The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

"Cousin?"

Tang Xixue looked at He Lichen with a puzzled expression, her bright, starry eyes filled with confusion.

She tilted her head slightly, and the tassels in her hair swayed gently with the movement, as if casting a question mark for her.

When did she get this cousin?

She herself didn't know.

"right."

He Lichen nodded slightly.

"Your eldest brother's mother was your aunt. It's just that she passed away early."

"Therefore, Orihime is unaware of her existence."

Ling Zixian's mother is the younger sister of Yue Haohai Emperor.

The legendary princess of the Sea Kingdom, known for her gentle and intelligent nature, perished in a tragedy long ago.

The traces she left behind were buried layer by layer by the years, along with the evidence of her existence, all covered by the dust of time, until they were rediscovered today.

"I see."

Tang Xixue nodded in realization, the confusion between her brows gradually dissipating, like the bright moon emerging after the clouds and mist have cleared.

She glanced at Ling Zixian on the couch and suddenly felt that fate in this world was truly wondrous.

Those she thought were complete strangers had actually been secretly connected to her in the long river of fate.

"Cousin."

She called out with a smile, her voice soft and gentle like a spring breeze brushing against the rocks in a stream, carrying a natural and intimate tone.

There was no awkwardness or formality in that smile, only pure joy.

Upon hearing this, Ling Zixian blinked her crystal-clear eyes.

He looked at her, as if he was carefully processing the news. A faint blush gradually rose on his pale face, like a peach petal in March, thin and revealing a hint of shyness.

The blush spread from his cheekbones to the tips of his ears, giving his originally pale face a touch of life.

"My cousin Zhizhi."

He called out, his voice clear and melodious like a mountain spring, yet tinged with a hint of embarrassment.

The word "Zhizhi" was uttered very softly and gently, as if afraid of disturbing the dewdrops on the petals.

He looked incredibly adorable, like a young boy experiencing his first love, calling out a name that stirred his heart.

He lowered his eyes, his fingers continuing to twist the hem of his clothes, creating fine wrinkles in that small piece of fabric.

The movements were awkward and clumsy, yet somehow they were incredibly endearing.

Pure.

cute.

Like a fawn that has just opened its eyes, its heart and eyes are filled with the first person it sees.

He Lichen watched this scene, her brow twitching slightly.

"Senior Brother."

His voice was like a cold spring flowing in the mountains, devoid of any emotion.

"You've just woken up, and your soul is still unstable. Your body needs recuperation. I'll have Songyun prepare some medicinal food to nourish your spirit and replenish your vital energy."

Upon hearing this, Ling Zixian raised his head.

His gaze swept back and forth between He Lichen and Tang Xixue, and a hint of confusion suddenly appeared in his clear, unblemished eyes.

He tilted his head, as if trying to understand something.

"Junior brother."

He called out, his tone hesitant.

"You just said... that my cousin is your wife?"

"Exactly."

He Lichen smiled slightly, his smile dignified and composed, like a meticulous landscape painting, where every stroke was just right and perfectly executed.

But if you look closely at his eyes, those usually calm and still eyes are now churning with undercurrents.

"I have long ago decided that she is my wife."

His gaze fell on Tang Xixue, burning and lingering, as if he were gazing at the most precious treasure in his life.

"It has nothing to do with titles or ceremonies; it's just that my heart can no longer belong to her."

Tang Xixue felt her ears burn slightly from his gaze.

This aloof, abstinent, and woman-averse Grand Preceptor, in the eyes of the world, is passionate and fiery when he speaks sweet words.

"oh."

Ling Zixian nodded, her tone carrying a hint of bewilderment, as if she didn't quite understand, and a trace of barely perceptible regret.

It's like a child reaching out to pluck a star, only to find that the star has already fallen on someone else's windowsill.

He thought for a moment, then raised his head again, his clear eyes staring straight at Tang Xixue, his gaze filled with a hint of chick-like affection.

"Will my cousin Zhizhi... come to see me again?"

The tone was soft and cautious, like a small animal afraid of being abandoned.

"Of course."

Tang Xixue smiled gently, reached out and tucked the blanket around him, pulling the corner of the plain white brocade blanket up to his chest.

"Cousin, please rest well. I will take your pulse."

Ling Zixian's eyes lit up for a moment, like the North Star suddenly shining in the night sky.

He nodded obediently, a faint smile curving his lips.

The smile was clean and content.

"Cousin Zhizhi, I'll wait for you."

His tone was so serious, as if he were making a very important promise.

His eyes were so resolute, as if she were his whole world.

"..."

He Lichen's brow twitched again.

This time he jumped harder than before, and even the corners of his lips pursed slightly.

This is truly a terrible thing.

How did his eldest brother, the once worldly and insightful Lord of the Fate Palace, the man who could even see through the secrets of heaven, suddenly become stupid?

Being stupid is one thing, but being stupid in such a way that it's impossible to argue with him.

He Lichen took a deep breath, stepped forward, and naturally stood beside Tang Xixue.

The distance was neither too far nor too close, just the right distance to assert sovereignty—not impolite, but enough to make it clear to anyone that this person belonged to him and no one could touch him.

"Senior Brother, please rest well. Zhizhi and I will not disturb you any longer, and will come to visit again tomorrow."

These words caused Ling Zixian's eyes to dim for a moment.

"it is good."

Ling Zixian responded softly, her voice tinged with disappointment.

He lay there, like a quiet painting, depicting a banished immortal untouched by worldly dust.

Tang Xixue got up and walked out of the guest room with He Lichen.

The door closed gently behind me.

The moonlight, as white as frost, blanketed the entire corridor.

Peach petals swirled in the night breeze, landing in her hair and on his shoulder.

The flowers that fell on the bluestone ground behind them formed a pink and white flower path.

A few faint chirps of insects drifted from afar, making the night seem even more tranquil.

"Brother Huai Xian".

Tang Xixue suddenly spoke.

She looked up at him.

Were you jealous just now?

He Lichen paused in his steps.

"no."

He remained expressionless, his tone calm and composed, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

"I'm just stating the facts."

"Oh?"

Tang Xixue raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to get a little closer.

She tiptoed and brought her face close to his, so close that she could count the number of his eyelashes.

"So, is stating the fact that I am your wife also a statement of fact?"