xinyi, her round eyes staring unblinkingly at Tang Xixue.

Tang Xixue's gaze happened to fall on her, and she quickly shrank back, but a moment later she couldn't help but peek out again, like a curious yet timid little sparrow.

Only when Tang Xixue handed her the little white rabbit from her arms did she blush and whisper, "Thank you, Junior Grandmaster."

It turns out she was her senior's grand-disciple.

"Junior sister, I'm here for you too."

A clear, crisp voice came from behind the crowd, cutting through all the noise.

The crowd spontaneously parted to make way for each other, like streams splitting into two.

The Ghost Doctor emerged from the shade of the mimosa tree.