The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

Jiu Fangzhi recalled the years she spent recuperating in the Divine Medicine Valley, when she would always sit quietly by the window of the medicine hut.

Holding a medical book in her hands, sunlight streamed in through the window, enveloping her in a warm, gauze-like atmosphere.

She was like that back then; when she got tired of reading, she would lie down on the table and fall asleep, her hair scattered all over the table.

He went over to her, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and draped an outer robe over her shoulders.

At that time, he thought she would always be there.

She waited quietly for him to return from refining pills, bringing her the new gadgets he had made. When he opened the door, she looked up and smiled at him.

She left later.

It's as if they'll never come back.

Jiu Fangzhi slowly closed his eyes, silently exhaling the indescribable breath in his chest.

He didn't pull his hand back or move; he simply let the small hand rest on the back of his hand.

It felt as if an electric current was flowing into his pulse and his heartbeat.

After an unknown amount of time, the hand suddenly moved.

Tang Xixue rolled over and draped her entire arm across his chest.

She buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, her warm breath falling on his collarbone.

Jiu Fangzhi froze completely.

"Junior Sister..."

He called out softly, his voice hoarse.

no respond.

She fell into a deep sleep, completely unaware of what she had done.

"Knock knock—"

His heart was beating so fast that his chest was trembling slightly.

He knew he should gently push her away, put her arm back under the covers, and get up to sit by the window.

He should be respectful, self-disciplined, and remember that he is the senior brother and the one who is entrusted by his master to protect her.

But he couldn't move.

It's not that my body can't move, it's that I don't want to move.

He cherished this moment.

He was captivated by her warmth, her scent, and her unconscious, defenseless dependence on him.

He lowered his eyes and looked at the little face nestled in the crook of his shoulder.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she were having a dream.

Her lips moved, and she murmured softly:

"Senior brother."

Jiu Fangzhi closed his eyes.

Then, he turned to the side very slowly.

Instead of putting the arm back, he put his own arm under her neck and gently put it around her shoulder.

The force was extremely light and slow, as light as embracing a wisp of mist.

She snuggled slightly into his arms, like a cat that had found warmth.

His heart suddenly softened.

It felt so soft, like someone had squeezed it, and the pain made my eyes sting.

He rested his chin on the top of her head and closed his eyes.

Holding his junior sister was like holding the last glimmer of light in the world.

The next day.

When Tang Xixue woke up, all she saw was darkness.

Clothing, chest, and a long, pale hand resting on his waist.

She paused for a moment.

Then consciousness returned.

Her face flushed red.

She didn't move.

"I—I slept with my senior brother too?"

Her senior brother was still asleep, his breathing light and long, his arms wrapped around her waist, enveloping her in a refreshing scent of grass and trees.

She tried to move back half an inch, and the arm immediately tightened its grip, as if afraid she would run away.

"..."

She looked up.

Jiu Fang knew that the handsome, jade-like face was right in front of him, with slightly furrowed brows, lowered eyelashes, and slightly pursed lips. He was truly a feast for the eyes.

The morning light shone through the window paper and fell on his face, softening his usual coldness and aloofness with a thin layer of gentleness.

He's incredibly handsome! Absolutely stunning!

Tangxi Xue already knew.

But now, when viewed from such close proximity, its beauty takes on an aggressive quality, making one's heart flutter.

She quickly lowered her head and buried her face in the blanket.

"Senior brother is so devilishly handsome! He's practically tempting me to make mistakes."

Then she reached out and poked his chest.

"Senior brother."

No response.

She poked it again.

"Senior brother, it's dawn."

Jiu Fangzhi's eyelashes trembled slightly.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze shifting from confusion to clarity in an instant.

Then he saw the person in his arms.

His hand froze for a moment.

Then he loosened his grip, sat up very quickly, turned his back to her, picked up the mask from beside the pillow, and put it on.

The whole process was so smooth and fast it felt like being scalded.

"I apologize... I was rude."

His voice was a little hoarse, and the tips of his ears were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

Tang Xixue lay on the bed, looking at his bright red ears, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

"Senior brother."

"……Um."

"Did you hold me all night last night?"

Jiu Fangzhi did not answer.

He simply stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

The morning light streamed in, fading the deep blue of the room into a warm, gentle white.

He took a deep breath, and his voice finally regained its composure.

"Junior Sister, it's time to get up. There's still a lot to do today."

He lightly brushed off the topic.

He couldn't answer his junior sister's question.

He didn't even dare to turn around and look at her; he could only look outside to calm himself down.

"Okay, fine!"

Tang Xixue didn't make things difficult for him. She sat up, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, folded the quilt, and stepped onto the cool bluestone floor.

No one mentioned what happened last night again.

After washing up, the two went out.

The old woman was already busy in the yard.

She saw the two of them walk out one after the other. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Jiu Fangzhi's silver mask before landing on Tang Xixue's face. Then she smiled, a smile full of meaning.

"Young couples are so lucky; they get up early and are full of energy. This young man is quite virtuous; is that handsome face only meant for his young wife?"

Tang Xixue's expression remained unchanged as she smiled and called out, "Grandma."

Jiu Fangzhi nodded slightly, without saying a word.

But the tips of his ears turned even redder.

at the same time.

Beyond the Glazed Heaven lies the examination hall of the Divine Medicine Valley.

The night passed.

The glass lamps on the platform were still lit, and the people under them had not yet dispersed.

Tang Xi sat upright behind the curtain at night, the scroll in front of her still open, without a single word of approval.

Shen Cuo walked in carrying a freshly brewed cup of tea and gently placed it on the table.

"Your Majesty, it's dawn. You haven't slept all night, perhaps you should..."

"No need."

Tang Xiye's voice was as cold and clear as ever, but his gaze remained fixed on the tightly closed door, never wavering.

He Lichen stood under an ancient pine tree, his moon-white robes dampened by the morning dew.

Holding a cloak, Songjun finally stepped forward.

"My lord, you haven't slept a wink all night. Please put this on; it's chilly in the morning."

He Lichen didn't say anything, but simply took the cloak and draped it over his shoulders.

His gaze never left the door.

Xie Jinlian leaned against the back of her wheelchair, a corner of the thin blanket on her lap slipping off.

Wen Song bent down and tucked the thin blanket back in.

He glanced at the emperor's profile but said nothing.

Your Majesty did not sleep last night either.

Kong Sangyu jumped down from the tallest pine tree, holding Bai Tang in her arms, her long silver-blue hair slightly damp from the morning dew.

He stood at the edge of the platform, gazing at the gate to the secret realm, a faint bluish-black tinge in his eyes.

"Meow."

Bai Tang called out and nuzzled his hand with her head.

"I know."

He said his voice was a little hoarse.

"She will definitely come out."

Yun Boyan sat on the roof of a tall building, his fingertips resting on the hilt of his sword, without letting go all night.

His robes were damp with night dew, and his silver hair was gently swaying in the morning breeze.

His lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.

Only the mouth shape.

"Sister-in-law."

Bei Chenji's eyes were closed, but his mind was always preoccupied with the person in the secret realm.

"Little Xue'er, don't be afraid, your little royal uncle will always be your support."

Sheng Feiming gently twirled the Bodhi prayer beads again and again.